Patents Issued in February 14, 2013
  • Publication number: 20130040673
    Abstract: A base station determines a muting configuration for reference signal (RS) transmission as a pattern defined by the combination of a muting sequence and a reference point. Muting occasions for a given wireless communication network cell may be differentiated from another cell by use of a different muting sequence, a different reference point, or both. Wireless communication apparatuses such as User Equipments (UEs) determine when the reference signals are muted in the cell based on the periodic muting sequence and the reference point received in assistance data transmitted by the base station. The network may alternatively utilize a common muting sequence with different reference points, a common reference point with different muting sequences, or different sequences and different reference points across multiple cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)
    Inventors: Iana Siomina, Muhammad Kazmi, Tao Cui, Elena Voltolina
  • Publication number: 20130040674
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of beacon synchronization for base stations, which comprises the following steps: receiving or transmitting a beacon by a first base station or a second base station; scanning at least one channel by the second base station to search for a channel of the first base station; calculating a time difference between the beacon sent by the first base station and the beacon sent by the second base station; and adjusting a time of transmitting the beacon sent by the second base station to synchronize the beacon sent by the second base station with the beacon sent by the first base station. Wherein, a wireless signal of the second base station is interfered by the first base station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Taiwan Gomet Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Taiwan Gomet Technology Co., Ltd
  • Publication number: 20130040675
    Abstract: A method is provided in a wireless device for controlling output transmission power from the wireless device. A set is selected among a plurality of sets of power step values, which reside in a memory of the wireless device, responsive to criteria defined in the wireless device. A power control command is received from a radio network node. One of the power step values of the selected set is selected responsive to the power control command. The output transmission power from the wireless device is controlled responsive to the selected power step value. Related methods in radio network nodes and apparatuses are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Aram Antò, Stefano Sorrentino, Stefan Parkvall, George Jöngren
  • Publication number: 20130040676
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a signal-transceiving apparatus for a base station in a distributed antenna system (DAS), comprising: a transmitting module for transmitting a signal; an antenna module which includes a plurality of antennas, and in which a predetermined number of pilot patterns are used in accordance with the size of the coverage area, which is a signal-transmitting range for each of the plurality of antennas, and in accordance with the number of overlapping antenna coverage areas; and a processor which transmits, via the transmitting module, a signal to a terminal using a pilot pattern corresponding to a portion of the plurality of antennas. The same pilot pattern is used for the antennas, the antenna coverage areas of which do not overlap, from among the plurality of antennas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Ji Won Kang, Su Nam Kim, Bin Chul Ihm, Jin Young Chun
  • Publication number: 20130040677
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for allocating a Device-to-Device (D2D) IDentity (ID) of a user terminal in an ad-hoc network are provided. The method includes determining that a first D2D ID allocated to the user terminal is duplicated with a second D2D ID allocated to at least one other terminal located within a predefined range from the user terminal, determining whether the user terminal is in communication, when the first D2D ID is duplicated with the second D2D ID, and changing the first D2D ID into a third D2D ID with reference to a D2D ID pool so that the first D2D ID is not duplicated with the second D2D ID, when the user terminal is not in communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Ok-Seon LEE, Pil-Yong HWANG
  • Publication number: 20130040678
    Abstract: Disclosed are M2M equipment and base station capable of adjusting load through a scheduling delay. M2M equipment according to the present invention may comprise a receiver which receives a first message including a scheduling delay indicator directing the M2M equipment to delay transmission of uplink data from a base station, and a processor for controlling transmission of the uplink data to be delayed in response to scheduling delay direction of the first message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jin Lee, In Uk Jung, Gi Won Park, Young Soo Yuk, Jeong Ki Kim
  • Publication number: 20130040679
    Abstract: An LTE base station 10-1 reserves uplink resource blocks for urgent communications and downlink resource blocks for urgent communications, when ETWS information is transmitted from a core network 30 to mobile terminals 40. The LTE base station 10-1 releases the uplink resource blocks for urgent communications and the downlink resource blocks for urgent communications when a predetermined time elapsed from the reservation of them and when an amount of calls between the LTE base station 10-1 and the mobile terminals 40 is at or below a fourth predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Susumu Kashiwase
