| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07668710B2 |
Determining voice recognition accuracy in a voice recognition system
Systems, methods, and computer program products for determining voice recognition accuracy of a voice recognition system are provided. In one embodiment, voice recognition information produced by a voice recognition system in response to recognizing a user utterance is analyzed. The voice recognition information comprises a recognized voice command associated with the user utterance and a reference to an audio file that includes the user utterance. Based on the analysis, a recognition error may be identified and the source of the error determined. A solution is then automatically implemented to eliminate the source of the error. As part of the analysis, the user utterance may be transcribed to create a transcribed utterance, if the recognized voice command does not match the user utterance. The transcribed utterance may then be compared to the recognized voice command to identify an error. |
| US07668706B2 |
Method for stimulating the driving behavior of vehicles
The invention relates to a method for simulating the driving behavior of vehicles on a test stand in which the engine of the vehicle is coupled on the test stand to an electronically controllable braking apparatus and a first simulation model calculates simulation values of variables which are representative of the driving state of the vehicle in that the reaction of the vehicle to the behavior of the engine and the values of the variables as determined immediately prior thereto are calculated, with at least one evaluation variable w being calculated on the basis of the values measured on the test stand for measurable variables and engine torque M and the values calculated therefrom with the simulation model for non-measurable variables. An improved simulation is achieved in such a way that in a further simulation model higher-frequency changes are calculated from variables which are measurable per se and are considered in the calculation of the evaluation variable by superimposing with the actual measured values or that in the simulation model higher-frequency changes are calculated from variables which are measurable per se and are considered in the calculation of the evaluation variable w by superimposing with the actual measured values. |
| US07668705B2 |
Method for computing turbulent flow using a near-wall eddy-viscosity formulation
A technique that improves large-eddy simulation consists in replacing the instantaneous sub-grid scale eddy-viscosity (such as the dynamic Smagorinsky model eddy-viscosity) in the near-wall region with an eddy-viscosity computed from Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes eddy-viscosity and corrected dynamically using the resolved turbulent stress. The near-wall eddy-viscosity formulation is applied either with a wall stress model on coarse grids that do not resolve the wall or with wall-resolved grids coarsened in the wall-parallel directions. Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes eddy-viscosity is computed either from a look-up table or from a simultaneous solution of a Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes turbulence model. |
| US07668704B2 |
Apparatus and method for compressor and turbine performance simulation
A method and an apparatus for simulating the operation of a pressured air source or sink such as a compressor or a turbine for a vehicle internal combustion engine calculates momentum sources at interfaces in the compressor or the turbine. A model stores steady state values of mass flux and enthalpy change related to rotational speed, inlet pressure and temperature and outlet pressure. The simulation can be an input to an engine control module for controlling the operation of the vehicle engine connected with the compressor or turbine. |
| US07668703B1 |
Determining required capacity for a resource
One or more workloads are simulated on a resource, where each of the one or more workloads represents at least one application configured to run on the resource. A required capacity of the one or more workloads is determined based on the simulation. |
| US07668701B2 |
Process for optimizing the structural design of a stiffened composite material panel
The present invention relates to a computer-aided process for carrying out the structural design of a stiffened panel (9) made of a composite material, optimizing a target variable, comprising a first preparation phase (21) in which a Simulation Model (25) of the stiffened panel (9) with all the relevant information for the structural analysis thereof is obtained from a General Finite Element Model (23) and the modifiable variables and the restrictions (27) are defined, and a second simulation phase (51) in which the design variables are iteratively modified for the purpose of optimizing the target variable, taking into account in each iteration the load distribution changes resulting from the previous iteration, and verifying that the restrictive conditions and the safety margins associated to the pre-established failure modes are met using for that purpose simulation expert modules (55) of families of failure modes. |
| US07668699B2 |
Optimized stochastic resonance method for signal detection and image processing
Apparatus and method for improving the detection of signals obscured by noise using stochastic resonance noise. The method determines the stochastic resonance noise probability density function in non-linear processing applications that is added to the observed data for optimal detection with no increase in probability of false alarm. The present invention has radar, sonar, signal processing (audio, image and video), communications, geophysical, environmental, and biomedical applications. |
| US07668694B2 |
Determination and control of wellbore fluid level, output flow, and desired pump operating speed, using a control system for a centrifugal pump disposed within the wellbore
A method and apparatus for determining a fluid level and/or output flow during operation of a centrifugal pump, are provided, which may be used for production of gas and/or oil from a well, and include a vector feedback model to derive values of torque and speed from signals indicative of instantaneous current and voltage drawn by the pump motor, a pump model which derives values of the fluid flow rate and the head pressure for the pump from torque and speed inputs, a pumping system model that derives, from the estimated values of the pump operating parameters, an estimated value of fluid level and other pumping system parameters. Controllers responsive to the estimated values of the pumping system parameters control the pump to maintain fluid level at the pump input, near an optimum level, or within a safe operating range and/or output flow from the pump. |
| US07668693B2 |
Method for the evaluation of measurement uncertainty, and a device and system thereof
A method for evaluating uncertainty associated with the value of a measurand derived from measurements of a device under test is disclosed. A mathematical model is provided wherein the measurand is expressed as a function of (i) at least one physically observable quantity, and (ii) the reference value of the physically observable quantity in a reference device. The reference value of the reference device and the value of the measurand of the device under test are measured. The value of the at least one physically observable quantity is also measured. At least one uncertainty value is determined as a function of the physically observable, wherein the mathematical model takes into account the at least one source of uncertainty and the reference value of the reference device. |
| US07668687B2 |
Systems and methods for compensating pressure sensor errors
A pressure sensor compensation system for a control system of an engine includes N engine-off pressure measuring modules. The N engine-off pressure measuring modules calculate differences between pressure values of a corresponding one of N pressure sensors and others of the N pressure sensors when the engine is off. The N engine-off pressure measuring modules calculate N corresponding pressure correction values based on the differences, where N is an integer greater than one. N pressure compensating modules generate N corrected pressure values when the engine is on based on N uncorrected pressure values from the N pressure sensors and the N pressure correction values. |
| US07668686B2 |
External temperature display control algorithm
A method of controlling an initial external temperature display in a vehicle may include comparing an ignition-off time with a first threshold and displaying a current reading from an outside ambient temperature sensor when the ignition-off time equals or exceeds the first threshold. The method further includes comparing at least one secondary condition with at least one secondary parameter when the ignition-off time falls below the first threshold and selecting and displaying a reading based on the comparison of the at least one secondary condition with the at least one secondary parameter. This comparison can include comparing a previous ignition-on time with a second threshold and comparing a sum of the ignition-off time and a stored amount with a third threshold when the previous ignition-on time equals or falls below the second threshold. Alternatively, this comparison can include comparing an engine water temperature with a temperature threshold. |
| US07668685B2 |
Electrical connector and process for decentralized storage of the parameters of a sensor
An electrical connector for connection to a sensor has an integrated microcontroller, with a plug-and-socket connection for connection to an interface of the sensor and with an electronic circuit. With the connector, the data of a sensor, especially the parameter data, can be mirrored outside the sensor in a simple and economical manner so that the data are available at any time and as much as possible on site. The electronic circuit has a memory for storage of data, especially parameter data and characteristic data of the sensor, and a microcontroller, the microcontroller operating the interface of the sensor, and depending on the characteristic data of the sensor, either reading data, especially parameter data, out of the sensor via the interface and storing it in the memory, or reading data stored in the memory, especially parameter data, out of the memory and transmitting them via the interface into the sensor. |
| US07668683B2 |
Numerical test data reporting in an image file and subsequent analysis
The present disclosure is directed to numerical test data reporting using an image file and subsequent analysis of the test data. A method for capturing and analyzing test data in accordance with an embodiment includes: capturing multi-bit integer values of test data; writing each multi-bit integer value to a multi-bit vertical field in an image file; extracting the multi-bit integer values from the multi-bit vertical fields in the image file; and analyzing the extracted multi-bit integer values. |
| US07668679B2 |
Individual data line strobe-offset control in memory systems
Systems and methods for strobe signal timing calibration and control in strobe-based memory systems are provided below. These strobe-offset control systems and methods receive a strobe signal from a memory device and in turn automatically generate separate per-bit strobe signals for use in receiving data on each data line of a memory system. The systems/methods generate the optimal per-bit strobe signals by automatically calibrating per-bit offset timing between data signals of individual data bits and corresponding strobe signals. The strobe-offset control system effectively removes the detected phase difference between the data signal and the strobe signal. |
| US07668676B2 |
Method for calibration, controlled by means of measurement technology, of at least one device unit of a device system, particularly a standard light device in color management workflow
A method for calibration is controlled using measurement technology of at least one device unit of a device system which includes a monitor for image processing and a standard light device. The monitor is calibrated, and the luminance is measured at the calibrated monitor and at a standard light device. The actual value of the luminance at the standard light device is compared with the value for the luminance of the monitor. If there is a difference, the standard light device receives a control signal to change the brightness or the contrast. This regulation is continued until no difference exists between the measured actual value at the standard light device and the reference value stored in the memory of the evaluation unit. |
| US07668674B2 |
Systems, methods, and devices for providing pulses to a motion device
At least one exemplary embodiment of to present invention includes a method comprising obtaining a first frequency and a second frequency. The method also comprises creating a table of values comprising a plurality of target frequencies intermediate to the first and second frequencies, the table of values also comprising a pulse width, a pulse count, and a differential pulse width corresponding to each of the target frequencies from the plurality of target frequencies. The method further comprises outputting at least a portion of the values to a motion device. |
| US07668669B2 |
Method for estimating magnitude of back-and-forth-direction force exerted on tire
A method for estimating the magnitude of a back-and-forth-direction force exerted on a tire comprises: using a plurality of strain sensors fixed to a tire sidewall capable of outputting data on the magnitude of a strain occurred at the position of the strain sensor; reading the output data from the strain sensors when come to fixed measuring positions predetermined around the tire rotational axis; in relation to each of the strain sensors at the respective measuring positions, calculating the back-and-forth-direction force as an intermediate result by the use of the data read from the strain sensor and a relational expression, whereby the intermediate results are obtained from the respective strain sensors; and computing a mean value of only the valid intermediate result(s) so as to output it as the estimated magnitude of the force. |
| US07668668B2 |
Stress component measurement method
A method of measuring a stress component in a short period of time in a nondestructive manner and a stress component measurement device that includes a stress component comparison section that compares a Raman spectrum L obtained in a predetermined area W1 of a reference specimen W to which a given stress component is applied with the stress component, a correlation data production section that produces correlation data indicating a correlation between the Raman spectrum L and the stress component by the use of a multivariate analysis method based on the comparison results conducted by the stress component comparison section. The comparison is conducted multiple times on different predetermined areas W1. A correlation data storage section stores the correlation data, and a stress component calculation section calculates a stress component applied to a measurement area W1′ of a measurement specimen W′ whose composition is the same as that of the reference specimen W based on the Raman spectrum L obtained from the measurement area W1′ and the correlation data. |
| US07668667B2 |
Miniature stimulating and sensing system
An electronic system for testing a material includes at least one module for mechanically mounting on the material. The module includes a signal generator for generating a signal generator signal. The module also includes a stimulus signal delivering device (SSDD) and an SSDD circuit for providing a device signal derived from said signal generator signal to the material. The module also includes a sensor and a sensor circuit for receiving an interaction signal derived from interaction of the device signal with the material. |
| US07668665B2 |
Methods of networking interrogation devices for structural conditions
Methods of operating an interrogation system that has a plurality of patches attached to a host structure. Each patch is capable of generating a diagnostic wave and/or developing a sensor signal in response to the diagnostic wave. In each method, a Euclidean undirected graph is generated by forming a plurality of paths; wherein each path connects two of the patches and the length of the path is shorter than a preset limit. Then, a directed graph or network is generated by assigning a propagation direction of the diagnostic wave to each path. Structural condition index (SCI) values are measured by use of the directed graph and, based on the SCI values, the host structure is scanned for anomalies. The directed graph is reconfigured to determine the shape and location of the anomalies. |
| US07668661B2 |
Liver disease-related methods and systems
The invention provides diagnostic methods, kits, and systems, and related computer-readable media, which use multiple blood marker values, including serum and plasma marker values, to aid in the diagnosis of the status or progress of a liver disease in a patient.The invention also provides methods and systems, and related computer-readable media, that use blood marker values, including serum and plasma marker values: (1) to screen for active ingredients useful in the treatment of a liver disease; (2) to aid in the selection of treatment regimens for patients that are predisposed to, or suffer from, liver disease; and (3) to aid in the design of clinical programs useful in monitoring the status or progress of liver disease in one or more patients. |
| US07668657B2 |
Seismic measuring system including GPS receivers
A system for determining positions of fixed-position GPS receives that have restricted views of the sky includes a data recording and control center, and one or more base GPS receivers with associated antennas with a substantially unrestricted views of the sky. The system batch processes range information provided by the fixed-position GPS receivers over an extended period of time; determining which of the range data from the fixed-position receivers are valid, and using the valid range data to determine position. In this way, the precise positions of the respective fixed-position slave GPS receivers can be calculated, even if the fixed-position GPS receivers are able to observe and collect data from sets of two or more satellites for only three or four relatively short time intervals at various sky positions during the extended period. |
| US07668656B2 |
Method for digital transmission and display of weather imagery
A method for creating minimal data representing a source image is presented. The source image is divided into a grid of cells. A color is selected for each cell corner based on sampling an area defined by the cell corner. An indication of the selected color is stored in an array dependent on the co-ordinates of the cell corner in the source image. |
| US07668653B2 |
System and method for selectively filtering and providing event program information
Systems and methods are provided for communicating filtered event program information and broadcasting user searchable event program information to vehicles. For example, there is provided a system for broadcasting event program information to at least one vehicle that is filtered according to the vehicle's current location. In one embodiment, the system comprises one or more antennas, a broadcast receiver unit having a data filter, and a navigational device that displays event program information by venue within a set distance from the vehicle's current location. The display further comprises multi-leveled sub-menus that provide a user with a variety of movie related information such as screening times, cast listings, movie reviews, movie trailers, etc. The system further comprises a memory buffer unit in the receiver unit that stores the vehicle's last reported location data and cross-referenced databases of movie program information periodically updated so as to minimize bandwidth requirements of the system. |
| US07668651B2 |
Reverse geocoding system using combined street segment and point datasets
A reverse geocoding system and method processes a point level dataset and a street segment dataset to determine an address for a particular latitude and longitude of an input point entered into the system. A determination is made if the point level dataset contains a point level data address match to the entered latitude and longitude data within the closest street segment and without crossing the street segment. Any such point level data address match is output. When no such point level data address match is made, the system computes an interpolated address from a range of addresses of the closest street segment in the street segment dataset based on the entered latitude and longitude of the input point in relation to said range of addresses for the closest street segment. The interpolated address from the closest street segment in the street segment dataset is output. The street segment dataset may also contain unranged street segments without ranges of addresses. |
| US07668643B2 |
Method and system for automatically inspecting and registering automotive exhaust emission data
An exhaust emission data processing system for inspecting automatically exhaust emission of the vehicle and wirelessly transmitting exhaust emission inspection data to a remote server is provided. The system includes an exhaust emission processing module, a wireless connection module, and a remote server. The exhaust emission processing module receives OBD data indicating the exhaust emission inspection data from an OBD system embedded in the vehicle via an OBD connector. The exhaust emission processing module creates an exhaust emission inspection package with the vehicle identification and the exhaust emission inspection data. The exhaust emission processing module transmits the package to the remote server for further diagnosis through the wireless connection module. The remote server sends the diagnosis reports back to the vehicle through the wireless connection module. |
| US07668641B1 |
Method for control of a tank ventilation
There is described a method for determination of an application time for a tank ventilation on an internal combustion engine. An excessive enrichment of the air/fuel mixture can be avoided by means of a timely application of injection correction as result of the tank ventilation. According to said method, a threshold value comparison is carried out for a modified lambda control deviation, made up of the lambda control deviation and a pseudo lambda control deviation, whereby the pseudo lambda control deviation depends on the deviation of the lambda values from a given lambda set value. |
| US07668635B2 |
Front wheel steering control device
A front wheel steering control device improves the handling and stability of a vehicle with respect to the steering wheel angles. The front wheel steering control device includes an input device for obtaining the steering wheel angle and the vehicle velocity, a first computing device for computing a yaw-rate for the vehicle which maintains the vehicle gravity center point sideslip angle at zero based on the steering wheel angle and the vehicle velocity that are obtained by the input device, a second computing device for computing a target front wheel actual steering angle for realizing the yaw-rate calculated by the first computing device, a control device for performing a steering control of the vehicle based on the target front wheel actual steering angle calculated by the second computing device. The ideal determination of the vehicle steering gear ratio and the derivative steering gain are relatively easy. |
| US07668633B2 |
Electronic control system for a vehicle and method for determining at least one driver-independent intervention in a vehicle system
In a method for determining at least one, preferably however several driver-independent interventions in a vehicle system, a risk calculator is used, whose input is supplied with predetermined vehicle data, ambience data, current vehicle and driver data, occupant data or data of persons outside the vehicle, or similar data. The risk calculator issues an evaluation of the risk situation of the vehicle and its occupants or the persons outside the vehicle based on said data and, in accordance with the evaluation and optional additional criteria or weightings, outputs driving signals controlling actuators that modify or trigger the driving behavior of the vehicle and/or the occupant protection system and/or protection means for other traffic participants (pedestrians, cyclists, etc.) in such a way that maximum protection is obtained for the persons and the vehicle according to a priority control. |
| US07668630B2 |
Regulating strategy for electromechanically power-branching hybrid drives
A method for regulating an electromechanically power-splitting hybrid drive system of a motor vehicle, having an internal combustion engine and two electric motors that are coupled by way of a transmission, as well as an electromechanically power-splitting hybrid drive system for a motor vehicle. It is proposed that, based on coupling conditions of the transmission, respective target rotation speeds and target torques be calculated for the internal combustion engine and the two electric motors; that the respective target rotation speeds be compared with corresponding actual rotation speeds of the internal combustion engine and of the electric motors; and that in the case of a system deviation between one of the actual rotation speeds and the corresponding target rotation speed, one or more additional torques be calculated on the basis of the system deviation and be taken into account, in addition to the target torque or torques calculated by the control system, in controlling the torque of the internal combustion engine and of the two electric motors. |
| US07668628B1 |
Detecting and alerting before an aircraft leaves an approved or safe region of operation
Methods and systems are provided which warn a pilot or flight crew to prevent navigation of an aircraft into an unapproved region of operation. A boundary of an approved region of operation for the aircraft is identified. A position of the aircraft relative to the boundary of the approved region of operation is determined. Then, a warning is generated if the determined position of the aircraft relative to the boundary of the approved region of operation satisfies a predetermined criteria. |
| US07668627B2 |
Mechanical flight control auxiliary power assist system
A mechanical flight control system for a rotary-wing aircraft is disclosed. The flight control system comprises an upstream portion, a downstream portion, and a booster means for connecting the upstream portion to the downstream portion. The booster means may comprise dual concentric valve actuators and/or a variety of system load limiting features. |
| US07668623B2 |
Steam temperature control using integrated function block
The disclosure is directed to a saturated water spraying system configured to rapidly respond to rapid load changes by implementing a single integrated DCS control block. The integrate DCS control block may include a plurality of process control routines that are necessary to control the operation of the spraying system. For example, upstream and downstream PID control routines may determine and output control variables, and other control routines may be provided as necessary to handle disturbances within a boiler affecting the outlet and spray steam temperatures, and to ensure that the steam temperatures do not fall into the saturation region during operation of the boiler. Because the routines are part of the same control block, the common storage for the control block may be accessed by each of the routines without the necessity of establishing additional communication links for transferring the information as is required when using cascaded function blocks. |
| US07668622B2 |
Efficient blending based on blending component availablity for a partial blend duration
An aspect of the present invention takes advantage of the information of expected time of availability of an unavailable component to meet a desired criteria (e.g., minimize the aggregate cost of components). An intermediate product properties combination, which can be attained from an initial heel volume by mixing the available components, may be determined. The combination further permits the target product properties also to be attained from the intermediate product properties combination, while meeting various constraints and desired criteria. The flow controls of the individual components are accordingly controlled to blend the components and produce the desired product. Such features may be useful in environments such as oil refineries. |
| US07668621B2 |
Robotic guarded motion system and method
A robot platform includes perceptors, locomotors, and a system controller. The system controller executes instructions for repeating, on each iteration through an event timing loop, the acts of defining an event horizon, detecting a range to obstacles around the robot, and testing for an event horizon intrusion. Defining the event horizon includes determining a distance from the robot that is proportional to a current velocity of the robot and testing for the event horizon intrusion includes determining if any range to the obstacles is within the event horizon. Finally, on each iteration through the event timing loop, the method includes reducing the current velocity of the robot in proportion to a loop period of the event timing loop if the event horizon intrusion occurs. |
| US07668618B2 |
Automated prescription filling system/method with automated labeling and packaging system/method and automated order consolidation system/method
