Patents Issued in February 18, 2014
  • Patent number: 8653960
    Abstract: A vehicle gauge and method for displaying an electric mode status of a vehicle that can operate in both an electric mode and one or more alternative modes. According to one exemplary embodiment, the method evaluates a number of throttle and non-throttle conditions and allocates portions of the total range of the vehicle gauge to these conditions. Based on these allocations, the method determines an overall vehicle gauge position that is representative of the electric mode status of the vehicle and provides this to the vehicle gauge so that the electric mode status can be displayed to the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ian L. Hanna, Jonathan R. Schwarz, Neal A. Chaperon
  • Patent number: 8653961
    Abstract: In a vehicle display device in the invention, because the display position of a displayed image is adjusted by a display position calculation portion (14) and a drive control portion (15) when a predetermined vehicle travel condition is detected by a travel condition detection portion (12), the display position is adjusted while the driver is looking at the displayed image. In addition, adjustment of the display position may be avoided when the driver is not looking at the displayed image. Therefore, the display device avoids annoying the driver, and avoids needless adjustment of the display position. The display position of the image is adjusted based on the detected eyeball position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hitoshi Kumon
  • Patent number: 8653962
    Abstract: A wireless event status communication system, device and method are disclosed. In one form, a wireless enabled notification system includes a wireless informer operably associated with an environmental element having more than one operating state and operable to determine a current operating state of the environmental element and to communicate the current operating state via a wireless communication module. The system further includes a remote status notification device operable to receive the communication including the current operating state. The remote status notification device including a processor operable to determine a last current operating state when the remote status notification device is out of range of the wireless informer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Strauss Acquisitions, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Joon Maeng
  • Patent number: 8653963
    Abstract: An emergency alert system, method and device are disclosed. The invention employs an emergency alert message, which directs end users to take some particular action like evacuating an identified geographic area. The invention further employs a geographic area message, which is based on a particular geographic area within which all persons should receive the emergency alert message. The invention utilizes an emergency alert enabled device that receives both the emergency alert message and the geographic area message. The emergency alert enabled device determines whether it is located within the geographic area of concern, and if so, presents the emergency alert message to the end user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Computer and Communications, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Darren M. Vallaire
  • Patent number: 8653964
    Abstract: Responsive to intercepting an outbound command, a command interceptor may, upon determining that the command is associated with a particular category of commands, transmit an anticipatory response to the source of the command, for example, to prematurely indicate that the command has met with success. Accordingly, a given application whose further execution is dependent upon the successful completion of the command may further execute earlier than would be the case if the given application was to await the transmission of the command, the generation of a response indicating success and the receipt of the response indicating success.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Ravi Singh, Michael Kenneth Brown, Neil Patrick Adams, Dinah Lea Marie Davis
  • Patent number: 8653965
    Abstract: A monitoring system of the present disclosure has at least one monitor that collects personal health data, stores the personal health data in memory, and transmits at least one data packet comprising the personal health data and at least one identifier for identifying the monitor and a gateway computing device communicatively coupled to the at least one monitor and communicatively coupled to a network, the gateway computing device receives from the monitor the at least one data packet and transmits the at least one data packet over the network. In addition, the monitoring system has a server computing device communicatively coupled to the network, the server computing device receives from the gateway computing device the data packet and stores the data packet in memory associated with a user identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Integrity Tracking, LLC
    Inventors: Chris A. Otto, Chirag D. Patel, Hugh A. Hartwig, Corey L. Sanders
  • Patent number: 8653966
    Abstract: A system level scheme for networking of implantable devices, electronic patch devices/sensors coupled to the body, and wearable sensors/devices with cellular telephone/mobile devices, peripheral devices and remote servers is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: IP Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Raman K. Rao, Sanjay K. Rao
  • Patent number: 8653967
    Abstract: A method for selectively transmitting communication signals from a communications buoy to a remote receiver, the communications buoy including a sensor and an emitter device, includes: detecting conditions local to the communications buoy using the sensor; generating local conditions data corresponding to the local conditions detected by the sensor; using the local conditions data, determining and/or predicting a clear transmission time during which communication signals from the emitter device have an adequately clear transmission path to the remote receiver for successful transmission of communication signals from the emitter device to the remote receiver; and adaptively transmitting communication signals from the emitter device to the remote receiver as a function of the determined and/or predicted clear transmission time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventor: Frederick Vosburgh
