3328 results about "Control electronics" patented technology

An electronic cigarette has two tubes that resemble a cigarette: an electronic inhaler and an electronic atomizer. The two tubes are connected through one or more electric connectors to form an electronic cigarette. Inside the inhaler is a rechargeable or non-rechargeable power source such as a battery, which supplies electric power to the electronic inhaler and atomizer and ensures that both work together like a cigarette. In addition to the power source, the inhaler also includes other major components: an electric airflow sensor to detect air movement generated by a user's inhaling or puffing act and a Single Chip Micyoco which controls the atomization process. The sensor's role is to collect an airflow signal that triggers the Single Chip Micyoco, which in turn instructs the electronic cigarette to supply electric power to the inhaler and atomizer connected through an electric connector. Inside the electronic atomizer are an electric connector, electric heating wire, liquid container, and atomizer cap with an air-puffing hole. The user inhales through the air-puffing hole at an end of the electronic cigarette to create an air inflow, which triggers the atomization process. The Single Chip Micyoco driven by a software program controls the electronic cigarette in an on / off manner according to the signal detected by the electric sensor on the airflow and completes a cycle of atomization, which converts a solution of a liquid form inside the liquid container to a gas form. This entire process achieves the emulated smoking process of a user, who is satisfied with scent taste that mimics cigarette smoking.

A permanent magnet DC brushless motor control assembly permits a user to select the permanent magnet DC brushless motor operating characteristics by selecting appropriate control circuits to interface with the motor. The assembly includes a permanent magnet DC brushless motor, a commutator electrically coupled to the motor, and at least one control module electrically coupled to the commutator, to control operating characteristics of the permanent magnet DC brushless motor.

A high dimensional touchpad (HDTP) controls a variety of computer windows systems and applications by detecting a user's finger movement in the left-right, forward-backward, roll, pitch, yaw, and downward pressure directions. Measurements obtained from the touchpad of at least two attributes of finger movement at two different time intervals are used to provide a first and a second finger position attribute used to control an application on an electronic device. The finger roll angle is determined by detecting the edge and the peak region of a finger contact area. Also, a visual color displayed in an application operating on an electronic device is controlled by a measured-angle value of a finger in contact with a touchpad.

A system, method and computer application for electronic equipment 10 having a contact-less user input device that is capable of detecting and / or sensing user movement (e.g., gestures) and controlling one or more parameters associated with the electronic equipment and / or being executed on the electronic equipment based at least in part on the detected and / or sensed user movement is disclosed. A predetermined movement may be detected by the movement detection circuitry (e.g., camera, infrared sensors, etc.) and a corresponding user controllable feature or parameter of the electronic equipment and / or application program may be controlled based upon the detected predetermined movement. The controllable feature may vary based upon the type of application being executed by the electronic equipment and velocity and / or acceleration of the object being detected.

Improved techniques to control utilization of accessory devices with electronic devices are disclosed. The improved techniques can use cryptographic approaches to authenticate electronic devices, namely, electronic devices that interconnect and communicate with one another. One aspect pertains to techniques for authenticating an electronic device, such as an accessory device. Another aspect pertains to provisioning software features (e.g., functions) by or for an electronic device (e.g., a host device). Different electronic devices can, for example, be provisioned differently depending on different degrees or levels of authentication, or depending on manufacturer or product basis. Still another aspect pertains to using an accessory (or adapter) to convert a peripheral device (e.g., USB device) into a host device (e.g., USB host). The improved techniques are particularly well suited for electronic devices, such as media devices, that can receive accessory devices. One example of a media device is a media player, such as a hand-held media player (e.g., music player), that can present (e.g., play) media items (or media assets).

The present invention is directed to a gas line electron beam exciter, gas line electron beam excitation system and method for exciting a gas using an electron beam exciter. The electron beam exciter generally comprises a variable density electron source for generating a cloud of electrons in an electron chamber and a variable energy electron extractor for accelerating electrons from the electron chamber as an electron beam and into an effluent stream for fluorescing species in the effluent. The electron density of the electron beam is variably controlled by adjusting the excitation power applied to the variable density electron source. The electrons in the electron chamber reside at a reference electrical potential of the chamber, typically near ground electrical potential. The electron energy of the electron beam is variably controlled by adjusting an electrical potential across the variable energy electron extractor, which energizes the electrons through an extraction hole of the chamber and toward the extractor. The greater the difference in the electrical potential between the electron extractor and the electron source, the higher the energy imparted to the electrons in the electron beam. The excitation power applied to the electron source can be adjusted independently from the electron energy of the electron beam, thereby altering the electron density of the electron beam without changing the energy level of the electrons of the electron beam.

