Body Attached Or Connected Patents (Class 455/100)
  • Patent number: 8880128
    Abstract: Methods and systems for preventing a user device from exceeding a transmit power budget when a presence of an object is detected are described. A user device detects a presence of object that absorbs electromagnetic radiation, and in response to detection of the human body part, the user device determines a remaining amount of a transmit power budget of the user device, and calculates an amount of data that can be transmitted without exceeding the remaining amount. The user device transmits the second data at the specified transmit power level according to the calculated amount of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Varada Gopalakrishnan, Kiran K. Edara
  • Patent number: 8818300
    Abstract: In summary, the present invention relates to a device, a method, a system and a computer program enabling to ensure a reliable communication even under difficult radio frequency conditions. In case data cannot be successfully communicated by a radio frequency communication, the data may be transmitted to another device by a body-coupled communication via a human or animal body. The other device can act as a relay and forward the data to an intended destination. Thus, data may be successfully transmitted to the intended destination even under difficult radio frequency conditions due to body shadowing or other effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Falck, Steven Corroy
  • Patent number: 8760364
    Abstract: A separable portable multi-display device is provided. A portable multi-display device includes a main body panel housing having a first display, a sub-panel housing having a second display, and a coupling device for coupling the main body panel housing to the sub-panel housing such that at least one sides of the first display and the second display can contact each other. The panel housings are separable from and connectable to each other, a range of a border between the displays when the panel housings are interconnected being minimized so that the displays can be shown as if it is driven as a single screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventors: Si Han Kim, Hyun Hee Kim, Jang Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 8750791
    Abstract: Provided are a hub, a relay node, and a node for reconfiguring an active time position of a node in a WBAN. An active time position of the node may be reconfigured based on information associated with an active time position of a candidate relay node that the node desires to use as a relay node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Yonsei University
    Inventors: Chang Soon Park, Young Soo Kim, Hyo Sun Hwang, Sung Yeon Kim, Jeong Ahn Kwon, Jang Won Lee
  • Patent number: 8750794
    Abstract: A communications system may include at least one first near field communication (NFC) device associated with an object, and a mobile wireless communications device. The mobile wireless communications device may include a second NFC device configured to communicate with the at least one first NFC device based upon proximity thereto, an image sensor, and a controller coupled to the second NFC device and the image sensor. The controller may be configured to determine at least one archive image of the object based upon NFC communication between the second NFC device and the at least one first NFC device, determine a sensed image of the object from the image sensor, and perform image comparison between the at least one archive image and the sensed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: James Allen Hymel, Jean Philippe Bouchard, Jeffery Erhard Lindner
  • Patent number: 8738093
    Abstract: Methods and systems for selecting a number of requests for transmission information by a user device when a presence of an object is detected are described. A user device detects a presence of object that absorbs electromagnetic radiation, and in response, selects a number of requests for transmission of additional information. The user device transmits the additional information at the specified transmit power level using the selected number of scheduled requests when the presence of the object is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Varada Gopalakrishnan, Kiran K. Edara
  • Patent number: 8725089
    Abstract: Provided are a first hub corresponding to a first WBAN and a second hub corresponding to a second WBAN which may communicate with each other through a temporal connection. The temporal connection may decrease the usage of additional data, complexity, and power consumption that typically occurs due to mutual communication between different WBANs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Yonsei University
    Inventors: Young Soo Kim, Chang Soon Park, Young Jun Hong, Daesik Hong, Seokwon Lee, Hyungsik Ju
  • Patent number: 8712078
    Abstract: A wireless headset is adapted to communicate with a sound source such as a music player or a cell phone or a suitable audio or sound communicated through a one-way or two-way communication device. The headset includes a mouth wearable communicator; and a linking unit coupled to the mouth wearable communicator, the linking unit adapted to communicate with the sound source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Sonitus Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Amir A. Abolfathi
  • Publication number: 20140057554
