Abstract: An originating communications device is configured to transmit a text message to a recipient mobile device when the originating device determines that the recipient device has failed to connect with a call that was initiated by the originating device. The text message is designed to indicate that the recipient device has failed to connect with the call; in addition or as an alternative, the text message includes a code that indicates to the recipient device that it is potentially in a poor RF coverage area. The recipient mobile device, upon receiving and displaying the text message, may determine that it is indeed in an area with poor coverage and will in response store its current geographic location as a poor coverage area. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Provided is a photomask used in fabrication of a semiconductor device. The photomask includes first and second regions to be transferred onto a semiconductor substrate having a step difference. The first and second regions have mask patterns. The mask patterns of the first region have a different shape from the mask patterns of the second region. The mask patterns of the second region have concave and convex portions disposed in opposite lateral portions thereof.

Abstract: A device includes a microphone array fixed to the device. A signal processor produces an audio output using audio beamforming with input from the microphone array. The signal processor aims the beamforming in a selected direction. An orientation sensor—such as a compass, an accelerometer, or an inertial sensor—is coupled to the signal processor. The orientation sensor detects a change in the orientation of the microphone array and provides an orientation signal to the signal processor for adjusting the aim of the beamforming to maintain the selected direction. The device may include a camera that captures an image. An image processor may identify an audio source in the image and provide a signal adjusting the selected direction to follow the audio source. The image processor may receive the orientation signal and adjust the image for changes in the orientation of the camera before tracking movement of the audio source.

Abstract: A removable case for a mobile communications device includes an opening that aligns with a microphone port that is built into the device. The case includes a windscreen that is sealed across the opening of the case. The windscreen is designed to reduce wind noise, air blasts, vocal plosives, and other noise. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A system detects the repositioning of an earphone that is worn by a user, and changes an operation mode of a host coupled to the earphone. Within the earphone is a pressure transducer that detects a pressure change caused by the repositioning of the earphone. A signaling mechanism sends a repositioning detection signal to the host in response to a signal from the pressure transducer indicating the detection of the pressure change.

Abstract: A data driving circuit receiving an image signal and applying a data signal based on the image signal to a display panel, the data driving circuit includes a signal generator that generates a horizontal scanning identical signal based on the image signal and a load signal instructing an output of the data signal to the display panel; a signal amplifier that alternately converts a polarity of an offset compensation value from positive to negative and amplifies the image signal based on the offset compensation value; and a controller that counts pulses of the horizontal scanning identical signal and controls the signal amplifier to retain the converted polarity of the offset compensation value until a counted reaches a predetermined reference value.

Abstract: A device includes a microphone array fixed to the device. A signal processor produces an audio output using audio beamforming with input from the microphone array. The signal processor aims the beamforming in a selected direction. An orientation sensor—such as a compass, an accelerometer, or an inertial sensor—is coupled to the signal processor. The orientation sensor detects a change in the orientation of the microphone array and provides an orientation signal to the signal processor for adjusting the aim of the beamforming to maintain the selected direction. The device may include a camera that captures an image. An image processor may identify an audio source in the image and provide a signal adjusting the selected direction to follow the audio source. The image processor may receive the orientation signal and adjust the image for changes in the orientation of the camera before tracking movement of the audio source.

Abstract: In a method of driving a display panel, a voltage of a first polarity with respect to a reference voltage is outputted to an n-th data line and an (n+1)-th data line (‘n’ is a natural number), respectively, and a voltage of a second polarity with respect to the reference voltage is outputted to an (n+2)-th data line and an (n+3)-th data line, respectively, during an N-th frame (‘N’ is a natural number). Then, a voltage of the first polarity is outputted to the n-th data line, a voltage of the second polarity is outputted to the (n+1)-th data line and the (n+2)-th data line, respectively, and a voltage of the first polarity is outputted to the (n+3)-th data line, during an (N+1)-th frame.

Abstract: A system detects the repositioning of an earphone that is worn by a user, and changes an operation mode of a host coupled to the earphone. Within the earphone is a pressure transducer that detects a pressure change caused by the repositioning of the earphone. A signaling mechanism sends a repositioning detection signal to the host in response to a signal from the pressure transducer indicating the detection of the pressure change.

Abstract: A display device includes a signal controller processing an input image signal and an input control signal and outputting an image signal and a control signal. A gray voltage generator generates reference gray voltages. The control signal includes a selection signal. A data driver generates gray voltages based on the reference gray voltage, selects a gray voltage corresponding to the image signal among the generated gray voltages, and applies the selected gray voltage to a pixel as a first data voltage. The data driver applies a black data voltage corresponding to a black image to the pixel according to the selection signal.

