Patents Issued in January 12, 2017
  • Publication number: 20170013359
    Abstract: In a one-to-many audio wireless transmission system in which a plurality of speaker devices on an audio reception side are provided with respect to one source device, in a case where an error has occurred in a certain speaker device, a possibility of the same error occurring in other speaker devices is reduced. A speaker device (2a, 2b) includes an error detection unit (23) which detects an error regarding sound output and transmits error information which is information regarding an error detected by the error detection unit (23) to a source device (1) by using wireless communication. The source device (1) transmits an operation request corresponding to the error information by using wireless communication to speaker devices other than the speaker device which has transmitted the error information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Yasuhiro RIN, Mamoru ODA
  • Publication number: 20170013360
    Abstract: A multifunctional earphone system for sports activities is described which comprises the following: a first apparatus configured to be carried in one of a user's ears, the first apparatus comprising a first data communication unit and a first loudspeaker, and a second apparatus configured to be carried in the user's other ear, the second apparatus comprising a second data communication unit and a second loudspeaker, wherein at least one of the first apparatus and the second apparatus comprises a sensor unit and a data processing unit, wherein the data processing unit is configured to generate performance data based on measurement data acquired by the sensor unit, wherein the first apparatus further comprises a signal processing unit configured to generate a binaural audio signal based on the performance data, the binaural audio signal comprising a first signal part to be output by the first loudspeaker and a second signal part to be output by the second loudspeaker, and wherein the first data communication un
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventor: Nikolaj Hviid
  • Publication number: 20170013361
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to microphones diaphragms. In one embodiment, a sensor comprising a diaphragm comprised of a composition having a plurality of individual graphene sheets. An emitter formed in a manner to transmit lights towards a surface of the diaphragm. A collector that captures at least a portion of light that is reflected by the diaphragm. A converter is in communication with the detector that converts a signal that is generated by the sensor to a digital signal for processing. The graphene-based composition includes graphene sheets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: VORBECK MATERIALS CORP.
    Inventors: JOHN S. LETTOW, DAN F. SCHEFFER, KENNETH E. FRITSCH
  • Publication number: 20170013362
    Abstract: A multi-diaphragm speaker system comprises a speaker apparatus and a front/rear cavity sealing apparatus. The speaker apparatus comprises at least four diaphragms. Cavities of the speaker apparatus are formed between every two adjacent diaphragms of the speaker apparatus. The cavities that are spaced apart from each other jointly form a first acoustic cavity of the speaker apparatus. The cavities adjacent to the first acoustic cavity form a second acoustic cavity of the speaker apparatus. The first acoustic cavity and the second acoustic cavity are separated via the front/rear cavity sealing apparatus. Utilization of the present utility model solves the problem of speaker front/rear cavity separation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Chao JIANG, Jianbin YANG, Zhi LI
  • Publication number: 20170013363
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical microphone has a stationary region or another type of mechanically supported region that can mitigate or avoid mechanical instabilities in the microelectromechanical microphone. The stationary region can be formed in a diaphragm of the microelectromechanical microphone by rigidly attaching, via a rigid dielectric member, an inner portion of the diaphragm to a backplate of the microelectromechanical microphone. The rigid dielectric member can extend between the backplate and the diaphragm. In certain embodiments, the dielectric member can be hollow, forming a shell that is centrosymmetric or has another type of symmetry. In other embodiments, the dielectric member can define a core-shell structure, where an outer shell of a first dielectric material defines an inner opening filled with a second dielectric material. Multiple dielectric members can rigidly attach the diaphragm to the backplate. An extended dielectric member can rigidly attach a non-planar diaphragm to a backplate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Renata Melamud BERGER, Sushil BHARATAN, Thomas CHEN
  • Publication number: 20170013364