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, the signal electrode is disposed on the first principal surface side of the substrate and is connected to the other end of the second signal line. The housing covers and accommodates therein the substrate, the communication unit, the first signal line, the terminal, the second signal line, and the signal electrode. The conductive material is arranged on an outer side of the housing so as to be opposite to the signal electrode, and includes an outer peripheral portion extended outward beyond an outer periphery of the signal electrode. The communication apparatus carries out data communication via a living body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Koichi Mori, Takafumi Ohishi, Kazuhiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 8639185
    Abstract: A communication system includes a transmitter that applies an electric field, obtained by modulating an information signal for wideband communication, to a transmission medium. The transmitter includes a transmission electrode, a transmission circuit that outputs the information signal for the wideband communication, and a first band controller that controls a band of the information signal for the wideband communication. When the transmission medium is in contact with the transmission electrode and the transmission medium and the transmission electrode are capacitively coupled to each other, the first band controller performs control to provide a band that is necessary for a receiver to perform demodulation for the wideband communication, and when the transmission medium is not in contact with the transmission electrode, the first band controller performs control to provide a narrower band than the band that is necessary for the wideband communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hebiguchi, Shigetoshi Matsuta, Masaru Koishi, Hideyuki Nebiya
  • Patent number: 8611828
    Abstract: The innovation introduces a new kind of smart biological-sensing controller, based on silicon and/or flexible polymer printed electronics. The purpose of the device is to monitor and/or control biological signals of living organisms (for example, microbes, bacteria, insects, plants, animals, and people). Embedded in a system, the innovation can work contactless and battery-free since it is self-powered, wirelessly self-communicating without the use of electromagnetic waves like radio frequencies (RF), infrared or other electromagnetic technologies. Instead, the innovation uses alternating electric fields for powering, measuring and communicating, and introduces an innovative new method of mobile vital signs monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventors: Wolfgang Richter, Faranak Zadeh
  • Patent number: 8606177
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for controlling human body contact of ground electrode, and a human body communication system using the same. The apparatus includes a resistance measuring unit for applying a predetermined voltage to a human body through a signal electrode, to measure a resistance value between the signal electrode and the ground electrode; a contact control unit for determining whether the ground electrode needs to contact the human body by using the measured resistance value, to provide control information associated with human body contact; and a contact performing unit for bringing the ground electrode into contact or out of contact with the human body according to the control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Jung-Hwan Hwang, Sung-Weon Kang, Kyung-Soo Kim, Jung-Bum Kim, In-Gi Lim, Chang-Hee Hyoung, Sung-Eun Kim, Duck-Gun Park, Jin-Kyung Kim, Hyung-Il Park
  • Patent number: 8599010
    Abstract: A firefighter tracking system is provided for use in conjunction with a fire truck to track firefighters at the scene of a fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Abhijit Bose, Mohammed Rizwan, Vinayak Sadashiv Kore, Andrew G. Berezowski
  • Patent number: 8594568
    Abstract: The invention describes a method of transferring application data (F1, F2) from a first device (Ds) to a second device (DT1, DT2), which method comprises exchanging, through the body of a user (2) touching a touch interface (210) of the first device (Ds), connection-related data (4) between the first device (Ds) and a memory device (1), which memory device (1) is conveyed on the person of the user (2). Application data (F1, F2) is transferred from the first device (Ds) to the memory device (1) over a connection, between the first device (Ds) and the memory device (1), established on the basis of the connection-related data (4), and stored in a memory (220) of the memory device (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Thomas Falck
  • Patent number: 8594597
    Abstract: A portable transmitter includes a circuit board having a button battery and an antenna; and a case accommodating the battery and the circuit board. The case includes first and second case members being engaged with each other. A concave portion is formed on the first or second case members to accommodate the button battery, and a lock portion is formed on the first or second case members to lock the circuit board. While the concave portion accommodates the button battery and the circuit board is locked by the lock portion, a surface of the circuit board and a surface of the button battery are attached, and the first case member and the second case member are engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Saito, Mitsuru Nakagawa, Tokio Shimura
  • Patent number: 8577429
