Abstract: An electronic device may receive a packet comprising a plurality of codewords comprising pre-processing logic, a first decoder, and a second decoder. The pre-processing logic causes some of said codewords to be provided to the first decoder and other of said codewords to be provided to the second decoder. The codewords may be of different lengths and/or different code rates. Further, the first and second decoders may implement the same or different decoding technique.

Abstract: A serial data interface for a programmable logic device includes a receiver that deserializes a plurality of channels of received serial data using a recovered clock signal or a phase-aligned received clock signal. Byte boundaries are initially assigned, perhaps arbitrarily, and the deserialized signal is sent to the programmable logic core of the programmable logic device. Programmable logic in the core monitors the byte boundaries on each channel based on the criteria, including any user-defined parameters, programmed into the logic. If a boundary misalignment is detected, a signal is send from the core to bit-slipping circuitry on that channel of the interface to adjust the boundary. The signal could instruct the bit-slipping circuitry to adjust the boundary by the number of bits needed to correct the alignment. Alternatively, the bit-slipping circuitry could operate iteratively, adjusting the boundary by one bit, each cycle, until the signal stops indicating misalignment.

Abstract: A decision feedback equalizer includes a lookup table device. The lookup table device may include a shift register and memory, or may include multiple shift registers and memories. Near-end crosstalk may be reduced using a lookup table device. Echo in a bi-directional port circuit may also be reduced using a lookup table device.

Abstract: The disclosed compressor utilizes a plurality of prefix tables corresponding to respective prefix codes. A string is stored by storing the code associated with the string in a prefix table corresponding to the code of the string prefix at a prefix table location corresponding to the extension character of the string. The input data character stream is searched by comparing the input stream to the stored strings to determine the longest match therewith. The code associated with the longest match is outputted so as to provide the output stream of compressed codes. The stored strings are updated by inserting an extended string into the prefix tables, the extended string comprising the longest match extended by the next data character in the input stream following the longest match, the extended string being stored in the prefix table corresponding to the code of the longest match, a code being assigned to the extended string.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided which includes one or more analog components, an analog to digital (A/D) converter, and a spectral compensator. The operational characteristics of the one or more analog components have variations based on input signal frequency. The one or more analog components perform their corresponding operations with respect to an input analog signal to generate an output analog signal. The analog to digital (A/D) converter is coupled to receive the output analog signal from the one or more analog components and to convert the output analog signal to a digital signal. The spectral compensator is coupled to receive the digital signal generated by the A/D converter and to compensate spectral characteristics of the digital signal based on variations in the operational characteristics of the one or more analog components.

Abstract: A noise shaper includes a first feedback loop for noise shaping a first feedback signal under normal operating conditions and having a first filter with a first signal transfer function and a second feedback loop that is stable under overload conditions and has a second filter having a second signal transfer function differing from the first signal transfer function. The noise shaper also includes an output circuit block including a quantizer and steering circuitry. The quantizer includes an input simultaneously responsive to outputs of the first and second filters. The steering circuitry steers a feedback from an output of the quantizer to input of the first and second feedback loops. The steering circuitry steers feedback from output of the quantizer to inputs of the first and second feedback loops, the steering circuitry including a first output for providing the first feedback signal to the first feedback loop and a second output for providing a second feedback signal to the second feedback loop.

Abstract: There is provided a D/A converter that is free from a variation in the voltage width of 1 LSB between more significant bits and less significant bits of data for conversion due to variations in characteristics of resistors, transistors, etc. to thereby ensure a higher conversion accuracy than the conventional D/A converter. The eight more significant bits of 12-bit data for conversion are applied to a decoder 21, while the four less significant bits of the same are applied to a current addition circuit 22. The decoder 21 selects one of FET's F0 to F255 based on the eight more significant bits to cause one of voltages divided by a series circuit formed by resistors r0 to r255 to be applied to an operational amplifier 40. On the other hand, switches 30 to 33 of the current addition circuit 22 are switched, respectively, by the four less significant bits to turn respective FET's 35 to 38 on and off.

