Abstract: Methods and systems for a complete vehicle ecosystem are provided. Specifically, systems that when taken alone, or together, provide an individual or group of individuals with an intuitive and comfortable vehicular environment. The present disclosure includes a universal chassis that may be mounted in the head unit of a vehicle. The chassis may accept one or more modules that each have common dimensions. With a common form factor, the universal chassis is configurable as different modules with different functionality may be inserted into the chassis with ease.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a complete vehicle ecosystem are provided. Specifically, systems that when taken alone, or together, provide an individual or group of individuals with an intuitive and comfortable vehicular environment. The present disclosure includes a system to recognize the drivers and/or passengers within the automobile. Based on the recognition, the vehicle may change a configuration of the automobile to match predetermined preferences for the driver and/or passenger. The configurations may also include the recognition of a unique set of gestures for the person. Further, the configuration can also include the tracking of health data related to the person.

Abstract: An electronic device that is operable to provide navigation information to a user by utilizing the navigation system of a separate mobile device, such as a GPS-enabled mobile phone. The electronic device includes a communication interface for communicating navigation data between the mobile device and the electronic device. The electronic device also includes a display for displaying the navigation data received from the mobile device. The display of the electronic device may be larger than the display of the mobile device, such that a driver of an automobile may use the electronic device to provide a more desirable viewing experience. Further, the electronic device may include a user interface, such as a touch screen, that allows a user to access and control the navigation functions of the mobile device. The electronic device may also be operable to communicate with other portable electronic devices.

Abstract: A camera module including a particle trap. The particle trap may be disposed in the camera module and may be operable to prevent particles from obstructing an optical path defined between a lens assembly and an image sensor. The particle trap may include a particle getter to retain particles in contact with the particle trap. The camera module may be operative to move the lens assembly so as to provide focus on the image sensor for objects at various distances from the camera module. The movement of the lens assembly may be a source of particles retained by the particle trap.

Abstract: A conductive cable for reducing the power losses in components, such as inductors and transformers. The conductive cable includes multiple strands that each include an inner conductor and an outer insulating layer. The conductive cable includes strands of multiple cross-sectional areas (multiple gauges), such that the power losses associated with the skin effect may be reduced. The cross-sectional areas of the strands of the conductive cable may be selected dependent upon the frequency content of the current that they are intended to carry. In the case of a PFC boost converter, the various cross-sectional areas of the strands may be selected to carry the harmonics of and AC power source, as well as higher frequency current caused by a switch associated with the PFC boost converter.

Abstract: Described herein is a package delivery kiosk (PDK) including an integrated robotic package lifting assembly and shelving system. The system includes a PDK, associated front end and back end package delivery management systems, including portals for the consumer, retailer, common carrier, sender, and recipient, a package inventory management system, integrated retailer access, and a real and automated retailer bidding system. The shelving system has shelves with receiving apertures and dividers configured to fit into the receiving apertures, where the dividers each have a receiving slot. A package retrieving apparatus includes a base, a vertical support interconnected with the base, and a package picker module. The package picker module is oriented to move up and down on the vertical support. The package picker module includes grippers configured to surround and grip the object. A kiosk includes a kiosk body having a package delivery slot and an interface slot.

Abstract: A resonant converter comprising: a controllable current source; a resonant tank circuit coupled to the current source; and an isolated buck-type converter coupled to the resonant tank circuit, the isolated buck-type converter having an output, wherein the resonant tank circuit enables switches in the isolated buck-type converter to switch under soft-switching conditions. In some embodiments, the controllable current source is a switch-mode-type current source. In some embodiments, the isolated buck-type converter comprises a half-bridge converter. In some embodiments, the isolated buck-type converter comprises a full-bridge converter. In some embodiments, the isolated buck-type converter comprises a push-pull converter.

Abstract: A method, system, and stored processor executable instructions are provided that receive a product identifier, determine a vendor offering best pricing, and propose a transaction structure to consummate the product purchase transaction.

Abstract: A distributed image/video processing system is disclosed herein wherein one or more of digital image/video recorders (e.g., a digital cameras, video recorders, or smart phones, etc.) are in network communication with central network site for transmitting image or video data thereto. The recorders process their image/video data dependent upon an estimate of a measurement of network bandwidth that is available for transmitting image or video data to the central network site.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a microprocessor executable installation supervisor operable to determine, for a selected computational component to be installed in the vehicle, whether the selected computational component satisfies a requirement and/or restriction associated with the selected computational component, when installed, and, when the selected computational component can satisfy the requirement and/or restriction, create a set of data structures in the selected computational component and/or a computer readable medium on board the vehicle to bind the selected computational component to the vehicle.

Abstract: An inductive element including a magnetic core with a section received in a central opening defined in each of the layers in a multilayer circuit board. A primary winding, an auxiliary winding, and a secondary winding are each realized in conductive coils located on a plurality of layers in the circuit board. The secondary winding is separated from the other windings by a relatively-thick dielectric layer. Other dielectric layers separate each of the layers with the coils. EMI shields are provided on other layers. The coils are located in a central region of each layer so as to provide an adequate safety margin from the side edges of the inductive element.

