Abstract: Methods, computer program products and systems for providing video tracking. The method includes receiving a first signal from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. A location of the RFID tag is determined in response to the first signal. An image that includes the location of the RFID tag is recorded. The location of the RFID tag is marked on the image, resulting in a marked image.

Abstract: An intelligent mailbox and a method for authorizing a user to pickup a parcel with acknowledgement of receipt in a mailbox. Exemplary embodiments include a method to insure personal mail delivery in a mailbox, the method including determining a first biometric data as required by an RFID tag enclosed in a parcel having been previously introduced in the mailbox, determining an insertion of a second key including a second biometric data into a biometric reader, determining if the second biometric data is granted a procurement to pickup the parcel, opening a biometric lock if the second user is granted a procurement, opening a traditional lock if the biometric lock has been opened, displaying one of an indication to a user of the presence of the parcel and an indication to a postman and recording a pickup of the parcel.

Abstract: The present system provides a tag having one or more components comprising a physically rugged structure which can be attached to a product in a manner that renders the product inoperable, defaced, or that otherwise denies access to the intended use or value of the product until it is “unlocked” by means of a wireless communication, such as by a radio frequency transmission. The tag comprises a latching mechanism comprising in part an “actuator” and a “gripper”.

Abstract: A system is provided for providing compliance verification of sanitizer use from a sanitizer dispenser. The system provides for identifying individual users of one or more sanitizer dispensers through technologies such as RFID. Individual's use of sanitizer dispensers is monitored to determine compliance with sanitizer use requirements. A compliance report may be generated based on data associated with one or more individuals' use of the sanitizer dispenser(s). Additionally, the sanitizer dispenser may identify containers having authorized sanitizer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for an automation and security system including a first sensor, a second sensor, and a controller. The first sensor detects a signal from an identification device indicative of a first authorized person in an exterior area near a door. The second sensor is coupled to a handle on the exterior surface of the door to detect a touch to the handle. The controller is configured to operate one or more lighting devices and a lock associated with the door. When the controller receives a signal from the first sensor indicative of the identification device in the exterior area near the door, it initiates a timer and operates one or more lighting devices to indicate a condition detected by the automation and security system. When the controller receives a signal from the second sensor indicative of a touch to the handle after the initiation of the timer and before the timer expires, it unlocks the door and turns on one or more lights in an interior area.

Abstract: An occupancy sensing system monitors a space with an image sensor and a supplemental sensor. The occupancy condition of the space is determined in response to information from both the image sensor and the supplemental sensor. An electrical load for the space is controlled in response to the occupancy condition.

Abstract: An alarm unit includes an apparatus and a method of maximizing the efficiency of an alarm function that wakes up a sleeping user. An image input unit capable of photographing an eye image as a criterion for determining if the user has woken up is mounted on an alarm control apparatus. The image input unit mounted alarm control apparatus photographs a face image of the user, detects the eye region from the face image, and then determines a state of whether the user has woken up or not based on movement of the pupils in the eye region. If it is determined that the user keeps a waking state for a certain time, an alarm function is cancelled. By doing this, the alarm unit can help prevent the user from easily cancelling an alarm and maximize the efficiency of an alarm function that wakes up a sleeping user.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and/or notifying wireless device users of radiation exposure includes determining at least one of an amount of radiation and a level of radiation, a wireless device user is exposed to. The system and method may also comprise inputting at least one of a threshold amount of radiation and a threshold level of radiation. The system and method may further comprise comparing at least one of the amount of radiation with the threshold amount of radiation and the level of radiation with the threshold level of radiation. In addition, the system and method may comprise transmitting an alert message based at least in part on a result of the comparison of at least one of the amount of radiation with the threshold amount of radiation and the level of radiation with the threshold level of radiation.

Abstract: In a method and system for monitoring the power state of an x-ray emitter and/or an x-ray detector, the x-ray emitter is operated according to a set of test parameters, so as to emit x-rays that strike at least a portion of the detector region of the x-ray detector. At least one value characterizing the operation of the x-ray emitter and/or the x-ray detector is determined, and this detected parameter is compared with a comparable reference parameter value. The power state of the x-ray emitter and/or the x-ray detector is determined based on deviation of the detected parameter from the reference parameter.

