Quotables
"To place a man in a multi-stage rocket and project him into the controlling gravitational field of the moon where the passengers can make scientific observations, perhaps land alive, and then return to earth--all that constitutes a wild dream worthy of Jules Verne. I am bold enough to say that such a man-made voyage will never occur regardless of all future advances."
Lee deForest, American radio pioneer ; 1957
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8169335 | Electromagnetic field adjustment for proximity detection Embodiments described herein relate to a methods and apparatus for optimizing and calibrating a magnetic field generator. In various embodiments, the magnetic field generator includes a signal generator for outputting a voltage and a magnetic field generating circui... | 05/01/2012 |
| 8159363 | Using gravity to direct a rotatable camera in a handheld electronic device In a handheld electronic device, a motor is controlled to adjust, according to input received at a user-input element of the device, an angle of rotation of a camera module about a rotation axis of the camera module. The camera module is partially embedded in a hous... | 04/17/2012 |
| 8138938 | Hand-held positioning interface for spatial query A system and method for determining the position and orientation of a handheld device relative to a known object is presented. The system comprises a handheld device having an inertial measurement unit and a sighting device, such as a laser pointer, that are used to... | 03/20/2012 |
| 8130116 | Mobile telephone tracking system A personal item tracking and monitoring system is herein disclosed, comprising a transmitter unit and a receiver unit. The transmitter unit is a relatively small unit attachable to an object, particularly a mobile telephone, that emits a radio frequency coded signal... | 03/06/2012 |
| 8115650 | Radio frequency identification based personnel safety system Disclosed is a method and apparatus for selectively immobilizing equipment to ensure the safety of a proximate worker. The apparatus comprises an article of clothing wearable by the proximate worker, a sensor and a stopping means for stopping the movement of a porti... | 02/14/2012 |
| 8111169 | Locating device The invention is based on a locating device for locating objects in an item being investigated, the device having a basic body, a guide unit for guiding along the item being investigated in at least one direction of movement and an output unit. It is proposed that t... | 02/07/2012 |
| 8102273 | Guidance system by detecting tapped location A method for guiding a user to connect a peripheral component to a unit of electronic equipment includes the user tapping upon one of a plurality of connector interfaces comprising the unit of electronic equipment. In response to the tapping, the one tapped connecto... | 01/24/2012 |
| 8063789 | Method and apparatus for monitoring the maximum distance between two objects A method and an apparatus for monitoring the maximum distance between two objects, in particular between a child and its guardian, with the aid of two transceivers, the first of which periodically transmits status messages of a particular transmission power to the s... | 11/22/2011 |
| 8063790 | System and method for detecting the presence of an object In a reflection type proximity detector or method, a controller calculates a calibration value based on ambient conditions with the transmitter off and then performs tests. In each test, the calibration value is added to and subtracted from a measured value taken wi... | 11/22/2011 |
| 8054196 | Method of performing notification in personal navigation device To help a user avoid potentially harmful purchases, performing notification in a personal navigation device (PND) includes determining position of the PND, comparing the position against a plurality of restricted points of interest according to a predetermined setti... | 11/08/2011 |
| 8022835 | Optic system using spectral character shift for communication between optic input devices and reader devices for control systems and sensors for pressure, force, displacement, or chemical condition An improved optic system for measuring and/or controlling displacement, force, pressure, position, or chemistry is disclosed. This apparatus allows for more accurate, robust, and economical communication between the transducer (or control input element) and the read... | 09/20/2011 |
| 7999691 | Method and apparatus for monitoring barrier interconnections Revealed herein is a system and method for monitoring continuity between adjacent barrier members. Each barrier member has a first edge defining a first connector and an opposed second edge defining a second connector. The second connector is adapted to cooperatingl... | 08/16/2011 |
| 7944368 | Systems and methods for locating and controlling powered vehicles A system for controlling movement of a personal mobility vehicle near a restricted region is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a detector that is configured to be disposed on the personal mobility vehicle and that is configured to receive an electrom... | 05/17/2011 |
| 7907061 | Proximity sensors and methods for sensing proximity In an embodiment, a proximity sensor includes a driver, a photo-diode (PD) and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The proximity sensor can also include a controller to control the driver. The driver selectively drives a light source, e.g., an infrared (IR) light ... | 03/15/2011 |
| 7884734 | Unique identification of devices using color detection Methods and apparatus for uniquely identifying wireless devices in close physical proximity are described. When two wireless devices are brought into close proximity, one of the devices displays an optical indicator, such as a light pattern. This device then sends m... | 02/08/2011 |
| 7868778 | Apparatus and method for proximity-responsive display materials Apparatus and a method for causing a printed display (poster, placard or promotional flier) to become interactive when a person points to part of the display. Behind the display a customized layout of capacitive proximity sensors printed with conductive inks on to a... | 01/11/2011 |
| 7855657 | Device for communicating environmental information to a visually impaired person An aid for a blind person (1), includes a distance sensor (3), which creates a distance image of an object (2). The distance information that is generated by the distance sensor (3) is transmitted to a tactile matrix (10), which is... | 12/21/2010 |
| 7791495 | Service personnel communication system A data processing system for analyzing customer and employee interactions in a service establishment is disclosed. The data processing system comprises a plurality of remote customer, employee units and a central unit. The units each include a transceiver to send an... | 09/07/2010 |
| 7786885 | Event localization within a distributed sensor array Described is a method for event localization within a distributed sensor array using a plurality of sensor nodes. The method includes an act of receiving a signal in at least one detecting node. The signal originates from an external disturbance and has a local sign... | 08/31/2010 |
