Abstract: A vehicle alert system (100) alerts a driver of a vehicle about objects within a predetermined distance from the vehicle. The vehicle alert system (100) has at least two sensors (102) that detect objects within a predetermined distance of the sensor using light and changes in light. When an object is detected near the vehicle, an amplifier (104) activates an alarm circuit (107) to alert the driver that the blind spot is obstructed.

Abstract: An oscillator circuit for use with a wire-loop inductive sensor and method for use. The oscillator circuit highly attenuates common-mode noise detected by the wire-loop and differential noise from both ambient and crosstalk sources are filtered by active isolation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cockpit control systems are provided. A sensor associated with a first display is adjustable and a first setting associated with the sensor is simultaneously displayed on the first display and a second display as the sensor is adjusted. Furthermore, a second sensor associated with the second display is adjusted and a second setting associated with the second sensor is simultaneously displayed on the second display and the first display. The first setting is adjustable from the second display, and the second setting is adjustable from the first display. Moreover, the first display provides backup should the second display fail, and the first sensor provides backup to the second sensor in event the second sensor fails.

Abstract: A vehicle tracking unit may include a vehicle position determining device, a wireless communications device, and a controller. The controller may cooperate with the wireless communications device and the vehicle position determining device for sending vehicle position information to a monitoring station. The controller may also monitor operation of the vehicle, determine a fault condition of at least one of the vehicle position determining device and the wireless communications device based upon a failure thereof over a predetermined pattern of vehicle operation, store the fault condition, and permit retrieval of the stored fault condition.

Abstract: A host system (2) receives uploaded real time bus progress data (20) for bus systems (13). This is determined by the bus system (13) detecting a beacon short range radiation signal from a bus stop systems (11). Uploads are only made if the bus is not running according to the timetable. The host system (2) downloads bus status data (21) for remaining stops (12) on the route. The host system (2) also downloads advertising content to both the bus stop systems (11) and the bus systems (13). This is intelligently processed to select that which is applicable.

Abstract: A conversion device converts linear displacement signals from a displacement detector into non-linearly adjusted displacement signals for supply to a target such as a computer cursor controller. The displacement signals from the displacement detector are incremented, decremented, or left unchanged depending on displacement speeds detected by the conversion circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for entering characters with a reduced number of key presses. The sequence of one or more previously entered characters is used to select a character assignment matrix. The order of characters in the assignment matrix is determined by the probability that the letter will be the next in the sequence, with more likely characters being presented first. Repeated key presses are used to access characters with lower probability.

Abstract: An electronic device having a spill-resistant keyboard. The device utilizes a keyboard having a stiff support layer to which the plurality of keys are mounted. The stiff support layer cooperates with one or more water impermeable layers that reduce or prevent the flow-through of water or other liquids inadvertently spilled over the keyboard.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and data structures are described for representing, storing and manipulating date/time information in an 8-byte timestamp format. By limiting date/time information to a predetermined range and specifying a single date/time structure, an 8-byte timestamp is generated that is capable of conveying the same operational information as conventional 24-byte timestamps, yet which can be more efficiently generated, more efficiently stored, and more efficiently evaluated in boolean operations.

Abstract: A DC offset compensation circuit for direct conversion receiver. The circuit compensates the DC offset generated by a direct conversion receiver, the DC offset generated by an amplifier. The present invention uses a combination of capacitor and active devices to generate a low cutoff frequency high pass response to compensate the DC offset.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a digital depiction of a signal (10) which is adaptive to the signal itself. A constant rate sampling means, such as an analogue to digital converter (2), samples the signal (10) at a constant rate and produces a first digital depiction (12) of a signal. A transformation means (14) is responsive to the first digital depiction (12) and produces a second digital depiction based on the evolution of the signal. The transformation means may be capable of determining when a predetermined threshold level has been crossed and measuring the time interval between predetermined threshold level crossings. The transformation means (14) may include a logic arrangement and a timer counter and is run from a clock signal (16) from the same clock (6) as drives the sampling means. A method of adapting a conventional ADC (2) to adaptively sample the signal (10) by adding a transformation means (14) run off the same clock (6) as the ADC (2) is also provided.