Abstract: There is disclosed a flotation device such as a life vest or inflatable raft for keeping a user afloat when in water, the flotation device comprising a light source attached to the flotation device, a water activated switch, wherein the light source is illuminated when the water activated switch is submersed in the water, and a control panel mounted to an outer surface of the flotation device and comprised of at least one user activated switch, wherein the light source is extinguished when the user activated switch is depressed, the control panel having instructions printed thereon.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a methods and a system for measuring liquid volumes and controlling a pipetting process.

Abstract: A cost effective method is provided for determining empty and/or near empty medical and other medical emergency oxygen tanks employing a single, simple device for practicing the method, comprised of 5 or 6 readily obtainable components, to issue visual and audible alarms when the oxygen pressure of a medical oxygen tank has decreased to a predetermined pressure, deemed too low to provide the needed and/or prescribed oxygen flow rate to a patient to alert medical personnel and other caregivers that it is time to replace the tank in with a full tank.

Abstract: A dust particle detector comprised of one or more light beam emitters (10) and detectors (11), mounted on a hanging arm (50) which is attached to rear case (31). Enclosed in front case (30) and said rear case, a buzzer (4), battery (1), control potentiometer (5), switch (9) and electronic chips (2 and 3). After hanging the Filter Alert on the furnace filter, the light beam path soon becomes block with dust and dirt, which triggers the buzzer (4).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus which provides for alerting of potential fiber optic cable intrusion. A stress detector located at a fiber optic cable termination point detects stress on the fiber optic cable and generates an alarm signal in response to the stress detection. The alarm signal is transmitted to remote alarm units along the fiber optic right of way via a conductive metallic portion of the fiber optic cable (e.g., the fiber optic cable sheath). In response to receipt of an alarm signal, the alarm units initiate a perceptible (e.g., audible and/or visible) alarm. The stress detector may also determine a location of the stress, and generate an alarm signal addressed to a particular one or more alarm units in the vicinity of the stress location.

Abstract: A voltage indicating device comprises a test port disposed in a casing that allows the test port to operate during extreme conditions, such as corrosive or explosive environments. The indicating device is coupled to a housing enclosing an electrical apparatus and is connected to a power source of the electrical apparatus. The test port is accessible outside the housing and allows a user to determine voltage or current presence prior to opening the housing, thus preventing electrocution.

Abstract: Measuring device (1) for the electromagnetic field emitted by an apparatus being tested (11, 14), including a support (3) being mobile in relation to the apparatus being tested, at least one electromagnetic sensor (8) fixed to the support and driving elements (5,6) capable of rotating the support around the apparatus being tested, characterized in that it includes at least one light source (9) adjacent to the electromagnetic sensor and capable of emitting light according to the electromagnetic field measured by the electromagnetic sensor.

Abstract: A proximity alert system for monitoring the presence of at least one object, and has a portable master unit and at least one slave unit. The slave units are attachable to an object. the master unit has a warning member and a device for causing outputting of a warning signal when the distance between the master unit and at least one of the slave units exceeds a predetermined adjustable value. The master unit is adapted to control the connection to the slave units and cause a warning signal to output if a connection fails. An adhesive member is provided for attaching a slave unit to an object. The system is applicable to different kinds of objects, in particular, small objects and personal belongings like glasses, medicine contained in pill bottles, purses, keys, passports, credit cards, cameras, mobile phones, portable computers and PDAs.

Abstract: Method of configuring equipment in a home automation installation, each item of equipment being identified thanks to an identifier recorded in memory and duplicated on an accessible medium so as to be visible, the configuring method using a configuring tool comprising an inputting means, a signal transmission means and at least a first memory and a second memory, the method comprising several iterations of the following steps: the step of generating, in the configuring tool, a message comprising the content of the first memory intended for receiving, after an input, the identifier of an item of equipment and the content of the second memory intended for receiving, after an input, information of a first type; the step of transmitting, by the radio signal transmission means, the message in the form of an electromagnetic signal; and the step of carrying out, in the item of equipment, an action at least partially determined by the information of the first type.

