Pni Sensor Corporation

Pni Corporation

Sensor Platforms, Inc.

Precision Navigation, Inc.

George Hsu

Joseph Frank Miller

Chung-a Becky Oh

Christine Annette Sherer

Daniel Yves Abramovitch

Andrew Thomas Taylor

Davy J Figaro

John J James

Becky Oh

Raj Sodhi

Tony Marinus De Rijk

Jay Prunty

Apparatuses, methods and systems apparatus for sensing an orientation are disclosed. One apparatus includes an accelerometer, wherein the accelerometer generates a sensed acceleration of the accelerometer and a gyroscope, wherein the gyroscope generates a sensed orientation of the gyroscope. The apparatus further includes a first adaptive filter, the first adaptive filter operative to receive at least the sensed acceleration and the sensed orientation of the gyroscope, and generate a first orientation (Q) of the apparatus, a second adaptive filter, the second adaptive filter operative to receive at least the sensed acceleration and the sensed orientation of the gyroscope, and generate a second orientation (Q') of the apparatus, wherein a tuning for the first adaptive filter is different than a tuning for the second adaptive filter.

Orientation estimation utilizing a plurality of adaptive filters

Apparatuses, methods and systems for a user monitoring apparatus are disclosed. One embodiment of the user monitoring apparatus includes one or more magnetic sensors operative to sense magnetic fields applied to the user monitoring apparatus. Further, the user monitoring apparatus is operative to sense at least one biometric characteristic of a user of the user monitoring apparatus based upon the sensed magnetic field applied to the user monitoring apparatus.

Monitoring biometric characteristics of a user of a user monitoring apparatus

Methods, apparatuses and systems of estimating a location of a device are disclosed. One method includes determining a first position of the device, sensing at least one magnetic anomaly at the first position, estimating a location of the magnetic anomaly relative to the first position by determining a plurality of magnetic properties of the magnetic anomaly based on sensed signals of at least a magnetic sensor, and estimating a second position of the device based on a sensed change in a distance from the magnetic anomaly to the device.

Device location determination

Apparatuses, methods and systems of a magnetic sensor self-characterizing its magnetic properties are disclosed. One embodiment of the magnetic sensor apparatus includes a magnetic sensor and a current source for applying a current to the magnetic sensor. The magnetic sensor apparatus further includes control circuitry configured to control the current source, and characterize a magnetic property of the magnetic sensor based on the applied current. One method of a magnetic sensor self-characterizing its magnetic properties includes applying, by the magnetic sensor, an electrical signal, and characterizing a magnetic property of the magnetic sensor based on the applied electrical signal.

Magnetic sensor characterization

Apparatuses, methods and systems for controlling a view of a virtual world character on a display are disclosed. One apparatus includes a controller, wherein the controller is operative to control translational movement and field of view of a character within a virtual world as rendered on a display based upon a first input and second input. The first input controls the translational movement of the character within the virtual world, and the second input controls the field of view as seen by the character within the virtual world. The video game apparatus further includes a sensor for sensing a spatial position of a user, wherein the sensor provides the first input based on the sensed spatial position of the user.

Control of translational movement and field of view of a character within a virtual world as rendered on a display

Embodiments of mitigating the effects of disturbances of a disk drive are disclosed. One method includes sensing a position error signal of a transducer coupled to a surface of the disk drive, wherein the position error signal aids in control of an actuator of the disk drive. A first disturbance signal is generated by sensing a disturbance of a first sensor attached to the disk drive, wherein the first disturbance signal aids in control of the actuator. A second disturbance signal is generated by sensing a disturbance of a second sensor attached to the disk drive, wherein the second disturbance signal aids in control of the actuator. Effects of the disturbances on the position error signal are reduced by adaptively adjusting a gain of the first disturbance signal and a gain of the second disturbance signal.

Mitigating the effects of disturbances of a disk drive

A software-control-module for enabling a user to monitor and control home-automated-systems and appliances from one or more remote interfaces on a data-packet-network is provided. The module comprises a reporting function for reporting current status of the home-automated-systems and appliances; a selection function for selecting options related to system and appliance settings; a command-building function for building commands for system and appliance control; an execution function for executing commands; and a display function for displaying relevant data and for facilitating interactive control ability. the software-control module is distributed to pre-selected network locations frequented by a user such that the user may have control over home-automated systems and appliances while visiting the network location during network navigation.

Method and apparatus for a distributed home-automation-control (HAC) window

A magnetic compass apparatus and method to account for magnetic distortion while determining a magnetic heading is disclosed. The method enables a compass module, comprising at least two magnetometers, to characterize its magnetic environment dynamically, while collecting data of a geomagnetic field; a user moves an apparatus through various orientations; the environment may or may not contain magnetic distortion influences. Data gathered by magnetometers and, optionally, accelerometers are processed through at least two filters before being transferred as a processed data set for repetitive measurement calculations. A series of calculations is executed recursively in time by solving one or more linear vector equations using processed data.

Automatic calibration of a three-axis magnetic compass

A apparatus and method for creating a universally usable and configurable sensor platform which is used in conjunction with various sensor and sensing elements to sense and measure environmental conditions which incorporates inputs from multiple sensors-and-. The apparatus incorporates an oscillatorwhich provides a signal whose frequency varies according to the inputs from sensors-and-in combination with a microprocessor. A cordic blockallows for supplemental calculations of trigonometric operations and functions. An output unitconverts the signals received from microprocessorinto a variety of serial protocols.

Method for signal extraction in a universal sensor IC

A portable CR-RW drive has a CD drive and spindle platform, a chargeable battery power source, at least one docking bay for docking a removable storage medium and a processor supporting firmware for enabling functions of the drive. In a preferred embodiment the drive is, in a portable fashion, used minimally to burn CDs from data stored on the removable storage medium using the battery as a power source and wherein no externally connected device is required to participate in the function of the drive.

Portable and dedicated compact disk read-write unit

A combination radar/laser detector with environmental sensors is programmed to provide a range of functions, including weather information, road conditions and the like, and in some cases to incorporate road-specific information in functionality. The road-specific information may be provided by roadside RF broadcast terminals. In a preferred embodiment the system monitors characteristics that indicate a driver's state of awareness, and audio alerts are provides when the system determines a driver is dozing or drifting toward a dozing state. In various embodiments a broad range of functionality is provided based on received and sensed parameters.

Radar/laser detection device with multi-sensing and reporting capability

A RF communication module for enabling RF data communication in a wireless communication system is provided. The communication module comprises, a transmitter/receive circuitry for transmitting and receiving data, a RF chipset and microcontroller for enabling and controlling various functions of the RF communication module, an antennae circuitry for enabling function of the transmitter/receive circuitry and a data port for enabling serial communication between the RF module and connected components of a host device, characterized in that the RF communication module functions as a slave module or a controlling module dependent on the host device.

Modular RF communication module for automated home and vehicle systems

A multi-function electronic compass incorporates multiple sensors in addition to magnetometers inputting sensed data to a microprocessor system which calculates a variety of results from the sensed data in addition to direction. Direction indicia and other results are output for a user on a display. Additional sensors include one or more of an inclinometer, an altimeter, an accelerometer, and a barometer. In one aspect the compass has a tilt-up lid with a sighting port and an adjacent mirror, and the microprocessor system displays directional indicia backwards so the reflected indicia in the mirror adjacent to the sighting port are directly readable by the user using the sighting port. In one model a laser beam is included as an aid in sighting.

Growing community of inventors

Boca Raton, FL, United States of America

George Hsu