  • Publication number: 20130040680
    Abstract: The present description provides a method for allocating a device identifier through an initial network entry process with a base station in a wireless access system. The method comprises a step of transmitting control information, indicating a mobile station supporting Machine to Machine (M2M) communication, to a base station; and receiving a first message, comprising at least one of a first identifier indicative of a group to which devices belong and a second identifier indicative of each of the devices belonging to the group, from the base station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jeongki Kim, Youngsoo Yuk, Giwon Park, Kiseon Ryu, Jin Lee
  • Publication number: 20130040681
    Abstract: Systems and methods for scheduling wireless communications of a base station with multiple user mobile stations involve grouping the user mobile stations in clusters based on a predetermined criterion, such as a QoS profile of a user mobile station. Each cluster is assigned with a cluster weight factor that defines a priority level of the cluster. For each user mobile station in each cluster, a priority index may be determined based on the cluster weight factor of a respective cluster, and throughput and fairness factors respectively selected to maximize throughput and provide fairness to user mobile stations. The user mobile stations may be served in an order based on their priority indexes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: CELLCO PARTNERSHIP D/B/A VERIZON WIRELESS
    Inventor: Cellco Partnership D/B/A Verizon Wireless
  • Publication number: 20130040682
    Abstract: To retain a beam direction of beamforming in a wireless communication system, an apparatus for the beamforming includes a detector for measuring change of at least one of a movement and a motion of the apparatus; and a processor for determining a beam control parameter for aligning a beam direction with a counterpart apparatus by compensating for the change of the beam direction according to at least one of the movement and the motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Young-Bin CHANG, Rakesh TAORI
  • Publication number: 20130040683
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for using cell load coupling (CLC) to manage a radio communications network (RCN), comprising cells and radio network nodes associated with the cells. The method comprises determining a CLC characteristic between a first and second of the cells. The determining is based on a cell load contribution that is dependent on a measure of: a signal received by a receiving node of the first cell from a transmitting node of the first cell, a signal received by the receiving node from a transmitting node of the second cell, and traffic between the receiving node and the transmitting node of the first cell. One or more network management functions may be performed on the RCN based on the determined CLC characteristics. The method and/or the functions may be implemented by a computer program, a wireless communications device or a network node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Iana SIOMINA, Di Yuan
  • Publication number: 20130040684
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for tracking a beam in a wireless communication system are provided. In the method, a plurality of downlink reference signals are received from a base station and at least one downlink transmission beam pattern is determined. A plurality of uplink reference signals are transmitted to the base station, each includes identifier information corresponding to the determined at least one downlink transmission beam pattern. ACKnowledgement (ACK) information indicating that the base station has successfully received an identifier included in the identifier information corresponding to the determined at least one downlink transmission beam pattern from identifier information corresponding to an uplink transmission beam pattern and that the plurality of uplink reference signals from the base station is received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun-Kyu YU, Tae-Young KIM, Jeong-Ho PARK
  • Publication number: 20130040685
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling, in a policy and charging rules function entity, quality of service of a user equipment. The method includes the steps of: obtaining charging-related information of the user equipment (210); and determining the quality of service corresponding to the user equipment according to the charging-related information (220). With the introduction of the charging-related information, the policy and charging rules function entity can control quality of service according to the existing system resources and the contribution and demand of the user equipment to thereby balance reasonably demands of different user equipments and to utilize effectively the limited resources of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: ALCATEL LUCENT
    Inventor: Xiangyang Li
  • Publication number: 20130040686
