Patents Issued in October 30, 2008
  • Publication number: 20080266137
    Abstract: The present invention provides parking guidance methods for a vehicle, which comprises: calculating an estimated backward track of the vehicle from a current steering angle detected by a steering angle sensor; calculating an estimated parking space from the estimated backward track and a relative angle inputted by a driver through an input means; converting coordinates of the calculated estimated backward track and estimated parking space into image coordinates; synthesizing the converted image coordinates with an image acquired by a camera provided at the rear of the vehicle; and displaying the synthesized image on a monitor of the vehicle. The methods enhances driver's convenience and safety in the event of back-in perpendicular parking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jin Woo Son
  • Publication number: 20080266138
    Abstract: Apparatus for the individual monitoring of parking positions of a parking facility comprises a sensor (9) for vehicle detection and optical indicator means (5) for indicating the occupied/free status of a parking position (4). Sensor (9) has a transmit aerial (10) to radio the occupied/free status of parking position (4) to the parking facility control center. The optical indicator means (5) comprises a bistable indicating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: SKIDATA AG
    Inventor: Gregor PONERT
  • Publication number: 20080266139
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting a parking space by using a range sensor, which includes the steps of: (a) collecting, by a parking environment recognition control unit, distance data in a predetermined period by using the range sensor according to a user's selection and mapping the collected distance data on a coordinates system based on a parking space searching vehicle; (b) classifying the collected distance data into short distance data and long distance data; (c) calculating parking-available distance data which is a horizontal movement distance of an interval where the long distance data is collected from when the long distance data starts to be collected; (d) checking if the parking space exists based on the calculated parking-available distance data; (e) stopping the parking space searching vehicle by controlling an active braking apparatus or recommending a driver to stop the parking space searching vehicle by means of a voice and alarm sounds when it has been checked in steps (d) that the parking
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Dong-suk KIM
  • Publication number: 20080266140
    Abstract: This invention provides for a system 20 for speed measurement verification. The system 20 includes measuring means configured to automatically measure the speed of a vehicle 32 travelling on a surface 36 which includes a marker 34 at a predetermined distance 40 from the measuring means. The system 20 also includes a camera 28 directed, in use, at the marker 34 and a processor 26 arranged in electronic communication with the measuring means and the camera 28. The processor 26 is configured to automatically compare the measured speed of the vehicle 32 to a predetermined speed limit, and to automatically calculate a time delay to activate the camera 28 if the measured speed exceeds the speed limit. The time delay is calculated according to the measured speed of the vehicle 32 from the instance when the speed measurement was made, so that the camera 28 is activated when the vehicle 32, if travelling at the measured speed, reaches the marker 34.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Rudiger Heinz Gebert
  • Publication number: 20080266141
    Abstract: A method for optimizing a diagnostic reasoner model, for use in connection with a diagnostic system for testing a system under test of an aircraft, includes the steps of querying for a plurality of primary indicators, further querying for a plurality of supplemental indicators, and updating the diagnostic reasoner model based at least in part on the supplemental indicators. The primary indicators identify one or more potential faults in the system under test. Each supplemental indicator provides information either validating or invalidating a particular primary indicator or association of primary indicators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Raj M. Bharadwaj, Darryl G. Busch, Daniel P. Johnson, Ranjana Ghosh
  • Publication number: 20080266142
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for displaying video on a computing device for navigation and other purposes. A map database developer collects video data. The video data is collected by traveling along roads in a geographic area and storing the video data along with data indicating the positions at which the video data had been captured. This captured video data is then used in navigation systems and other devices that provide navigation, routing, video games, or other features. An application forms a video that shows a turn at an intersection from a first road onto a second road. The application adds video that depicts travel away from the intersection along the second road to video that depicts travel into the intersection along the first road to form a composite video that shows a turn at the intersection from the first road onto the second road. The composite video is then presented to a user on a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Nicholas Sula, Peter Seegers, James Lynch, William Gale, Bradley Kohlmeyer