This relates to systems and processes for using a virtual assistant to arbitrate among and / or control electronic devices. In one example process, a first electronic device samples an audio input using a microphone. The first electronic device broadcasts a first set of one or more values based on the sampled audio input. Furthermore, the first electronic device receives a second set of one or more values, which are based on the audio input, from a second electronic device. Based on the first set of one or more values and the second set of one or more values, the first electronic device determines whether to respond to the audio input or forego responding to the audio input.

Apparatuses and methods for pumping fluid are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus is a miniature pump that includes a shape memory wire that obtains a plastic condition below a transformation temperature and has a memorized shape such that the shape memory wire produces a work stroke by returning to the memorize shape at least at the transformation temperature. A spring biased against the shape memory wire is deflected by the work stroke to deform the shape memory wire from the memorized shape below the transformation temperature. A fluid pump is coupled to the shape memory wire and driven by the biased spring and shape memory wire to produce a fluid flow. The miniature pump can be incorporated into a self-contained infusion device in the form of a compact self-adhesive patch including a fluid reservoir, control electronics and power supply that is place directly at the infusion site of a user.

Apparatus and methods for cooling and / or heating selected regions within a body are described herein. An implantable system is used to cool or heat nerve bodies down to about 15° C. to diminish nerve impulses. In one embodiment, the system can include an implantable unit containing a pumping mechanism and / or various control electronics. The system has a cooling element. The cooling element can be a Peltier junction or a catheter through which hot or cold fluid flows. The heated portion of the Peltier junction can be cooled by a liquid heat transfer medium which absorbs the heat from the junction and dissipates the heat elsewhere.

A lidar-based system and method are used for the solid state beamforming and steering of laser beams using optical phased array (OPA) photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and the detection of laser beams using photodetectors. Transmitter and receiver electronics, power management electronics, control electronics, data conversion electronics and processing electronics are also included in the system and used in the method.Laser pulses beamformed by the OPA PIC reflect from objects in the field of view (FOV) of said OPA, and are detected by a detector or a set of detectors.A lidar system includes at least one lidar, and any subset and any number of complementary sensors, data processing / communication / storage modules, and a balance of system for supplying power, protecting, connecting, and mounting the components of said system.Direct correlation between the 3D point cloud generated by the lidar and the color images captured by an RGB (Red, Green, Blue) video camera can be achieved by using an optical beam splitter that sends optical signals simultaneously to both sensors.A lidar system may contain a plurality of lidar sensors, a lidar sensor may contain a plurality of optical transmitters, and an optical transmitter may contain a plurality of OPA PICs.

The invention is a method and apparatus for controlling electronic devices from a remote location. The method and apparatus utilizes a remote control device which receives and transmits voice commands as electrical signals to at least one controlled device having a recognition processor which converts received electrical signals to pattern data and compares that pattern data with data stored in the processor. The invention may incorporate the use of a recorder for recording electrical signals in the remote or controlled device and may further include a teaching circuit for retrieving and reproducing voice commands as visual or audio prompts as needed. The invention may be adapted to control multiple controlled devices in coordination so that each coordinated device is made to perform the same or a different function in response to a single voice command is disclosed.

Disclosed is a power line broadband communication system having broadband coupler devices capable of direct electrical connection to an energized power line. The coupler includes a conductive portion movable by an adjustable member from a non-conducting retracted position spaced apart from the power transmission line to a forward conducting position in electrical contact with the power line. An insulated arm supports the coupler on the power line. A base on the coupler is engageable with a remotely activated tool in order to accomplish the electrical connection in a safe and secure manner. Broadband data signals are sent to and from customer premises along the shared energized power lines. New coupler connections to the energized power lines allow the additional broadband customers and / or repeaters to join the communication system. Also couplers may provide connections to control electronics, routers, wireless transceivers, and may allow the broadband signals to bypass transformers on the power lines. The invention helps to minimize risk by allowing an installer to be remotely spaced from the energized power line while making the electrical coupling contact with the energized power line.

A method for interpreting at least two consecutive gestures includes providing a sensing assembly having at least one photoreceiver and a plurality of phototransmitters, wherein each phototransmitter is positioned to emit infrared light away from the electronic device about a corresponding central transmission axis, wherein each central transmission axis is oriented in a different direction with respect to the others, and controlling emission of infrared light by each of the phototransmitters during each of a plurality of time periods. During each of the plurality of phototransmitters and for each of the plurality of time periods, a corresponding measured signal is generated which is indicative of a respective amount of infrared light which originated from that phototransmitter during that time period and was reflected by the external object prior to being received by a photoreceiver. The measured signals are evaluated to identity a first gesture, and the electronic device is controlled in response to identification of the first gesture according to a first mode of operation. A parameter of a second gesture is also determined, and the electronic device is controlled in response to the determined parameter of the second gesture according to a second mode of operation.

