519results about "Resonant circuit details" patented technology

A remote control device for a home theater has a macro creation / editing mode with authoring tools on the remote's GUI. One of the editing tools lets the user move a selected macro step visibly up or down the list of steps on the GUI.

A user interface for displaying information to a user of a universal remote control. The user interface displays to the user a list having a plurality of items each being associated with one or more devices that can be controlled using the remote control and, in response to the user selecting one of the plurality of items from the list, the remote control is caused to access at least one command code for transmission to at least one device setup within the remote control as being associated with the user selected one of the plurality of items and, simultaneously, retrieve Web content which has also been associated within the remote control to the user selected one of the plurality of items from a Web content server which retrieved Web content is displayed in a display of the remote control.

An entertainment system comprising a base unit with a transceiver for interacting, at times, with a control unit via a communications link, and a control unit for controlling the base unit, the control unit being dockable with the base unit to establish direct electrical connection between them, and including a transceiver for interacting with the control unit via said link when undocked. The control unit is a separate aspect of the invention or system. The base unit may contain a tuner, preferably with bandless tuning capability, and may be designed to receive into a universal docking arrangement a digitally controllable auxiliary audio source such as a portable MP3 player or other device. The base unit may further provide alarm clock functionality with numerous features including a “fail-safe” volume control system and fail-safe alarm time setting capability.

The present invention relates to a remote control (107; 201; 301) for controlling at least one device (101, 102, 103; 302) with connectivity to a service delivery network (105, 106). The remote control (107; 201; 301) comprising one or more displays (202) for showing display items which are indicative for one or more control instructions and the remote control (107; 201; 301) is able to adapt the display items and / or the control instructions in real-time depending on a selected service (303).

A technique for setting parameters of an audio system initially monitors audio related operator usage patterns. The technique then controls an audio source of the audio system based upon the operator usage patterns.

A hand-held electronic device having a remote control application user interface that functions to displays operational mode information to a user. The graphical user interface may be used, for example, to setup the remote control application to control appliances for one or more users in one or more rooms, to perform activities, and to access favorites. The remote control application is also adapted to be upgradeable. Furthermore, the remote control application provides for the sharing of operational mode information.

The present invention provides a system for a moving body which enables a user to know a receivable broadcast station at the current position in real time and to select smoothly a desired broadcast station in a receiver even in an unfamiliar area. This system includes a broadcast station data memory that stores the channel data of a receivable broadcast station for each area, and a main processing circuit which is responsive to the vehicle's current position sensed by a coordinate computing unit for referring to the channel data and for showing the channel data of a receivable broadcast station at the current position on a display.

In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for receiving data corresponding to a portion of an incoming radio frequency (RF) spectrum, determining a set of estimates including one or more pairs of a channel frequency estimate and a symbol rate estimate from the data via a linear spectrum analysis, and determining a refined set of estimates from the set of estimates via at least one non-linear spectrum analysis.

A geometrically modifiable resonator is comprised of a resonator disposed on a substrate, and a means for geometrically modifying the resonator. The geometrically modifiable resonator can achieve active optical and / or electronic control of the frequency response in metamaterials and / or frequency selective surfaces, potentially with sub-picosecond response times. Additionally, the methods taught here can be applied to discrete geometrically modifiable circuit components such as inductors and capacitors. Principally, controlled conductivity regions, using either reversible photodoping or voltage induced depletion activation, are used to modify the geometries of circuit components, thus allowing frequency tuning of resonators without otherwise affecting the bulk substrate electrical properties. The concept is valid over any frequency range in which metamaterials are designed to operate.

A remote control facilitates the visual indication of the position of an instrument on a touchpad by an external display device. The remote control includes a touchpad that produces a signal responsive to being touched by an instrument, a decoder that decodes the signal and that provides a position signal indicating instrument position on the touchpad, and a transmitter that transmits a coded signal to an external display device. The coded signal facilitates a visual indication of the instrument touchpad position by the external display device.

A handheld spectrum scanner has a radio module, a central processing unit (CPU), a display module, a power module for supplying power, and a switch setting module acting as controlling interfaces for inputting scan conductions. The radio module comprises an antenna, a filter amplifier, a transducer and a demodulator. The antenna receives frequency signals of wireless electric waves. The filter amplifier amplifies the frequency signals. The transducer and the demodulator analyze energy of the frequency signals and output scanned result to the CPU. The CPU compares variation of voltage level of the scanned result from the radio module based on scan conductions inputted by the switch setting module, and outputs determined result. The display module has a display for displaying the determined result from the CPU.

An entertainment system comprising a base unit with a transceiver for interacting, at times, with a control unit via a communications link, and a control unit for controlling the base unit, the control unit being dockable with the base unit to establish direct electrical connection between them, and including a transceiver for interacting with the control unit via said link when undocked. The control unit is a separate aspect of the invention or system. The base unit may contain a tuner, preferably with bandless tuning capability, and may be designed to receive into a universal docking arrangement a digitally controllable auxiliary audio source such as a portable MP3 player or other device. The base unit may further provide alarm clock functionality with numerous features including a “fail-safe” volume control system and fail-safe alarm time setting capability.