  • Publication number: 20080266143
    Abstract: A capacitive input pad is provided at a position near input keys constituting a keyboard input unit. A left palm detecting unit and a right palm detecting unit are provided both sides of this input pad. When the left palm detecting unit and the right palm detecting unit detect both palms, an input operation, corresponding to a space key input area, an L-key input portion, or an R-key input portion, is performed through an operation of the input pad. When the left palm detecting unit and the right palm detecting unit do not detect both palms, a coordinate input operation is performed using the input pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Kazuhito Ohshita, Yasuji Hagiwara, Tadamitsu Sato
  • Publication number: 20080266144
    Abstract: An encoding method includes a mapping for mapping a plurality of encoding sequences to a plurality of decoding sequences. Each of the encoding sequences includes at least one encoding symbol chosen from an encoding symbol set. Each of the decoding sequences includes at least one decoding symbol chosen from a decoding symbol set. The encoding method is characterized in that at least one of the encoding sequences includes at least two encoding symbols, and a predetermined shape changing type of a formal symbol in the encoding sequence is denoted by a latter symbol neighboring to the formal symbol, wherein the shape changing type including at least one of shape rotating, shape mirroring, shape deflating, stroke removal, cutting and notching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Jen-Te Chen
  • Publication number: 20080266145
    Abstract: The invention is directed to user-friendly multi-lingual text entry using a dynamically reconfigurable keyboard. A method for dynamically reconfiguring a keyboard according to an embodiment of the invention includes: displaying a first set of characters on the keyboard; providing language settings to an upper level system manager of a keyboard driver; communicating reconfiguration information corresponding to the language settings from the upper level system manager of the keyboard driver to a lower level device driver of the keyboard driver; and dynamically reconfiguring the keyboard to display a second set of characters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Dinesh Verma, Paridhi S. Verma
  • Publication number: 20080266146
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing information are disclosed. The method may include creating a first symbol from a codeword. One or more of a TERC4 symbol, a TMDS symbol and/or a guard band symbol may be generated from at least a portion of the first symbol, if the one or more of the TERC4 symbol, the TMDS symbol and/or the guard band symbol is at least a portion of a signal to be transmitted. At least a portion of the codeword may be TMDS encoded to generate a TMDS symbol for the at least a portion of the signal to be transmitted. At least a portion of the first symbol may be TMDS encoded to generate a TERC4 symbol for the at least a portion of the signal to be transmitted and/or to generate a guard band symbol for the at least a portion of the signal to be transmitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Christopher R. Pasqualino
  • Publication number: 20080266147
    Abstract: A variable length code decoding apparatus according to the present invention includes: an extracting unit which extracts a bit string from a beginning of a bit stream; a first storage unit for storing a plurality of code words in which one piece of data has been coded, and decoded data and code lengths respectively corresponding to the code words; a second storage unit for storing a plurality of code words in which two or more pieces of data have been coded, and decoded data and code lengths respectively corresponding to the code words; a first judging unit which judges whether one of the code words stored in the first storage unit is included in the extracted bit string, and, when judged as being included, outputs the decoded data and the code length of the code word; and a second judging unit which judges whether a code word stored in the second storage unit is included in the extracted bit string, and when judged as being included, outputs the decoded data and the code length of the code word, wherein the
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuya SHIGENOBU, Yoshiyuki WADA, Satoshi YAMAGUCHI, Kozo KIMURA, Takeshi FURUTA
  • Publication number: 20080266148
    Abstract: In a decoding method and apparatus, the decoding method is used for mapping a plurality of encoding sequences to a plurality of decoding sequences, which is used by non-logographic languages. The decoding method receives an entered encoding symbol and combines the entered encoding symbol to the end of an input sequence, wherein the input sequence is temporally ambiguous such that the input sequence has possibility to be interpreted as at least two different encoding sequence combinations, each of which includes at least one of the encoding sequences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Jen-Te Chen
  • Publication number: 20080266149