Abstract: A data converter including a digital volume control for continuously scaling a received stream of digital audio data by a selected factor and a low noise delta-sigma modulator for re-quantizing a scaled digital data stream output from the digital volume control.

Abstract: During A/D conversion of time-discrete analog input values, a quantizer is used in which an analog quantization error is obtained after every conversion. The quantization error is stored in a buffer, and fed back through a subtracter to at least one input value of a subsequent conversion. The quantizer has a conversion frequency, which is more than double the maximum frequency contained in input values, so the conversion operates in an oversampling mode. During feedback the quantization errors of several conversions, prior to a varying number of conversions, are preferably fed back to an input value. The invention can be used with all conventional quantizers, for which an analog quantization error can be obtained, so it is possible through a noise shaping procedure to shift quantization noise into higher-frequency spectral ranges to improve the signal-to-noise ratio or reduce the quantization noise in a useful spectral range.

Abstract: A differential input flash analog-to-digital converter in which an array of comparators is connected to compare reference signals within a parabolic distribution of such signals generated by the application of a differential input signal across an impedance network. Preferably, the comparator array comprises at least two pluralities of comparators, the first plurality of comparators comparing pairs of reference nodes separated by a first step size, and the second plurality of comparators comparing pairs of reference nodes separated by a second step size. Even more preferably, the comparator array further comprises a third plurality of comparators comparing pairs of reference nodes separated by a third step size, but only where necessary to maximize the available comparison range of the converter. The flash converter according to the invention provides increased gain from input without accumulation of comparator input currents and without sacrificing the number of actual comparisons of reference signals.

Abstract: Circuitry that provides additional delay to early arriving signals such that all data signals arrive at a receiving latch with same path delay. The delay of a forwarded clock reference is also controlled such that the capturing clock edge will be optimally positioned near quadrature (depending on latch setup/hold requirements). The circuitry continuously adapts to data and clock path delay changes and digital filtering of phase measurements reduce errors brought on by jittering data edges. The circuitry utilizes only the minimum amount of delay necessary to achieve objective thereby limiting any unintended jitter. Particularly, this programmable differential delay circuit with fine delay adjustment is designed to allow the skew between ASICS to be minimized. This includes skew between data bits, between data bits and clocks as well as minimizing the overall skew in a channel between ASICS.

Abstract: An analog input signal A1 is held by a sample-hold-amplifier (SHA) 12 to be outputted as a voltage V12. The V12 is converted into a digital signal of 1,5 bits by sub-A/D converters (SADC: comparators 13, 14, and an encoder 15), and the digital signal is further converted into an analog signal by sub-D/A converters (SDAC: switches 16a, 16b, 16c) to be delivered to an SHA 18. The SHA 18 amplifies a difference in voltage between the voltage V12 and the SDAC by a factor of two to thereby output a voltage VA, which is delivered to an analog-to-digital conversion stage 20. By so doing, the range of an input voltage of the respective SHAs is suppressed to ½ of that for the conventional case, thereby enabling high-speed operation to be executed without impairing linearity.

Abstract: A remote controller for use with cable or satellite provided TV program signals in which an original “over the air” TV station's real channel assignment (such as channel 38) may be instead translated to a virtual channel (such as channel 14) by the cable or satellite service provider. The viewer may enter the TV station's real channel value and the remote controller automatically converts it to the virtual channel value prior to sending it as command to the controlled device, such as a TV-set, cable box or satellite receiver. Similarly, “over the air” TV station channel numbers which have not been intermediately translated (such as 4, 5, 12, etc.) may be entered by the viewer and directly sent to the controlled device. Additionally, single digit entries may be automatically prefixed with a leading ∅ to reduce likelihood for an entry error by the user.

Abstract: A simultaneous dual polarization radar system is disclosed that utilizes a RF power divider to replace high speed dual polarization switches utilized in current dual polarized radar systems. The disclosed systems allow for transmission and reception in both horizontal and vertical signal modes simultaneously while repositioning critical receiver components above the elevation rotary coupler in a radar pedestal. A bypass switch is also utilized to allow for mode switching of a radar system and a dual polarization reception design is shown to allow for the economical capturing of linear depolarization ratios of selected atmospheric areas. These new designs eliminate the current problems experienced in current dual polarization radar system of long dwell times and velocity range reductions, and the elimination of the relatively expensive and unreliable polarization switch.