Abstract: A control system (106) for mounting to a vehicle (100) and for providing information to an occupant of the vehicle from a first source device (116) is provided. The vehicle includes an audio system (130) and/or a display system (100). The control system includes a first interface (120) for communicating with the first source device (116). The control system further includes a second interface for providing a signal to the audio system and/or the display system. The control system yet further includes a processor (122). A memory unit (122) is communicably connected to the processor and includes a first transport (2112) configured to send a control signal to the interface. The memory unit (132) further includes a first manager (2304) configured to receive a command from an application (2104) and to translate the command from the application (2104) into a command for the transport (2112).

Abstract: A method and system for displaying an in-car view of current traffic conditions is disclosed. A user can select an “In Car View” as a display option. A display shows traffic conditions from a driver's eye view. A forward view depicts a vehicle dashboard, which may include a steering wheel, a central column, gauges, a rear view mirror, and a windshield. Graphics representing traffic conditions are visible through the windshield of the forward view. A side view allows a user to see traffic conditions on the opposite side of the road. The in-car view moves at a rate associated with the pace of the current traffic conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying photo realistic features (230, 232, 234) on a display (116) of an aircraft (218) include storing (302) a plurality of photo realistic features (230, 232, 234), the photo realistic features including at least one of terrain (230) and obstacle (232) features. A priority factor is determined (304) that is based on one of, for example, aircraft type, speed, and altitude, and a plurality of display state is prioritized (304) for each of the plurality of photo realistic features (230. 232, 234) in accordance with the priority factor. One of the first and second display states is displayed (308) for each of the plurality of photo realistic features (230, 232, 234) as determined by the prioritizing step (306).

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for providing a policy based radio frequency identification service The system for providing the policy based radio frequency identification service includes a policy vocabulary managing device for generating and managing policy vocabulary based on a policy vocabulary writer's control input, a policy performing resource managing device for generating and managing resource information for performing a radio frequency identification service policy based on a resource designator's control input, a policy rule managing device for generating and managing a policy rule sentence based on a policy user's control input, and a policy rule performing device for performing a radio frequency identification service policy by using a policy rule sentence input based on a policy user's control input.

Abstract: A multifunction mouse includes a main body, a divider, and a cover. The main body includes a front portion as a finger operating portion, a rear portion as a palm holding portion. The divider is configured for dividing the main body. The divider and the cover are positioned in the palm holding portion. The divider is located between the palm holding portion and the cover. A receiving cavity is defined between the cover and the divider to receive health care materials. A number of through holes is defined in the cover.

Abstract: A keyboard includes a numerical keypad, a switch key, a switch module, a telephone interface, a keyboard control chip, and a telephone module. The numerical keypad is configured for inputting numerical data to a host computer and for inputting telephone numbers. The switch module is connected to the numerical keypad and the switch key, and configured for controlling the numerical keypad to input numerical data or input telephone numbers according to a status of the switch key. The telephone interface is configured for receiving a telephone signal. The keyboard control chip is connected to the switch module and the numerical keypad. The telephone module is connected to the telephone interface and the switch module.

Abstract: A keyboard includes a plug, a hub, a keyboard controller, a keyboard circuit, a camera controller, and an image capturing device. The hub includes an output terminal connected to the plug, a first input terminal, and a second input terminal. The keyboard circuit is connected to the first input terminal of the hub via the keyboard controller. The image capturing device is mounted on the keyboard and connected to the second input terminal of the hub via the camera controller. The image capturing device is configured for capturing sensed image signals. The keyboard circuit communicates with the computer via the keyboard controller and the hub, and the image capturing device transmits the sensed image signals to the computer via the camera controller and the hub.

