Patents Examined by Sonny Trinh
  • Patent number: 9680983
    Abstract: A portable electronic communication device includes a user input receiver, one or more user outputs, and a processor programmed to receive user input from the user input receiver and to determine based on the user input whether the user desires the device to enter a private mode. The device alters communications from the device via the one or more user outputs while in the private mode, and enters the private mode if the user input indicates that the user desires the device to enter the private mode. While in the private mode, the device may alter the manner in which it communicates to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Adrian M. Schuster, Rajib Acharya, Roger W. Ady, Plamen A. Ivanov, Mark A. Jasiuk, Dusan Macho Cierna, Robert Zurek
  • Patent number: 9674330
    Abstract: A mobile communication terminal is disclosed. The mobile communication terminal has Receiver Mode and hands-free mode and switchable between the modes. The terminal includes a first sound generator, which works under Receiver Mode and used for receiving and playing voice signal; a second sound generator, which works under Receiver Mode and Hands-free Mode and used for receiving and playing voice signal; when the mobile communication terminal works under Receiver Mode, the first sound generator and the second sound generator receive and play voice signal at the same time. A method of improving sound quality of the mobile communication terminal is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: AAC TECHNOLOGIES PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Hongxing Wang, Bingke Zhu
  • Patent number: 9673916
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with wireless circuitry. The wireless circuitry may include antennas. The antennas may include phased antenna arrays for handling millimeter wave signals. Antennas may be located in antenna signal paths. The antenna signal paths may include adjustable components such as adjustable filters, adjustable gain amplifiers, and adjustable phase shifters. Circuitry may be incorporated into an electronic device to facilitate wireless self-testing operations. Wireless self-testing may involve use of one antenna to transmit an over-the-air antenna test signal that is received by another antenna. The circuitry that facilitates the wireless self-testing operations may include couplers, adjustable switches for temporarily shorting antenna signal paths together, mixers for mixing down radio-frequency signals to allow digitization with analog-to-digital converters, and other circuitry for supporting self-testing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Mow, Basim Noori, Yuehui Ouyang, Yi Jiang, Mattia Pascolini, Ruben Caballero
  • Patent number: 9667290
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with wireless circuitry. The wireless circuitry may include one or more antennas. The antennas may include phased antenna arrays each of which includes multiple antenna elements. Phased antenna arrays may be mounted along edges of a housing for the electronic device, behind a dielectric window such as a dielectric logo window in the housing, in alignment with dielectric housing portions at corners of the housing, or elsewhere in the electronic device. A phased antenna array may include arrays of patch antenna elements on dielectric layers separated by a ground layer. A baseband processor may distribute wireless signals to the phased antenna arrays at intermediate frequencies over intermediate frequency signal paths. Transceiver circuits at the phased antenna arrays may include upconverters and downconverters coupled to the intermediate frequency signal paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Yuehui Ouyang, Yi Jiang, Matthew A. Mow, Basim Noori, Mattia Pascolini, Ruben Caballero
  • Patent number: 9667247
    Abstract: An radio frequency switch according to an example includes a first switching circuit including first switching elements connected in series between an antenna port and a transmission port and operated by a first gate signal, a second switching circuit including second switching elements connected in series between the antenna port and a reception port and operated by a second gate signal, a first shunt circuit connected between the transmission port and a ground and operated by the second gate signal, a second shunt circuit connected between the reception port and the ground and operated by the first gate signal, and a third shunt circuit connected between the reception port and the other end of an inductor grounded at one end and operated by the second gate signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Hyouck Choi, Jeong Hoon Kim, Kyu Jin Choi, Suk Chan Kang
  • Patent number: 9661578
    Abstract: A battery sharing method to increase the service life of the batteries of PMR terminals having important uses, such as the terminal of the head of a group such as the police, firefighters, or the like, is disclosed. The technique is based on the detection of neighboring networks and/or neighboring nodes. The detection is facilitated by reiterating a selection (or reselection) of cells and a handover (HO)/vertical handover (VHO) procedure, while relaying and coordinating transmission and reception. The aim of the techniques is to improve communications as well as the duration thereof, in order to enable improved management of the battery of each terminal and to broaden coverage in areas that are not served by a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: AIRBUS DS SAS