Computer assisted systems, methods and mediums for filling one or more orders. One embodiment of the present invention is a system that includes an order consolidation station configured to receive at least one bottle containing pills individually counted and/or at least one package containing pharmaceutical products without having been designated for any of the orders when the package was created and/or at least one literature pack optionally including patient specific information. The order consolidation station is further configured to combine automatically the received bottle and/or package and/or literature pack into a container to be sent to a recipient including, for example, mail order pharmacies, wholesalers and/or central fill dealers for subsequent distribution or sale including retailer distribution or sale. The bottle is specifically designated for the order, and the order generally includes at least one prescription for the package. |
| US07668616B2 |
Method of rapid hole transfer to replacement parts
A method of replacing an existing part or parts on a structure such as an aircraft. The structure is inducted for modification. An existing part is removed and a new part is temporarily installed. Hole locations are digitally transferred to the new part, e.g., photographically captured in a three-dimensional coordinate measurement system, converted to targets printable in a laser projection system. Targets are laser projected or printed on the replacement part. Holes are drilled at each printed target. The holes drilled at printed targets match hole locations on the existing part. Then, the new/replacement part is permanently attached to the structure. |
| US07668615B2 |
Method and apparatus for randomizing dispatch order for single wafer processing
A method for dispatching wafers for processing in a tool includes identifying a queue of wafers available to be processed in the tool. One of the wafers is randomly selected based at least in part on a length of time each wafer has been in the queue. The selected wafer is dispatched for processing in the tool. |
| US07668609B2 |
Digital audio data receiver without synchronized clock generator
A method and apparatus for receiving digital audio data which does not require the recovery of a clock from the data. Instead, the digital audio data is sampled at a rate greater than a clock rate of the digital audio data. Appropriate transitions in the digital audio data are detected to allow reconstruction of digital values represented by the digital audio data. |
| US07668608B2 |
Graphical programming language object editing and reporting tool
A method and system of editing a graphical programming language object for designing a process control entity within an off-line database. The method and system enables a user to select one or more programming language object fragments from a library of programming language object fragments, and displays the selected programming language object fragments within a graphical programming language object interface display. The programming language object fragments are programming logic routines for a process control entity, such as steps, transitions and actions. Using the selected programming language object fragments, the user is enabled to configure a graphical programming language object for a process control entity within a graphical programming language object interface display. The graphical programming language object is stored as a configuration file in a format used by the off-line database, and is mapped to a format different from that used by the off-line database for generating reporting documentation and sharing the configuration file with a configuration database. |
| US07668607B1 |
Accurately setting parameters inside integrated circuits using inaccurate external components
The control precision of one or more parameters of an integrated circuit (IC), for example the output voltage of a voltage regulator comprised in the IC, may be improved even when using inaccurate components external to the IC. Control of the output voltage, or any parameter, using components external to the IC may include coupling a resistor to the IC and measuring the actual resistance value of the resistor, and based on the measured value, selecting a nominal resistance value from a set of resistance values previously specified by the user. The output voltage, or parameter, may be generated according to the nominal resistance value instead of the actual resistance value, thereby reducing the error that may be incurred due the actual resistance value of the resistor not matching the expected nominal value of the resistor. The difference between each adjacent resistance value in the set of resistance values may be selected to be greater than the greatest measurement error that may be incurred during measuring the actual resistance value. |
| US07668603B2 |
Medical composition employing nanostructures
A composition of microscopic devices utilizable in a medical diagnostic or therapeutic procedure. Each microscopic device includes a nanostructure provided with a ligand for effectively coupling the nanostructure to a predetermined chemical or molecular site. A medical method in part comprises inserting the medical devices into a patient, attaching the nanostructures via the respective ligands to instances of a predetermined type of target structure inside the patient, and thereafter activating the nanostructures to perform a preselected medical diagnostic or therapeutic function. |
| US07668602B2 |
Minimal-heart-rate reduction parasympathetic stimulation
A method is provided for treating a subject, including applying a current to a site of the subject selected from the list consisting of: a vagus nerve of the subject, an epicardial fat pad of the subject, a pulmonary vein of the subject, a carotid artery of the subject, a carotid sinus of the subject, a vena cava vein of the subject, and an internal jugular vein of the subject. The method also includes configuring the current so as to treat a condition of the subject selected from the list consisting of: an autoimmune disease, an autoimmune inflammatory disease, multiple sclerosis, encephalitis, myelitis, immune-mediated neuropathy, myositis, dermatomyositis, polymyositis, inclusion body myositis, inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, Guillain Barre syndrome, myasthenia gravis, inflammation of the nervous system, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus), rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, polyarteritis nodosa, Sjogren syndrome, mixed connective tissue disease, glomerulonephritis, thyroid autoimmune disease, sepsis, meningitis, a bacterial infection, a viral infection, a fungal infection, sarcoidosis, hepatitis, and portal vein hypertension. |
| US07668601B2 |
Implantable medical lead with multiple electrode configurations
Medical leads having at least one segmented row of electrodes, as well as at least one ring electrode that extends substantially completely around the periphery of the lead, are described. The electrodes in a segmented row extend around only a portion of the periphery of the lead, rather than substantially around the entire periphery. The electrodes in a segmented row may be distributed at respective locations around the periphery of the lead and separated by insulating material. The ring electrodes and segmented rows are located at respective axial positions. For example, in some embodiments, a plurality of segmented rows, such as two rows having three electrodes each, are located between two ring electrodes. Such a lead may, for example, provide a variety of stimulation modalities because of localized stimulation capabilities. |
| US07668596B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for implantable medical device telemetry power management
An implantable medical device includes a radio-frequency (RF) telemetry circuit connected to an energy source through a power connection module to obtain power when a user initiates an RF telemetry session. After the session is completed, the power connection module shuts off the at least one portion of the RF telemetry circuit. Power-on examples include a wireless telemetry activation signal received by a low power radio receiver in the implantable device, a physical motion detected by an activity sensor therein, an activation of an inductive telemetry circuit therein, a magnetic field detected by a magnetic field detector therein, and/or a telemetry activation signal detected by a sensing circuit included therein. Power-off examples include a wireless termination signal received by the implantable device, a delay timeout after the session, and/or a signal received by an inductive telemetry circuit in the implantable device. |
| US07668594B2 |
Method and apparatus for delivering chronic and post-ischemia cardiac therapies
An implantable cardiac rhythm management (CRM) device delivers a chronic therapy while detecting an ischemic state. When the ischemic state indicates the occurrence of an ischemic event, the implantable CRM device delivers a post-ischemia therapy. The post-ischemia therapy and the chronic therapy are adjusted using feedback control with the ischemic state and parameters indicative of the effectiveness of the post-ischemic therapy and the effectiveness of the chronic therapy as inputs. |
| US07668593B1 |
System and method to accelerate individualized gain adjustment in implantable medical device systems
A system and method for increasing the speed of individualizing amplifier gain optimization in implantable medical devices. A variable amplifier gain is initially set at a relatively high level such that the amplifier experiences at least intervals of saturation. A saturation indicator is determined which is indicative of the relative degree of saturation. The gain is then adjusted as a function of the saturation indicator. Relative larger degrees of saturation result in more aggressive gain adjustment. This increases the speed of adjustment with reduced likelihood of loss of sensing. In one implementation, one or more discrete amplifier gain adjustment steps are made in a single adjustment to effectively skip over intermediate adjustments. In another implementation, an estimate is made of a signal peak during a saturating interval. The gain is adjusted directly based on the estimated peak with appropriate sensing safety margins. The method can be implemented with a system including a programmer in communication with an implantable device. |
| US07668590B1 |
Methods and devices for determining exercise diagnostic parameters
A device, such as an implantable cardiac device, and methods for determining exercise diagnostic parameters of a patient are disclosed. Specifically, a maximum observed heart rate of a patient during exercise can be identified when an activity level and a heart rate measurement of the patient exceed predetermined thresholds. Included are methods for filtering out premature heartbeats or noise from the maximum heart rate determination. Methods of determining other exercise parameters, such as workload are also disclosed. The device includes hardware and/or software for performing the described methods. |
| US07668588B2 |
Dual-mode physiologic monitoring systems and methods
In some embodiments, a wearable physiologic monitor comprises an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) including signal conditioning circuitry, a real-time clock, digital control logic, and mode-selection logic for setting an operating mode of the ASIC to a stand-alone mode or a peripheral mode. In the stand-alone mode, the digital control logic periodically stores data packets including multiple sensor data types in a digital memory such as a removable flash memory card. In the peripheral mode, the data packets are transmitted to a microcontroller for processing. The monitor includes sensors such as electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes, accelerometers, and a temperature sensor, some of which may be integrated on the ASIC. The same basic chip design may be used in the stand-alone mode in disposable patches, and in the peripheral mode in bedside devices. The operating mode may be chosen at monitor manufacture, by connecting input pins to mode-selection logic levels. |
| US07668586B2 |
In vivo multiphoton diagnostic detection and imaging of a neurodegenerative disease
The present invention is directed to a method of detecting a neurodegenerative disease in a mammal by activating brain tissue of the mammal by application of radiation under conditions effective to promote a simultaneous multiphoton excitation of the brain tissue and to emit a fluorescence characteristic. The fluorescence characteristic is then compared to a standard fluorescence emitted by exciting healthy brain tissue of the mammal under the same conditions used to carry out the activating step. Brain tissue where the fluorescence characteristic differs from the standard fluorescence is identified as potentially having a neurodegenerative disease. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of producing an image of brain tissue from a mammal by activating brain tissue of a mammal with radiation applied under conditions effective to promote a simultaneous multiphoton excitation of the brain tissue and to produce fluorescence. The fluorescence is then collected to produce an image of the brain tissue. |
| US07668585B2 |
Respiration monitor for computed tomography
A medical diagnostic imaging system (10) includes a diagnostic imaging scanner (12) that acquires imaging data of a medical imaging patient. A reconstruction processor (46) reconstructs at least a portion of the acquired imaging data into an image representation. A pair of electrodes (30, 32) contact a thoracic region of the patient. An electrical meter (34) measures electrical resistance R(t) or another time-varying electrical parameter (70) across the electrode pair (30, 32) during the acquiring of imaging data. A respiration monitor (36) extracts a time-varying respiration characteristic (90, 98, 110, 120) from the measured time-varying electrical parameter (70) to indicate respiratory cycle phase. |
| US07668580B2 |
Electrode for living body and device for detecting living signal
A biosignal measurement device includes an electrode and a signal processing member. The electrode includes an insulation sheet having a hole, a device contact portion provided on the top surface of the insulation sheet and a body contact portion provided on the bottom surface of the insulation sheet, the device contact portion and the body contact portion electrically connected to each other via the hole. The signal processing member includes an externally exposed terminal to make surface contact with the device contact portion, an analog signal processing unit, an A/D signal converter and a digital signal processing unit. Also, the device contact portion and the body contact portion are formed of a material which is both conductive and adhesive. Accordingly, the signal processing member may be directly attached. Noise may be reduced. Also, a biosignal may be accurately measured. |
| US07668579B2 |
System and method for the detection of physiologic response to stimulation
The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for detecting a response of a patient to an external stimulus. An exemplary method comprises the acts of generating at least one time series of at least one physiologic parameter, detecting the external stimulus, detecting at least one response associated with the stimulus, the response comprising at least one of a pattern and a value, and outputting an indication of the response. |
| US07668576B2 |
Incorporating a portable digital music player into a vehicle audio system
A carriage receives and secures a portable digital music player in a vehicle audio system. The carriage is mechanically engagable with a dock of the vehicle audio system. Access and control over a portable digital music player received and secured by the vehicle audio system may be provided. |
| US07668568B2 |
Data input and output device, data input and output method, data transfer method, and computer program product
A data management device body is provided with a connector to be inserted into a slot for miniSD of a mobile phone terminal. Besides, the data management device body includes a virtual memory management portion that simulates a storage area for miniSD in a hard disk drive having a capacity larger than that of the miniSD, a data write processing portion for writing data sent from the mobile phone terminal via the connector into a virtual memory that is a simulated storage area, and a data read processing portion for sending the data stored in the virtual memory to the mobile phone terminal via the connector. |
| US07668565B2 |
Multiradio priority control based on modem buffer load
A system for controlling communications in a multiradio wireless communication device (WCD) by monitoring a backlog of messages waiting to be wirelessly transmitted through one or more radio modems as compared to a predetermined threshold. If the amount of pending messages meets and/or exceeds the predetermined threshold then a potentially problematic situation may exist, and actions may be taken to alleviate the large message backlog. Actions may include, for example, temporarily reallocating communication time for one or all of the radio modems. This time may be reallocated to radio modems experiencing potential message queue overflows in order to reduced the backlog of messages and avoid a potential communication failure. |
| US07668564B2 |
Slow uplink power control
Embodiments of the invention provide embodiments of the invention provide and method, network entity and user equipment for slow uplink power control of user equipment in a wireless communication system by responding to a long term control metric that is derived from an uplink channel metric over a plurality of transmission instances and a set of performance criteria. A method for slow uplink power control in accordance with and embodiment of the invention measures at least one uplink channel metric for user equipment and then determines an appropriate transmit power for the user equipment by using a control metric derived from the uplink channel metric corresponding to a plurality of transmission instances for the user equipment. |
| US07668561B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling reverse link interference among access terminals in wireless communications
In a wireless communication system, an apparatus and a method are provided for controlling reverse link interference among access terminals that are power controlled by a sector of a base station. In an embodiment, the maximum effective noise power spectral density is used as a parameter for controlling the level of reverse link loading, by setting a reverse activity bit (RAB) to signal the access terminals to reduce their data rates in order to minimize interference between the access terminals if the maximum effective noise power spectral density is above a predetermined threshold. |
| US07668560B2 |
Method and apparatus for accessing network isolated devices
A first communication device without direct network access sends a message to a second communication device connected to a remote network by relaying the message through one or more mobile communication devices. In one embodiment, a mobile communication device comprises a wireless communication circuit configured to establish a temporary wireless communication connection with the network isolated device and to receive data transferred via the temporary wireless communication connection. Further, the wireless communication circuit is configured to terminate the temporary wireless communication connection, to establish a subsequent communication connection with a communication device and to transfer the data to the communication device via the subsequent communication connection. According to some embodiments, a user of the device is offered an incentive to enable the device to transfer the data. |
| US07668559B2 |
Smart call delivery with GIS integration
A method of delivering a call to a called party's device. The method includes receiving a call directed to a wireline device and validating that a telephone number of the wireline device is associated with a telephone number of a wireless device. The method also includes transmitting a message to the wireless device, delivering the call to the wireline device when a return message is not received from the wireless device, and determining a location of the wireless device when a return message is received from the wireless device. The method further includes comparing the location of the wireless device with a location of the wireline device, delivering the call to the wireless device when the location of the wireless device is not within a predefined vicinity of the location of the wireline device, and delivering the call to the wireline device when the location of the wireless device is within a predefined vicinity of the location of the wireline device. |
| US07668558B2 |
Network controller messaging for paging in an unlicensed wireless communication system
An unlicensed wireless service is adapted to generate the interface protocols of a licensed wireless service to provide transparent transition of communication sessions between a licensed wireless service and an unlicensed wireless service. In one embodiment, a mobile station includes level 1, level 2, and level 3 protocols for licensed wireless service and an unlicensed wireless service. An indoor base station and indoor network controller provide protocol conversion for the unlicensed wireless service into a standard base station controller interface of the licensed wireless service. |
| US07668554B2 |
Network system for aided GPS broadcast positioning
A network approach for aided GPS broadcast positioning where A-GPS data is made available in the network and broadcast via cell broadcast servers to wireless devices in order to reduce the time required to determine the position of a wireless device. |
| US07668553B2 |
Mobile communication system and method for capturing information of other mobile communication terminals
Disclosed is a mobile communication system and a method for capturing information of other mobile communication terminals, that can identify criminal who harmed a user of mobile communication terminal based on information of the criminal's mobile communication terminal by capturing information of other mobile communication terminals, located within a certain distance from the user's mobile communication terminal when the crime happened, according to the user's instructions in an emergency situation.There is provided a mobile communication system for capturing information of other mobile communication terminals, comprising: a first mobile communication terminal for transmitting capture signal, location information and identification information; the second mobile communication terminals for transmitting location information and identification information of the second mobile communication terminals; and a base station for transmitting the GPS means driving signal to the second mobile communication terminals and capturing information of the second mobile communication terminals. |
| US07668552B2 |
Method and system for applying wireless geolocation technology
A system and method for determining the positioning of mobile-appliance location determining sensors in a mobile-appliance communications network by estimating the positioning accuracy of the sensors. |
| US07668550B2 |
Communication system and alignment method of transcoder
When a terminal is moved to an area covered by a different switching node RNC of a radio access network, degradation of speech quality is prevented by returning a transcoder insertion connection to a transcoder-free-operation connection. When the terminal is moved and the switching node RNC of the radio access network is changed, a relocation is performed by inserting the transcoder, re-confirmation of parameter information of a bandwidth-compression coding system is requested for a local side switching node RNC and a remote side switching node RNC and, when the transcoder can be bypassed according to the confirmation, the transcoder is removed to return to the transcoder-free-operation connection mode. |
| US07668549B2 |
Method and system for handling soft handoff in a wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a method and a system for handling one or more soft handoff (SHO) requests from one or more mobile stations in a wireless communication system. The method comprises determining a set of parameters corresponding to each SHO request corresponding to each mobile station. The method further comprises processing each SHO request corresponding to each mobile station based on the set of parameters corresponding to each SHO request. |
| US07668548B2 |
Method of efficiently reselecting cell in mobile station using GPS
A cell reselection function in a mobile station (MS) through an adjacent cell search is provided. The MS in an idle state obtains its own moving speed and current location using Global Positioning System (GPS) location information, calculates a predicted moving location, and stores the predicted moving location. Thereafter, when measurement values of adjacent cells are similar, or when the adjacent cells are located in different location areas (LAs), the MS can efficiently search for the best cell from among the adjacent cells based on the location information and select the best cell as a new serving cell. |
| US07668547B2 |
Method of reselecting a cell by a mobile terminal in idle mode in a cellular telecommunication network
A method of reselecting a cell by a mobile terminal in idle mode in a cellular telecommunication network in which the network sends to the terminal a list containing information with regard to the UMTS cells to be identified, and in which the mobile terminal periodically performs a series of procedures of identifying the cells and a series of intersystem measurements on the identified cells. Between two successive procedures of identification, the mobile terminal performs a series of procedures of measurement whose duration is fixed so that the total duration for performing a procedure of identification and the subsequent series of procedures of measurement is less than 25 seconds. |
| US07668539B2 |
Method and system for enhanced management of missed phone calls
The present invention is a method of managing missed calls providing a calling party, who initiates a call that is not pick-up by a called party (i.e., intended recipient), the autonomy to retain or delete telephone number of calling party in phone registered on the called party phone as caller identification (ID) through a mobile service provider (MSP) of a telecommunications network. The method may be implemented as part of a telecommunication system or as part of a computer program. Also, provided is a method and system for calling party to create annotation in a mobile service provider system parenthetical information for called party to retrieve or to alert called party. |
| US07668538B2 |
Systems and methods for facilitating the acquisition of content
The present invention provides systems and methods for acquiring ring content (e.g., a ring tone or a ring view) for a mobile phone. |
| US07668534B2 |
Method and system for transportation of derived call records to a central repository
A method of monitoring, and a system to perform the method of monitoring, a mobile network, the method including receiving a data stream from one or more monitoring points of the mobile network and generating a detail record of an information transaction in the mobile network, storing the generated detail record in a data record storage unit immediately upon completion of the information transaction, and notifying a user that the detail record is available to be viewed. |
| US07668533B2 |
Connection authentication in wireless communication network system
In a wireless communication network system of the invention, in response to a request for connection authentication sent from each of multiple wireless communication terminals to a base station to establish a communication link, a link management module receives authentication information of each wireless communication terminal, which is generated corresponding to a piece of identification information allocated by an identification information management module and registered in the wireless communication terminal, from the wireless communication terminal via a wireless network. The link management module compares the authentication information received from the wireless communication terminal with multiple possible options of authentication information generated corresponding to multiple different pieces of identification information allocated by the identification information management module, and authenticates the wireless communication terminal that has sent the authentication information matching with one of the multiple possible options of authentication information. The identification information management module manages a mapping of each specific piece of identification information, which corresponds to a specific option of authentication information matching with the authentication information of the authenticated wireless communication terminal, to the authenticated wireless communication terminal.This arrangement of the invention assures simple, convenient, and safe authentication of multiple wireless communication terminals, while unequivocally identifying a process utilized by each user and the user's wireless communication terminal. |
| US07668529B2 |
Audio systems and methods
An audio system may comprise a transceiver configured to receive, detect, and transmit audio signals on a first channel frequency and to receive and detect audio signals on at least one additional channel frequency. The at least one additional channel frequency may include a second channel frequency. The system may include a controller configured to output a first audio cue while outputting audio signals received from the at least one additional channel frequency, to output a second audio cue at a time when the controller begins outputting an audio signal received from the first channel frequency, and to output a third audio cue at a time when the controller begins outputting an audio signal received from the second channel frequency. The first, second, and third audio cues may be different from one another. |
| US07668520B2 |
Broadcast receiving apparatus and display control method
