Abstract: The present application discloses a device for detecting and reducing radon concentration in an indoor environment. This device comprises at least one radon gas sensor and, at least one differential pressure sensor for measuring the difference between the indoor and outdoor atmospheric pressures, wherein both sensors are connected to a microcontroller configured to perform the pre-processing and aggregation of the data obtained by said sensors. To reduce radon levels, it triggers at least one physical actuator to activate a ventilation device for reducing the radon concentration in an indoor environment when indoor radon concentration is above a first predetermined threshold or when indoor radon concentration is above a second predetermined threshold and the differential pressure is negative.

Abstract: Improved methods and systems for operating moveable architectural elements (e.g., furniture) are described. The method includes performing a first part of a movement of the moveable architectural element along a portion of a length of actuation using a motor. The method includes performing a second part of the movement of the moveable architectural element with a desired movement profile and, based thereon, measuring an operation parameter. The method includes comparing the measured operation parameter to a profile of the operation parameter. The method includes incrementing a first counter if a first differential between the measured operation parameter and the profile of the operation parameter exceeds a differential threshold, incrementing a first counter. The method includes adjusting the second part of the movement of the moveable architectural element if the first counter exceeds a counter threshold. Many other improvements and features are contemplated and described.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for operating moveable architectural elements (e.g., furniture) are described. The system can include improved features implemented throughout various elements, including hardware elements, controller elements, and/or software elements. As one example, the system can feature the ability to map a characteristic load profile across a particular length of actuation and, if during operation a measured load exceeds the profile, adjust (e.g., stop) the system's motion. The system can also advantageously map its current draw to increase energy efficiency. In addition, the system can include a positioning system that enables it to automatically determine its position upon start up and during operation. In some implementations, the system includes multiple moveable elements (e.g., furniture items). In some cases, power is distributed to the moveable element(s) using a moveable power distribution module. Many other improvements and features are contemplated and described.

Abstract: Embodiments of this application describe improved techniques for operating moveable furniture items. The techniques can include configuring a moveable furniture item such that it will not pivot of tip over during normal operating conditions. The techniques can also include certain passive safety features, such as selecting components that experience a fail condition if a certain threshold condition is reached. In some embodiments, the furniture item can be programmed to operate in various modes, desirable in certain circumstances. The techniques described herein can improve both the functionality and the safety of moveable furniture items.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for operating moveable architectural elements (e.g., furniture) are described. The system can include improved features implemented throughout various elements, including hardware elements, controller elements, and/or software elements. As one example, the system can feature the ability to map a characteristic load profile across a particular length of actuation and, if during operation a measured load exceeds the profile, adjust (e.g., stop) the system's motion. The system can also advantageously map its current draw to increase energy efficiency. In addition, the system can include a positioning system that enables it to automatically determine its position upon start up and during operation. In some implementations, the system includes multiple moveable elements (e.g., furniture items). In some cases, power is distributed to the moveable element(s) using a moveable power distribution module. Many other improvements and features are contemplated and described.

Abstract: An apparatus (1b) and method of depleting a plasma of electrons in a plasma coating apparatus is disclosed. The invention involves generating a plasma comprising ions (9), particulate material (5) and electrons (6) adjacent a target (4); forming a plasma trap (52) to constrain the plasma near to the target (4), and depleting the plasma of electrons by: providing an additional magnetic field (8b) that is superimposed over the magnetic field of the plasma trap (3, 52), which extends beyond a boundary layer (52) of the plasma trap, and which draws electrons (6) from, or near to, the boundary layer (52) of the plasma trap away from the target (4). The invention proposes applying a baseline voltage (50) to the target (4); and by applying periodic voltage pulses (13b) to the target (4). The additional magnetic field (8b) depletes the plasma of electrons, such that when a voltage pulse (13b) is applied to the target (4), ions (9) can be ejected from the plasma with reduced electron shielding.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for operating moveable architectural elements (e.g., furniture) are described. The system can include improved features implemented throughout various elements, including hardware elements, controller elements, and/or software elements. As one example, the system can feature the ability to map a characteristic load profile across a particular length of actuation and, if during operation a measured load exceeds the profile, adjust (e.g., stop) the system's motion. The system can also advantageously map its current draw to increase energy efficiency. In addition, the system can include a positioning system that enables it to automatically determine its position upon start up and during operation. In some implementations, the system includes multiple moveable elements (e.g., furniture items). In some cases, power is distributed to the moveable element(s) using a moveable power distribution module. Many other improvements and features are contemplated and described.