    Abstract: A system, method, and wireless communication device for sharing media in a group communication among a plurality of wireless communications devices, such as among a Push-to-Talk (PTT) group. A wireless communication device that is a member of the communication group can send group-directed media, such as graphics, multimedia and applications, to other members of the communication group, either during a ongoing PTT communication, or independently there from. In one embodiment, a communication computer device stores information on communication groups on the wireless communication network that includes the member wireless communication devices of one or more communication groups, and receives group-directed media from a sending wireless communication device sends the group-directed media either directly to the other member wireless communication devices of the communication group or stores the group-directed media such that the other member devices can access and download the group-directed media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventor: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
  • Publication number: 20130040687
    Abstract: A system, method, and wireless communication device for sharing media in a group communication among a plurality of wireless communications devices, such as among a Push-to-Talk (PTT) group. A wireless communication device that is a member of the communication group can send group-directed media, such as graphics, multimedia and applications, to other members of the communication group, either during a ongoing PTT communication, or independently there from. In one embodiment, a communication computer device stores information on communication groups on the wireless communication network that includes the member wireless communication devices of one or more communication groups, and receives group-directed media from a sending wireless communication device sends the group-directed media either directly to the other member wireless communication devices of the communication group or stores the group-directed media such that the other member devices can access and download the group-directed media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: QUALCOMM Incorporated
  • Publication number: 20130040688
    Abstract: Provided is a wireless base station including a power measurement unit for measuring a power of a reference signal for synchronization at a downlink adjacent frequency; a base station type acquisition unit for acquiring a type of a base station that transmits the signal at the downlink adjacent frequency; and a power setting unit for setting a maximum transmission power based on a measurement value of the power measured by the power measurement unit and the type of the base station acquired by the base station type acquisition unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Nishiki Mizusawa
  • Publication number: 20130040689
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wireless communication device that can suppress an increase in power consumption of a terminal while preventing the degradation of SINR measurement precision resulting from TPC errors in a base station. A terminal (100) controls the transmission power of a second signal by adding an offset to the transmission power of a first signal; an offset-setting unit (106) sets an offset correction value in response to a transmission time gap between a third signal transmitted the previous time and the second signal transmitted this time; and a transmission power control unit (111) controls the transmission power of the second signal using the correction value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Iwai, Daichi Imamura, Akihiko Nishio, Yoshihiko Ogawa, Shinsuke Takaoka
  • Publication number: 20130040690
    Abstract: There is disclosed a small base station and a method for measuring information on a wireless environment around a small base station to control uplink transmission power of the small base station. A neighboring environment measuring unit measures information on a neighboring wireless environment of a base station through an uplink or a downlink. A power control parameter calculating unit calculates a power control parameter by using the information on the neighboring wireless environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventor: Jung Seung Lee
  • Publication number: 20130040691
    Abstract: Two or more base stations among a plurality of base stations transmit data of the same content at the same timing. A base station notifies a mobile station of two or more base stations which transmit the data of the same content among the plurality of base stations. The mobile station transmits information indicating reception conditions in the mobile station of radio signals from the base stations notified of, to the base station. According to the information indicating the reception conditions, the base station instructs the mobile station to receive the data of the same content from the base stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: FUJITSU LIMITED
  • Publication number: 20130040692
    Abstract: Methods for enhanced heterogeneous network mobility are proposed. In a first novel aspect, the cell size of a target cell is considered when determining the TTT value. In one embodiment, pico-specific Time-to-Trigger (TTT) value is configured. When the target cell to be measured is a picocell, pico-specific TTT value is applied. In a second novel aspect, precise mobility state estimation (MSE) is achieved by considering the effect of cell size. In one embodiment, when counting cell changes, a cell change to/from a small cell would be counted to lesser extent than a cell change between large cells. UE uses effective parameters for measurement evaluation, by applying better speed state estimation with speed scaling and by applying parameter differentiation that can be dependent on cell size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: MEDIATEK, INC.