By calculating a channel selection frequency on the basis of a channel selection time list in a memory, a control section automatically judges a zapping operation by a user, and performs display of a program list in which all programs being broadcasted are listed. |
| US07668515B2 |
Portable telephone for conveying real time walkie-talkie streaming audio-video
A communications device having a display and an integral camera and being provided with a walkie-talkie mode for conveying real time streaming audio-video to one or more receiving devices. |
| US07668513B2 |
Platform for enterprise wireless network management applications
A framework for wireless network management applications in an enterprise environment using existing general purpose computing devices is presented. At least one of the devices is configured with a wireless adapter and is used as an AirMonitor to monitor one or more wireless networks. Other devices are configured as LandMonitors to monitor traffic on a wired network in the enterprise environment. At least one inference engine uses the LandMonitors and AirMonitors by assigning them monitoring tasks. Data from the monitoring tasks are stored in a database. Analysis of the data that is computationally intensive is generally performed by the inference engines. Wireless network management applications use the framework by installing and running application-specific components (e.g., filters) on the AirMonitors, LandMonitors, and/or inference engines. |
| US07668511B2 |
Network communication system with nodes transmitting randomly generated information (RGI) and controllers transmitting a copy of the RGI for identification purposes
A network communication system is provided for communication between network nodes, including individual nodes and a communication controller. In the network, signals are transmitted from the communication controller to identify a slot of a frame in which individual nodes may transmit a request to transmit data. When a first individual node has data to transmit, the first node transmits a request signal to the controller in its identified slot, the request including randomly generated information (RGI) for identification of the node. In response to the request signal, the controller transmits a grant signal along with the RGI back to the first node to allow the first node to identify the grant. |
| US07668510B2 |
Transmitting/receiving apparatus and transmitting/receiving method
A transmitting/receiving apparatus wherein a decision of performing SDM communication accompanied by a directivity control is correctly performed to improve the transmission efficiency. In the apparatus, a channel estimating part (205) performs channel estimation by use of known symbols included in a received signal. A channel variation deciding part (206) determines a correlation value between a channel estimation result of an immediately preceding process and that of a current process to determines the magnitude of a channel variation, and the determines, based on the magnitude of the channel variation, whether to perform SDM communication accompanied by a directivity control of perform SDM communication not accompanied by the directivity control. When a radio receiving part (107) receives a transmitting weight, a switching part (108) outputs the received transmitting weight to multipliers (103-1 to 103-n). When the receiving part (107) receives a signal an instruction of performing SDM communication not accompanied by the directivity control, the switching part (108) outputs, as the transmitting weight, “1” indicative of performing no directivity control, to the multipliers (103-1 to 103-n). |
| US07668509B2 |
Frequency selective leveling loop for multi-signal phased array transmitters
A frequency selective leveling loop that performs phase and amplitude control of multiple signals within a phased array structure is disclosed. The leveling loop sensor components are embedded into the array structure. The frequency selective leveling loop can be used with multiple signal amplifiers, and a conventional phase array jamming system can be used to radiate multiple signals simultaneously. The conversion of phase information to baseband eliminates the need for phase matched cables. The frequency selective leveling that is enabled is tolerant of multiple signals and provides the individual signal phase and amplitude feedback by utilizing analytic sampling. |
| US07668505B2 |
Radio having a MEMS preselect filter
The present invention provides systems and methods for pre-filter in a VHF receiver using Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) filters. The system includes an antenna, and first and second Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) filters. The first MEMS filter filters a signal received by the antenna based on a first pre-defined bandwidth, and the second MEMS filter filters the signal filtered by the first MEMS filter based on a second bandwidth. The system also includes an analog to digital converter that converts the signal filtered by the second MEMS filter into a digital signal, a down converter that down converts the digital signal produced by the A to D converter, and a digital signal processor that processes the down converted digital signal produced by the down converter. The first and second MEMS filters or the down converter are adjustable based on a received tuning signal. |
| US07668502B2 |
Adjustable paper cassette
An adjustable paper cassette is provided that may be expanded and contracted by sliding movable frames relative to a base frame and then coupling fixing protrusions to desired fixing holes. Therefore, paper sheets having various sizes may be loaded in the paper cassette, and the size of an image forming apparatus with the paper cassette and the packing size of the image forming apparatus may be reduced without limitation on the size of the paper cassette. |
| US07668498B2 |
Fixing apparatus
A fixing apparatus according to the present invention ensures a nip width larger than a certain value by a heating roller which has a thin film metal conductive layer, and a foamed rubber layer which is bonded to the end part of the metal conductive layer, formed with a gap in a center part, and not bonded to the metal conductive layer. |
| US07668493B2 |
Flexible media travel adjusting means and an image forming device including the same
An image forming device includes one or more flexible fingers to simulate a narrow gap baffle and provide a baffle-like support for different document media. These flexible fingers help guide the documents from one subsystem to another, for instance, entering into the decurler nip on the host image forming device decurler assembly. These flexible fingers act as two baffles. For heavy weight documents, the flexible fingers deflect and move out of the way. For medium to light weight documents, the flexible fingers control the document position during its trajectory. |
| US07668492B2 |
Image forming apparatus featuring a rotatable image carrying belt and a belt rotation control unit for minimizing curling of the belt
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, comprising: an image carrying belt which rotates so as to carry an image; a first roller supporting the image carrying belt; a second roller contacting a face opposite to a face of the image carrying belt contacting the first roller, and supporting the image carrying belt; and a control unit which controls rotation of the image carrying belt such that a portion of the image carrying belt, supported by the first roller in a period that the image carrying belt is stopped before image formation, is supported by the second roller in a period that the image carrying belt is stopped after the image formation. |
| US07668479B2 |
Image forming apparatus having intermediate transfer member
An image forming apparatus includes: a primary transfer section which executes a first transfer by superimposing respective color toner images formed on a plurality of photoreceptors onto an intermediate transfer member; a secondary transfer section including a transfer roller, which concurrently transfers a plurality of toner images superimposed and formed on the intermediate transfer member onto a sheet conveyed from a sheet feed tray, which is in contact with the intermediate transfer member, and a high voltage power source which applies voltage to the transfer roller; and a controller which judges whether there is residual toner, which is a toner image formed onto the intermediate transfer member but not transferred onto the sheet when a sheet sensor detects the sheet exhaustion, and executes a cleaning mode in which the transfer roller is cleaned when there is the residual toner. |
| US07668474B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus is supplied which is able to eliminate redundant item in checking and adjusting print quality before executing print process and only perform item check being really necessary so as to reduce waiting time of user. In the image forming apparatus, a non-operation time calculating section 14 sets an end of last print process as a start point and calculates a non-operation time; a print controlling section 15 controls an adjustment of print quality on the basis of an acquirement of the print quality corresponding to quality item previously set and an acquirement result of the print quality, according to a length of the non-operation time. |
| US07668472B2 |
Methods for moderating variations in writing parameters in liquid toner printing
A method of maintaining at least one writing parameter within a range during printing in a liquid toner printing system, comprising: setting an acceptable range for the at least one writing parameter; and, determining if the at least one writing parameter is within the range; wherein if the at least one writing parameter is not within the range, the method further comprises calculating a target conductivity for liquid toner used in the printer, corresponding to a value within the writing parameter range and moving the liquid toner conductivity towards the target conductivity. |
| US07668471B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus including a latent image bearing member; a developing device configured to develop a latent image on the image bearing member with a two-component developer; a development potential forming device configured to form a development potential; a toner replenishing device configured to supply the toner to the developing device; a toner concentration detecting device configured to detect and output the concentration of the toner in the developer; a toner concentration controlling device configured to compare the toner concentration output with a toner concentration target to control the toner concentration; an information detecting device configured to obtain information to determine the replacement amount of the toner in the developing device in a predetermined period of time; and a development potential correcting device configured to adjust the development potential on the basis of the information obtained by the information detecting device. |
| US07668469B2 |
Optical receiver applicable to multiple transmission speed
The present invention provides an optical receiver that enables to vary the sensitivity depending on the transmission speed. The optical receiver provides a photodiode to generate the photocurrent, the pre-amplifier to convert the photocurrent to the voltage signal, the lead pin to supply the bias voltage to the photodiode, and the control block to generate the switching signal for varying the current-to-voltage conversion efficiency and the frequency bandwidth of the pre-amplifier based on the control signal. The control signal is commonly provided from the lead pin through which the bias voltage is applied. The control block interprets the signal applied to the lead pin and generates the switching signal. |
| US07668467B2 |
Demodulation circuit, IC, and communication device
The demodulation circuit of the present invention is a demodulation circuit, connected with a plurality of light-receiving sections each for receiving an optical signal and converting the signal into a binary pulse signal, operable to select and demodulate a pulse signal out of pulse signals that are supplied from the light-receiving sections, respectively, the demodulation circuit including: a judgment and selection section for detecting timing with which High level and Low level of each of the pulse signals are switched and for selecting at least one pulse signal based on the timing; and a demodulation section for demodulating the pulse signal selected by the judgment and selection section. Consequently, the demodulation circuit easily selects and demodulates a signal whose jitter component is small out of a plurality of supplied signals. |
| US07668466B2 |
Free space demodulator for demodulating a signal
A demodulator comprises an input splitter, optical device sets, and couplers. The input splitter splits an input signal comprising symbols to yield a number of signals. A first optical device set directs a signal of along a first path. A second optical device set directs another signal along a second path to yield a delayed signal. At least a portion of the second path is in free space. A path length difference between the first path and the second path introduces a symbol delay between the first signal and the second signal. A coupler receives a portion of the signal and a portion of the delayed signal to generate interference, where the interference indicates a phase shift between a phase corresponding to a symbol and a successive phase corresponding to a successive symbol. |
| US07668464B2 |
Control of peaking of laser driver current to improve eye quality
An optical transceiver module having digital control of laser current peaking is disclosed. The optical transceiver module comprises a controller and integrated post-amplifier/laser driver, which are included on a printed circuit board disposed in the module. Transmitting and receiving optical sub-assemblies are also disposed in the module. A digital signal interface interconnects the controller with the integrated post-amplifier/laser driver. Digital control signals produced by the controller are transmitted via the digital signal interface to the integrated post-amplifier/laser driver, where they are converted to analog control signals. The analog control signals are forwarded to control components responsible for governing the electrical current supplied to the laser of the transmitting optical sub-assembly. The laser current is intermittently peaked by the control signal in order to hasten the transition from light to no-light emission, thereby improving laser response and performance. |
| US07668463B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating and transmitting WDM MWOF signals
The present invention includes method and apparatus for converting optical signals to MWOF signals for transmission to wireless data, audio and/or video terminals in the W-band. Advantageously, there is no need to maintain expensive and complex remote stations because a centralized station performs all the complex processing. |
| US07668462B2 |
Optical wireless communication device
An optical wireless communication device mounted in electronic equipment includes: a light-receiving element for receiving an optical communication signal; and a control unit that monitors a received light output of the light-receiving element. When the control unit determines that the received light output represents the optical communication signal, it selects and executes communication mode for the optical communication signal. When the control unit determines that the received light output does not represent the optical communication signal, it selects and executes charge mode in which the received light output is used as a charge power. |
| US07668461B2 |
Method for optimizing the optical power in an optical network and an optical network
The invention relates to a method for optimizing the optical power in an optical network that has a plurality of network nodes each having a transmitter and a receiver. The method comprising generating an optical signal at a first network node, receiving the optical signal at a second network node, detecting the optical power of the optical signal at the second network node, determining whether the optical power detected is outside a defined range, and in this case, generating, for the first network node, a control signal for increasing or decreasing the optical power, sending the control signal to the first network node, and increasing or decreasing the optical power of the optical signal emitted at the first network node. The invention further relates to an optical network having network nodes which are operable to implement this method. |
| US07668458B2 |
Protection device for photographic apparatus
A protective device for photographic apparatus comprises an umbrella with a shaft which slides in a ball joint having a compressible o-ring that fits inside a groove within the ball joint. The ball joint is held in place with compression screws joining two halves of a collar system which are adjusted to provide the desired frictional setting to maintain the umbrella in the desired position. A slide bar with an attachment bolt at one end and a stop at the other is used to attach the present invention to the base of a camera or video device and provides the slide wherein the collar system is moved to a desired position. The collar system includes grooves whereby the shaft of the umbrella may be rotated to lie flat against the collar system to facilitate storage and tilting of the photographic apparatus. The umbrella collapses pulling the protective canopy down along shaft for easy storage. |
| US07668455B2 |
Image capturing apparatus, image capturing method, reproducing apparatus, reproducing method and program
An image capturing apparatus or reproducing apparatus which allows a user to easily obtain a desirable sound and image is provided. The image capturing apparatus or reproducing apparatus includes: an image capturing section for capturing an image of a subject; a recording section for recording a sound surrounding the image capturing section; a threshold sound volume storage section for storing a specified threshold sound volume; a sound extraction section for extracting the sound within a part of period including the sound having the volume larger than the threshold sound volume stored in the threshold sound volume storage section among the sound recorded by the recording section; a data storage section for associating each of a plurality of images captured by the image capturing section with each of a plurality of sounds extracted by the sound extraction section in the order of capturing and recording, and for storing the same; and a data output section for synchronizing the captured image with the sound which are associated and stored in the data storage section and outputting the same. |
| US07668453B2 |
Image taking apparatus including a light quantity control device that controls transmitted volume of the subject light
The image taking apparatus of the invention includes a light quantity control device that is arranged on the optical axis of subject light and controls transmitted volume of the subject light. The light quantity control device includes a light quantity control layer and a pair of light-transmissive electrodes. The light quantity control layer expands and contracts in accordance with an electric field generated therein and thereby changes the transmitted volume of the subject light. The electrodes are disposed so as to sandwich the light quantity control layer and generate an electric field in the light quantity control layer, in response to application of voltage, thereby causing the light quantity control layer to expand and contract. |
| US07668449B2 |
Barrel of variable focal length lens
A barrel for an electrically-controllable variable focal length lens in a button-battery type housing includes a hollow isolating cylindrical tube with an inner diameter substantially equal to that of the lens housing, with one or bumps extending radially towards the inside of the tube and forming bearing surfaces for the lens periphery in a same radial plane. First metallizations extend on at least one of the bearing surfaces and therefrom into first channels formed in the internal wall of the tube towards at least one end of the tube, and second metallizations, each of which forms a contact area on the internal surface of the tube to bear against the lateral surface of the lens and extends towards at least one end of the cylinder. |
| US07668447B2 |
Image stabilization apparatus and optical apparatus
An image stabilization apparatus is disclosed which maintains image stabilization performance in ordinary use, enables improvement in the behavior of the image in panning, and allow image shake correction operation to be started immediately after the completion of the panning. The apparatus includes a shake sensor, a shake correcting part, a correction value calculator which calculates a first correction value based on an output from the shake sensor, an extractor which extracts a DC component from the output of the shake sensor, and a subtraction amount calculator which calculates a subtraction amount in accordance with the DC component and the first correction value. The apparatus further includes a subtracter which subtracts the subtraction amount from the first correction value to calculate a second correction value, and a controller which controls drive of the shake correcting part based on the second correction value. |
| US07668444B2 |
Pipe heater encircled conduit device
The present invention relates to a pipe heater encircled conduit device (1), in which a heating element (111) wrapped with a filament (112) having high resistance is provided and a hollow quartz inner tube (113) is inserted at the outside of said heating element (113) to form a pipe heater (11), both ends of the heating element (111) being connected with an electrode pin (114) respectively. A hollow quartz outer tube (123) is inserted at the outside of the pipe heater (11), which has an inlet (121) and an outlet (122) on the tube wall. A heat transfer space (A) is thus formed between the inner quartz tube (113) and the outer quartz tube (123), and insulation members (124) are combined with the respective opening end of both tubes. By the arrangement of the inner and outer quartz tubes. (113), (123), the heat energy generated by the pipe heater (11) formed by the heating element (111) and the hollow inner quartz tube (113) can be transferred to the medium which is introduced from the inlet (121) and exhausted from the outlet (122). Thus, the medium can be heated by the heat energy generated by the heating element (111) itself by both actions of heat conduction and heat radiation. |
| US07668437B1 |
Recording apparatus, recording method, and record medium
A recording apparatus for recording video data to a rewritable optical disc is disclosed, that comprises an encoding means for encoding video data corresponding to a compression-encoding process, a converting means for converting the data structure of the encoded video data received from the encoding means into a file structure that allows a moving picture to be synchronously reproduced by computer software without need to use specially dedicated hardware, and a recording means for recording data having the file structure to an optical disc, wherein the file structure has a first data unit and a second data unit, the second data unit being a set of the first data units, and wherein a plurality of the second data units is matched with a successive record length of which data is written to the optical disc. |
| US07668429B2 |
Light-diffusive methacrylic resin light guide and surface light source device comprising the same
This invention provides a methyl methacrylate resin light guide for use in a surface light source device. The methyl methacrylate resin light guide can reduce the occurrence of dark lines and can improve the screen image quality of a surface light source device. The light guide characterized by including a methyl methacrylate resin and fine particles. Herein, not less than 0.01 parts by mass and not more than 0.5 parts by mass of the fine particles are dispersed in 100 parts by mass of the methyl methacrylate resin. In addition, the absolute value of a difference in refractive index between the fine resin particles and the methyl methacrylate resin is not less than 0.001 and not more than 0.02, the fine resin particles have an average particle size of not less than 1 μm and not more than 10 μm. |
| US07668427B2 |
Fiber optic cables and assemblies and the performance thereof
A fiber optic cable having at least one optical fiber such as a microstructured bend performance optical fiber disposed within a protective covering. The protective covering is highly flexible and the fiber optic cable has extremely low delta attenuation when aggressively bent compared with the conventional fiber optic cable designs. By way of example, the delta attenuation of one fiber optic cable design is about 0.33 dB or less when wrapped 3 turns about a 7.5 millimeter mandrel at a reference wavelength of 1625 nanometers. Other variations of the present invention include a connector attached to the fiber optic cable. |
| US07668416B2 |
Single mode photonic circuit architecture and a new optical splitter design based on parallel waveguide mode conversion
The new single mode circuit (SMC) architecture is invented for photonic integrated circuits (PIC). This architecture allows using multimode waveguides or structures to construct a single mode operated PIC. The multimode sections used in such SMC based PIC possess strong lateral confinement so that the PIC can have high circuit density and high optical performance at the same time. A parallel mode converter structure is also invented here. Based on this parallel mode converter, a low loss optical splitter can be constructed for high index contrast waveguide system. |
| US07668414B2 |
System and method for the fabrication of an electro-optical module
A system and method for fabricating an electro-optical hybrid module (100). The electro-optical hybrid module (100) may comprise an electro-optical component, an electronic component (110), a planar light wave circuit (PLC) embedded with at least an optical waveguide (120). The electro-optical component may transmit or receive energy through a micro-folding mirror (160) while the electronic component may amplify and transfer an electric signal to the electro-optical component. The planar light wave circuit may typically provide an opto-electronic signal communication path via the plurality of optical waveguides that may be embedded in the planar light wave circuit. |
| US07668411B2 |
Distributed vibration sensing system using multimode fiber
An optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) system is configured to detect Rayleigh backscatter reflected from a multimode sensing optical fiber. The system includes a single spatial mode filtering system to select a single speckle of the Rayleigh backscatter produced in response to an optical pulse launched into the multimode fiber. The detected single speckle may be used for distributed disturbance (vibration) detection. |
| US07668410B2 |
Production method for polarization inversion unit
It is provided a novel method of producing polarization inversion parts by electric field polling process wherein the polarization inversion part extends to a deeper point from the surface of a substrate. The polarization inversion part is produced by electric field polling process using a comb electrode having a plurality of electrode portions 5 and a feeding portion 1. Each electrode portion 5 has a base portion 6 extending from the feeding portion 1 and a plurality of conductive portions 5a, 5b and 5c separated from the base portions 6, and the conductive portions have an average length “d” of 4 μm or longer and 9 μm or shorter. Alternatively, each electrode portion 5 has a base portion 6 extending from the feeding portion 1 and a plurality of conductive portions 5a, 5b and 5c separated from the base portion 6, and the conductive portion 5b at the tip end of the electrode portion has a length “db” smaller than the length “da” of the conductive portion 5b nearest to the base portion. |
| US07668409B2 |
Optical communication device and optical device
An optical communication device includes a substrate which has electro-optical effect; a first optical modulator which has a pair of waveguides formed in the substrate; a second optical modulator which has a pair of waveguides formed in the substrate; a waveguide coupler which is provided in an output of the first optical modulator, the waveguide coupler being able to couple and branch light propagating through the pair of waveguides of the first optical modulator; and a delay connecting section which gives differential delay to the output branched by the waveguide coupler and inputs the output to the pair of waveguide of the second optical modulator. As a result, the optical communication device and optical device in which insertion loss is reduced compared with the conventional optical modulator can be provided. |
| US07668408B2 |
Support apparatus for optical characteristic measurement, and program product used for same
A support apparatus for optical characteristic measurement includes a measurement data inputter configured to input measurement data obtained by an optical characteristic measuring instrument, an image inputter configured to input an image of a measurement object, a measurement table in which the measurement data and the image of the measurement object corresponding to the measurement data are recorded, and a measurement data manager configured to record the measurement data inputted by the measurement data inputter in the measurement table so as to be associated with the image of the measurement object every time an optical characteristic of the measurement object is measured. |
| US07668407B1 |
Contextual resolution of character assignments
A character on which character recognition is being performed resides in one or more character strings, at least one of which excludes a subset of characters from a character set. In selecting character assignments for the character, one or more of multiple proposed character assignments for the character are eliminated as being a character in a subset of excluded characters. |