    Abstract: An accessory configured to couple to a mobile device is disclosed. The accessory may include at least one finger engaging portion having an exterior surface and a clip portion adjacent the exterior surface. The clip portion may include a tab and a device engaging portion. The accessory further may include an extension portion extending outward from the exterior surface of the finger engaging portion, wherein the device engaging portion extends between the tab and the extension portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: AirEast Mobile, Inc
    Inventor: Michael Linhardt
  • Patent number: 8548394
    Abstract: An intraoral cavity control system having a shape adapted to be positioned between the palate in the roof of the mouth and the tongue comprising, a control interface to receive control input from an organ of the mouth, a wireless transmitting and/or receiving means for transmitting an electrical output signal from the control system and/or for receiving an electrical input signal from an external unit, a control element for processing the control input from the control interface into said electrical output signal transmitted by the transmitting means and for processing said electrical input signals establishing a communication between the external unit and the control element, a power source for providing electrical power to said control system wherein the wireless transmitting and receiving means are further provided with an antenna that is arranged to extend from within a first volume of the oral cavity bound by the medial surface of the teeth and being arranged within a second volume of the oral cavity bou
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: TKS A/S
    Inventor: Henrik Vie Christensen
  • Patent number: 8538348
    Abstract: An information processing terminal system includes an information processing terminal; and a transmitting and receiving unit which is attached to the information processing terminal. The transmitting and receiving unit converts a reception wave signal from a network into a reception analog baseband signal. The transmitting and receiving unit converts the reception analog baseband signal into a reception digital baseband signal in synchronization with a clock. The information processing terminal converts the reception digital baseband signal into a reception data in synchronization with a clock, and a transmission data into a transmission digital baseband signal in synchronization with the clock. The transmitting and receiving unit converts the transmission digital baseband signal into a transmission analog baseband signal in synchronization with the clock. The transmitting and receiving unit converts the transmission analog baseband signal into a transmission modulation wave signal to output to the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Oga
  • Patent number: 8526894
    Abstract: A bio-medical unit includes a power harvesting module, a processing module, memory, and a transceiver. The power harvesting module converts an electromagnetic signal into a supply voltage, which powers the processing module, the memory, and the transceiver. The processing module communicates, via the transceiver, with an external device regarding a medical matter to obtain storage location information regarding the medical matter, wherein the storage location information indicates where data associated with the medical matter is at least partially stored. The processing module then aggregates the storage location information with patient data storage location information to produce updated patient data storage location information, wherein the patient data storage location information contains storage location information regarding previous medical matters associated with the host body. The memory stores the patient data storage location information and the updated patient data storage location information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Ahmadreza (Reza) Rofougaran
  • Patent number: 8526879
    Abstract: A communications device for wireless communication with another device, the communications device having a) a first part having a first housing and a first induction coil for providing an inductive coupling to the other device, and b) a second part having a second induction coil adapted to be inductively coupled to said first induction coil and to said other device when mounted on or near said first housing. Provided is a relatively simple mechanical interface for an inductively coupled link between a communications device and another device. The second part is adapted to be detachably attachable to the first housing. An advantage is that no connector is needed whereby a simpler and more reliable device is provided. The consequences of wear of the connector leading to increased contact resistance and/or failure of the electrical connection is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventors: Niels Kristian Kristiansen, Sune Pelle Borregaard, Torkil Filholm
  • Patent number: 8509689
    Abstract: A communication device for communicating with an external device using a human body as a signal transmission path, includes an electric field strength measuring unit configured to measure a noise level from a detected received electric field strength at the time of no signal after the received electric field strength is detected by the communication device when a transmission signal to be output to the external device is absent, a transmission output determination unit configured to determine an output level of the transmission signal to be transmitted to the external device on the basis of the measured noise level, and an output execution unit configured to output a transmission signal of the determined output level to the external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahito Nakamura, Daichi Inoue
