32430 results about "Digital signal" patented technology

A method is provided for tracking an object, including positioning a radio frequency (RF) driver to radiate an RF driving field toward the object, and fixing to the object a wireless transponder that includes a power coil and at least one sensor coil. The method also includes receiving the RF driving field using the power coil and storing electrical energy derived therefrom. A plurality of field generators are driven to generate electromagnetic fields at respective frequencies in a vicinity of the object that induce a voltage drop across the at least one sensor coil. A digital output signal is generated at the wireless transponder indicative of the voltage drop across the sensor coil, and the generation of the digital output signal is powered using the stored electrical energy. The digital output signal is transmitted from the wireless transponder using the power coil, and the transmission of the digital output signal is powered using the stored electrical energy. The digital output signal is received and processed to determine coordinates of the object.

Exploiting the substantive reciprocity of internode channel responses through dynamic, adaptive modification of receive and transmit weights, enables locally enabled global optimization of a multipoint, wireless electromagnetic communications network of communication nodes. Each diversity-channel-capable node uses computationally efficient exploitation of pilot tone data and diversity-adaptive signal processing of the weightings and the signal to further convey optimization and channel information which promote local and thereby network-global efficiency. The preferred embodiment performs complex digital signal manipulation that includes a linear combining and linear distribution of the transmit and receive weights, the generation of piloting signals containing origination and destination node information, as well as interference-avoiding pseudorandom delay timing, and both symbol and multitione encoding, to gain the benefit of substantive orthogonality at the physical level without requiring actual substantive orthogonality at the physical level.

A system, method and computer program product provides for power line communications (PLC) over electric power lines includes a device mountable near an electrical distribution transformer (DT) to provide a high speed interface and communicates with one or multiple access devices, which provide low speed interfaces for analog signals or digital signals over RS 232, RS 485, optical, wireless and Ethernet. The device transmits data to / from these access devices over the electric lines to other repeaters over one or more wires of an electrical line or over multiple lines, and serves to strengthen and improve signal quality. Upon detecting a wire or line is having problems carrying data, the data is sent over other wires, and upon power line failures, wireless backup to mobile / GSM and WiMax networks is utilized. The device permits utilities and others to read electric meters, monitor the power quality of the distribution grid and detect power losses / failures / outages, and permits telecom service providers and others to provide a communications link to cell phone towers, WiFi Access Points and enable broadband Internet and telephony in rural, remote or sparely populated areas.

A solid-state image-sensing device that compensates for brightness at edges of a screen and a method of driving the device are provided. The solid-state image-sensing device comprises: an active pixel sensor (APS) array including pixels disposed in a two-dimensional matrix, each pixel for outputting a photoelectrically converted image signal generated by a photodiode in response to one of a plurality of transmission control signals transmitted to a selected row of the APS array, and for generating and outputting a reset signal in response to a reset control signal; a row driver for selecting a row of the APS array by generating row selection signals and for generating the reset control signal; an integration time control driver for generating the transmission control signals for setting non-uniform integration times of the photodiodes in each pixel; and an analog-digital converter for converting an analog signal corresponding to a difference between the image signal and the reset signal into a digital signal.

Exploiting the substantive reciprocity of internode channel responses through dynamic, adaptive modification of receive and transmit weights, enables locally enabled global optimization of a multipoint, wireless electromagnetic communications network of communication nodes. Each diversity-channel-capable node uses computationally efficient exploitation of pilot tone data and diversity-adaptive signal processing of the weightings and the signal to further convey optimization and channel information which promote local and thereby network-global efficiency. The preferred embodiment performs complex digital signal manipulation that includes a linear combining and linear distribution of the transmit and receive weights, the generation of piloting signals containing origination and destination node information, as well as interference-avoiding pseudorandom delay timing, and both symbol and multitone encoding, to gain the benefit of substantive orthogonality at the physical level without requiring actual substantive orthogonality at the physical level.

An indicia reading terminal can comprise an image sensor integrated circuit having a two-dimensional image sensor, a hand held housing encapsulating the two-dimensional image sensor, and an imaging lens configured to focus an image of a target decodable indicia onto the two-dimensional image sensor. The two-dimensional image sensor can include a plurality of pixels arranged in repetitive patterns. Each pattern can include at least one pixel sensitive in a first spectrum region, at least one pixel sensitive in a second spectrum region, and at least one pixel sensitive in a third spectrum region. The image sensor integrated circuit can be configured to capture a frame of image data by reading out a plurality of analog signals. Each read out analog signal can be representative of light incident on a group of two or more pixels of the plurality of pixels. The image sensor integrated circuit can be further configured to convert the plurality of analog signals to a plurality of digital signals and to store the plurality of digital signals in a memory. The indicia reading terminal can be operative to process the frame of image data for attempting to decode for decodable indicia.