    Abstract: A micromechanical sound transducer system and a corresponding manufacturing method, in which the micromechanical sound transducer system includes a substrate having a front side and a back side, the substrate having a through opening extending between the back side and the front side, and a coil configuration on the front side having a coil axis, which runs essentially parallel to the front side, the coil configuration covering the through opening at least partially. Also provided is a magnet device, which is situated so as to allow for an axial magnetic flux to be generated through the coil configuration. The coil configuration has a winding device which has at least first winding sections made from at least one layer of a low-dimensional conductive material, the coil configuration being configured to inductively detect and/or generate sound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Christoph SCHELLING, Michael STUMBER, Benedikt STEIN, Theresa LUTZ, Rolf SCHEBEN
  • Publication number: 20170013365
    Abstract: A diaphragm and suspension edge includes inner and suspension edge portions. The inner suspension edge portion includes an inner suspension edge body, and one or more inner side elastic ribs protruding relative to the inner suspension edge body. Each inner side elastic rib forms a bulge on a first side of the inner suspension edge portion, and forms a flute on the opposite side. The outer suspension edge portion includes an outer suspension edge body, and one or more outer side elastic ribs protruding relative to the outer suspension edge body. Each outer side elastic rib forms a protrusion on a first side of the outer suspension edge portion, and forms a groove on the opposite side. The suspension edge restricts the displacement direction of the vibration unit of a speaker in the axial vibration direction thereof to prevent offset of the vibration unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventor: Hsinmin HUANG
  • Publication number: 20170013366
    Abstract: An acoustic transducer includes a first acoustic module and a second acoustic module. The first acoustic module includes a first motor, a first rod driven by the first motor, and a first vibrating plate connected to the first rod and vibrating. The second acoustic module includes a second motor, a second rod driven by the second motor, and a second vibrating plate connected to the second rod and vibrating. The first rod and the second rod are coaxially with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gyeong-tae LEE, Jong-bae KIM, Sung-ha SON
  • Publication number: 20170013367
    Abstract: A speaker comprises at least four diaphragms, inner connecting rods, outer connecting rods, and a cavity sealing housing. Diaphragms spaced apart from each other respectively form a set of diaphragms. The two sets of diaphragms move relative to each other. Connecting points are provided on rigid domes of each of the diaphragms. The inner connecting rods are connected to the diaphragms via the connecting points on the domes. The inner connecting rods respectively connected to the two sets of diaphragms are connected one to another via different outer connecting rods. Cavities of the speaker are formed between adjacent diaphragms. Cavities spaced apart from each other jointly form a front acoustic cavity. The cavities adjacent to the front acoustic cavity form a rear acoustic cavity. The cavity sealing housing seals the front acoustic cavity/rear acoustic cavity, thus allowing separation of the front and rear acoustic cavities of the speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Chao JIANG, Jianbin YANG, Zhi LI
  • Publication number: 20170013368
    Abstract: Apparatus for generating a target physical effect, at least one attribute of which corresponds to at least one characteristic of a digital input signal sampled periodically, the apparatus comprising a multiplicity of electrostatic actuator elements, each comprising a moving element moving between first and second electrodes, the multiplicity of electrostatic actuator elements including Nr first subsets (R-subsets) of actuator elements and Nc second subsets (C-subsets) of actuator elements, wherein a first partitioning of the multiplicity of actuator elements yields the Nr first subsets (R-subsets) and a second partitioning of the multiplicity of actuator elements yields the Nc second subsets (C-subsets); a first plurality of Nr electrical connections (R-wires) interconnecting the moving elements of actuator elements in each R-subset, such that the moving element of any actuator element in each individual R-subset is electrically connected to the moving elements of all other actuator elements in the individual
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Eric Andreas HABER, Daniel LEWIN, Shay KAPLAN, Meir BEN SIMON, Yuval COHEN
  • Publication number: 20170013369
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method (350) comprising: (i) receiving, at a processing device (310), charge data (120) from a charging unit (200) via a network (110), the charging unit including a charger (210) and the charge data including a charge capacity indicating an amount of charge delivered to a battery (202) during a most recent charging session and a device (20) usage time indicating an amount of time that the battery was off the charger during a period preceding the most recent charging session; (ii) determining, at the processing device, an average discharge rate of the battery based on previously received charge data corresponding to the battery; (iii) determining, at the processing device, an estimated state of charge (130) of the battery based on the average discharge rate; and (iv) providing, at the processing device, the estimated state of charge to a user device (400) for display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: ZPOWER, LLC.