| US07668406B2 |
Digital image acquisition system capable of compensating for changes in relative object velocity
An imaging device comprising a plurality of linear imaging arrays and image formation optics that provide field of views corresponding to the plurality of linear image arrays. At least one illumination module produces planar light illumination that substantially overlaps the field of views corresponding to the plurality of linear imaging arrays. Image processing circuitry performs image-based velocity estimation operations, which analyzes pixel data values of a plurality of composite 2-D images each derived from sequential image capture operations of a corresponding one linear imaging array to derive velocity data that represents an estimated velocity of the imaging device with respect to at least one target object disposed in the fields of view. Preferably, the image processing circuitry also produces a first image of portions of the target object(s), the first image having substantially constant aspect ratio, utilizing image transformation operations (or camera control operations) that are based upon the velocity data, to thereby compensate for aspect ratio distortions that would otherwise result from variations in velocity of the imaging device with respect to the target object(s). In addition, the image processing circuitry preferably carries out image-based horizontal jitter estimation and compensation operations, which estimate the horizontal jitter of the imaging device relative to the target object(s) over the image capture operations from which the first image is derived and transform the first image utilizing shift operations that are based upon such estimated horizontal jitter to produce a second image of portions of the target object(s) which compensates for horizontal jitter distortion that would otherwise result therefrom. The first image or second image (or image derived from sharpening the first or second images) is preferably subject to image-based bar code detection operations and/or OCR operations, or output for display to a display device. |
| US07668404B2 |
Method and system of deskewing an image using monochrome conversion to separate foreground from background
A method and system of deskewing an image. The method and system includes capturing a first image, forming a number of regions within the first image, generating a bounding rectangles for each region, calculating an area for each bounding rectangle, rotating each region by an angle within a predefined range, finding the angle that minimizes the area of each bounding rectangle, and rotating each region by the angle found. |
| US07668403B2 |
Frame grabber
A method for producing images is provided. The method involves acquiring images, acquiring data corresponding to the location of the acquired images, and transferring the images and data to a frame grabber. The method also involves combining the images and data within the frame grabber to provide a plurality of imagery products. |
| US07668401B2 |
Form changing device, object action encoding device, and object action decoding device
A shape deformation encoding device includes: a calculation unit for calculating a difference data between a pre-deformation shape data which represents a shape of an object before shape change and a post-deformation shape data which represents a shape of the object after shape change; and a determination unit for determining an action area on which the shape change of the object is arisen and an external force which is acted to the action area for the shape change, based on the pre-deformation shape data and the difference data. The action area includes a plurality of small areas, each of the plurality of small areas includes a plurality of control points, and the external force is calculated as an external force required to deform the plurality of small areas from before to after the shape change independently based on the physical model structure of each of the plurality of small areas. The physical model structure in which the plurality of control points are connected together with springs and dampers are used as a physical model structure. |
| US07668397B2 |
Apparatus and method for objective assessment of DCT-coded video quality with or without an original video sequence
A new approach to objective quality assessment of DCT-coded video sequences, with or without a reference is proposed. The system is comprised of a proprietary segmentation algorithm, a feature extraction process and a nonlinear feed-forward-type neural network for feature analysis. The methods mimic function of the human visual system (HVS): A neural network training algorithm is used for determining the optimal network weights and biases for both system modes of operation. The proposed method allows for assessment of DCT-coded video sequences without the original source being available (pseudo-reference mode). The pseudo-reference mode is also comprised of a proprietary DCT-coded video (MPEG) noise reducer (MNR), co-pending patent application No. 60/592,143. |
| US07668393B2 |
Signal processing device, method, and program
An apparatus and method which takes into consideration the real world where data was acquired, and enables obtaining of processing results which are more accurate and more precise as to phenomena in the real world. A data continuity detecting unit detects the continuity of data of second signals, having second dimensions that are fewer than first dimensions had by first signals which are real world signals and are projected whereby a part of the continuity of the real world signals is lost, wherein the continuity to be detected corresponds to the continuity of the real world signals that has been lost. An actual world estimating unit estimates a real world image by estimating the continuity of the real world image that has been lost, based on the continuity of the data detected by the data continuity detecting unit. |
| US07668391B2 |
Image signal processor and image signal processing method
The disclosed is to provide an image signal processor and its method in which the enhancement of resolution and the effective reduction of noise are compatible. The image signal processor is provided with an edge character detector that detects a character of an edge of an object, an image signal frequency zone limiter that executes a noise removing process, an image signal frequency zone enhancer that executes a resolution enhancing process and a gain controller that changes each intensity of the image signal frequency zone limiter and the image signal frequency zone enhancer according to an output result of the edge character detector. |
| US07668390B2 |
Systems and methods for image enhancement in multiple dimensions
A multi-dimensional data enhancement system uses large kernel filtering, decimation, and interpolation, in multi-dimensions to enhance the multi-dimensional data in real-time. The multi-dimensional data enhancement system is capable of performing large kernel processing in real-time because the required processing overhead is significantly reduced. The reduction in processing overhead is achieved through the use of low pass filtering and decimation that reduces the amount of data that needs to be processed in order to generate an unsharp mask comprising low spatial frequencies that can be used to process the data in a more natural way. |
| US07668384B2 |
Recording medium having recorded thereon coded information using plus and/or minus rounding of images
A recording medium having recorded thereon information related to coded data of an image sequence; wherein the information related to coded data of an image sequence is a set of coded frame information of a plurality of frames of an image sequence; wherein the coded frame information includes: information related to a difference image between an image of a current frame and a prediction image of the current frame, the prediction image being synthesized by performing motion compensation, information related to motion vectors estimated in performing the motion compensation, and rounding method information specifying either a positive rounding method or a negative rounding method for interpolating intensity values of pixels in performing the motion compensation when the input image is coded as a P frame, wherein no rounding method information is included in the coded frame information when the input image is coded as an I frame. |
| US07668382B2 |
Block-based fast image compression
Systems and methods for block-based fast image compression are described. In one aspect, a digital image is segmented into multiple blocks. A respective set of statistical characteristics is identified for each of the segmented blocks. Each of the blocks is encoded with a particular encoding algorithm of multiple encoding algorithms. The particular encoding algorithm that is used to encode a particular block segmented from the digital image is selected to efficiently encode the block in view of statistical characteristics associated with the block. Thus, blocks of different block types may be encoded with different encoding algorithms. |
| US07668380B2 |
Rate control of scalably coded images
A method of rate-control for a sequence of scalably coded images having transform coefficients partitioned into coding units coded in a plurality of quality increments having respective significance values. The method defines subsets each having one or more coding units, at least one image contributing at least one coding unit to two or more subsets. A list of requirements (LOR) is set having a least one entry associated with each subset. The significance values are used to select quality increments to construct an admissible codestream that satisfies the LOR on the subsets. The quality increments may be selected to achieve high quality for different subsets subject to size requirements in the LOR. For certain requirements, the codestream will also exhibit approximately constant reconstructed image quality. The quality increments may also be selected to achieve small compressed sizes for different subsets subject to quality requirements in the LOR. |
| US07668378B2 |
Characteristic based classification system
Characteristics can be stored in a computer databank for various plants, animals, and items. When a user wants to identify a particular plant, animal, or item, the user supplies the characteristics that are readily ascertained. After the user has entered the characteristics, the standardized reverse logic databank of the invention will cull out the items that have non-compatible characteristics and identify the item or provide a list of the possible identity matches for the unknown. |
| US07668376B2 |
Shape feature extraction and classification
System and method for analyzing an image. A received image, comprising an object or objects, is optionally preprocessed. Invariant shape features of the object(s) are extracted using a generalized invariant feature descriptor. The generalized invariant feature descriptor may comprise a generalized invariant feature vector comprising components corresponding to attributes of each object, e.g., related to circularity, elongation, perimeter-ratio-based convexity, area-ratio-based convexity, hole-perimeter-ratio, hole-area-ratio, and/or functions of Hu Moment 1 and/or Hu Moment 2. Non-invariant features, e.g., scale and reflection, may be extracted to form corresponding feature vectors. The object is classified by computing differences between the generalized invariant feature vector (and optionally, non-invariant feature vectors) and respective generalized invariant feature vectors corresponding to reference objects, determining a minimum difference corresponding to a closest reference object or class of reference objects of the plurality of reference objects, and outputting an indication of the closest reference object or class as the classification. |
| US07668372B2 |
Method and system for collecting data from a plurality of machine readable documents
In a method and system for collection of data from documents present in machine-readable form, at least one already-processed document stored as a template and designated as a template document is associated with a document to be processed designated as a read document. Fields for data to be extracted are defined in the template document. Data contained in the read document are already extracted from regions that correspond to the fields in the template document. Should an error have occurred or no suitable template document having been associated given the automatic extraction of the data, the read document is shown on a screen and fields are manually inputted in the read document from which the data are extracted. After the manual input of the fields in the read document, the read document with field specifications is stored as a new template document or the previous template document is corrected corresponding to the newly input fields. |
| US07668368B2 |
Image processing apparatus, camera apparatus, image output apparatus, image processing method, color correction processing program and computer readable recording medium
A correction processing section 1 performs a color correction such that a movement amount indicating how much input values of image signals should be moved for the purpose of color correction becomes smaller as the distance between the input values and the coordinates of the center of region to be corrected becomes larger in the region to be corrected, based on the input values of the input signals (L signal, *a signal, *b signal), conditional data (such as radius r) defining a local region to be corrected, the coordinates (Lc, *ac, *bc) of the center of the region to be corrected and the coordinates (Lm, *am, *bm) of the center of an ideal color region to be targeted. |
| US07668366B2 |
Mosaic image data processing
A method having a corresponding apparatus and computer program comprises receiving a mosaic image comprising a plurality of pixels; separating the mosaic image into a plurality of color channels each comprising only the pixels having a corresponding one of a plurality of colors; and processing each color channel of the image data separately, wherein the processing of each of the color channels comprises at least one of compressing the pixels in the color channel, and color processing the pixels in the color channel. |
| US07668364B2 |
Inspection method and apparatus for partially drilled microvias
Inspection of partially drilled microvias by fluorescence based optical imaging techniques, selective coaxial illumination and multivariable off-axis illumination and the use of comparative image analysis and the transformation of back reflected radiation by means of an integrated fluorescing plate mounted to the surface of a CCD or EMCCD array. |
| US07668361B2 |
System and method for the correction of temporal artifacts in tomographic images
The invention relates to an imaging system for imaging an object (4), said imaging system comprising a detection unit (3) for consecutively acquiring projection data sets (Pi) of the object (4), said detection unit (3) having a temporal response function that is characterized by at least a time constant (τ), a rotation unit that, while the projection data sets (Pi) are being acquired, moves the detection unit (3) around the object (4) with an essentially constant angular velocity (ω), a reconstruction unit (9) for computing an image data set (13) of the object (4) from the projection data sets (Pi), and a filter unit (10) that, in an active state, applies a filter (f) on the image data set (13) to compute a correction, which filter acts as a derivative on the perturbed image, essentially in a direction corresponding to the direction of the angular velocity, is essentially proportional to the time constant (τ) and is essentially proportional to the angular velocity (ω), said filter unit (10) being arranged to subtract the correction from the image data set (13). |
| US07668358B2 |
Model-based grayscale registration of medical images
Numerical image processing based on a model of medical image acquisition of two or more medical images to provide grayscale registration is described. The grayscale registered temporal images may then be displayed for visual comparison and/or further processed by a computer-aided diagnosis system for detection of medical abnormalities therein. A parametric method includes spatially registering two images and performing gray scale registration of the images. A parametric transform model, e.g., analog to analog, digital to digital, analog to digital, or digital to analog model, is selected based on the image acquisition method(s) of the images, i.e., digital or analog/film. Gray scale registration involves generating a joint pixel value histogram from the two images, statistically fitting parameters of the transform model to the joint histogram, generating a lookup table, and using the lookup table to transform and register pixel values of one image to the pixel values of the other image. |
| US07668357B2 |
Method and system for using computed tomography to test pulmonary function
Computed axial tomography images of different respiratory phases of lungs are obtained, where the intensity of the image measures lung density. One image is deformed to the coordinate space of the other image, and the differences between the intensity values of the other image as compared to the mapped image are evaluated as measures of ventilation. |
| US07668352B2 |
Communicating computer-aided detection results in a standards-based medical imaging environment
A method, system, and method of doing business in a standards-based medical imaging environment is described in relation to the communication of computer-aided detection (CAD) results among devices, with one embodiment relating to the DICOM standard. CAD results are fixably integrated into the pixels of a secondary image derived from a source image, and the secondary image is transferred using a DICOM Secondary Capture Image Information Object Instance (SCI-IOI). The DICOM SCI-IOI is transferred to a viewing workstation, whereby a clinician can open, manipulate, and view the secondary image in a side-by-side comparison with the source image or derivative images thereof. Advantageously, CAD results are communicated to the clinician in a DICOM-conforming manner independent of whether the viewing workstation supports standard DICOM accommodations, such as CAD Structured Report Information Object Instances (CAD SR-IOIs), for the type of CAD results that need to be presented. Optionally, an equipment information entity identifier in a CAD SR-IOI and/or the SCI-IOI can be modified to change or shield the identity of the manufacturer of the CAD processing unit. |
| US07668350B2 |
Comparative texture analysis of tissue for biometric spoof detection
Methods are described of evaluating the genuineness of a sample presented for biometric evaluation. The sample is illuminated under distinct optical conditions. Light scattered from the sample is received. Multiple images are formed, each image being formed from the received light for one of the optical conditions. A set of texture measures is generated, each texture measure being generated from one of the images. It is determined whether the generated texture measures is consistent with the sample being authentic unconcealed biological tissue. |
| US07668346B2 |
Joint boosting feature selection for robust face recognition
Methods and systems are provided for selecting features that will be used to recognize faces. Three-dimensional models are used to synthesize a database of virtual face images. The virtual face images cover wide appearance variations, different poses, different lighting conditions and expression changes. A joint boosting algorithm is used to identify discriminative features by selecting features from the plurality of virtual images such that the identified discriminative features are independent of the other images included in the database. |
| US07668337B2 |
Ellipsoid detecting method, figure center detecting method, image recognizing device, and controller based on image
A method for detecting an ellipsoid includes: extracting an ellipsoid candidate; extracting an ellipsoid contour; calculating an ellipsoid parameter; calculating an adaptability ratio; and eliminating the ellipsoid candidate. Extracting the ellipsoid candidate includes: inputting an image with figures; selecting the ellipsoid candidate from the figures; and extracting a contour candidate point and a center point. Extracting the ellipsoid contour includes: drawing straight lines; determining contour candidate points; calculating first and second distances; and defining ellipsoid contour points. Calculating the ellipsoid parameter is based on the ellipsoid contour points and the center point. Calculating the adaptability ratio includes: drawing a complete ellipsoid; and calculating the adaptability ratio between the complete ellipsoid and the ellipsoid candidate. Eliminating the ellipsoid candidate is performed when the adaptability ratio is equal to or smaller than a threshold. |
| US07668336B2 |
Extracting embedded information from a document
An apparatus, method, system, computer program and product, each capable of extracting embedded information from a document. The method includes inputting the document having the embedded information, wherein the embedded information is arranged in an embedded area of the document so as to form a grid pattern, obtaining a horizontal regression line representing a horizontal line of the embedded area and a vertical regression line representing a vertical line of the embedded area, moving the horizontal regression line and the vertical regression line across the embedded area to respectively obtain a plurality of horizontal parallel lines and a plurality of vertical parallel lines, detecting a location of the embedded information based on intersection points formed by the plurality of horizontal parallel lines and the plurality of vertical parallel lines, extracting the embedded information from the location detected by the detecting step, and outputting the embedded information to an output device. |
| US07668335B2 |
Communication device, digital signature verification method and digital signature generation method
It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication device, a digital signature verification method, and a digital signature generation method, in which the memory usage efficiency is improved without confidential information required for the verification or generation of a signature being easily leaked to the outside.The Java application judges whether signature verification is required for the received signature target data. When judging that signature verification is required, the Java application outputs the received signature target data to the PKI of the platform. The PKI verifies the signature that has been added to the data output by the Java application and performs signature generation, and then notifies the Java application. |
| US07668325B2 |
Hearing system having an open chamber for housing components and reducing the occlusion effect
A hearing system comprises a shell having an open inner chamber. An input transducer and a transmitter assembly are disposed in the open inner chamber. The transmitter has a frequency response bandwidth in a 6 kHz to 20 kHz range, and the open chamber has an end adjacent a patient's tympanic membrane with one or more openings that allow the ambient sound to pass through the chamber and directly reach the middle ear of the user. |
| US07668324B2 |
Folding electronic device
A folding electronic device includes an operation unit, a display unit, a memory unit, a pair of speakers, a detection switch, and a switch. A plurality of information input keys are arranged on the operation unit. The display unit is integrated with the operation unit so as to be foldable, and displays at least image information. Sound source data is stored in the memory unit. A pair of speakers for a left channel and a right channel can be driven in a closed state in which the display unit is folded. The detection switch detects the open state in which the display unit is not folded or the closed state in which the display unit is folded. The switch switches paths through which the sound source data stored in the memory unit is output to the pair of speakers on the basis of an output from the detection switch. |
| US07668321B2 |
Automatic power foldback for audio applications
A power foldback circuit to automatically control the power of an audio amplifier by using the volume inputs to a pre-amp source which drives the audio amplifier. In an embodiment, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) on a personal computer is used to drive the audio speakers. In this circuit an audio digital to analog converter (DAC) with a USB interface receives a digitally encoded audio signal from a personal computer (PC). The USB DAC outputs an analog audio signal to a audio amplifier circuit. A supervisory circuit monitors the power used by the audio amplifier and through a volume control circuit lowers the volume control into the USB DAC to prevent the entire circuit from drawing more than the allowed power supplied by the USB connection to the PC. |
| US07668319B2 |
Signal processing system, signal processing apparatus and method, recording medium, and program
The present invention relates to a signal processing system, a signal processing apparatus and method, a recording medium, and a program in which high frequency components of a narrow-range signal having suppressed high frequency components can be restored with high accuracy. A narrow-range audio signal having low frequency components is divided into frames by a frame-unit dividing unit 11, and is spectral-transformed into a signal on a frequency domain by a DCT transform unit 12. A learning-produced-data table 14 extracts, at an address corresponding to a class code supplied from a classifying unit 13, high-frequency-component DCT spectrum data. In a spectrum combining unit 16, the extracted high-frequency-component DCT spectrum data is combined with low-frequency-component DCT spectrum data output from the DCT transform unit 12. Subsequently, a broad-range audio signal having combined high frequency components and low frequency components is output. The present invention can be applied to cellular phones. |
| US07668312B2 |
Scrambling, descrambling and secure distribution of audio-visual sequences from video encoders based on wavelet processing
A process for secured distribution of video sequences according to a digital stream format stemming from an encoding based on a processing by wavelets including frames including blocks containing coefficients of wavelets describing the visual elements, including analyzing the stream prior to transmission to client equipment to generate a modified main stream by deletion and replacement of selected information coding the original stream and having the format of the original stream, and complementary information of any format comprising the digital information coding the original stream and suitable for permitting reconstruction of the modified frames; and transmitting the modified main stream and the complementary information separately from a server to addressed equipment. |
| US07668299B2 |
System using script command to generate audio quality test case to test a network
A device translates a script command into a test case for testing a network, receives an audio input based on the test case, performs a quality test of the audio based on the test case, and generates a result of the quality test to determine a functionality of the network. |
| US07668292B1 |
Patient setup error evaluation and error minimizing setup correction in association with radiotherapy treatment
In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, in a processor, information indicative of (i) a treatment plan defining planned treatment beams, (ii) a patient volume relative to a reference, (iii) ideal intersections of the planned treatment beams with the patient volume at the time the patient is to be treated, (iv) any constraints that prevent achievement of the recommended repositioning using only the patient support, (v) an allowable change to a gantry position from a planned value and an allowable change to a collimator position from a planned value; defining, in the processor, a plurality of alternatives based at least in part on the information indicative of any constraints of the patient support and the information indicative of allowable movement of the gantry and collimator, each alternative defining a modified patient support position and modified beams, each modified beam being based at least in part on a respective one of the planned treatment beams, the change to the position of the gantry for the respective planned treatment beam and the change to the position of the collimator for the respective planned treatment beam; determining, in the processor, for each modified beam of each alternative, an intersection of the patient volume and the modified beam, with the patient volume positioned on the patient support and the patient support having the modified patient support position defined by the alternative; and defining, in the processor, for each alternative, a measure of difference between the ideal intersections and the intersections for the modified beams of the alternative. |
| US07668289B2 |
Energy-resolved photon counting for CT
Spectral CT systems require cheap detectors with high energy resolution. According to an aspect of the present invention, a computer tomography apparatus comprises a detector element which is segmented into a plurality of sub-pixels. Each sub-pixel has at least two thresholds and counting channels, wherein the second threshold for each sub-pixel varies over the nominal detector element. This may provide for an improved energy-resolved photon counting. |
| US07668287B2 |
Radiation CT apparatus