A contrast media injection system includes detects the absolute position of the syringe ram using a non-contact sensor. A series of magnets and Hall-Effect sensors may be used or an opto-reflective system. Illuminated knobs that are connected to the drive mechanism for the syringe ram rotate with the drive and provide visual feedback on operation through the illumination. Analog Hall-Effect sensors are used to determine the presence or absence of magnets that identify the type of faceplate being used. The faceplates include control electronics, connected to the powerhead through connectors, which may be interchangeably used by the two faceplates. The faceplate electronics include detectors for automatically detecting the capacity of pre-filled syringes. Additional features include using historical data to provide optimum pressure limit values during an injection protocol, a removable memory device for storing and transferring information such as injection protocols and injector statistics, and password protection of such protocols.

Disclosed are an electronic cigarette and methods for controlling the power to the electronic cigarette which provides various modes of operation, including both regulated and no-regulated mode. The method is implemented m the form of an electronic power control program that controls the constituent parts of the electronic cigarette, including the battery, atomizer, heating element, smoke liquid or juice, and related circuitry.

An operating device for controlling electronic devices that are controlled by displaying plural operation keys on a touch panel is shown. The operating device stores the correspondence of a key code with an area on the touch panel, and outputs the key code corresponding to the area including a designated point. When there is a key that invalidates an operation input to the key, the operating device expands the areas of the keys adjacent thereto. Even if a user presses a border area between a desired key and its adjacent key, the operating device will judge that the desired key has been pressed.

Devices and systems are provided for controlling electronic devices using a mobile remote control device. A mobile remote control device provides an interface to control a plurality of electronic devices. The mobile device has a unique identifier, and the electronic device transmits a presentation of a remote control to the mobile device. A user of the mobile device controls the electronic device by operating the “virtual” remote control displayed on the mobile device. The user may further define his or her custom remote control. The user may define batches of commands, or “macros” that transmit a specific series of commands to one or more electronic devices. Proximity and motion of a mobile device may be used as an input, such that the electronic devices are programmed to react in specific ways depending upon the position and movement of the user of the mobile device.

A remote camera relay method and apparatus for remotely operating a self-contained, unattended digital camera over a communications link. Format conversion means are included for transparently relaying control signals and remote image data between a local host processor and the remotely located digital camera, independently of specific camera command and image protocols. It thereby functions as a universal remote image transmission adapter, operable as an attachment for use with self-contained digital cameras. A portable enclosure is provided for accommodating the remote relay communications and control electronics and for attaching a hand-held digital camera thereto. Further means are included for remotely actuating the pan and tilt orientation of the camera in accordance with field-of-view selection commands. Data rate conversion and error correction coding are included for providing reliable, low power image forwarding. The communications channel could be a dial-up telephone system, a network connection, modem, an infra-red link or a wireless RF link, for example. Additional control means are provided for remotely selecting the camera field of view for image capture, and includes the ability to access only those subsets of image scenes for which viewing permissions are authorized. A further mode of operation includes protocol training whereby host photographing commands are captured by the remote relay invention during on-line operation, then replayed at programmed times resulting in automatic scheduled remote image capture. Power management is provided for maximizing operating time when used in low power, portable, battery operation.

A variable footwear support system includes at least one rheological body within a sole of an article of footwear, control electronics within the article of footwear, and at least one E / M field generator coupled to the control electronics and arranged operably proximate to at least one rheological body. The sole is formed of a resilient material and the rheological body contains a Theological fluid having a viscosity that is variable in the presence of an energy field. The control electronics is adapted to generate at least one control signal. The at least one E / M field generator is adapted to generate an energy field corresponding to a control signal generated by the control electronics upon the rheological body.

An enhanced liquid crystal display design is provided having relatively fast response time particularly useful in high speed or highly intense applications, such as stereoscopic or autostereoscopic image display. The liquid crystal display device is configured to display stereoscopic images, and comprises an LCD panel and control electronics configured to drive the LCD panel to a desired stereoscopic display state. The control electronics are configured to employ transient phase switching and overdrive the LCD panel to a desired state to enable relatively rapid display of stereoscopic images.

A business model, system, and method for a business entity to distribute branding, advertising, marketing, and service (BAMS) data to consumer-users is described. The business entity establishes and maintains a venture server that transmits BAMS data to client applications installed on the electronic devices of consumer-users and controls usage and display of the BAMS data at the electronic devices. The client application, which is prepared and assigned a unique identifier by the business entity, performs a useful function that requires a graphical user interface (GUI) to be displayed in the display of the user's electronic device. After receiving the BAMS data, the client application stores it, and displays it in the GUI. The client application can be written so that no user information is transmitted from the electronic device to the venture server.