Abstract: A handheld communication device is used to capture video streams and generate a multiplexed video stream. The handheld communication device has at least two cameras facing in two opposite directions. The handheld communication device receives a first video stream and a second video stream simultaneously from the two cameras. The handheld communication device detects a speech activity of a person captured in the video streams. The speech activity may be detected from direction of sound or lip movement of the person. Based on the detection, the handheld communication device automatically switches between the first video stream and the second video stream to generate a multiplexed video stream. The multiplexed video stream interleaves segments of the first video stream and segments of the second video stream. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A signal transfer member for a liquid crystal display (LCD) apparatus includes a power line for receiving power from an external source and for driving a semiconductor chip disposed on the transfer member or the display apparatus. The power line is bent so as to incorporate a serpentine structure, which enables the length of the power line to be easily adjusted and results in the line being longer than a power line formed with a relatively straight structure. Accordingly, the length of the power line can be adjusted to take into account the respective impedances of the chip and the external source so as to suppress electromagnetic waves in the power line. This prevents the creation of noise, distortion of signals, damage to the semiconductor chip, and disconnection of the input interconnection thereof that are caused by the electromagnetic waves, so that product yields are thereby improved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling power to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) device. The present invention provides an apparatus for controlling power to a USB device, the USB device being used to connect a Personal Computer (PC) with a peripheral device, the power control apparatus including a plug-in port for connecting the peripheral device with the PC, a state detector for detecting whether the peripheral device is in a preparation completion state, a power supply unit for supplying power to the USB device, and a power control unit for controlling the power supply unit so that power is supplied to the USB device if it is determined that the peripheral device is in a plugged-in state, and if it is determined that the peripheral device is in a preparation completion state by the state detector.

Abstract: A connector for receiving a cylindrical plug includes a body defining a plug aperture and a cavity for receiving the cylindrical plug. A plurality of electrical contacts in communication with the cavity make electrical connections with the cylindrical plug and retain the cylindrical plug. A microphone is coupled to the body such that the plug aperture and the cavity provide an acoustic path to the microphone. The microphone may be at an end of the connector opposite the plug aperture or on a side of the connector adjacent the plug aperture. The connector allows a microphone to be added to a device, such as a mobile telephone, without the need for an additional external aperture. The microphone in the connector may operate with a second microphone and processing electronics in the device to provide audio processing functions such as noise cancellation or audio beamforming.

Abstract: An audio player includes an audio headset having two earpieces. A playback circuit provides one of a stereophonic program and a monaural program to the audio headset. The monaural program may be created by mixing channels of the stereophonic program. A mode control is coupled to the playback circuit and to the audio headset. The mode control detects when at least one of the two earpieces is not adjacent a listener's ear and causes the playback circuit to deliver the monaural program to the audio headset.

Abstract: Provided is a photomask used in fabrication of a semiconductor device. The photomask includes first and second regions to be transferred onto a semiconductor substrate having a step difference. The first and second regions have mask patterns. The mask patterns of the first region have a different shape from the mask patterns of the second region. The mask patterns of the second region have concave and convex portions disposed in opposite lateral portions thereof.

Abstract: A display device having a reduced repair line length and a reduced repair unit to reduce the wire resistance of the repair line and the repair unit. The display device includes: a single flexible circuit film; a circuit board connected to the flexible circuit film; and a thin film transistor array panel connected to the flexible circuit film and having a display area and a peripheral area enclosing the display area. The display device also includes a single driving circuit chip disposed on the flexible circuit film; a repair line and a repair bar disposed in the peripheral area of the thin film transistor array panel; a repair amplifier disposed on the driving circuit chip and connected to the repair line and the repair bar. A repair input line connects the repair bar and the repair amplifier and a repair output line connects the repair amplifier and the repair line.

Abstract: A device includes a microphone array fixed to the device. A signal processor produces an audio output using audio beamforming with input from the microphone array. The signal processor aims the beamforming in a selected direction. An orientation sensor—such as a compass, an accelerometer, or an inertial sensor—is coupled to the signal processor. The orientation sensor detects a change in the orientation of the microphone array and provides an orientation signal to the signal processor for adjusting the aim of the beamforming to maintain the selected direction. The device may include a camera that captures an image. An image processor may identify an audio source in the image and provide a signal adjusting the selected direction to follow the audio source. The image processor may receive the orientation signal and adjust the image for changes in the orientation of the camera before tracking movement of the audio source.

Abstract: A device to provide an audio output includes a microphone array, a signal processor, and a graphic user interface (GUI). The signal processor is coupled to the microphone array to perform audio beamforming with input from the microphone array. The GUI is coupled to the signal processor to display a plurality of audio sources, to receive a selection of at least one of the plurality of audio sources from a user, and to provide the selection to the signal processor for aiming the audio beamforming toward the selected audio source. The selection may be made by touching the display. The device may further include a camera and the GUI may display an image received from the camera as the plurality of audio sources. The camera may provide a moving video image and the signal processor may provide a synchronized audio signal aimed at the selected audio source.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a data driving method, the method including receiving data corresponding to a plurality of pixels. Received data are converted into data voltages of an analog type to be output to a plurality of data lines. One of a first data voltage and a last data voltage of the data voltages is output to a dummy data line adjacent to the data lines.