261072 results about "Electronic equipment" patented technology

A theft prevention system for protecting portable electronic devices is disclosed. An acceleration sensor detects the acceleration of a portable electronic device, and a controller analyzes this acceleration to determine whether a theft condition is present. If so, an alarm can be initiated. The theft prevention system can include a filter for attenuating irrelevant acceleration frequencies and isolating those representative of theft, and comparison hardware / software for determining whether the detected acceleration matches a known acceleration profile characteristic of theft. Various parameters of the theft prevention system can also be set by a user through mechanisms such as a graphical user interface.

A customer lead management system that relates to a system and method for collecting and organizing customer-marketing data, which is then made available to business representatives to assess. Specifically, using a computer network, and data on a potential customer's Budget, Authority, Needs, Timeframe, and other related customer data is collected. While this data is being collected, the customer lead management system stores the customer lead data in real-time instantly, automatically ranking the viability of the customer lead on the interest level of the customer lead and other variable criteria used in the web-based algorithm calculation, and automatically electronically notifies the appropriate company and / or company representative about the customer lead. The resulting customer lead profile record is located in a web server database, and can be accessed and undated in real-time by a portable computer or electronic device that has been web-enabled. The customer lead data is then capable of being accessed via a computer network by various companies that have goods / services that satisfy the needs and requirements of the customer lead. A company representative can be automatically notified when a customer lead profile has been updated.

A method and system for authenticating a smart battery having a smart battery and an electronic device. Both the device and the smart battery generate encrypted random strings using key material based by A / D noise bits as a seed value. A pseudo random number is generated from the A / D noise that is transmitted to both the electronic device and the smart battery. The pseudo random number is used by both devices as a key index to select one of a plurality of keys stored in separate key libraries. The keys, or key material, is used to execute an encryption algorithm. The two encryption data streams are then compared to authenticate the smart battery.

A method and apparatus for allowing the user of an electronic device to enhance privacy over a display with the use of software, are disclosed. A security window including a translucent graphical effects region may be displayed on the electronic device such that it overlays content the user may choose to protect. The security window allows the protected content to remain discernable for the user of the device yet substantially indiscernible to a person at a further distance and / or greater viewing angle from the screen of the device. One or more security windows, each of which may be of any size, shape, texture, translucency level and any other graphical or behavioral properties may be displayed on the display associated with the electronic device. The user may control the size, shape, texture, translucency level and any other graphical or behavioral properties of the security window and graphical effects region. The user may invoke or terminate a security window with the single click of a button. Security windows may automatically attach to applications in focus, or be attached in response to a user command, and allow uninterrupted usability of those applications.

A DC converter and a mode-switching method used in an electronic apparatus are included. The electronic apparatus includes a subsystem circuit. The DC power converter comprises a first voltage converting circuit electrically connected to the subsystem circuit, receiving a system voltage and a first reference voltage, and converting the system voltage to a first output voltage based on the first reference voltage; and a second voltage converting circuit electrically connected to the subsystem circuit and receiving the system voltage and a second reference voltage, and converting the system voltage to a second output voltage to the same output end of the first voltage converting circuit based on the second reference voltage; wherein the second voltage converting circuit outputs the second output voltage to the subsystem circuit when the first output voltage at the output end is smaller than a threshold.

A cell phone is equipped with a 2D optical sensor, enabling a variety of applications. For example, such a phone may also be provided with a digital watermark decoder, permitting decoding of steganographic data on imaged objects. Movement of a phone may be inferred by sensing movement of an imaged pattern across the optical sensor's field of view, allowing use of the phone as a gestural input device through which a user can signal instructions to a computer-based process. A variety of other arrangements by which electronic devices can interact with the physical world are also detailed, e.g., involving sensing and responding to digital watermarks, bar codes, RFIDs, etc.

Disclosed are a system and method for communicating selected information to an electronic device. The disclosed system may include a digital engine operable to maintain data representing the selected information in a digital format. In some embodiments, the digital engine may be communicatively coupled to a graphical user interface that allows a user to identify the selected information. The system may also include a communication engine communicatively coupled to the digital engine, the communication engine may be operable to wirelessly communicate the data representing the selected information to an electronic device.

A lightweight, battery operated, portable, personal electronic device capable of faxing, scanning, printing and copying media as a standalone device or in cooperation with other electronic devices including PCs, mobile telephones, PDAs, etc. is provided. The device automatically detects the presence of fax-capable devices and reconfigures the software for compatibility with the fax-capable device eliminating the need for user programming. The device's ergonomic design, intrinsic physical stability, and same side paper feeds and user interface provide use in work areas having limited space. The device includes unidirectional, independent pathways for original and recording media such that paper jams are minimized. Portability is maximized through innovative power management software and hardware.