    Abstract: The invention relates to a modulation code system and a corresponding modulation method. Said modulation system comprises an encoder 100 for transforming an original signal s into an encoded signal c satisfying predefined second constraints. Said modulation code system further comprises a decoder 200 for decoding the encoded signal c after restoration back into the original signal s. It is the object of the invention to improve such a known modulation code system and method in the way that the amount of required hardware is reduced. This object is solved according to the invention by designing the encoder 100 such that it comprises a series connection of a modulation code encoder 110 and of a transformer encoder 120 serving for filtering an intermediate signal t output by said modulation code encoder 110 and satisfying predefined first constraints in order to generate said encoder output signal c.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Hendrik Dirk Lodewijk Hollmann, Johannes Wilhelmus Maria Bergmans
  • Publication number: 20080266150
    Abstract: A serial data communication unit includes a parallel-serial converter for separating n-bit parallel data containing decision data into plural groups, and converting the parallel data into serial data every group to output, a serial-parallel converter for reconverting the serial data fed from the parallel-serial converter every group into the n-bit parallel data to output, and a deciding circuit into which data located in bit positions corresponding to the decision data out of the parallel data from the serial-parallel converter is input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Satoru SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20080266151
    Abstract: This invention decodes coefficient magnitudes in compressed video data using a selected context and speculatively decodes a coefficient sign. The next context selection depends upon a number of iterations. This invention confirms the speculatively decoded coefficient sign upon completion of the magnitude decode. This invention operates in a loop until reaching the number of significant coefficients within the block. The method exits the loop and decodes an escape code if an iteration count is greater than a predetermined number. An embodiment of this invention collects both a count up and a count down in an escape code decode in one loop. An embodiment of this invention estimates the number of significant coefficients in a block and selects the inventive or a prior art decode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Jagadeesh Sankaran
  • Publication number: 20080266152
    Abstract: A digital radio frequency memory (DFRM) which converts an incoming analog radio frequency signal to a fourteen bit digital signal allowing for digital signal processing and then retransmitted as an analog RF signal. The DFRM provides a time delay for RF signals by storing the signal. The DFRM also changes the signal frequency in the range of plus or minus 100,000 KHz which places a doppler on the signal. The signal phase is changed in a range of 0 to 359 degrees by the DFRM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Roger Dean Durtschi
  • Publication number: 20080266153
    Abstract: To increase the accuracy and resolution of an m bit digital analog converter, n bit input values with n>m are fed to a control circuit and converted to a series of control values for the digital analog converter using dithering techniques. When the series of control values straddles a major transition where a large number of bits are switched between 1 and 0, a corrected series of control values is retrieved from a calibration table. The corrected series takes into account the glitch effects observed at the output of digital analog converter at a major transition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: NANONIS GMBH
    Inventor: Jorg Rychen
  • Publication number: 20080266154
    Abstract: An optical quantizing unit includes an optical divider dividing 1st optical pulses to be quantized and sending the divided 1st optical pulses into a plurality of paths; a plurality of optical filters passing with different transmittances the divided 1st optical pulses; and an optical threshold filter sequentially receiving the 1st optical pulses, and sending 2nd optical pulses when light intensities of the 1st optical pulses are above a preset threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masatoshi Hirono, Takahiro Suzuki, Hideki Ito, Takeshi Morino
  • Publication number: 20080266155
    Abstract: A dual slope A/D converter uses two opposite sense ramps added to its differential input. The value in a digital counter is latched at the time when the two ramps intersect. This enables a more consistent switching point, allowing the amplifier to the linear over a larger part of its range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Lin Ping Ang, Daniel Van Blerkom
  • Publication number: 20080266156
    Abstract: In a signal processing arrangement, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC1) of the finite impulse response type converts a serial bitstream (BSL) into an analog output signal (AL). The digital-to-analog converter (DAC1) comprises at least two current source arrays (CCA1, CC A2). In a first current source array (CCA1), a current definition cell (CD1) generates a first basic current, and a plurality of first current copy cells ( . . . , CC40, CC41, . . . ) provide respective scaled copies of the first basic current to constitute first filter coefficient currents ( . . . , IP40, IP41, . . . ). In a further current source array (CCA2), a further current definition cell (CD2) generates a further basic current, and a plurality of current further copy cells (CC1, CC2, . . . , CC80) provide respective scaled copies of the further basic current to constitute further filter coefficient currents (IP1, IP2, . . . , IP80).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Paulus Petrus Franciscus Maria Bruin