  • Patent number: 8653968
    Abstract: A system and method for predictive modeling of building energy consumption provides predicted building energy load values which are determined using kernel smoothing of historical building energy load values for a building using defined scaling factors for scaling predictor variables associated with building energy consumption. Predictor variables may include temperature, humidity, windspeed or direction, occupancy, time, day, date, and solar radiation. Scaling factor values may be defined by optimization training using historical building energy load values and measured predictor variable values for a building. Predicted and measured building energy load values are compared to determine if a preset difference threshold has been exceeded, in which case an alert signal or message is generated and transmitted to electronically and/or physically signal a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Pulse Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Brown, Christopher Barrington-Leigh, Christopher Porter, Neil Gentleman
  • Patent number: 8653969
    Abstract: A security device comprising interfacing means incorporating a speaker (50) and a microphone (49) for interfacing with a person; a mobile network transmitter; an internet communication means; a controller which automatically responds to interaction with said interfacing means and firstly employs said mobile network transmitter to dial one or more predetermined phone numbers through a mobile network for directly establishing a two way communication across the mobile network; wherein said controller secondly employs said internet communication means for transmission through the internet of data captured by said interfacing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Helen Theresa Haywood
  • Patent number: 8653970
    Abstract: A security method that includes defining rules specifying permitted movements of passengers in a transportation terminal. Passengers entering the terminal may be issued a boarding pass having a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag attached thereto. The location of the RFID tag may be measured and responsive to the measured location of the RFID tag, a violation of at least one of the rules by the passenger may be detected. An action with respect to the detected violation may be taken. The rules may define a region that is forbidden for access, a region in which the passengers are expected to be in motion, a region in which the passengers are expected not to be stationary for more than a given time period, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Verint Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Gideon Hazzani
  • Patent number: 8653971
    Abstract: A sensor in the form of an elongated flexible tape has a signal path made from electrical wire or optical fiber which extends between one end and another end of the tape. The electrical wires or optical fibers are disposed in spaced relation across the width and along the length of the tape and are terminated in connectors at the endpoints of the tape. The connectors may be integrated into a signal detector to interface with communication links. The tape is a material that is non-conductive and in which the wires or optical fibers may be woven, disposed or embedded in some manner. One or more layers of flexible material can be laminated on respective sides of the sensor tape to provide a robust laminated or bonded structure that can be rolled and unrolled from a reel. An adhesive layer and a removable layer can be provided to protect the adhesive layer prior to use. An overcoat of outer layer resin may be applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: 3D Fuse Sarl
    Inventor: Gilbert D. Beinhocker
  • Patent number: 8653972
    Abstract: A compact wireless security sensor having a magnetically operated plunger switch. The compact nature of the sensor of the present invention makes it ideal for being substantially concealing into a door frame or window as part of a wireless security system. The sensor unit includes a housing having an inner end, an outer end, and a magnet positioned within a moveable plunger, and an antenna, preferably a flexible wire antenna. The housing further contains a sensor switch, a microprocessor with a PCB, a wireless transmitter, such as an RF transmitter, and a power source, such as a small coin cell battery, for emitting signals to a master station or controller when the plunger switch is depressed and activates the internal sensor switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ion Digital LLP
    Inventors: Dean David Schebel, Julian P. Carlson, Russell E. Vandevanter
  • Patent number: 8653973
    Abstract: Provided is a device for deterring purchase-wear-return of merchandise, particularly women's dresses, by a consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventors: Payam Moradian, Amos Tabibian
  • Patent number: 8653974
    Abstract: An interface device includes an elongated sensor strap having a secured end and an unsecured end opposite to the secured end. The unsecured end of the sensor strap represents a first sensor half, and a second sensor half is adapted to receive the first sensor half/unsecured end to form a sensor link between the two sensor halves. A deployment sensor switch provides an input to a monitoring device for an alarm system. The deployment sensor switch is adapted to reside in an armed state when the first and second sensor halves form a sensor link, but change to an alarm state when the first sensor half and second sensor half are separated to break the sensor link. The sensor strap is sufficiently long to produce a closed loop around a firearm or other object to in a monitored position when the first and second sensor halves are placed together to form the sensor link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: D. Wayne Crook
  • Patent number: 8653975
