Abstract: A system and method are described for securing a vehicle. For example, one embodiment of a method comprises: generating a secret related to a radio frequency (RF) signal characteristic to be transmitted by a key fob; securely sharing the secret between a vehicle and a wireless key fob; periodically transmitting a ping signal from the vehicle in a locked or inactive state; receiving a response ping signal to the ping signal, the response ping signal transmitted by the key fob; identifying at least a first RF signal characteristic associated with the response ping signal; determining whether the first RF signal characteristic is valid based on the secret; unlocking and/or activating the vehicle upon determining that the first RF signal characteristic is valid; and maintaining the locked or inactive state and/or requiring additional authentication if the first RF signal characteristic is invalid.

Abstract: Endoscopic systems and methods that provide wireless power transmission from a camera head to at least one solid-state light source housed in an endoscopic device. The endoscopic systems and methods employ a multi-stage electromagnetic induction coupling mechanism that can wirelessly transfer power from the camera head to an endocoupler, as well as from the endocoupler to the solid-state light source, while allowing axial rotational motion of at least the camera head, the endocoupler, and/or the endoscopic device relative to one another.

Abstract: An audio playing apparatus and an audio transmission circuit are provided. The audio playing apparatus includes a first audio connector, a second audio connector, a player, and an audio transmission circuit. The second audio connector has a different interface specification than an interface specification of the first audio connector. The audio transmission circuit is coupled to the first audio connector, the second audio connector and the player. The audio transmission circuit detects a power pin of the first audio connector and a power pin of the second audio connector to obtain a determination result, and selects one of the first audio connector and the second audio connector as a target connector according to the determination result, so as to transmit an audio signal associated with the target connector to the player.

Abstract: Disclosed are an electronic device and a method for controlling the same, where the electronic device that includes an earphone connector including first and second contacts associated with a sound output through an audio plug, a third contact connected to a ground terminal, and a fourth contact associated with a sound input, and a microphone. The method includes applying a bias voltage to the fourth contact, measuring a voltage between the third and fourth contacts, measuring an impedance between at least one of the first or second contact and the third contact, activating the microphone when the measured voltage is greater than or equal to a first threshold value and the measured impedance is less than or equal to a second threshold value, and deactivating the microphone when the measured voltage is greater than or equal to the first threshold value and the measured impedance exceeds the second threshold value.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a system for securely establishing a connection between a key and a receiver within or connected to, a vehicle such as, but not limited to, a car/motorized vehicle, a boat/vessel or a house. The key establishes contact to the receiver by sending a radio transmission. The receiver will respond, upon receipt of incoming transmission, with a message containing a pattern of multiple (2 or more) frequencies the key must transmit information on sequentially to allow for the receiver to do certain actions based on information transmitted by the key such as, but not limited to, turning on ignition, starting engine, switching relays.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a method for multi-purpose user-definable wireless channel operation. The method comprises wirelessly receiving switch state information from a first wireless media device. The switch state information indicates a current switch position of a first switch corresponding to the first wireless media device. The method further comprises wirelessly receiving signals from the first wireless media device, and selectively routing the signals to one of multiple pre-determined destinations based on the switch state information and a first signal routing table corresponding to the first wireless media device. The first signal routing table maps different switch positions of the first switch to different pre-determined destinations of the multiple pre-determined destinations.

Abstract: An electronic device may comprise audio processing circuitry and a first connector having a first contact and a second contact. In a first mode of operation, the audio processing circuitry is configured to output one or more audio signals carrying music and/or voice via the first contact and the second contact. In a second mode of operation, the audio processing circuitry is configured to output a signal for delivering supply current via the first contact and the second contact. While the electronic device is in the first mode of operation, a gain and/or volume limit of the audio processing circuitry may be set to a first level, and while the electronic device is in the second mode of operation, the gain and/or volume limit of the audio processing circuitry may be set to a second level that is higher than the first level.

Abstract: A signal analyzer comprises: a first tuner configured to tune to a first frequency band and to output first tuner data; a memory device configured to store the first tuner data; a spectrum calculator configured to calculate a series of spectra for the first tuner data; a processor configured to determine a presence of a transmission of interest within the first tuner data based on the series of spectra; a second tuner configured to receive the first tuner data stored in the memory device and to tune to a second frequency band including the transmission of interest. The second tuner outputs second tuner data in response to the stored first tuner data. The signal analyzer also comprises a transmission start time detector configured to receive the second tuner data and to determine a start time for the transmission of interest from the second tuner data.

Abstract: A remote control system includes a mobile device and a receiver connected to a control target. The mobile device includes an input unit accepting user's input operation; an operation signal transmission unit wirelessly transmitting an operation signal corresponding to the input operation during the input operation; a frequency switching determination unit determining whether to switch the transmission frequency band from a first frequency band to a second frequency band based on at least any one of a manner of the input operation and a state of wireless communication; and a transmission frequency switching unit switching the transmission frequency band when the frequency switching determination unit determines to switch the transmission frequency band. The receiver includes an operation signal reception unit receiving the operation signal; and a control unit controlling the control target on the basis of the received operation signal.

Abstract: A method used in a receiver includes measuring first Received Signal Strength Indications (RSSIs) in respective first communication channels, which are located in a given frequency band and which each have a first channel bandwidth. Based on the first RSSIs, second RSSIs are computed for respective second communication channels, which are located in the given frequency band and which each have a second channel bandwidth that is larger than the first channel bandwidth. At least one of the first and second communication channels over which to receive signals at the receiver are selected using the first and second RSSIs.