An imaging section includes a radiation source that emits radiation, a detecting panel for detecting the radiation, and a rotating section for integrally rotating the radiation source and the detecting panel about a rotating axis. The radiation source and the detecting panel face each other with the rotating axis that passes though a predetermined position interposed therebetween. The imaging section sequentially images a subject placed at the predetermined position while rotating the radiation source and the detecting panel about the rotating axis, and image signals are read out for each imaging operation. A control section refers to a necessary readout region set by a setting section and controls a readout switching means such that image signals recorded in detection pixels within the necessary readout region are read out by a normal readout section, and image signals recorded in other detection pixels are read out by a high speed readout section. |
| US07668286B2 |
X-ray CT apparatus
An X-ray CT apparatus sets at least an imaging-subject area to be imaged, and a heart imaging area included in the imaging-subject area and determined based on a position and size of a heart on a subject P. When an image is taken, the X-ray CT apparatus sets imaging conditions, such as whether electrocardiographic synchronization is required for imaging and a type of reconstruction mode, based on each set imaging area. |
| US07668285B2 |
X-ray computed tomographic apparatus and image processing apparatus
An X-ray computed tomographic apparatus comprises a scanner to scan in a three-dimensional region of a subject by X-rays, a storing unit to store projection data acquired by the scanning, a reconstruction processing unit to generate volume data which corresponds to a three-dimensional region, based on the stored projection data, an MPR processing unit to generate slice image data relating to three-direction slice planes from the volume data, a displaying unit to display the slice image data together with a graphic element representing a reconstruction range, an operating unit to operate the graphic element, and a reconstruction processing unit to reconstruct tomographic image data which corresponds to the reconstruction range represented by the graphic element, based on the stored projection data. |
| US07668280B2 |
Nuclear fuel assembly
A nuclear fuel assembly having an instrumentation tube having an insert that centers the in-core instrumentation while permitting bugling or welding of the instrumentation tube wall to a grid strap to obtain a rigid connection there between at any elevation along the instrumentation tube. |
| US07668275B2 |
Frame synchronisation scheme with interference reduction
A frame synchronization is proposed for a multi-band communication system, wherein a data signal exchanged between a transmitter and a receiver is organized in system frames having a preamble section which contains a frame synchronization section that is composed of a number of symbol frames, each of which is in turn composed of a defined number of slots, whereby each slot corresponds to an individual transmission frequency band. The method comprises steps for transmitting the data signal containing a synchronization signal in one or more slots of every other symbol frame of the frame synchronization section, processing only data signal components selected from transmission frequency bands required for the synchronization signal transmission, and subtracting the processed data signal from its shifted copy, whereby the copy is shifted by one symbol frame. |
| US07668273B2 |
Method and apparatus for synchronization of a mobile radio receiver to a base station
In a method for synchronization of a mobile radio receiver to a base station, the received signal is sampled using oversampling, by which means sample values are obtained from different sampling phases. The oversampled signal is correlated with a local code, with sample values that are associated with a first sampling phase being processed with a frequency offset with respect to sample values that are associated with a second sampling phase. |
| US07668270B2 |
Method and system for programmable filtering offset
Methods and systems for a programmable filtering offset may include filtering desired data located at a variable offset from a start of a particular message in a data stream using a programmable hardware filter module. The variable offset may be specified in bits or bytes. The programmable hardware filter module may start filtering from an offset corresponding to the start of the desired data. The programmable hardware filter module may be a variable length filter or a fixed length filter. An offset from the start of a particular message may be determined, where the desired data that may be compared may start after the offset from the beginning of the message. The programmable hardware filter module may be configured with the determined offset. |
| US07668266B2 |
Crest factor reduction in OFDM using blind selected pilot tone modulation
Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is a spectrally efficient multicarrier modulation technique for high speed data transmission over multipath fading channels, but has low power efficiency. OFDM signals have large crest factors, or peak-to-average power ratios (PARs) which lead to power inefficiency in the RF portion of the transmitter. Selected mapping can be used to reduce the PAR of an OFDM signal and is distortionless. A technique is disclosed that links the index of a phase rotation sequence used in selected mapping to the location of pilot tones that are used to estimate the channel. Each pilot tone location-phase sequence selection produces a different PAR value for the time-domain OFDM signal, and the signal with the lowest PAR value is transmitted. The technique is “blind” in that the optimum pilot tone location-phase sequence index is not transmitted as side information. A technique to blindly detect the optimum index at the receiver is also disclosed. |
| US07668263B2 |
Multi-frequency synthesizing apparatus and method for multi-band RF receiver
A frequency synthesizing apparatus and method for a multi-band radio frequency (RF) receiver is provided. The frequency synthesizing apparatus includes a simple circuit configuration with a single SSB mixer and thus, may synthesize six high frequency signals. Signals to be inputted into the SSB mixer include a first signal and a second signal. The first signal is generated based on a VCO and a PPF. Also, the second signal is selected from a plurality of frequency divided signals which are generated by dividing a signal generated in the VCO via a plurality of dividers. |
| US07668262B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for coarse spectrum-sensing modules
Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for coarse-sensing modules that are operative for providing initial determinations of spectrum occupancy. The coarse-sensing modules may include a wavelet waveform generator providing a plurality of wavelet pulses, and a multiplier that combines the wavelet pulses with an input signal to form a correlation signal. The coarse sensing modules may further include an integrator that receives the generated correlation signal from the multiplier, where the integrator determines correlation values from integrating the correlation signal, and a spectrum recognition module in communication with the integrator that determines an available spectrum segment based at least in part on the correlation values. In addition, the spectrum recognition module may determine an available spectrum segment by utilizing information from a spectrum usage database, where the spectrum usage database includes information associated with one or more known signal types. |
| US07668253B2 |
Method for allocating a subchannel in an orthogonal frequency division multiple access cellular communication system
A method for allocating a subchannel in a transmitter of an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) cellular communication system in which an entire frequency band includes a plurality of bands, each of the bands includes a plurality of bins, and each of the bins includes a plurality of subcarriers. The method includes dividing a predetermined time interval into an Adaptive Modulation and Coding (AMC) subchannel time interval and a diversity subchannel time interval; selecting any one of the plurality of bands in the AMC subchannel time interval; selecting a predetermined number of bins among the plurality of bins in the selected band; and allocating the selected bins to the AMC subchannel. |
| US07668248B2 |
High-performance LDPC coding for digital communications in a multiple-input, multiple-output environment
Transceiver circuitry for use in a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO), orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM), communications environment, is disclosed. Error correction coding according to a fixed-block size code, such as low density parity check (LDPC) coding, is implemented. A specific LDPC code with excellent error rate performance is disclosed. |
| US07668246B2 |
Apparatus, method and computer program for correcting common phase error of OFDM signal symbols
An apparatus, method and computer program for correcting a common phase error (CPE) of symbols of a received OFDM signal is described, in which FFT processing may be performed on a time domain OFDM to transform the received signal to a signal in the frequency-domain. Reordered output values resulting from the FFT processing and locations of the reordered output values may be stored. One or more of the stored reordered output values for a current symbol of the OFDM signal may be transferred based on receipt of an address, and each of the transferred reordered output values may be multiplied by a corresponding reordered output value of a previous OFDM signal symbol, so as to determine phase differences between the reordered output values of the current and previous OFDM signal symbols. The CPE of the transformed OFDM signal may be corrected based on the detected phase differences. |
| US07668241B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating 3D image signal using space-division method
A 3-dimensional (3-D) image signal processing method and apparatus. The 3-D image signal processing apparatus converts a multi-visual-point 2-D image signal into a signal suited to a 3-dimensional image display apparatus. The 3-D image signal processing apparatus includes: a video decoder converting an analog image signal received from an image source arranged in an m*n space-division mode into a digital image signal; a 3-D image processing unit performing 3-D image processing of the digital image signal and generating an output signal suited to a 3-D image display apparatus; a memory storing the digital image signal; and a controller generating a memory-write-address and a memory-read-address of the memory and controlling write/read order of the digital image signal for scaling and vertical/horizontal multiplexing. According to the 3-D image signal processing apparatus of the present invention, a 3-D display interface apparatus capable of being applied to a plurality of multi-visual-point modes is realized. |
| US07668240B2 |
Method and apparatus for variable accuracy inter-picture timing specification for digital video encoding
A method and apparatus for variable accuracy inter-picture timing specification for digital video encoding is disclosed. Specifically, the present invention discloses a system that allows the relative timing of nearby video pictures to be encoded in a very efficient manner. In one embodiment, the display time difference between a current video picture and a nearby video picture is determined. The display time difference is then encoded into a digital representation of the video picture. In a preferred embodiment, the nearby video picture is the most recently transmitted stored picture. For coding efficiency, the display time difference may be encoded using a variable length coding system or arithmetic coding. In an alternate embodiment, the display time difference is encoded as a power of two to reduce the number of bits transmitted. |
| US07668234B2 |
Test signal generating apparatus for communications equipment and test signal generating method for communications equipment
A test signal generating apparatus for communications equipment sequentially uses first and second sequence information which are stored in a sequence memory for storing the first sequence information including a reading order and read addresses of unit data including I and Q waveform data, and desired signal levels to be set to the unit data, and the second sequence information including frequency offsets. Consequently, the test signal generating apparatus provides frequency offsets at a plurality of steps every predetermined frequency intervals by using a predetermined carrier frequency as a reference, with respect to the I and Q waveform data at a digital stage up to digital-to-analog converters, and outputs a test signal in the frequency hopping system. |
| US07668229B2 |
Low I/O bandwidth method and system for implementing detection and identification of scrambling codes
A system for detecting and identifying the identity of a scrambling code is provided. According to one aspect of the system, a single scrambling code generator is used to generate a plurality of segments forming sequential chips of a master scrambling code. According to an embodiment, the segments are correlated in parallel with received signals to identify an associated base station. According to yet another aspect of the system, each of a plurality of correlators maintains a corresponding segment. According to an embodiment, for every sixteen chips, a new segment is introduced into one of the correlators, a segment is dropped from another correlator, segments are sequentially shifted or propagated through the remaining correlators, and concurrent correlations are performed by the correlators using their respective corresponding segments and newly received signals. |
| US07668228B2 |
Apparatus for and method of correlating to rising chip edges
A receiver for position-determining ranging signals transmitted by earth-orbiting satellites uses a set of accumulators, each of which accumulates signal samples corresponding with a position along the rising edges of incoming PRN pulses. An MMT processor calculates the rising edges of the direct path component of the received signal, selects the accumulator whose content correspond to a reference value related to the pulse height of the direct path component and compares the timing of the samples in that accumulator with the timing of the reference value on a reference pulse. |
| US07668227B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing interference in spread spectrum signals using spreading code cross-correlations
A receiver reduces interference in a received symbol of interest attributable to an interfering symbol using knowledge of the symbol spreading codes. The receiver comprises a plurality of correlators generating despread values for the received symbol of interest and the interfering symbol, and a combiner to combine the despread values using combining weights calculated based on spreading code correlations between spreading codes for the received symbol of interest and the interfering symbol. |
| US07668225B2 |
Multi-MOK modulation/demodulation transmission process, corresponding transmitter and receiver
At transmission, the data to be transmitted is divided into N data blocks, these N blocks are processed in parallel in N M-ary orthogonal keying (MOK) modulation channels, each modulation using a group of spread codes, each channel emitting a signal. All of these signals are transmitted in series. At reception, the signal received is processed in N M-ary orthogonal keying (MOK) demodulation channels, and the blocks obtained are grouped together in series. |
| US07668221B2 |
Gas laser apparatus, and method and device for monitoring blower
A gas laser apparatus including a laser oscillating section including a blower forcibly circulating a medium gas in a medium circuit, and a blower monitoring section monitoring a maintenance state of the blower. The blower includes a lubricant storage chamber storing a lubricant, and a lubricant monitoring chamber connected to the lubricant storage chamber to ensure fluidic communication therebetween at a position lower than an oil level of a lubricant having a predetermined appropriate volume and stored in the lubricant storage chamber. The blower monitoring section includes a lubricant detecting section detecting that a lubricant stored in the lubricant storage chamber of the blower flows into the lubricant monitoring chamber and at least a part of the lubricant is present in the lubricant monitoring chamber, as a result of internal-pressure change in the lubricant storage chamber, and a lubricant-change judging section monitoring whether the lubricant detecting section detects a presence of the lubricant in the lubricant monitoring chamber, before the laser oscillating section is activated, and judging that, when the lubricant detecting section does not detect the presence, the lubricant stored in the lubricant storage chamber is in a state immediately after a lubricant change. |
| US07668219B2 |
Surface emitting semiconductor device
A surface emitting semiconductor device comprises: a semiconductor region including an active layer; a first DBR having first layers and second layers; and a second DBR. The first and second layers are alternately arranged, and the first layers are made of dielectric material. The first DBR, semiconductor region and second DBR are sequentially arranged along a predetermined axis, and the semiconductor region is provided between the first DBR and the second DBR. The cross section of the first DBR is taken along a reference plane perpendicular to the predetermined axis. The distance between two points on an edge of the cross section takes a first value in a direction of an X-axis of a two-dimensional XY orthogonal coordinate system defined on the reference plane, and the distance between two points on the edge takes a second value in a direction of a Y-axis of the above coordinate system. The first value is different from the second value. The cross section of the second DBR is taken along another reference plane perpendicular to the predetermined axis, and a shape of the cross section of the first DBR is different from a shape of the cross section of the second DBR. |
| US07668217B2 |
Semiconductor laser diode device
The present invention provides a Be-based group II-VI semiconductor laser using an InP substrate and having a stacked structure capable of continuous oscillation at a room temperature. A basic structure of a semiconductor laser is constituted by using a Be-containing lattice-matched II-VI semiconductor above an InP substrate. An active laser, an optical guide layer, and a cladding layer are constituted in a double hetero structure having a type I band line-up in order to enhance the injection efficiency of carriers to the active layer. Also, the active layer, the optical guide layer, and the cladding layer, which are capable of enhancing the optical confinement to the active layer, are constituted, and the cladding layer is constituted with bulk crystals. |
| US07668215B2 |
Apparatus for dissipating heat in electro-optical communications systems
A laser mounted in a casing is driven by and mounted close to its driving circuit. To reduce the effect on the laser of heat generated by the driver circuit, the casing includes a passive heat sink element on which the driver circuit is mounted whereby heat generated by the driver is dissipated by the passive heat sink element. |
| US07668214B2 |
Light source
An apparatus for coupling radiation of individual laser diode emitters into a common optical fiber is disclosed. The radiation is collimated along fast axis and combined by using crossed pairs of flat mirrors. The combined beams are collimated by a common slow axis collimating lens. The laser diode emitters are disposed on both sides of an optical axis of the slow axis collimating lens such that the optical path lengths from the emitters to the slow axis collimating lens are equal. |
| US07668207B2 |
System, method, and article of manufacture for synchronizing time of day clocks on first and second computers
A system, method, and article of manufacture for synchronizing first and second time-of-day clocks on first and second computers, respectively, are provided. The first and second computers have first and second network interface cards with third and fourth clocks, respectively, thereon. The system utilizes time stamp values generated by the third and fourth clocks to synchronize the first and second time-of-day clocks. |
| US07668206B2 |
Method for automatically setting time and digital broadcast receiving apparatus using the same
A method for automatically setting a time includes receiving a time set by a user and corresponding to a geographic region where a digital broadcast receiver is located, and then determining if a broadcast signal received by the digital broadcast receiver includes time information; if the broadcast signal includes the time information, calculating a difference between the set time and received time information; setting a time zone based on the difference in the digital broadcast receiver; and if a command to display time information is received, applying a time difference corresponding to the set time zone to the time information in the broadcast signal, which is received at the time the command is received, and displaying the resulting time information. A digital broadcast receiver using the method is also provided. |
| US07668204B2 |
Port driven authentication in a network
A method for authenticating a message in a time division multiple access network is provided. The method includes receiving a message from an active relaying component, inspecting a value in the message inserted by the active relaying component, and comparing the value with an expected value based on a transmission schedule. |
| US07668203B1 |
Network switch using a steering header for management frames
A network device, and corresponding method and computer program, comprises a plurality of ports; wherein one of the ports is configured to receive frames of data each comprising a steering header comprising a flooding mask that identifies one or more of the ports, and a management bit that when set indicates the frame of data is a management frame; wherein, for each frame received by the one of the ports, the one of the ports removes the steering header from the frame and, when the management bit is set, identifies the frame as a management frame and directs the frame to one or more of the ports based only on the flooding mask; and wherein each of the ports can operate in a blocked state that permits only frames of data identified as management frames to pass through the port. |
| US07668202B2 |
Communications bus having low latency interrupts and control signals, hotpluggability error detection and recovery, bandwidth allocation, network integrity verification, protocol tunneling and discoverability features
Disclosed are methods and apparatus to control data and command flow over a physical communications channel between a transmitter and a receiver, and more specifically to provide a protocol for a point-to-point serial bus architecture with low latency time for flow control and other signaling, regardless of the length of the data packet frame. The abstract data flow control protocol can be employed by various buses as it interacts only with the lowest protocol layers. Separate buffers for data and control can be used to allow the bus to be compatible with slower buses also to support additional control functions without involving a higher protocol layer. |
| US07668201B2 |
Bandwidth management in wireless networks
A method and apparatus are provided for bandwidth management. The method includes receiving a value representative of a target bandwidth from a remote device; storing a data packet in a data queue; associating a quantum of bandwidth to the data queue, wherein the quantum of the bandwidth is a function of at least the target bandwidth and time; and transmitting the data packet based on at least the quantum associated with the data queue. A method and apparatus for network congestion control are also provided. |
| US07668195B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving data over a shared access carrier network
A method for transmitting and receiving data over a shared access carrier network with a plurality of user devices is provided. The user devices each have a modem associated therewith and a network interface for communicating over a local network. The method begins by transmitting a query from each one of the user devices over the local network requesting remaining ones of the plurality of user devices to specify available resources pertaining to shared access carrier network connectivity capabilities of the modem associated therewith. A reply is received over the local network in response to the query from each of the remaining user devices. Based on the replies from each of the remaining user devices, at least one of the user devices is selected to serve as a master device that provides connectivity to the shared access carrier system through which the other of the plurality of user devices transmit and receive data. |
| US07668192B2 |
Use of the FP header to signal the RNC that the node B has not been able to determine or has not been able to accurately determine the number of retransmissions
The FP header is used to signal the RNC that the Node B has not been able to determine or has not been able to accurately determine the number of retransmissions. A first embodiment is to reserve a bit pattern for use in the ‘Number of HARQ retransmissions’ field on the Iub frame protocol DATA FRAME header to indicate that Node B does not know the actual number of retransmissions. A second embodiment is to define a one bit flag on Iub/Iur FP DATA FRAME header to indicate that the value set in the “Number of HARQ Retransmissions” in the FP header is an estimated/guessed value by Node B or not. |
| US07668191B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining transmission policies for a plurality of applications of different types
An apparatus for determining transmission policies for a plurality of transmissions of different types based on a first transmission data associated to a first transmission being of a first transmission type, and on a second transmission data associated to a second transmission being of a second transmission type is described, comprising means for obtaining a first score within a common range, said first score being based on an evaluation of said first transmission data in a first transmission type specific manner, means for obtaining a second score within the common range, said second score being based on an evaluation of said second transmission data in a second transmission type specific manner, and means for determining, based on said obtained first and second score, for said first and second transmission a respective first and second transmission policy each defining one or more transmission parameters such that a sum of a first and second expected score is maximized. |
| US07668189B1 |
Adaptive transport protocol
An adaptive transport protocol decoder includes a source of a stream of packets, each including a payload, and having a first transport protocol, and a source of a stream of packets, each including a payload, and having a second transport protocol. A protocol decoder, coupled to the first and second packet stream sources, extracts the respective payloads from the packets from a selected one of the first and second packet stream sources. |
| US07668188B2 |
Method and system for HSDPA bit level processor engine
Methods and systems for processing signals in a communication system are disclosed and may include pipelining processing of a received HSDPA bitstream within a single chip. The pipelining may include calculating a memory address for a current portion of a plurality of information bits in the received HSDPA bitstream, while simultaneously storing on-chip, a portion of the plurality of information bits in the received bitstream that is subsequent to the current portion. A portion of the plurality of information bits in the received HSDPA bitstream that is previous to the current portion may be decoded during the calculating and the storing. The calculation of the memory address for the current portion of the plurality of information bits may be achieved without the use of a buffer. Processing of the plurality of information bits may be partitioned into a functional data processing path and a functional address processing path. |
| US07668186B1 |
Token ecosystem for buffer management
A buffer management system for a data processing system can include a plurality of tokens wherein each token is associated with one of a plurality of buffers, and a plurality of first-in-first-out (FIFO) memories. Each FIFO memory can be associated with a stage of the data processing system and is configured to store at least one of the tokens. The buffer management system also can include control logic configured to determine a state of one or more selected buffers and transfer the token associated with the selected buffer from a source FIFO memory to a target FIFO memory. The target FIFO memory can be selected according to the state of the selected buffer. |
| US07668184B2 |
Method and system for designing ring-based telecommunications networks
A method and system for designing a bi-connected ring-based network is provided, which designs from scratch or converts an existing network to a dual-homed ring-based network. The network covers the locations capable of being bi-connected with one or more cycles/rings. The traffic demand is then routed via the cycles, in such a way so as to minimize the amount of network traffic management equipment required. |
| US07668179B2 |
Dynamic adjustment of AAL2 timer—CU in voice and data multiplexing over AAL2 connections