Abstract: The present invention includes a toy with a retractable mechanism capable of transforming its original compact shape into a new entity, comprising: a hollow sphere (1) provided with a cut on the lower part thereof (2), on the upper end a convex protuberance is projected (3), provided with a modified asymmetric cylinder, which reduces its size in the upper end assimilating the neck of the body of the sphere (4), formed by two hinges of plastic material adjoined to both caps (5); and two internal springs that maintain these hinges under tension to maintain the body inside the sphere (6) which, when pressed, activates the operation of the main spring (7) in such a way that, when the sphere (1) receives a strike or is pressed, an identity different from the initial one is shown.

Abstract: The present invention includes a toy with a retractable mechanism capable of transforming its original compact shape into a new entity, comprising: a hollow sphere (1) provided with a cut on the lower part thereof (2), on the upper end a convex protuberance is projected (3), provided with a modified asymmetric cylinder, which reduces its size in the upper end assimilating the neck of the body of the sphere (4), formed by two hinges of plastic material adjoined to both caps (5); and two internal springs that maintain these hinges under tension to maintain the body inside the sphere (6) which, when pressed, activates the operation of the main spring (7) in such a way that, when the sphere (1) receives a strike or is pressed, an identity different from the initial one is shown.

Abstract: Coding techniques for a (e.g., OFDM) communication system capable of transmitting data on a number of “transmission channels” at different information bit rates based on the channels' achieved SNR. A base code is used in combination with common or variable puncturing to achieve different coding rates required by the transmission channels. The data (i.e., information bits) for a data transmission is encoded with the base code, and the coded bits for each channel (or group of channels with the similar transmission capabilities) are punctured to achieve the required coding rate. The coded bits may be interleaved (e.g., to combat fading and remove correlation between coded bits in each modulation symbol) prior to puncturing. The unpunctured coded bits are grouped into non-binary symbols and mapped to modulation symbols (e.g., using Gray mapping). The modulation symbol may be “pre-conditioned” and prior to transmission.

Abstract: Coding techniques for a (e.g., OFDM) communication system capable of transmitting data on a number of “transmission channels” at different information bit rates based on the channels' achieved SNR. A base code is used in combination with common or variable puncturing to achieve different coding rates required by the transmission channels. The data (i.e., information bits) for a data transmission is encoded with the base code, and the coded bits for each channel (or group of channels with the similar transmission capabilities) are punctured to achieve the required coding rate. The coded bits may be interleaved (e.g., to combat fading and remove correlation between coded bits in each modulation symbol) prior to puncturing. The unpunctured coded bits are grouped into non-binary symbols and mapped to modulation symbols (e.g., using Gray mapping). The modulation symbol may be “pre-conditioned” and prior to transmission.

Abstract: Coding techniques for a (e.g., OFDM) communication system capable of transmitting data on a number of “transmission channels” at different information bit rates based on the channels' achieved SNR. A base code is used in combination with common or variable puncturing to achieve different coding rates required by the transmission channels. The data (i.e., information bits) for a data transmission is encoded with the base code, and the coded bits for each channel (or group of channels with the similar transmission capabilities) are punctured to achieve the required coding rate. The coded bits may be interleaved (e.g., to combat fading and remove correlation between coded bits in each modulation symbol) prior to puncturing. The unpunctured coded bits are grouped into non-binary symbols and mapped to modulation symbols (e.g., using Gray mapping). The modulation symbol may be “pre-conditioned” and prior to transmission.

Abstract: A position determination system and apparatus for utilizing a network of cellular base stations to determine position of a mobile station includes taking a plurality of statistically independent data measurements of the pilot signals from the base stations. Each of the data measurements includes an earliest time of arrival, providing multiple independent measurements for each of the pilot signals. For each cellular base station, a representative measurement is calculated responsive to the independent measurements, which is used to determine position of the mobile station using an AFLT algorithm and/or in conjunction with a GPS algorithm. In some embodiments, the data measurements for each pilot signal further include an RMSE estimate and time of measurement for each time of arrival, and an energy measurement for all resolvable paths. If the mobile station comprises a cell phone, a cell search list and a GPS search list may be provided by a cell base station.

