Abstract:
At a time of a movement made by a user viewing a television broadcast program, which is recorded on a hard disk device and read from the hard disk device to enable time shift viewing, and is reproduced at a TV set, the movement of the user is detected via a transmitting and receiving unit to which an electronic key card is held, and a reproduction position on a hard disk is recorded in a memory of a controlling apparatus main unit. A destination of the user is detected via a transmitting and receiving unit to which the electronic key card is held, and the broadcast signal is read from the stored reproduction position on the hard disk and then transferred to an electronic device at the destination, thereby enabling a continuation of the broadcast program that was viewed to be viewed in a room at the destination.
Abstract:
A non-mechanical fluid level sensor based on light communication channel (LCC) technology. In a preferred embodiment, one end of the LCC is connected to a signal source while another end is connected to a sensor. The LCC is dipped in a fluid container and a signal propagates and undergoes internal reflection through the LCC towards one of its ends which is connected to the sensor. The fluid level is detected preferably by measuring the intensity of the signal reflected with the LCC that reaches a sensor. Different fluid levels preferably correspond to linearly varying detected signal intensities. A main LCC bus may communicate remotely with the sensor without wiring or other electrical connectors.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for preventing signal jamming within a consumer electronics system comprising a remote control, interpreting device, and audio/video device. A plurality of primary messages are generated by, and wirelessly transmitted from, the remote control in response to a continuous operation of a remote function key. One or more quiescent periods are located between adjacent messages within the plurality of primary messages. The primary messages are received and interpreted by the interpreting device, which, in the preferred embodiment, is implemented as a television. The entirety of the one or more secondary messages are then transmitted from the interpreting device to the audio/video device during the one or more quiescent periods. In this manner, no portions of the primary and secondary messages are transmitted during the same time, preventing the signal jamming at the audio/video unit.
Abstract:
A device network to process signals has target devices, selecting devices that are movable relative to the target devices, and controllers. The controllers are in communication with the target devices and the selecting devices. Each of the selecting devices has a position sensor and an orientation sensor to provide spatial and angular co-ordinates of position and orientation when pointing to a target device and upon receiving a user input. Each of the selecting devices also has a signal processor to generate a control signal having the position and orientation data. This control signal is then transmitted by a transmitter, via a radio frequency channel, to a controller. Upon receiving the control signal, the controller determines whether, for example, a target device has been selected by a selecting device by comparison of the orientation data with a derived orientation based on the position data and the known position of the target devices.
Abstract:
Apparatus and method which integrates and automates AV system to control peripheral devices with one remote control including wireless bridge connected to peripheral devices through a network and a host device which receives a remote control input of a user, transmits a control signal to wireless bridge wirelessly, receives a video and an audio from the wireless bridge wirelessly, and displays received video and audio to user. A video device includes a wireless bridge transmitting a control signal for controlling a peripheral device to the peripheral device through a communication cable, receiving a response signal for the control signal from the peripheral device and receiving an AV signal from the peripheral device through an AV cable according to the control signal, and a host device for wirelessly receiving the inputted AV signal from the wireless bridge and displaying a video or an audio restored from the AV signal to user.
Abstract:
A method and a system of controlling application devices simultaneously. The application devices can be a Web tablet, a set-top box, a VCR, a TV, and PDA, a lamp, a coffee machine, a radio, a telephone, a background wall, a DVD player or an electronic information panel. The method includes four steps controlled by a server: retrieving first documents (501) from a first set of application devices; retrieving identification (502) of a user; generating (505) second documents, each comprising an instruction, on the basis of at least a part of the retrieved identification of the user and at least a part of the first documents; simultaneously sending (506) at least one of the second documents to each device of a second set of the application devices; and performing (507) for a given device of the second set one instruction from at least one of the second documents received in the given device. The step of retrieving identification by the server includes the steps of retrieving user profile (503) information based on the user identification, and retrieving context profile information (504) relating to present surroundings of the user. The said documents include Hyper Text Markup Language, Scalable Vector Graphics, Resource Description Framework and Extensible Markup Language (XML).
Abstract:
A method in a signaling device for delivering codes to control multimedia devices. In response to receiving a signal from a remote control device, a macro corresponding to the signal is identified, the identified macro contains a set of codes used to control a set of multimedia devices. The set of codes is transmitted, wherein the set of codes causes a series of events to occur in the set of multimedia devices.
Abstract:
A pedestrian navigation and spatial relation device including a position finder, a spatial relationship sensor, an input mechanism, and an output mechanism. The position finder can be configured to determine a geographic position of the device based upon received wireless signals. The spatial relationship sensor can provide data used to detect a position of at least one obstacle relative to the device. The input mechanism can specify a destination location. The output mechanism can present device output to a user. The device output can include sensory indicators for at least one of guiding a pedestrian to the destination location and warning a pedestrian about the detected obstacles.
Abstract:
An integrated LCC-based strain gage sensor, in which at least two LCC traces or strands run across a microcavity within the cylinder head gasket. In one aspect of the present invention, a system is provided comprising a signal source and a microcavity through which an input signal from the signal source passes and which alters the input signal as a result of a response of the microcavity to a strain. An LCC connects the microcavity and the signal source and an input signal propagates through the LCC. The microcavity may comprise one or more reflective surfaces which alters the input signal as a result of a change in a dimension of the microcavity. In another aspect of the invention, the microcavity produces an output signal that has an intensity or frequency different from that of the input signal upon undergoing a deformation.
Abstract:
A system and method is provided for remotely controlling and interacting with a multimedia device using a mobile phone. This is accomplished by utilizing cell and mobile phones capable of establishing persistent Internet connections. A software application is provided for the mobile phone which receives inputs entered by a user on the mobile phone's keypad and translates the inputs into commands that are recognized by a multimedia device. For example, the multimedia device may be a television, set top box, or a digital video recorder such as a Tivo or ReplayTV. The software application transmits the data input by the user to the device, either directly, or through at least one central server. Mapping of the commands entered on the mobile phone into commands recognized by the remote device may occur on the phone, at a central server, or at the device itself.