Abstract: A digital to analog converter array including a plurality of pixels arranged in an array and independently addressable to selectively modulate light; a digital counter which generates a sequence of numbers in digital form; an analog signal source which generates an analog signal that corresponds the sequence generated by the digital counter; and a plurality of array elements which control the pixels, each element including a digital memory register holding at least one input number; a comparator which generates an enabling signal responsive to a comparison between the number in the sequence and the input number; and a sample and hold circuit which samples the value of the analog signal, responsive to said enabling signal, and sets an output voltage controlling a pixel to said value, wherein the array is configured so that the comparators in all the array elements compare the number in the sequence to the input numbers held in said array elements substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: Systems and methods for digital upconversion of baseband television signals that can be used in cable television headend systems are provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a digital frequency adjustment system and a digital to analog conversion system. In a feature of the embodiment, the digital frequency adjustment system consists of set of digital upconversion and upsample elements that shift upwards the frequency of baseband signals. In a further feature of the embodiment, a tree structure of sets of upsample and upconversion elements is used. In another embodiment, the system includes digital and analog frequency adjustment systems in which the frequencies of the input signals are partially upshifted within both the digital and analog domains. Methods for digital upconversion of television signals are also provided.

Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter having series-connected transistors forming high impedance current sources for respective segmented resistor strings. A series transistor forming a current sink for one resistor string presents a high output impedance by utilizing a negative feedback amplifier. The effects of a headroom resistor and an offset resistor in one resistor string are negated by configuring an output amplifier with appropriate gain resistors. A highly accurate D/A conversion can be achieved by utilizing all resistors of the main and sub-resistor strings with the same value.

Abstract: A method is provided for analog/digital converting of at least one analog low-frequency signal with an analog/digital converter which can detect only an analog signal with a frequency above a predetermined border frequency value, wherein at least one analog low-frequency signal and at least one analog high-frequency signal are provided. An analog intermediate signal is generated from said analog low-frequency signal(s) and said analog high-frequency signal(s) and is input to the analog/digital converter. The analog intermediate signal is converted into a digital intermediate signal, and a digital low-frequency signal corresponding to said analog low-frequency signal is determined from the digital intermediate signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are arranged to provide an early comparison scheme for a pipelined ADC stage with a delay circuit. The pipelined ADC includes an amplifier that is biased by a precision bias circuit. The delay circuit includes inverting stages, where each inverting stage includes one or more current sources. The delay circuit is configured to provide a latch signal in response to a clocking signal for the pipelined ADC stage. The latch signal is utilized by one or more comparators for early evaluation of the output of the pipelined ADC stage. The current sources in the delay circuit may also be biased by the precision bias circuit such that variations in amplifier performance are tracked by variations in the performance of the delay circuit. Process, temperature, and power supply related variations in the timing may be minimized by the biasing arrangement of the amplifiers and the delay circuit.

Abstract: A hand-held remote control which can be configured to communicate command codes to one or more home appliances of different makes, models, and manufacturers and a relay unit that can communicate with the remote control. The relay unit has a button that corresponds to a key on the remote control. When the button on the relay unit is activated, the relay unit signals the remote control. In response to the receipt of the signal indicating activation of the button or in response to activation of the key on the remote control, the remote control communicates to one or more of the home appliances those command codes that have been mapped to the key. Command codes are communicated to the home appliances using native communication protocols.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a target object through foliage includes a transmitter for generating a low-frequency electromagnetic signal. The signal is directed toward a potential target object for reflection from the potential target object. The system further includes a plurality of mutually dispersed sensors for receiving the reflected signal from the target object. A mechanism is provided to determine the relative locations of the sensors. Signal information from the received signals is sent to a central processor. The central processor inputs the signal information into a beamformer algorithm such as the Maximum Likelihood Method (MLM) to reduce sidelobe ambiguities and resolve the true location of the target from the signal information.