A blind spot monitoring system for a vehicle includes two pairs of stereo cameras, two displays and a controller. The stereo cameras monitor vehicle blind spots and generate a corresponding pair of digital signals. The display shows a rearward vehicle view and may replace, or work in tandem with, a side view mirror. The controller is located in the vehicle and receives two pairs of digital signals. The controller includes control logic operative to analyze a stereopsis effect between each pair of stereo cameras and the optical flow over time to control the displays. The displays will show an expanded rearward view when a hazard is detected in the vehicle blind spot and show a normal rearward view when no hazard is detected in the vehicle blind spot.

A fully digital camera system provides high-resolution still image and streaming video signals via a network to a centralized, server supported security and surveillance system. The digital camera for collects an image from one or more image transducers, compressing the image and sending the compressed digital image signal to a receiving station over a digital network. A plurality of image transducers or sensors may be included in a single camera unit, providing array imaging such as full 360 degree panoramic imaging, universal or spherical imaging and field imaging by stacking or arranging the sensors in an array. The multiple images are then compressed and merged at the camera in the desired format to permit transmission of the least amount of data to accomplish the desired image transmission. The camera also employs, or connects to, a variety of sensors other than the traditional image sensor. Sensors for fire, smoke, sound, glass breakage, motion, panic buttons, and the like, may be embedded in or connected to the camera. Data captured by these sensors may be digitized, compressed, and networked to detect notable conditions. An internal microphone and associated signal processing system may be equipped with suitable signal processing algorithms for the purpose of detecting suitable acoustic events and their location. In addition, the camera is equipped with a pair of externally accessible terminals where an external sensor may be connected. In addition, the camera may be equipped with a short-range receiver that may detect the activation of a wireless ‘panic button’ carried by facility personnel. This ‘panic button’ may employ infrared, radio frequency (RF), ultrasonic, or other suitable methods to activate the camera's receiver.

A passive touch system includes a touch surface and at least one source of backlight illumination projecting backlighting across the touch surface. At least two image sensors are associated with the touch surface and acquire images of the touch surface from different locations. A digital signal processor is associated with each image sensor. The digital signal processors select pixel subsets of images acquired by the image sensors and process pixel data acquired by the selected pixel subsets to generate pointer characteristic data when a pointer exists in the acquired images. A master digital signal processor in communication with the digital signal processors triangulates the pointer characteristic data to determine the location of the pointer relative to the touch surface.

A near field RF communicator has: an antenna operable to generate an RF signal to enable inductive coupling via the magnetic field of the RF signal between the antenna and another near field RF communicator or RF transponder in near field range; and a signal generator operable to generate a multi-level digital sine wave drive signal to drive the antenna to generate the RF signal, wherein the signal generator comprises a selector operable to select one or more digital sequences to provide one or more digital signals from which the digital sine wave drive signal is generated.

An apparatus for monitoring an electrical signal from a patient's body includes a disposable electrode patch having a thin flexible housing with an adhesive exterior, a power source, a printed circuit board, a plurality of electrodes, a converter for converting a detected electrical signal from the patient's body to a digital signal, a processor for processing the digital signal, and a transmitter connected for transmitting the processed digital signal as a wireless signal. A monitoring unit communicating with the electrode patch includes a power source, a transceiver, a global positioning receiver, a processor, at least one communication port for external communications, and a display. A system of the invention includes a plurality of patients having medical monitors wirelessly communicating biometric information to a central processor for archiving and accessing.

A solid state non-volatile memory unit. The memory unit includes a multi-level solid state non-volatile memory array adapted to store data characterized by a first number of digital levels. The memory unit also includes an analog-to-digital converter having an input and an output. The input of the analog-to-digital converter is adapted to receive data from the multi-level solid state non-volatile memory array. The output of the analog-to-digital converter is adapted to output a digital signal characterized by a second number of digital levels greater than the first number of digital levels.

A nonvolatile SRAM array has an array of integrated nonvolatile SRAM circuits arranged in rows and columns on a substrate. Each of the integrated nonvolatile SRAM circuits includes an SRAM cell, a first and second nonvolatile memory element. The SRAM cell has a latched memory element in communication first and second nonvolatile memory elements to receive and permanently retain the digital signal from the latched memory element. A power detection circuit detects a power interruption and a power initiation and communicates the detection of the power interruption and power initiation to the plurality of integrated nonvolatile SRAM circuits. The SRAM cell, upon detection of the power interruption, transmits the digital signal to the first and second nonvolatile memory elements. The SRAM cell of each of the nonvolatile static random access memories upon detection of the power initiation, receives the digital signal from the first and second nonvolatile memory elements.

