Cable tester
US Patent D698,673
February 4, 2014
The ornamental design for a cable tester, as shown and described.
Reflective strip
US Patent D699,007
February 4, 2014
The ornamental design for the reflective strip, as shown and described.
Methods and systems for improved caller name identification on a telephone network
US Patent 8,644,470
February 4, 2014
A phone network in a wireless environment that does not perform CNAM queries when a number is already stored in the receiving handsets’ caller directory. CNAM query fees are charged only to obtain caller information on a new caller. The network does not make CNAM queries when the caller information is already available, whether in the contact information stored on the receiver’s handset or through some other reliable source.
NLP-based systems and methods for providing quotations
US Patent 8,645,125
February 4, 2014
Techniques for providing quotations obtained from text documents using natural language processing techniques are described. Some embodiments provide a content recommendation system (“CRS”) configured to provide quotations by extracting quotations from a corpus text documents, and providing access to the extracted quotations in response to search requests received from users. The CRS may extract quotations by using natural language processing-based techniques to identify one or more entities, such as people, places, objects, concepts, or the like, that are referenced by the extracted quotations. The CRS may then store the extracted quotations along with identified entities, such as quotation speakers and subjects, for later access via search requests.
Power line carrier data communication to DC powered electronic device
US Patent 8,638,199
January 28, 2014
Systems and methods are operable to communicate information to a direct current (DC) powered electronic device. An exemplary embodiment receives alternating current (AC) power with an AC information signal modulated thereon, converts the received AC power to DC power, demodulates the received AC information signal to determine information, modulates the information onto the transmitted DC power as a DC information signal, transmits the DC power with the DC information signal over a DC connector to the DC powered electronic device, detects the DC information signal on the modulated DC power at the DC powered electronic device, demodulates the DC information signal from the received DC power, and determines the information at the DC powered electronic device based upon the demodulated DC information.
Actuator
US Patent 8,638,024
January 28, 2014
The invention provides an actuator for an electric motor and an electric motor including said actuator. The actuator includes one or more body formed from a dielectric elastomer, each body having at least one active region that is directly or indirectly coupled to a drive means. The active regions are arranged such that, in use, actuation thereof causes driven means to move with components in at least first and second directions, preferably within a plane of the body.
Apparatus, systems and methods for parental control synchronization with mobile media devices
US Patent 8,635,708
January 21, 2014
Systems and methods are operable to enforce parental controls at a mobile media device. An exemplary embodiment establishes a communication link between the mobile media device and a local media device, receives parental control setting information from the local media device at the mobile media device, receives at least one media content event and rating information associated with the received media content event at the mobile media device, compares at the mobile media device the rating information associated with the received at least one media content event with the parental control setting information received from the local media device, and prevents presentation of the at least one media content event by the mobile media device if the rating information associated with the received media content event violates the parental control setting information.
Driver drowsiness detection and verification system and method
US Patent 8,631,893
January 21, 2014
A method and steering wheel for determining and verifying a state of driver alertness includes receiving a response at a steering wheel. The method includes selectively energizing at least one stimulus annunciator in the wheel in order to present a first stimulus to a driver. A processor in the wheel generates a signal indicative of a stimulus annunciator onset time indicating the moment the stimulus annunciator provided the first stimulus to the driver. A sensor array arranged on the wheel responds to a first grip pressure the driver exerts at a first grip location on the wheel. The processor generates a response signal indicative of a response onset time. The processor calculates a time interval between the stimulus annunciator onset time and the response onset time.
Apparatus, systems and methods for optimizing the satellite transponder usage
US Patent 8,635,653
January 21, 2014
Systems and methods are operable to receive media content transport channels from multiple transponders. An exemplary embodiment receives a first transport channel, wherein the first transport channel comprises a first portion of a media content event of interest multiplexed together with a first plurality of media content events; receives a second transport channel, wherein the second transport channel comprises a second portion of the media content event of interest multiplexed together with a second plurality of media content events; demultiplexes the first portion of the media content event of interest from the first transport channel; and demultiplexes the second portion of the media content event of interest from the second transport channel.
Apparatus, systems and methods for media device operation preferences based on remote control identi
US Patent 8,629,940
January 14, 2014
Remote control signal detection systems and methods are operable to set media device operation preferences in a media device. An exemplary embodiment detects a remote control communication signal transmitted from a remote control, wherein the remote control communication signal includes a unique identifier associated with the transmitting remote control; determines that at least one foreign language preference is associated with the transmitting remote control; and reconfigures information generated by the media device into the preferred foreign language.
