Abstract:

Disclosed herein are a system for automatically landing an aircraft using image signals and a method of controlling the system. The system includes an altimeter installed on the aircraft; a landing mark placed at a landing location on a landing runway; a camera installed on the aircraft, oriented toward the front of the aircraft, and configured to detect the shape of the landing mark in image information form; and a FCC configured to calculate the angle between the aircraft and the ground, the ground range and the slant range between the aircraft and the landing location using the altitude information measured by the altimeter, the image information of the landing mark captured by the camera, angle information composed of the pitch, roll and yaw angles of the aircraft, and the angle of entry into the landing runway, and configured to control the automatic landing of the aircraft.

Description:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a system for automatically landing an aircraft using image signals, and, more particularly, to a system for automatically landing an aircraft using image signals and a method of controlling the system, which are capable of automatically landing an aircraft at a landing location using a landing mark provided at the landing location and imaging equipment configured to detect the landing mark.

2. Description of the Related Art

In order to land an aircraft, particularly an unmanned aircraft, a landing method based on an external pilot"s control, a landing method using a parachute or a net and an automatic landing method using an Instrument Landing System (ILS) have been used.

However, the landing methods require the maintenance of additional manpower and the provision of additional facilities. In order to solve these problems, a way of automatically landing an unmanned aircraft by radar has been u ...

Connection cable and method for activating a voltage-controlled generator

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a steering angle sensor, which includes a substrate. A shaft bore and a first gear are adapted on the substrate. The first gear has a shaft sleeve, which passes through the shaft bore. And a steering column of a steering wheel passes through the shaft sleeve. A second gear is adapted on the substrate, and is in mesh with the first gear. A rotary sensor is located atop and assembled with the second gear. Besides, a signal processing circuit is coupled electrically with the rotary sensor. By simply meshing the first and the second gears and passing the steering column of the steering wheel through the first gear, when the steering wheel turns, the second gear will be driven to turn as well, which, in turn, drives the rotary sensor. Thereby, the number of components in the steering angle sensor is reduced, and the volume thereof is reduced effectively as well.

Description:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a steering angle sensor, and particularly to a steering angle sensor with a single rotary sensor and without a reducer means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A steering angle sensor (SAS) is an important component in an advanced automobile driving and control system. Its function is to measure the steering angle and the angular velocity of the steering wheel. The output of an ideal SAS shall indicate the possible rotational range of the steering wheel, which is +/в€’2.5 turns, or equivalently +/в€’900 degrees. The information of the angular velocity of the steering wheel, which is useful for the safety control of the vehicle, should be provided as well. As regard the environment for operation, a SAS should be able to tolerate the harsh condition in an automobile, which includes vibration, high humidity and temperature up to 80 degree C. In addition to the environmental requirement, a SAS shall be able to work properly with the ...

High power bipolar pulse generators

Abstract:

A vehicle preferential treatment system includes a controller mounted in a hybrid vehicle, and a server performing wireless communications with the controller. The controller estimates an SOC of an electric storage (not shown) and transmits the SOC to the server. When the SOC of the electric storage exceeds a reference level, the server gives a preferential treatment to the hybrid vehicle. Then, information on the preferential treatment is transmitted from the server to the controller, and is displayed on a display unit of the controller.

Description:

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a vehicle preferential treatment system, an electrically powered vehicle and a server. In particular, the present invention relates to a vehicle preferential treatment system for preferentially treating electrically powered vehicles such as hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles, and an electrically powered vehicle and a server used in the system.

2. Description of the Background Art

As environment-friendly vehicles, electrically powered vehicles such as hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles have drawn attention. A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle using, in addition to an engine conventionally used as a power source, a DC power source, an inverter and a motor driven by the inverter as power sources as well. An electric vehicle is a vehicle using a DC power source, an inverter and a motor driven by the inverter as power sources. Hybrid vehicles have already been marketed and practically used.