    Inventors: Troy W. Renken, Timothy W. Powers
  • Publication number: 20170013370
    Abstract: A method operates a hearing device system that contains a hearing device and a database system, which is separate from the hearing device and is set up for communication with the hearing device. The method includes ascertaining a piece of location information for a current position of the hearing device and the location information is transmitted to the database. The database then ascertains whether an electronic device that is separate from the hearing device is situated at a prescribed physical distance from the hearing device. The presence of the separate electronic device within the prescribed physical distance is taken as a basis by the database system for creating for the hearing device a parameter set that contains a number of parameters pertaining to the signal processing of audible signals in the hearing device. This parameter set is used by the hearing device for the purpose of signal processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: ROBERT BAEUML, MATTHIAS FROEHLICH, SIMON HUETTINGER, BERND TESSENDORF
  • Publication number: 20170013371
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to binaural hearing instruments and more particularly to reduction of processing time required in a binaural hearing aid system. According to the disclosure, there is provided a method comprising mono-directional transmission of data blocks comprising audio and/or information frames from one hearing instrument to the other hearing instrument or vice versa in a binaural hearing aid. According to the disclosure, the direction of transmission is determined by a quantity characterizing the presence of usable information content in the sound signal picked up by the hearing instruments of the binaural hearing aid. It is proposed to use one or more of local SNR, local voice activity detection indication, local level, local speech intelligibility estimate to determine the direction of transmission, although other quantities may be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: Oticon A/S
    Inventors: Michael Syskind PEDERSEN, Jesper JENSEN
  • Publication number: 20170013372
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and devices for remotely-processing one or more audio signals received at a hearing device. An example method includes a hearing device receiving from a media device a command to send to the media device an audio signal. Responsive to at least the command, the method includes the hearing device sending to the media device the audio signal. The method also includes the hearing device receiving from the media device a remotely-processed signal. Data included in the remotely-processed signals is based on audio data included in the audio signal. Based on at least the remotely-processed signal, the method includes the hearing device generating a stimulation signal and using the stimulation signal to deliver at least one stimulus to a recipient of the hearing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Goorevich, Martin Hillbratt
  • Publication number: 20170013373
    Abstract: In a method for signal processing in a hearing device, an acoustic noise signal is received by a microphone of the hearing device and processed by a signal processing unit of the hearing device for output to a hearing device user. An electromagnetic information signal is received by a receiving unit of the hearing device. From this information signal, a piece of information about an acoustic interference signal which is contained in the acoustic noise signal is derived. This piece of information is taken into account during the processing of the acoustic noise signal for reducing the acoustic interference signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: BERND TESSENDORF, SIMON HUETTINGER, MATTHIAS FROEHLICH, ROBERT BAEUML
  • Publication number: 20170013374
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to detachable speaker units for hearing aid devices, and the hearing aid devices having detachable speaker units. The detachable speaker unit have at least an output transducer for providing a signal perceivable as sound to a user. The detachable speaker unit includes a memory unit storing information relating to characteristics of the output capabilities of the detachable speaker unit, such as transfer function of output transducer and/or transfer function of the entire, or parts of, assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: OTICON A/S
    Inventors: Jan Thor Lunddahl LARSEN, Franz TREUE, Bent SEVERIN
  • Publication number: 20170013375
    Abstract: A spacer attached to or being configured to be attached to a pull-out string for a hearing device is disclosed. The spacer comprises a contact portion adapted for being brought into contact with the wall of the ear canal of a hearing device user and hereby maintain the pull-out string in a distance from the wall of the ear canal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: OTICON A/S
    Inventor: Poul HENRIKSEN
  • Publication number: 20170013376
    Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for managing audio output through an intermediary. In some embodiments, an audio controller emulates a direct connection between an audio source device and an audio output device. In other embodiments, audio content local to an audio controller is combined with other audio content passing through the audio controller on its way from an audio source device to an audio output device. In additional embodiments, an audio output device is locked to an audio controller. The lock survives power cycling and soft resets of the audio output device. A special hard reset can be used to release the audio output device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Jeremy Bruce Warren, Jeffrey Glenn Thomas
  • Publication number: 20170013377
    Abstract: A micro speaker is disclosed. The micro speaker includes a vibration system including a diaphragm and a voice coil for driving the diaphragm, the diaphragm including a conductive dome a suspension surrounding the conductive dome; a magnetic circuit system including a lower plate, a first magnetic part on the lower plate, a second magnetic part on the lower plate, a pole plate attached to the first magnetic part, one of the first and second magnetic part being a permanent magnet for forming a magnetic gap; a capacitor formed by the conductive dome and the pole plate for outputting electrical signals according to vibrations of the diaphragm and for detecting real-time replacement of the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: AAC Technologies Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Yang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20170013378
