27673 results about "Acoustics" patented technology

An imaging system for a vehicle includes a camera module positionable at the vehicle and a control. The camera module includes a plastic housing that houses an image sensor, which is operable to capture images of a scene occurring exteriorly of the vehicle. The control is operable to process images captured by the image sensor. The portions of the housing may be laser welded or sonic welded together to substantially seal the image sensor and associated components within the plastic housing. The housing may include a ventilation portion that is at least partially permeable to water vapor to allow water vapor to pass therethrough while substantially precluding passage of water droplets and/or other contaminants. The housing may be movable at the vehicle between a stored position and an operational position, where the image sensor may be directed toward the exterior scene.

A conductive line radar comprising at least one signal surface wave launcher, which comprises a signal surface wave transceiver, which is physically attached to a power line. The signal surface wave transceiver transmits a wave signal along the power line with another signal radiating from the wave signal in a plurality of directions along the power line. The at least one signal surface wave transceiver receives reflected signals from a target within a distance of the power line. The at least one signal surface wave launcher includes at least one RF communications transceiver and can be inductively powered from the power line.

Apparatuses and methods to sense proximity of an object and operate a proximity sensor of a portable device. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving an ambient light sensor (ALS) output, and altering, based on the ALS output, an effect of a proximity sensor output on control of a proximity determination. The ALS sensor and the proximity sensor may be located adjacent to an earpiece of a portable device. In some cases, the proximity determination may be a proximity of an object to the proximity sensor, and altering the effect may include changing the proximity of the object from a proximity greater than a first threshold to a proximity less than the first threshold. Other apparatuses and methods and data processing systems and machine readable media are also described.

In some embodiments, a stylus for providing input to a capacitive touch screen, having a tip including or consisting of conductive felt, which provides a deformable conductive surface for contacting the touch screen. The tip is produced by felting base fibers (which are typically non-conductive) with conductive fibers. In other embodiments, a capacitive touch stylus having at least a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, and including at least one conductive tip and switched circuitry (preferably, passive circuitry) including at least one switch biased in a default state indicative of the first mode of operation but switchable into a second state indicative of the second mode of operation in response to movement of the tip (typically, in response to exertion of not less than a threshold force on the tip). In some embodiments, a stylus having a conductive tip (e.g., a conductive, felted tip) and including switched circuitry (preferably, passive circuitry) having a first state which couples a capacitance to the tip, where the capacitance is sufficient to allow a capacitive touch screen device to recognize (as a touch) simple contact of the tip on the screen of the touch screen device, and a second state which decouples the capacitance from the tip, thereby preventing the touch screen device from recognizing (as a touch) simple contact of the tip on the screen.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that reduces annoyance by managing the acoustic noise produced by a device. During operation, the system receives a set of acoustic characteristics for noise-producing components within the device. The system then uses these acoustic characteristics to estimate the acoustic noise being generated by each of these noise-producing components. Next, the system aggregates this set of acoustic noise estimates to produce an aggregate estimate for the acoustic noise produced by the device. The system then analyzes this aggregate estimate using an acoustic annoyance model to determine the acoustic annoyance level. The system then adjusts a setting in the device to manage the acoustic annoyance level produced by the device.

A method including detecting a selection of a plurality of erroneous words in text presented on a display of a device, in an automatic speech recognition system, receiving sequentially dictated corrections for the selected erroneous words in a single, continuous operation where each dictated correction corresponds to at least one of the selected erroneous words, and replacing the plurality of erroneous words with one or more corresponding words of the dictated corrections where each erroneous word is matched with the one or more corresponding words of the dictated corrections in an order the erroneous words appear according to a reading direction of the text.

Methods for manufacturing ultrasonic waveguides having improved velocity gain are disclosed. Additionally, methods for manufacturing ultrasonic medical devices including the ultrasonic waveguides are disclosed. Specifically, the ultrasonic waveguides comprises a first material having a higher acoustic impedance and a second material having a lower acoustic impedance.

An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided which includes a handle assembly, a body extending distally from the handle assembly and an end effector configured to effect cutting, dissection, coagulation and/or ligation of tissue. The end effector includes an ultrasonic member. A transducer is supported adjacent, on or within the ultrasonic member and is connected to a power source. Upon actuation of the power source, the transducer effects vibration of the ultrasonic member. In one preferred embodiment, the end effector is mounted for articulation about the distal end of the instrument.

Disclosed is an acoustic resonator that includes a substrate, a first electrode, a layer of piezoelectric material, a second electrode, and an alternating frame region. The first electrode is adjacent the substrate, and the first electrode has an outer perimeter. The piezoelectric layer is adjacent the first electrode. The second electrode is adjacent the piezoelectric layer and the second electrode has an outer perimeter. The alternating frame region is on one of the first and second electrodes.

This invention discloses a method and apparatus to deliver medical devices to targeted locations within human tissues using imaging data. The method enables the target location to be obtained from one imaging system, followed by the use of a second imaging system to verify the final position of the device. In particular, the invention discloses a method based on the initial identification of tissue targets using MR imaging, followed by the use of ultrasound imaging to verify and monitor accurate needle positioning. The invention can be used for acquiring biopsy samples to determine the grade and stage of cancer in various tissues including the brain, breast, abdomen, spine, liver, and kidney. The method is also useful for delivery of markers to a specific site to facilitate surgical removal of diseased tissue, or for the targeted delivery of applicators that destroy diseased tissues in-situ.