Patents Issued in May 15, 2008
  • Publication number: 20080111629
    Abstract: A constant current bias circuit and associated method is disclosed. The constant current bias circuit comprises an output stage for amplifying a radio frequency (RF) signal, wherein the output stage is operably coupled with a voltage. The constant current bias circuit further comprises a bias circuit operably coupled with the output stage for generating a substantially constant current bias to the output stage. The constant current bias circuit still further comprises a plurality of bias transistors operably coupled with the voltage and the output stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: William H. Davenport
  • Publication number: 20080111630
    Abstract: A small size power amplifier includes a first amplifier provided for a first signal path; a second amplifier provided for said first signal path; and a third amplifier provided for a second signal path parallel to said first signal path. A voltage control circuit configured to bias one of a first set of said first amplifier and said second amplifier, and a second set of said third amplifier, based on an output power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Fumio Harima
  • Publication number: 20080111631
    Abstract: A high-frequency power amplifier of the present invention comprises a power supply unit for including a transistor for switching whose drain electrode-source electrode or collector electrode-emitter electrode are on/off controlled according to a pulse signal corresponding to an envelope signal of a high-frequency signal applied to a gate electrode or to a base electrode, and for generating a voltage corresponding to the envelope signal by means of on/off operation of the transistor for switching; and a transistor for power amplification which is a source electrode grounded type or an emitter electrode grounded type, to which a voltage generated by the power supply unit is supplied as an operating voltage, in which the high-frequency signal is applied to the gate electrode or to the base electrode. Further, the transistor for switching in the power supply unit and the transistor for power amplification are arranged so that the source electrodes or the emitter electrodes are commonly connected in one package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: Kazumi Shiikuma
  • Publication number: 20080111632
    Abstract: A cascode low noise amplifier includes an input transistor and an output transistor cascode together, the input transistor has a source coupled to an active inductor, and the output transistor has a drain to provide an output signal. By using the active inductor, the low noise amplifier has smaller size, lower noise figure, and higher gain. The active inductor also provides input impedance matching for the low noise amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Jeng Gong, I-Lun Huang
  • Publication number: 20080111633
    Abstract: A multi-Gigahertz, low jitter phase locked loop (PLL) with adjustable gain is disclosed. In one embodiment, properties of a fVCO signal of a PLL can be acquired. Properties can include the occurrences of different types of jitter on the fVCO signal and the lock status of the PLL. A gain control module can control at least a portion of the PLL based on an analysis of the acquired properties. For example, when the loop is locked or when there is loop filter leakage, the gain of a charge pump in the PLL can be reduced. When a charge pump mismatch is detected based on the acquired properties, additional control signals can be provided to the charge pump to correct the mismatch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hayden C. Cranford, Marcel A. Kossel, Thomas H. Toifl
  • Publication number: 20080111634
    Abstract: A phase-locked method includes: generating a selection signal according to a detection result of a phase/frequency detector (PFD) of a phase-locked loop (PLL); generating a plurality of oscillation signals according to at least a first oscillation signal generated by the PLL, wherein the plurality of oscillation signals respectively correspond to a plurality of phases; and from the plurality of oscillation signals, selecting an oscillation signal as an output signal of the PLL according to the selection signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: Shaw-N Min
  • Publication number: 20080111635
    Abstract: The invention is an enhancement for fractional-N based RF frequency synthesis to allow phase locked loops to switch output frequency more rapidly. An integrated fractional-N controller automatically sweeps from its current frequency to a new frequency when a new frequency is requested. Upon initialization, the fractional-N controller receives a value representing the desired sweep rate. This value is stored and used for all subsequent frequency changes. The automatic swept frequency feature accommodates new frequencies greater or less than the current frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: Brian M. Miller
  • Publication number: 20080111636
    Abstract: A method for measuring the damping factor of an Nth-order phase-locked loop, wherein N>1, and a system, apparatus, and program that operate in accordance with the method. The method includes applying a modulation source at an input to the phase-locked loop. The method also includes measuring the output response to various levels of frequency modulation, measuring the ?3 dB cutoff frequency of the phase-locked loop, and measuring the peak frequency of the phase-locked loop. The method further includes calculating the damping factor of the phase-locked loop as a function of the ?3 dB cutoff frequency and the peak frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: TELLABS OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Terrence J. Tanis
