Abstract: A multi-step tube (1) of a ceramic material comprises a tube body (1) of the ceramic material having an inner wall (11) located inside the tube body (1). A surface of the inner wall (11) is formed with a plurality of steps (2). The steps (2) are formed to extend differently far inside the tube (1). A multi-layered gas discharge tube comprises the multi-step tube (1). An inner electrode (31) is disposed on a step (21), and an outer electrode (41) is disposed on an outer surface (13) of the tube body (1). A disc (51) is partially placed on a step (22) and the inner electrode (31) between the inner electrode (31) and the outer electrode (41) so that, in case of an electrostatic discharge, the discharge will only take place in the center of the multi-step tube (1) and not at the border of the isolated ceramic disc (51).

Abstract: A controller device with one or more processors and memory determines an identity and a location of a tagged physical object based on contextual information received from one or more sources. The controller device determines locations for each of a plurality of identifiable tags with associated tag identifiers. The controller device correlates the identity of the tagged physical object with a first set of one or more identifiable tags from among the plurality of identifiable tags based on correspondence between the determined location of the tagged physical object and at least one determined location of the first set of identifiable tags. The controller device stores the at least one determined location of the first set of identifiable tags, tag identifiers of the first set identifiable tags, and the identity of the tagged physical object in a physical object tracking table.

Abstract: Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to determining a motion based on projected image information. Image information is projected onto an external surface from a device. Sensor information about the external surface and/or projection is received. Motion of the device is determined based on the sensor information.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for processing audio information are disclosed. An exemplary method includes receiving an audio stream. The audio stream may be monitored by a low power integrated circuit. The audio stream may be digitized by the low power integrated circuit. The digitized audio stream may be stored in a memory, wherein storing the digitized audio stream comprises replacing a prior digitized audio stream stored in the memory with the digitized audio stream. The low power integrated circuit may analyze the stored digitized audio stream for recognition of a keyword. The low power integrated circuit may induce a processor to enter an increased power usage state upon recognition of the keyword within the stored digitized audio stream. The stored digitized audio stream may be transmitted to a server for processing. A response received from the server based on the processed audio stream may be rendered.

Abstract: Examples disclose a low power integrated circuit to receive and digitize an audio stream. Further, the examples provide the low power integrated circuit to compare the digitized audio stream to a keyword and store the digitized audio stream in a memory. Additionally, the examples also disclose upon recognition of the keyword in the digitized audio stream, the low power integrated circuit transmits a signal to a processor to increase power and analyze the digitized audio stream.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for managing operation of an electronic device based on the connection(s) of hardware module(s) to the electronic drive via a support housing. According to certain aspects, the electronic device may activate and identify a hardware module that is connected to a controlling position of the support housing. The electronic device may identify a function associated with the hardware module, where the function may be a built-in function of the hardware module itself or of the electronic device. The electronic device may accordingly activate the identified function.

Abstract: An electronic device with a primary display having a first power consumption and a keypad display separate from the primary display, and having a second power consumption less than the first power consumption is presented. The keypad display is coupled to a touch sensor and displays a standard keypad interface when the electronic device is powered on. Based on user selection of one or more applications on the electronic device, custom keypad interfaces associated with the selected application is displayed on the keypad display. User selection of icons on the custom keypad interfaces cause the electronic device to perform corresponding functions of the selected application. The custom keypad interface associated with the selected application may be stored in the electronic device or configured based on the user's individual settings. The custom keypad interfaces may include characters, symbols and images relevant to the operational state of the selected application.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a system and method for providing pen-based content transfer between mobile computing devices. According to one embodiment, a first mobile computing device and second mobile computing device are configured to host electronic content. A pen device is operated by a user for selecting preferred electronic content from the electronic content hosted on the first computing device. Furthermore, the pen device is configured to store transfer information for facilitating transmission of the preferred electronic content from the first mobile computing device to the electronic content of the second mobile computing device based on action from the user.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for managing operation of an electronic device based on the connection(s) of hardware module(s) to the electronic drive via a support housing. According to certain aspects, the electronic device may activate and identify a hardware module that is connected to a controlling position of the support housing. The electronic device may identify a function associated with the hardware module, where the function may be a built-in function of the hardware module itself or of the electronic device. The electronic device may accordingly activate the identified function.

Abstract: A method of comparing surface profiles of an object, the object being rotatable on an axis, such that the object has a longitudinal dimension and an axial dimension. The object is incrementally scanned with a laser scan micrometer, first in a pre-test scan procedure and then in a post-test scan procedure. The two scan procedures are performed in the same manner, by using the laser scan micrometer to scan the object in a longitudinal direction, rotating the object, re-scanning the object, measuring the scan length thereby obtaining a longitudinal height value, and repeating the preceding steps for a number of incremental rotations thereby obtaining one longitudinal height profile. This process is repeated by incrementally moving the object in an axial direction and acquiring additional longitudinal height profiles, thereby acquiring a set of longitudinal height profiles. The pre-test and post-test sets of profiles are then aligned and compared.

