Abstract: Wireless keyless entry systems for automotive vehicles that employ activity, fitness, biometric, and/or proximity data for identifying authorized system users and/or personalizing, tailoring, or controlling operational aspects of the automotive vehicles. The wireless keyless entry systems are configured to be worn by system users as wearable key fobs, allowing the wireless keyless entry systems to detect motions of the system users, monitor biometric data from the system users, as well as determine proximities of the system users relative to the respective automotive vehicles. By employing such activity, fitness, biometric, and/or proximity data for authorized system user identification and/or automotive vehicle operational control, the disclosed wireless keyless entry systems can enhance the security, safety, and convenience of automotive vehicle operators.

Abstract: Optical systems can emit train(s) of light pulses onto objects to derive a distance between the light source and the object. Achieving meter or centimeter resolution may require very short light pulses. It is not trivial to design a circuit that can generate narrow current pulses for driving a diode that emits the light pulses. An improved driver circuit has a pre-charge path comprising one or more inductive elements and a fire path comprising the diode. Switches in the driver circuit are controlled with predefined states during different intervals to pre-charge current in the one or more inductive elements prior to flowing current through the fire path to pulse the diode.

Abstract: A system is provided for updated processing of audio signals in a vehicle. The system includes a microphone, a transceiver and head unit. The microphone receives audio signals. The transceiver sends the received audio signals to a cloud computing system for processing, and receives the processed audio signals from the cloud computing system. The head unit receives the processed audio signals from the transceiver and plays the processed audio data through the vehicle's audio system.

Abstract: A satellite sensor system includes a base unit and a packaged motion sensor configured to be removably couplable to the base unit. The base unit is configured to mount to a vehicle and to faithfully transmit vehicle motion to an attached sensor.

Abstract: A satellite sensor system for a vehicle includes an application motion sensor for sensing vehicle motion for the purpose of activating a vehicle safety system, a low power consumption motion sensor for monitoring vehicle motion when the vehicle is parked or otherwise not in a driving mode, and an RF communications interface to allow the satellite sensor system to communicate with the vehicle's electronics control unit. The system withholds power from the application sensor until the low power consumption motion sensor indicates that the vehicle is about to enter a driving mode.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods that allow a LIDAR system to sense nearby objects with relatively low-cost elements, and fewer elements than traditional LIDAR systems by sampling an infrared pulse at a high sample rate and storing the samples in the analog domain. The samples may then be digitized at a rate slower than the sample rate.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods that allow a LIDAR system to sense nearby objects with relatively low-cost elements, and fewer elements than traditional LIDAR systems by sampling an infrared pulse at a high sample rate and storing the samples in the analog domain. The samples may then be digitized at a rate slower than the sample rate.

Abstract: A satellite sensor system for a vehicle includes an application motion sensor for sensing vehicle motion for the purpose of activating a vehicle safety system, a low power consumption motion sensor for monitoring vehicle motion when the vehicle is parked or otherwise not in a driving mode, and an RF communications interface to allow the satellite sensor system to communicate with the vehicle's electronics control unit. The system withholds power from the application sensor until the low power consumption motion sensor indicates that the vehicle is about to enter a driving mode.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of managing power in a communication device determines if the communication device is moving in one of a plurality of predefined movement modes, which may be one of a first mode and a second mode. The method causes the communication device 1) to consume power at a first rate if in the first mode, and 2) consume power at a second rate, relative to the first rate, if in the second mode. The first rate is different than the second rate.

Abstract: A method and system for determining camera positioning information from an accelerometer mounted on a camera. The accelerometer measures the orientation of the camera with respect to gravity. Orientation measurement allows user interface information to be displayed in a “right side up” orientation on a viewfinder for any camera orientation. Alternatively, an artificial horizon indicator may be displayed in the viewfinder. The accelerometer may also measure camera movement. Camera movement information together with camera orientation can be used to determine camera usage. Additionally, camera movement information can be used to determine a minimum shutter speed for a sharp picture.

Abstract: A method and system for determining camera positioning information from an accelerometer mounted on a camera. The accelerometer measures the orientation of the camera with respect to gravity. Orientation measurement allows user interface information to be displayed in a “right side up” orientation on a viewfinder for any camera orientation. Alternatively, an artificial horizon indicator may be displayed in the viewfinder. The accelerometer may also measure camera movement. Camera movement information together with camera orientation can be used to determine camera usage. Additionally, camera movement information can be used to determine a minimum shutter speed for a sharp picture.