  • Publication number: 20080111637
    Abstract: A Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) includes a plurality of oscillation units connected in cascade to form a chain; and a plurality of current source sections operatively connected to the oscillation units, the current source sections each being configured to control current provided to the oscillation units, wherein each of the current source sections includes: at least one fixed current source configured to perform a current control of a corresponding oscillation unit by using a fixed voltage; and at least one variable current source configured to perform a current control of the corresponding oscillation unit by using a variable voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung SUNWOO, Young-Don CHOI
  • Publication number: 20080111638
    Abstract: A delay stage for a semiconductor device includes at least one delay branch and at least one controllable switching apparatus. The at least one controllable switching apparatus is configured to connect a predefined amount of the at least one delay branch to a supply voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Edwin Thaller
  • Publication number: 20080111639
    Abstract: A device and a method are presented for generating an intermitted oscillating signal comprising a plurality of oscillating portions separated from each other in time. The device and method are suited for communication systems, in particular for Ultra-Wide Bandwidth (UWB) applications. The device comprises a variable oscillator for generating the oscillating portions; switching circuitry for switching on/switching off the variable oscillator at the beginning/end of each oscillating portion; and circuitry for setting initial conditions in the variable oscillator to impose a predefined transient and a characterizing frequency upon each start-up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicants: INTERUNIVERSITAIR MICROELEKTRONICA CENTRUM (IMEC), Stichting IMEC Nederland
    Inventors: Julien Ryckaert, Jan Craninckx
  • Publication number: 20080111640
    Abstract: A device for generating a periodic clock signal according to the invention comprises a bandpass filter is disclosed. In one embodiment, the bandpass filter includes a bandpass filter input for receiving an input signal and a bandpass filter output for outputting a bandpass filter signal. The device includes further a comparator. A comparator has at least one comparator input receiving the bandpass filtered signal and a comparator output for outputting the clock signal. The comparator is adapted to output a first signal level at the comparator output, if the bandpass filtered signal exceeds a reference level. A zero crossing of the bandpass filtered signal may be used as reference level. A second signal level is output at the comparator output if the bandpass filter signal falls below the reference level. The output signal of the comparator is the clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventor: Stefan Hermann Groiss
  • Publication number: 20080111641
    Abstract: A digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) includes a pulse generator for generating a pulse signal upon an edge of a trigger signal, and at least one delay circuit coupled to delay the pulse signal generated by the pulse generator. The pulse generator is coupled to receive one of the delayed pulse signal from the at least one delay circuit and an enable signal as the trigger signal. A digitally controlled varactor (DCV) includes a transistor having a gate, a source, a drain, and a substrate, wherein at least one of the gate, the source, the drain, and the substrate is coupled to receive one of two or more voltages, wherein at least one of the two or more voltages is not a power supply voltage or ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Hong-Yi Huang, Jen-Chieh Liu, Yuan-Hua Chu
  • Publication number: 20080111642
    Abstract: A method of linearizing a frequency versus tuning voltage response of a voltage controlled oscillator comprising multiple varactor sets. In one example, a the method of linearizing includes acts of providing a first varactor set with a first bias voltage, providing a second varactor set with a second bias voltage, and adjusting the first and second bias voltages so as to linearize the frequency versus tuning voltage response of the voltage controlled oscillator over a selected operating frequency range of the voltage controlled oscillator. The method can be extended to N varactor sets and can be applied to many RF CMOS or analog CMOS components, including voltage controlled oscillators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: Jose Bohorquez
  • Publication number: 20080111643
    Abstract: The compensation circuit comprises an oscillator, a first variable delay line, a second variable delay line, a phase detector and a controller. The oscillator generates an oscillation signal to input into a first transmission line and a second transmission line. The first variable delay line receives the oscillation signal transmitted through the first transmission line. The second variable delay line receives the oscillation signal transmitted through the second transmission line. The phase detector compares the phases of the two oscillation signals from the variable delay lines to generate a phase difference signal. The controller adjusts the variable delay lines to compensate for asynchronous signal transmission of the transmission lines according to the phase difference signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: ATEN INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Fu-Chin Shen
  • Publication number: 20080111644