  • Publication number: 20080266157
    Abstract: Staggered interleaved Nyquist regions associated with differing ADC clock rates (FCLK) avoids spectrum lost through disjoint guard bands at the end of or between adjacent Nyquist regions. The staggered interleaved Nyquist regions overlap by an amount at least as much as is consumed by the guard bands. Selectable anti-aliasing filters associated with each Nyquist region and its ADC clock rate are used to enforce the staggered Nyquist regions and their various guard bands. For example, and neglecting guard bands, an initial raw band of operation RB1 may be the First Nyquist region for a basic sampling frequency Fs. An adjacent raw band of operation RB2 that overlaps RB1 may be the Second Nyquist region for an alternate sampling frequency 2Fs/3. An adjacent raw band of operation RB3 that overlaps RB2 may be the Second Nyquist region for the basic sampling frequency Fs. These raw bands interleave and overlap: RB1: DC to Fs/2 1st Nyq. for FCLK = Fs RB2: (?)Fs ? (½)(?Fs) = Fs/3 to 2nd Nyq.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Gorin, Kenneth D. Poulton
  • Publication number: 20080266158
    Abstract: An analog-digital (A-D) converter for outputting a digital signal corresponding to an analog input signal includes: an upper bit A-D converting section for conducting A-D conversion of the analog input signal and outputting an upper bit portion of the digital signal; a lower bit A-D converting section for conducting A-D conversion of the analog input signal and outputting a lower bit portion of the digital signal; and a majority circuit for sampling an A-D conversion result of the lower bit A-D converting section a plurality of times and determining a value of each of the lower bits by majority operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Akira Kawamoto, Shou Shimada
  • Publication number: 20080266159
    Abstract: The present invention provides a solid-state imaging device which can output a digital signal at a high speed without using a high-speed clock. The solid-state imaging device includes light receiving elements provided in an array and generating signal voltages based on light intensity of received light and AD converters each of which is provided in each of columns in the array. Each of the AD converters includes: a reference voltage generating unit (10) generating reference voltages; comparators (11a through 11c) comparing in parallel a current signal voltage which is one of signal voltages generated by the light receiving elements in the respective matrix columns with the reference voltages generated by the reference voltage generating unit; a digital signal generating circuit (23) generating a digital signal showing a result of the comparison and outputting the digital signal out of the AD converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiko Murata, Shigetaka Kasuga, Takayoshi Yamada
  • Publication number: 20080266160
    Abstract: A method, an apparatus for inclusion in a wireless station, and a computer readable storage medium for operation in a wireless station. The method includes received data from at least one remote station and determining an EVM measure from samples of the received data. If the remote station(s) is/are access point(s), the station selects an access point for association according to criteria that include the measure of the EVM from the remote station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: David S. Goodall, Philip J. Ryan, Andrew F. Myles, Ludovico N. de Souza
  • Publication number: 20080266161
    Abstract: A filter arrangement comprises a switching element coupled to a filter input, wherein the switching element is controllable by a reference clock signal. The filter arrangement further comprises an input storage element, an output storage element, and a first and a second auxiliary storage element. The first and the second auxiliary storage element can each be connected in parallel to the input storage element or to the output storage element depending on a switching signal. The output storage element is coupled to a filter output. The filter arrangement can be used as a loop filter in an analog-to-digital converter, wherein the output signal of the filter arrangement is quantized to provide an output word. Respective feedback signals can be generated from the output word and be provided to the storage elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Josef Zipper, Gunther Haberpeuntner, Hermann Hofer, Linus Maurer
  • Publication number: 20080266162
    Abstract: An amplifier array circuit is provided. An amplifier array includes a main amplifier array comprising a plurality of first amplifiers and a plurality of reference voltages, wherein the first amplifier is coupled to an input signal and the reference voltage corresponding to the first amplifier. A first reversed reference voltage amplifier array is located on one side of the main amplifier array and has a plurality of second amplifiers coupled to the input signal and the reference voltages, respectively. A second reversed reference voltage amplifier array is located on the other side of the main amplifier array and has a plurality of third amplifiers coupled to the input signal and the reference voltages respectively. The averaging network is coupled to a first output terminal and a second output terminal of the first, second and third amplifiers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chien-Kai Hung, Hsin-Shu Chen
