Chart specific navigation plotter and method for inexpensive production thereof
US Patent 8,365,425
February 5, 2013
A navigational plotter for use with a selected navigational chart and its method for production include providing a generally transparent elongated planar straight edge member having each of a first and a second straight edges parallelly disposed opposite one another bounding a generally rectangular interior surface. A printed central axis bisecting the rectangular interior surface and at least one compass rose arranged to have its North/South ordinal points to lie upon the printed central axis thus to allow the user to maintain orientation of the plotter on the chart. A first distance scale is calibrated in accord with the scale of the selected chart along a selected line of latitude. The first distance scale is printed to span the East/West ordinal points on the compass rose and along the first straight edge. A second distance scale is calibrated in accord with longitude according to a Mercator projection.
Method for sensing acceleration using a translational mass in-plane MEMS accelerometer
US Patent 8,365,596
February 5, 2013
An in-plane, closed-loop Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) accelerometer device with improved performance. An example MEMS device includes one or more components for generating a magnetic flux field perpendicular to a major plane of the device. The device includes substrates, a proof mass, spring elements that flexibly connect the proof mass to the substrate and constrain the proof mass to translate within the major plane of the device which corresponds to a major surface of the proof mass, a plurality of conductive traces located at a position on the proof mass proximate the magnetic flux field, a plurality of conductive springs, each of the springs are electrically connected to a corresponding one of the conductive traces, and a plurality of anchor pads connected to the substrate and one of the conductive springs.
Personal data manager systems and methods
US Patent 8,364,713
January 29, 2013
Methods and systems for facilitating the propagation of personal data include a Personal Data Propagation Environment (“PDP environment”) that facilitates the propagation of personal data items between secure personal data stores and various consumers of the personal data items. One PDP environment includes a personal data manager and a personal data subscriber. The personal data manager manages personal data items on a secure data store associated with a user computing device. The personal data manager provides access to personal data items stored on the secure data store in accordance with a personal data subscription associated with the personal data subscriber.
Systems and methods for managing stored programs
US Patent 8,364,021
January 29, 2013
Systems and methods are operable to manage previously recorded programs. In at least one embodiment identifies a plurality of previously recorded programs, categorizes each one of the plurality of previously recorded programs into one of a plurality of recorded program categories, and generates a recorded program category-based graphical user interface (GUI). The recorded program category-based GUI graphically depicts the plurality of recorded program categories and graphically depicts an amount of memory capacity utilized by each of the plurality of recorded program categories based upon an amount of memory capacity utilized by the previously recorded programs.
System and method for determination of network and conditional execution of applications and promoti
US Patent 8,364,177
January 29, 2013
System and method for determining whether an incoming call originates from inside or outside of a mobile carriers network. An example system performs a GTT (global title translation) on an incoming number to determine the hosting carrier of any mobile phone number. After the result of the matching determination is made, a message is generated and sent to a caller associated with the call page. The generated message includes any of directory information associated with the subscriber, information associated with cost savings or comparisons associated with in-network calling, information regarding promotions for calling plans, mobile devices or device upgrades, requests to join a network, requests to join a social call plan, information regarding instant savings or call rebates, offers for online services or software, offers for reduced cost or free phone service in exchange for adoption of a predefined product or entering into a social network group.
Passive, low-profile heat transferring system
US Patent 8,363,411
January 29, 2013
A media content receiving device, such as a set top box, includes a thermally conductive chassis having at least one panel with opposing surfaces. One of the opposing surfaces is exposed to an ambient environment. A circuit board located within the chassis includes at least one integrated circuit chip. A thermally conductive heat transferring unit is bonded to and in thermal conductive contact with the chip. The heat transferring unit is arranged to transfer heat from the chip to the at least one panel of the chassis while minimizing radiant heat transfer proximate the chip. The heat transferring unit may be biased toward the panel.
Apparatus, systems and methods for a thumbnail-sized scene index of media content
US Patent 8,364,009
January 29, 2013
Scene-based program accessing systems and methods are operable to present a program at a scene corresponding to a selected thumbnail-sized image. An exemplary embodiment selects a plurality of image frames from a program based upon a scene separation duration; generates a thumbnail-sized image from each of the selected image frames, and presents the plurality of thumbnail-sized images on a scene index. The scene index is configured to present the plurality of thumbnail-sized images in a time ordered sequence corresponding to a subject matter presentation sequence of the program, and each of the selected image frames are temporally separated from each other by the scene separation duration.
Device for vehicle seat occupancy detection
US Patent 8,362,911
January 29, 2013
Device for vehicle seat occupancy detection, wherein a base frame which can be adjusted in the height direction of a vehicle seat and which is composed of at least two scissors arms which are connected to one another is arranged between a seat part of the vehicle seat and a vehicle body part, the device comprising a first detector which is attached to at least one of the scissors arms and which, when the vehicle seat is occupied by a minimum weight, detects a predefinable height setting of the scissors arm which is lower than a maximum possible height setting, and at least one spring which is fixed to at least one of the scissors arms and the predefinable pretensioned spring force of which corresponds at most to the downward-acting weight force due to the minimum weight and counteracts the latter.
Cutting board with scrap bin
US Patent 8,360,407
January 29, 2013
A cutting board with scrap bin includes a generally planar cutting surface that can rest on a countertop to enable cutting. One portion of the cutting board is adapted to attach to a scrap bin, with the scrap bin being selectively attachable or detachable as desired. In some versions the scrap bin is also collapsible, making it smaller for storage.
Systems and methods for displaying information about financial markets
US Patent 8,355,972
January 24, 2013
Enhanced methods, systems, and techniques for displaying information about financial markets are provided. Example embodiments provide a Market Performance Indicator System (“MPIS”), which generates and provides indicators of market performance, based on obtained market information. In some embodiments, a performance indicator may include a directional indicator, such as an arrow or vector, indicating the value and/or change in value of one or more attributes of performance of an aspect of a financial market. Aspects of a financial market may include individual financial instruments, such as stocks and bonds, as well as aggregate information about a particular market, such as a market index. Attributes of performance may include price, volume of trading, and price variability.