A method and system for monitoring and controlling a power distribution system is provided. The system includes a plurality of circuit breakers and a plurality of node electronic units. Each node electronic unit is mounted remotely from an associated circuit breaker that is electrically coupled with one of the node electronic units. The system also includes a first digital network, and a first central control unit. The first central control unit and the plurality of node electronic units are communicatively coupled to the first digital network. The method includes receiving digital signals from each node electronic unit at the central control unit, determining an operational state of the power distribution system from the digital signal, and transmitting digital signals to the plurality of node electronic units such that the circuit breakers are operable from the first central control unit.

A signal conditioner (SC) and method for performing communications via a shared transport medium between a base transceiver station (BTS) and a remote antenna entity (RAE). A first SC is connected to the BTS and a second SC is connected to the RAE. Each SC interfaces to the transport medium. The first SC receives an RF signal representing a combined digital signal (CDS) from the BTS. The first SC recovers and conditions the CDS, and then transmits the conditioned CDS to the second SC via the transport medium. The second SC receives the conditioned CDS, recovers the CDS, produces an RF signal representing the CDS, and transmits this RF signal to the RAE. The RAE sends this RF signal to an antenna of the RAE for transmission of this RF signal via the antenna. First SC and second SC also facilitate communication of a CDS from RAE to BTS.

A method is provided for communicating signals at a low power level in an electromagnetic interference (EMI) environment. A first device transmits a modulated signal having a first carrier frequency, including the encoded information via a hardwire transmission medium. In one aspect, the power level of the modulated signal can be adjusted to minimize power consumption or reduce the generation of EMI. The modulated signal may be in one of the following formats: frequency modulation (FM) or phase modulation (PM) to name a few examples. A second device including a logarithmic detector amplifier (LDA) demodulator circuit receives the signal, which may be mixed with EMI. The LDA demodulator circuit amplifies the modulated signal, without amplifying the EMI, to supply a demodulated baseband signal, which may be an n-ary digital signal, or an audio signal. A low-power, noise insensitive communication channel is also provided.

Method and apparatus for identifying broadcast digital audio signals include structure and / or function whereby the digital audio signal is provided to processing structure which is configured to (i) identify a program-identifying code in the received digital audio signal, (ii) identify a program-identifying code in a decompressed received digital audio signal, (iii) identify a feature signature in the received digital audio signal, and (iv) identify a feature signature in the decompressed received digital audio signal. Preferably, such processing structure is disposed in a dwelling or a monitoring site in an audience measurement system, such as the Nielsen TV ratings system.

Exemplary embodiments of methods and apparatuses to dynamically redistribute computational processes in a system that includes a plurality of processing units are described. The power consumption, the performance, and the power / performance value are determined for various computational processes between a plurality of subsystems where each of the subsystems is capable of performing the computational processes. The computational processes are exemplarily graphics rendering process, image processing process, signal processing process, Bayer decoding process, or video decoding process, which can be performed by a central processing unit, a graphics processing units or a digital signal processing unit. In one embodiment, the distribution of computational processes between capable subsystems is based on a power setting, a performance setting, a dynamic setting or a value setting.

A digital portable communications device (1) for communication via a communications network (28) has circuitry for exchanging video signals between the device and an external video apparatus (25; 31). The circuitry for exchanging video signals is arranged to exchange the video signals in the form of analog video signals. When analog video signals are used, the exchange of video signals with external video apparatuses is not limited to apparatuses adapted to a specific protocol for the exchange of digital video signals. Thus, it is not needed to have specific software drivers for different digital protocols in the communications device in order to communicate with a camera or a display unit. Any digital or analog camera, video recorder or video display unit can be used as an accessory to the communications device.

Passive Physiological monitoring apparatus and method have a sensor for sensing physiological phenomenon. A converter converts sensed data into electrical signals and a computer receives and computes the signals, and outputs computed data for real-time interactive display. The sensor is a piezoelectric film of polyvinylidene fluoride. A band-pass filter filters out noise and isolates the signals to reflect data from the body. A pre-amplifier amplifies signals. Signals detected include mechanical, thermal and acoustic signatures reflecting cardiac output, cardiac function, internal bleeding, respiratory, pulse, apnea, and temperature. A pad may incorporate the PVDF film and may be fluid-filled. The film converts mechanical energy into analog voltage signals. Analog signals are fed through the band-pass filter and the amplifier. A converter converts the analog signals to digital signals. A Fourier transform routine is used to transform into the frequency domain. A microcomputer is used for recording, analyzing and displaying data for on-line assessment and for providing realtime response. A radio-frequency filter may be connected to a cable and the film for transferring signals from the film through the cable. The sensor may be an array provided in a MEDEVAC litter or other device for measuring acoustic and hydraulic signals from the body of a patient for field monitoring, hospital monitoring, transport monitoring, home, remote monitoring.