    Inventors: Christophe Gruet, Eric Georgeaux, Hervé Gromat, Xavier Pons Masbernat, Lirida Naviner
  • Patent number: 9660704
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques related one or more systems, apparatuses, methods, etc. for reducing induced currents in a apparatus chassis. For example, a fractal slot is constructed in the apparatus chassis to reduce the induced currents, and enhance passage of magnetic fields through the apparatus chassis. In this example, the fractal slot may include a no-self loop fractal space filling curve shape to provide high impedance to the induced currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Intel IP Corporation
    Inventors: Anand S. Konanur, Ulun Karacaoglu, Songnan Yang
  • Patent number: 9660738
    Abstract: A mobile communications device antenna assembly comprises at least one matrix antenna. The matrix antenna comprises a plurality of conductor elements connected by a plurality of radio frequency switches. An antenna performance assessment component is configured to determine performance of the matrix antenna. Control circuitry is configured to change a state of one or more of the radio frequency switches on the basis of the determined performance of the matrix antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Petri Antero Sinisalo, Marko Tapani Tuohimaa
  • Patent number: 9654233
    Abstract: A method includes determining a total forward power using a frequency domain version of a forward signal transmitted over a cable/connector system to one or more antennas. The method includes determining a total reflected power using a frequency domain version of a reflected signal including a reflected version of the forward signal. The method also includes determining a condition of the cable/connector system using the total forward power and the total reflected power. The method may include determining an estimated reflection coefficient based on the total forward power and the total reflected power and associating the estimated reflection coefficient with the condition of the cable/connector system. Apparatus, program products, and software are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy
    Inventors: Darrell Barabash, Russell Morris
  • Patent number: 9654165
    Abstract: An accessory device is provided that covers an electronic device. The accessory device includes a plurality of members which are connected to each other to be pivoted with respect to each other. The plurality of members may be pivoted to maintain a viewing angle of the electronic device on a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chul In Cho, Kwang Sub Bong
  • Patent number: 9647710
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a strap, a coupling part disposed on one end of the strap, configured to couple the one end of the strap to another end of the strap, and a communications module embedded in the coupling part and configured to perform wireless communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Teck Moon, Doo Il Kim, Tae Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 9641656
    Abstract: Portable communication devices and related methods for use in supporting voice and/or data communication are provided. One example portable communication device includes a housing, an interface connector disposed at the housing. The interface connector is configured to couple to an accessory module configured to provide at least one accessory function. The example portable communication device also includes a processor disposed at least partially within the housing. The processor is coupled to the interface connector and is configured to determine whether a coupled accessory module is an approved module for use with the portable communication device, based on an identity of the accessory module, and if the accessory module is an approved module, enable power at the interface connector such that communication between the portable communication device and the accessory module is permitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Brian Scott Chapman
  • Patent number: 9641241
    Abstract: A method of controlling a function of a mobile terminal is provided. The method includes placing the mobile terminal within a communication range of a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) device previously registered in the mobile terminal, receiving identification information of the BLE device from the BLE device, extracting function information corresponding to the received identification information of the BLE device, and performing a previously set function corresponding to the extracted function information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ju-youn Lee, Sang-hyup Lee
  • Patent number: 9641657
    Abstract: A system and apparatus which permits an existing communication device, such as a common smart phone, to have satellite communication capabilities. The apparatus can include a transmitter/receiver which can relay communications and data, between the existing communications device and a satellite network. Optionally, the data can be encrypted before being sent over the satellite network. Optionally, the transmitter/receiver can have a distress activation input which can automatically emit an SOS signal along with the transmitter/receiver's current GPS coordinates when a user activates the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: XPLOTRAX Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Ham, Kimball Edwards, Brandon Tripp, Michael Jones, David Zoller, Joshua Russell, Thomas Wright, Jessica Apodaca