    Inventors: Yih-Shen Chen, Chia-Chun Hsu, Per Johan Mikael Johansson
  • Publication number: 20130040693
    Abstract: A mobile communication device is provided with a plurality of processing logic units. A first processing logic unit is configured to connect the mobile communication device to a first wireless network for wireless transceiving via a first link. A second processing logic unit is configured to determine whether a second link to a second wireless network is available in response to detecting a low performance condition of the first link. Particularly, the first wireless network and the second wireless network are heterogeneous networks. A third processing logic unit is configured to hand over the mobile communication device from the first wireless network to the second wireless network in response to a transceiving rate of the second link being greater than a first value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: HTC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hsi-Kun CHEN, Peter CHOU
  • Publication number: 20130040694
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices enabling a party to a telephone conversation to identify sounds for active filtering so that the identified sound can be actively filtered and/or amplified. Cell phones are provided with a button that allows users to identify sounds for filtering by pressing the button or virtual key when the sound is heard. Sounds recorded in response to such user inputs are processed to identify filtering criteria, such as frequencies and amplitude. The identified filtering criteria are then used to actively filter or enhance sounds. The methods and systems enable user to identify specific sounds for filtering so only those sounds deemed annoying are suppressed while permitting other sounds (e.g., voice) to be heard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Babak FORUTANPOUR, Erik VISSER, Brian MOMEYER, Andre Gustavo P. SCHEVCIW
  • Publication number: 20130040695
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a circuit comprises an input node configured to receive a current-mode input signal and an input stage that includes an input device communicatively coupled to the input node. The input device is configured to receive the input signal at the input node. The circuit additionally comprises bias circuitry communicatively coupled to the input stage and configured to provide a bias current for the input device. The bias circuitry is also configured to remove at least a portion of the bias current from the input signal through a feedback loop associated with the input node such that the input signal is received by the input device with at least a portion of the bias current removed. The circuit further comprises an output stage communicatively coupled to the input stage and configured to output a current-mode output signal based on the input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: FUJITSU SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED
    Inventors: Chuanzhao Yu, Omid Oliaei, David Newman, Michael L. Gomez
  • Publication number: 20130040696
    Abstract: A unique input mechanism for controlling several operations of an electronic device is provided. Using the unique input mechanism, which may be the single input mechanism for providing user inputs to the electronic device, a user may provide different inputs or combinations of inputs to control different operations based on the current mode or capacity of the electronic device. For example, a single, short click of a button may control a media operation (e.g., play/pause) in a media mode, and the same input may control a telephony operation (e.g., initiate/terminate call) in a telephony mode. In some embodiments, different inputs may be associated with different types of operations. The unique input mechanism may include, for example, a button, a switch, a key, or an actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Forstall
  • Publication number: 20130040697
    Abstract: A method at a mobile device, and the mobile device, the method selecting a subset of radio access technologies available to the mobile device over which a predetermined set of services on the mobile device is available; and deactivating monitoring, or reducing a monitoring frequency, of at least one radio access technology not within the selected subset of radio access technologies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Ozgur Ekici, Muhammad Khaledul Islam, Dimitrios Prodanos
  • Publication number: 20130040698
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a mobile station having abilities of communicating with a first network and a second network wherein the first network and the second network use mutually different radio access technologies including a receiving unit configured to receive broadcast information of the second network from the first network, a storage unit configured to store the received broadcast information of the second network and a pre-redirection information setting unit configured to, when the broadcast information of the second network is stored in the storage unit, set pre-redirection information included in a radio connection request message to a predefined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: NTT DOCOMO, INC.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Nakamura, Kenichiro Aoyagi, Hideyuki Matsutani, Kiminobu Sugano
  • Publication number: 20130040699
    Abstract: In a communications terminal, a wireless portion receives, from each PLMN, notification information including a name that specifies the PLMN and communication speed information that indicates communication speed for that PLMN. A generation portion generates a list of names included in each of the notification information received by the wireless portion, in order of communication speed shown in the communication speed information associated with the relevant name. A display portion displays the list generated by the generation portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tetsuya Takaki
  • Publication number: 20130040700