    Abstract: A micro speaker is disclosed. The micro speaker includes a diaphragm and a voice coil for driving the diaphragm, the diaphragm including a conductive dome a suspension surrounding the conductive dome; a conductive front cover located adjacent to and keeping a distance from the conductive dome; and a capacitor formed by the conductive dome and the conductive front cover for outputting electrical signals according to vibrations of the diaphragm and for detecting real-time replacement of the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: AAC Technologies Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Yang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20170013379
    Abstract: A micro speaker is disclosed. The micro speaker includes a vibration system including a diaphragm and a voice coil for driving the diaphragm, the diaphragm including a conductive dome and a suspension surrounding the conductive dome; a magnetic circuit system including a lower plate, a first magnetic part on the lower plate, a second magnetic part on the lower plate, a pole plate attached to the first magnetic part, one of the first and second magnetic part being a permanent magnet for forming a magnetic gap. The conductive dome includes a number of units for forming capacitors together with the pole plate for outputting electrical signals according to vibrations of the diaphragm and for detecting real-time replacement of the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: AAC Technologies Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Yang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20170013380
    Abstract: A micro speaker is disclosed. The micro speaker includes a diaphragm and a voice coil for driving the diaphragm, the diaphragm including a conductive dome and a suspension surrounding the conductive dome, the conductive dome including a plurality of units being isolated from each other; a conductive front cover located adjacent to and keeping a distance from the conductive dome, the conductive front cover including a plurality of units being isolated from each other; and a plurality of capacitors formed by the units of conductive front cover and the units of the conductive dome for outputting electrical signals according to vibrations of the diaphragm and for detecting real-time replacement of the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: AAC Technologies Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Yang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20170013381
    Abstract: A micro speaker is disclosed. The micro speaker includes a diaphragm and a voice coil for driving the diaphragm, the diaphragm including a conductive dome and a suspension surrounding the conductive dome, the conductive dome including a plurality of units being isolated from each other; a conductive front cover located adjacent to and keeping a distance from the conductive dome; and a plurality of capacitors formed by the units of conductive dome and the conductive front cover for outputting electrical signals according to vibrations of the diaphragm and for detecting real-time replacement of the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: AAC Technologies Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Yang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20170013382
    Abstract: A micro speaker is disclosed. The micro speaker includes a diaphragm and a voice coil for driving the diaphragm, the diaphragm including a conductive dome and a suspension surrounding the conductive dome; a conductive front cover located adjacent to and keeping a distance from the conductive dome, the conductive front cover including a plurality of units being isolated from each other; and a plurality of capacitors formed by the units of conductive front cover and the conductive dome for outputting electrical signals according to vibrations of the diaphragm and for detecting real-time replacement of the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: AAC Technologies Pte. Ltd.,
    Inventor: Yang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20170013383
    Abstract: A micro speaker is disclosed. The micro speaker includes a vibration system including a diaphragm and a voice coil for driving the diaphragm, the diaphragm including a conductive dome a suspension surrounding the conductive dome; a magnetic circuit system including a lower plate, a first magnetic part on the lower plate, a second magnetic part on the lower plate, a pole plate attached to the first magnetic part and including a plurality of units, one of the first and second magnetic part being a permanent magnet for forming a magnetic gap; capacitors formed by the conductive dome and the units of the pole plate for outputting electrical signals according to vibrations of the diaphragm and for detecting real-time replacement of the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: AAC Technologies Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Yang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20170013384
    Abstract: A system that enhances upon current stereo audio wireless transmission/reception solutions by converting stereo audio to monaural audio and adding remote control functionality configured to appear as audio thus eliminating the need for additional digital wireless channels or resources. Namely—Audio plus Remote Control System (ARCS).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: ARTHUR F. SEYMOUR, James Paul Seymour
  • Publication number: 20170013385
    Abstract: Systems and methods of simulating acoustic output at a location corresponding to source position data are disclosed. A particular method includes receiving an audio signal and source position data associated with the audio signal. A set of speaker signals are applied to a plurality of speakers, where the set of speaker driver signals causes the plurality of speakers to generate acoustic output that simulates output of the audio signal by an audio source at a location corresponding to the source position data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: JEFFERY R. VAUTIN, MICHAEL S. DUBLIN
  • Publication number: 20170013386