Abstract: An autonomous onboard absolute position and orientation referencing system provides a means of efficaciously and economically embedding guidance and control components into the fins of supersonic, highly maneuverable small, medium-caliber and long range munitions. Embedded resonant cavities form an integral part of the referencing system. The magnitude and phase information received by the integral antennas is used to determine the munition orientation. Embedded sensors provide continuous, onboard information about the angular orientation of the munition, such as its pitch, yaw, and roll angles, as well as its absolute position relative to a ground station.

Abstract: In a mobile communication device, a method for compensating for a frequency adjustment in an oscillator shared between a communication circuit and a positioning signal receiver is provided. In one embodiment, the method begins to receive and store a positioning signal at a first time point. When, at a second time point, the operating frequency of the shared oscillator is adjusted, the frequency adjustment is recorded. After the positioning signal is completely received and stored, the processing of the positioning signal takes into consideration the frequency adjustment. In that embodiment, the processing hypothesizes a frequency shift in the received positioning signal. According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for determining the operating frequency of an oscillator detects a beginning time point of a reference signal received by the mobile communication device and enables a counter to count in step with a clock signal derived from the oscillator.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for increasing the weak signal recovery capability of a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver correlating each of the plurality of digital signals by multiplying the I and Q phases by the carrier and code, adding a location offset, accumulating the results of the correlation, and latching the results until a predetermined time; coherent combining the accumulated results at the predetermined time; non-coherent combining the coherent combined results for a time period sufficient to raise a correlation peak to a predetermined point above a noise floor to produce a plurality of non-coherent bin observables; determining a maximum value of the plurality of bin observables and comparing the maximum value to predetermined threshold; determining grid locations of bin observables having maximum values greater than the predetermined threshold; determining a bi-quadratic surface using the grid locations; determining an argument maximum of the bi-quadratic surface; estimating epoch pseu

Abstract: A signal processing system is disclosed. The signal processing system comprises an antenna receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal. The signal processing system also comprises radio frequency circuitry coupled to the RF antenna, an analog to digital converter coupled to the RF circuitry and converting an analog signal from the RF circuitry to a digital signal. The signal processing further comprises a processing device generating a fast Fourier transform including N bins and an adaptive weight calculator calculating no more than (N/2)+1 weights based on information from at least (N/2)−1 bins, the no more than (N/2)+1 weights being applied to the output of the N bins in a weighted summation. Further, the signal processing system comprises an inverse fast Fourier transform calculator producing an inverse fast Fourier transform using the weighted summation.

Abstract: A family of antennas, and a method for the same, are provided. The antennas include periodic electromagnetic structures to suppress non-radiating modes of propagation. Each antenna comprises a radiator resonant at a first frequency. A first dielectric is proximate to the radiator. Typically, a counterpoise is formed to the radiator. The periodic electromagnetic structures propagate a radiating mode, and suppress the propagation of a non-radiating mode. The periodic electromagnetic structures can be formed in the radiator, the counterpoise (when the counterpoise is distinctly distinguishable from the radiator), or in the first dielectric. The electromagnetic structures are a pattern of volumetric dielectric blocks having a predetermined shape and a predetermined spacing between blocks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for receiving/transmitting electromagnetic waves with omnidirectional radiation of the type comprising: a first set (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d) of means for receiving/transmitting waves with longitudinal radiation of the printed antenna type, the said means being arranged in order to receive a wide azimuthal sector and at least a second means (104) for receiving/transmitting waves with transverse radiation of the printed antenna type, the second means having radiation complementary to the radiation of the first means, and means (103) capable of connecting in emission the said first and second wave receiving/transmitting means. The invention is especially applicable to domestic networks.

Abstract: Of margins of a resin molding with an antenna element buried therein which lie around the antenna element, a margin on that side of the resin molding where a gate mark remains is made larger than margins on other sides where there is no gate mark. Particularly, when the antenna element has a line antenna portion and a capacitance-adding portion provided at a distal end of the line antenna portion, the resin molding is injection-molded in such a way that a gate mark can be formed on that side where the capacitance-adding portion is located. Those portions of the resin molding where the terminal portions are led out are dented from levels of portions around those portions. This provides a chip antenna which has a simple structure with a high mechanical strength and does not prevent separation or cracking from occurring in the resin molding in which the antenna element is buried and a method of manufacturing the chip antenna.