In recent years, attempts to realize environmental protection by giving preferential treatment to environment-friendly vehicles such as hybrid vehicles so as to urge transformation to environment-friendly vehicles including electrically powered vehicles have started. For example, in California, U.S.A, an operation to give preferential treatment to vehicles satisfying rigid exhaus ...

Multi-function three-phase active power filter

Abstract:

A device detects an air disturbance and controls the deflection of aircraft control surfaces when the disturbance is detected.

Description:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and a device for dynamically alleviating loads generated on an airplane by a disturbance due to wind.

BACKGROUND OF THE RELATED ART

It is known that, in the context of a load certification of transport airplanes, it is necessary to consider a number of regulatory dimensioning cases linked respectively: to a maneuver;to a discrete gust; andto a continuous turbulence.

The latter two load cases are sometimes greater dimensioning factors than the load cases linked to a maneuver. It would therefore be advantageous to be able to alleviate the load levels associated with a discrete gust and with a continuous turbulence, which would make it possible in particular to achieve a saving on the structural weight of the wings of the airplane.

It will be noted that, through patent application FR-2 883 983, a method and a device are known that are intended to measure the turbulence of the air in the environment of an aircraft. This device uses, to this end, lidars which are mounted on the aircraft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method of dynamically alleviating loads generated on an airplane, in particular a transport airplane, by a disturbance due to wind. In the context of the present invention, it is considered that a disturbance due to wind can be: a discrete gust, that is, a simplified modeling of the wind aiming to represent an isolated turbulence of an extreme intensity; ora continuous turbulence, that is, a modeling of the wind aiming to represent atmospheric disturbances that last for a long time and that can excite the structural modes of the airplane that have little damping; orother types of turbulences.

To this end, said ...

Power transmission control device, power transmitting device, electronic instrument, and non-contact power transmission system

Abstract:

The subject invention relates to systems and methods that facilitate motion between different coordinate systems in an industrial control environment. The systems and methods accept data in one coordinate system and transform the data to a different coordinate system. Suitable transformations include instructions that transform between Cartesian, pre-defined non-Cartesian, and user-defined non-Cartesian coordinate systems, including transformations between a non-Cartesian coordinate system to another non-Cartesian coordinate system. Such transformations can be programmed in essentially any industrial control language and can be seamlessly integrated with the control environment. The systems and methods can be utilized to generate a motion instruction that includes, among other information, source and target coordinate systems and the transformation between them. The subject invention provides for connecting various systems together through respective motion instructions, wherein a motion of a source system is mapped to a coordinate system of a target system and the target system is moved accordingly.

Description:

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject invention relates to industrial control systems and, more particularly, to systems and methods that provide motion coordination between different coordinate systems through pre-defined and user-defined transforms written in industrial control languages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Industrial controllers are special purpose processing devices used for controlling (e.g., automated and semi-automated) industrial processes, machines, manufacturing equipment, plants, and the like. A typical controller executes a control program or routine in order to measure one or more process variables or inputs representative of the status of a controlled process and/or effectuate outputs associated with control of the process. The inputs and outputs can be digital and ...

Current bypass for distributed power harvesting systems using DC power sources

Abstract:

A multi model registration (MMR) process performed using a computer, for registering a plurality of workpiece vision models representing features on a workpiece that define a marking location thereon, to corresponding part vision models stored on the computer representing features that define a desired part marking location. The MMR process includes capturing a new image of the workpiece that includes one of the plurality of features on the workpiece that define its marking location; generating a workpiece vision model of that one workpiece feature included in the new workpiece image captured; registering the new workpiece vision model generated to the stored part vision model representing the corresponding one of the features defining the part marking location; and repeating these process steps for the remaining workpiece features defining the marking location thereon, for which there is respective corresponding stored part vision model representing a feature defining the part marking location.

Description:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The subject invention relates to positioning a laser on a part, and utilizing the laser to mark, or otherwise alter the part, to produce, for example, a graphic in or on the part at a desired position.