Abstract: An information access system includes a reader/writer device and an information storage device. In the information storage device, a receiver unit senses a carrier of an RF signal at a first frequency for detection, in a first time period occurring at time intervals, and receives an information request signal in response to detection of a carrier of an RF signal at the first frequency, and senses a carrier of an RF signal at a second frequency in response to reception of the information request signal. In the storage device, a control causes the receiver unit to sense a carrier of an RF signal at the first frequency for detection, in a second time period after a sleep time period which is shorter than the time interval, in response to non-detection by the receiver unit of a carrier of an RF signal at the first frequency in the first time period.

Abstract: A PLC cable modem is provided which includes an analog electromagnetic field transducer for generating an electromagnetic field based on an analog electrical signal and also for generating an analog electrical signal based on an electromagnetic field. The PLC cable modem also includes an analog signal processing unit operatively coupled to the analog electromagnetic field transducer and a digital signal processing unit for processing signals received from (or to be sent to) the analog signal processing unit. An interface port is provided for communicating digital signals to and from a data transmission or receiving device.

Abstract: In an in-vehicle device control system, a vehicle-side unit mounted in a vehicle controls an in-vehicle device in accordance with a result of checkup about a portable device performed by mutual communications, in which the portable device returns a response signal in response to a request signal transmitted from the vehicle-side unit. An ECU of the vehicle-side unit checks whether it is a regular checkup timing, and performs an exterior checkup if it is determined to be the regular checkup timing. The ECU sets in this case a communication frequency, which is higher in priority order, as a communication frequency to be designated to the portable device.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods by which radio signals can be transmitted to, and received by, a radio receiver such that the receiver consumes very little power from a battery or energy source. The invention also relates to methods by which radio signals, modulated with data information, can be produced by a transmitter that consumes very little power. The invention is applicable not only to medical implants, but any application requiring a radio receiver to operate with very low power consumption.

Abstract: A power line communication system communicates a ballast dimming level to an electronic ballast over an AC power line. A power line controller is operable to generate the ballast control signal and to insert that signal on the AC power signal being transmitted over the AC power line. A power line receiver receives the AC power signal and extracts the ballast control signal from the AC power signal to generate the dimming level signal corresponding with the desired ballast dimming level. To insert the ballast control signal on the AC power signal, the power line controller has a transformer coupled to the signal pattern circuit. The secondary winding of this transformer is connected in series with the AC power line to insert the ballast control signal on the AC power signal. This AC power signal is then transmitted to the electronic ballast. To extract the ballast control signal out of the AC power signal, the power line receiver has a resonant circuit connected in series with the AC power line.

Abstract: A real-time method and system for locating a mobile object or person in a tracking environment while conserving electrical energy in a battery-operated tracking tag associated with the object or person are provided. The method includes modulating a first carrier signal with a first packet including a first set of identification data having a first length to obtain a first modulated signal. The first set of data identifies the tag associated with the object or person. The method also includes transmitting the first modulated signal containing the first packet. Transmission of the first modulated signal consumes a first amount of electrical energy. The first modulated signal has a first precision and a first range within the environment. The method further includes modulating a second carrier signal with a second packet including a second set of identification data reduced in length from and based on the first set of identification data.

Abstract: A portable system includes a portable device and a power adapter to supply power to the portable device. The portable device includes a rechargeable battery and a measurement chip to measure charge remaining in the rechargeable battery. The power adapter includes a transmission line, a microprocessor, and a display unit. The microprocessor receives the readout of the amount of charge remaining in the rechargeable battery from the measurement chip via the transmission line, and generates a display signal according to the charge remaining. The display unit displays the charging progress of the rechargeable battery according to the display signal received from the microprocessor.

Abstract: A betting apparatus for game includes a betting board, antennas and a control unit. The antennas are arranged to regions on the betting board and detect a gaming chip placed on the betting board. The control unit turns on or off an electric current to each of the antennas. When the control unit turns on an electric current to one antenna arranged to one region, the control unit shorts another antenna arranged to another region adjacent to the one region.

Abstract: An in-vehicle device notifies a mobile device of a frequency channel which has been stored in its memory unit, and sets the notified channel to a reception channel. The mobile device transmits a reply signal through the channel notified from the in-vehicle device. When the in-vehicle device determines that a code included in the received reply signal is identical with a code specific to a vehicle, the in-vehicle device stores the channel used for receiving the reply signal in its memory unit. As a result, each communication is conducted through the same channel, which enabled the successful communication previously, thereby enhancing the certainty of communication.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods by which radio signals can be transmitted to, and received by, a radio receiver such that the receiver consumes very little power from a battery or energy source. The invention is applicable not only to medical implants, but any application requiring a radio receiver to operate with very low power consumption.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for controlling a RC device via a secure radio link. In one embodiment of the invention, spread spectrum modulation may be employed which may provide a digital radio frequency (RF) link between a controller and a RC device. A controller may be coupled with a transmitter module and a radio controlled device may be coupled with a receiver module in accordance with the present invention to provide an add-on upgrade capability. The method and system for controlling a RC device may also include error detection and correction, interpolation of lost packets, failsafe technology and force-feedback telemetric technology to further enhance the user experience with radio controlled devices.

Abstract: A PLC cable modem is provided which includes an analog electromagnetic field transducer for generating an electromagnetic field based on an analog electrical signal and also for generating an analog electrical signal based on an electromagnetic field. The PLC cable modem also includes an analog signal processing unit operatively coupled to the analog electromagnetic field transducer and a digital signal processing unit for processing signals received from (or to be sent to) the analog signal processing unit. An interface port is provided for communicating digital signals to and from a data transmission or receiving device.