Abstract: This invention relates to radar signal processing. In particular, this invention concerns Doppler processing and clutter filtering on irregular Pulse Repetition Time (PRT) sampled signal. This invention solves the above-mentioned drawbacks, in particular solving the velocity ambiguity and filtering any type of clutter, providing a deconvolution method which filter any kind of clutter even varying clutter like sea clutter, rain clutter . . .

Abstract: A device for generating a desired transit time delay of a pulsed radar signal is characterized in that a delay line (13) with signal input and signal output for the pulsed radar signal is provided whose transit causes time delay &tgr; of the pulsed radar signal, that a signal amplifier (14) is connected downstream of the delay line which increases the amplitude of the pulsed radar signal by a certain amplification factor f, and that a decoupling device (12) is provided which permits supply of at least part of the amplitude of the pulsed radar signal coming from the signal output of the signal amplifier to the signal input of the delay line again and which permits, after n times transit of the pulsed radar signal through the delay line, decoupling of at least part of the amplitude of the pulsed radar signal, wherein T=n·&tgr; and wherein n is a natural number.

Abstract: A method for testing radar system performance is disclosed which utilizes radar data test points in a radar data file. The method includes interpolating GPS data from a flight test to provide a GPS data point for every radar data test point, generating body coordinate values for every point in a corresponding digital elevation map (DEM) file using the interpolated GPS data, and applying a bounding function around at least a portion of the body coordinate values generated from the DEM file at a given time. The method also includes determining which body coordinate value generated from the DEM file is closest a current GPS data point for the given time and comparing the determined body coordinate value to the radar data test points at the given time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating signals that can be used for accurately determining position and a method and apparatus for accurately determining position. A radio station modification unit is disclosed that can be incorporated into an existing radio transmission facility. The radio station modification unit generates a correction data signal that can be used by position determining systems for accurately determining position. In one embodiment, the radio station modification unit generates correction data that is encrypted. A position determination system decrypts the correction data upon receiving an activation instruction and uses the correction data to accurately determine position.

Abstract: An antenna device is designed for incorporation in an electric apparatus and has a radiator carried by a flexible plastic film. The film has a radiator pattern disposed on one side of a configurationally stable plastic carrier, and also a supply conductor which extends to the opposite side of the carrier. The carrier has snap catches for securement direct on the circuit card, and a resilient portion with a projection directed towards the circuit card. The supply conductor covers the projection and thereby realizes contact, galvanically and under spring pretensioning, with a contact point, a so-called pad, on the circuit card.

Abstract: An antenna unit includes an antenna body having a fed radiation electrode and a non-fed radiation electrode that generate a double resonance state and that are mounted on a dielectric substrate, and a substrate for mounting the antenna body thereon. A ground electrode is disposed on the substrate in a predetermined area other than a ground-electrodeless portion provided on the substrate. The ground-electrodeless portion extends from at least one portion of an antenna-body mounting area so as to extend off of and away from the antenna-body mounting area. Grounding ends of the fed radiation electrode and the non-fed radiation electrode are connected to the ground electrode via grounding lines disposed on a predetermined portion of the ground-electrodeless portion, the predetermined portion being outside the antenna-body mounting area.

Abstract: A system for verifying the access authorization to a vehicle has a vehicle-based transceiver unit which has at least two transmitting/receiving antennas spaced a distance apart in or on the vehicle, and it has a transponder unit which is set up for detection of its presence and for exchanging a predetermined identification request/response sequence through or with the transceiver unit within a predetermined detection area in or around the vehicle, wherein the transceiver unit has calculation/analyzing means which perform the detection of a position of the transponder unit by using a time and/or phase measurement based on a mathematical geometric method in response to a reply signal transmitted by the transponder and received by the at least two transmitting/receiving antennas in response to the identification request.

Abstract: A shield for shielding radio frequency emissions being emitted from a communications antenna. The shield has a first layer of material having the physical property of generally absorbing radio frequency electromagnetic emissions and a second layer of material having the physical property of generally reflecting radio frequency emissions. The first layer of material is positioned between the second layer of material and the communications antenna. Therefore, the first layer of material absorbs a portion of the radio frequency emissions from the communications antenna, and the second layer of material reflects back the remaining emissions to the first layer of material. Therefore, the first layer absorbs a further portion of the remaining emissions. A layer of absorbing material is placed between the combined first & second layers and a material that is transparent to radio frequency emissions and through which the communications antenna radiates radio frequency energy.