Abstract: A portable computer includes a user interface portion and a screen portion that has a substantially planar surface rotatably coupled to the user interface portion. At least one light fixture is positionably mounted to the screen portion in a stowage position or in a functional position. In some embodiments, the light fixture includes a spring member. In the stowage position, the spring member is compressed, and the light fixture is flush with the substantial planar surface. In the functional position, the spring member is relaxed, and the light fixture illuminates the user interface portion. In some embodiments, the light fixture includes a swivel member that enables 360° rotation of the light fixture.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a complete vehicle ecosystem are provided. Specifically, systems that when taken alone, or together, provide an individual or group of individuals with an intuitive and comfortable vehicular environment. The present disclosure includes a universal chassis that may be mounted in the head unit of a vehicle. The chassis may accept one or more modules that each have common dimensions. With a common form factor, the universal chassis is configurable as different modules with different functionality may be inserted into the chassis with ease.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a complete vehicle ecosystem are provided. Specifically, systems that when taken alone, or together, provide an individual or group of individuals with an intuitive and comfortable vehicular environment. The present disclosure builds on integrating existing technology with new devices, methods, and systems to provide a complete vehicle ecosystem.

Abstract: Described herein is a folded tape package for electronic devices. The folded tape package uses a flexible tape substrate having two end sections for passive components and a middle section for connecting and stacking multiple dies. The stacked dies are encapsulated or covered with a mold. One side may be left exposed for device functionality and operation with additional components or devices. The passive components may also be covered with a mold. The end sections are folded such that the end sections are in a parallel configuration with the middle section. The flexible tape substrate may be a high density interconnect flexible tape substrate with two layers. A silicon substrate may be used to interconnect a die stack to the flexible tape substrate. The folded tape package has a reduced device footprint, lower substrate warpage effects, and higher substrate yields.

Abstract: A bridgeless PFC boost converter has either a single switching cell or two identical switching cells configured to operate 180 degrees out of phase. A switching cell includes first and second transistor switches coupled to opposing ends of an input AC voltage source, and first and second rectifying diodes, one rectifying diode coupled in series to each of the two transistor switches. A boost inductor is coupled to a junction node between each transistor switch and rectifying diode series. Either a third rectifying diode or a third transistor switch is coupled to a junction node between the input AC voltage source and the first transistor switch. Either a fourth rectifying diode or a fourth transistor switch is coupled to a junction node between the input AC voltage source and the second transistor switch. The rectifying diodes are coupled an output capacitor. Two switching cells can be interleaved.

Abstract: A bridgeless PFC boost converter has two auxiliary transistor switches coupled to an input AC voltage source and two boost inductors coupled to opposing ends of the input AC voltage source. A first boost inductor is coupled to a junction node of a first rectifying diode and a first transistor switch coupled in series. A second boost inductors is coupled to a junction node of a second rectifying diode and a second transistor switch coupled in series. The rectifying diodes are commonly coupled to an output capacitor, and the transistor switches are commonly coupled to a second node of the output capacitor. A first auxiliary transistor switch is commonly coupled with the first boost inductor and to a first node of the input AC voltage source. A second auxiliary transistor switch is commonly coupled with the second boost inductor and to a second node of the input AC voltage source.

Abstract: A portable electrical appliance comprises an audio signal source, a power supply module having a housing external to the portable electrical appliance for providing power to the electronic appliance having, a power converter for providing DC power to at least the portable electrical appliance, a speaker for generating sound and audio processing means for manipulating audio signals from the audio signal source, wherein the power converter, audio processing means and speaker are mounted within the housing, and communication means for coupling the audio signal to the processing means. The communication means is able to be wireless or wired.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing camera modules for use in portable electronic devices, such as mobile phones, is provided. More specifically, in camera modules utilizing lens motion type auto focus actuation, permanent magnets associated with voice coil motors utilized in the auto focus system, generate magnetic flux that can interfere with the process of bonding image sensors to camera modules if the permanent magnets of different voice coil motors are positioned too closely. Incorporating a magnetic shield into the manufacturing process to restrain or control the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnets permits voice coil motors to be positioned closer together during the manufacturing process. This increases manufacturing throughput and reduces cost.

Abstract: An integrated snap and handling apparatus is provided. The apparatus may be capable of being assembled with and disassembled from a mating component without damage. The apparatus may include a pair of features that provide an intuitive and easy user interface for removal, handling and installation. The pair of features may allow a user to use a pinching motion to engage and disengage the apparatus from the mating component without the use of a tool. The integrated snap and handling apparatus may provide for low removal forces when the user interface is properly actuated while resisting high separation forces when the user interface is not properly actuated. The integrated snap and handling apparatus may be incorporated into a wide variety of assemblies and devices. For example, the integrated snap and handling apparatus may be incorporated into a cooling duct for the control of airflow around an electronic component.