A system for data transport in a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) includes a plurality of remote Digital Access Units (DAUs) located at a Remote location. The plurality of remote DAUs are coupled to each other and operable to transport digital signals between the plurality of remote DAUs. The system also includes a plurality of central hubs. Each of the plurality of central hubs is in communication with one of the remote DAUs using an electrical communications path. The system further includes a plurality of transmit / receive cells. Each of the plurality of transmit / receive cells includes a plurality of remote hubs. Each of the remote hubs in one of the plurality of transmit / receive cells is in communication with one of the plurality of central hubs using an optical communications path.

The invention concerns a device (10) for regulating the intensity of a beam extracted from a particle accelerator, such as a cyclotron, used for example for protontherapy, said particles being generated from an ion source. The invention is characterized in that it comprises at least: a comparator (90) determining a difference ε between a digital signal IR representing the intensity of the beam measured at the output of the accelerator and a setpoint value IC of the beam intensity: a Smith predictor (80) which determines on the basis of the difference ε, a correct value of the intensity of the beam IP; an inverted correspondence table (40) supplying, on the basis of the corrected value of the intensity of the beam IP, a setpoint value IA for supply arc current from the ion source (20).

Systems for diagnosing / monitoring structural health conditions of objects. The system, which monitors structural health conditions by use of a plurality of patch sensors attached to an object, includes at least one bridge box and at least one relay switch array module having a plurality of switches. Each of the patch sensors is adapted to perform at least one of generating a wave upon receipt of an actuator signal and developing a sensor signal. The bridge box includes an analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) for converting the sensor signal to a digital signal. The switches are adapted to establish a channel between a selected one of the patch sensors and the ADC.

A method for inspecting semiconductor wafers is provided in which a plurality of independent, low-cost, optical-inspection subsystems are packaged and integrated to simultaneously perform parallel inspections of portions of the wafer, the wafer location relative to the inspection being controlled so that the entire wafer is imaged by the system of optical subsystems in a raster-scan mode. A monochromatic coherent-light source illuminates the wafer surface. A darkfield-optical system collects scattered light and filters patterns produced by valid periodic wafer structures using Fourier filtering. The filtered light is processed by general purpose digital-signal processors. Image subtraction methods are used to detect wafer defects, which are reported to a main computer to aid in statistical process control, particularly for manufacturing equipment.

Systems, methods, apparatus are provided for providing to a receiver a time diverse digital signal corresponding to a service including receiving a digital signal containing a service content and receiving a digital signal containing a non-deterministic content. The service content is inserted into a first predetermined number of data packets in a first predetermined number of data frames deterministically. In addition, a first portion of the non-deterministic content is inserted into a second predetermined number of data packets in the first predetermined number of data frames. A copy of the first predetermined number of data packets is generated. The first predetermined number of data frames is broadcast over a distribution network. The copy of the first predetermined number of data packets is inserted into a second predetermined number of data frames and a second portion of the non-deterministic content is inserted into the second predetermined number of data frames. The second predetermined number of data frames is broadcast after a predetermined time.

A processor operates on samples of a digital output signal to determine samples of a digital correction signal. The output signal samples are directed to an output channel for transmission from a speaker. The digital correction signal samples are supplied to a first digital-to-analog converter for conversion into an analog correction signal. The subtraction circuit generates a difference between a first analog signal provided by a microphone and the analog correction signal. The analog correction signal is an estimate of a contribution to the first analog signal due to a direct path transmission between the speaker and the microphone. The processor also receives a digital input signal derived from the difference signal, and, performs acoustic echo cancellation on the digital input signal to obtain a resultant signal. The acoustic echo cancellation is configured to remove contributions to the digital input signal due to reflected path transmissions.

A novel method, system, and apparatus for efficient multi-block motion estimation in a digital signal compression and coding scheme. This invention selects only a few representative block sizes for motion estimation when certain favourable conditions occur, rather than using all available block sizes. This invention produces significantly reduced computational costs with virtually no sacrifice in visual quality and in bit-rate.

This invention relates to a wireless digital transmission system for loudspeakers comprising:compression means for the file representing the digital audio signal of the “compact disc” type, a transmission device comprising means of converting this compressed signal into a series signal moving by packets going to a modulator circuit with phase quadrature and means of transmitting the signals exiting the modulator circuit with phase quadrature to the domestic network for feeding electricity;a receiving device comprising means of connecting to this domestic network and of extracting from the feed electrical signal, by a demodulator with phase quadrature, data packets moving the digital audio signal to convert it into a parallelized digital signal sent to a decompression circuit;means of converting the decompressed digital signals into an analog signal intended to feed a loudspeaker after adequate amplification.