Abstract: A wake from OFF state system is described that enhances power adapters and battery chargers that have been shut completely off in efforts to conserve energy. Wake from OFF state devices may be used to automate the otherwise tedious process of turning on a power switch. A wake from OFF state device is distinguished from a wake from sleep state device which continues to consume some amount of power to operate in a standby mode. A wake from OFF state power adapter can be turned fully off and left off indefinitely. There are no active standby circuits, no power consumption, no active logic, no emissions, no heat, when the device is in this OFF state. Wake from OFF state is useful for a variety of devices including (but not limited to) smartphones, portable computers, power tools, electric vehicles, and rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: A wake from OFF state system is described that enhances power adapters and battery chargers that have been shut completely off in efforts to conserve energy. Wake from OFF state devices may be used to automate the otherwise tedious process of turning on a power switch. A wake from OFF state device is distinguished from a wake from sleep state device which continues to consume some amount of power to operate in a standby mode. A wake from OFF state power adapter can be turned fully off and left off indefinitely. There are no active standby circuits, no power consumption, no active logic, no emissions, no heat, when the device is in this OFF state. Wake from OFF state is useful for a variety of devices including (but not limited to) smartphones, portable computers, power tools, electric vehicles, and rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: A directional antenna system for portable communication device that provides user control on the transmit antennas. The directional antenna system is made by two or more directional antennas with the directional antennas arranged in the pattern such that one of the directional antenna is pointing towards the user and the other directional antenna(s) are pointing away from the user. The directional antenna system is designed to cover a 360 degree circle in both the receiving and transmitting mode. In one of the transmitting mode, the portable communication device transmits RF signal on the directional antenna(s) that is pointing away from the user to minimize the electromagnetic energy exposure to the user. In the case when the RF receiving signal is below the desired operating condition on the outward pointing directional antenna(s), the portable communication device will generate an alert to the user.

Abstract: A directional antenna system for portable communication device that provides user control on the transmit antennas. The directional antenna system is made by two or more directional antennas with the directional antennas arranged in the pattern such that one of the directional antenna is pointing towards the user and the other directional antenna(s) are pointing away from the user. The directional antenna system is designed to cover a 360 degree circle in both the receiving and transmitting mode. In one of the transmitting mode, the portable communication device transmits RF signal on the directional antenna(s) that is pointing away from the user to minimize the electromagnetic energy exposure to the user. In the case when the RF receiving signal is below the desired operating condition on the outward pointing directional antenna(s), the portable communication device will generate an alert to the user.

Abstract: A high temperature convection fan device that improves the operation of an oven is provided. Each oven convection fan device component is designed to withstand the harsh environment and elevated temperatures common to an oven. Sources of energy include but are not limited to wind-up springs and/or drawing electric power from the oven lamp socket. Other solutions provide additional features including but not limited to lighting, sensors, control systems and/or displays.

Abstract: A visual source management system that allows simultaneous preview and control of multiple video sources and/or streams of content is provided. The processors feature easy, fast, and independent control over video and audio outputs with or without content protection. Display systems provide a number of useful configurations to allow multitasking as well as simultaneous high performance preview for easy intuitive selection of video sources for TV, television, computing, Internet, streaming, or applications.

Abstract: A back panel for a display device, such as a flat-panel television or computer monitor, which is very thin around the edges and houses all electronics in a “spine” near the vertical center of the back of the display. The back panel provides novel heat-dissipation, arrangement of electronics to save space, forces the center of gravity forward allowing the display to be set closer to a wall, and provides less interference and signal degradation than the prior art.

Abstract: A back panel for a display device, such as a flat-panel television or computer monitor, which is very thin around the edges and houses all electronics in a “spine” near the vertical center of the back of the display. The back panel provides novel heat-dissipation, arrangement of electronics to save space, forces the center of gravity forward allowing the display to be set closer to a wall, and provides less interference and signal degradation than the prior art.

Abstract: An AC inverter circuit supplies power to multiple lamps in an LCD backlight. Conventional AC power is used as direct input into a full wave rectifier that converts the input from AC to a DC reference voltage. A transformer driver, including a chopper, converts the DC reference voltage to a higher voltage AC which drives a step up transformer to produce a voltage sufficient to drive as many as six fluorescent lamps. The components/circuitry associated with the transformer's primary windings is optically isolated from the rest of the circuit.