    Abstract: An audio system includes a plurality of speakers and an audio signal processor. The audio signal processor receives an audio signal and source position data associated with the audio signal; and applies a set of speaker driver signals to the plurality of speakers. The set of speaker driver signals causes the plurality of speakers to generate acoustic output that simulates output of the audio signal by an audio source at a location corresponding to the source position data in each of a plurality of discrete acoustic areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: BOSE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffery R. Vautin, Michael S. Dublin, Charles Oswald
  • Publication number: 20170013387
    Abstract: The present document relates to the field of encoding and decoding of audio. In particular, the present document relates to encoding and decoding of an audio scene comprising audio objects. A method (400) for encoding metadata relating to plurality of audio objects (106a) of an audio scene (102) is described. The metadata comprises a first set (114, 314) of metadata and a second set (104) of metadata. The first and second sets (104, 114, 314) of metadata comprise one or more data elements which are indicative of a property of an audio object (106a) from the plurality of audio objects (106a) and/or of a downmix signal (112) derived from the plurality of audio objects (106a). The method (400) comprises identifying (401) a redundant data element which is common to the first and second sets (104, 114, 314) of metadata.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: Dolby International AB
    Inventors: Christof FERSCH, Heiko PURNHAGEN, Jens POPP, Martin WOLTERS
  • Publication number: 20170013388
    Abstract: An apparatus for playing back an audio object associated with a position includes a distance calculator for calculating distances of the position to speakers or for reading the distances of the position to the speakers. The distance calculator is configured to take a solution with a smallest distance. The apparatus is configured to play back the audio object using the speaker corresponding to the solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Simone FUEG, Jan PLOGSTIES, Max NEUENDORF, Juergen HERRE, Bernhard GRILL
  • Publication number: 20170013389
    Abstract: A control apparatus comprises a first obtaining unit configured to obtain a result of sound collection performed by a sound collection apparatus that collects a measurement signal as a sound, the measurement signal being output from an output apparatus; a detection unit configured to detect a position of the output apparatus or the sound collection apparatus relative to a measurement-subject person; and a second obtaining unit configured to obtain a head-related transfer function of the measurement-subject person based on the result of sound collection obtained by the first obtaining unit and the position detected by the detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventor: Kyohei Kitazawa
  • Publication number: 20170013390
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present specification provides a method for receiving a downlink control channel by a machine type communication (MTC) device. The method comprises: a step of receiving, by the downlink control channel, setting information about the maximum number of physical resource blocks (PRBs) which can be transmitted by a base station; a step of receiving, by the MTC device, setting information about a set of control channel monitoring PRBs which should monitor the downlink control channel; and a step of monitoring the downlink control channel on the PRBs according to the setting information about the set of control channel monitoring PRBs, wherein if the number of sets of control channel monitoring PRBs exceeds the maximum number of PRBs, the downlink control channel may be monitored only on the sets of PRBs equal to or less than the maximum number of PRBs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Hyangsun YOU, Suckchel YANG, Yunjung YI, Joonkui AHN
  • Publication number: 20170013391
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communications and more specifically to search space configuration in systems utilizing devices with limited communications resources, such as machine type communication (MTC) devices and enhanced MTC (eMTC) devices. An example method generally includes receiving a physical random access channel (PRACH) signal from a first user equipment (UE) on a first narrowband region within a wider system bandwidth and transmitting, in response to the PRACH signal, a random access response (RAR) signal in a first search space in a second narrowband region in at least a first subframe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Alberto RICO ALVARINO, Wanshi CHEN, Hao XU
  • Publication number: 20170013392
    Abstract: A wireless control device includes a power source, one or more sensors, one or more switches, a wireless transceiver circuit, an antenna connected to the wireless transceiver circuit, and a processor communicably coupled to the power source, the one or more sensors, the one or more switches, and the wireless transceiver circuit. The processor receives a data from the one or more sensors or the one or more switches, determines a pre-defined action associated with the data that identifies one or more external devices and one or more tasks, and transmits one or more control signals via the wireless transceiver circuit and the antenna that instruct the identified external device(s) to perform the identified task(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Swapnil Bora, Corey Egan, Qinghui Tang
  • Publication number: 20170013393
    Abstract: Disclosed is an operation method for an input device having a Bluetooth module, where the input device is a peripheral device of a computer. The operation method includes the following steps: a Bluetooth module of the input device connecting to and communicating with a Bluetooth module of a smart watch or a smart phone via a Bluetooth communication protocol; when the input device and the smart watch or the smart phone are close and perform a same operation, the Bluetooth module of the input device receiving data via the Bluetooth module of the smart watch or the smart phone, where the data is produced when an operation of the smart watch or the smart phone is sensed by at least one sensor of the smart watch or the smart phone; and a microprocessor of the input device storing the data received by the Bluetooth module of the input device in a memory of the input device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventor: Yuan Jung CHANG
  • Publication number: 20170013394