    Abstract: A voltage control oscillator (VCO) includes a VCO circuit and a back-gate coupling circuit, wherein the VCO circuit includes at least a first transistor, a second transistor and a resonant cavity formed by an inductor and a capacitor. The back-gate coupling circuit is formed by a plurality of capacitors and a plurality of resistors. In the embodiments of the present invention, the capacitors are coupled to the back-gate terminals of the first transistor and the second transistor, so as to reduce the power consumption and the phase noise of the VCO.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: National Taiwan University of Science and Technoloy
    Inventors: Sheng-Lyang Jang, Shao-Hua Lee, Yun-Hsueh Chuang, Chung-Ching Chiu
  • Publication number: 20080111645
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an oscillating apparatus. The oscillating apparatus includes a biasing circuit, a multi-vibrator, a detecting circuit, and a selecting circuit. The biasing circuit is for generating a bias signal, wherein the biasing circuit includes a connecting port for using an impedance device to control an oscillating frequency or for directly connecting to external clock source as a reference clock. The multi-vibrator coupled to the biasing circuit for generating the oscillating frequency according to the quantity of the biasing signal. The detecting circuit coupled to the connecting port for generating a detecting signal whether the connecting port is coupled to the impedance device or the external clock source. The selecting circuit includes an AND gate coupled to the multi-vibrator and the selection signal and an OR gate coupled to the AND gate and the connecting port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Wen-Chi Wu, Yao-Ching Wang, Chi-Mo Huang
  • Publication number: 20080111646
    Abstract: A noise-minimizing supply regulation architecture enabling high-performance integrated mixed-signal circuit systems is disclosed. The architecture identifies noise-generating and noise-sensitive sub-components of a PLL or other complex mixed-signal circuit and isolates the noise-sensitive sub-components from the noise-generating sub-components through the use of separate, wideband, high-PSRR voltage regulators for the two isolated supply domains. This isolation is further enhanced through techniques that separate or isolate the substrate regions occupied by the two types of sub-components. Further, internally generated noise is minimized by the allocation of available decoupling capacitance area in proportion to the noise generated within the domains. This supply isolation architecture achieves very low noise operation of the critical components of the mixed-signal integrated circuit system, thereby improving output quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: Rajendran Nair
  • Publication number: 20080111647
    Abstract: An isolator includes five center electrodes coupled at radio frequencies to a ferrite member to which a DC bias magnetic field is applied from a permanent magnet. First and third electrodes do not intersect each other. The first and third electrodes intersect the second, fourth and fifth electrodes with electrical insulation therebetween. Connection is established so that a magnetic field generated when current flows from one end to the other end of the first electrode and a magnetic field generated when current flows from one end to the other end of the third electrode are in phase and in the same direction. Connection is established so that a magnetic field generated when current flows from one end to the other end of the second electrode, a magnetic field generated when current flows from one end to the other end of the fourth electrode, and a magnetic field generated when current flows from one end to the other end of the fifth electrode are in phase and in the same direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi KAWANAMI
  • Publication number: 20080111648
    Abstract: An isolator includes first, second, and third center electrodes coupled in a high frequency manner with a ferrite member to which a direct-current magnetic field is applied by a permanent magnet. The first and third electrodes do not intersect with each other, and intersect with the second electrode in a mutually insulated state. Connection is established so that a magnetic field generated when a current flows from one end to the other end of the first electrode, and a magnetic field generated when a current flows from one end to the other end of the third electrode have the same phase and direction. A capacitor and a resistor are connected in parallel to the electrode, a capacitor is connected in parallel to the electrode, and a capacitor and a resistor are connected in parallel to the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi KAWANAMI
  • Publication number: 20080111649
    Abstract: A differential signaling system includes a pair of differential signal lines having a transmitting end and a receiving end, and a termination resistor and an active impedance compensator connected in parallel between the pair of differential signal lines at the receiving end, wherein the active impedance compensator includes a plurality of impedance adjustment circuits connected in parallel between the pair of differential signal lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: Jee-youl Ryu
  • Publication number: 20080111650
    Abstract: A coupling device with electro-magnetic compensation is provided. The coupling device includes a first substrate having a first signal line on a top surface of the first substrate and a second substrate having a second signal line on a top surface of the second substrate connected together with a bottom surface of the first substrate wherein the second signal line couples with the first signal line by a plurality of electrical-conductive through holes. One side of the first signal line lies a capacitor device parallel connected to a ground and the capacitor device plays the role of adjusting the amount of return loss, isolation capacity, and coupling effect so as to have transmitting speeds in first and second signal lines remain substantially the same and superior high frequency characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Jen-I Kuo, Jih-Hwa Lee, Joseph D. S. Deng
