Abstract: In a vehicle door control system, when a mobile terminal accepts door lock manipulation and a vehicle door control apparatus receives a door lock signal from the mobile terminal, the vehicle door control apparatus determines that a door should be locked and, at time of door locking, transmits the amount of charge of a secondary battery at that time. Then the door is locked.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include techniques for charging a battery. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method comprising determining if a maximum current output of a power source is above a threshold, configuring a regulator coupled to the power source, wherein the regulator is configured in a pass mode if the maximum current output is above the threshold, and wherein the regulator is configured in a regulation mode if the maximum current output is below the threshold, and generating pulses to a battery, wherein an output of the regulator is coupled to the battery when a pulse is being generated, and the output of the regulator is decoupled from the battery when a pulse is not being generated. In other embodiments, the techniques may be embodied in a circuit including a detection circuit and a switching regulator coupled to a battery through a pulse circuit.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention includes an over-current protection method. The method comprises generating a switching signal, starting and stopping a timer, sensing a current through a switch, comparing a response time to a reference time, and generating an over-current alarm signal. The switching signal activates one or more switches in a switching regulator. The timer is started in response to the switch being activated and is stopped in response to the sensed current exceeding a threshold. The response time indicates the time period between the starting and the stopping of the timer. The over-current alarm signal is generated if the response time is less than the reference time.

Abstract: An information processing station having map data is provided at an external position outside of a vehicle. In-vehicle equipment determines a vehicular travel path of the vehicle, and transmits the determined vehicular travel path to the information processing station. The information processing station executes map matching processing of matching the vehicular travel path with a road on the map data, thereby correcting the present position of the vehicle. Accordingly, the present position of the vehicle can be determined with high precision without providing expensive map data to the vehicle.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include techniques for charging a battery. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method comprising determining if a maximum current output of a power source is above a threshold, configuring a regulator coupled to the power source, wherein the regulator is configured in a pass mode if the maximum current output is above the threshold, and wherein the regulator is configured in a regulation mode if the maximum current output is below the threshold, and generating pulses to a battery, wherein an output of the regulator is coupled to the battery when a pulse is being generated, and the output of the regulator is decoupled from the battery when a pulse is not being generated. In other embodiments, the techniques may be embodied in a circuit including a detection circuit and a switching regulator coupled to a battery through a pulse circuit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include techniques for detecting power sources. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method of detecting a power source comprising coupling a power source to a portable electronic device, the power source comprising a first supply voltage and a second supply voltage, and at least a first data terminal and a second data terminal, coupling a resistor to the first data terminal a predetermined time period after the power source is coupled to the electronic device, detecting the voltage on the first data terminal and second data terminal, and generating a first signal corresponding to a first power source if the first and second data terminals have the same voltage after said predetermined time period, and generating a second signal corresponding to a second power source if the first and second data terminals have differential voltages after said predetermined time period.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include techniques for charging a battery using a regulator. In one embodiment, the present invention includes an electronic circuit comprising a regulator having an input coupled to a power source for receiving a voltage and a current and an output for providing an output current, an input voltage detection circuit coupled to the power source, and an adjustable current limit circuit for controlling the input or output current of the regulator, wherein input voltage detection circuit monitors the voltage from the power source and the adjustable current limit circuit changes the input or output current of the regulator to optimize the power drawn from power source.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods of controlling power in battery operated systems. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a switching regulator for boosting voltage on a depleted battery to power up a system. The system may communicate with an external system to increase the current received from the external system. Embodiments of the present invention include circuits for controlling power received from external power sources such as a USB power source. In another embodiment, input-output control techniques are disclosed for controlling the delivery of power to a system or charging a system battery, or both, from an external power source.

Abstract: An information processing station having map data is provided at an external position outside of a vehicle. In-vehicle equipment determines a vehicular travel path of the vehicle, and transmits the determined vehicular travel path to the information processing station. The information processing station executes map matching processing of matching the vehicular travel path with a road on the map data, thereby correcting the present position of the vehicle. Accordingly, the present position of the vehicle can be determined with high precision without providing expensive map data to the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for regulating a voltage to a load to compensate for one or more parasitic impedances. A first amplifier measures the voltage drop due to a first parasitic impedance, and a second amplifier measures the voltage drop due to a second parasitic impedance. An offset generator sums the first and second voltage drops with a reference voltage, and drives a DC-to-DC converter to produce an input voltage matching the summed voltages. Accordingly, the voltage at a load between the parasitic impedances matches the reference voltage. The load may be, for example, a computer microprocessor or central processing unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for regulating a voltage to a load to compensate for one or more parasitic impedances. A first amplifier measures the voltage drop due to a first parasitic impedance, and a second amplifier measures the voltage drop due to a second parasitic impedance. An offset generator sums the first and second voltage drops with a reference voltage, and drives a DC-to-DC converter to produce an input voltage matching the summed voltages. Accordingly, the voltage at a load between the parasitic impedances matches the reference voltage. The load may be, for example, a computer microprocessor or central processing unit.