  • Publication number: 20080266163
    Abstract: In an analog-to-digital converter, an analog-to-digital conversion stage comprising a comparator and an analog residual signal generator. The comparator is operable to compare an analog input signal or a sample of the analog input signal with a threshold to generate a bit signal. The analog residual signal generator is operable to generate an analog residual signal from signals comprising the sample of the analog input signal and the bit signal. The analog residual signal generator comprises a summing element, a selective inverter and an amplifier in series. The summing element is operable to sum a signal input to it with a reference signal. The selective inverter precedes the summing element, and is operable in response to a first state of the bit signal to pass a signal input to it, and is operable in response to a second state of the bit signal to invert the signal input to it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Poulton
  • Publication number: 20080266164
    Abstract: A radar reflector which can be deployed from an aircraft and is intended to fly freely after deployment, and which includes multiple reflector surfaces that are essentially plane in an operative state and which issue in pairs in opposite directions from an essentially plane base plane. The radar reflector before deployment can be stored compactly, packed up into the minimum possible volume. This facility for packing the radar reflector up has been achieved in that its reflecting main surfaces have each been divided up by means of specially aligned buckled folds into a plurality of parts which can be folded in towards one another when the reflector is to be folded up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: SAAB AB
    Inventors: Alf Nasvall, Gunnar Bystrom
  • Publication number: 20080266165
    Abstract: A system for deployment of a millimeter wave concealed object detection system is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a storage container modified as a security check point includes an entry point disposed at a first end of the container and an exit point disposed at an opposing second end of the container. A detection area is disposed within the container and between the entry point and exit point. The detection area is isolated from the entry point and exit point so that an explosive blast is substantially contained within the detection area of the container. The system provides a standard platform for deployments of concealed object detection systems across extremely variable environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: ROBERT PATRICK DALY, Willem H. Reinpoldt
  • Publication number: 20080266166
    Abstract: An air traffic control automatic dependent, WAAS/GPS based, surveillance system (ADS), for operation in the TRACON airspace. The system provides encryption protection against unauthorized reading of ADS messages and unauthorized position tracking of aircraft using multilateration techniques. Each aircraft has its own encryption and long PN codes per TRACON and transmit power is controlled to protect against unauthorized ranging on the ADS-S aircraft transmission. The encryption and PN codes can be changed dynamically. Several options which account for available bandwidth, burst data rates, frequency spectrum allocations, relative cost to implement, complexity of operation, degree of protection against unauthorized users, system capacity, bits per aircraft reply message and mutual interference avoidance techniques between ADS-S, ADS-B Enroute and Mode S/ATCRBS TRACON are disclosed. ADS messages are only transmitted as replies to ATC ground terminal interrogations (no squittering).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Leonard Schuchman
  • Publication number: 20080266167
    Abstract: An object recognition system for a motor vehicle, including at least two object recognition sensors whose recognition ranges partly overlap in the direction of travel, is provided. The system includes a first object recognition sensor with a predetermined first vertical recognition angle concomitantly detects an object and a roadway surface in its recognition range, a second object recognition sensor with a predetermined second vertical recognition angle, which is less than the first vertical recognition angle of the first object recognition sensor, which does not concomitantly detect the roadway surface in the direction of travel in the recognition range of the first object recognition sensor, and an evaluation unit configured to determine the presence of an object in the recognition range of the first object recognition sensor only when both object recognition sensors have recognized the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2005
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Baumann, Michael Fehring, Rainer Justen
  • Publication number: 20080266168
    Abstract: An obstacle detecting method for detecting a presence of an obstacle to a moving body using a sensor mounted on the moving body. The obstacle detecting method includes setting a movable area which is a surrounding area of the moving body and in which the moving body can move, arranging plural unconfirmed bodies over an entire area of the movable area as obstacle candidates as an initial state, and deleting the obstacle candidate which is determined not to be actually present as a result of detection by the sensor from the obstacle candidates arranged as the initial state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuaki Aso, Toshiki Kindo