Abstract: A calibration system for an inertial sensor includes a calibration module for processing an output value produced by the inertial sensor, the output value related to a detected movement of an object, wherein the calibration module calculates an offset value from a plurality of output values, and memory operatively coupled with the calibration module, the memory capable of storing the plurality of output values and/or the offset value, wherein the inertial sensor is calibrated using the calculated offset value.

Abstract: Portable container for liquid retention includes a base having a bottom wall, upright walls attached to the bottom wall, and flaps between each adjacent pair of upright walls, and a lid pivotally attached to one of the upright walls and removably attached to at least one other upright wall, and possibly all the other upright walls. Adhesive is used to removably attach the lid to the other upright walls. Inner surfaces of the base and the lid are fluid-impermeable to define a fluid receptacle therebetween which is accessible upon detachment of the lid from the other upright wall(s). Fluid is placed into the receptacle before the lid is pivoted downward and attached to the upright walls, and thus sealed within the container for later use. The container, once opened, can be placed in front of a pet and allows the pet to drink the liquid in a natural manner.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of managing power in a communication device determines if the communication device is moving in one of a plurality of predefined movement modes, which may be one of a first mode and a second mode. The method causes the communication device 1) to consume power at a first rate if in the first mode, and 2) consume power at a second rate, relative to the first rate, if in the second mode. The first rate is different than the second rate.

Abstract: A calibration system for an inertial sensor includes a calibration module for processing an output value produced by the inertial sensor, the output value related to a detected movement of an object, wherein the calibration module calculates an offset value from a plurality of output values, and memory operatively coupled with the calibration module, the memory capable of storing the plurality of output values and/or the offset value, wherein the inertial sensor is calibrated using the calculated offset value.

Abstract: A method and system for determining camera positioning information from an accelerometer mounted on a camera. The accelerometer measures the orientation of the camera with respect to gravity. Orientation measurement allows user interface information to be displayed in a “right side up” orientation on a viewfinder for any camera orientation. Alternatively, an artificial horizon indicator may be displayed in the viewfinder. The accelerometer may also measure camera movement. Camera movement information together with camera orientation can be used to determine camera usage. Additionally, camera movement information can be used to determine a minimum shutter speed for a sharp picture.

Abstract: A five degree of freedom inertial measurement unit capable of measuring: linear acceleration of a body along a first axis, a second axis, and a third axis; angular acceleration of the body about the second axis; and angular acceleration of the body about the third axis. The first axis, the second axis, and third axis are substantially mutually orthogonal and intersect at an origin point. The unit includes first and second accelerometers that are in fixed positions relative to the body. The first accelerometer measures linear acceleration along both the second axis and the third axis. The second accelerometer measures linear acceleration along both the second axis and third axis. The first and second accelerometers are positioned on a plane defined by the first axis and the second axis. A controller is operatively coupled to the first accelerometer and the second accelerometer.

Abstract: A method and device for self-test of a sensor. The method includes stimulating the sensor with signals that generate sensor outputs at a frequency that differs from the frequency of expected sensed parameter signals. The sensor output is filtered to remove the effects of the stimulation inputs, generating a sensed parameter signal. The unfiltered sensor output is compared to the expected output of the sensor with the stimulus input. A malfunctioning sensor may be detected by the comparison and appropriate action may then be taken.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring rotational motion of devices such as cameras. A pair of linear accelerometers is attached to a camera. The accelerometers are spaced a fixed distance apart about a rotational axis to form an angular accelerometer. The angular accelerometer is used to measure the rotational acceleration about an axis of interest. The measured angular acceleration is integrated to calculate angular displacement about the axis. The angular displacement may be used to process camera images. For example, a camera image may be corrected for certain movements of the camera, such as rotations about a yaw or pitch axis.

Abstract: A method and device for self-test of a sensor. The method includes stimulating the sensor with signals that generate sensor outputs at a frequency that differs from the frequency of expected sensed parameter signals. The sensor output is filtered to remove the effects of the stimulation inputs, generating a sensed parameter signal. The unfiltered sensor output is compared to the expected output of the sensor with the stimulus input. A malfunctioning sensor may be detected by the comparison and appropriate action may then be taken.