A method for determining at least one parameter for a particular AAL2 channel identifier (AAL2-CID), according to which the behavior of the transmission of the user information stream is determined per application. Preferably, the present invention enables the QOS (quality of service) for the user application to be determined by setting a plurality of such parameters for a specific AAL2 CID. The present invention preferably encompasses the ability to determine any parameter that is usually set for the ATM channel to instead be set for the CID separately. These parameters may be dynamically adjusted according to the real-time state of the system, channel and the specific CID. Additionally the selection and usage of said parameters may also be influenced by the real time state of the system, channel and the specific CID.Examples of such parameters include, but are not limited to, traffic type, priority, any type of QOS parameter, timing parameters, and so forth. |
| US07668177B1 |
Method and system for quality of service in host bus adapters
Method and system for an adapter coupled to a network via a network link is provided. The method includes using a first selectable mode and a second selectable mode to provide quality of service to a plurality of applications executed by one or more computing system. In the first selectable mode, the quality of service is based on allocating bandwidth of the network link and dynamically adjusting an initial priority assigned to a plurality of queues, each queue being associated with an application from among a plurality of applications. In the second selectable mode, the quality of service is based on a user assigning a priority to each of the plurality of applications and the adapter determines a number of input/output (I/O) requests it needs to process within a duration and then transfers information based on the determined number of I/O requests and the assigned priority. |
| US07668174B1 |
Methods and apparatus for home address management at home agent for NAI based mobile nodes
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for managing an IP address assigned to a Mobile Node. In one embodiment, the Mobile Node appends an extension to the registration request that is sent to its Home Agent, which indicates that the Mobile Node requests use of the IP address previously assigned to the Mobile Node for an additional period of time. When the Home Agent receives the registration request, it indicates whether a lease on the IP address previously assigned to the Mobile Node has been granted by the Home Agent for an additional period of time. In another embodiment, the Home Agent sends a first control message to determine whether the Mobile Node continues to use the IP address. The Home Agent then determines whether a second control message has been received in order to ascertain whether the Mobile Node continues to use the IP address previously assigned to the Mobile Node. The present invention is preferably performed when a Mobile Node returns to its home network, thereby enabling the Mobile Node to retain the IP address assigned to it. |
| US07668171B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing estimated response-wait-time displays for data network-based inquiries to a communication center
An Estimated Wait Time (EWT) service for a Web page provider has an internet-connected facility for monitoring communication status with a communication center having communication equipment hosting agents of the web page provider, and an interactive link in a web page hosted by the Web page provider. The interactive link is presented to a user accessing the Web page, and when selected, connects the user to the facility for monitoring communication status. In a preferred embodiment the facility provides a Web page display for the user, displaying parameters regarding the communication status, such as estimated wait time (EWT). In some cases there are options in a user interface for placing an Internet Phone (IP) call, for sending a message, and e-mail, and so forth, or for requesting a call back. In the case of a cal back the user may, in some embodiments, provide alternative numbers or addresses and times for call back. |
| US07668168B2 |
Frame relay switched data service
A new type of data transport service which uses a frame relay layer 2 data link connection identifier (DLCI) to select among various service types, feature sets, and/or closed user groups (CUGs). A layer 3 address may be extracted from a layer 2 frame, and the layer 3 address information may be used to route a data packet over a packet-switched network according to the service classes, feature sets, and/or CUGs selected. At the destination, the layer 3 data packet may again be enclosed in a layer 2 frame with a DLCI indicating the service classes, features sets, and/or CUGs. Because the use of conventional permanent virtual circuits (PVCs) is not required in aspects of the invention, new methods of measuring and managing network traffic are presented. |
| US07668167B2 |
Method of exchanging information between two networks operating under different routing protocols
A method of exchanging information between a first network implementing a routing protocol using static routing tables and a second network implementing a routing protocol using dynamic routing tables and including stages of exchanging identification messages and of exchanging routing table update messages, the method comprising the steps of: a first routing element associated with the first network issuing to a second routing element associated with the second network identification messages containing identifiers of network elements to which the first routing element knows it is connected either directly or indirectly, and in the second routing element updating the routing table from the identification messages coming from the first routing element. |
| US07668166B1 |
Peer-model support for virtual private networks having potentially overlapping addresses
A method for operating a router has the following steps. First, the router receives a data packet to be forwarded, the data packet having an indication that it is to be routed by tag switching to a destination router, the destination router to forward the packet to a destination computer. Second, the router prepends a tag to the data packet, the tag to be used by the destination router to route the data packet to the destination computer. Third, the router prepends an encapsulation header to the data packet, the encapsulation header to route the data packet to the destination router. Fourth, the router transmits the data packet with the encapsulation header and the tag for routing through the network to the destination router. |
| US07668163B2 |
Transparent network service enhancement
Embodiments of the invention may be used to optimize communications between a first routing device and a second routing device. The first routing device may receive a packet for forwarding towards a destination. The first routing device may modify the packet to announce the presence of the first routing device to other routing devices. Thereafter, a second routing device may receive the modified packet and recognize the presence of the first routing device. In turn, when sending a packet back towards a source address identified in the modified packet, the second routing device may modify such a packet to announce the presence of the second routing device to the first routing device. Thereafter, the first and second routing device may optimize traffic between the first and second routing device. |
| US07668162B1 |
Compression and decompression for network systems
Method and system for processing a source protocol data unit (PDU). A local router receives the source PDU and determines whether to compress the source PDU or send the source PDU without compression. Where the source PDU is to be compressed, the local router compresses the source PDU and sets a flag indicating that the source PDU is compressed. The local router then transmits the compressed source PDU via a network link. |
| US07668159B2 |
Methods and apparatus for obtaining variable call parameters suitable for use in originating a SIP call via a circuit-switched network from a user equipment device
Methods and apparatus for use in processing Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) calls in a network environment which includes a circuit-switched (CS) network and an Internet Protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) network. In one illustrative technique, a SIP Register message is sent from a mobile communication device to the IMS network for registration of the mobile device. A SIP 200 OK message is received by the mobile device from the IMS network in response to sending the SIP Register message. The SIP 200 OK message has one or more variable call parameters or a network address at which to obtain the variable call parameters. The variable call parameters may include an E.164 number which may be dynamically assigned to the mobile device by the IMS network, and/or a time or timer value which defines a time period for which the E.164 number remains assigned to the mobile device. Other information may be included such as preferred access network/technology information. The variable call parameters are stored in memory of the mobile device and utilized for processing each one of a plurality of SIP calls involving the mobile device. After registration, the mobile device may initialize a timer with the timer value, run the timer and, when processing a SIP call, cause a CS call setup message which includes the E.164 number to be sent to the IMS network for routing of the call if the timer has not yet expired. If the timer has expired, the mobile device may refrain from utilizing the deassigned E.164 number in the CS call setup message and alternatively obtain and utilize a new E.164 number or an altogether different technique for processing of the SIP call. Alternative techniques for obtaining parameters and formatting the data are also described. |
| US07668158B2 |
Packet-switched telephony with circuit-switched backup
A packet voice switch 60 and method for its operation are disclosed. The switch comprises a network switching means, preferably implemented within its host processor 78, that allows calls to be routed between a circuit-switched connection at circuit-switched interface 74 and either another circuit-switched connection at interface 74 or a packet-switched connection at packet-switched interface 76. The network switching means selects call routing for calls based on a comparison of the current quality of service for the call over the packet-switched connection vs. the extra cost of connecting the call over the circuit-switched connection. Preferably, the comparison can be adjusted for call distance, the user's own quality of service preference, and current system load.In a preferred embodiment, switch 60 communicates with a similar packet voice switch (handling the other end of the same call) in order to initiate a mid-call network switch that is transparent to the calling and called parties. This embodiment provides a guaranteed minimum quality of service for packet voice applications, and provides a reliable backup in case of a packet data route failure.In a second embodiment, users may initiate network switching themselves if they desire higher quality, by entering an appropriate sequence on their DTMF keypad. |
| US07668157B2 |
Presence based telephony
A device is provided including a processor and a display configured to list more than one presence enabled contact. A user agent is configured to indicate an availability status of the device to a presence server. The user agent is at least partially executed by the processor. Moreover, at least one input is configured to enable a device user to request a communications session with at least one of the plurality of presence enabled contacts. The request is initiated by the user agent when the requested presence enabled contact is available. |
| US07668149B2 |
Methods and apparatus for facilitating concurrent push-to-talk over cellular (PoC) group communication sessions
Methods and apparatus for facilitating concurrent Push-to-talk over Cellular (PoC) group communication sessions for a mobile station (102) are disclosed. A first PoC communication session (550) for a first user group (504) is maintained while a second PoC communication session (552) for a second user group (506) is concurrently maintained, where the second user group (506) has at least one common member (516) with the first user group (504). The second user group (506) may have at least one member (518, 520) which is not included in the first user group (504). Through a user interface, a PoC user may select between the first and the second user groups (504 and 506) for communication or combine the communications. In an alternative embodiment, all of the members (518, 520, 522) of a second user group (604) may be included in a first user group (602). In a specific approach, encrypted data packets of a PoC communication sub-session are communicated during a PoC communication session. If a key for the encrypted data packets is known for the mobile station (102), the encrypted data packets are decrypted to facilitate the PoC communication sub-session involving the mobile station (102); otherwise the encrypted data packets are discarded. |
| US07668148B2 |
Method of carrier type preemption
A method and apparatus are provided for allocating radio frequency carriers in a radio service area having a plurality of radio frequency TDMA carriers and FDMA carriers. The method includes the steps of receiving a call, when the received call is a FDMA call and a FDMA carrier is not available for the FDMA call, then preempting a pre-existing call on a TDMA carrier of the plurality of radio frequency TDMA carriers for the FDMA call and when the received call is a TDMA call and a TDMA slot is not available for the TDMA call, then preempting a pre-existing FDMA call on a TDMA capable carrier of the plurality of radio frequency TDMA carriers for the TDMA call. |
| US07668147B2 |
Communication system with fast control traffic
A method and system for conducting rapid control traffic in a time division multiple access (TDMA) communication system comprises a base station communicating with a plurality of user stations in assigned time slots of a time frame. For bearer traffic, time slots are assigned to particular user stations for an extended duration. In unassigned time slots, the base station transmits a general polling message indicating availability of the time slot. A user station desiring to hand off communication from one base station to another uses multiple available time slots at the target base station for exchanging control traffic messages with the target base station. The next available time slot is indicated by a slot pointer in the header of each general polling message to facilitate rapid exchange of control traffic messages. During handover, the user station may establish a new link with the target base station before relinquishing the existing communication link with the old base station. |
| US07668142B2 |
Radio communications system, radio communications method, radio relay, and radio terminal
A radio terminal (10) and a radio relay (20, 30, 40) perform radio communications therebetween by a radio communications system else than a TDMA system, an interference measurer (13a) measures a degree of interference of each of radio slots constituting a radio channel employed in the radio communications system, a decision maker (13b, 13c) makes a decision, depending on a measurement result of the degree of interference, whether or not the radio communications by the radio communications system is able to be continued, and a switcher (42) switches, as the decision is made of the radio communications by the radio communications system to be unable to be continued, the radio communications system to a radio communications system of the TDMA system. |
| US07668141B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing packet data loss in a wireless network
Various embodiments are described to address the need for more effective management of packet data loss in wireless communication systems. When a packet data destination (131) that is receiving a flow of packets for a packet data service instance indicates to the packet data source (141) of the flow that the flow should be suspended, it also indicates to the source how to process packets for the service instance while the flow transmission is suspended. For example, the packet data destination may indicate an event or condition that is triggering the flow suspension, the source can then begin buffering packets, discarding packets, starting timers, and/or taking other packet processing actions to manage packet data loss in view of the packet data destination's indication. Alternatively, the packet data destination may explicitly indicate the packet processing actions the source should take while the packet flow is suspended. |
| US07668131B2 |
Method for allocating transmission period in a wireless communication system
A method is provided for efficiently allocating a transmission period in a wireless network system. An access point (AP) transmits a PSMP frame indicating a downlink period provided to each station (STA) and a minimum amount of an uplink period allocated to each STA, and at least one sub PSMP frame indicating an uplink period additionally provided for an STA that transmitted a resource request message for remaining queued data in the uplink period indicated by the PSMP frame. If the uplink period indicated by the PSMP frame is insufficient to transmit the queued data, the STA transmits a data unit including a part of the queued data and a resource request message for the remaining queued data in the uplink period. After transmitting the resource request message, the STA receives the sub PSMP frame after the full period indicated by the sub PSMP frame, and transmits the remaining queued data to the AP in the uplink period indicted by the sub PSMP frame. |
| US07668121B2 |
Purging of authentication key contexts by base stations on handoff
Various embodiments of methods and apparatuses for managing authentication key contexts are described herein. In various embodiments, the methods and apparatuses include purging an authentication key context of a supplicant after handing off the supplicant, even the authentication key has not expired. |
| US07668117B2 |
Topology maintenance and discovery facility for downhole networks
An apparatus and method for discovering and monitoring a collection of nodes in a downhole network may include receiving data packets originating from several downhole nodes. These packets may be read to extract a unique identifier and hop count for each of the nodes. This information may then be used to create entries in a network topology table corresponding to each of the downhole nodes. Each entry may contain unique identifier identifying the respective node and a hop count identifying a location of the node within the downhole network. The apparatus and method may further include modifying one or more entries in the topology table having conflicting hop counts to ensure that the hop counts of each entry are unique. |
| US07668116B2 |
Root node shutdown messaging for multipoint-to-multipoint transport tree
In one embodiment, a method comprises registering, by a first label switching router having been identified as a root of a prescribed transport tree for transport of a prescribed group of data packets, at least two next hop label switching routers as belonging to the prescribed transport tree based on receiving respective label mapping messages; detecting by the first label switching router a prescribed condition indicating the first label switching router is to be removed from service as the root of the prescribed transport tree; and outputting, by the first label switching router, label distribution protocol messages for the prescribed transport tree to each of the next hop label switching routers determined as belonging to the prescribed transport tree, each label distribution protocol message indicating the first label switching router is to be removed from the service as the root of the prescribed transport tree. |
| US07668112B2 |
Method for application modeling
A method for modeling an application, by generating a message comprising random contents according to parameters related to the application. The message is introduced into a network or a simulation thereof and the performance of the application in the distributed landscape is evaluated. |
| US07668111B2 |
Determining traffic flow characteristics in a storage area network
Methods and apparatus are provided for determining traffic characteristics and statistics for storage area network flows. An intelligent line card associated with a fibre channel switch is used to snoop selected flows in a storage area network. Flows are characterized using information that may include initiator target pairs and initiator target logical unit number (LUN) groupings. Selected flows are configured for monitoring and information about the selected flows is maintained. Selected flow information can be analyzed at a line card associated with a fibre channel switch. |
| US07668105B1 |
System for testing and/or evaluating the performance of a network switching apparatus
A system configuration for use in testing and/or evaluating a network switching apparatus is set forth. The system configuration includes a network switching apparatus that is to be tested that has a plurality of bidirectional network ports, switch fabric, and a switch fabric control. The switch fabric interconnects the plurality of bidirectional network ports while the switch fabric control directs packet flow through the switch fabric and between the plurality of bidirectional network ports in response to control parameters. A plurality of interconnections facilitate communication of packets between selected pairs of the plurality of ports. The control parameters and the plurality of interconnections are selected to direct packets through each of the plurality of bidirectional network ports for testing using a minimal number of packet generators. |
| US07668099B2 |
Synthesis of vertical blanking signal
A method of controlling transmission of data from a computer to a video client via an interface device, comprising: reading a register on the interface device to obtain a value indicating temporal proximity to an occurrence of a vertical blanking interval occurs, the value increased incrementally until a vertical blanking interval occurs, and then being reset; deriving a time value, the time value indicating the occurrence of a vertical blanking interval; sending an interrupt to a processor on the computer at the occurrence of the vertical blanking interval; and invoking code in response to an occurrence of the video blanking interval. |
| US07668098B2 |
Method and apparatus for improving the upstream data transfer rate for a cable modem
Methods and apparatus for improving the upstream data transfer rate for a cable modem. A device that shares an upstream channel with other devices determines whether, based on particular data, an upstream channel data transfer rate can be improved over a current data transfer rate of a current upstream channel from the device to a remote system. If the upstream channel data rate can be improved, the device improves the upstream channel data transfer rate based, at least in part, on the particular data used to determine whether the data transfer rate can be improved. |
| US07668093B1 |
Architecture for balancing workload
A framework to transition and re-partition information for event processing and downstream processing can be used in a real time system comprising components such as a consumer server, a file control database, an event manager, an event store, and a configurable output stream. The event manager may be a process which can be enhanced through the use of tags which are inserted to provide information for various downstream systems. The configurable output stream can be defined through an application programming interface which is configured to receive a filter to be applied to the output. |
| US07668092B2 |
Data transmission system and method
A network interface mechanism and method is provided that facilitates precise transmission time control in a computer network. The network interface mechanism and method uses feedback to provide monitoring and precise control of the transmission time. Specifically, a message detector is provided that monitors the network for transmissions from the network interface mechanism. The arrival time of messages is compared to the desired transmission time, and the transmission time of subsequent transmissions is adjusted accordingly. A transmission disable mechanism is used in the forward path to disable the transmission driver at the transmission cut off time as a means to prevent the transmission node from babbling the media. Thus, the network interface mechanism and method provide precise control of the transmission time, and thus can be used to eliminate collisions in the network. The network interface mechanism and method allows the application of Ethernet controller to have precise transmission timing control in a computer network. |
| US07668089B1 |
Method and apparatus for terminating selected traffic flows
A traffic management processor configured to selectively terminate individual traffic flows includes an instruction decoder to receive a termination instruction specifying which traffic flows are to be deleted, and a content addressable memory device having a plurality of rows, each including a flow ID and termination bit for a corresponding packet. |
| US07668085B2 |
Common rate control command generation
A method of Common Rate Control (CRC) command generation considers status bits returned by mobile stations subject to CRC. The status bits from each mobile station, e.g., the Mobile station Status Indication Bits (MSIBs) defined by Release D of the IS-2000 standards, indicate whether the mobile station is capable of increasing its reverse link data rate, and may additionally indicate whether the mobile station has enough data for transmission to warrant a higher rate. Regardless, the status bits indicate how many in a group of mobile stations are capable of increasing their reverse link rates. Thus, a base station's command generation logic can take advantage of the additional knowledge gained from the status bits when generating CRC commands. |
| US07668083B1 |
Systems and methods for forwarding data in a communications network
A communications network (100) includes at least one control station (160) and a group of network nodes (110, 120, 140). The at least one control station (160) generates batches of forwarding tables (300), where each batch of forwarding tables (300) includes a primary forwarding table (305) and a group of backup forwarding tables (310), and forwards the batches of forwarding tables (300). Each of the network nodes (110, 120, 140) is associated with one or more outbound and inbound links and is configured to receive a batch of forwarding tables (300) from the at least one control station (160) and install the primary forwarding table (305) from the batch (300) as a current forwarding table. Each network node (110, 120, 140) is further configured to detect that a quality of one of an outbound and inbound link has changed, generate a message (900) instructing other nodes of the group of network nodes (110, 120, 140) to switch to a backup forwarding table (310) in response to detecting the quality change, and transmit the message (900) to the other nodes. |
| US07668082B1 |
Network routing using link failure information
Link failure messages are sent through a network to accelerate convergence of routing information after a network fault. The link failure messages reduce the oscillations in routing information stored by routers, which otherwise can cause significant problems, including intermittent loss of network connectivity as well as increased packet loss and latency. For example, the link failure messages reduce the time that a network using a path vector routing protocol, such as the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), takes to converge to a stable state. More particularly, upon detecting a network fault, a router generates link failure information to identify the specific link that has failed. In some types of systems, the router communicates the link failure information to neighboring routers as well as a conventional update message withdrawing any unavailable routes. Once other routers receive the link failure information, the routers do not attempt to use routes that include the failed link. |
| US07668081B2 |
Preemptive transmission protection scheme for data services with high resilience demand
A method, protection overlay and system in which different service streams are distributed via a plurality of links, comprising logically separating the service streams according to service type profile; allocating resources for working and backup capacity according to the service type profile; and defining a link aggregation group (LAG) including at least one worker link for carrying high priority service streams and at least one backup link for carrying low priority service streams; whereby in response to worker link failure, at least higher priority service streams are transitioned from a failed worker link to a backup link. |
| US07668080B2 |
Method and apparatus for implementing automatic protection switching functionality in a distributed processor data router
An automated-protection-switching (APS) software suite for distribution over multiple processors of a distributed processor router has an APS server module running on a first one of the multiple processors for managing communication and distributing configuration and state information and APS client modules running on second ones of the multiple processors, the APS client modules for monitoring interface state information, reporting to the APS server application, and for negotiating with other APS client modules. The software is characterized in that APS interface relocation from a primary interface to a backup interface is performed through direct communication between the APS client modules running on the processors supporting the involved interfaces. |
| US07668078B2 |
Allocation of walsh codes to support calls in wireless communication networks