  • Patent number: 8509467
    Abstract: There are provided a human body sound transmission system and a method. The human body sound transmission system according to an aspect of the present invention directly or indirectly contacts a human body to apply coupled signals of high frequency sound signals with high frequency signals, which recover sound signals from the high frequency sound signals, to the human body and transmit the sound signals using the human body as a transmission medium, wherein a magnitude of the sound signals recovered around a human's ear is increased in proportion to the number of signals transmitted through the human body by transmitting the plurality of signals including the same sound signals through the human body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Sung-Eun Kim, Jung Hwan Hwang, Tae Wook Kang, Sung Weon Kang, Tae Young Kang, Kyung-Soo Kim, Jung Bum Kim, Jin Kyung Kim, Kyung Hwan Park, Hyung Il Park, In Gi Lim, Byoung Gun Choi, Chang Hee Hyoung, Seok Bong Hyun
  • Patent number: 8494574
    Abstract: A method for controlling a feature of a telecommunications device includes determining a proximity of a user to the telecommunications device by detecting the body heat of the user. In response to determining proximity of the user, a feature of the telecommunications device is toggled between an activated state and a deactivated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventor: Shekhar Gupta
  • Patent number: 8489021
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a communication interface unit configured to receive reference biosignal data, and a wireless interface unit configured to receive a plurality of candidate biosignal transmissions from candidate biosignal transmitters. A comparison unit of the apparatus is configured to compare the reference biosignal data with the candidate biosignal transmissions, thus resulting in comparison data. The wireless interface unit is configured to execute a pairing protocol with a candidate biosignal transmitter of a candidate biosignal transmission by utilizing the comparison data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
    Inventors: Niclas Granqvist, Juhani Kemppainen, Jukka Jaatinen, Pertti Puolakanaho
  • Patent number: 8467742
    Abstract: An electrode group is provided in a portable terminal carried by a human body for transmitting a transmission signal to the human body functioning as a transmission medium. The electrode group contains three electrodes arranged respectively at three vertices of an equilateral triangle. Three types of driving electrode pairs are defined as respectively having different combination of optional two electrodes. While changing the driving electrode pairs for use in order one pair by one pair, the transmission signal based on the same transmission data is repeatedly transmitted as many times as the number of driving electrode pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke Hachisuka, Takayuki Shibata, Ryoichi Sugawara
  • Patent number: 8467726
    Abstract: The communication device (10) which performs, when attached to the first region of the moving body, wireless communication with the communication partner device (20) attached to the second region of the moving body includes: a motion obtaining unit (11) which obtains motion information indicating a motion of at least one region of the moving body; a parameter determining unit (12) which determines a parameter corresponding to the motion of the region of the moving body indicated by the motion information obtained by the motion obtaining unit (11), using parameter information in which the motion and a parameter indicating a communication mode for successful wireless communication are associated with each other; and a wireless communication unit (13) which performs wireless communication with the communication partner device (20) according to the parameter determined by the parameter determining unit (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Naganori Shirakata, Koji Imamura, Yoshitaka Ohta
  • Patent number: 8447244
    Abstract: There is provided a mobile station device in a multi-hop system capable of realizing relay of communication of another station while suppressing increase of power consumption of the local station. In this device, at timing t1, a mobile station MS2 transmits data S2 destined to a base station BS1, to a mobile station MS1. The mobile station MS1 receives the data S2 and temporarily stores it in a buffer. The mobile station MS1 waits until timing t4 when the data S1 of the mobile station MS1 is to be transmitted. When this timing has come, the data S2 stored in the buffer is multiplexed with the data S1 of the mobile station MS1 and transmitted to the base station BS1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 8442249
    Abstract: A human body sound transmission apparatus and method for minimizing a signal loss are disclosed. The human body sound transmission apparatus includes: an audio signal transmission unit modulating an audio signal desired to be transmitted, and transmitting the modulated audio signal to the vicinity of a user's ear through the human body (i.e., a user's body); and a carrier wave signal transmission unit transmitting a carrier wave signal for demodulating the modulated audio signal to the vicinity of the user's ear through the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Jung Hwan Hwang, Tae Wook Kang, Sung Eun Kim, Sung Weon Kang, Kyung Soo Kim, Jung Bum Kim, Hyung Il Park, Chang Hee Hyoung, Jin Kyung Kim, In Gi Lim, Kyung Hwan Park, Byoung Gun Choi, Tae Young Kang, Seok Bong Hyun