    Abstract: An image capture apparatus configured to assist the user to obtain at least one image including a first image. The image capture apparatus comprises at least one processor configured to produce a first superimposed image by superimposing first navigation information with the first image at least in part by using first composition data associated with the first image and reference composition data associated with a reference image, and at least one display configured to display the first superimposed image. The first composition data comprises shooting angle information and/or angle-of-view information of the image capture apparatus when the image capture apparatus obtained the first image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tokuhiro Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20130040701
    Abstract: A portable communication device for multimedia applications including upper and lower parts connected by a joint element for moving the parts relative to each other between closed and various open positions. The upper part includes a display which is on the outside of the closed device. The joint element enables pivoting the upper part along a horizontal axis disposed below the plane of the display in a position that is shifted parallel outward or inward relative to the upper part as well as rotational motion of the parts relative to each other about a rotational axis which is tilted relative to the plane of the display, the motion being made when the rotational axis comes to a position perpendicular to the horizontal axis as a result of the pivoting motion. Optimum display and keypad size for PC use, slimmer design, and additional space for multimedia components are attained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: CONSTIN GMBH
    Inventor: Hans Constin
  • Publication number: 20130040702
    Abstract: An SD switch box embedded within a cellular handset, including circuitry for switching access to NAND storage that is embedded within the cellular handset, between a consumer electronic device that is external to and connected to the cellular handset, and between a base band modem that is embedded within the cellular handset, so as to enable shared use of the NAND memory by the consumer electronic device and by the base band modem, thereby enabling the cellular handset to be operational for cellular communication via its internal base band modem while its internal NAND memory is accessible to the external consumer electronics device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Itay Sherman, Eyal Bychkov, Yaron Segalov
  • Publication number: 20130040703
    Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for a services policy communication system and method. In some embodiments, a communications device implements a service profile for assisting control of the communications device use of a service on a network, in which the service profile includes service policy settings, and the service profile is associated with an ambient service plan that provides for initial access to the service with limited service capabilities prior to activation of a new service plan; and monitors use of the service based on the service profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Headwater Partner I, LLC
    Inventor: Gregory G. Raleigh
  • Publication number: 20130040704
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, utilizing a first communication device for identifying a user interface adaptation according to operating characteristics of a second display of a second communication device, identifying first and second user interface portions according to the user interface adaptation, presenting the first user interface portion at a first display of the first communication device, transmitting the second user interface portion to the second communication device for presentation at the second display of the second communication device, and enabling user interface navigation that includes the first and second user interface portions as a single user interface based on user inputs received at the first communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, LP
    Inventor: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, LP
  • Publication number: 20130040705
    Abstract: A quantized multi-rank beamforming scheme for multiple-antenna systems such as a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) wireless downlink. User equipment (UE) estimates downlink channel and transmit power and determines rank and power allocations. A quantized beamforming matrix is then determined by the UE using successive beamforming. The UE also determines channel quality indices (CQI) which it feeds-back to the wireless downlink base station along with the index of the quantized beamforming matrix. The base station uses the CQI information to select a UE for scheduling of downlink transmission and the quantized beamforming matrix index received from the selected UE to beamform the downlink transmission to the UE. Base station overhead and is minimized while providing near-optimal performance given the constraints of a limited feed-back channel and computational complexity of the UE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: NEC LABORATORIES AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Mohammad A. Khojastepour
  • Publication number: 20130040706
    Abstract: A mobile communication terminal call history displays call distinguishing icons representing the types of calls performed with counterparts. The call types include sent and received voice calls, video calls, and messages. If a user selects one call distinguishing icon displayed on a mobile communication terminal's display unit, a voice call or a video call is sent to the counterpart or a screen on which a message can be written to the counterpart is displayed, according to the call type of the selected call distinguishing icon. The user can directly select a counterpart and the call type to be sent to the counterpart by selecting one of the call distinguishing icons displayed on the display unit. A desired call distinguishing icon can be selected by entering a command on a touch screen, a keypad, or by voice command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: PANTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: PANTECH CO., LTD.