  • Publication number: 20080111651
    Abstract: A thin film piezoelectric bulk acoustic wave resonator has a multilayer structure including a piezoelectric thin film, a first metal electrode film, and a second metal electrode film. At least a part of the piezoelectric thin film is interposed between the first and second metal electrodes. A resonance part and a connection part are formed on an insulating substrate as films by a thin film forming apparatus. The resonance part vibrates in radial extension mode with a center of the piezoelectric thin film used as a node, the piezoelectric thin film of two resonance parts is polarized in a direction perpendicular to a film surface, and a width of the connection part is one-fourth or less of a width of two resonance parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Atsushi Isobe, Kengo Asai, Hisanori Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20080111652
    Abstract: A switchable bandpass filter includes a coupled line segment (comb) including a plurality of coupled transmission lines of substantially equal lengths that are each connected or otherwise coupled to the common RF ground at their first end, a plurality of adjustable capacitors each coupled proximate a second end of respective ones of the transmission lines, and a plurality of shunt switches coupled to points along a length of each of the transmission lines. Shunt switches may be implemented by various device technologies including MEMS and FET switches and PIN diodes. The adjustable capacitors may be implemented as an array or tree of switched capacitors using suitable switching components (e.g., as previously enumerated) or by other suitable electrically controllable devices such as varactors or varactor arrays. A differential switchable filter may be formed by the symmetric repetition of individual bandpass filter modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Abbas Abbaspour-Tamijani, Masoud Koochakzadeh
  • Publication number: 20080111653
    Abstract: A tunable delay line is calibrated to maintain the delay of the delay line at a desired value or within a desired range of values. In some aspects a signal is passed through a delay line multiple times so that the cumulative delay of the signal through the delay line (e.g., as indicated by a count) may be calculated over a period of time. The count is compared with an expected count and, based on this comparison, the delay of the delay line is adjusted as necessary. In some aspects the signal may comprise a digital signal. In some aspects a delay through a delay line may be calculated based on analysis of amplitude changes in a signal caused by a phase shift imparted on the signal by the delay line. In some aspects a delay line is incorporated into a transmitted reference system to generate and/or process transmitted reference signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Chong U. Lee, David Jonathan Julian, Amal Ekbal
  • Publication number: 20080111654
    Abstract: The invention relates to a microwave transmission arrangement (10) comprising a carrier substrate (1), with a microstrip transmission line, on a first side of the carrier substrate (1), said carrier substrate (1) comprising at least one opening (2; 2?) forming a waveguide input/output opening to a waveguide arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Patrik Rivas, Andreas Berndtsson
  • Publication number: 20080111655
    Abstract: This disclosure discusses a means of generating a magnetic field around a device such that it can interact with the geomagnetic field of the earth in such a manner to develop a net lift against the pull of gravity. A flow of electric current is directed in a manner that exposes only a part of the magnetic field while the balance is sequestered within the device and shielded from exposure to the geomagnetic field. Hence an object can be lifted off the surface of the earth by electromagnetic means alone without the need for interacting with the atmosphere, as in airplanes, or the need for the expulsion of material as in chemical rockets. The magnetic flotation device can be likened to a gas-filled balloon except that the buoyancy is provided by the interaction of magnetic fields, not gas density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: John Michael Wozniak, John Alexander Wozniak
  • Publication number: 20080111656
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a magnetic flux to a fluid flowing through a conduit is described. The apparatus comprises a flux driver plate having a plate base and sides extending upwardly from the plate base at angles greater than ninety degrees. A plurality of permanent magnets is affixed longitudinally along the plate base between the driver plate sides to generate the magnetic flux to treat the fluid. The magnetic flux can be enhanced by the addition of a flux recircuiting receiver plate over the magnets and the flux driver plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: Peter Kulish
  • Publication number: 20080111657
    Abstract: A vertical winding structure for planar integrated magnetics used in switched-mode power converters maintains close coupling between the different windings but reduces the eddy current losses, lowers the DC winding resistance and reduces the number of layers of the PCB. Vertical and horizontal windings can be used together without sacrificing these performance advantages and further minimizing the capacitive coupling between the outer-leg windings and the center-leg winding. This winding structure can be used in a wide range of magnetic structures including isolated and non-isolated CDRs, interleaved CDRs, and buck and boost converters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Vivek Mehrotra, Jian Sun, Sriram Chandrasekaran
