Motorola Corporation

Google Inc.

Motorola Mobility LLC

Michael W Frenzer

Fan He

Joan E Zocher

Christopher N Kurby

Robert J Locascio

Albert L Nagele

William Paul Alberth, Jr

Leonid Soren

Robert A Zurek

Zili Li

Kevin M Thill

Shrirang Nikanth Jambhekar

Carl Lynn Shurboff

James William Bishop, Jr

Kevin W Johnson

Nathan West Miller

Dongxue Wang

Vahid Goudarzi

Stephen D Magee

Thomas J McClaughry

Dwight D Walthers

Martin V Seitz

Michael P Gaynor

Dean E Banwart

Shumin Cheng

Larry Wuensch

Bin Jiang

Richard Ditch

A method and apparatus are provided for operating a camera. The method includes the steps of providing an array of image sensing pixels, disposing an electronic shutter in an optical path between the array of pixels and an image where the electronic shutter has a reflective state and a transmissive state and applying a predetermined sequence of electrical signals to the electronic shutter to expose the image sensing pixels to the image.

Imager module with electronic shutter

Identifying an operation mode of a communication device in which the communication device is to comply with an interference requirement. In response to identifying the operation mode of the communication device in which the communication device is to comply with the interference requirement, reducing noise generated by the communication device by selectively increasing a root mean square (RMS) value of a time-varying current generated by a power source of the communication device.

Reduction of magnetic field noise via management of current draw from a power source

An electronic optical zoom system () includes a first lens assembly () and a second lens assembly (). The first lens assembly () and the second lens assembly () may be adjacently disposed or concentrically disposed. The first lens assembly () and second lens assembly (), in one embodiment, have different magnification configurations. An image sensor () captures electronic images of a subject (). Optical zoom capability is achieved by an alterable electronic optical device (), such as a switchable mirror (). The alterable electronic optical device () selectively redirects received light between a first optical path () from a reflective surface () to a second optical path () from the alterable electronic optical device () depending upon the state of the alterable electronic optical device (). The electronic optical zoom system () thereby provides optical zoom capabilities in a compact package without the need for physically moving lens assemblies.

Compact stationary lens optical zoom image capture system

A method and system for automatically focusing an image received by an image capturing unit () relative to a target is disclosed. The target is present in a sequence of one or more scanned frames. The method includes dividing () each frame from the sequence of one or more scanned frames in a plurality of sections. The method further includes iteratively determining () a relative focus of the target within each section of the plurality of sections. The method further includes adjustment () of a position of at least a first light path adjustment element in response to the determined relative focus.

Method and system for automatically focusing a camera

A system () and method () for determining whether a sample object () has a color that is within a predetermined range is provided. The system () includes a light source () capable of projecting lights having different light wavelength spectrum upon the sample object (). A controller () causes the light source () to project a first light wavelength spectrum upon the sample object (), then another, then another, and so forth. While each light is projecting upon the object, a monochromatic image capture device () captures an image having luminous intensity information. The luminous intensity information, or a subset thereof selected by an image selection tool () is then compared to the statistical range, which is derived from a plurality of images taken of a reference object ().

Spectrum verification imaging system and method

A testing apparatus () for an image capture device () includes a liquid crystal device (). The liquid crystal device () includes an array of pixels (), which may actively or passively be changed from a transparent state to an opaque or semi-opaque state. The array of pixels are capable of segmentation into a plurality of predefined regions (), which may be columns () or rows (). A liquid crystal device driver () is configured to actuate the predefined regions (), individually and sequentially, in a sweep pattern across the liquid crystal device. The testing apparatus () may be used to measure a variety of parameters associated with image capture devices, including exposure duration, continuous shutter frequency, and flash-shutter lag. The testing apparatus () is capable of operation in a variety of ambient lighting conditions.

Liquid crystal testing apparatus and method for image capture devices

An apparatus () for recording a color image, comprises an image sensor () having a plurality of pixels () formed in a monolithic substrate. Each of the plurality of pixels () includes three floating gate semiconductor devices (). A color tunable filter () is positioned between a photosensitive semiconductor device () and an electromagnetic radiation source. A FET transistor () has a drain () connected to the cathode () of the photodiode (), and a source () connected to the anode () of the photodiode () and to control gates () of each of the three floating gate semiconductor devices (). The color tunable filter () allows all desired combinations of colors to pass while each of the three floating gate semiconductor devices () are respectively selected to store the color image.