Methods and apparatus for allocating Walsh codes to support wireless connections over fundicated and supplemental channels are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a Walsh code for an incoming call is selected from a first group of Walsh spaces if any of those Walsh spaces is capable of supporting the incoming call, and selecting a Walsh code from a second group otherwise. If the Walsh space from which the Walsh code is selected is from the second group, it is marked with a time stamp. The disclosed techniques reduce fragmentation in the overall Walsh space caused by random connection and disconnection from the wireless network. |
| US07668077B2 |
Time-space block precoding method in multi-user down link
There is provided a down link multi-user time-space code precoding method including: a step (S401) where a base station acquires channel information on a plurality of user terminals and converts it into a channel matrix; a step (S402) for obtaining a such a conversion matrix that a matrix obtained by multiplying the channel matrix and the conversion matrix is a block diagonal orthogonal matrix; a step (S403) for obtaining a standardization factor of each user terminal by squaring the elements on the diagonal line of the block diagonal orthogonal matrix; a step (S404) for standardizing a transmitted symbol of each user by using the standardization factor; and a step (S405) for multiplying the conjugate transposed matrix and the conversion matrix of the block diagonal orthogonal matrix into standardized symbols successively from the left so as to obtain symbols after the processing and transmitting the processed symbols by the time-space code rule. This method improves the downlink performance and effectively improves the radio system capacity. |
| US07668076B2 |
Multi-user receiving apparatus converting SC-FDMA received signals of all users to signals in a frequency domain commonly
A multi-user receiving apparatus is provided for achieving a reduction in the amount of processing for single-carrier FDMA signals and an improvement in reception characteristics. A DFT unit converts single-carrier FDMA received signals of all users to signals in a frequency domain commonly. A demapping unit selects part of sub-carriers for each user from sub-carriers supplied from the DFT unit. A reception filter separates a user signal and suppresses noise. A demodulator demodulates the user signal, and detects a timing thereof. |
| US07668075B2 |
Versatile system for dual carrier transformation in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing
Embodiments of the invention provide a versatile system for selectively spreading carrier data across multiple carrier paths within an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system, particularly an ultra-wideband (UWB) system. The present invention provides a data input, which passes data to a randomizer. The data then passes to a convolutional code function (206), the output of which is punctured by puncturing function. An interleaver function receives the punctured code data, and cooperatively operates with a mapper element to prepare the coded data for pre-transmission conversion by an IFFT. The mapper element comprises a dual carrier modulation function, which associates and transforms two punctured code data elements into a format for transmission on two separate signal tones. |
| US07668072B2 |
Producing system and corresponding information recording medium having wobbled land portions
An information recording medium is at least composed of a substrate having a microscopic pattern constituted by a continuous substrate of grooves formed with a groove portion and a land portion alternately, a recording layer formed on the microscopic pattern for recording information, and a light transmitting layer formed on the recording layer. The microscopic pattern is formed with satisfying a relation of P≦λ/NA, wherein P is a pitch of the land portion or the groove portion, λ is a wavelength of reproducing light for reproducing the recording layer, and NA is a numerical aperture of an objective lens. The land portion is formed with wobbling so as to be parallel with each other for both sidewalls of the land portion. An auxiliary information based on data used supplementally when recording the information and a reference clock based on a clock used for controlling a recording speed when recording the information is recorded alternately. Information is recorded in the recording layer corresponding to only a land portion by at least either one change of reflectivity difference and refractive index difference in the recording layer so as to be more than 5% for reflectivity and so as to be more than 0.4 for modulated amplitude of signal recording. |
| US07668067B2 |
Power control device and method of multi base powers for optical disk drive
A power control device of multi base powers is provided for an optical read/write module of an optical disk drive. The optical read/write module generates a power feedback signal and a temperature signal. The power control device includes a base power selecting module, a current compensating module, a current computing module and a current integrating module. The base power selecting module selects one of a first base power signal and a second base power signal to output a base power signal. The current compensating module generates an operating current compensating signal and a threshold compensating signal according to the power feedback signal, the temperature signal, the base power signal and a function relationship between the temperature signal and the threshold current of the optical read/write module. The current computing module receives the operating current compensating signal to compute a first operating current signal, a second operating current signal and a third operating current signal based on the operating current compensating signal according to the base power signal and a reference power signal. The current integrating module receives the threshold current compensating signal, the first operating current signal, the second operating current signal and the third operating current signal to generate a power control signal to drive the optical read/write module. |
| US07668066B2 |
Optical pickup apparatus
An optical pickup apparatus for information recording and/or reproduction on different optical information recording media with compatibility among these media, the optical surface of a first objective lens and the optical surface of a second objective lens are formed only of a refractive surface. The second objective lens is used in common for the first light flux with a wavelength of λ1 and the second light flux with a wavelength of λ2, but in the case where the protective substrate t2 of the second optical information recording medium and the protective substrate t3 of the third optical information recording medium are the same, it is not necessary to take the difference in thickness of the protective substrate into consideration. Chromatic aberration based on the difference in wavelength between the first light flux and the second light flux can be corrected by displacing the second coupling lens. |
| US07668065B2 |
Optical pickup apparatus, recording/reproducing apparatus provided with the optical pickup apparatus, optical element, and information recording/reproducing method
An optical pickup apparatus for reproducing information from an optical information recording medium or for recording information onto an optical information recording medium, is provided with a first light source for emitting first light flux having a first wavelength; a second light source for emitting second light flux having a second wavelength, the first wavelength being different from the second wavelength; a converging optical system having an optical axis and a diffractive portion, and a photo detector; wherein in case that the first light flux passes through the diffractive portion to generate at least one diffracted ray, an amount of n-th ordered diffracted ray of the first light flux is greater than that of any other ordered diffracted ray of the first light flux, and in case that the second light flux passes through the diffractive portion to generate at least one diffracted ray, an amount of n-th ordered diffracted ray of the second light flux is greater than that of any other ordered diffracted ray of the second light flux, where n stands for an integer other than zero. |
| US07668062B2 |
Disk recording medium, disk production method, disk drive apparatus
A disk recording medium which can implement a recording method having a high degree of reliability for additional information is disclosed. The disk recording medium has a recording and reproduction region into and from which first data can be recorded and reproduced in accordance with a rewritable or write-once-read-many recording method and from which second data recorded in the form of wobbling of a groove can be reproduced. The second data includes address information and additional information. The additional information of the second data is coded in accordance with a first error correction method, and the coded additional information and the address information are recorded in a state coded in accordance with a second error correction method. |
| US07668059B2 |
Commercial/non-commercial medium test
In certain embodiments, methods and apparatus are presented for testing a medium to determine whether it was non-commercially created involve determining if a drive comprises a recordable drive; if the drive comprises a recordable drive: determining whether a medium comprises a closed medium. If the medium does not comprise a closed medium, the medium comprises non-commercial medium. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract without departing from certain embodiments. |
| US07668058B2 |
Method and system for evaluating CD player response to vibration during playback of a CD
A system and methods for evaluating the response of an optical digital disk player to vibration encountered during playback of optical digital disks are provided. The system includes a simulator configured to provide digital simulated output signals simulating the output of an optical digital disk player encountering vibration during playback of an optical digital disk. The system also includes digital-to-analog converter circuitry to convert the digital simulated output signals to analog simulated output signals and provide the analog simulated output signals to processing circuitry. The processing circuitry generates control signals based on the value of the analog simulated output signals, and provides the control signals as outputs. |
| US07668057B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing defects in recording media, a computer readable medium including computer readable code for the same, and a defect managed recording medium obtained using the same method, apparatus, and computer readable medium
A method, apparatus and computer readable medium for managing recording medium defects and a defect managed recording medium. The recording medium includes a spare area in which a replacement area, which is a substitute for a defective area of the recording medium, is formed, and a temporary defect management area in which temporary management information that specifies the defective area and the corresponding replacement area is recorded, wherein position information and state information regarding the defective area are recorded in the replacement area. Accordingly, it is possible to restore defect information even if recording medium defect management on the recording medium ended abnormally. |
| US07668056B2 |
Warpage angle measurement apparatus and warpage angle measurement method for optical recording medium
A warpage angle measurement apparatus and a warpage angle measurement method are provided that can measure an angle of warpage of an optical disc and a cartridge for the optical disc caused by a rapid environmental change such as a temperature change or a humidity change in a short time. The warpage angle measurement apparatus 10 includes: a constant temperature chamber 22 for accommodating an optical recording medium 20 formed by mounting the optical disc 16 as an object to be measured in the cartridge 18 and for adjusting a surrounding of the optical recording medium 20 to have a predetermined environmental condition; a laser oscillator 24 for causing laser oscillation to emit laser light to the optical disc 16; and a light-receiving unit 26 for receiving the laser light reflected from the optical disc 16 and detecting a relative angle of an optical path L2 of the reflected laser light with respect to an optical path L1 of the emitted laser light. |
| US07668055B2 |
Recording power determination method and device
A recording power determination method for determining a recording power of an optical beam for recording data on an information storage medium includes the steps of recording test data on the information storage medium at a plurality of test recording powers; reading the test data recorded at each test recording power, generating a signal, and measuring a modulation factor of the signal corresponding to each test recording power; calculating a product of an n'th power of each test recording power and the corresponding modulation factor, thereby obtaining a plurality of products corresponding to the plurality of test recording powers, where n is a value of exponent and is a real number other than 1; calculating a first recording power based on the correlation between the plurality of test recording powers and the plurality of products; and calculating the recording power based on the first recording power. |
| US07668054B2 |
Method of managing overwrite and method of recording management information on an optical disc write once
A method of managing overwrite and a method of recording management information on an optical disc write once can make it possible to perform a logical overwrite on the disc and thus heighten the use efficiency of the disc. The method includes replacement-recording data which is requested to be overwritten in a specified area of the disc where recording is completed in another data area physically separated from the specified area in the disc, and producing and recording management information for reproducing the physically replacement-recorded data. |
| US07668053B2 |
Processing an information carrying signal
An automatic gain control (AGC) controls the signal amplitude at the input to an analog to digital converter (ADC) input by applying a gain that produces a desired overall amplitude resolution of the patterns actually presented by the signal delivered by the ADC converter. Short RLL patterns will have sufficient resolution for reliable extraction as a result of having sufficient overall amplitude, which thereby strengthens the ability of the read channel to correctly extract data. Moreover, the system determines correct AGC settings responsive to measurements of user data parameters. The system also detects and corrects for DC offsets in the signal whose gain is controlled. |
| US07668047B2 |
Method for correcting seismic data timing functions utilizing orientation data
A seismic exploration method and unit comprised of continuous recording, self-contained wireless seismometer units or pods. The self-contained unit may include a tilt meter, a compass and a mechanically gimbaled clock platform. Upon retrieval, seismic data recorded by the unit can be extracted and the unit can be charged, tested, re-synchronized, and operation can be re-initiated without the need to open the unit's case. The unit may include an additional geophone to mechanically vibrate the unit to gauge the degree of coupling between the unit and the earth. The unit may correct seismic data for the effects of crystal aging arising from the clock. Deployment location of the unit may be determined tracking linear and angular acceleration from an initial position. The unit may utilize multiple geophones angularly oriented to one another in order to redundantly measure seismic activity in a particular plane. |
| US07668045B2 |
Ultrasonic distance measurement method and device by extracting the period of a received signal from noise using a dual-threshold comparator
The present application discloses a method of and an apparatus for measuring a distance using an ultrasonic wave. The method of measuring a distance using an ultrasonic wave includes the steps of receiving through an ultrasonic sensor a signal from an ultrasonic transmitter; amplifying the received signal; filtering a high-frequency component from the amplified signal, thereby generating a filtered signal; generating an output signal when the filtered signal satisfies a predetermined condition; and computing a distance based on a period of the output signal. |
| US07668044B2 |
Data offload and charging systems and methods
Apparatus and methods are provided for simultaneously retrieving data from multiple data acquisition units and for recharging such data acquisition units. The data offload and charging unit comprises a frame that defines stations for holding the data acquisition units and a host computer. A combined power and communications port at each such station is adapted to interface with one of the data acquisition units such that power may flow from the data offload and charger unit to that data acquisition unit and data may flow from that data acquisition unit to the host computer substantially simultaneously. Communications links are provided between the host computer and each combined power and communications port. |
| US07668043B2 |
Methods and systems for sonic log processing
Techniques for processing sonic waveform data include processing the data based on an initial set of formation-borehole parameters, to produce initial coherence peak attributes, wherein the processing is performed in a borehole; sending the initial coherence peak attributes uphole via telemetry; and correcting the initial coherence peak attributes, based on a second set of formation-borehole parameters, to produce corrected coherence peak attributes. |
| US07668037B2 |
Storage array including a local clock buffer with programmable timing
A storage array including a local clock buffer with programmable timing provides a mechanism for evaluating circuit timing internal to the storage array. The local clock buffer can independently adjust the pulse width of a local clock that controls the wordline and local bitline precharge pulses and the pulse width of a delayed clock that controls the global bitline precharge, evaluate and read data latching. The delay between the local clock and the delayed clock can also be adjusted. By varying the pulse widths of the local and delayed clock signal, along with the inter-clock delay, the timing margins of each cell in the array can be evaluated by reading and writing the cell with varying pulse width and clock delay. The resulting evaluation can be used to evaluate timing margin variation within a die, as well variation from die-to-die and under varying environments, e.g., voltage and temperature variation. |
| US07668036B2 |
Apparatus for controlling GIO line and control method thereof
A control apparatus of a GIO line includes a plurality of GIO line termination units, and a GIO control unit for generating a control signal to activate an operation of a specific one of the plurality of GIO termination units according to a data transmission method. Further, a method of controlling a GIO line through GIO termination includes the step of generating a control signal to activate an operation of a specific one of a plurality of GIO termination units according to a data transmission method. |
| US07668033B2 |
Fuse circuit
A fuse circuit in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a first power supply line, a second power supply line, a current source connected between the first power supply line and an output terminal, a first transistor having a drain or a collector connected to the output terminal, the first transistor having a current supply capability or a current draw capability larger than that of the current source for the output terminal, a second transistor having a gate or a base connected in common with the gate or the base of the first transistor, a first resistive element and a fuse connected in series between the source or the emitter of either one of the first or second transistor and the second power supply line, and a second resistive element connected between the source or the emitter of the other one of the first or second transistor and the second power supply line. |
| US07668031B2 |
Semiconductor memory device with ferroelectric device
A semiconductor memory device includes a one-transistor (1-T) field effect transistor (FET) type memory cell connected between a pair of bit lines, and controlled by a word line, where a different channel resistance is induced to a channel region depending on a polarity state of a ferroelectric layer. The device includes a plurality of word lines arranged in a row direction, a plurality of bit lines arranged in a column direction, a pair of clamp dummy lines arranged in the column direction, a pair of reference dummy lines arranged in the column direction, a cell array including the memory cell and formed in a region where the word line and the bit line are crossed, a dummy cell array including the memory cell and formed where the word line, the pair of claim dummy lines and the pair of reference dummy lines are crossed, and a sense amplifier and a write driving unit connected to the bit line and configured to receive a clamp voltage and a reference voltage. |
| US07668030B2 |
Method of operating a non-volatile memory device
A method of operating a non-volatile memory device reduces a time for discharging a precharged voltage when a program operation or a read operation is performed, thereby decreasing a total operation time of the non-volatile memory device. The non-volatile memory device discharges a bit line and a word line using only a control signal without reading an algorithm block when a precharged voltage is discharged. The method of operating a non-volatile memory device includes detecting an operation command; generating algorithm blocks for generating an operation voltage, for precharging a bit line and a word line, and for performing a specific operation in accordance with the operation command; outputting a discharge enable control signal for the bit line and the word line; and reading an algorithm of turning off and discharging a voltage generating means for generating the operation voltage. |
| US07668025B2 |
Input circuit of semiconductor memory apparatus and control method of the same
An input circuit of a semiconductor memory apparatus includes a first frequency control unit which receives a first signal and a second frequency control unit which receives a second signal. The first frequency control unit outputs the first signal to the second frequency control unit in response to a test mode signal and generates a third signal which has a frequency higher than the frequencies of the first and second signals by using the first and second signals. Also, the second frequency control unit outputs the second signal to the first frequency control unit in response to the test mode signal and generates a fourth signal which has a frequency higher than the frequencies of the first and second signals by using the first and second signals. |
| US07668008B2 |
1-transistor type DRAM cell, a DRAM device and manufacturing method therefore, driving circuit for DRAM, and driving method therefor
The present invention relates to an 1-transistor DRAM cell, a DRAM device and a manufacturing method therefor, a driving circuit for a DRAM, a driving method therefore, and a driving method for an 1-transistor DRAM, and a double-gate type 1-transistor DRAM. The present invention comprises a data hold process biasing a word line at a negative voltage level and biasing a sensing line and a bit line at a first constant voltage level; a data purging process resetting data by biasing the word line and the bottom word line at a second constant voltage level and biasing the sensing line and the bit line at the first constant voltage level; and a data write process biasing the word line and the bottom word line at the second constant voltage level and supplying a write data to the bit line. |
| US07668007B2 |
Memory system including a resistance variable memory device
A memory system includes a resistance variable memory device, and a memory controller for controlling the resistance variable memory device. The resistance variable memory device includes a memory cell connected to a bitline, a high voltage circuit adapted to generate a high voltage from an externally provided power source voltage, where the high voltage is higher than the power source voltage, a precharging circuit adapted to charge the bitline to the power source voltage and further charge the bitline to the high voltage, a bias circuit adapted to provide a read current to the bitline with using the high voltage, and a sense amplifier adapted to detect a voltage level of the bitline with using the high voltage. |
| US07668005B2 |
Magnetic memory
A magnetic memory includes a plurality of magnetoresistive elements which include a fixed layer in which a magnetization direction is fixed, a free layer in which a magnetization direction changes, and a nonmagnetic layer formed between the fixed layer and the free layer, and a word line electrically connected to the magnetoresistive elements. Data erase is performed by setting the magnetization direction of the free layer in a first direction by a magnetic field induced by a current flowing through the word line, and data of the magnetoresistive elements are erased by one time data erase. Data write is performed by setting the magnetization direction of the free layer in a second direction by spin-transfer magnetization reversal by supplying a current in one direction to the magnetoresistive elements. |
| US07668003B2 |
Dynamic random access memory circuit, design structure and method
Disclosed is a DRAM circuit that incorporates an improved reference cell, has half the capacitance of the memory cell, does not require a particular reference voltage, and can be formed using the same fabrication processes as the memory cell. This DRAM circuit comprises a memory cell with a single trench capacitor and a reference cell having two trench capacitors. The two reference cell trench capacitors are connected in series through a merged buried capacitor plate such that they provide half the capacitance of the memory cell trench capacitor. Additionally, the reference cell trench capacitors have essentially the same structure as the memory cell trench capacitor so that they can be formed in conjunction with the memory cell trench capacitor. Also disclosed are a design structure for the above-described memory circuit and a method for forming the above-described memory circuit. |
| US07668002B2 |
Resistance memory element and nonvolatile semiconductor memory
A resistance memory element, which memorizes a high resistance state and a low resistance state and switches between the high resistance state and the low resistance state by an application of a voltage, includes a pair of electrodes and a resistance memory layer sandwiched between the pair of electrodes and including a first layer of a first resistance memory material and a second layer of a second resistance memory material. The current value of the resistance memory element in the writing operation can be drastically decreased, and a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device of high integration and low electric power consumption can be formed. |
| US07668001B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device (1) comprises a memory cell array (100) in which memory cells each have a variable resistance element and the memory cells in the same row are connected to a common word line and the memory cells in the same column are connected to a common bit line, wherein during a predetermined memory action, the voltage amplitude of the voltage pulse applied to an end of at least one of the selected word line and the selected bit line is adjusted based on the position of the selected memory cell in the memory cell array (100) so that the effective voltage amplitude of a voltage pulse applied to the variable resistance element of the selected memory cell to be programmed or erased falls within a certain range regardless of the position in the memory cell array (100). |
| US07668000B2 |
Method and apparatus providing a cross-point memory array using a variable resistance memory cell and capacitance
The invention relates to a method and apparatus providing a memory cell array in which each resistance memory cell is connected in series to a capacitive element. Access transistors are not necessary to perform read and write operations on the memory cell. In one exemplary embodiment, the capacitive element is a capacitor. |
| US07667999B2 |
Method to program a memory cell comprising a carbon nanotube fabric and a steering element
A method to form a rewriteable nonvolatile memory cell is disclosed, the cell comprising a steering element in series with a carbon nanotube fabric. The steering element is preferably a diode, but may also be a transistor. The carbon nanotube fabric reversibly changes resistivity when subjected to an appropriate electrical pulse. The different resistivity states of the carbon nanotube fabric can be sensed, and can correspond to distinct data states of the memory cell. A first memory level of such memory cells can be monolithically formed above a substrate, a second memory level monolithically formed above the first, and so on, forming a highly dense monolithic three dimensional memory array of stacked memory levels. |
| US07667998B2 |
Phase change memory device and method of forming the same
A PRAM and method of forming the same are disclosed. In various embodiments, the PRAM includes a lower insulation layer formed on a semiconductor substrate, a phase change material pattern formed on the lower insulation layer and a heating electrode contacting the phase change material pattern. The heating electrode can be formed of a material having a positive temperature coefficient such that specific resistance of the material increases as a function of temperature. |
| US07667997B2 |
Method to improve ferroelectronic memory performance and reliability