An electronic device assembly includes an electronic device and an enclosure receiving the electronic device. The electronic device includes a display and a sensor. The enclosure includes a cover and a controller attached to the cover. The cover is rotatable relative to the electronic device between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the cover covers the electronic device, and the controller controls the sensor transmitting a first signal to the electronic device, for turning off a power supplied to the display. In the second position, the electronic device is exposed, and the controller controls the sensor transmitting a second signal to the electronic device, for turning on the power of the display.

A transparent, capacitive sensing system particularly well suited for input to electronic devices is described. The sensing system can be used to emulate physical buttons or slider switches that are either displayed on an active display device or printed on an underlying surface. The capacitive sensor can further be used as an input device for a graphical user interface, especially if overlaid on top of an active display device like an LCD screen to sense finger position (X / Y position) and contact area (Z) over the display. In addition, the sensor can be made with flexible material for touch sensing on a three-dimensional surface. Because the sensor is substantially transparent, the underlying surface can be viewed through the sensor. This allows the underlying area to be used for alternative applications that may not necessarily be related to the sensing system. Examples include advertising, an additional user interface display, or apparatus such as a camera or a biometric security device.

Disclosed are implants and methods for remote remodeling of a mitral valve annulus. The implant comprises a body transformable from a flexible configuration for navigation to a treatment site, to a remodeling configuration for, in one application, applying pressure to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve. On board electronics allow post deployment adjustment of the implant.

An overvoltage output protector is electrically connected to a constant-voltage switching power supply which includes a switching transistor converting a DC voltage obtained by smoothing an AC voltage supplied from an AC power source into a cyclic pulse signal. In the overvoltage output protector, an overvoltage monitor whether a potential of the cyclic pulse signal is a predetermined value or more. A deactivator turns off the switching transistor in a case where the overvoltage monitor judges that the potential of the cyclic pulse signal is the predetermined value or more.

Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and system for transferring power wirelessly to electronic devices. The system can utilize magnetic coupling between two coils at close proximity to transfer sufficient power to charge an electronic device. Embodiments of the invention pertain to an array of spiral coils that can be used to transmit power for transfer to receiver coils. Potential applications of this technology include charging consumer electronic devices (cell phones, laptops, PDAs, etc), developing hermetically sealed devices for extreme environments, and less invasive transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) systems. Various embodiments of the subject system can be referred to as PowerPad system. Embodiments can incorporate one or more of the following: planar inductors, PCB transformers, and very high frequency power supplies. Embodiments of the invention also pertain to planar inductors having characteristics that allow the production of even magnetic field, as well as systems that incorporate such planar inductors.

Provided herein are methods and systems relating to location-based services such as social networking, providing demographic information, tracking mobile devices, providing business information, providing an adaptable user interface, remotely effecting a change on a portable electronic device, providing a geofence, outputting location-based information on a mobile device, varying transmissions to and from a mobile device, providing location-based alerts, verifying transactions and tailoring information to the behavior of a user.

A portable intra-oral capture and display system, designed for use by a dental practitioner in connection with a patient seated in a dental chair, includes: a handpiece elongated for insertion into an oral cavity of the patient, where the handpiece includes a light emitter on a distal end thereof for illuminating an object in the cavity and an image sensor for capturing an image of the object and generating an image signal therefrom; a monitor interconnected with the handpiece, where the monitor contains electronics for processing the image for display and a display element for displaying the image, where the interconnection between the monitor and the handpiece includes an electrical connection for communicating the image signal from the image sensor in the camera to the electronics in the monitor; and a receptacle on the dental chair for receiving the monitor, wherein the receptacle conforms to the monitor such that the monitor may be withdrawn from the receptacle in order to allow the display element to be seen by the dental practitioner or the patient.

A communication system providing wireless communication among wireless users through a number of cellular base stations, each including at least transport management equipment and broadband equipment, at least one of which supports at least remote cellular station including RF equipment for communication with users of cellular devices. The system includes at lease one wireless narrow beam communication link operating at millimeter wave frequencies in excess of 60 GHz connecting a remote cellular station with a cellular base station equipped with broad band conversion electronic equipment and transport management equipment. In preferred embodiment the communication system includes a large number of remote cellular stations with each remote cellular station serving a separate communication cell. Each remote cellular station is equipped with a low frequency wireless transceiver for communicating with the wireless users within the cell at a radio frequency lower than 6 GHz and a narrow beam millimeter wave wireless transceiver operating at a millimeter wave frequency higher than 60 GHz for communicating with another millimeter wave transceiver at another remote cellular station or a millimeter wave transceiver at a base station.

