Abstract: A method of controlling the oil flow in an engine is provided. In preferred embodiments, the method comprises: flowing oil to a first oil pump upstream or downstream of a fuel oil heat exchanger and flowing oil to a second oil pump upstream or downstream of an air oil heat exchanger. One of two control functions to control the oil mass flow rate through the first oil pump is selected wherein the first control function minimizes specific fuel consumption (“SFC”) by the engine and the second control function minimizes average oil temperature. Preferably, the oil pumps are electric and the total combined oil mass flow rate of the first and second oil pumps is maintained constant.

Abstract: One aspect of the current disclosure provides a method for utilizing a plurality of memories associated with a plurality of devices in a computer system. The method includes: receiving an application-specific data set for executing a ray tracing application employing the devices; determining whether the data set is fully replicable in each memory; when the data set is not fully replicable in any of the memories, determining a maximum amount of the data set that is replicable in each memory while distributing a remaining amount of the data set across the memories; and identifying, based on application-specific information of the ray tracing application, a first subsection of the data set that corresponds to the maximum amount of the data set and a second subsection of the data set that corresponds to the remaining amount of the data set, wherein the first subsection is accessed more frequently than the second subsection.

Abstract: One aspect of the current disclosure provides a method for utilizing a plurality of memories associated with a plurality of devices in a computer system. The method includes: receiving an application-specific data set for executing a ray tracing application employing the devices; determining whether the data set is fully replicable in each memory; when the data set is not fully replicable in any of the memories, determining a maximum amount of the data set that is replicable in each memory while distributing a remaining amount of the data set across the memories; and identifying, based on application-specific information of the ray tracing application, a first subsection of the data set that corresponds to the maximum amount of the data set and a second subsection of the data set that corresponds to the remaining amount of the data set, wherein the first subsection is accessed more frequently than the second subsection.

Abstract: A method of controlling the oil flow in an engine is provided. In preferred embodiments, the method comprises: flowing oil to a first oil pump upstream or downstream of a fuel oil heat exchanger and flowing oil to a second oil pump upstream or downstream of an air oil heat exchanger. One of two control functions to control the oil mass flow rate through the first oil pump is selected wherein the first control function maximizes specific fuel consumption (“SFC”) by the engine and the second control function minimizes average oil temperature. Preferably, the oil pumps are electric and the total combined oil mass flow rate of the first and second oil pumps is maintained constant.

Abstract: One aspect of the current disclosure provides a method for utilizing a plurality of memories associated with a plurality of devices in a computer system. The method includes: 1) receiving a data set for executing an application employing the devices; 2) determining whether the data set is larger than a storage capacity of any of the memories; and 3) when the data set is larger than the storage capacity of any of the memories, replicating a portion of the data set across the memories and distributing a remaining portion of the data set across at least some of the memories.

Abstract: One aspect of the current disclosure provides a method for utilizing a plurality of memories associated with a plurality of devices in a computer system. The method includes: 1) receiving a data set for executing an application employing the devices; 2) determining whether the data set is larger than a storage capacity of any of the memories; and 3) when the data set is larger than the storage capacity of any of the memories, replicating a portion of the data set across the memories and distributing a remaining portion of the data set across at least some of the memories.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, computer-readable media, and computer systems for managing power consumption in mobile devices are described. A mobile computer system executes a first computer application configured to receive data from a server system over a network, and a second computer application configured to periodically search for a connection to the network at a first time interval. In response to executing the second computer application, the mobile computer system determines that a strength of the connection is below a threshold strength. In response to determining that the strength of the connection is below the threshold strength, the computer system executes the first computer application to delay requesting data from the server system until the connection to the network is detected.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, computer-readable media, and computer systems for managing power consumption in mobile devices are described. A mobile computer system executes a first computer application configured to receive data from a server system over a network, and a second computer application configured to periodically search for a connection to the network at a first time interval. In response to executing the second computer application, the mobile computer system determines that a strength of the connection is below a threshold strength. In response to determining that the strength of the connection is below the threshold strength, the mobile computer system executes the first computer application to delay requesting data from the server system until the connection to the network is detected.

Abstract: A method of operating a microphone system includes providing first and second microphones associated with a same human speaker. An analog ambient noise signal is received from the first microphone. An analog speech signal is received from the second microphone. The analog ambient noise signal is converted into a digital ambient noise signal. The analog speech signal is converted into a digital speech signal. Digital noise cancellation is performed on the digital speech signal dependent upon the digital ambient noise signal. The digital noise cancellation is performed by digital circuitry. The noise canceled digital speech signal is inputted into an intercom system. A low power condition of the microphone system and/or a failure of the digital circuitry is sensed. In response to the sensing step, an analog-based intercom signal is inputted into the intercom system. The analog-based intercom signal is dependent on the analog speech signal and substantially independent of the analog ambient noise signal.

Abstract: A method of operating a microphone system includes providing first and second microphones associated with a same human speaker. An analog ambient noise signal is received from the first microphone. An analog speech signal is received from the second microphone. The analog ambient noise signal is converted into a digital ambient noise signal. The analog speech signal is converted into a digital speech signal. Digital noise cancellation is performed on the digital speech signal dependent upon the digital ambient noise signal. The digital noise cancellation is performed by digital circuitry. The noise canceled digital speech signal is inputted into an intercom system. A low power condition of the microphone system and/or a failure of the digital circuitry is sensed. In response to the sensing step, an analog-based intercom signal is inputted into the intercom system. The analog-based intercom signal is dependent on the analog speech signal and substantially independent of the analog ambient noise signal.