Abstract: A parameter estimator for estimating one or more parameter(s) from a correlation function derived from a signal using a dynamically variable integration time is described. The parameter estimator may be employed in a subscriber station to estimate the time of arrival of one or more base station or sector pilot signals in a wireless communication system. This information may be utilized in an overall advanced forward link trilateration (AFLT) process for estimating the location of the subscriber station.

Abstract: A position determination system and apparatus for utilizing a network of cellular base stations to determine position of a mobile station includes taking a plurality of statistically independent data measurements of the pilot signals from the base stations. Each of the data measurements includes an earliest time of arrival, providing multiple independent measurements for each of the pilot signals. For each cellular base station, a representative measurement is calculated responsive to the independent measurements, which is used to determine position of the mobile station using an AFLT algorithm and/or in conjunction with a GPS algorithm. In some embodiments, the data measurements for each pilot signal further include an RMSE estimate and time of measurement for each time of arrival, and an energy measurement for all resolvable paths. If the mobile station comprises a cell phone, a cell search list and a GPS search list may be provided by a cell base station.

Abstract: A parameter estimator for estimating one or more parameter(s) from a correlation function derived from a signal using a dynamically variable integration time is described. The parameter estimator may be employed in a subscriber station to estimate the time of arrival of one or more base station or sector pilot signals in a wireless communication system. This information may be utilized in an overall advanced forward link trilateration (AFLT) process for estimating the location of the subscriber station.

Abstract: A method of producing a reliability metric for a parameter estimate derived from a signal using correlation analysis is described. The method begins by obtaining an indication of whether a non line of sight signal condition is present or likely and/or obtaining an indication of whether a multi-path signal condition is present or likely. Responsive to one or both of these indications, the method derives a reliability metric for the parameter estimate. In one embodiment, the parameter estimate is an estimate of time of arrival (TOA) of the signal, and the reliability metric is root mean square error (RMSE) of the time of arrival estimate. This embodiment obtains an indication of whether a non line of sight signal condition is present or likely based on a measure of the strength of the correlation function at the peak thereof.

Abstract: A system and method for accurately determining time of arrival using a mathematical model that mimics a correlation function. A correlation value is sampled at a predetermined periodic interval and a maximum correlation value, coinciding with a particular point in time, is determined. The mathematical model uses the maximum measured correlation value and correlation values at adjacent sample points to determine coefficients for the selected mathematical model. The coefficients may be calculated and used to determine the actual peak, which may fall in-between the sample points. The actual peak value is used to accurately determine the time of arrival of a signal. Time of arrival signals from a plurality of remote transmitters are used along with conventional triangulation techniques to accurately determine the location of the wireless unit.

Abstract: A parameter estimator for estimating one or more parameter(s) from a signal is described. A correlation function is derived from the signal, and the correlation function analyzed to determine if one or more first peak(s) are present, and, if so, distinguishable from the sidelobe(s) of a second peak. If the one or more first peak(s) are present and distinguishable from the sidelobe(s) of the second peak, the one or more parameter(s) are estimated from the one or more first peak(s). If the one or more first peak(s) are not present, or, if present, are not distinguishable from the sidelobe(s) of the second peak, the one or more parameter(s) are estimated from the second peak. The parameter estimator may be employed in a subscriber station to estimate a parameter such as the time of arrival of one or more base station or sector pilot signals in a wireless communication system.

Abstract: Techniques for receiving a MIMO transmission are described. A receiver processes received data from multiple receive antennas in multiple stages. A first stage performs front-end filtering/equalization on the received data with a front-end filter to process non on-time signal components in the multiple received signals. A second stage processes the filtered data with one or more combiner matrices to combine on-time signal components for multiple transmitted signals. For a MIMO-CDM transmission, a single front-end filter may be used for all channelization codes, and a different combiner matrix may be used for each channelization code. Partitioning the receiver processing into multiple stages simplifies derivation of the front-end filter and combiner matrices while achieving good performance. The front-end filter and combiner matrices may be updated separately at the same or different rates.