  • Publication number: 20080111658
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a safety power disconnection terminal apparatus with light indication that includes: a housing, having two inspecting openings and a light transmitting portion at the top of the housing and an opening at the bottom of the housing; a terminal pin installed in the housing through the openings and composed of two parallel conducting plates and a fuse connected between the two conducting plates and a terminal portion disposed at an upper end of the two conducting plates and extended into the two inspecting openings, and a L-shape stand disposed proximate to an internal side of an upper end of the two conducting plates and having a free end extended upward; a light emitting device, installed in the light transmitting portion, and having two electrodes in contact with the two L-shape stands respectively to achieve the effects of expediting the installation and lowering the manufacturing cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: Ming-Lin Yang
  • Publication number: 20080111659
    Abstract: An access control system is for at least first and second doors each having a lock adjustable between locked and unlocked states. A key has a code including first and second segments. A first controller coupled with the first door lock has a stored value and is configured to receive the key code and to compare at least the code first segment with the stored value, and unlocks the first lock when the code first segment corresponds with the stored value. A second controller coupled with the second door lock has a stored value and is configured to receive the key code and to compare at least the second code segment with the second stored value, and unlocks the second lock when either the code second segment corresponds with the second stored value or both code segments correspond with separate portions of the second value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: Dominic Pesapane
  • Publication number: 20080111660
    Abstract: Provided are a method and an apparatus for managing online and offline documents using RFID technology. The method includes: pre-registering online and offline documents using radio frequency identification tag information stored in at least one of the online and offline documents to be output; determining whether the pre-registered online and offline documents are authorized to be output; and if it is determined that the pre-registered online and offline documents are authorized to be output, generating documents of the online and offline documents to be output and storing new radio frequency identification tag information in radio frequency identification tags attached to the documents to be output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Ju Kim, Joo Lee, Ki Moon, Jong Jang, Sung Sohn
  • Publication number: 20080111661
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for reading tags of tag populations are described. Rather than interrogating a tag population in a single query round, interrogations of tag populations are performed using reduced transmit power levels over multiple query rounds, each query round reading a portion of the tag population. In this manner, an overall power amount expended to transmit interrogations signals is reduced, while maintaining a substantially similar read rate as in single query round interrogations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lang Lin, Seok Ho Kim, Jens Arnold, Mohammad Soleimani, Victor Hugo Molina
  • Publication number: 20080111662
    Abstract: A RFID tag read equipment includes a read device and an antenna system including first to third antennas. The read device outputs the question wave as a high-frequency current, and reads the predetermined data by demodulating the answer wave when the answer wave is inputted therein as a high-frequency current. The first to third antennas output the high-frequency current when they receive the electromagnetic wave, and radiate the electromagnetic wave when the high-frequency current is inputted therein. Here, the first antenna is connected to the read device via a feeder wire, the second antenna being located such that its radiation direction is made parallel and opposite to radiation direction of the first antenna, the third antenna being connected to the second antenna via a feeder wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Isao Sakama, Minoru Ashizawa
  • Publication number: 20080111663
    Abstract: Systems and methods for inventory round slot classification are described. The method includes transmitting, to zero or more RFID tags, a message during a slot of an inventory round and receiving a response from at least some of the zero or more RFID tags. The method also includes analyzing a received response for the presence of the pilot tone and classifying a respective slot in response to the analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Karthik Yogeeswaran, Harinath Reddy, Yael Maguire, Brian Fiegel
  • Publication number: 20080111664
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a Q value are shown and described. The method can include determining at least one of: a number of empty slots, a number of collided slots, and a number of singly occupied slots, in response to the completion of an inventory round and applying a function to at least one of: the number of empty slots, the number collided slots, and the number of singly occupied slots, to determine a Q value for another inventory round.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: Yael Maguire
  • Publication number: 20080111665