  • Patent number: 9628204
    Abstract: A communication device system includes a communication device (1) and a reception power monitoring device (2). The communication device (1) includes a reception processing unit (10) that outputs a signal intensity voltage (Vin) in accordance with a signal level of a received signal, and a monitoring terminal signal generator circuit (30) that generates a monitoring terminal signal (Vout) by current amplification of a level shift voltage generated by shifting a level of the signal intensity voltage (Vin) by an offset voltage (Voff) corresponding to a voltage value of a power supply voltage of an external device. The reception power monitoring device (2) includes a constant voltage generator circuit that outputs a constant voltage from the monitoring terminal signal (Vout), and a voltage converter circuit that operates based on the constant voltage and outputs a display level indication signal reflecting a voltage level of the monitoring terminal signal (Vout).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Iino
  • Patent number: 9628217
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide a system and method for using a filter controller and an adjustable narrow-band filter within each sub-band of a communication system. If a channel of the sub-band is being jammed, the filter controller will adjust the adjustable narrow-band filter to notch-filter out only the channel of the sub-band that is being jammed. In this manner, the remaining channel of the sub-band may be used for communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: John W. Rockway, Jia-Chi Chieh, Jeanne Quimby, John D. Rockway
  • Patent number: 9628087
    Abstract: A radio transmission apparatus includes a radio transmission IC including a vibration element and a fractional N-PLL circuit and a power amplifier generating a radio transmission signal and a control device that controls the radio transmission IC, and a temperature detection element. The control device controls the fractional N-PLL circuit based on temperature information obtained from the temperature detection element such that a frequency of the radio transmission signal is temperature-compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hisahiro Ito
  • Patent number: 9628115
    Abstract: A wireless communication device that has a circuit board, an RF signal module, a capacitive touch-sensing component and an antenna component is provided. The touch-sensing signal module is disposed on the circuit board. The capacitive touch-sensing component includes a sensing layer and a ground layer. The sensing layer is electrically connected to the touch-sensing signal module. The antenna component includes a feed point and a radiating body. The feed point is disposed on the ground layer and is electrically connected to the RF single module. The radiating body incorporates at least parts of the ground layer. Alternatively, the feed point is disposed on the sensing layer, and the radiating body incorporates at least parts of the sensing layer. Therefore, the radiating body is incorporated into the sensing layer or ground layer of the capacitive touch-sensing component and can save accommodating space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: HTC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tiao-Hsing Tsai, Chien-Pin Chiu, Hsiao-Wei Wu, Yi-Hsiang Kung, Li-Yuan Fang
  • Patent number: 9608672
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating base band receive signals includes a first analog-to-digital converter module generating a first digital high frequency receive signal at least by sampling a first analog high frequency receive signal, a first digital signal processing module generating a first base band receive signal based on the first digital high frequency receive signal, a second analog-to-digital converter module generating a second digital high frequency receive signal at least by sampling a second analog high frequency receive signal and a second digital signal processing module generating a second base band receive signal based on the second digital high frequency receive signal. The first analog high frequency receive signal comprises first payload data at a first receive channel associated with a first carrier frequency and the second analog high frequency receive signal comprises second payload data at a second receive channel associated with a second carrier frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Intel IP Corporation
    Inventors: Ashkan Naeini, Gerhard Mitteregger, Zdravko Boos
  • Patent number: 9608685
    Abstract: An electronic device that includes a deformable feature designed to seal two or more parts of the electronic device is disclosed. The deformable feature may be designed to deform, in response to a force applied to the deformable feature, with little or no compression. The deformable feature may include a cavity or relief volume extending along the deformable feature to define a space or void in the deformable feature. In response to a force, the deformable feature may deform such that a material (or materials) defining the deformable feature occupies or extends into the space or void, or in a location previously occupied by the space or void. The deformable feature may provide a protective seal between two or more parts that prevents ingress of contaminants, such as a liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ashutosh Y. Shukla, Sawyer I. Cohen, Scott A. Myers, David A. Pakula