Abstract: A multiple band antenna comprising: a dielectric substrate; and a plurality of antenna elements being formed of each a conductor on a same face of the dielectric substrate and provided in a one-to-one correspondence with frequency bands to operate the frequency bands, wherein each of the antenna elements has an open end as one end and is connected at an opposite end to a feeder line and comprises a narrow part being placed on a side of the open end and formed by line with a narrow wide and a wide part being placed on a side of the feeder line and having a wider width than the narrow wide of the narrow part, the narrow part is turned in order in substantially the same direction as a width direction of the wide part, to form a meander shape, and the antenna elements have the wide parts joined in one piece forming a predetermined angle with each other so as to share a part of the wide parts.

Abstract: A study/development is objectively evaluated for introduction of share for investors so as to provide an investment chance to the study/development and pay dividend. A processing unit reads in study plan information, study result information, study cost balance information, and expected result information for each of the study theme identification information from a storage unit. According to each study theme identification information, the processing unit calculates a total investment sum A up to now and future study investment sum B. The processing unit calculates an expected implementation income H and a risk coefficient I. The processing unit calculates a profit index R predicting probability of industrialization of the study theme and obtaining profit and ranks the profit index. The processing unit stores study theme information including various information associated with study/development.

Abstract: Matching between seeds of technology developed and needs required by an enterprise is found and the technology as the study result is transferred. A processing unit discloses technology seeds information including a study/development plan, study result, expected result, study cost, balance, and the like via a communication network. Upon reception of a contract application from a development institution, the processing unit inputs contract application information. The processing unit identifies the application type: an information disclosure contract which discloses detailed study result information to an enterprise, or an option contract which gives an optional right enabling an enterprise to carry out the study result with a predetermined time limit before the contract, or a development contract which gives right to develop the technology obtained by the study result, and performs a contract pressing corresponding to the application type.

Abstract: A dielectric antenna is provided for a high frequency wireless communication apparatus. The antenna includes a dielectric substrate and a conductive meander line layer formed on the dielectric substrate. A conductive feed line layer, having a greater line width than the width of the meander line layer, is also formed on the dielectric substrate. A conductive taper layer connects the conductive meander line layer to the conductive feed line layer. An edge of the conductive taper layer slants at an angle from an adjacent edge of the conductive feed line layer in a direction toward the conductive meander line layer.

Abstract: A multiple band antenna comprising: a dielectric substrate; and a plurality of antenna elements being formed of each a conductor on a same face of the dielectric substrate and provided in a one-to-one correspondence with frequency bands to operate the frequency bands, wherein each of the antenna elements has an open end as one end and is connected at an opposite end to a feeder line and comprises a narrow part being placed on a side of the open end and formed by line with a narrow wide and a wide part being placed on a side of the feeder line and having a wider width than the narrow wide of the narrow part, the narrow part is turned in order in substantially the same direction as a width direction of the wide part, to form a meander shape, and the antenna elements have the wide parts joined in one piece forming a predetermined angle with each other so as to share a part of the wide parts.

Abstract: A multiple band antenna comprising: a dielectric substrate; and a plurality of antenna elements being formed of each a conductor on a same face of the dielectric substrate and provided in a one-to-one correspondence with frequency bands to operate the frequency bands, wherein each of the antenna elements has an open end as one end and is connected at an opposite end to a feeder line and comprises a narrow part being placed on a side of the open end and formed by line with a narrow wide and a wide part being placed on a side of the feeder line and having a wider width than the narrow wide of the narrow part, the narrow part is turned in order in substantially the same direction as a width direction of the wide part, to form a meander shape, and the antenna elements have the wide parts joined in one piece forming a predetermined angle with each other so as to share a part of the wide parts.

Abstract: A dielectric antenna is provided for a high frequency wireless communication apparatus. The antenna includes a dielectric substrate and a conductive meander line layer formed on the dielectric substrate. A conductive feed line layer, having a greater line width than the width of the meander line layer, is also formed on the dielectric substrate. A conductive taper layer connects the conductive meander line layer to the conductive feed line layer. An edge of the conductive taper layer slants at an angle from an adjacent edge of the conductive feed line layer in a direction toward the conductive meander line layer.

Abstract: A driver for a controllable switch, a method of driving the controllable switch and a power converter employing the driver or the method. The driver receives a control signal and operates the controllable switch. In one embodiment, the driver includes a switching network coupled to the controllable switch and including first and second complementary drive switches. The driver also includes a capacitor coupled between control terminals of the first and second complementary drive switches, and a diode coupled between a bias energy source and the capacitor. The first and second complementary switches cooperate to produce a drive signal as a function of the control signal and a level of the bias energy source.

Abstract: A heating resistor includes a conductive material, and an electrically insulating material made of a mixture of silicon carbide (SiC) and carbon (C) having a carbon content of not less than 3 wt % based on the mixture. The resistor is formed by sputtering of a target of the conductive material and the electrically insulating material having at least 5 wt % of carbon. The conductive material and the electrically insulating material may be respectively provided as separate targets. The conductive material is at least one metal selected from tantalum, niobium, titanium, tungsten, molybdenum, zirconium and chromium.