Abstract: A projection image display device has a first display unit for displaying a first image based on a first image signal, an enlarging optical system for enlarging the first image and projecting the first image to the eye of an observer and a second display unit for displaying a second image based on a second image signal and directly projecting the second image to the eye of an observer.

Abstract: A system for displaying information using a display chip (1) is disclosed. The display system comprises a controller array (24) operable to send image data to a display array (30). The display array (30) has a plurality of pixels (96) with each pixel (96) having at least two memory storage bits per pixel (92, 94).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an improved structure of highly fine bight valve device. On a quartz glass substrate 1 and a monocrystalline silicon thin film layer z bonded on the quartz glass substrate 2, are provided an X diving circuit 6 and a Y driving circuit 8 integrated by a very large scale integration process, driving electrodes 5 of a matrix type for conduction signals outputted from the X driving circuit 6 and the Y driving circuit 8, a transistor 9 and a display pixel electrode 10 arranged at a cross-section of the driving electrodes 5 of a matrix type, a control circuit 4 for supplying timing signals to the X driving circuit 6 and the Y driving circuit 8, and a display data generating circuit 3 for generating display data in order to display an image, and further a light source element driving circuit 19 for driving a light source element is provided thereon.

Abstract: A method, a mobile device and a central unit for supplying a mobile user with service information relating to real world objects viewed by him, picture data for at least one of the objects being captured and made visible to the user by a picture producing device worn or carried by the user in that picture signals corresponding to the picture data are projected directly on the retina of the user, the user selecting a picture segment from the made-visible picture data which is determined through eye positions of the user, picture segment data based on the picture segment being sent to a processing unit which is located in the mobile device or in the central unit and which determines the desired service information based on the picture segment data, for example a translation of the text information provided on the viewed objects or background information on the viewed objects, and this service information being reproduced for the user, for example in visible or audible form.

Abstract: In a drive method of a mixed scan-sustain type of plasma display panel, set-up discharge is performed in the next scan line to be scanned when any particular scan line is in a write period. At this time, a first set-up discharge pulse, which is a gradually rising pulse of the opposite polarity of the scan pulse, is applied to scan electrodes of the scan line that is in the set-up discharge period, and a second set-up discharge pulse, which is a rectangular or gradually rising pulse of the same polarity as the scan pulse and of lower voltage than the scan pulse, is applied to the sustain electrodes. In addition, a set-up discharge erase pulse for eliminating set-up discharge and a sustain erase pulse for eliminating sustain discharge are impressed with the same gradually falling pulse shape.

Abstract: A signal transfer circuit in a pre-drive circuit converts the reference potential of a control signal, supplied from a drive control circuit, to the reference potential of an output element. The control signal is then amplified in a signal amplifier circuit and thereafter supplied to the output element. This makes it possible to isolate the reference potential and transfer the control signal to the output element even when the reference potentials of the drive control circuit and the control signal are different from that of the output element. The drive control circuit can also be prevented from being affected by variations in potential of the output element or the like.

Abstract: A system and method including a waveform for addressing and achieving gray scale in an electroluminescent (EL) display.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving a light-emitting display controls the light-emission of light-emitting elements in such a manner that a driving current or driving voltage having a prescribed value to be supplied to the light-emitting elements is turned on or off by an on/off signal from a driving unit. The driving apparatus includes a pixel read section for reading the luminance values for the light-emitting elements in a frame period from an image signal and a &Dgr;&Sgr; modulator which operates in a sub-frame period which is 1/n of the frame period according to the luminance values read by the pixel read section. The output of “1” or “0” from &Dgr;&Sgr; modulator is served as the on/off signal. The driving apparatus can further includes a random data generator for providing random luminance values for the individual pixels.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling automatic adjustment of a power supply of a display panel driving system. According to the apparatus and method, a voltage of the power supply of the display panel driving system is automatically adjusted in order to have the best possible image quality. According to the apparatus and method, since the PDP driving power supply is not manually adjusted using the variable resistors as in the related art, but is automatically adjusted. The apparatus manufacturing process is simple, and deviation caused by the automatic adjustment of the power supply is decreased compared with the manual adjustment of the related art, by automatically adjusting the PDP driving voltage affecting to the contrast deviation and brightness deviation of the PDP image in the PDP driving power supply circuit so as to maintain the best possible image quality.