2. Description of the Related Art

Methods are known for accurately guiding a laser used to mark, etch, engrave, machine, cut, weld, etc. a workpiece in producing a part, the workpiece perhaps being the resulting part itself prior to or during the process of marking. Herein, the term “mark” and its variants are used to refer not only to marking, but to other alterations of the workpiece performed by a laser, such as but not limited to etching, engraving, machining, cutting or welding. In certain procedures, for example, marking entails producing a graphics on the workpiece, using a process of capturing an image of the workpi ...

Highly efficient solar power systems

Abstract:

An audio signal processing apparatus includes a high-pass filter for extracting from an audio signal a frequency component higher than f0, n band-pass filters for extracting, from the audio signal, frequency components falling within a frequency range from f0/N to f1/N, n harmonic overtone generators for frequency multiplying each of outputs of the n band-pass filters by N, a first combining unit for combining the generated harmonic overtone components, a level detector for detecting a level of a supplied harmonic overtone component, a gain controller for controlling dynamically the harmonic overtone component supplied from the first combining unit, and a second combining unit for combining the frequency component extracted by the high-pass filter and a harmonic overtone component output from the gain controller, where N is (n being a natural number), f0 is a first predetermined frequency, and f1 is a second predetermined frequency higher than f0.

Description:

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention contains subject matter related to Japanese Patent Application JP 2006-283533 filed in the Japanese Patent Office on Oct. 18, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an audio reproducing apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

Small loudspeakers are employed in minicomponent stereo sets and flat-screen television receivers. In such applications, the enclosure of the loudspeaker (speaker box) is accordingly small. The resonance frequency f0 of the loudspeaker is as high as or higher than 100 Hz.

An audio signal having the resonance frequency f0 or lower may be supplied to the loudspeaker. With the frequency being lowered, the fundamental component is increasingly lowered while distorted components (harmonic components) sha ...

Automatic transfer switch module

Abstract:

Process controllers, methods, and systems provide for frequency control to account for the effects of periodic disturbances in the feedback signal of closed loop control systems. The frequency components of the feedback signal are determined, including the magnitude and phase of each. Waveforms for each frequency component are generated with substantially the same magnitude and substantially the opposite phase of each frequency component. The waveforms are then summed to produce a compensating waveform that is summed within the output of the control system so that the effects of the periodic disturbances are cancelled from the control system output being provided to the system under control.

Description:

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is related to closed loop control systems. More particularly, the present invention is related to controlling disruptive frequencies within the feedback signal of closed loop control systems.

BACKGROUND

Closed loop control systems are employed to maintain a process variable of a system under control at a desired set point. For example, the speed of a motor is a process variable that is controlled to maintain the speed at the set point such as described in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,989. During operation, the process variable may differ from the set point due to various causes including environmental disturbances and changes in the physical characteristics of the system under control. The closed loop control system continuously measures the process variable via a feedback signal, and the closed loop control system generates a correction based on the deviation of the process variable of the feedback signal. The correction is intended to force the process variable back to the set point.

While the closed loop control system is effective at preventing the process variable from straying far from the set point, periodic disturbances may be pr ...

Two-stage power supply system

Abstract:

Some embodiments relate to a method of implanting a cardiac lead. An expansion module is implanted in a target region within vasculature, the target region being defined by a portion of a brachiocephalic vein and a portion of a corresponding subclavian vein. The expansion module is transitioned from a collapsed state to an expanded state within the target region to contact the vasculature. A cardiac lead is implanted through the expansion module, the cardiac lead defining an intermediate section corresponding to the target region. The intermediate section of the cardiac lead includes a surface treatment adapted to reduce at least one of cell proliferation, thrombosis, fibrosis, and inflammation at the target region.

Description:

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to medical systems and methods for transvenous lead implantation. More specifically, the invention relates to venous occlusion and lead attachment associated with transvenously implanted leads.

BACKGROUND

Various medical devices interact with leads to assist with sensing, stimulating, or other functionality. For example, some implantable medical devices for treating irregular heart contractions, such as defibrillators and pacemakers, utilize transvenous leads for electrically stimulating the heart or for related sensing functions. According to some methods of transvenous lead implantation, one or more leads are introduced into a patient"s vasculature at a venous access site. The leads are then deployed through the vasculature to a deployment site, for example in or near the heart.