Abstract: A laptop computer with an embedded antenna is disclosed. The laptop computer contains an LCD panel and an antenna embedded inside the LCD panel. The antenna is embedded in the gap between the covering of the LCD panel and the frame supporting the LCD on the LCD panel. The ground surface of the antenna is effectively extended through incorporating the conducting surface on the back of the LCD. When the LCD panel is opened the antenna is at a distance above the operating surface of the laptop computer and produces omni-directional radiation pattern in the horizontal plane.

Abstract: A splashplate antenna system configured using hybrid mode-matching techniques has improved secondary beam characteristics, including improved sidelobe performance, improved electric and magnetic plane correlation, reduced cross-polarization, improved electric and magnetic plane phase center correlation, and improved overall matching between the waveguide and the splashplate (sub-reflector). Internally, the waveguide contains a wall constructed from a series of varying dimensioned cross-sections that cause signals introduced to radiate in a multiple mode, Gaussian-like field pattern. The Splashplate is configured so that the waves received from the waveguide maintain the circular pattern symmetry, as well as other characteristics.

Abstract: An antenna system that includes a directional antenna designed to reduce the occurrence of side lobes, thus reducing the possibility of interference with other radio frequencies is disclosed. The directional antenna includes an antenna member and a reflecting tube. The reflective tube is sleeved over the antenna member. The reflective serves to block unwanted radial side lobes. The directional antenna can also include provisions that assist in suspending the antenna member within the reflective tube.

Abstract: A display apparatus and computer system employing the same include a dual mode television/monitor display which is operable to provide television display output in an interlaced mode of operation and computer output in a noninterlaced computer graphics mode of operation in a visually detectable manner and further includes a communication channel for transmitting commands from the host computer system to the display apparatus. The display apparatus contains a microprocessor for receiving commands from the host computer system for switching the display between the interlaced and noninterlaced modes of operation. In a further aspect, a method of transitioning the dual mode display between the television and computer graphics modes of operation via a host computer system is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling liquid-crystal-display (LCD) shutter glasses for making the right and left LCD-type shutter of the LCD shutter glasses transparent alternately. An observer who wears the LCD shutter glasses controlled by the apparatus will experience the three-dimensional effect if the alternately transparent speed of the right and left LCD-type shutter is matched with the vertical synchronization signal. The apparatus for controlling liquid-crystal-display (LCD) shutter glasses comprises a first means, a second means, and a third means. The first means is responsive to a vertical synchronization signal and generates a light-passing enable signal. The second means could generate a first voltage signal. The third means is responsive to the light-passing enable signal and the first voltage signal to generate a first and a second controlling signals to control the left and the right LCD-type shutters such that a three dimension image effect is observed by the observer.

Abstract: A display device comprising at least one light modulation panel and at least two projection elements, wherein, in operation, an image having a relatively high resolution in a relatively small field of view is presented to a first eye by means of the first projection element, while an image having a relatively low resolution in a relatively large field of view is presented to a second eye by means of the second projection element. The second projection element is provided with means for masking a part of the large field of view, which part substantially corresponds to the small field of view.

Abstract: A display illumination and viewing system has an illumination optical path and a viewing optical path coinciding along a portion of their lengths. A display is located at one end of the coinciding path portion. A first lens system is located on the coinciding path portion and a second lens system is located on the viewing optical path. An illumination assembly is located on the illumination optical path and off the coinciding path portion. The illumination assembly is spaced from the first lens system by a distance corresponding to a focal length of the first lens system. A reflective and transmissive element is located at an opposite end of the coinciding path portion to reflect light from the illumination assembly onto the coinciding path portion toward the display and to transmit light from the display along the viewing optical path. In another aspect of the invention, the image display system is operable in a color mode and a monochrome mode.