    Abstract: An electronic map display method is disclosed. The method includes: providing an electronic map file having a plurality of objects where each object has an attribute; and comparing a plurality of attributes corresponding to a plurality of target objects included within a display range to control a display order with respect to the target objects for displaying the target objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: Chen-Ning Hsi
  • Publication number: 20080111666
    Abstract: Exception event recorders and analysis systems include: vehicle mounted sensors arranged as a vehicle event recorder to capture both discrete and non-discrete data; a discretization facility; a database; and an analysis server all coupled together as a computer network. Motor vehicles with video cameras and onboard diagnostic systems capture data when the vehicle is involved in a crash or other anomaly (an ‘event’). In station where interpretation of non-discrete data is rendered, i.e. a discretization facility, captured data is used as a basis for production of supplemental discrete data to further characterize the event. Such interpreted data is joined to captured data and inserted into a database in a structure which is searchable and which supports logical or mathematical analysis by automated machines. A coupled analysis server is arranged to test stored data for prescribed conditions and upon finding such, to initiate further actions appropriate for the detected condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: James Plante, Ramesh Kasavaraju, Gregory Mauro, Andrew Nickerson
  • Publication number: 20080111667
    Abstract: A device mounted on a tractor trailer is disclosed. The device includes at least one input from a sensor input device or at least one external communication device. The device further includes a receiver configured to receive an incoming data via either the sensor input device or the external communication device. The device also includes a processor configured to generate an alert message to be associated with the trailer on which the system is mounted. The device also includes a transmitter configured to broadcast a signal containing the alert message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC
    Inventors: Patricia Denise Mackenzie, Douglas Roy Forman, Andrew John Calver, Morgan Fredric Intrator, Robert August Graziano
  • Publication number: 20080111668
    Abstract: A measuring device includes a speed sensor rotatably attached to a base member and having a reed switch detecting movement of a rear wheel of a bicycle, and a cadence sensor rotatably attached to the speed sensor and having a reed switch detecting movement of a gear crank of the bicycle. The speed sensor includes a transmission circuit transmitting signals detected by the reed switches to an outside of the speed sensor. The speed sensor moves rotationally with respect to the base member to vary a distance between the rear wheel of the bicycle and the reed switch, and the cadence sensor moves rotationally with respect to the speed sensor to vary a distance between the gear crank of the bicycle and the reed switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: Takashi Ueda
  • Publication number: 20080111669
    Abstract: A display apparatus displaying an image of surroundings of a vehicle includes a camera capturing an image of the surroundings of the vehicle, and a display monitor provided inside the vehicle for superimposingly displaying the image of the surroundings of the vehicle captured by the camera, and a first distance indicator line and a second distance indicator line, wherein the first distance indicator line indicates a first predetermined distance from the vehicle and the second distance indicator line indicates a second predetermined distance from the vehicle, the second distance indicator line is positioned farther away from the vehicle than the first distance indicator line, and the first distance indicator line is wider than the second distance indicator line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Yamanaka, Shoichi Hashiba
  • Publication number: 20080111670
    Abstract: A system and method for performing real-time interventions in a vehicle based on dangerous conditions. A system is provided that includes: a feature collection system that identifies features on both a current vehicle and at least one nearby vehicle, and stores the features; an events manager that defines a criteria which constitutes a dangerous condition for each of a set of features, and further determines what intervention should take place in response to a dangerous condition; and an information processing system that compares sensor inputs to the criteria to determine if a dangerous condition currently exists.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tijs I. Wilbrink, Edward E. Kelley, William D. Walsh
  • Publication number: 20080111671
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for detecting when a spare wheel has been placed onto a rolling wheel location and for taking appropriate action such as providing a driver alert, limiting vehicle speed or alerting the driver when vehicle speed exceeds the maximum safe speed for operation with a spare wheel. The spare wheel transmits a signal with a protocol compatible marker. The vehicle receives the protocol compatible marker. The marker is compared to a predetermined value to determine that the protocol compatible marker signal is indicative of a spare wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: NISSAN TECHNICAL CENTER NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Steven Paul Bothe
  • Publication number: 20080111672