Transvenous leads can contribute to partial or complete venous occlusion of the vasculature through which the leads are deployed. In fact, some evidence suggests that significant venous occlusion occurs in more than about 25% of patients. This interference with normal blood flow is undesirable, as it may result in arm pain and swellin ...

Methods and apparatuses for operating devices with solar power

Abstract:

The invention is a lead attachment suitable for implantation in living tissue that enables connection of a wire that is comprised of stainless steel to a tack that in turn is bonded to a titanium swage cup, preferably Ti-6Al-4V. The wire is attached by crimping inside a crimping tube, to assure electrical continuity from the wire to the crimping tube. The tack is bonded by swaging a thinned swage ring and is further sealed by welding to swage cup, which is bonded by brazing to ceramic case.

Description:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a prosthetic medical device and method, and more particularly to connecting electrically conducting wires to a miniature implantable device to minimize risk to the living tissue during and after surgery.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Neurological disorders are often caused by neural impulses failing to reach their natural destination in otherwise functional body systems. Local nerves and muscles may function, but, for various reasons, such as injury, stroke, or other cause, the stimulating nerve signals do not reach their natural destination. For example, paraplegic and quadriplegic animals have intact nerves connected to functioning muscles and only lack the brain-to-nerve link. Electrically stimulating the nerve or muscle can provide a useful muscle contraction.

Further, implanted devices may be sensors as well as stimulators. In either case, difficulties arise both in providing suitable, operable stimulators or sensors which are small in size and in passing sufficient energy and control information to or from the device, with or without direct connection, to satisfactorily operate them. Miniature monitoring and/or stimulating devices for implantation in a living body are disclosed by Schulman, et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,284), Schulman, et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,185,452), and Schulman, et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,208,894), each of which i ...

Communication apparatus, communication system, image capture apparatus, video capture apparatus, and setting method thereof

Abstract:

A device for decoupling and/or desynchronizing neural, pathologically synchronous brain activity, in which, the activities in a partial region of a brain area or a functionally associated brain area are stimulated by means of an electrode, resulting in decoupling and desynchronizing the affected neuron population from the pathological area and suppression of the symptoms in a patient. In an alternative embodiment of the device, the pathologically synchronous brain activity due to the disease is desynchronized which also leads to the symptoms being suppressed. The device has a stimulation electrode and at least one sensor which are driven by a control system in such a manner that they produce decoupling and/or desynchronization in their local environment.

Description:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for decoupling and/or desynchronizing neural brain activity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

A pathologically synchronous brain activity which can have its origin, for example, in the basal ganglia, can also produce synchronization in the following areas such as, for example, the motor cortex, as a driving force. This secondary synchronization is significantly involved in generating the pathological symptoms. The invention relates to a device which allows the driving pathological activity to be decoupled from the following areas by which means a great reduction in the pathological symptoms can be effected. In a further embodiment, the device according to the invention can also be used for desynchronizing, i.e. for suppressing a rhythmic collective activity or, respectively, collective firing of the neurons of the pathologically synchronous nerve cell pop ...

DC-DC switching cell modules for on-board power systems

Abstract:

This disclosure describes a capacitive interface circuit for a low power system. The capacitive interface circuit is configured to achieve very low noise sensing of capacitance-based transducers, such as a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS)-based sensor, with high resolution and low power. The capacitive interface circuit uses a differential amplifier and correlated triple sampling (CTS) to substantially eliminate, or at least reduce, kT/C noise, as well as amplifier offset and flicker (1/f) noise, from the output of the amplifier. The capacitive interface circuit may further include an output stage that reduces glitching, i.e., clock transients, in the output signal by allowing transients in the amplifier output to settle. In this manner, the circuit can be used in a low power system to produce a stable, low-noise output.

Description:

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to sensor interface circuits and, more particularly, capacitive interface circuitry for low power sensor systems.