The present invention consists of a method and apparatus providing for the continuous stream blending, preferably on a mass ratio basis, of two or more liquids. Each individual liquid stream is synchronously dosed in precise mass ratio to a common mixing point. The flow of each stream is on-off or digital. Repeated mass ratio doses of defined and matching flow interval, referred to as synchronous digital flow, interspersed with a defined interval of no flow, constitutes digital flow at a net rate sufficient to meet or exceed some required take-away of the blended liquids. In one preferred embodiment, each dose stream flow is produced and measured by a four element apparatus preferably consisting of a servo motor and controller, a precision positive displacement pump, a Coriolis mass meter and a precision flow stream shut-off device. The servo motor and controller establish and control a periodic and intermittent flow rate necessary to displace a defined mass dose in a precisely defined flow interval. The flow interval is measured against a precision millisecond digital clock. The Coriolis mass meter is used only to totalize mass flow to define the desired mass dose during the defined digital flow interval. The flow stream shut-off device ensures precise delivery of the mass dose to the common mixing point. The flow rate of a stream is automatically adjusted by the control electronics until the required mass dose is delivered in the defined flow interval.

A game controller of the type held in two hands simultaneously for controlling electronic games, including a housing, a plurality of depressible surfaces at least in-part exposed on the housing with the depressible surfaces in operational association with electricity manipulating devices contained within the housing and controlled by depression of the depressible surfaces for manipulating electrical outputs at least useful for controlling electronic games. At least one of the electricity manipulating devices is a pressure-sensitive variable-conductance sensor for creating an analog electrical output proportional to varying physical pressure applied to at least one depressible surface. The analog electrical output is output as a signal at least representational of the analog electrical output to an image generation machine for controlling electronic imagery. Also disclosed are methods of use and manufacture of game controllers having at least one pressure-sensitive analog sensor.

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed to control an application interface displayed on electronic paper. A detection module is included to detect intentional bending of an electronic paper at a particular location. A correlation module is included to correlate the particular location where the electronic paper is bent with a user interface command in an application. An execution module is included to execute the user interface command. In one embodiment, a display module is included to update display information on the electronic paper in response to execution of the user interface command. The electronic paper may include a detector in contact with the electronic paper to provide electronic paper bend position information to the detection module.

A system is disclosed that senses physical characteristics of an electronic device. The system controls the electronic device in response to the sensed physical characteristics. The system includes a control subsystem. The control subsystem includes a time trigger and an anticipation / latency reduction subsystem. The anticipation / latency reduction subsystem includes additional subsystems such as a time trigger, a position trigger and an attitude trigger. In an alternate embodiment, the anticipation / latency reduction subsystem also includes an activation interval trigger, a repetitive action trigger and a repetitive distance trigger. The various triggers can be implemented using processors that execute software. The system also includes sensing devices, such as a position sensing device and an attitude sensing device, to sense physical characteristics of the particular electronic device being controlled. The control subsystem receives signals from the sensing devices. Physical characteristic information obtained from these signals is provided to the various triggers. In response to this physical characteristic information, the various triggers process the physical characteristic information such that the system controls the electronic device.

Provided is a method and apparatus for controlling a user interface (UI) of an electronic device by using a specific region of a virtual plane. In the method, the virtual plane is initialized according to spatial coordinates of two or more images detected by using locations of the images displayed in an image display unit of a first image capture device and an image display unit of a second image capture device. Furthermore, the location of a marker is determined and is indicated by a specific image on the virtual plane. Furthermore, a screen pointer corresponding to the marker is displayed at a position where the marker is located in an image display unit corresponding to the virtual plane. Furthermore, a menu of the electronic device is selected which is pointed to by the screen pointer while moving the marker. Accordingly, a user can conveniently control the UI of the electronic device by performing a simple operation.

This relates to systems and processes for using a virtual assistant to arbitrate among and / or control electronic devices. In one example process, a first electronic device samples an audio input using a microphone. The first electronic device broadcasts a first set of one or more values based on the sampled audio input. Furthermore, the first electronic device receives a second set of one or more values, which are based on the audio input, from a second electronic device. Based on the first set of one or more values and the second set of one or more values, the first electronic device determines whether to respond to the audio input or forego responding to the audio input.

Methods and apparatus include an input device for controlling an electronic device. The input device includes concentric touch pads. Contact with the touch pads includes tapping and / or sliding movement in order to provide signals that are processed and sent to the electronic device, which performs operations based on these inputs.