    Abstract: The present invention encompasses an antenna (12) for use with a radio-frequency identification transponder (10) that performs optimally in free space and near optimally when near a conductive surface. The radio-frequency identification transponder (10) broadly comprises an antenna (12); an integrated circuit (14); a matching circuit (16) interposed between the antenna (12) and integrated circuit (14); and a substrate (18). The antenna (12) is designed with a length so the antenna (12) as a microstrip resonates at a starting frequency and a matching circuit is constructed. The antenna (12) is placed near a conductive surface and the length of the antenna is adjusted until the antenna reactance is approximately the opposite of the integrated circuit reactance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: The University of Kansas
    Inventor: Daniel D. Deavours
  • Patent number: 8653976
    Abstract: There is provided a combination of a portable monitoring device for monitoring a portable drip infusion set for use in hospitals and the like and the portable drip infusion set, preferably being of the type comprising a liquid supply, a drip chamber downstream of the liquid supply for forming liquid drops and a flexible tube connecting the drip chamber with an injection needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Dripmate A/S
    Inventors: Morten Mernoe, Morten Thing
  • Patent number: 8653977
    Abstract: Method and system for providing a fault tolerant data receiver unit configured with a partitioned or separate processing units, each configured to perform a predetermined and/or specific processing associated with the one or more substantially non-overlapping functions of the data monitoring and management system is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher V. Reggiardo, Mark Kent Sloan
  • Patent number: 8653978
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus having a radiation source and a light guide coupled thereto. The temperature of the light guide is monitored along its complete length. If a threshold temperature is exceeded, a switching mechanism will be triggered. The switching mechanism switches off the radiation source or triggers a warning signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Günther Nath
  • Patent number: 8653979
    Abstract: A gas flow warning alarm device to produce an alarm indication when the gas flow rate in a pressurized gas system violates at least one predetermined limit. The alarm device includes a gas flow sensing and error signaling subassembly to generate an error signal upon sensing a violative gas flow rate, and an indicator subassembly activatable by an error signal to produce an alarm indication. The gas flow warning alarm device responds both to the depletion of a pressurized gas reservoir and to blockages and disconnections in a gas line downstream of a regulator. A method for detecting gas flow malfunctions in a pressurized gas system. A reservoir changing device to open a filled reserve reservoir of gas to a pressurized gas system upon receiving an alarm indication that pressure in a primary gas reservoir has fallen below a predetermined limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Valerie A. Obenchain
  • Patent number: 8653980
    Abstract: An alarm for detecting radiation and/or air pollutants such as smoke, carbon monoxide or the like has a control circuit (11) including a microcontroller (12) configured to monitor preselected alarm parameters, and memory means (30, 36, 40) for storing data representing said parameters. The microcontroller (12) has an input/output means (3) connectible both to a preselected voltage level for switching said control circuit between an operational mode and a shutdown mode and to an external processing means for enabling downloading and display of said data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sprue Safety Products Ltd
    Inventors: Peter Brigham, Stuart Hart
  • Patent number: 8653981
    Abstract: A safety device for underwater diving has a sensor for measuring a flow of gas bubbles comprising a belt for fixing and functional coupling to the body of a diver. The flow sensor is linked to a portable computer for utilizing signals from the flow sensor so as to provide an alarm signal if the measured flow level exceeds a predetermined safety threshold and to thus customize a table of decompression stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: BF Systemes
    Inventor: Axel Barbaud
  • Patent number: 8653982
    Abstract: A door assembly includes a first door skin and a second door skin spaced apart from the first door skin. The assembly also includes an energy sensor generating an energy signature signal and a memory storing a door component operating signature. A controller is coupled to the accelerometer and forms a comparison of the energy signature signal to the door component operating signature and generates a door component operation status signal in response to the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Openings
    Inventors: Patricia Yulkowski, Leon Yulkowski, Edward J. Yenni
  • Patent number: 8653983
    Abstract: Provided is a monitoring and control system which, by displaying memo information created by an operator on an arbitrary system screen, can enhance freedom of memo display and fully exhibit the effectiveness of memo information. A memo data operation portion 4 receives an input of memo information from an input device 2, imparts attribute information relating to an arbitrary system screen to the memo information, and outputs this with the memo information to a client-side data management portion 6. A display device 1 displays the memo information on a system screen having attribute information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kingo Koshiishi, Setsuo Tamura, Keiichi Kaneda, Junya Nagata, Yasumasa Watabe
  • Patent number: 8653984
    Abstract: An emergency lighting system for a building includes at least one LED-based light. An emergency detector is operable to detect an emergency. The emergency detector produces an emergency signal in response to the emergency. A controller is operable to control the at least one LED-based light in response to the emergency signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: iLumisys, Inc.