    Abstract: An entrapment detecting apparatus for detecting an entrapment of an object between a moving member and its paired member includes a pressure sensor serving for detecting the entrapment, and a protector provided at a portion of one of the moving member and the paired member for being opposed to the other of the moving member and the paired member, the protector being formed of an elastic material, the protector being provided therein with an insertion hole in which the pressure sensor is held by elasticity of the elastic member, the insertion hole having a diameter equal to or smaller than that of the pressure sensor, the holding of the pressure sensor in the insertion hole being established in such a manner that the insertion hole is expanded at room temperature to receive the pressure sensor and is restored upon completion of the reception of the pressure sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masayoshi Takeuchi, Takehiko Sugiura
  • Publication number: 20080111673
    Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for modulated control of a vehicle lighting systems is useful for brake lights and/or running lights in a motor vehicle. Various vehicle operating parameters are monitored to determine an appropriate modulation control mode for the vehicle. In some examples, the engine speed (e.g., in revolutions-per-minute or rpm) or vehicle speed (e.g., in miles-per-hour or mph, kilometer-per-hour or kmh, etc.) is used as a parameter for modulated control of the lighting system. The modulated control scheme is used to control any number of features of the lighting system including illumination color, illumination intensity, selection of sequence illumination pattern, and adjustment of sequence rate. The modulated control scheme may be applied to off-road buggy whip-lights or other aesthetic vehicle lights and safety enhancements. The modulated control scheme may be applicable for off-road and on-road vehicle applications where localized government ordinances permit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: Douglas Roberts
  • Publication number: 20080111674
    Abstract: A parcel includes a sensor to detect whether the parcel has experienced a change in condition. The parcel also has a mechanism, such as a changeable barcode, to indicate the change in condition. While the parcel is in transit through a parcel delivery system, a reader that is part of the system reads an indication from the parcel that the parcel has experienced the change in condition. The system may inform the sender and/or the recipient of the fact that the change in condition has been detected and may divert the parcel from delivery to the recipient. In this way, a parcel may self-monitor for potential damage, and the parcel delivery system may react to an event, in which a parcel suffers damage, before the parcel is delivered to the intended recipient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: Pitney Bowes Incorporated
    Inventor: Douglas B. Quine
  • Publication number: 20080111675
    Abstract: Some embodiments include observable properties triggered upon interrogation of RFIDs. The RFIDs can be passive RFIDs, and the observable properties can be visible changes that require little power to generate, and little or no power to maintain. The visible information can include information about items tracked with the RFIDs, such as shipping information. Some embodiments include passive RFIDs utilizing a single antenna to power an integrated-circuit chip and a visual identifier. Some embodiments include methods of locating interrogated RFIDs. Some embodiments include methods of tracking items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: John R. Tuttle
  • Publication number: 20080111676
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for working with existing alarm monitoring systems to provide a second notification of an event at a remote location that is being monitored by the system that is directed to a law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction in which the remote location is located. As a result of this second, direct notification, the response time of the law enforcement agency is significantly reduced, increasing the likelihood that remedial action can be taken before injury or loss of life or damage to property.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: Glenn Cris Dobbs
  • Publication number: 20080111677
    Abstract: An alarm system for certain hearing impaired individuals having implanted hearing assistive devices contains a device for detecting an alarm condition, and a transmitter which is tuned to a resonant frequency of an implanted passive energy portion of a cochlear implant or similar device. Upon detection of an alarm condition, the transmitter transmits an alarm signal at the resonant frequency, causing the implanted device to resonate even in the absence of the externally worn hearing assistive portion. Resonance is perceived by the hearing impaired individual as a buzzing or other abnormal noise, alerting the individual to the alarm condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Daniel Paul Kolz, Garry Joseph Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20080111678
    Abstract: The present invention is an article management system using a central management device with an interrogator and an alarm portion. Because the central management device and a central response device worn by a user of the system are provided separately, loss of the central management device can be prevented. The central response device is worn by a user. The central response device communicates with the central management device wirelessly and includes a detector that detects when the communication distance reaches or exceeds a given value and an alarm portion that notifies the user of this. The central management device communicates wirelessly with one or more articles in which a response device is installed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takafumi Mizoguchi, Hidetomo Kobayashi