  • Publication number: 20080266169
    Abstract: A radar device capable of detecting a target object by itself only in a range required by a vehicle control system by changing the detection angle depending on the distance without changing the hardware structure is provided. The radar device includes transmitting means for transmitting an electromagnetic wave as a transmission signal, receiving means for receiving the electromagnetic wave reflected from the target object as a reception signal, and signal processing means for detecting a target object existing around the vehicle from the transmission signal and the reception signal, and calculating the relative position and the relative speed between the object and the vehicle. The detection angle is changed depending on the distance for measurement, so that the target object is detected only in a region necessary in operating the vehicle control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenichi AKITA
  • Publication number: 20080266170
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for determining a relative velocity between a host (100) and a target (102). The present invention relates in particular to a method of the type that can be used in motor vehicle radar systems and specifically in radar systems of the type that detect obstacles in a blind spot of a motor vehicle. In the method according to the invention the following steps are carried out: substantially simultaneously determining a value for a radial velocity and a bearing with regard to a predefined spatial direction for a large number of measurement points (106) on the target (102); calculating a large number of quotients from the radial velocity and the cosine of the associated bearing, a quotient being calculated for each of the measurement points (106); determining an estimated relative velocity between the host (100) and the target (102) by forming an average of the large number of quotients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Dirk Klotzbuecher, Wolfgang Lauer
  • Publication number: 20080266171
    Abstract: A height-finding 3D avian radar comprises an azimuthally scanning radar system with means of varying the elevation pointing angle of the antenna. The elevation angle can be varied by employing either an antenna with multiple beams, or an elevation scanner, or two radars pointed at different elevations. Heights of birds are determined by analyzing the received echo returns from detected bird targets illuminated with the different elevation pointing angles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: ACCIPITER RADAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Peter T. Weber, Timothy J. Nohara
  • Publication number: 20080266172
    Abstract: A system and method for manipulating real-time video playback time-synchronized with millimeter wave imagery is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, millimeter wave imagery and visible spectrum video images are combined to form composite images in real-time to detect concealed objects on a person. A graphical user interface (GUI) manipulates the displayed millimeter wave imagery, video images and composite images and controls displaying user selected portions of the synchronized recorded images. The composite images are automatically encoded with event data when a concealed object is detected and an alert is generated, or that information is accessed from a datafile or database structure. The GUI controls the playback and viewing of those composite images having encoded event data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: WILLEM H. REINPOLDT
  • Publication number: 20080266173
    Abstract: A GPS tracker is disposed on launch hardware that separates from a spacecraft launch vehicle during ascent to orbit with the launch hardware having a suborbital trajectory from launch to impact while being tracked so as to track the launch hardware during suborbital flight, such as for tracking separated fuel stages, external tanks, external boosters, and payload fairings that return to earth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: William H. Ailor
  • Publication number: 20080266174
    Abstract: Location method for locating a portable device from a server configured to communicate with said portable device through a wireless communications network, comprising the steps of: sending GPS assistance information from the server (2) to the portable device (1) through said wireless communication network (3); obtaining in an A-GPS positioning module (11) of the portable device (1) a GPS signal (4) from a satellite system (8); calculating in said portable device (1) a location of the device (1) itself from said GPS signal (4) and from the GPS assistance information sent by the server (2); sending said location to the server (2). The method further comprises the step of: when the portable device (1) stops, hibernating the A-GPS positioning module (11), the transmission/receiving module (12) and a microprocessor (15) of said portable device (1) managing said modules (11, 12), such that the battery is saved and autonomy of the portable device (1) is thus achieved. Portable device and location system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: NAVENTO TECHNOLOGIES, S.L.