Abstract: A reconfigurable keypad for enhancing user experience of an electronic device. The keypad includes a keypad display implemented as any type of display devices that can display different configurations of characters, symbols or images. The keypad display is placed adjacent an application display module. Both the keypad display and the application display module are covered with a common protective film, giving an appearance of a continuous top surface. The keypad also has a mechanism for providing tactile feedback to the user indicating whether the keypad was properly pressed.

Abstract: A method of comparing surface profiles of an object, the object being rotatable on an axis, such that the object has a longitudinal dimension and an axial dimension. The object is incrementally scanned with a laser scan micrometer, first in a pre-test scan procedure and then in a post-test scan procedure. The two scan procedures are performed in the same manner, by using the laser scan micrometer to scan the object in a longitudinal direction, rotating the object, re-scanning the object, measuring the scan length thereby obtaining a longitudinal height value, and repeating the preceding steps for a number of incremental rotations thereby obtaining one longitudinal height profile. This process is repeated by incrementally moving the object in an axial direction and acquiring additional longitudinal height profiles, thereby acquiring a set of longitudinal height profiles. The pre-test and post-test sets of profiles are then aligned and compared.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and system for enabling instant handwriting input on a mobile computing device. According to one embodiment, while the mobile device is in an inactive state and identity-protected, an activation event associated with a writing tool operated by a user is detected. In response to the activation event, the mobile computing device is switched from the inactive state to a low power state in which the mobile computing device is configured to accept and store handwritten input while remaining identity-protected.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a driver chip is provided for transmitting optical signals over an optical fiber. The driver chip includes, in combination, a tapped delay equalizer, an amplifier and control circuitry. Operationally, the tapped delay equalizer modifies an input digital signal to create a compensated signal by compensating for anticipated impairments and distortions introduced during signal transmission. The amplifier then receives the compensated signal to provide gain and bias in order to establish a proper operating point for an E/O device. The control circuitry is interconnected with the tapped delay equalizer and with the amplifier to establish and control tap weights for the tapped delay equalizer to compensate for electrical and optical bandwidth limitations, along with optical dispersion effects.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a driver chip is provided for transmitting optical signals over an optical fiber. The driver chip includes, in combination, a tapped delay equalizer, an amplifier and control circuitry. Operationally, the tapped delay equalizer modifies an input digital signal to create a compensated signal by compensating for anticipated impairments and distortions introduced during signal transmission. The amplifier then receives the compensated signal to provide gain and bias in order to establish a proper operating point for an E/O device. The control circuitry is interconnected with the tapped delay equalizer and with the amplifier to establish and control tap weights for the tapped delay equalizer to compensate for electrical and optical bandwidth limitations, along with optical dispersion effects.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a system and method for providing pen-based content transfer between mobile computing devices. According to one embodiment, a first mobile computing device and second mobile computing device are configured to host electronic content. A pen device is operated by a user for selecting preferred electronic content from the electronic content hosted on the first computing device. Furthermore, the pen device is configured to store transfer information for facilitating transmission of the preferred electronic content from the first mobile computing device to the electronic content of the second mobile computing device based on action from the user.

Abstract: Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to determining relationships between locations based on beacon information. At least three sensors of a device can be used to determine locations of a beacon. The device can determine a three-dimensional relationship between the locations.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a system and method for providing pen-based content transfer between mobile computing devices. According to one embodiment, a first mobile computing device and second mobile computing device are configured to host electronic content. A pen device is operated by a user for selecting preferred electronic content from the electronic content hosted on the first computing device. Furthermore, the pen device is configured to store transfer information for facilitating transmission of the preferred electronic content from the first mobile computing device to the electronic content of the second mobile computing device based on action from the user.

Abstract: A computing device processes input by determining one or more inputs corresponding to a user interacting with an input interface. In an embodiment, the input interface may correspond to a button state or to a multi-state input interface. A value corresponding to an amount of pressure applied by the user is determined on the computing device. The value is determined during an instance or duration in which the user is interacting with the input interface. The value for the applied pressure is determined apart from the input. In one embodiment, the value is determined using a force sensor that is separate from the input interface. An operation is then performed that is responsive to the determined amount of pressure, as well as to the one or more inputs.

Abstract: A coil assembly is disclosed. The coil assembly includes a coil that is provided on a substrate. The coil includes a trace element that is wound on the substrate. The trace element includes an interior gap that extends or is present along at least a portion of the trace element. The interior gap is dimensioned to reduce a presence of eddy currents that would otherwise be generated when the coil is active to inductively transmit or receive signals.