Abstract: A scan rate controller includes a write phase lock loop for generating a write clock signal, a read timing generator for generating a fixed read timing clock signal, and a frame memory for storing a video signal according to the write clock signal from the write phase lock loop and a write timing clock signal from a timing generator, and outputting the video signal according to the read timing clock signal from read timing generator, thereby converting an image size in accordance with various video modes into an image size corresponding to a fixed video mode.

Abstract: The driving voltages for monochromatic images are sequentially applied to each of a plurality of pixels included in the display unit so as to cause each of the pixels to sequentially display the monochromatic images. A time-sequential arrangement of the driving voltages for the 2s (s is an integer equal to or larger than 2) monochromatic images that include the three primary colors of red, blue, and green is employed as one unit. Then, the one unit of arrangement of the driving voltages is sequentially applied periodically to each of the pixels included in the display unit so as to cause each of the pixels to sequentially display the monochromatic images arranged in accordance with the arrangement, wherein a color of the monochromatic image is any one of the three primary colors of red, blue, and green, each of the pixels included in the display unit being caused to display the monochromatic image at one point in time.

Abstract: A method of driving an active matrix liquid crystal display in a partial display mode is provided, together with a display operable in accordance therewith. A live portion (4) of the display is driven to display image data (6) and a dormant portion (8) is driven to display a substantially constant grey scale level output. The method comprises applying a signal (40) to each of the column address conductors (18) associated with the dormant portion (8) which comprises a combination of a signal substantially the same as the signal (14) applied to the counter electrode and kickback correction, such that the resultant kickback correction applied to each of the picture elements associated with the dormant portion (8) substantially corresponds to the grey scale level of the dormant portion. This serves to reduce the power consumption of the dormant portion (8), whilst avoiding the application of a substantial DC across the picture elements of the dormant portion (8).

Abstract: A display device capable of analog and digital image display has a retaining circuit holding an image signal disposed for each of the pixel elements. In the memory operation mode, an output from an oscillation unit formed inside the display panel is supplied to the pixel element electrodes of the display. The on-resistance of an output transistor for the pixel electrode is higher than the on-resistance of thin film transistors of the inverters in the oscillation unit. In the memory operation mode, gate and drain lines are set at predetermined voltages and an output of a voltage booster circuit formed in the display panel is used as a reference voltage of the retaining circuit and used for switching a selection circuit selecting image display circuits.

Abstract: The invention describes a display device for displaying information, comprising a display unit 1 with a plurality of columns C and rows R and a display driver 2. Further the invention describes a display driver 2 controlling a display unit 1 with storing means 3 for providing image information to the columns C of a display. The invention relates also to a terminal for mobile communication with a display device, having a display unit 1 and a display driver 2. To achieve a flexible multiplex rate of the display a control device 4 is arranged to switch off a definable number of rows R of the display depending on a state signal which contains the state information of the rows R. By this the multiplex rate is freely programmable, so in a partial mode (N/{overscore (P)}=0) the multiplex rate is reduced and by this the power consumption is reduced. Further it is possible to enable the rows or the groups of rows in a none consecutive order.

Abstract: A driver for driving a liquid crystal panel that includes a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal sandwiched between the substrates, a plurality of signal lines (31) which are arranged in a first given direction on a substrate and to which an image signal is supplied, a plurality of scanning lines (32) which are arranged in a second direction and to which a scan signal is supplied sequentially, and a plurality of pixels arranged in the form of a matrix on the surface of a substrate opposed to the liquid crystal, and driven with the image signal and scan signal supplied over the plurality of signal lines and plurality of scanning lines comprises: an image signal supply unit (101 to 104) including a first-direction shift register that has a plurality of stages (1a) and supplying the image signal sequentially to the plurality of signal lines in a first direction according to a transfer signal sequentially generated by the first-direction shift register, and a scan signal supply unit including a second-direction s

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal display apparatus including a plurality of chiral nematic liquid crystal display layers stacked on each other. To compensate temperature dependency, a control unit, in accordance with a temperature detected by a temperature detection unit, adjusts at least one of a voltage level and a pulse width of a pulse signal be applied to at least one of the liquid crystal display. In one embodiment, the control unit retrieves the detected temperature before driving the liquid crystal display successively, and commonly uses the detected temperature for the successive drives. In another embodiment, the control unit does not adjust a voltage level nor a pulse width of a first reset pulse signal that is for setting the liquid crystal material to a homeotropic phase regardless of the detected temperature.