BACKGROUND

In micromachined systems, such as micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors, variable capacitors serve as the interface between a sensor, e.g., an accelerometer, gyroscope, pressure sensor, humidity sensor, or other types of micromachined sensors, and the measurement circuitry. Such sensors have a wide variety of applications including industrial, environmental, and/or physiological monitoring. Physiological monitoring has various biomedical applications including monitoring of posture, activity, gait, intravenous pressure, intracranial pressure, heart sounds, and the like.

In an accelerometer, for example, capacitive plates may be formed by fingers on a beam coupled to a proof mass and fixed fingers coupled to an inertial frame. The sets of fingers are interdigitated and act as capacitor plates that are electrically connected to form variable, differential capacitors. A proof mas ...

On-vehicle power generation controller

Abstract:

The present invention involves systems and related methods for performing surgical procedures and assessments, including the use of neurophysiology-based monitoring to: (a) determine nerve proximity and nerve direction to surgical instruments employed in accessing a surgical target site; (b) assess the pathology (health or status) of a nerve or nerve root before, during, or after a surgical procedure; and/or (c) assess pedicle integrity before, during or after pedicle screw placement, all in an automated, easy to use, and easy to interpret fashion so as to provide a surgeon-driven system.

Description:

BACKGROUND

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system and methods generally aimed at surgery. More particularly, the present invention is directed at a system and related methods for performing surgical procedures and assessments involving the use of neurophysiology.

II. Description of Related Art

A variety of surgeries involve establishing a working channel to gain access to a surgical target site. Oftentimes, based on the anatomical location of the surgical target site (as well as the approach thereto), the instruments required to form or create or maintain the working channel may have to pass near or close to nerve structures which, if contacted or disturbed, may be problematic to the patient. Examples of such “nerve sensitive” procedures may include, but are not necessarily limited to, spine surgery and prostrate or urology-related surgery.

Systems and methods exist for monitoring nerves and nerve muscles. One such system determines when a needle is approaching a nerve. The system applies a current to the needle to evoke a muscular response. The muscular response is visually monitored, typically as a shake or “twitch.” When such a muscular response is observed by the user, the needle is considered to be near the nerve coupled to the responsive ...

Vehicle power supply apparatus, and vehicle

Abstract:

Optical tomography systems that provide light of multiple distinct wavelengths from a plurality of sources are described. The systems direct light into mammalian tissue, and light from the mammalian tissue is collected at a plurality of reception points. Collected light from each reception point is separated according to its wavelength, and received by a photodetector to produce path attenuation signals representing attenuation along paths between the source locations and the reception points. An image construction system generates a tomographic image of the mammalian tissue from the path attenuation signals. One embodiment of an optical imaging system includes an optical coherence tomography-near infrared probe. The systems and methods may utilize a spectral derivative approach that provides insensitivity to the boundary and boundary artifacts in the signal, thereby improving the quality of the reconstructed images.

Description:

U.S. GOVERNMENT RIGHTS

This invention was made with Government support under grants NIH RO1 NS39471, U54 CA105480, PO1CA80139, RO1CA69544, 1R21CA100984-01A1 and K25 CA106863 awarded by the National Institutes of Health, and DAMD17-03-01-0405 awarded by the Department of Defense. The U.S. Government has certain rights in this invention.

BACKGROUND

Diffuse Optical Tomography (DOT) is a technique wherein tissue is illuminated at multiple source points on a tissue surface with electromagnetic energy having wavelengths ranging from visible light to near infrared (NIR). Light transmitted through the tissue from each source point is then detected at each of multiple reception points on the tissue surface to measure attenuation and scattering along paths from each source point to each reception point. Scattering is mainly the result of light interactions with solid or semi-solid masses, whereas attenuation of the radiation over the pathlength may be caused by absorptio ...

Electric power-feeding structure with arm and electric wire for feeding electric power to moving body

Abstract:

A method and system are disclosed for presenting anatomical and blood flow information contained in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) dataset. A three-dimensional (3D) representation of blood flow is generated which varies with time, referred to herein as a four-dimensional (4D) presentation or display. The system allows the visualization of the dynamics of blood flow and the visualization of anatomical information via the fusion of different types of MRI data sets.