    Inventors: John Ivey, David L Simon
  • Patent number: 8653985
    Abstract: A production shutdown system for an underwater hydrocarbon production facility, comprising, on the topside: a safety system, and a communications module; and, underwater; drive control means, and an underwater communications component; wherein in use safety signals are passed from the safety system to the drive control means via the topside communications module and the underwater communications component, and wherein the safety system and drive control means are rated according to a prescribed safety level but the communications module and underwater communications component are not so rated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Controls Limited
    Inventor: Ian Kent
  • Patent number: 8653986
    Abstract: A method of evaluating the driving behavior in a vehicle. The method includes determining values of a plurality of parameters of the operation of a first vehicle in a first road segment, determining values of the plurality of parameters for one or more second vehicles in a second road segment having similar properties to those of the first road segment, comparing the determined values of the first vehicle and the one or more second vehicles and providing an evaluation of the driving behavior of the first vehicle, responsive to the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Insurance Services Office, Inc.
    Inventors: Asaf Tamir, Ido Topaz
  • Patent number: 8653987
    Abstract: An improved traffic sign is discussed. The traffic sign includes an RFID tag configured to transmit a traffic information to a vehicle-mounted receiver. The traffic information can be associated with a priority. The receiver can be in communication with a vehicle-mounted display, wherein the display displays information selected from received traffic information based on priority, time of receipt, and relevance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: GuessWhat, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick Serex
  • Patent number: 8653988
    Abstract: A lighting chassis and equipment rack apparatus for use with a dual purpose lane control vehicle and pilot vehicle. The lighting chassis provides an apparatus for positioning and supporting a flashing arrow board and traffic control signage above the cab of a vehicle, and provides a system of racks for stowage and access for traffic control equipment. The apparatus is adaptable for use on a wide variety of vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventors: Desiree Legare, Seigfried Flaming
  • Patent number: 8653989
    Abstract: An external adaptive control system and method control a traffic signal controller assembly. The external adaptive control system determines a non-linear schedule with one or more states corresponding to one or more individual phases with each state having a start time and a duration. The external adaptive control system generates presence data for reception by the controller assembly for each state and its associated duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Rhythm Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Reggie J. Chandra, James W. Bley, Stephen S. Penrod, Arthur S. Parker
  • Patent number: 8653990
    Abstract: A method and system for indicating a potential stall condition for an aircraft during flight. An alert lift coefficient is identified for the aircraft. The alert lift coefficient is adjusted in response to a number of changes in a current state of the aircraft. A set of thresholds is identified for use in generating an alert indicating that the aircraft has reached the potential stall condition using the alert lift coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Smyth, IV, Frank J. Lyman
  • Patent number: 8653991
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to achieve high coding efficiency for a companded signal sequence and reduce the amount of codes. A coding method according to the present invention includes an analysis step and a signal sequence transformation step. The analysis step is to check whether or not there is a number that is included in a particular range but does not occur in a second signal sequence (a number sequence that indicates the magnitude (magnitude relationship) of original signals) and output information that indicates the number that does not occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Noboru Harada, Takehiro Moriya, Yutaka Kamamoto
  • Patent number: 8653992
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing the compression of data using a dictionary coding compression system are described. A system performs an initial compression operation, such as by using a dictionary or other coder. The system then refines the compression by performing an iterative backward reference search for an optimized compressed file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Jyrki Antero Alakuijala, Lode Vandevenne
  • Patent number: 8653993
    Abstract: A method for generating occurrence data of data values for enabling encoding of a data set includes determining occurrences of data values in a first data batch and determining occurrence count information for a first number of most frequent data values in the first data batch, the occurrence count information identifying the most frequent data values and their occurrence counts. The method also includes generating for rest of the data values in the first data batch at least a first histogram having a second number of buckets and merging the occurrence count information of the first data batch with occurrence count information of a second data batch. The method further includes merging the first histogram of the first data batch to a merged histogram corresponding to the second data batch and processing a next data batch as a first data batch until the data set to be encoded is processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Bendel, Oliver Draese, Namik Hrle, Tianchao Li