Abstract: Radiation from a collimated linear source (7, 8) is directed partly into a light guide structure (6) and partly glancing over the surface of the light guide structure (6). The radiation (15, 20) travelling inside the light guide is coupled out by micro-optical structures to illuminate the underlying reflective or superlying transmissive LCD. Radiation (17A, 17B) travelling across the surface outside the light guide (6) is directed towards an array of light sensitive detectors. Interruption of this radiation by a pen (21) or a finger (21) is detected and the position of the interruption is deduced.

Abstract: A display device in accordance with the present invention includes: a gate driver for carrying out display scanning on pixels sequentially in a first direction of a TFT liquid crystal panel so as to set pixels to display states thereof according to information to be displayed by the pixels in the TFT liquid crystal panel, the pixels being arranged in two dimensions and being individually controllable in terms of the display state through illumination; and a backlight unit for illuminating the individual pixels with intensity of light which increases and subsequently decreases in synchronism with the display scanning carried out by the gate driver, but only after the display scanning.

Abstract: A uniform phase relation restoration method for a. scrolling color projection system wherein the addressing sequence of an LCD panel is altered to change the sweep rate of any one primary color relative to the other two primary colors to momentarily increase the sweep speed of the one color channel while correspondingly decreasing the sweep speed of the other two color channels.

Abstract: An integrated key and a method of producing the integrated key, wherein the integrated key can be used on an electronic device. The integrated key includes an organic light-emitting layer and a plurality of electrodes, operatively connected to a power source, to activate the light-emitting layer in order to illuminate the key. Furthermore, the light-emitting layer and the electrodes can be arranged into a group of segments or pixels. The segments or pixels can be individually addressable so that they can be selectively activated to from a symbol or words. The key is implemented on a substrate and includes an encapsulation layer to form a cavity for filling with a gaseous species to protect the organic light-emitting layer in the key.

Abstract: In a keyboard input device, including a keyboard body and a device mounting member for mounting thereon a portable device. The device mounting member is pivotally supported by the keyboard body. A connector for connecting the keyboard body and the portable device is disposed on the pivotable portion of the mounting member.

Abstract: A touch sensitive apparatus and method of operation to improve visual feedback and visual perception of tactile input to an operator. The apparatus includes a touch screen device or display having a touch overlay, a processor and stored program instructions in a memory in which a three-dimensional graphical image, such as a key element, is created in the apparatus and shown on the display as an input device or keypad to the processor. Each key element includes a beveled surface surrounding a flat surface. When a displayed key element is touched by a probe, such as a finger, the screen area about the displayed key element and the finger, visually enlarges or “splats” confirming the selection of the particular key.

Abstract: A passive touch system includes a passive touch surface and at least two cameras associated with the touch surface. The at least two cameras acquire images of the touch surface from different locations and have overlapping fields of view. A processor receives and processes images acquired by the at least two cameras to detect the existence of a pointer therein and to determine the location of the pointer relative to the touch surface. Actual pointer contact with the touch surface and pointer hover above the touch surface can be determined.

Abstract: A wireless beam-pen pointing device is proposed, which is designed for use with a computer unit, a presentation screen, and a beam pen. The presentation screen is coupled with a beam-spot position detector which is capable of detecting the beam-spot position where the light beam strikes on the presentation screen and transfer the beam-spot position data to the notebook computer. In response, the notebook computer will move the cursor to the detected beam-spot position. The beam pen is capable of emitting a light beam, such as a laser beam, which allows the speaker to point the light beam at a particular object displayed on the presentation screen that is currently being mentioned in the speaker's speech. The cursor movement is under control by the light beam, so that the cursor will be moved to the location currently pointed by the light beam.