Abstract: An apparatus comprises a direct digital synthesizer, a mixer having first and second input ports and an output port, and a numerically-controlled oscillator. The direct digital synthesizer has a first output coupled to the first input port of the mixer and a second output coupled to a control input of the numerically-controlled oscillator, and the numerically-controlled oscillator has an output coupled to the second input port of the mixer. The mixer provides a quadrature modulated signal at its output port, and the first and second outputs of the direct digital synthesizer control respective portions of the quadrature modulated signal. For example, the first and second outputs of the direct digital synthesizer may control respective amplitude and phase portions of the quadrature modulated signal.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an interface and a control circuit. The interface may be configured to allow a user to compose an electronic message. The control circuit may be configured to (i) receive motion information during a time when a user composes the electronic message and (ii) embed the motion information within the electronic message in a format readable along with the electronic message.

Abstract: A method includes associating a spatially separate audio sensor and/or a vibration sensor with an audio processing system having one or more audio sensor(s) associated therewith. The spatially separate audio sensor is on a remote location distinct from that of the one or more audio sensor(s). The method also includes capturing information uniquely associated with an external environment of the audio processing system through the spatially separate audio sensor and/or the vibration sensor and the one or more audio sensor(s), and adapting an audio output of the audio processing system based on the captured information uniquely associated with the external environment thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a first housing having a top surface and a bottom surface, a second housing having a top surface and a bottom surface, and one or more supports coupling the first housing to the second housing such that the first and second housings are electrically connected and the bottom surface of the first housing overlays the top surface of the second housing. The one or more supports are configurable in at least a first configuration wherein the bottom surface of the first housing and the top surface of the second housing are substantially contiguous with one another and a second configuration wherein the bottom surface of the first housing and the top surface of the second housing are separated by a space.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first substrate, a second substrate, and one or more embedded devices. A lower surface of the first substrate generally has disposed thereon a plurality of first lines comprising a thin-film conductive material. An upper surface of the second substrate generally has disposed thereon a plurality of second lines comprising the thin-film conductive material. The plurality of second lines is generally arranged orthogonally to the plurality of first lines. The lower surface of first substrate generally faces the upper surface of the second substrate and the substrates are generally separated by a predefined distance. The one or more embedded devices are generally coupled between one or more of the first lines and one or more of the second lines. The embedded devices are generally configured to temporarily electrically connect the respective lines to form a radiating structure during an RF operation.

Abstract: A transceiver comprises a transmitter and a receiver. At least one of the transmitter and the receiver comprises an adaptive filer. One or more coefficients of the adaptive filter are determined based at least in part on an output of a real time clock. The adaptive filter may comprise a coefficient update engine and a memory for storing a plurality of sets of adaptive filter coefficients in association with respective time indicators derived from the output of the real time clock, with the coefficient update engine being configured to determine a particular one of the sets of filter coefficients for use by the adaptive filter based at least in part on at least a subset of the time indicators. The time indicators may comprise respective time stamps generated based on the output of the real time clock at respective times at which the corresponding sets of coefficients are determined.

Abstract: Described embodiments provide a local electronic device having a power supply coupled to a power main in wireless communication, via a wireless transceiver, to a remote device. The local electronic device includes a charging station to recharge a rechargeable power supply of the remote devices. The local electronic device detects when at least one remote device is being recharged by the charging station. Based on the detection, the local electronic device selectively enters a low-power mode by disabling one or more circuits to reduce power consumption.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a monitor and a base. The base may be configured to display a plurality of characters received from both a first source within the monitor and a second source. The base may be connected to the monitor through a physical connection and an optical connection. The optical connection may transmit the characters received from the first source within the monitor. The optical connection may use a passive light source derived from a backlight source of the monitor.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus comprising a first module and a second module. The first module may be configured to send a text message over a wireless network in response to one or more user keystrokes. The first module may generate a body of the text message and a security key to be transmitted along with the body of the text message. The second module may be configured to receive the body of the text message and the security key over the wireless network. The second module compares the security key to a set of known security keys to determine a match. A match indicates whether the text message was generated from a known sender. The first and second modules may be implemented as part of a portable device.

Abstract: An illumination device comprises a plurality of light sources, light sequencing circuitry coupled to the light sources, a light guide structure for directing light from the plurality of light sources over a surface of a display screen to be illuminated, and a user interface for providing control input to the light sequencing circuitry. The light sequencing circuitry comprises a logic state machine responsive to the control input to select one of a plurality of available sequencing modes for the plurality of light sources, a code generator operative to generate output signals controlling respective ones of the light sources responsive to the selected one of the sequencing modes, and timing circuitry for defining timing intervals for processing of the control input by the logic state machine to determine the selected one of the sequencing modes and for generation of the corresponding output signals by the code generator.