  • Patent number: 8433290
    Abstract: A mobile communication device, such as a cellular phone, for example, is capable of functioning in a transmitter disabling mode and is set to the transmitter disabling mode in automatic response to a power-on operation and then automatically changed to a transmitter enabling mode provided that a predetermined condition is confirmed. The communication device is instantly set to the transmitter disabling mode in automatic response to the initiation of use of an earphone or camera function and kept in the transmitter disabling mode even if the earphone or camera function enters an out of use condition. Surrounding people are informed of the transmitter disabling mode without fail by a standardized appearance of the earphone or a standardized blinking of a flash unit of the camera function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahide Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8412100
    Abstract: An apparatus for an ear of a user comprising a custom-fitted, in-the-ear earmold, receiver electronics detachably connected to the earmold and amplifier electronics detachably and electrically connected to the receiver electronics. In some embodiments, the amplifier electronics include a wireless communications module with wireless communications electronics disposed in the wireless communications module, wherein the wireless communications electronics support wireless communications between the user and a device. Such teachings in various examples are applied to occluding and non-occluding hearing device embodiments. Additional systems and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Micro Ear Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorge F. Sanguino, Randall W. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20130059537
    Abstract: A transmission circuit for an RF inductive link, particularly for an implanted device such as a cochlear implant. In a preferred form, the transmission circuit 1 includes a transmitter coil 24 and a damping device, including an auxiliary coil 4 and switch 6. The switch is operated to close the coil circuit when data zeros are transmitted. This has the advantage of improving modulation depth without placing stress on the RF driver output switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventor: Ibrahim IBRAHIM
  • Patent number: 8380130
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to systems and methods that facilitate wireless device communications and configuration. A detection component identifies N devices that are coupled together via a biological medium, N being an integer, wherein the medium includes direct or indirect touching to a device or devices. After biological contact, a configuration component initiates a configuration between a subset of the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew C. Glass, Christopher M. Dreher, Ellick H. Sung, Randall E. Aull, Doron J. Holan, Craig S. Ranta
  • Patent number: 8369906
    Abstract: A communications device is provided. The communications device includes an antenna port, transmitter circuitry configured to broadcast a radio frequency (RF) output signal across the antenna port, and a controller configured to adjust a signal level of the RF output signal in accordance with antenna compensation information. The antenna port, the transmitter circuitry, and the controller are at least partially integrated on the same integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Dan B. Kasha, Peter J. Vancorenland, Aslamali A. Rafi
  • Patent number: 8364096
    Abstract: For transmitting a common channel signal with characteristics with an approximated non-directivity, the common channel signal for all users is divided into sub-channel signals, corresponding to a number of antenna elements composing an array antenna, to be concurrently transmitted with non-directivity by using each antenna element. Individual channel signals, for each user, following the common channel signal with a desired directivity by using the antenna elements. Each sub-channel signal can be made a sub-channel signal obtained by dividing all sub-channel components composing the common channel signal for each sub-channel component by a predetermined number or dividing them depending on a receiving quality of each antenna element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Oota, Takanori Iwamatsu
  • Patent number: 8280302
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for communication, and a program that makes it possible to provide a communication environment not limited by a use environment. An electrode controlling unit 261 in a transmitting device 260 checks a state of capacitive coupling of each of an electrode 271 and an electrode 272 in an electrode unit 262 with surroundings, controls connection of each electrode to a transmitting unit 263 according to a result of the check, and makes the electrode 271 and the electrode 272 function as a transmission signal electrode or a transmission reference electrode, the transmission signal electrode and the transmission reference electrode being different from each other. The transmitting unit 263 connects the electrode 271 and the electrode 272 to an amplifying unit under control of the electrode controlling unit 261, and transmits a signal to a communication medium 280 via one of the electrodes. The present invention is applicable to communication systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Fumio Kubono, Susumu Kusakabe, Yoshihito Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 8275318