  • Publication number: 20130040707
    Abstract: A solar cell phone includes a housing having a keypad, a display screen, other electronic components and a rechargeable battery. A diode switch within the housing is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery. A plurality of solar panels are mounted to the housing and electrically connected to the diode switch. The diode switch will allow the solar panels to supply electrical power to the rechargeable battery. An auxiliary battery within the housing receives electrical power from the solar panels. The auxiliary battery will store the electrical power to recharge the rechargeable battery when the diode switch is in a non-operative position, so that the rechargeable battery will continue to operate the keypad, the display screen and the other electronic components within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventor: Theoda METCALF
  • Publication number: 20130040708
    Abstract: A method for operating a color display of a mobile device is provided. According to the method, a usage condition of the mobile device is detected and based on the detected usage condition a color scheme of information displayed on the color display is automatically adapted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: SONY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS AB
    Inventor: Jonas GUSTAVSSON
  • Publication number: 20130040709
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to a smart cover for a mobile communications device. The smart cover includes a housing plate, a secure element coupled to the housing plate, a transceiver in communication with the secure element, and an antenna coupled to the transceiver. The transceiver and the antenna are coupled to the housing plate as well. The housing plate couples to the mobile communications device to provide protection for electronics in the mobile communications device, to make the mobile communications device more aesthetically pleasing, etc. A user having a mobile communications device with a smart cover may enter secure areas, pay funds from an account, or anything else requiring positive identification. The user holds the mobile communications device up to a smart cover reader. The smart cover reader communicates with the smart to cover to identify the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: AT&T MOBILITY II LLC
    Inventor: AT&T Mobility II LLC
  • Publication number: 20130040710
    Abstract: The display of a mobile device is managed during a voice communication session using a proximity sensor and an accelerometer. In one example, the display of a mobile device is turned off during a phone call on the mobile device when a proximity sensor detects an object is proximate the device and an accelerometer determines the device is in a first orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Lockwood
  • Publication number: 20130040711
    Abstract: An input unit for an electronic device comprising a body, a first switch adjacent a first location of the body, a second switch adjacent a second location of the body, and a third switch adjacent a third location of the body. When the body moves in a first direction to a first position, the third switch generates a signal to activate a first operational mode and the first and second switches generate signals to perform first and second functions when the body moves in a second direction different from the first direction. When the body moves in the first direction to a second position, the third switch generates a signal to activate a second operational mode and the first and second switches generate signals to perform third and fourth functions when the body moves in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Eunjung KIM, Zhimin CHOO, Jaeeon LEE, Dongguk KANG, Seunggeun LIM
  • Publication number: 20130040712
    Abstract: A wireless terminal includes a first hinge and a second hinge, each of which connects the first housing and the second housing rotatably connected to the first housing. A metal plate is arranged within the first housing, and a circuit board that is arranged within the second housing. The first hinge and the second hinge are arranged with a given gap therebetween. The first hinge is electrically connected to a first radio unit arranged on the circuit board. The second hinge is electrically connected to a second radio unit which is arranged on the circuit board and which is different from the first radio unit. A gap between the first hinge and the metal plate is smaller than a gap between the second hinge and the metal plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenya Nagano
  • Publication number: 20130040713
    Abstract: A handheld electronic device including a first body, a second body, a fixing frame, a first sliding frame, and a second sliding frame is provided. Through the designs of the first sliding frame, the second sliding frame, and the fixing frame, the handheld electronic device has two sliding routes and accordingly can achieve two expanded states, wherein the two expanded states respectively expose two portions of the second body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: HTC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chih-Shan Yeh, Yi-Shen Wang
  • Publication number: 20130040714
    Abstract: A virtual activity is facilitated by receiving collected data related to a non-virtual, real-world physical activity performed by a user, evaluating the collected data to determine what benefit the user has earned by performing physical activity, and providing a benefit to the user that enables the user to virtually build or reconstruct something in a virtual world. In some embodiments, the user is enabled to virtually reconstruct a real-world location at which the physical activity was performed by unlocking a feature of that location within the virtual world. In other embodiments, the user is enabled to virtually build a fictional location by unlocking the ability to add a feature to that location within the virtual world.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: G-Tracking, LLC
    Inventor: Howard S. Rosing
  • Publication number: 20130040715
    Abstract: Entertainment system based on multiple choice competition games, characterized in that it comprises at least one terminal including connection means to a dedicated remote server (1), the system also comprising means of playing an extract of a recording with a configurable duration on at least one terminal (2, 3) comprising means of reproducing the recording, means of interaction with a user and means (21, 31) of connection with a dedicated remote server (1), means of asking a terminal user a question and suggesting multiple choice answers, the question being related to information characteristic of the extract of the recording, and the recording being selected by means independent of the terminal user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: TOUCHTUNES MUSIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: TOUCHTUNES MUSIC CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20130040716
    Abstract: Players in a multi-state card game, such as blackjack or baccarat, are presented with opportunities to exchange their cards for new cards when the card game is in one or more particular states. These opportunities may include offers to redeal the player's hand of cards or redeal the player's opponent's hand of cards. Additionally, when the player is dealt a new card to be added to the player's hand, the player may be offered options to discard the new card, replace the new card with another new card, or to redeal the player's hand and/or the opponent's hand. In this way, the player may be able to improve his or her position in the card game. At the same time, the game provider may charge the player for acceptance of these offers, thus improving the profit margin of the game provider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: CORK GROUP TRADING LTD.