Description:

BACKGROUND

Many modalities for measuring blood flow in the human body are in use today, including ultrasound and phase contrast magnetic resonance (PCMR), and the results of such measurements are usually displayed in a variety of ways. However, existing medical software for rendering blood flow information typically presents the information in a rather abstract form. A more clinically useful way of displaying blood information would allow the clinician to visualize the dynamics of a plurality of blood flows in an anatomical context. Such a display could be visually analyzed and utilized as a tool for diagnosis and surgery planning in order to treat medical problems such as stroke.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a method and system for presenting anatomical and blood flow information contained in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) dataset. A three-dimensional (3D) representation of blood flow is provided as well as its progression over time, referred to herein as a four-dimensional (4D) presentation or display. Such a system may allow not only the visualization of the dynamics of both arterial and venous flow at the same time, but also the visualization of anatomical information via the fusion of different types of MRI data sets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of the components making up an example system.

FIG. 2 illustrates the steps involved in an example m ...

Direct drive generator and wind turbine

Abstract:

A pulse oximeter sensor has both a reusable and a disposable portion. The reusable portion of the sensor preserves the relatively long-lived and costly emitter, detector and connector components. The disposable portion of the sensor is the relatively inexpensive adhesive tape component that is used to secure the sensor to a measurement site, typically a patient"s finger or toe. The disposable portion of the sensor is removably attached to the reusable portion in a manner that allows the disposable portion to be readily replaced when the adhesive is expended or the tape becomes soiled or excessively worn. The disposable portion may also contain an information element useful for sensor identification or for security purposes to insure patient safety.

Description:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to sensors for measuring oxygen content in the blood, and, in particular, relates to resposable (reusable/disposable) sensors having an information element contained therein.

BACKGROUND

Early detection of low blood oxygen is critical in a wide variety of medical applications. For example, when a patient receives an insufficient supply of oxygen in critical care and surgical applications, brain damage and death can result in just a matter of minutes. Because of this danger, the medical industry developed oximetry, a study and measurement of the oxygen status of blood. One particular type of oximetry, pulse oximetry, is a widely accepted noninvasive procedure for measuring the oxygen saturation level of arterial blood, an indicator of the oxygen status of the blood. A pulse oximeter relies on a sensor attached to a patient in order to measure the blood oxygen saturation.

Conventionally, a pulse oximeter sensor has a red emitter, an infrared emitter, and a photodiode detector. The sensor is typically attached to a patient"s finger, earlobe, or foot. For a finger, ...

Yaw bearing cleaning assembly for wind turbine

Abstract:

The hands-free function provision apparatus for use in the mobile communication terminal using the ZigBee protocol includes: a mobile communication terminal for performing transmission/reception of a voice signal via a base station; a ZigBee coordinator for transmitting or receiving a predetermined display signal and a call control signal for establishing a call connection state to/from the mobile communication terminal, modulating or demodulating the predetermined display signal, the call control signal, and the voice signal using the ZigBee protocol; and a ZigBee device for performing wireless transmission/reception with the ZigBee coordinator by modulating or demodulating the predetermined display signal, the call control signal, and the voice signal using the ZigBee protocol, and visually providing the predetermined display signal.

Description:

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is the National Phase application of International Application No. PCT/KR2005/003752, filed Nov. 8, 2005, which designates the United States and was published in English. This application, in its entirety, is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application is based on, and claims priority from, Korean Application Number 2005-0057090, filed Jun. 29, 2005, the disclosure of which are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The present invention relates to a hands-free apparatus for use in a mobile communication terminal, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for providing a hands-free function of a mobile communication terminal using an IEEE 802.15.4 protocol (also called ZigBee) indicative of Wireless Personal Area Network communication scheme.

BACKGROUND ART

Typically, a Personal Area Network (PAN) is a small-sized network, the size of which is smaller than that of a LAN, and is generally indicative of intercommunication ...