Abstract: An improved multi-segment, electronically-actuated display array that displays (a) a multiplication symbol configured approximately like “×”, and, centered in the same location, (b) one or more of an addition symbol, a subtraction symbol, and a division symbol configured approximately like “+”, “−”, and “÷”, respectively. A novel central segment or central segment group of the array displays a central portion of the multiplication symbol and of the other displayable arithmetic operation symbols—essentially the entire intersection of (a) the multiplication symbol and (b) a horizontal bar constituting the entire subtraction symbol, the horizontal portion of the addition symbol, and/or the vertically-centered portion of the division symbol.

Abstract: In a PDP unit, a display frame for one screen comprises a plurality of sub-frames, the luminance of each of which is determined by a sustaining pulse number. A length of one frame is calculated from the length of one cycle of a vertical synchronization signal and a sub-frame condition determination circuit determines, from the length of one frame, the number of sub-frames, the luminance of each sub-frame and a total sustaining pulse number. A load factor is calculated from an external input signal. A further circuit determines a maximum display luminance from consumed power and calculates a luminance factor, and yet a further circuit corrects the luminance drop due to a load from the total sustaining pulse number, the luminance ratio and the load factor for the respective sub-frame and calculates sustaining pulse numbers for the respective sub-frames.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and a method for driving a surface discharge PDP in which a driving voltage supply frame for displaying an image is constructed of N sub-fields, and each sub-field is composed of an erasing period, an addressing period and a sustaining period, the sustaining period alternately providing a predetermined sustaining pulse to first and second electrodes constructing the display panel.

Abstract: Pseudo-impulse display for reducing after-images during display of moving images in an active matrix type display apparatus. Liquid crystal capacitors are formed at intersections of signal lines and scanning lines to display images. Auxiliary capacitors are provided for keeping a potential difference across the liquid crystal capacitors during display. One of the two electrodes of the auxiliary capacitors is connected to a switching element together with a pixel electrode. After the liquid crystal capacitor and the auxiliary capacitor have been charged with a video signal on the signal lines while the switching element is selectively put into the conducting state with the scanning lines, and after a predetermined time has passed, an auxiliary capacitor driver applies a signal to the other electrode of the auxiliary capacitor, such that the display luminance due to the liquid crystal capacitor is reduced.

Abstract: An electronic device includes on a substrate: a plurality of first capacitors each including a first electrode and a second electrode opposing the first electrode via a first dielectric layer; a plurality of second capacitors each including a third electrode electrically connected to the first electrode and a fourth electrode opposing the third electrode via a second dielectric layer; a first line whose electrical connection to the first electrode and the third electrode is turned ON/OFF by a first switching element; a second line electrically connected to the second electrode at least temporarily; a third line whose electrical connection to the fourth electrode is turned ON/OFF by a second switching element; and a fourth line whose electrical connection to the fourth electrode is turned ON/OFF by a third switching element.

Abstract: An antiferroelectric liquid crystal display, which is equipped with an antiferroelectric liquid crystal panel having an antiferroelectric liquid crystal sandwiched between a pair of substrates, performs at least one scanning period when carrying out a display based on one set of display data, wherein the scanning period comprises a selection period for determining the state of the antiferroelectric liquid crystal, a non-selection period for holding the state determined in the selection period, and a reset period for resetting pixels to a black display state before initiating the selection period. The length of the reset period is adjusted according to the speed of change in the display data. Alternatively, the pixels are reset to a white display state in the reset period and, during that period, the backlight is turned off.

Abstract: In a shift register provided with flip-flops that operate in synchronism with a clock signal, and a switching means, which is opened and closed in response to an output of the preceding stage of each of the flip-flops, is installed. The clock signal is selectively inputted by the switching means, and the selected clock signal is inverted and used as a shift register output from each of the stages. An output pulse having the same width as the pulse of the clock signal is generated.