    Inventor: Miguel Angel Medina Herrero
  • Publication number: 20080266175
    Abstract: Thus the field factors of crop, soil and harvest conditions that affect feeding quality or a quality analysis of the load can be associated with the forage as it is removed from storage and fed to livestock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20080266176
    Abstract: One or more beamsteering matrices are applied to a plurality of signals to be transmitted via multiple antennas. The plurality of signals are provided to a plurality of power amplifiers coupled to the multiple antennas after applying the one or more beamsteering matrices to the plurality of signals. Signal energies are determined for the plurality of signals provided to the plurality of power amplifiers, and output power levels of the plurality of power amplifiers are adjusted based on the determined signal energies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Rohit U. Nabar, Hongyuan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20080266177
    Abstract: Method of high-resolution direction finding to an arbitrary even order, 2q (q>2), for an array comprising N narrowband antennas each receiving the contribution from P sources characterized in that the algebraic properties of a matrix of cumulants of order 2q, C2q,x(l), whose coefficients are the circular cumulants of order 2q, Cum[xi1(t), . . . , xiq(t), xiq+1(t)*, . . . , xi2q(t)*], of the observations received on each antenna, for cumulant rankings indexed by l, are utilized to define a signal subspace and a noise subspace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Thakes
    Inventors: Pascal Chevalier, Anne Ferreol
  • Publication number: 20080266178
    Abstract: The invention relates to a microstrip patch antenna (1) for mobile satellite communications comprising a first electrically conducting ground plane (4) having at least one opening (7), at least one patch radiating element (2), at least one first dielectric layer (L2) disposed between the first electrically conducting ground plane and the patch radiating element and more particularly between the at least one opening and the patch radiating element, at least one feed line (6) for providing signal energy in a contactless manner to or from the patch radiating element through the opening and a second dielectric layer (L3) disposed between the feed line and the first electrically conducting ground plane wherein the antenna further comprises a second ground plane (8) and a third dielectric layer (L4) disposed between the second ground plane and the feed line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Ferdinando Tiezzi, Stefano Vaccaro
  • Publication number: 20080266179
    Abstract: A portable communication device comprises an antenna arrangement having a radiating antenna element and a grounding layer comprising an AMC material structure facing the radiating antenna element. The AMC material structure includes at least one layer of patches connected to a smooth conducting layer using conducting vias and electrical connection elements that selectively interconnect patches in a layer with other elements of the AMC structure. In this way a low profile antenna arrangement is provided that allows the coverage of a broad frequency band and/or directivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: SONY ERICSSON MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS AB
    Inventors: Omid SOTOUDEH, Soren KARLSSON
  • Publication number: 20080266180
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an antenna adapted for use in a wireless network device. The antenna includes a base and two antenna portions. Each antenna portion includes a radiation section and a ground section. The ground sections of the two antenna portions are connected with the same base and substantially perpendicular to the base. The radiation section is connected with the ground section and substantially parallel to the base with a difference in height formed between the radiation section and the base. The antenna is a single component integrally formed by stamping an electrically conductive thin metal plate, which not only facilitates fabrication thereof, but also the assembly of the antenna to a substrate of the wireless network device, thereby increasing the gain of the wireless network device along a vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Jung Tai Wu
  • Publication number: 20080266181