A portable communication device with multi-touch input detects one or more multi-touch contacts and motions and performs one or more operations on an object based on the one or more multi-touch contacts and / or motions. The object has a resolution that is less than a pre-determined threshold when the operation is performed on the object, and the object has a resolution that is greater than the pre-determined threshold at other times.

An apparatus and method for supplying operating voltages to a plurality of electronic devices is disclosed. A plurality of power supply modules of a modular power supply may output voltages to at least two electronic devices. The apparatus may identify a failure of one of the power supply modules. The electronic device may be disconnected from the failed power supply module, and then reconnected to a functional power supply module of the modular power supply. A supplied voltage of the functional power supply module of the modular power supply may be varied, such as wherein the supplied voltage matches the set output voltage of the failed power supply module.

Accurate simulation of sport to quantify and train performance constructs by employing sensing electronics for determining, in essentially real time, the player's three dimensional positional changes in three or more degrees of freedom (three dimensions); and computer controlled sport specific cuing that evokes or prompts sport specific responses from the player that are measured to provide meaningful indicia of performance. The sport specific cuing is characterized as a virtual opponent that is responsive to, and interactive with, the player in real time. The virtual opponent continually delivers and / or responds to stimuli to create realistic movement challenges for the player.

An input device is disclosed. The input device includes a movable touch pad capable of detecting an object in close proximity thereto so as to generate a first control signal. The input device also includes a movement indicator capable of detecting the movements of the movable touch pad so as to generate one or more distinct second control signals. The control signals being used to perform actions in an electronic device operatively coupled to the input device.

An electronic device comprises a housing and a battery arrangement. The housing has a recess which is shaped to receive a removable battery. The battery arrangement includes a locking mechanism automatically securing the battery within the recess from an initial position into a final position. The battery arrangement prevents a removal of the battery until a powering down procedure of the device is completed.

A touch-sensitive display screen is enhanced by a touch-sensitive control area that extends beyond the edges of the display screen. The touch-sensitive area outside the display screen, referred to as a “gesture area,” allows a user to activate commands using a gesture vocabulary. In one aspect, the present invention allows some commands to be activated by inputting a gesture within the gesture area. Other commands can be activated by directly manipulating on-screen objects. Yet other commands can be activated by beginning a gesture within the gesture area, and finishing it on the screen (or vice versa), and / or by performing input that involves contemporaneous contact with both the gesture area and the screen.

Various embodiments provide systems and methods capable of facilitating interaction with handheld electronics devices based on sensing rotational rate around at least three axes and linear acceleration along at least three axes. In one aspect, a handheld electronic device includes a subsystem providing display capability, a set of motion sensors sensing rotational rate around at least three axes and linear acceleration along at least three axes, and a subsystem which, based on motion data derived from at least one of the motion sensors, is capable of facilitating interaction with the device.

The present invention relates to a personal multimedia electronic device, and more particularly to a head-worn device such as an eyeglass frame having a plurality of interactive electrical / optical components. In one embodiment, a personal multimedia electronic device includes an eyeglass frame having a side arm and an optic frame; an output device for delivering an output to the wearer; an input device for obtaining an input; and a processor comprising a set of programming instructions for controlling the input device and the output device. The output device is supported by the eyeglass frame and is selected from the group consisting of a speaker, a bone conduction transmitter, an image projector, and a tactile actuator. The input device is supported by the eyeglass frame and is selected from the group consisting of an audio sensor, a tactile sensor, a bone conduction sensor, an image sensor, a body sensor, an environmental sensor, a global positioning system receiver, and an eye tracker. In one embodiment, the processor applies a user interface logic that determines a state of the eyeglass device and determines the output in response to the input and the state.

Systems, methods, computer-readable media, and other means are described for utilizing touch-based input components that provide localized haptic feedback to a user. The touch-based input components can be used and / or integrated into any type of electronic device, including laptop computers, cellular telephones, and portable media devices. The touch-based input components can use, for example, a grid of piezoelectric actuators to provide vibrational feedback to a user, while the user scrolls around a click wheel, slides across a trackpad, or touches a multi-touch display screen.