Wave power energy generation apparatus

Abstract:

Systems and methods that provide channel-adaptive antenna selection in multi-antenna-element communication systems are provided. In one embodiment, a method that selects a subset of receive antennas of a receiver to receive a transmitted RF signal may include, for example, one or more of the following: establishing possible subsets of the receive antennas; determining sets of channel parameter statistics corresponding to the possible subsets of the receive antennas; computing output bit error rates of the receiver, each output bit error rate being computed based on at least one set of channel parameter statistics; selecting a particular possible subset of the receive antennas based upon a criterion predicated on the computed output bit error rates; and connecting one or more RF chains of the receiver to the receive antennas of the selected particular possible subset.

Description:

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most current wireless communication systems are composed of nodes configured with a single transmit and receive antenna. However, for a wide range of wireless communication systems, it has been predicted that the performance, including capacity, may be substantially improved through the use of multiple transmit and/or multiple receive antennas. Such configurations form the basis of “smart” antenna techniques. Smart antenna techniques, coupled with space-time signal processing, can be utilized both to combat the deleterious effects of multipath fading of a desired incoming signal and to suppress interfering signals. In this way both the performance and capacity of digital wireless systems in existence or being deployed (e.g., CDMA-based systems, TDMA-based systems, WLAN systems, and OFDM-based systems such as IEEE 802.11a/g) maybe improved.

At least some of ...

Method and apparatus for converting ocean wave energy into electricity

Abstract:

Providing a single number presentation to the party called by a dual-mode phone. The operation of the cellular side of a dual-mode phone is altered such that when the user attempts to place an outgoing call using the cellular phone, the call is redirected to a preprogrammed incoming phone number associated with the enterprise. When the enterprise PBX answers this call, the dual-mode phone transmits the desired number to the enterprise PBX. The enterprise PBX then places the call to the desired number, and in the process transmits the caller-id information assigned to the dual-mode phone.

Description:

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to (1) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/955,108 filed Dec. 12, 2007 and entitled “Delayed ACK in Dual-Mode Call Handover”; (2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/963,275 filed Dec. 21, 2007 and entitled “Indicators for Dual-Mode Phones”; and (3) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/955,091 filed Dec. 12, 2007 and entitled “Single Voicemail for Dual-Mode Phones”, all incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the operation of dual-mode phones, and more particularly, to presenting a single number to the party called by a dual-mode phone.

Dual-mode phones support connections via Wi-Fi and cellular networks. In an enterprise environment, when the user of a dual-mode phone places a call through the enterprise Wi-Fi connection, the called party receives caller-id information from the enterprise. When the user of the dual-mode phone is away from the enterprise Wi-Fi network and places a call through the cellular side of the dual-mode phone, the called party receives completely different caller-id information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be best understood by referring to the following description and accompanying d ...

Power generation

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for processing a floor request in a push to talk type service in which a floor is required for a first terminal to distribute media to a second terminal. The first terminal sends a floor request message to a PoC Server. The message relates to at least two different types of media content and indicates how and to what extent the granting or denial of the different media types interrelate. The message may indicate, for example, that if a first media type is denied, the others should be denied; or that the granting or denial of the first media type should not affect the other media types. The message may also indicate other conditions and relationships. The PoC Server processes the request based on the indicated interrelationships and/or conditions, and grants or denies each media type.

Description:

This application claims the benefit of European Patent Application No. 05110144.2, filed Oct. 28, 2005, the disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for use in a push-to-talk type service, for example a so-called Push to talk Over Cellular service.

2. Description of the Related Art

Walkie-talkie type services have long proved popular amongst users who wish to communicate brief messages quickly between one another. Conventionally, such services have been provided by two-way portable radios which utilize a dedicated part of the radio spectrum, but which only allow users to communicate with a small group of pre-selected users who utilize similar terminals and who are within range of the relatively short operating range of the radios. More recently, services have been introduced into the United States which piggy-back on the existing cellular telephone infrastructure. However, these services have been proprietary in nature and have not a ...

Refrigeration generation method and system