    Inventor: Cork Group Trading Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20130040717
    Abstract: A poker-type card game offers a player the opportunity to play successive poker hands having increasing numbers of cards. In a method of the game, a player plays a 3 card draw poker stage of the game. If the outcome of that game is winning, the player uses that hand and an additional two cards in the play of a 5 card draw poker game. If the outcome of that game is winning the player uses that hand an additional two cards in the play of a 7 card draw poker hand. Winnings may be paid for winning outcomes at each stage of the game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventor: Sal Falciglia, SR.
  • Publication number: 20130040718
    Abstract: The handset include a case configured such that when the handset is placed face-up on a substantially horizontal surface a user can spin the spin the handset on the surface and the handset will continue to spin after the user has released the handset. The handset also includes electronics in the case. The electronics are configured to execute one or more functions in response to the spinning of the handset on the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Bryan SPARKS, Daigo Yachi, Lane Paxton, Scott Owen
  • Publication number: 20130040719
    Abstract: Game qualification time may be set to allow participation in a common game from a basic game. This game qualification time is awarded in accordance with a bet amount stored in a RAM 243, after receiving a bet which is input by means of a 1-bet button 26 and a maximum bet button 27. A winning probability in a quick catch bonus game that occurs when a game result of the basic game is a predetermined game result is increased in accordance with the length of the game qualification time stored in a game qualification time management table in the RAM 243 (i.e., a basic quick catch bonus payout table is replaced with a special quick catch bonus payout table).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicants: ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC., UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masumi FUJISAWA, Takehisa ITAGAKI, Kensaku YOSHIKAWA, Daisyun OKAMOTO, Hiroki MUNAKATA
  • Publication number: 20130040720
    Abstract: A roulette wheel generates a first random number every game determined by the pocket into which a roulette ball falls. A second random number is generated every game from the motion of the ball, the wheel, or other factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: CAMMEGH LIMITED
    Inventor: CAMMEGH LIMITED
  • Publication number: 20130040721
    Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of reels with a plurality of symbols on each of the reels. At least one of the symbols on the primary reels are designated as tracking or back symbols. A tracking symbol is a symbol that, when generated on a reel, causes the gaming device to flag the outcome of the current and all tracking spins. A back symbol is a symbol that, when generated on a reel, causes the gaming device to retrieve the flagged outcomes of each flagged spin and to re-display the outcomes in a sequential manner and to provide the awards associated with the outcomes to the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Matthew E. Belger, Darren Maya, Anisur R. Chowdhury, Hans Elias, Karen M. Cregan, Anthony J. Baerlocher
  • Publication number: 20130040722
    Abstract: A gaming system selects and displays one of a plurality of symbol blocks in each of a plurality of block positions, wherein each of the selected blocks includes at least one partial symbol. Each partial symbol has at least one complementary partial symbol which, when arranged in a designated spatial relationship with one another, form a complete matching symbol. If any of the partial symbols on the selected blocks create a complete matching symbol, the gaming system provides at least one award to the player. Each matching block which includes any portion of a complete matching symbol is then removed, creating an empty block position. The gaming system then fills the empty block position by either shifting a displayed block into the empty block position or by selecting a new block. The gaming system repeats this process until no complete matching symbols are formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventor: IGT