Abstract: An input device includes a plurality of manipulation portions; an input function portion manipulated by the manipulation portions to perform an input function; a light guiding sheet facing the rear side of the plurality of manipulation portions; and a light source applying light into the light guiding sheet, wherein a rear surface opposite to a front surface of the light guiding sheet facing the manipulation portions is provided with a plurality of concave portions which is depressed to the inside of the light guiding sheet, wherein each concave portion has a circular opening and an inner surface which is a smooth concave curve surface, and wherein light propagated through the inside of the light guiding sheet is reflected by the inner surface toward the inside of the light guiding sheet, and the light is applied from the front surface of the light guiding sheet to the manipulation portions.

Abstract: A physical keyboard interface for controlling a computer device and methodology of use. The interface includes a body having an upper side, a lower side, a left end and a right end, with each of the left and right ends including an ergonomic hand grip. A display is on the upper side of the body and at least four finger keys are adjacent to each ergonomic hand grip on the lower side of the body that are configured for inputting at least alphanumeric characters into a computer device based upon physical interaction with one or more of the finger keys. At least one thumb key located on the upper side of the body adjacent to one of the ergonomic hand grips, and at least one thumb key is utilized as an input for controlling a function of a program executing on a computer device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coding of a significant map in accordance with the present invention. The method include carrying out a scan of at least a portion of a block of transform coefficients, calculating runs of zeros of the scanned data; and coding runs of zeros with variable length coding.

Abstract: A serial signal receiving device, includes: a serial-parallel converter that converts a transmitted serial signal into a parallel signal, wherein the serialized signal is obtained by the plural signal; a storage unit that stores phase difference information indicating a phase difference among the plural signals; and a correcting unit that corrects a phase relation among the plural signals of the parallel signal output from the serial-parallel converter based on the phase difference information stored by the storage unit.

Abstract: A method of video decoding is provided that includes receiving a data stream comprising a sequence of syntax elements that were compressed using context-adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC), such that the encoding of each bin of a bin string representative of a syntax element was performed by arithmetic encoding. Two consecutive bins of a syntax element are decoded in parallel. Speculative computation and prefetching is used to reduce the critical path and thereby improve processing speed.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus of a balanced rotator conversion of serialized data are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method to convert serialized data includes acquiring a rotator module output, and generating a balancing signal with a reference module, which operates with a reference frequency. The method further includes processing the rotator module output and the balancing signal in an interpolation module to generate a balanced rotator output. The method may include a rotator module output that is generated by an analog phase rotator when a control voltage is received by the analog phase rotator. The reference module may include an other analog phase rotator to generate a balancing signal. The interpolation module may interpolate the balancing signal and the rotator module output to modulate a phase of the balanced rotator output. The balanced rotator output may include an orthogonal output.

Abstract: A calibration device comprises a comparison unit, a counting unit, a memory, and a compensation circuit. A residue of a sub analog-to-digital converter is compared with a first and a second voltage by the comparison unit for generating a comparison result. A number of times of the residue voltage, out of bounds defined by the first and the second voltage, is counted by the counting unit in an ith period according to the comparison result. The number of times of the residue voltage out of the bounds in an (i?1)th period is stored in the memory. A clock of the sub ADC is adjusted by the compensation circuit into a direction based on the number of times of the residue voltage out of the bounds in the ith period and the number of times of the residue voltage out of the bounds in the (i?1)th period.

Abstract: A resistor network digital-to-analog converter (DAC) subdivides each sampling clock cycle of the DAC into a number of phases. For at least one bit input of the DAC associated with a desired input resistor weight, the input bit value is sampled at each phase. Each of those sampled values is then applied to a respective resistor branch, the parallel set of resistor branches forming the parallel equivalent of the desired input resistor weight for that bit input. Such application may be, for example, via a slew-rate controlled driver, to smooth transient edges in the generated analog output signal. The resulting analog signal experiences reduced reconstruction errors at a higher frequency while consuming less power than a comparable oversampling DAC. Shifting reconstruction errors to higher frequencies relaxes downstream filtering requirements, which simplifies analog signal filtering and allows, for example, the use of current-mode low pass filters.