Color image sensor with tunable color filter

An on-board aircraft telecommunication exchange (32) provides communication and authentication services for M subscriber identity modules (SIMs) using N transceivers (36), where M can be greater than N. Associations between SIMs (56) and transceivers (36) are established when needed. Accordingly, a pool of transceivers 36 is provided to serve the collective needs of many subscribers. A SIM based authentication process is performed (100) using a subscriber's original SIM (56). That authentication can be extended to a temporary SIM (106) that is substituted for the original SIM throughout the remainder of a flight. Alternatively, the original SIMs (56) may be locked in place and relinquished when a subscriber provides an appropriate PIN.

Exchange which controls M SIMs and N transceivers and method therefor

A radiotelephone (100) includes a main battery (101) and is operable on a first communication system. A supplemental module (102) may be attached to the radiotelephone. The supplemental module may include a second RF communication circuit for communicating with a second communication system. This allows the user to configure the radiotelephone for communication with currently available systems. The supplemental module may further include an auxiliary battery for providing extended battery operation. The radiotelephone includes a discharging and charging circuit (310) to control the discharge and charge of the auxiliary and main batteries in a way that allows uninterrupted, continuous operation of the radiotelephone.

Multi-mode radiotelephone having a multiple battery arrangement

A radome (310) made of a cylindrical tube sealed on a first end and open on a second end houses a multiple-arm antenna element (405). The radome is formed with at least two grooves (340, 350) on an inner surface of the cylindrical tube for meshing with arms (410, 420, 430, 440) of the multiple-arm antenna element (405).

Method of configuring multiple-arm antenna element in a radome

A satellite communication system (SCS)(100) and method (300) are provided that provide a geographically co-located user assignment system. For unit-to-unit communication, each group of subscriber units is instructed to operate in a half-duplex unit to unit mode. The geographically co-located user assignment system comprises an assignment unit (201), a storage unit (203), and an instruction unit (205) such that a first subscriber unit (204) initiates unit to unit communication with at least a second subscriber unit (206, . . . ) in the first subscriber unit's user group utilizing a multiple access channel assigned to that group by transmitting on an assigned satellite downlink frequency of the multiple-access channel on a push-to-talk basis.

Co-located subscriber unit to subscriber unit communication within a

A flexibly adjustable mounting clip assembly and method for providing the assembly for a pager includes a swivel assembly (104) for raising and rotating the mounting clip (102) approximately 180.degree. to provide a reversibly positioned clip. The clip allows for positioning in an introverted position, i.e., facing the bent section toward the pager and for positioning in an extroverted position, i.e., facing away from the pager. In addition, a transparent portion may be positioned below the clip assembly for allowing observation of the information display of the pager.

Device and method for flexibly attaching a pager

The present invention includes a low-earth satellite-based paging broadcast system (100) and method (200, 300) that maximizes spectral efficiency and minimizes power expenditure for the broadcast of paging messages by broadcasting the messages to terminator- or originator-selectable portions of the total system coverage area. The terminator selects a long-term preferred geographic area (LTPGA), and optionally, a short-term preferred geographic area (STPGA). The originator provides the terminator ID, the message, and optionally provides a customized preferred geographic area (CPGA). Terminators and originators can easily modify the selectable geographic areas (SGA(s)): LTPGA(s), STPGA(s), and CPGA(s). The gateway converts the SGA(s) to addressable coverage areas (ACA(s)), and transmits a signal including the paging information, and ACA(s) to at least a first communication satellite (COM SAT). The COM SAT(s) provide for crosslinking the signal to other COM SAT(s) and for broadcasting the paging information to the ACA(s).

Geographic-area selective low-earth satellite-based paging broadcast

An improved digital signal detector for indicating the presence of digital data used in a communication system. While attempting to detect valid data, the detector buffers an incoming signal in a first-in, first-out buffer and allows locally generated data, instead of the buffered signal, to be coupled to an output. After detecting valid data, the detector estimates where in the buffer valid data commenced and either releases data from that point or further delays the signal up to the maximum length of the buffer before releasing it to the output. The invention provides high sensitivity and rapid detection, reduces variation in detection time over previous methods, and allows locally generated data to be inserted into the signal path without loss of valid data. The invention would find application in digital systems that require detection at high bit-error-rates without losing valid data and without relying on a particular message format to assist detection or in systems that locally insert preamble sequences for synchronization and control.

Growing community of inventors

Palatine, IL, United States of America

Michael W Frenzer