  • Patent number: 8653994
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a system for testing an analog-to-digital converter. The system includes a test pulse source configured to provide a test pulse signal; a test circuit coupled to the test pulse source and configured to provide an analog decaying voltage signal in response to the test pulse signal; and an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the test circuit and configured to convert the analog decaying voltage signal into a digital decaying voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Robert B. Smith
  • Patent number: 8653995
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a compensating for nonlinearity resulting from a capacitance feedback in current cells of a single ended digital to analog circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Mobile Communications GmbH
    Inventor: Franz Kuttner
  • Patent number: 8653996
    Abstract: A sigma-delta analog-to-digital converter (“?? ADC”) may include a loop filter, ADC, a feedback digital-to-analog converter (“DAC”), and a control circuit. The feedback DAC may include several unit elements (resistors, capacitors, or current sources) that, ideally, are identical to each other but vary due to mismatch errors introduced during manufacture. Mismatch errors may introduce signal errors that generate undesirable noise frequencies and non-linearities in a ?? ADC output signal. Embodiments of the present invention provide a stability corrected second order shuffler that allows for the shaping of the frequency response by the ?? ADC to reduce the effect of the mismatch error between DAC unit elements. The second order shuffler may include accumulation correctors, to suppress saturation for accumulators within the shuffler. The suppression may compress the range of accumulation values for each accumulator while maintaining context for the values to stabilize operation of the second order shuffler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel Banarie, Adrian Sherry
  • Patent number: 8653997
    Abstract: A modulator that quantizes a first signal into a quantized signal having a plurality of bits includes an integrator performing sampling on the first signal in a first period, and to integrate a difference between the first signal and a reference signal in a second period; and a quantizer receiving a second signal which is an output of the integrator and operating in synchronization with a first clock having a cycle shorter than the first period, the quantizer generating the quantized signal on the basis of the second signal in the first period and outputting the reference signal on the basis of the quantized signal to the integrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Uichi Sekimoto
  • Patent number: 8653998
    Abstract: A D/A conversion circuit includes a first D/A converting section which is connected with an output node, a first serial capacitor which is disposed between the output node and a first node, a second D/A converting section which is connected with the first node, and a control circuit. The first D/A converting section includes a first capacitor array section and a first switch array section. The second D/A converting section includes a second capacitor array section and a second switch array section. The control circuit performs a switch control for dynamically changing allocation of the capacitors to the respective bits of input digital data for the first switch array section of the first D/A converting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Haneda, Takemi Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 8653999
    Abstract: A current steering Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC), a video adapter including a current steering DAC, and a video circuit including a current steering DAC are described. In one embodiment, a current steering DAC includes multiple DAC unit cells that are connected in parallel with each other. Each of the DAC unit cells includes three output switches connected to a current source. The three output switches are configured to form two differential pairs of switches that are placed in parallel with each other and share a negative output switch of the three output switches. The current steering DAC also includes at least one switch control circuit configured to receive digital input data and to control the three output switches of each of the DAC unit cells to generate differential analog output data based on the digital input data and a current from the current source. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Rene Verlinden
  • Patent number: 8654000
    Abstract: Processing a signal by receiving an analog input signal located outside of a first Nyquist zone that is between 0 and fs/2; passing the analog input signal through an M-channel time-interleaved analog-to-digital converter (TI-ADC) to generate a TI-ADC output signal; and estimating and correcting a timing skew error in the TI-ADC output signal. Alternatively, an electronic circuit that includes an input for an analog input signal, an M-channel time-interleaved analog-to-digital converter (TI-ADC) and a timing skew error estimating and correcting circuitry. The analog input signal is located outside of a first Nyquist zone that is between 0 and fs/2. The TI-ADC receives the analog input signal and generates a TI-ADC output signal. The timing skew error estimating and correcting circuitry estimates and corrects a timing skew error in the TI-ADC output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: IQ-Analog, Inc.