Abstract: A mixed-signal control apparatus of a modulation system is provided. The mixed-signal control apparatus includes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) unit, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) unit, and a processing unit. When a quantization step of the ADC unit is qADC, a quantization step of the DAC unit is qDAC, and a transfer function of the modulation system is G0, qADC?G0qDAC. A controlled variable is finely converted by using the ADC unit having a very high resolution. In such a way, it can be ensured that data in an analog domain can be transmitted to a discrete domain with the least distortion, thus achieving a robust and simple control.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a delta sigma (?? or DS) modulator and method for operating the same, the modulator including at least a first proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) element that conditions an input signal, and a second PTAT element that conditions a reference signal.

Abstract: An analog to digital converter adapted to perform a first, more significant, part of a conversion as a successive approximation conversion, a pipeline conversion or a flash conversion and a second, least significant, part of a conversion as a sigma-delta conversion.

Abstract: A sigma-delta converter suitable for measuring a photocurrent comprises an input node adapted to receive a current to be measured (Imeas), a capacitor connected to the input node, a clocked comparator coupled to the input node and to a reference voltage Vref at respective inputs, and a switchable current source connected to the input node which conducts a reference current Iref when switched on. The converter is arranged in a sigma-delta configuration, with the current source switched on to pull down the voltage (VCMP) at the input node when the comparator output toggles due to VCMP increasing above Vref, and to be switched off when the comparator output toggles due to VCMP falling below Vref, such that the comparator output comprises a digital bitstream which varies with Imeas .

Abstract: An apparatus, having as an input an analog signal, is provided. The apparatus comprises a first circuit comprising an impedance transferring circuit configured to band pass filter the input signal, obtaining a filtered signal; the impedance transferring circuit comprising: a transconductance amplifier (1102), and a switching arrangement (1106, 1108) and an impedance circuit (404) connected in series, the switching arrangement being configured to switch the impedance of the impedance circuit of the impedance transferring circuit from base band to the frequency of the input signal. The apparatus further comprises a second circuit (1112) configured to perform down mixing to the filtered signal obtaining a base band signal and a feedback loop connecting the base band signal to the switching arrangement (1114, 1116) and the impedance circuit, the signal of the feedback loop configured to control the properties of the first circuit.

Abstract: A patient monitoring signal processing system adaptively varies medical signal data rate. The system uses an analog to digital converter for digitizing an analog cyclically varying input signal derived from a patient in response to a sampling clock input. The sampling clock determines frequency of analog to digital sampling of the analog input signal by the analog to digital converter. A detector detects first and second different signal portions within a cycle of the cyclically varying input signal.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter includes a first preamplifier receiving a first reference voltage and an input signal, a second preamplifier receiving a second reference voltage and the input signal, a first preamplifier calibrator placed for the first preamplifier and adjusting an input offset of the first preamplifier, a second preamplifier calibrator placed for the second preamplifier and adjusting an input offset of the second preamplifier, an interpolator placed between output terminals of the first and second preamplifiers and generating an interpolation signal having a voltage value between a first output signal from the first preamplifier and a second output signal from the second preamplifier, comparators receiving the first output signal, the second output signal or the interpolation signal and outputting a digital value based on the received signal, and comparator calibrators placed for at least comparators receiving the interpolation signal among the comparators and adjusting input offsets of the c

Abstract: A digitizer comprising an analog to digital converter (ADC), a sampling frequency generator, and a controller. The ADC samples an IF signal to generate a digital signal. The sampling frequency generator is coupled to the ADC and provides a sampling clock of variable frequency to the ADC. The controller is coupled to the sampling frequency generator and determines frequency of the sampling clock.

Abstract: A moving sensor suite for imaging a scene has three Doppler radars, two moving and one fixed, a fixed video camera and a fixed GPS receiver. The Doppler radars measure the relative velocities between the radars and the scene, as well as the scene's electromagnetic reflectivity, while the video camera records the motion of the camera and the optical property of the scene. The correct registration of the Doppler radars and the camera is established by finding the intersections of the moving Doppler radar motion vectors with the image plane of the video camera. The scene features in the first frame are determined by Doppler circle intersections. The correspondences of the features in the next two frames are established by a feature matching operation.