    Abstract: A magnetic induction data transmission network comprising a master hub, at least one sensor node communicatively coupled to the master hub and a magnetic induction coil preferably adapted to be worn about a body part of a subject such as an individual's waist or neck. In at least one embodiment of the invention, the magnetic induction coil preferably includes a connector which serves as an intermediary between the coil and the hub to allow data communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Reed W. Hoyt, John F. Lanza
  • Patent number: 8270637
    Abstract: A wireless headset is adapted to communicate with a sound source such as a music player or a cell phone or a suitable audio or sound communicated through a one-way or two-way communication device. The headset includes a mouth wearable communicator; and a linking unit coupled to the mouth wearable communicator, the linking unit adapted to communicate with the sound source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Sonitus Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Amir Abolfathi
  • Patent number: 8260360
    Abstract: A multiple mode RF transmitter a baseband section, a transmitter section, and a configurable antenna circuit. The transmitter section is couple to convert a first outbound symbol stream into first outbound RF beamforming signals in accordance with a first beamforming setting and convert a second outbound symbol stream into second outbound RF beamforming signals in accordance with a second beamforming setting. The configurable antenna circuit is coupled to provide a first antenna assembly for transmitting the first outbound RF beamforming signals and provide a second antenna assembly for transmitting the second outbound RF beamforming signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Ahmadreza Reza Rofougaran, Maryam Rofougaran
  • Patent number: 8254853
    Abstract: A bio-medical unit includes a power harvesting module, a processing module, memory, and a transceiver. The power harvesting module converts an electromagnetic signal into a supply voltage, which powers the processing module, the memory, and the transceiver. The processing module communicates, via the transceiver, with an external device regarding a medical matter to obtain storage location information regarding the medical matter, wherein the storage location information indicates where data associated with the medical matter is at least partially stored. The processing module then aggregates the storage location information with patient data storage location information to produce updated patient data storage location information, wherein the patient data storage location information contains storage location information regarding previous medical matters associated with the host body. The memory stores the patient data storage location information and the updated patient data storage location information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Ahmadreza (Reza) Rofougaran
  • Patent number: 8224244
    Abstract: The present invention provides a communication apparatus being in directly contact with a human body and using the human body as a transmission channel for data communication. The communication apparatus attached to the human body transmits a signal in the form of a current, receives a signal transmitted from another communication apparatus attached to the human body therethrough, and eliminates noise included in the received signal. In addition, the communication apparatus compares the noise-eliminated signal and a reference signal and recovers an original signal. Further, the communication apparatus generates a base-band signal and transmits the same through the human body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Jin-Kyung Kim, Sung-Weon Kang, Chang-Hee Hyoung, Jin-Bong Sung, Jung-Hwan Hwang, Duck-Gun Park
  • Patent number: 8198856
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus is disclosed. The electronic apparatus includes a battery, a main body, a charging section, an obtaining section, and a controlling section. The battery has first information with which charging of the battery is controlled. The main body operates with the battery as a power supply. The charging section charges the battery. The obtaining section obtains the first information from the battery. The controlling section controls the charging section based on the obtained first information and causes the charging section to perform a charging according to another battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Keisuke Koide, Yoshiyuki Tanaka, Satoshi Okachi, Takayuki Yajima
  • Patent number: 8175527
    Abstract: A portable apparatus of the present invention functions as a transmitter and/or a receiver in electric field communication in which communication is performed through a human body by converting an information signal into an electric field signal; is substantially hexahedron-shaped and provided with sides and an display surface allowing information to be viewed; and includes an outer electrode for electric field communication provided on the display surface and a human-body-side electrode for electric field communication provided on at least one of the sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hebiguchi, Shigetoshi Matsuta, Nobuaki Haga
  • Patent number: 8165522
    Abstract: Provided are a method, apparatus and system for providing a touch and play (TAP)-based service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Duck-Gun Park, Sung-Weon Kang, Chang-Hee Hyoung, Jin-Bong Sung, Jung-Hwan Hwang, Jin-Kyung Kim