    Inventor: Mikko Waltari
  • Patent number: 8654001
    Abstract: A method for detecting electromagnetic threats to an aircraft, wherein electromagnetic fields are measured, and in the case of an arising threat to the aircraft being detected, countermeasures are taken, characterized by the following steps: measuring the frequency and the amplitude of at least one electromagnetic field in the frequency range from 9 KHz to 40 GHz; analyzing the measured results and determining the field intensity in relation to each measured frequency; comparing the field intensity in relation to each measured frequency with stored limiting values or qualification values, wherein the aircraft is qualified for field intensities that are lower than the limiting values; and providing the result in the form of a warning signal in the case of approaching or exceeding a limiting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Tauber, Wolfgang Kreitmair-Steck, Bernd Wolff
  • Patent number: 8654002
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for monitoring targets on a runway, wherein emitting modules and receiving modules are alternately distributed along each one of longitudinal sides of the runway. Orthogonal signals are emitted in a narrowband by the emitting modules and coherently received in a coherent manner by the receiving modules. An object is detected on the runway on the basis of a distribution of the modules into meshes each including three pairs of neighbouring emitting modules and receiving modules and on the basis of a radio location of the object through triangulation and interferometry in at least one mesh. The modules are also used for analyzing a target moving on the runway, and for monitoring the trajectographies of an air target in the surroundings of the runway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: ONERA (Office National d'Etudes et de Recherche Aerospatiales)
    Inventor: Marc Lesturgie
  • Patent number: 8654003
    Abstract: System and method making it possible to operate in an interrogator mode and/or in a passive listening mode wherein it comprises in combination at least the following elements: an antenna (6) having a given aperture sector, a control means (31) making it possible to toggle the system into a first interrogator operating mode using a first given angle sector or into a second passive listening operating mode using a second angle sector of greater value than the first, means (23) making it possible to add together the signals received on the sum pathway and on the difference pathway of the antenna in the case of the passive listening operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Stéphane Soula, Claude Provost
  • Patent number: 8654005
    Abstract: Methods for resolving radar ambiguities using multiple hypothesis tracking are described. One such method includes (a) choosing a single waveform for each of a plurality of dwells of a first scan, wherein the single waveforms of consecutive scans are different, (b) generating the first scan using the single waveform for each of the dwells of the first scan, (c) receiving observation data as a result of the first scan, the observation data comprising measured positions of true targets and false targets, (d) generating, using multiple hypothesis tracking, position predictions for true targets and false targets, (e) comparing the predicted positions and measured positions, repeating (a)-(e) until a preselected process condition is met, and determining the true targets based on the results of the comparisons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Keian Christopher, Samuel S. Blackman, Robert A. Rosen, Robert J. Dempster
  • Patent number: 8654006
    Abstract: An integrated circuit comprises frequency generation circuitry for controlling a frequency source for an automotive radar system. The frequency generation circuitry comprises a Phase Locked Loop (PLL) arranged to generate a control signal for controlling the frequency source, a fractional-N divider located within a feedback loop of the PLL, and frequency pattern control logic operably coupled to the fractional-N divider and arranged to control the fractional-N divider, by way of a frequency control signal, such that the PLL generates a Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Christophe Landez, Hugues Beaulaton, Thierry Cassagnes, Stephane Colomines, Robert G. Gach, Akbar Ghazinour, Hao Li, Gilles Montoriol, Didier Salle, Pierre Savary
  • Patent number: 8654007
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the general field of radar tracking applied to multi-static radar systems. It consists of a method for coherently merging the individual tracks generated from the various bistatic bases that make up the system so as to generate and maintain global tracks so that an object detected by a single bistatic base is represented by the corresponding track and an object detected by a number of bistatic bases and giving rise to the creation of a number of individual tracks is represented only by a single global track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Sébastien Allam, Emmanuel De Gramont, Wilfried Greverie, Jean-Claude Deltour, Mathieu Klein
  • Patent number: 8654008
    Abstract: A method of providing automatic frequency control pull-in for efficient receipt of GLONASS bits is described. This method can include first determining whether a channel noise (CNo) is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. When the CNo is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the pull-in can be performed using a first series of predetection integration periods (PDIs) with activated decision-directed flips (DDFs) until a 20 ms boundary of a GLONASS data bit is found. When the CNo is less than the predetermined value, the pull-in can be performed using a second series of PDIs with always deactivated DDFs. A similar method of providing automatic frequency control pull-in for efficient receipt of GPS bits is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Hao Zhou, Qinfang Sun
  • Patent number: 8654009
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for using ephemeris data in GNSS receivers and systems are provided. Receivers using synthetic ephemeris data for longer ephemeris availability under poor reception conditions are updated using a variety of techniques that allow for the transfer of accurate information onto degraded synthetic ephemeris information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Lionel Garin, Pramod Gupta, Sai Pradeep Venkatraman
  • Patent number: 8654010
    Abstract: In one of its aspects the technology concerns a method of determining a position of a wireless terminal in a radio access network using information of the travel time of radio waves between a base station and the wireless terminal, the travel time information being retrieved in a way consistent with SUPL positioning. The method comprises performing, at the wireless terminal, a time of arrival measurement for a respective downlink radio frame received from a node associated with a cell of a radio access network. The method thereafter uses the time of arrival measurement and an estimated time of downlink transmission from the node to make a determination of a distance between the wireless terminal and the node. The distance so determined can be used to generate an ellipsoid arc for describing a round trip time positioning of the wireless terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Torbjörn Wigren