Abstract: A radar sensor system and method for vehicles. An example radar system includes a processor, a plurality of transceivers having antenna(e). The antenna of the transceivers are located at various points around the vehicle. The transceivers include receive and transmit electronics that are in signal communication with the corresponding antenna. The transmit electronics output radar signals via the antenna. The transmit electronics include a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), a dielectric resonator oscillator (DRO), a phase locked loop (PLL) component and a direct digital synthesizer (DDS). The receive electronics receive from the antenna any radar reflections corresponding to the outputted radar signals and send signals associated with the radar reflections to the processor. The processor generates output signals based on the signals received from the plurality of transceivers.

Abstract: A radar apparatus mounted in a vehicle includes an inward bent surface and a radar device. The inward bent surface is formed in a lower portion of a bumper of the vehicle, and curves inward with a higher degree of curvature in a horizontal plane than a bumper surface of an upper portion of the inward bent surface. The radar device is placed behind the inward bent surface so that a beam axis of the radar device penetrates the inward bent surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing radar images are provided. In illustrated embodiments, a representative system includes: a transmitter operative to transmit a pulsed signal; a receiver operative to sample the pulsed signal after reflection; a Doppler-shifting mechanism operative to create a Doppler shift in the pulsed signal; and a platform upon which the transmitter and the Doppler-shifting mechanism are mounted, the Doppler shift being associated with relative motion between the Doppler-shifting mechanism and the platform.

Abstract: A system and method for performing passive coherent location (PCL). A PCL radar system has high speed analog-to-digital converters (ADC) for digitizing RF signals received on antenna elements of an antenna array. The RF signal received by each antenna element is processed by components within a corresponding physical channel. The RF signals are digitized by the high speed ADC and then processed by a frequency channelizer. The frequency channelizer inputs the RF signal into a digital filter bank comprising a plurality of band pass filters. Each filter in the filter bank may have a corresponding filters, which share the same filtering properties, in the frequency channelizers of each of the physical channels. The outputs of such corresponding filters share a frequency channel. Beam forming and PCL processing are performed for each frequency channel on the filter outputs from each physical channel sharing said frequency channel. A target state is estimated.

Abstract: Embodiments provide systems and methods for determining the geolocation of an emitter on earth. A solution is obtained from two TDOA measurements that need not be acquired at the same time. A solution is obtained from a TDOA measurement and an FDOA measurement that need not be acquired at the same time and need not be coming from the same satellite pair. A location of an emitter can be determined from minimizing a cost function of the weighted combination of the six solutions derived from the two TDOA measurements and the two FDOA measurements, where the weight of each solution in the combination is determined based on the intersection angle of the two curves that define the possible locations of the emitter based on the TDOA and/or FDOA measurements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a blending filter based on extended Kalman filter (EKF), which optimally integrates the IMU navigation data with all other satellite measurements (tightly-coupled integration filter). Two more states in the EKF for estimating/compensating the speed bias and the heading bias in the INS measurement are added. The integration filter has no feedback loop for INS calibration, and can estimate/compensate the navigation error in the INS measurement within the integration filter.

Abstract: An apparatus for localizing a position on a path, radio signals of fixedly positioned radio transmitters being receivable along the path, the apparatus including a determiner for determining properties of the radio signals of the fixedly positioned radio transmitters at the position, and a comparator for comparing the determined electromagnetic properties with previously recorded properties which characterize a reference path, and for determining a relation between the position and the reference path on the basis of a result of the comparison.

Abstract: A receiving apparatus is provided that includes a plurality of antennas, a phase difference calculation unit to calculate a phase difference of a received signal between the plurality of antennas, a difference calculation unit to calculate a difference between the phase difference of a previous received signal and the phase difference of a new received signal calculated by the phase difference calculation unit, and a moving angle estimation unit to estimate a moving angle of a transmitting apparatus from the difference in phase difference calculated by the difference calculation unit.