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detection disturbances of movement and light for semi-secure items via a bluetooth enabled ‘chip’ which will alert a cellular device within range of any changes via 1) gyroscope and 2) photocell or other light measuring device. Data collection from the device is started by pressing a button, after which a ten second period is afforded to place the device in location to be monitored. Upon the completion of the ten seconds, the device will take a ‘fingerprint’ of current conditions (light, position) and enter low energy state. If no environmental changes have been observed, the device will register a message indicating such on the cellular device once the cellular device comes in range. If environmental changes have been made, the device will indicate the disturbance type (light and/or movement) as well as the time the disturbance(s) occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventor: Nathan Gregory Deeds
  • Publication number: 20170013395
    Abstract: A data communication device includes: a computation unit and data unit which includes a first radio communication module for wireless data exchange with an external radio device or is connected to the first radio communication module, a second radio communication module which communicates wirelessly with the external radio device, and a memory that stores identification data from the first radio communication module. The first radio communication module is operated in a receiving mode in which the first radio communication module is not detectable by the external radio device. Upon receiving identification data for the first radio communication module from the external radio device, the first radio communication module can establish a connection and for subsequent data exchange with the external radio device. The second radio communication module is operated in standby mode in which the second radio communication module waits for a communication query from the external radio device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Christian WEHRLE, Andreas GÖGGELMANN
  • Publication number: 20170013396
    Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus including a transmission control unit configured to, when first carrier information indicating that no carrier is detected is acquired from a communication control apparatus capable of performing contactless communication using a carrier with an external apparatus, control a timing at which the acquired first carrier information is transmitted to a transmission object configured to execute a predetermined process according to the first carrier information. The transmission control unit transmits the first carrier information to the transmission object when a set waiting time has elapsed after the first carrier information was acquired. The transmission control unit does not transmit the first carrier information to the transmission object when second carrier information indicating that the carrier is detected is acquired before the waiting time has elapsed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: YASUO TAKEUCHI
  • Publication number: 20170013397
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus uses a display device to provide display information. The information processing apparatus includes processing circuitry configured to store information relating to a position of an output device that outputs information relating to the output device, and information relating to the display device corresponding to the position of the output device; receive information of a transmission source and the information of the output device acquired by the transmission source, from the transmission source capable of communicating with the information processing apparatus; identify a position of the transmission source, based on the received information; and control the display device corresponding to the position of the transmission source to display the display information, according to the information of the transmission source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiko ITOH
  • Publication number: 20170013398
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for scanning, by an asset tag manager during a scanning window, for wireless broadcasts from beacon devices. The method further filters the wireless broadcasts to generate a subset of the wireless broadcasts. The method continues by identifying, within the subset of the wireless broadcasts, a first wireless broadcast with a first data packet in view of an indication that a first beacon device is within a specified distance from the asset tag manager. The method proceeds by parsing the first data packet to locate a first beacon identifier associated with a first beacon device. The method also creates a second data packet with the first beacon identifier and an asset tag identifier associated with the asset. The method transmits a second wireless broadcast comprising the second data packet, the second wireless broadcast to be received by a hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventor: Arlow Farrell
  • Publication number: 20170013399
    Abstract: A device for supporting wireless communication is provided. The device includes a transceiver, an antenna, and a radio frequency (RF) front end system communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the antenna. The RF front end system may include: a RF sampling block coupled to the transceiver and configured to sample signals received from the transceiver and output voltage signals; a RF switching logic coupled to the RF sampling block to receive the voltage signals and configured to switch the front end RF system between a transmitting mode and a receiving mode; a RF transmission gain block coupled to the RF switching logic and configured to increase a transmission power of the signals received from the transceiver; and a RF receiving gain block coupled to the RF switching logic and configured to remove noise signals contained in radio frequency signals received from the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Kunpeng Zhang, Fuyong ZHAO
  • Publication number: 20170013400
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing location-specific services. A mobile device may receive from a broadcasting unit, geographic data corresponding to a service region associated with the broadcasting unit, with the geographic data defining a three-dimensional geographic space. A current three-dimensional geographic position of the mobile receiving device may be determined in the mobile receiving device; and based on the current three-dimensional geographic position of the mobile receiving device, presence of the mobile receiving device in the three-dimensional geographic space may be determined. A service provided in the three-dimensional geographic space may then be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventor: Rudolf Ritter