Abstract: A wireless communication method for selective transmission of data among a group of mobile computing devices. A user's device is used to broadcast a query to determine a group of mobile computing devices within communications range. A list of resulting mobile computing devices is then presented to the user through the device's interface. The user selects at least one of the mobile computing devices from the list for a data transfer. The data transfer is then performed to the selected at least one mobile computing device. Upon completion of the transfer, a confirmation is presented to the user. In this manner, wireless data transfers can be performed with a number of different mobile computing devices within communications range. The user can select a number of mobile computing devices from the list and perform the data transfer to each of the selected number in a single step. The data transfer is performed using a wireless RF communications link.

Abstract: An antenna unit comprising orientation detection means and/or force detection means and an antenna is operable to control its transmission and/or reception characteristic in response to detected orientation of the antenna unit. Absolute orientation of the unit will affect the transmission and/or reception characteristics; in one embodiment changes in orientation and motion will affect these characteristics in order to take account of Doppler effects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to estimating and correcting for frequency offset errors in wireless receivers, and is particularly but not exclusively related to MIMO WLAN applications. The present invention provides an improved method of tracking receiver frequency offsets in a receiver for MIMO systems. These receiver based frequency offset components are caused by errors or inaccuracies in various receiver sub-systems such as phase lock loops or carrier frequency oscillator error, and sampling clock rate errors. The frequency offsets due to each of a number of receiver sub-systems are estimated by monitoring frequency offsets on a number of channels or subcarriers (such as OFDM pilot channels) on different frequencies. These channel frequency offsets are preferably estimated by detecting the phase rotation between adjacent pilot symbols on each respective channel. They are then weighted according to a quality parameter of the estimates, which corresponds to their accuracy.

Abstract: An automated telephone dialing system. The system enables a handheld PID to automatically dial a telephone number stored its memory by interacting with a telephone. The telephone is equipped with a wireless port for short-range wireless data transfer. Similarly, the PID is equipped with a wireless port for short-range wireless data transfer. The PID establishes a wireless communication with the telephone. The PID is configured to control the telephone via the wireless communications such that the telephone dials a telephone number stored on the PID. The telephone number can be dialed in response to the user interacting with application executing on the PID. The application can be a contact management or address management program. The user can interact with the program, select a contact, address, phone number, or the like, through a GUI of the PID, and have this number automatically dialed by the telephone.

Abstract: A receiver is provided which is operable to receive a multiple element signal resultant from a MIMO transmission. The receiver includes decoding means for identifying symbols, from a predetermined set of such symbols, carried in the signal. The decoding means is operable to estimate the corresponding bits according to a pre-defined mapping of symbols to bits along with associated likelihood information representing the likelihood of an identified bit being such a bit. The decoding means is operable in two functional stages. A first decoding stage searches exhaustively across a set of possible symbols for the most likely candidate symbol, while a second stage takes account of an orthogonal transmission of information on two transmit antennas and decodes this information accordingly. The second stage is operable to detect remaining bits of data.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting a network access provider using a portable information device (PID) includes considering the user's pre-stated preferences. The pre-stated preferences may include, but are not limited to, reliability, security, signal strength, cost or appropriateness of service provider. The network access providers may be chosen from, but not limited to, a network access server at a corporate office or a cellular telephone. A score is calculated for each available network access provider and a connection is made based on the optimum provider that fits with the preferences of the user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhancement of the functionality of electronic devices. In one embodiment, the present invention is comprised of an intermediary apparatus. The intermediary apparatus is adapted to be communicatively coupled with an electronic device. In the present embodiment, the apparatus is further comprised of a first module. The first module is comprised of a first electrical connector which is adapted to enable communication between the first module and the electronic device. The first module is further comprised of a second electrical connector adapted to enable communication between the first module and a second module. The first module is further comprised of an opening that is adapted to receive a second module. Additionally, the apparatus is further comprised of a controller adapted to control the communication between the first module and a second module, provided a second module is inserted into the first module.

Abstract: The invention provides refrigerating apparatus (10;100) for chilling an object (26), the refrigerating apparatus (10;100) comprising a chamber (12;112) having a longitudinal axis (18;118), an inlet (22;122) and an outlet (24;124) spaced along the longitudinal axis (18;118), the refrigerating apparatus (10;100) further comprising means for generating a fluid flow, characterised in that notation means (128) are provided for causing the fluid flow to follow a helical path about the longitudinal axis (18;118) within the chamber (12;112) between the inlet (22;122) and the outlet (24;124).

Abstract: This invention is generally concerned with methods, apparatus and processor control code for decoding a signal received over a MIMO (multiple input-multiple output) channel.

Abstract: A method and system for effecting a security web upon multiple devices. In one embodiment of the invention, multiple devices are enabled to respond as authorized members of a security web such that each device acts as a co-monitoring device within the web. Further, each device transmits an identifiable RF signal at regular time intervals and is enabled to search for the transmitted RF signal from every other device within the security web. Next the invention determines a non-authorized loss of proximity from the web of any of the devices of the web. Upon determining a non-authorized loss of proximity of any device, the invention provides for at least one of the devices of the web to initiate an event.