Abstract: A TFT-LCD driver includes a TFT-LCD panel having a plurality of gate bus lines, a plurality of source bus lines, a plurality of TFT's, and a plurality of liquid crystal cells corresponding to the plurality of TFT's, a gate driver integrated circuit for supplying driving voltages to the gate bus lines to turn the TFT's on and off, a source driver integrated circuit for sequentially supplying analog voltages to the source bus lines so as to input the analog voltages to the plurality of liquid crystal cells through the turned-on TFT's, and a controller for providing control signals to the gate driver integrated circuit and the source driver integrated circuit, wherein the analog voltages supplied from the source driver integrated circuit to the TFT-LCD panel have the same polarity at least twice in sequence, wherein the source driver integrated circuit drives the TFT-LCD panel using one of a dot inversion method and a pixel inversion method.

Abstract: A shift register is provided with a shift register section composed of a plurality of stages of flip-flops that operate in synchronization with a clock signal, and level shifters for boosting a start signal lower than a driving voltage and for applying the same to both ends of the shift register section, and the shift register is capable of switching the shift direction in accordance with the switching signal. The foregoing level shifters are current-driving-type level shifters that can operate even in the case where the transistor characteristics are inferior or in the case of fast operations, and that can carry out level shifting even with a start signal having a small amplitude. Furthermore, the foregoing level shifters are provided at both ends of the shift register section, respectively, and one of the same stops operating in accordance with a switching signal, so that consumed power should decrease.

Abstract: A learning-type movement control apparatus that learns the movement of an operation control device, predicts the movement thereof, and drives it so as to automatically move. The apparatus comprises an operation control device having a predetermined portion that is displaced according to a force exerted in an arbitrary direction, outputs the amount of the displacement at least as one-dimensional position-representing information, receives a feedback signal carrying information generated by adding displacement information to the position-representing information, and drives the predetermined portion according to a direction and a displacement that are based on the feedback signal. The apparatus also includes a learning section that receives the position-representing information and performs learning of the movement of the operation control device.

Abstract: A portable notebook computer includes a base having an exterior surface. A keyboard is mounted on the exterior surface. A palmrest area is mounted on the exterior surface adjacent the keyboard. A scroll device is mounted in the exterior surface adjacent the palmrest area. The scroll device includes a first portion protruding from the exterior surface, and a second portion extending through the exterior surface and recessed into the base. The scroll device is bi-directionally rotatable relative to the exterior surface and resiliently depressible into the base.

Abstract: Various x-y input devices are disclosed that are adapted to allow a user to hold and operate the input device with a stress-reducing, open grip posture with the thumb pointing forward and on top of the device. One preferred embodiment discloses an input device for a computer comprising an x-y input sensor (such as a touchpad) positioned perpendicular to the thumb such that the user provides input with the thumb tip by using pivotal movement of the thumb. Various stress-reducing zero force touch switches are disclosed including zero force touch switches that can be adjusted to accommodate variations in user finger length. The mode of x-y cursor control can be altered through the use of x-y input sensor perimeter inputs. One preferred embodiment discloses a thumb actuated scroll select touch switch that alters the response to actuation of the finger actuated zero force touch switches from mouse button input to scroll wheel input.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the position of a cursor on the display of a computer comprising a first cylindrical member and a second cylindrical member concentrically engaging the first cylindrical member and coupled thereon for both rotational relative movement and translational relative movement. A detector is provided for sensing this relative movement and providing signals representative thereof to a computer for controlling the position of a cursor on the display. This apparatus is especially suitable for use on a vehicle carrying an onboard computer and could, for example, be mounted on the steering post of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the movement of a cursor on a monitor screen are provided. The system comprising at least one remote control unit having a plurality of push buttons for remotely controlling the moving direction of the cursor on the monitor screen; at least one light emitting element for emitting light that indicates a signal generated by the remote control unit; a light detector for extracting the light movement that is transmitted sequentially from the remote control unit; and, a control unit for displaying the moving position of the cursor on the monitor screen corresponding to the extracted movement of the light from the remote control unit, and also adapted to stop the moving position of the cursor upon releasing the push button of the remote control unit. The movement of the cursor on the monitor screen also can be stopped if the light movement transmitted from the remote control unit changes in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A gel cushion that can be attached to an existing cursor pointing device (control stick) on a computer or keyboard, or be integrally formed with the cap during manufacture. The gel cushion is flexible enough to prevent tissue damage to the user's fingers due to repetitive motions over an extended period of use, yet firm enough to transmit the desired pressure to the control stick. The gel cushion designed to be used on an existing control stick can be applied with an adhesive to a cap, or with a frictional fit directly to the control stick. The gel cushion is designed to be easily installed and replaced when worn.