Abstract: A transceiver comprises a transmitter and a receiver. At least one of the transmitter and the receiver comprises an adaptive filer. One or more coefficients of the adaptive filter are determined based at least in part on an output of a real time clock. The adaptive filter may comprise a coefficient update engine and a memory for storing a plurality of sets of adaptive filter coefficients in association with respective time indicators derived from the output of the real time clock, with the coefficient update engine being configured to determine a particular one of the sets of filter coefficients for use by the adaptive filter based at least in part on at least a subset of the time indicators. The time indicators may comprise respective time stamps generated based on the output of the real time clock at respective times at which the corresponding sets of coefficients are determined.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of bypass circuits that can be used with series connected LED strings for backlighting circuits in LCD displays. The bypass circuits can also be used for other implementations of series wired LED strings. The bypass circuit may comprise a latch, such as a silicon controlled rectifier that is connected to the output of a comparator circuit that compares the voltage at the cathode of an LED in the LED string to a reference voltage. In this manner, a circuit is created around each LED that is burned out.

Abstract: A system for, and method of automatically controlling a video presentation and 3D glasses incorporating the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system is configured to sense whether a viewer is wearing glasses and transmit a signal to the video source if the viewer is not wearing the glasses. In another embodiment, the system is configured to sense whether the viewer is watching the video presentation and transmit a signal to the video source if the viewer is not watching the video presentation.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium, a method of conducting a video game and a gaming system. In one embodiment, the medium contains programming instructions that cause a computer processor to: (1) conduct a video game that generates events having corresponding exclusively audible prompts and (2) convey the exclusively audible prompts to specific audio channels for sound-capable gaming controllers of a gaming system.

Abstract: An adaptive filter implemented in a communication system transmitter or receiver has a real time clock associated therewith, and one or more coefficients of the adaptive filter are determined based at least in part on an output of the real time clock. For example, the adaptive filter may comprise a coefficient update engine and a memory for storing a plurality of sets of adaptive filter coefficients in association with respective time indicators derived from the output of the real time clock, with the coefficient update engine being configured to determine a particular one of the sets of filter coefficients for use by the adaptive filter based at least in part on one or more of the time indicators. The time indicators may comprise respective time stamps generated based on the output of the real time clock at respective times at which the corresponding sets of coefficients are determined.

Abstract: A plug-in adapter includes a transformer having a primary winding capable of being coupled to an AC power source and a secondary winding configured to provide an output charging voltage. The plug-in adapter also includes a voltage sensing connection configured to sense an external device voltage. Additionally, the plug-in adapter includes an adapter isolation switch coupled between the primary winding and the AC power source and configured to close by application of the external device voltage thereby providing the output charging voltage, wherein removal of the external device voltage opens the adapter isolation switch thereby substantially isolating the primary winding from the AC voltage source. In other aspects, a method of operating a plug-in adapter and a plug-in adapter system are provided.

Abstract: A solar energy system comprising a defrosting module. The defrosting module includes a first light sensor configured to be located on a solar panel and to produce a first signal which is proportional to the intensity of sunlight reaching the solar panel. The defrosting module includes a second light sensor configured to be located proximate to the solar panel and configured to produce a second signal which is proportional to the intensity of ambient sunlight in the vicinity of the solar panel. The defrosting module includes a control circuit configured to compare the first signal and the second signal and to produce an activation signal when the difference between the first signal and the second signal reaches a threshold value, wherein the activation signal is configured to activate a heater module coupled to the solar panel.

Abstract: In described embodiments, a user is protected from potential health risks from emitted RF energy from a wireless handset or other device by reducing Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of the device while avoiding, or even improving, the radiation pattern of the antenna. For example, a hat, cap or other covering of a device user's upper body includes a dual-layer structure comprising of carbon-loaded, open cell foam with a metalized layer. The dual-layer structure is imbedded in, for example, a hat with the carbon loaded foam facing away from the user's head. The covering provides for RF protection of the user to reduce SAR while maintaining relatively good return loss characteristics, thereby avoiding a negative impact on the desired antenna radiation pattern of the device.

Abstract: A circuit for audibly indicating at least one state of a television receiver includes memory operative to store at least one audio file, and a controller. The controller is operative during a power-on interval of the television receiver to forward the at least one audio file to an audio indicating device associated with the television receiver for audibly indicating the at least one state of the television receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a switching circuit and a display. The switching circuit may be configured to present an output signal in response to a plurality of input signals. The output signal may be generated in response to an active one of the input signals. A user prompt may appear prior to switching to the active one of the input signals. The user prompt may allow a user to confirm or reject switching to the active input. The display circuit may be configured to display information from the output signal.