  • Patent number: 8144891
    Abstract: An earphone set includes a main device having a digital signal processor, and an earplug has an external microphone and a speaker electrically connected with the digital signal processor respectively. The external microphone converts an external sound wave into an electronic signal and transmits the electronic signal to the digital signal processor for processing. The speaker converts the electronic signal processed by the digital signal processor into a sound wave for output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Merry Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hong-Ching Her, Hung-Yue Chang, Ton-Kun Ho
  • Patent number: 8135358
    Abstract: A communication device may include a manpack, and a radio removably attached to the manpack, the radio serving as a communications element of the manpack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Thales Communications Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Hesse, Benjamin Stern, Glen Parker, Mitchell H. Herbets
  • Patent number: 8130856
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adjustable transmit diversity (adjustable PSTD) are provided. A base station transmits information to a mobile station over two antennas. Using information received from the mobile station related to channel conditions, the base station can adjust a frequency offset between the information transmitted over the two antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Nextel Communications Inc.
    Inventor: Nagi A. Mansour
  • Patent number: 8116813
    Abstract: A system of retrieving a product using a print medium with a print media identifier linked to a product. A mobile telecommunications device with a sensor module for determines the print media identifier from the print medium such that the product is retrieved using the mobile telecommunications device and the print media identifier. The print medium is provided with first coded data in a first format and second coded data in a second format. The first coded data encodes first information and the second coded data encodes second information. The first information is indicative of the print media identifier and of size and orientation data of the print medium. The first format is a linear pattern. At least some of the second information is indicative of the print media identifier and a two-dimensional coordinate grid. The second format is a two-dimensional pattern, the first and second coded data each being encoded in a plurality of tags printed on the print medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun
  • Patent number: 8112046
    Abstract: A wearable, one-way transfer device component for use in a communications system that includes a first device coupled to a first communication network that receives and compiles global positioning data corresponding to the physical location of one or more objects, a first serial communication path for transmitting the global positioning data from the first device, the first serial communications path being unidirectional to prevent data from being transmitted to the first device, means for formatting the global positioning data received from the first serial path into a serial communication format, a second serial communication path for transmitting the formatted global positioning data to a second device associated with a second communication network, and a user replaceable means for providing power to the means for formatting the global positioning data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: MITRE Corporation
    Inventor: Patrick George DeShazo
  • Patent number: 8098758
    Abstract: Certain aspects of a digital baseband transmitter with digital RF/IF support in GSM/GPRS/EDGE compliant devices may comprise receiving digitized data within a chip. A control signal may be generated within the chip indicating whether the received digitized data is to be processed by an IF processing interface or a digital RF processing interface. The baseband processor has the capability to work together with different kinds of RF chips on the market and since this design is implemented on a single module, most of the circuits are shared which reduces the die size significantly. This design also provides a customer more flexibility to choose among different RF vendors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Weidong Li
  • Patent number: 8064953
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for distributing power and data to devices coupled to the human body are described. The human body is used as a conductive medium, e.g., a bus, over which power and/or data is distributed. Power is distributed by coupling a power source to the human body via a first set of electrodes. One or more devices to be powered, e.g., peripheral devices, are also coupled to the human body via additional sets of electrodes. The devices may be, e.g., a speaker, display, watch, keyboard, etc. A pulsed DC signal or AC signal may be used as the power source. By using multiple power supply signals of differing frequencies, different devices can be selectively 15 powered. For example, a 100 Hz signal may be used to power a first device while a 150 Hz signal may be used to power a second device. Digital data and/or other information signals, e.g., audio signals, can be modulated on the power signal using frequency and/or amplitude modulation techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Lyndsay Williams, William Vablais, Steven N. Bathiche