Abstract: A customizable touchscreen keyboard, and method, system, and computer program product for customizing the touchscreen keyboard is provided. In one embodiment, a data processing system receives customization characteristics from a user through the touchscreen interface. The data processing system then creates a customized touchscreen keyboard layout based on the customization characteristics and presents the customized touchscreen keyboard layout to a user. For example, the user may customize the keyboard such that the letters are presented in a U-shape with the letters arranged in alphabetical order, thus aiding a user in finding a desired letter. The user may later recustomize the keyboard if desired. Furthermore, the data processing system may reconfigure the keyboard based on past usage by the user.

Abstract: A handheld device (200) includes a housing (202) having a cylindrical bore (204) therein and which terminates at a distal end (206) of the housing with a central orifice communicating therewith. The housing serves for receiving a portion of a body of a drawing implement with its drawing tip extending from the central orifice. The device (200) further includes an ultrasonic receiver or transmitter (220) mounted within the housing, remote from the drawing tip, yet in close proximity with the bore. This device serves for receiving or transmitting an intermittent ultrasound signal through the bore and the plurality of openings, thereby enabling triangulation of the drawing tip.

Abstract: A computer system which includes one or more wireless interface devices that are adapted to communicate with a remote host over a radio link. Each of the wireless interface devices is a pen-based device which includes an ink field in which pen events are translated into pen data. packets and transmitted to the remote host over the radio link. Local inking is provided at the wireless interface device in order to maintain the pen paradigm in essentially real time.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus that provides predetermined and user determined areas on an electronic whiteboard which provides the user with various computer-related functions. In particular, a communication server would monitor the hot zones for detection of the users electronic pen. If the communication server detects the users electronic pen in the hot zone area for longer than a predetermined time, for example two seconds, then the communication server would perform the function defined by that particular hot zone. A plurality of hot zones may be defined and fixed as part of either the electronic whiteboard environment, or they may be relative so that a user can define particular hot zone areas, including their location, content and function. These hot zone areas may be moved anywhere in the electronic whiteboard area.

Abstract: A sensing device for use with a surface having coded data and electronic ink disposed on the surface, the coded data being indicative of an identity of a region associated with the surface, the sensing device including: a region identity generator configured to generate region identity data indicative of the identity of the region using the coded data; and a transmitter configured to transmit the region identity data to a computer system.

Abstract: A hand writing input device for cellular phone disclosed herein is an input device which digital tablet can be in combined use with a cellular phone. In this device, a digital pen is used to input data such as handwritings or graphic data instead of entering through a key pad of cellular phone, forming an e-mail, a brief message, a document, which may be locally stored or further transmitted to another cellular phone via transmitter station or via internet to overcome the disadvantage and limit of entering data from key pad of cellular phone.

Abstract: An LED is an element in which when a voltage pulse applied to the intrinsic diode of an electrical equivalent model reaches a peak value, a current suddenly flows to obtain an optical output proportional to the forward current. By utilizing this property, the LED receives a rectangular voltage pulse having a large-current driving ability at a low output impedance, or a voltage pulse having two high levels. The low level of the voltage pulse is set within a voltage range where the extinction ratio of an output signal from the LED can be maintained. Even in an LED having a large internal capacitance, an increase in power consumption can be minimized, the transient response time can be shortened, high-speed modulation can be performed, and output light almost free from pulse waveform distortion can be obtained.