    Abstract: An antenna arrangement (1, 30), comprising a first and a second antenna. The first antenna has a patch (10) of conductive material. The second antenna comprises a monopole antenna (21, 32). The monopole antenna extends through the patch and is arranged to be fed from a first side of the patch and to radiate at a second side of the patch. The antenna arrangement is a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) system, wherein the patch (10) and the monopole antenna (21, 32) are isolated from each other and arranged to provide at least two channels for transmitting and receiving signals from the same or different frequency ranges. Thus, the antenna arrangement is efficient both in terms of utilization and achievable data rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Zhinong Ying
  • Publication number: 20080266182
    Abstract: An antenna device usable in a radio apparatus having a printed board includes a ground conductor provided in the printed board, a fed partial element, a first branch element and a second branch element. The fed partial element is shaped as an area including a feed portion near an end of a first side of the area facing a side of the ground conductor, and a first branch portion and a second branch portion each near a portion of a fringe of the area other than the first side. The fed partial element may be fed at the feed portion. The first branch element branches off from the first branch portion and is folded back in a direction approaching the feed portion. The second branch element branches off from the second branch portion and is shaped in a direction close to the direction of the first branch element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Masao Teshima
  • Publication number: 20080266183
    Abstract: The problems to be solved by the present invention are to provide an antenna which is applied to a wireless identification system wherein there is a long distance between a device to execute identification and a device attached to an object to be identified and which does not cause deterioration in aesthetic terms and covering of a meaningful symbol, and further to provide a wireless system using the antenna. According to the present invention, there are provided an antenna having a circularly polarizing function and a frequency equalizing function achieved by a grid structure having roughness and fineness around a feeding point and density which allows visible light to pass through, an RFID tag using the antenna, and an RFID system using the tag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Ken Takei
  • Publication number: 20080266184
    Abstract: A hinge portion is formed on the base portion. An antenna portion is attached to the hinge portion so as to be pivotable thereabout. The hinge portion includes a hinge base having a first shaft formed on one end thereof, a second shaft formed on the other end thereof, and a first protrusion formed on an outer periphery of the second shaft, and a hinge bush rotatably mounted on the first shaft and engaged with the antenna portion. The antenna portion is formed with a hole surrounding the outer periphery of the second shaft. A projection is formed on an inner periphery of the hole. The first protrusion is brought into contact with the projection when the antenna portion is pivoted so as to define a predetermined angle with respect to the base portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Hisashi Takisawa, Junichi Noro, Kyuichi Sato, Takao Kato, Arata Togashi
  • Publication number: 20080266185
    Abstract: A complex antenna includes a first antenna and a second antenna having a grounding element and an installing element sharing with the first antenna. The first antenna working in a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) comprises a first connecting element, a first radiating element and a second radiating element extending from the first connecting element in opposite direction. The second antenna working in a WWAN (Wireless Wide Area Network) comprises a second connecting element and at least three radiating elements extending from the second connecting element in different directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Chen-Ta Hung, Lung-Sheng Tai, Wen-Fong Su
  • Publication number: 20080266186
    Abstract: A wideband antenna includes a ground element comprising an upper first side, a first metal sheet a short arm connecting to the first side of the grounding element and a long arm separated from the first side, a second metal sheet electrically connecting to the first metal sheet, a third metal sheet perpendicular to the second metal sheet, and a slot between the first side of the ground element and the long arm of the first metal sheet; wherein said slot, said second metal sheet and said third metal sheet work together to form an ultra wide resonant frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Lung-Sheng Tai