  • Publication number: 20170013401
    Abstract: Location information of first and second mobile terminals may be received at an application server. Location information may include a cellular position and/or a Wi-Fi access point identifier. It is determined whether the first mobile terminal is in a same short-range wireless transmission area as the second mobile terminal based on a comparison of the first location information with the second location information. An instruction is sent to the first mobile terminal instructing the first mobile terminal to send a notification addressed to the second mobile terminal using a short-range wireless transmission protocol responsive to a determination that the first mobile terminal is in the same short-range wireless transmission area as the second mobile terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventor: HÃ¥kan JONSSON
  • Publication number: 20170013402
    Abstract: Localizing a location of a mobile device may be performed by obtaining times of flights between the mobile device and an access point at a first and second location. A heading of the mobile device and a distance between the first and second location may be further obtained. The times of flight, heading, and distance may be used to localize the second location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Souvik SEN, Jung Gun LEE, Alexander Timothy MARIAKAKIS
  • Publication number: 20170013403
    Abstract: A distance estimate between two nodes may be determined from a path loss exponent and a direct path energy estimate. The direct path energy estimate may be determined from channel state information of a packet received from one of the nodes. The path loss exponent may be determined from the direct path energy estimate and a received signal strength indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: Hewlett Packard Emterprise Development LP
    Inventor: Souvik Sen
  • Publication number: 20170013404
    Abstract: A system for providing wireless telecommunications services to mobile devices includes structure and functionality for location-based services, and includes both server and client/mobile device apparatuses. One apparatus includes a data store storing at least a first record associated with a first wireless device or a second record associated with a second wireless device. A computer is coupled to the data store and is configured to receive a request from the first wireless device to obtain location information associated with the second wireless device. The computer is configured to receive a change location privileges request, and to update the first or second records in the data store based on the received change request. Other apparatuses provide additional structures and functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Brian Wilson, Krishna Bhuyan, Jacob Feinstein
  • Publication number: 20170013405
    Abstract: Methods and systems for communicating inferred information to a wireless device user are disclosed. A method comprises determining a location of the wireless device and a time of day at the location of the wireless device inferring an interest of the wireless device user and transmitting data to said device; wherein said data is related to the inferred interest of the wireless device user. A method also comprises inferring the interest of the wireless device user based upon the devices vicinity to at least one business entity. Another method comprises transmitting information to the wireless device user that is related to the business in which the wireless device user is in the vicinity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Kannan Srinivasan, Michael I. Shamos
  • Publication number: 20170013406
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes a buffer management system tracking a geographic location of a mobile computing device while the mobile computing device receives streaming content by way of a network; determining, based on the tracked geographic location, that the mobile computing device is approaching a geographic area designated as having a network connectivity level that is below a predetermined threshold; and dynamically increasing, in response to determining that the mobile computing device is approaching the geographic area and based on the tracked geographic location of the mobile computing device, a size of a buffer maintained by the mobile computing device and used to present the streaming content by way of the mobile computing device. Corresponding systems and methods are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Michael R. Oliver, Siddharth Chitnis, Akshaya Trivedi
  • Publication number: 20170013407
    Abstract: A mobile device adjusts the extents to which it depends on various satellites to estimate its global position based on the predicted probability for each such satellite that a ray extending from that satellite to the mobile device is obstructed by a building. The mobile device can predict the probabilities of building obstructions based on a digital model of the environment in which the mobile device is estimated to be. The mobile device weights the extent of uncertainty for each satellite's global positioning data based on the predicted probability of obstruction for that satellite. Using these weighted uncertainties, the mobile device selects the extents to which it relies on each satellite's global positioning data when estimating the mobile device's current global position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Glenn D. MacGougan, Robert W. Mayor, Kumar Chhokra
  • Publication number: 20170013408
    Abstract: A predictive modelling system for predicting location data from user textual data comprising: an input for receiving user data, the user data comprising user textual data and location data; a pre-processing module arranged to correlate user textual data with location data to form a set of correlated data; a training module arranged to use the set of correlated data to train a machine learning algorithm such that the algorithm is arranged to output predicted location data from an input textual query.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Adam Grzywaczewski, Lech Birek, Adam Gelencser