Abstract: A method for network energy controller that can optimize total system power consumption is provided. The controller (100) collected device loads and report to a common device (270) for optimization. The controller is able to communicate both to other controllers on the same power source or to the internal device (205) that is connected to the controller. The common device is able to respond to power changes reported by controller and request other controller to reduce power so that the entire system power consumption can meet or optimized toward the power policy goal.

Abstract: A method of selectively blocking television programming content wherein the user may use a free-form textual input means to input one of a number of various keywords, times, viewers, dates, ratings, programs or any number of keyword-based input. The method is capable of blocking content, based upon this input, without reference to any pre-determined ratings system. The method may utilize programming-related information available in an on-screen programming guide or other similar informational system in order to selectively block content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic startup and shutdown including automatic source selection is provided for the selection of one of many video input sources provided on a visual display device in response to a new video signal being transmitted over a particular input port. The visual display device is also provided with means to power on the television in response to user input or a new video signal input source detection. The television may automatically revert to the previously-viewed source upon the powering off or lack of signal from the most newly-acquired video signal source.

Abstract: A digital display panel accepts pixel information according to their row-column coordinates. Each pixel can be individually written and read back, much like a random access memory (RAM). A pixel array self-refreshes, and can retain and display each image frame long after the original writing, like a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). Each pixel is instrumented with a transducer to sense pressure, temperature, light, strain, etc., and provide sensor read-out data that is addressable by row-column coordinates. Such is very useful in touchscreen applications. The transducers and their corresponding pixels each have a special relationship, the transducers can directly manipulate a visual quality of the pixel through a direct connection, without intervention or assistance by a host processor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic startup and shutdown including automatic source selection is provided for the selection of one of many video input sources provided on a visual display device in response to a new video signal being transmitted over a particular input port. The visual display device is also provided with means to power on the television in response to user input or a new video signal input source detection. The television may automatically revert to the previously-viewed source upon the powering off or lack of signal from the most newly-acquired video signal source.

Abstract: A back panel for a display device, such as a flat-panel television or computer monitor, which is thin around the edges and houses all electronics in a “center housing” near the vertical center of the back of the display and which houses its electronics and power supply on removable circuit boards. The back panel provides novel heat-dissipation, arranges electronics to save space and simplify repair, forces the center of gravity forward allowing the display to be set closer to a wall, and provides less interference and signal degradation than the prior art. Additionally, the removable electronics and power supply provide greater ease of repair than the prior art.

Abstract: An AC inverter circuit supplies power to multiple lamps in an LCD backlight. Conventional AC power is used as direct input into a full wave rectifier that converts the input from AC to a DC reference voltage. A transformer driver, including a chopper, converts the DC reference voltage to a higher voltage AC which drives a step up transformer to produce a voltage sufficient to drive as many as six fluorescent lamps. The components/circuitry associated with the transformer's primary windings is optically isolated from the rest of the circuit.

Abstract: A back panel for a display device, such as a flat-panel television or computer monitor, which is very thin around the edges and houses all electronics in a “spine” near the vertical center of the back of the display. The back panel provides novel heat-dissipation, arrangement of electronics to save space, forces the center of gravity forward allowing the display to be set closer to a wall, and provides less interference and signal degradation than the prior art.

Abstract: A content-module and display-dock system comprises a cabinet with a video picture tube and loudspeaker. A module dock is provided in back to receive a variety of personality modules. Inside, a processor converts digital or analog video signals as needed. A microcomputer supports the docking module interfacing. The personality modules include Internet access, browsing, e-mail, television, video game, and other services. The modular system is customized by assembling particular modules and display docks together.

Abstract: An incoming audio analog signal is sampled at a Nyquist criterion rate. The particular analog value sampled at each period causes one of a suite of programming algorithms to be selected and applied to a particular EEPROM memory cell. For example, there can be 256 different programming algorithms in the suite that open-loop result in a zero to full range analog multi-state data being recorded in each memory cell. The programming algorithms can vary the programming pulse heights, pulse widths and number of pulses applied to the selected memory cell. For a corrected readback, each or a representative spread of programming algorithms are "test-fired" at corresponding reference memory cells to establish a calibrator scale customized for each whole EEPROM device. The readback mechanism compares the multi-state data returned from analog sensing each memory cell to the reference memory cell calibration values to find a match.

Abstract: A memory system comprises a plurality of semiconductor memories with some bad bits, a substitution memory and a mapping logic to redirect external memory accesses to bad-bit locations in the semiconductor memories to good storage cells within the substitution memory.