A remote control that tunes an appliance, such as a television or a radio, can scan marks on physical media, such as barcodes on products, publications, and print media. The remote control can present a user with a question regarding advertising content on a physical medium to immerse the user in such advertising content. The user can receive a reward, such as a coupon for a discounted purchase, for correctly answering the question. The remote control can generate a shopping list by scanning and identifying products that a consumer or household consumes. A remote server that is affiliated with a particular manufacturer or distributor can maintain the shopping list as a consumer service. The shopping list service can be a vehicle for promoting product brands associated with the manufacturer or distributor.

An integrated circuit inductor includes a spiral pattern disposed upon a substrate. The track of the spiral is divided into multiple tracks to form a multi-track inductor. The individual tracks are disposed side by side and in different layers. Tracks that are aligned vertically are coupled by feed throughs, or vias. Multiple vias are used along the length of each of the multiple tracks. Tracks disposed in the same layer are joined together at their beginning, and at their termination. A patterned shield is fabricated from conductive fingers of n+ salicided material that is separated by non conducting polysilicon that fills the gaps between the fingers. The conductive fingers are coupled together in groups, which are in turn tied to a single point ground. In tying the groups together, a gap in the conducting path is provided to prevent ground loop currents. The shield is disposed between the multi-track inductor and the substrate.

Embodiments of the invention relate to a system for extracting and analyzing radioelectric signals of interest. It includes an integer number N of channels. Each channel Vi includes a receiver linked to an analog signals digital acquisition device delivering a digital signal SNi. Each channel Vi includes a bank of polyphase filters, extracting digital signals SEi from the digital signal SNi. The digital signals SEi each have a smaller frequency bandwidth than that of the digital signal SNi. The system includes at least one extracted digital signals distribution device suitable for receiving the digital signals SEi and distributing SEi to one or more processing and storage units. The processing and storage units are suitable for the analysis, characterization and storage of the digital signals received. Embodiments of the invention apply to the system for the radio-monitoring of radioelectric emissions in real time or in deferred time.

In a method and arrangement for installing or updating a large number of television receivers in, e.g., hotels, one of the television receivers (1) is manually programmed. The data is then downloaded from the television receiver into a remote control unit (3) by modulating a conventional status LED (17) of the television receiver. In accordance with the invention, the status LED is of a type which emits visible light (171) as well as infrared light (172). The modulated infrared light beam (172) is detected by an infrared detector (34) of the remote control device and stored (35) therein. The data stored in the remote control unit is subsequently uploaded to other television receivers using the conventional infrared channel (33,15).

A method for providing access to broadcast media content includes determining positioning information corresponding to a current location of a mobile terminal. Based on the determined positioning information, a channel list including available broadcast media content channel information for the current location of the mobile terminal is automatically retrieved. Related systems and devices are also discussed.

The invention sends a hot link to a device. The device may be on a wireless network, a wired network, or directly coupled to the device sending the hot link. The hot link contains an associated action that is performed by the device receiving the hot link. The associated action may be performed when a user interface is activated or automatically when the hot link is received by the device. The action (1105) can be a broadcast action (1110), Internet action (1120), call action (1150), download action (1130), or upload action (1140). The broadcast action instructs the device to tune to a particular broadcast in response to the selection of the user interface. The Internet action instructs the device to access an Internet site in response to the selection of the user interface. The call action instructs the device to call a telephone number in response to the selection of user interface.

A user interface for displaying information to a user of a universal remote control. The user interface displays to the user a list having a plurality of items each being associated with one or more devices that can be controlled using the remote control and, in response to the user selecting one of the plurality of items from the list, the remote control is caused to access at least one command code for transmission to at least one device setup within the remote control as being associated with the user selected one of the plurality of items and, simultaneously, retrieve Web content which has also been associated within the remote control to the user selected one of the plurality of items from a Web content server which retrieved Web content is displayed in a display of the remote control.

A method and apparatus for selecting radio stations for reception based on a preferred program content. A list of radio station identifiers is stored in a memory and organized according to program content specifiers. When a presently received signal fades, the memory is searched for an alternate radio station with similar program content. If none is available, a prioritized list of alternative program content preferences is accessed and used to index other preferred radio stations for searching. In one embodiment, radio station geographic location information is stored in the memory, and the searching operation considers both program content preference and geographic proximity. The memory can be manually programmed, pre-programmed, updated by subscription, or programmed over-the-air by radio transmission. In one embodiment, a global positioning system receiver is employed to provide instantaneous radio location information.

An integrated VCO having an improved tuning range over process and temperature variations. There is therefore provided in a present embodiment of the invention an integrated VCO. The VCO comprises, a substrate, a VCO tuning control circuit responsive to a VCO state variable that is disposed upon the substrate, and a VCO disposed upon the substrate, having a tuning control voltage input falling within a VCO tuning range for adjusting a VCO frequency output, and having its tuning range adjusted by the tuning control circuit in response to the VCO state variable.

