Remote control video modulator
US Patent 8,429,693
April 23, 2013
A video modulator is presented. The modulator includes a video input interface, a video modulation circuit, a video output interface, a communication interface, and control circuitry. The video input interface is configured to receive a video signal to be modulated, the video modulation circuit is configured to modulate the video signal, and the video output interface is configured to transmit the modulated video signal. The communication interface is configured to receive a command via a communication link to control the video modulator. The control circuitry is configured to receive the command from the communication interface and to control at least one of the video input interface, the video modulation circuit, and the video output interface based on the command.
Systems and methods for hand gesture control of an electronic device
US Patent 8,428,368
April 23, 2013
Systems and methods of generating device commands based upon hand gesture commands are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment generates image information from a series of captured images, generates commands based upon hand gestures made by a user that emulate device commands generated by a remote control device, identifies a hand gesture made by the user from the received image information, determines a hand gesture command based upon the identified hand gesture, compares the determined hand gesture command with the plurality of predefined hand gesture commands to identify a corresponding matching hand gesture command from the plurality of predefined hand gesture commands, generates an emulated remote control device command based upon the identified matching hand gesture command, and controls the media device based upon the generated emulated remote control device command.
Accessing and synchronizing presentation of media content
US Patent 8,424,037
April 16, 2013
Media rich content systems and methods are operable to provide access to supplemental media rich content in response to user selection of a presented object of interest. An exemplary embodiment receives at a media device a video stream comprising at least a plurality of video frames, wherein at least one of the video frames is configured to present an object of interest; processes a supplemental media rich content trigger associated with the at least one video frame, wherein the supplemental media rich content trigger comprises information that identifies a region where the object of interest is presented in the video frame, and comprises information configured to access supplemental media rich content associated with the object of interest; receives a user selection of the object of interest presented in the at least one video frame; and presents the supplemental media rich content on a presentation device.
Automated determination of jet orientation parameters in three-dimensional fluid jet cutting
US Patent 8,423,172
April 16, 2013
Methods, systems, and techniques for automatically determining jet orientation parameters to correct for potential deviations in three dimensional part cutting are provided. Example embodiments provide an Adaptive Vector Control System (AVCS), which automatically determines speeds and orientation parameters of a cutting jet to attempt to insure that a part will be cut within prescribed tolerances where possible. In one embodiment, the AVCS determines the tilt and swivel of a cutting head by mathematical predictive models that examine the cutting front for each of “m” hypothetical layers in a desired part, to better predict whether the part will be within tolerances, and to determine what corrective angles are needed to correct for deviations due to drag, radial deflection, and/or taper.
Signal compensation for different signals communicated over a coaxial cable system
US Patent 8,422,543
April 16, 2013
Communication signal compensation systems and methods are operable to compensate communication signals communicated to media devices using an agile equalizer over a coaxial cable communication system. An exemplary embodiment receives a first compensation control signal from a first media device, compensates a received first communication signal based upon the first compensation control signal, communicates the first compensated communication signal to the first media device over the first coaxial cable; receives a second compensation control signal from a second media device, compensates a received second communication signal based upon the second compensation control signal, and communicates the second compensated communication signal to the second media device over the second coaxial cable. The first compensation control signal defines compensation for communication signals communicated over a first coaxial cable. The second compensation control signal defines compensation for communication signals communicated to the second media device over a second coaxial cable.
Apparatus and method for root canal obturation
US Patent 8,414,297
April 9, 2013
The present invention is directed to root canal obturation in a tooth. In one embodiment, a plug is positioned in a root canal and bonded to the root canal by applying a light-curing adhesive to the canal and exposing the plug to a light source to bond the plug to the root canal. In another embodiment, a carrier is disclosed having an optically transmissive plug portion for insertion into the canal. In still another embodiment, the plug portion of the carrier includes an optical fiber to transmit light from a light source into the plug portion. In still yet another embodiment, a filler material is heated and injected into the root canal in a semi-liquid state and exposed to light to cure the adhesive.
Bidirectional, out-of-plane, comb drive accelerometer
US Patent 8,418,555
April 9, 2013
A bi-directional, out-of-plane electrostatic comb drive apparatus including two electrically independent sets of stator comb tines; and a method for fabricating an out-of-plane comb drive with stacked sets of stator comb tines. A first set of stator comb tines is offset from a second set of stator comb tines. A set of rotor comb tines interleaves with both sets of stator comb tines. A first voltage applied to the first set of stator comb tines operates to pull the rotor tines toward the first set of stator comb tines. A second voltage applied to the second set of stator comb tines operates to pull the rotor tines toward the second set of stator comb tines, enabling bi-directional operation. A fabrication method is disclosed that enables fabrication of the first and second sets of stator comb tines that are mechanically and electrically independent and interleaved by the rotor comb tines.
Methods and systems for identifying hazardous flight zone areas on a display
US Patent 8,410,977
April 2, 2013
Systems and methods for representing a weather hazard without also including a large percentage of non-hazard area. An exemplary system includes a memory that stores radar reflectivity data in a three-dimensional buffer, a display device and a processor that is in data communication with the memory and the display device. The processor receives a two-dimensional shape based on a portion of the data stored in the three-dimensional buffer, then finds a center of the shape. Next the processor finds the furthest away point of the shape in a plurality of regions sharing the center as a common point and generates a polygon based on the furthest away points. The display device displays the generated polygon. The shape is associated with hazardous weather information determined from the radar reflectivity data stored in the three-dimensional buffer. The display device is an aircraft weather radar display.
Equipment case with slideout racks
US Patent 8,411,446
April 2, 2013
A container includes an outer case with an interior volume sized to receive an equipment rack assembly, which in turn includes an inner (i.e., movable or slidable) platform assembly slidably coupled to an outer (i.e., non-movable or fixed) isolation assembly fixed to the case. In one example, the inner platform assembly slidably engages the outer isolation assembly using a joint, such as a dove-tail style joint. In addition, the outer isolation assembly may be supported by one or more shock absorbent devices positioned between the outer isolation assembly and the case. The shock absorbent devices may be positioned, oriented and tuned to achieve a desired amount of shock attenuation and damping.
Systems and methods for securing portions of a cord
US Patent 8,407,864
April 2, 2013
Systems and methods are operable to secure a coiled portion of an electrical cord, a cable, or a rope. An exemplary embodiment has a coil securing portion with an interior surface, a collapsing portion joined with the coil securing portion, and a means for securing the coil retainer in a collapsed position. The coil securing portion and the collapsing portion cooperatively define a substantially tubular interior region and an opening, wherein the interior region is configured to receive a coil portion inserted through the opening when the coil retainer is in an open position. The coiled portion is frictionally secured by the interior surface of the coil securing portion when the coil retainer is secured in the collapsed position.
