Featured SunMan Engineering Patents
Over the past two decades SunMan Engineering has developed several technology patents. See below for a few of our featured SunMan Patents.
Digital Antenna
US 829046 B2 
Abstract
A radio system for a motor vehicle includes a digital antenna coupled by a digital link to a base unit. The digital antenna includes an antenna and a programmable radio tuner coupled to the antenna located exterior of the vehicle, and a first network interface coupled to the radio tuner. The radio tuner selectively tunes to a radio frequency (RF) and convert a RF signal to a baseband signal. The first network interface transmits the baseband signal over the digital link to the base unit.
Computer architecture for a mobile communication platform
US 8370605 B2
Abstract
A system includes first and second processors, first and second graphics processing units (GPUs), one or more peripheral devices, a switch matrix, and processor-readable memory. The switch matrix comprises programmable data paths between the processors, the GPUs, and the peripheral devices. Software encoded in the process-readable memory includes a first operating system (OS) executed by the first processor, a second OS executed by the second processor, a matrix scheduling engine, and a media interface switch (MIS) engine. The first OS boots faster than the second OS. The matrix scheduling engine runs on both OSs and configures the data paths in the switch matrix to couple the processors and the GPUs, and to couple the processors and the peripheral devices. The MIS engine runs on the operating systems, detects presence of the peripheral devices, and configures the data paths in the switch matrix to couple the processors and the peripheral devices.
Voice-over-IP device using dial-up modem
US 7620035 B2
Abstract
A network telephone device includes a subscriber line/loop interface circuit (SLIC) for coupling to an analog telephone, a telephony processor coupled to the SLIC, and a dial-up modem coupled to the telephony processor. The telephony processor converts outgoing telephone signals from the SLIC into outgoing data packets, and incoming data packets into incoming telephone signals to the SLIC. The dial-up modem converts the outgoing data packets from the telephony processor into outgoing modem signals, and incoming modem signals to the incoming data packets to the telephony processor.
Voice-over-IP telephone devices and systems
US 7664100 B2
Abstract
A radio system for a motor vehicle includes a digital antenna coupled by a digital link to a base unit. The digital antenna includes an antenna and a programmable radio tuner coupled to the antenna located exterior of the vehicle, and a first network interface coupled to the radio tuner. The radio tuner selectively tunes to a radio frequency (RF) and convert a RF signal to a baseband signal. The first network interface transmits the baseband signal over the digital link to the base unit.
Audio scrambler and recorder for cellular telephones
US 7209732 B2
Abstract
A security device for a cellular telephone interface coupling the device to the cellular telephone, a microphone, a speaker, and an analog scrambler coupling the microphone and speaker to the telephone interface. The scrambler is able to scramble voice audio from the speaker and unscramble voice audio from the cellular telephone. The device may further include a radio tuner for providing radio audio to the user through the speaker, and a recorder for the recording the voice and the radio audios.
System for generating electricity by using gravitational mass and/or momentum of a moving vehicle
US 706932 B2
Abstract
A mechanical-electrical energy generation system generates electrical energy from the passage of a vehicle over an inclined ramp assembly. This assembly includes an incline ramp that is rotatable about an axis proximate a vehicle roadway surface, and a safety decline ramp hinged with and rotatable with the incline ramp. The incline ramp is coupled via a roller assembly to a gravity wheel that drives a flywheel coupled to an electrical generator. As a result, passage of the vehicle over the incline ramp rotates the wheel via the roller assembly and drives the flywheel so that the electrical generator outputs electrical energy. When the vehicle exits the safety decline ramp, a counterweight rotates the wheel in a reverse direction, so as to bring the incline ramp and safety decline ramp to back to their original inclined positions above the roadway surface.
Patents Applications Completed
Crash Verification And Notification Of Call Center Or Emergency Responders
Patent Application Number: 20120123632
Abstract
A method is provided for an aftermarket device to provide telematics service for a vehicle. The method includes accessing sensor data internal to the device and on-board diagnostic data from the vehicle, determining if one or more combinations of the sensor data and the on-board diagnostic data indicate a crash of the vehicle, and wirelessly contacting a call center or an emergency responder when at least one combination of the sensor data and the on-board diagnostic data indicates a crash of the vehicle.
USB Computer
Patent Application Number: 20120042108
Abstract
A Universal Serial Bus (USB) computer has a small form factor similar to a USB flash drive. The USB computer is connected by USB to a host computer to utilize the host computer’s resources. The USB computer receives a user input provided on the host computer’s input device over the USB connection, executes a local user application in response to the user input, and provides a graphical output to the host computer’s output device. The USB computer includes a client application that communicates with a host application installed on the host computer. The host application causes the host computer to provide control over the host computer’s resources to the USB computer.
Golf Ball Finder
Patent Application Number: 201220002041
Abstract
A golf ball finder includes a thermal imaging camera or sensor, a display, a nonvolatile memory storing golf ball detection software, and a processor for executing the golf ball detection software. The processor is programmed to locate a golf ball by causing the thermal imaging camera or sensor to capture a thermal image of a golf course, searching the thermal image for one or more thermal signatures of the golf ball, and, when the golf ball is located, providing an indicator guiding a user toward the golf ball.
Retractable Monitor with Adjustable Pitch and Yaw
Patent Application Number: 20100270447
Abstract
An in-dash infotainment system includes a chassis, a monitor, and three articulating arms each pivotably coupled to a side of the monitor and slidably coupled to the chassis. The articulating arms allow the monitor to stow horizontally within the chassis, and extend and flip vertically for viewing. When extended, the first, the second, and the third articulating arms also allow the pitch and the yaw of the monitor to be adjusted.
Detachable Vehicle Computing Device
Patent Application Number: 20100037072
Abstract
There is a need to have a computer system attached to a vehicle. This attached computer system controls many of the car’s functions as well as provides multi-media and broadband connectivity for the passengers. A secondary detachable computer utilizing a display system needs to be able to share resources between the two computer systems. The present disclosure details how to partition such a system whereby the detachable computing device operates as a stand-alone computer and additionally is able to utilized functions from the computer attached to a vehicle.
eBay and Google VoIP telephone
Patent Application Number: 200070041365
Abstract
A network telephone device allows the user to make VoIP telephone calls and to access eBay or Google. The device includes a corded or cordless handset, a telephony processor for making the VoIP telephone calls and for accessing eBay or Google, a dial-up modem for making a narrowband connection to the Internet, and an input device (e.g., a touch screen, a keypad, or a microphone) for interacting with eBay or Google. To use eBay or Google, the telephony processor uses a mini-browser to access a simplified website of eBay or Google, and the user uses the input device to navigate through the pages of the website.