| 7782220 | Proximity sensor and proximity sensing method A proximity sensor includes a sense electrode having a first capacitance to ground, wherein the first capacitance varies in response to proximity of an object to be sensed; a first sense circuit which provides a first pulse signal having a pulse width determined in ... | 08/24/2010 |
| 7741974 | USB port connectible device reminder Reminding of the owner of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port connectible device that the same has been left connected to a USB port of a powered computer is provided by an alarm disposed on a portable base for the device activated by cessation of reception of a limit... | 06/22/2010 |
| 7564367 | Aircraft door detector/warning device Disclosed is an electromechanical system for minimizing passenger door contact with the Passenger Loading Bridge (PLB) floor and subsequent damage to said door, during passenger loading or off loading. The system, as configured at the Cab entry, senses the proximity... | 07/21/2009 |
| 7522065 | Method and apparatus for proximity sensing in a portable electronic device A portable electronic device that automatically detects its mode of use and alters a characteristic of its user interface to match the mode of use. A mobile telephone is described as an example of a portable electronic device. The telephone is equipped with a proxim... | 04/21/2009 |
| 7522066 | Systems and methods that evaluate distance to potential hazards utilizing overlapping sensing zones The claimed subject matter provides industrial automation systems and/or methods that evaluate a proximity to potential hazards. A plurality of sensors can provide redundant detected data. Additionally, a proximity evaluation component can evaluate the detected data... | 04/21/2009 |
| 7518524 | Announcements to facilitate detection of wireless devices Announcing to a detector of a wireless device is disclosed. An announcement regarding the presence of the wireless device is obtained. The announcement is transmitted wireless medium to the detector of the wireless device. ... | 04/14/2009 |
| 7508316 | Portable interactive islamic prayer counter An interactive electronic prayer counter that indicates a current or completed Rakah of a plurality of Rakat performed by a user during an Islamic ceremonial prayer includes a display for indicating a prayer or Rakah count, a first proximity sensor for sensing when ... | 03/24/2009 |
| 7460023 | Automatic electronic device detection A system that detects cellular telephone and other electronic use within an unauthorized locations. The location can be detected by GPS or triangulation, and once detected can automatically produce certain operations. ... | 12/02/2008 |
| 7443291 | Portable terminal and information provision system utilizing the portable terminal A portable terminal comprising a transmission part that transmits to information provision equipment or a server, a signal indicating presence at a prescribed location, presence of a communications counterparty at a prescribed location, a reception part that receive... | 10/28/2008 |
| 7429930 | Projector device with theft prevention function and theft preventing method X-direction double integrator 3 integrates twice an acceleration that is detected by x-direction acceleration sensor 1, estimating a traveled distance in an x direction. Y-direction double integrator 4 integrates twice an acceleration that is de... | 09/30/2008 |
| 7417543 | Method and system for monitoring containers to maintain the security thereof A method and system for monitoring the integrity of a container specifically adapted for the system and constructed with at least one door. A sensor is secured in the container for detecting proximity of the at least one door relative to another area of the containe... | 08/26/2008 |
| 7408479 | Traffic detection and signal system and method therefor A traffic detection and signal system for pathways within an industrial work environment and method therefor includes at least one sensor positioned to detect objects approaching a pathway intersection and at least one visual indicator electronically linked to the a... | 08/05/2008 |
| 7397347 | Digital contact case An apparatus and method for counting the number of days that a wearer of contact lenses has used a particular pair of disposable contact lenses. In a preferred embodiment, a digital contact case is provided which comprises a body having two cups for contact lens sto... | 07/08/2008 |
| 7394366 | Method of detecting audio/video devices within a room A system and method for automatic identification and integration of audio/visual devices in a room for multi-media conferencing operation. Each device includes a circuit that periodically emits a signal that is recognized by another device. Upon receiving the signal... | 07/01/2008 |
| 7385521 | Tamper indication device A tamper indication device includes a first component, a second component, and an alarm device. The alarm device indicates relative displacement of the first component and the second component. The alarm device includes an alarm circuit that detects the relative dis... | 06/10/2008 |
| 7382271 | Automated position detection for wireless building automation devices In a building environment, a coordinate location or local position of various automation devices is determined. The location or position may be determined using a wireless distance measurement. Applications, associations, and utilizations for wireless building autom... | 06/03/2008 |
| 7378980 | Triangulation of position for automated building control components In a building environment, coordinate locations for building automation devices is determined. The location may be based on triangulation methods for determining coordinate locations from wireless distance information for the building automation devices. Erroneous d... | 05/27/2008 |
| 7373657 | Method and apparatus for controlling data and software access A proximity based computer access system is provided. According to the invention, a local key associated with a workstation wirelessly communicates with a local key which is associated with a user. If the user, and remote key, are outside of a preset radius of the w... | 05/13/2008 |
| 7366468 | Wireless communication apparatus capable of wireless communication with public wireless network and wireless communication apparatus, and image communication apparatus capable of wireless communication with wireless communication apparatus The invention provides an image communication apparatus in which an image input unit for entering image and a portable communication unit capable of wireless connection with a public wireless network are constructed in separate manner and are rendered capable of mut... | 04/29/2008 |
| 7362224 | Thermally sensitive array device for presence detection around automatic doors The present invention relates to a thermally sensitive array device for detecting a presence of a target object in a surveillance area. The device comprises a plurality of at least two thermally sensitive sensors provided in an array arrangement, each thermally sens... | 04/22/2008 |
| 7359724 | Method and system for location based group formation In one embodiment, a method and system allows organization terminal (402) to define a group session based upon location and other criteria associated with participating terminals (410). Location criteria may include cell definition (110), group ... | 04/15/2008 |