According to one embodiment, a system for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface includes a well bore extending from the surface to the subterranean zone, and a well bore pattern connected to the junction and operable to drain fluid from a region of the subterranean zone to the junction.

An integrated receiver with channel selection and image rejection substantially implemented on a single CMOS integrated circuit is described. A receiver front end provides programable attenuation and a programable gain low noise amplifier. Frequency conversion circuitry advantageously uses LC filters integrated onto the substrate in conjunction with image reject mixers to provide sufficient image frequency rejection. Filter tuning and inductor Q compensation over temperature are performed on chip. The filters utilize multi track spiral inductors with shields to increase circuit Q. The filters are tuned using local oscillators to tune a substitute filter, and frequency scaling during filter component values to those of the filter being tuned. In conjunction with filtering, frequency planning provides additional image rejection. The advantageous choice of local oscillator signal generation methods on chip is by PLL out of band local oscillation and by direct synthesis for in band local oscillator. The VCOs in the PLLs are centered using a control circuit to center the tuning capacitance range. A differential crystal oscillator is advantageously used as a frequency reference. Differential signal transmission is advantageously used throughout the receiver. ESD protection is provided by a pad ring and ESD clamping structure that maintains signal integrity. Also provided are shunts at each pin to discharge ESD build up. The shunts utilize a gate boosting structure to provide sufficient small signal RF performance, and minimal parasitic loading.

A mobile device (620) provides an opinion system (600) for receiving opinions from a user and displaying results relating to the received opinion. Opinion user interface elements (621-622) receive input relating to the item of the opinion. The opinion is aggregated with other opinions received from other mobile devices and the result is provided to the user. A probability thereon may be applied to the aggregated opinions, and may be used to generate estimates of probability for a users propensity to an item based on the user's preferences.

A handheld remote controller device that may be manually programmed while the keypad is conveniently supported in an easy to actuate and readily viewable position in front of a user. Individual keybutton entries are temporarily stored until the entry sequence is complete. Each keybutton entry may be visually displayed for review by the user. When the entry sequence is completed the remote controller device is then aimed at a remotely controlled television set, video tape or video disk player, cable or satellite signal converter. The user initiates a SEND command and the stored entries are retrieved and transmitted from the remote controller device to the receptor of the remotely controlled device as a packet of data which acts to change channel selection or accomplish other tasks in the remotely controlled device. A keybutton entry filter reduces a likelihood for accidental multiple entries which may be caused by tremors and other physical or mental maladies. In this way, physically challenged persons, or elderly persons in particular, may be enabled to utilize a remote control function with less chance for error. When only a single number channel, such as channel 5 is selected, a necessitous leading zero is automatically added to the SEND dispatched command.

The invention is directed to mobile device (FIG. 5, No 502) that obtains presence information for multiple users of other mobile devices (FIG. 5, No 508) and aggregating this information for display by at least one of the users. The aggregated presence information can include the physical (FIG. 5, No 516), virtual and ordinal (FIG. 5, Nos 512 and 514) locations for multiple users of the invention. Each user can opt in to, or out of, displaying at least a portion of the aggregated presence information in real time or over time (FIG. 5, No 504). Also statistics can be provided for analyzing presence information over time.

An integrated receiver with channel selection and image rejection substantially implemented on a single CMOS integrated circuit is described. A receiver front end provides programable attenuation and a programable gain low noise amplifier. Frequency conversion circuitry advantageously uses LC filters integrated onto the substrate in conjunction with image reject mixers to provide sufficient image frequency rejection. Filter tuning and inductor Q compensation over temperature are performed on chip. The filters utilize multi track spiral inductors. The filters are tuned using local oscillators to tune a substitute filter, and frequency scaling during filter component values to those of the filter being tuned. In conjunction with filtering, frequency planning provides additional image rejection. The advantageous choice of local oscillator signal generation methods on chip is by PLL out of band local oscillation and by direct synthesis for in band local oscillator. The VCOs in the PLLs are centered using a control circuit to center the tuning capacitance range. A differential crystal oscillator is advantageously used as a frequency reference. Differential signal transmission is advantageously used throughout the receiver. ESD protection is provided by a pad ring and ESD clamping structure that maintains signal integrity. Also provided are shunts at each pin to discharge ESD build up. The shunts utilize a gate boosting structure to provide sufficient small signal RF performance, and minimal parasitic loading.

A remote control having an improved user interface. A remote control for navigating a menu system provided on a digital video disc (DVD) is disclosed. The remote control comprises memory for storing a sequence of navigation keystrokes and programming for subsequently executing the sequence, whereby material on the DVD is navigated. Remote controls having a display screen are also used to enhance the user interface. More general systems and methods related to consumer electronics are also disclosed.