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method by which the imprint of a ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM) array is reduced. The method begins when an event that will cause imprint to the memory array is anticipated by an external agent to the device comprising the chip. The external agent sends a command to the control circuitry that the data states are to be written to a particular data state. Upon receiving a signal the control circuitry writes all of the ferroelectric memory cells in the FRAM array to a preferred memory data state. The memory data states are held in the preferred data state for the entire duration of the event to minimize imprint of the FRAM memory cells. When the event ends the external agent sends a command to the control circuitry to resume normal memory operation. Other methods and circuits are also disclosed. |
| US07667995B1 |
Teleportation system for electronic many-qubit states using individual photons
A method for creating a logic state for teleporting quantum information using a single photon is described. The method includes receiving a photon with an initial polarization and causing a first semiconductor crystal to have a first spin orientation. The photon interacts with the first semiconductor crystal for producing a resulting polarization dependent upon the first spin orientation. Causing the photon to interact with the first semiconductor crystal generates a maximally entangled state. |
| US07667990B2 |
Architecture for switching on and off power
An architecture for switching on and off power, which applies to a power supply has a power factor regulation unit, a primary power system, and a regular power system. The regular power system provides the primary power system with a regular power to start the primary power system. The regular power system includes: a voltage detection unit generating a driving signal signifying and a regular power output unit receiving the driving signal and outputting the regular power. The voltage detection unit connects with a logic signal switch. The logic signal switch controls the voltage detection unit to determine whether the driving signal is normally output to the regular power output unit or coercively interrupted. Thereby, the power supply can be coercively switched off. As the driving signal has a smaller current, the liability of electric shock is decreased, and the volume and cost of the logic signal switch is reduced. |
| US07667989B2 |
Method for controlling start time series by stages
A method for controlling start time series by stages adopted for use on a power supply consisting of a main power system and a standby power system. The power supply includes an energy storage unit to store a judgment power. The method mainly includes: setting a start voltage, setting a boosted voltage, getting a judgment power voltage and detecting whether the judgment power has reached the start voltage or the boosted voltage, and alternately starting the standby power system and the main power system. Thus the main power system and the standby power system are started at different time series. In terms of the energy storage unit the load increases by stages. Therefore the energy storage unit can be charged to increase the judgment power voltage and increase loading by stages. As a result, inrush current also rises by stages and can be harnessed as desired. |
| US07667987B2 |
Adjusting inductor switching frequency to compensate for inductance that deviates from a stated magnitude in order to maintain constant output current from a primary-side power converter
A comparing circuit and a control loop are used to maintain the peak level of current flowing through an inductor of a flyback converter. An inductor switch control signal controls a switch through which the inductor current flows. The inductor current increases at a ramp-up rate during a ramp time and stops increasing at the end of the ramp time. The comparing circuit generates a timing signal that indicates a target time at which the inductor current would reach a predetermined current limit if the inductor current continued to increase at the ramp-up rate. The control loop then receives the timing signal and compares the target time to the end of the ramp time. The pulse width of the inductor switch control signal is increased when the target time occurs after the end of the ramp time. Adjusting the frequency and pulse width controls the peak of the inductor current. |
| US07667982B2 |
LSI package with interface module and interface module
An LSI package includes an interface module having first and second surfaces and including a wiring board having a first through hole, a driver selectively provided on the second surface, a transmission line connected to the driver, and a first terminal formed on the second surface and connected to the driver, an interposer having a third surface facing the second surface and a fourth surface, and including a signal processor and a second terminal provided on the third surface, a third terminal provided on the fourth surface and a second through hole, the third surface facing the second surface except a region where the driver portion is provided. The interposer is arranged so that the first through hole matches with the second through hole, and a movable guide pin is inserted into the first and second through holes to position the interface module and the interposer. |
| US07667978B2 |
Electronic package encapsulating electronic components therein
An electronic component unit including a metallic member and an electronic component, such as a semiconductor element, mounted on the metallic member is encapsulated with molding resin such as epoxy resin, thereby forming an electronic package. The electronic component unit is covered with primer made of a material such as resin to increase an adhesive force of the molding resin to the electronic component unit. A glass transition temperature of both of the molding resin and the primer is set to a temperature higher than 200° C. to keep the adhesive force unchanged at least up to the ambient temperature of 200° C. and to secure a reliability of the electronic package. A metallic lead wire connected to the electronic component may be encapsulated together with the electronic component unit. An entire surface of the electronic component unit may be covered with the primer to further improve the adhesive force. |
| US07667971B2 |
Electronic control device and method of manufacturing electronic control device
Provided is an electronic control device, including: a housing (3) which includes opening portions at both end portions thereof and is made of insulating resin; a heat sink (5) attached to one of the end portions of the housing (3); a power device (2) provided to the heat sink (5); a circuit board (4) which is provided so as to be opposed to the heat sink (5) and formed with an electronic circuit including a control circuit for controlling the power device (2); and a plurality of first conductive plates (6) held in the housing (3), for electrically connecting the circuit board (4) with the power device (2), in which each of the plurality of first conductive plates (6) includes a press fit terminal (6bp) press-fitted into a through hole (4a) formed in the circuit board (4) to be bonded to the circuit board (4) on a surface opposed to the circuit board (4) and to be bonded to respective terminals of the power device (2) on a surface opposed to the heat sink (5). Accordingly, an electronic control device whose size and cost are reduced and whose electrical connection reliability is improved is obtained. |
| US07667966B2 |
Invisiduct—airflow optimization device
A fan enclosure for a system including one more fans and a system enclosure includes a first pivot removably attached to the system enclosure, a safety compliant fan grill attached to the first pivot rotatably between a natural closed position and a forced open position, and a cam disposed on the safety compliant fan grill. The safety compliant fan grill covers the one or more fans in the natural closed position. The cam is configured to force the safety compliant fan grill into the forced open position when a top cover of the system enclosure is placed in a closed position. |
| US07667956B2 |
Portable electronic apparatus and housing thereof
A portable electronic apparatus comprises one or more protrusion structures on a surface of the portable electronic apparatus. The protrusion structure comprises a plurality of facets, and one or more peaks are formed on the junctions of the facets. The facets are preferably in the form of triangles or quadrangles, and the protrusion structure is in the form of a pyramid of a triangular base or a quadrangular base. In an embodiment, the protrusion structure is formed on the back housing of the portable electronic apparatus, so that an electronic device, e.g., a digital camera module, embedded in the back housing can be protected to minimize the likelihood of damage. |
| US07667946B2 |
Tunable capacitor using electrowetting phenomenon
A tunable capacitor using an electrowetting phenomenon includes a first electrode; a second electrode which is spaced apart from the first electrode and faces the first electrode; a fluidic channel which is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; a first insulating layer which is disposed between the first electrode and the fluidic channel; and a conductive fluid which is disposed in the fluidic channel and moves along the fluidic channel when a direct current (DC) potential difference occurs between the first and second electrodes. Accordingly, it is possible to fabricate the tunable capacitor with the simplified fabrication process, good reliability and durability, and no restriction on the tuning range. |
| US07667944B2 |
Polyceramic e-chuck
The present invention discloses an electrostatic chuck for clamping work substrates, said chuck comprising three layers, where the dielectric constant of included non-conductive layers is selected to provide overall lower capacitance to the chuck. In the chuck assembly of the present invention, the top dielectric layer that is in contact with a substrate, such as, a wafer, has a dielectric constant that is preferably greater than about 5, with a resistivity that is preferably greater than about 1E6 ohm.m, whereas the bottom dielectric layer has a dielectric constant that is preferably less than about 5 and a resistivity that is preferably greater than about 1E10 ohm.m. The intermediate layer preferably has a conductive layer where the resistivity is less than about 1 ohm.m. |
| US07667943B2 |
Electrostatic chuck
An electrostatic chuck comprises an insulating layer with an electrode embedded therein and having a surface to come in contact with a workpiece to be held. Formed on the insulating layer surface is a silicone rubber layer which is filled with reinforcing silica, but free of another filler having an average particle size of at least 0.5 μm. The ESC allows for an intimate contact with a wafer and has an improved cooling capacity. |
| US07667942B2 |
Battery switch for downhole tools
An electrical circuit for a downhole tool may include a battery, a load electrically connected to the battery, and at least one switch electrically connected in series with the battery and to the load. The at least one switch may be configured to close when a tool temperature exceeds a selected temperature. |
| US07667941B2 |
Power supply circuit protecting method and apparatus for the same
This invention relates to a power supply circuit protecting method and a power supply circuit protecting apparatus. The apparatus is provided with a power supply circuit for converting a voltage from a three-phase alternating current inputting power supply into a predetermined voltage, and an output operation circuit for performing a predetermined operation by adopting an output voltage from the power supply circuit as input. In the apparatus, based on a current value on the input side or the output side of the power supply circuit, abnormality of the supply voltage is judged, and when there is an abnormality, the output operation circuit is controlled. |
| US07667934B1 |
Adaptive read bias
A read system for a hard disk drive comprising a disk having magnetic fields. The read system comprises a read element, a bias source, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The resistance of the read element changes based on the magnetic fields. The bias source applies a bias level to the read element. The temperature sensor generates a temperature signal indicative of a head ambient temperature. The controller adapts the bias level based on the temperature signal. |
| US07667933B2 |
Magnetic oscillating device based on spin transfer torque and magnetic sensor using the same
A magnetic oscillating device including a first magnetic resonance layer with a first magnetic resonance frequency f1, a second magnetic resonance layer with a second magnetic resonance frequency f2 higher than the first magnetic resonance frequency f1, a nonmagnetic layer sandwiched between the first magnetic resonance layer and the second magnetic resonance layer, and a pair of electrodes which supplies a current perpendicularly to film planes of the first and second magnetic resonance layers, in which a difference (f2−f1) between the two magnetic resonance frequencies is larger than half a resonance line width of the first magnetic resonance layer, and a ratio of the two magnetic resonance frequencies f2/f1 is 1.6 or less. |
| US07667931B1 |
Flexible electrical interconnection with ends urged into engagement with curved surfaces of a support and hub in a miniature hard disk drive and method
A head stack assembly of a disk drive has a hub including a side margin defining a channel for carrying VCM conductors at least partially around an angular offset such that the conductors are contained within a peripheral outline of the hub and the conductors can extend completely within an overmolding thickness. A first portion of a flexible interconnection biases against a side margin of the hub such that a rotation of the HSA causes a length of the first portion to change. A floating portion of length of the flexible extension follows a semicircular path between a first contact position on the hub and a second contact position on the support surface such that a floating loop diameter is defined between the contact positions. The hub and the support surface can be configured for changing the floating loop diameter with rotation to vary resilient biasing torque to the HSA. |
| US07667926B2 |
Disk device
A case of a disk device has an open-topped rectangular base and a top cover in the form of a rectangular plate screwed to the base. A label is pasted on the top cover. Provided in the case are a disk-shaped recording medium, a head for recording and reproducing information to and from the recording medium, and a mechanical section. The top cover has a depression formed by drawing, the label is pasted on the top cover so as to cover the depression, and at least a part of the depression is exposed to form an opening portion. |
| US07667925B2 |
Hard disk drive
A hard disk drive includes a base including an installation space and a plurality of sidewalls, the installation space being formed by cutting a predetermined area of the plurality of sidewalls. The hard disk drive also includes a screw housing inserted in the installation space and coupled to the base, wherein the screw housing includes at least one screw hole. The hard disk drive also includes a damper interposed between the base and the screw housing. |
| US07667924B2 |
Particle extracting device of hard disk drive and hard disk drive including the same
A particle extracting device and a hard disk drive including the device are provided. The particle extracting device includes a cover member of the hard disk drive; and an air guiding member disposed on a bottom surface of the cover member and facing a disk, so as to form a flowing path which guides an air flow generated by a rotation of the disk to an outer portion of the disk. In addition, the flowing path formed along an outer circumference of the air guiding member has an air inlet portion having a larger cross-section than a cross-section of an air outlet portion of the flowing path. |
| US07667922B1 |
Estimation of bias force for data tracking in a disk drive
Bias force changes in a disk drive, including transient bias changes, are predicted and/or estimated. Bias compensation or change in bias compensation is calculated based on drive operating parameters such as seek length. Calculation can correspond to a modeled relationship of bias forces to seek length. Preferably, bias compensation calculation is adaptive and calculation parameters can be updated during normal read/write use of the disk drive. |
| US07667918B2 |
Disk array device
Provided is a highly reliable disk array device. Specifically, this disk array device has a number of hard disk drives for respectively storing data, and which converts a first direct voltage supplied to each of the hard disk drives via a common power supply bus into a second direct voltage required by the hard disk drives at each of the hard disk drives, wherein each of the hard disk drives includes a voltage converter for converting the first direct voltage into the second direct voltage; a control unit for controlling the voltage converter so as to suppress the fluctuation of the second direct voltage based on the second direct voltage output from the voltage converter; and a response characteristics switching unit for switching the response characteristics of the control unit against the fluctuation of the second direct voltage so as to improve the response characteristics of the control unit against the fluctuation of the second direct voltage when a transitional voltage fluctuation of the second direct voltage occurs. |
| US07667913B2 |
Control unit, storage unit, and method for manufacturing storage unit
A control unit adjusts spacing between a head with a heater and a storage medium of a storage unit by controlling the power of the heater. The control unit measures first values of touchdown heater power at a first temperature set as the temperature condition. And the control unit estimates second values of the touchdown heater power at a temperature other than the first temperature set on the measurement of the first values, on the basis of a conversion equation. And the control unit determines heater power setting values to adjust the spacing between the head and the storage medium, for each of the sub-areas, on the basis of the first values and the second values. |
| US07667912B2 |
Retry and re-read for write synchronization
A method of detecting a cycle slip in a data string read from a bit patterned media and adjusting the data string to compensate for the cycle slip is disclosed. A system including a writeable data storage medium and a compensator configured to adjust data read from the data storage medium to compensate for a cycle slip during the writing of the data onto the storage medium is also disclosed. |
| US07667909B2 |
Slew-rate control device, storage device, and slew-rate control method
A slew-rate control device controls a slew rate of a control signal based on which data reading or data writing is performed with respect to a storage medium. A retry executing unit changes, when an error occurs during the data reading or the data writing, the slew rate of the control signal, and executes a retry of the data reading or the data writing. A slew-rate setting unit sets, as the slew rate of the control signal, a slew rate with which the retry is successfully executed. |
| US07667908B2 |
Magnetic transfer method for perpendicular magnetic recording medium, perpendicular magnetic recording medium, and magnetic recording apparatus
The present invention provides a magnetic transfer method comprising: a magnetic transfer step of applying a magnetic field for transfer parallel to the plane of a disk shaped substrate having formed on the surface thereof a pattern composed of magnetic layer arrangement corresponding to information to be transferred to a perpendicular magnetic recording medium while a master recording medium for perpendicular magnetic transfer being the substrate is brought into close contact with the perpendicular magnetic recording medium, and thereby transferring the magnetic pattern of the master recording medium for perpendicular magnetic transfer to the perpendicular magnetic recording medium; and a servo correction information writing step of writing by use of a magnetic head, servo correction signal information into a section adjacent to the information transferred to the perpendicular magnetic recording medium by the magnetic transfer step. |
| US07667901B2 |
Lens unit
A lens unit includes a front group, a stop, and a rear group, in order from the object side toward the image side. The front group includes at least: a first lens having a negative meniscus shape; a negative second lens formed from a plastic and having an aspherical surface; and a positive third lens, in order from the object side toward the image side. The rear group includes at least: a positive first lens; and a negative second lens, in order from the object side toward the image side. |
| US07667900B2 |
Zoom lens system and optical apparatus using the same
Providing a zoom lens system excellently correcting various aberrations with accomplishing to be compact, lightweight, and slim upon being accommodated, and to provide an optical apparatus using the zoom lens system. The system consists of, in order from an object, a first group G1 having negative power, a second group G2 having positive power. Upon zooming from a wide-angle end W to a telephoto end T, a distance between the first group G1 and the second group G2 decreases. The first group G1 consists of, in order from the object, a first lens L1 having negative power and a second lens L2 having positive power. The second group G2 consists of, in order from the object, a third lens L3 having positive power, a fourth lens L4 having negative power, and a fifth lens L5 having positive power. Given conditions are satisfied. |
| US07667897B2 |
Dual lens optical system and dual lens camera having the same
A dual lens optical system includes a first optical system redirecting an optical axis of light representing an image of an object by 90° to form an image on a image sensor, and a second optical system having a movable reflection member configured to be selectively positioned on the part of the redirected optical axis of the optical axis of light passing through the first optical system, and redirecting the light representing the image of the object by 90° using the movable reflection member to form an image on the image sensor, wherein the first optical system and the second optical system share lenses and the image sensor located after the movable reflection member along an optical path. |
| US07667895B2 |
Patterned structures with optically variable effects
An optical structure includes a light transmissive substrate having a surface relief pattern applied thereon, such as a hologram. One or more layers can be patterned corresponding to materials playing the role of absorbers or reflectors on a Fabry-Perot type of optical structure. These materials are applied over portions of the surface relief pattern so as to form alphanumeric characters, bars codes, or pictorial or graphical designs. Additional layers may be applied to the patterned layer of the reflective or absorber materials and exposed portions of the surface relief pattern in order to provide desirable optical effects to the exposed portions of the surface relief pattern. In some embodiments, the optically active coating is a color shifting thin film, or contains color shifting flakes based on Fabry Perot designs. |
| US07667892B2 |
Projection screen and coating
In at least one embodiment of a coating for a projection screen for displaying an image projected as a combination of primary colors, said coating comprises one or more primary pigments, each of said primary pigments corresponding to at least one of said primary colors. In at least one embodiment of a projection screen for displaying an image projected as a combination of primary colors, said projection screen includes a coating for displaying said projected image and a substrate for receiving said coating, wherein said coating comprises one or more primary pigments corresponding to one of said primary colors, one or more reflective pigments, and a transparent medium. |
| US07667887B2 |
Light scanning device, method for controlling light scanning device, and image display device
A light scanning device that projects light beams modulated in response to image signals. The light scanning device includes: a light source that emits the light beams; a scanner that scans the light beams from the light source in a first direction and a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; a pixel-timing-signal generating section that generates a pixel timing signal indicative of a timing at which the light beam enters for every pixel region to be formed in response to the image signals; a pulse-signal generating section that generates a pulse signal having a pulse width corresponding to time shorter than the shortest of the time during which the light beam passes through the pixel region on the basis of the pixel timing signal; and a driving-signal generating section that generates a driving signal for driving the light source in accordance with the pulse signal and the image signal. |
| US07667885B2 |
Spatial light modulator
A high contrast spatial light modulator for display and printing is fabricated by coupling a high active reflection area fill-ratio and non-diffractive micro-mirror array with a high electrostatic efficiency and low surface adhesion control substrate. |
| US07667884B2 |
Interferometric modulators having charge persistence
An iterferometric modulator is formed having a dielectric with charge persistence. The interferometric modulator is addressed by a method making advantageous use of the charge persistence property, wherein the interferometric modulator is pre-charged in such a way that the pre-charging is not observable to a viewer, and the actuation voltage threshold of the imod is significantly lowered. Subsequently the interferometric modulator may be actuated with a significantly lower actuation voltage, thereby saving power. |
| US07667882B2 |
Fourier transform volume holographic spectrometer
One embodiment of a system includes a volume hologram for dispersing a general diffuse beam of light provided as input; a detector for receiving and detecting light dispersed by the volume hologram; and a Fourier transforming lens for forming the Fourier transform of the light dispersed from the volume hologram onto the detector. Other systems and methods are also provided. |
| US07667881B2 |
Method of copying color image and copier using the same
An original color image is read to generate color image data. The color image data is converted into coordinate data including values associated with a first coordinate value and a second coordinate value in a color space. The first coordinate value is indicative of brightness. It is acquired correction data including values corresponding to the second coordinate value which are determined in accordance with the values included in the coordinate data and associated with the first coordinate value. The coordinate data is corrected with the correction data. A color image is printed with the corrected coordinate data, thereby obtaining a copied image of the original color image. |
| US07667880B2 |
Method and apparatus for previewing digital motion picture content
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that generates a look-up table which can be used to preview digital motion picture content. During operation, the system receives an analytical model for a digital motion picture workflow. Next, the system selects a set of input pixel values. The system then determines a set of output pixel values using the set of input pixel values and the analytical model. Finally, the system generates the look-up table by associating the set of input pixel values with the set of output pixel values. The analytical model comprises a number of models that capture the various stages in the digital motion picture workflow. These models can include a recorder model, a negative film model, a printer model, a positive film model, and a projector model. |
| US07667878B2 |
CVT document scanner contamination diagnostic routine
In a document handling system for moving documents for imaging over a transparent platen that is subject to contamination, and having a shared repositionable document illumination system that is normally positioned in a park position substantially spaced from this moving documents imaging platen area, wherein in response to lifting the document handling system and the activation of a diagnostics routine, which can be activated from detected image contamination, the repositionable document illumination system is automatically moved under the moving documents platen and activated to illuminate that platen area from underneath to illuminate the contamination thereon for cleaning. |
| US07667873B2 |
Apparatus and method for image-adaptive color reproduction using pixel frequency information in plural color regions and compression-mapped image information
An apparatus and method for image-adaptive color reproduction is provided. The apparatus includes an information-extraction unit, an image-compression unit and an image-information-reproduction unit. The information-extraction unit inputs image information of a first color space model, converts the input image information into image information of a second color space model, and extracts pixel frequency information of pixels belonging to a plurality of color regions by using the image information of the second color space model. The image compression unit inputs the image information of the first color space model, converts the input image information into the image information of the second color space model, and calculates compressed image information by compression-mapping the image information of the second color space model. The image information reproduction unit outputs final image information by using the pixel frequency information and the compressed image information. |
| US07667872B2 |
Gamut mapping and rendering intent management system
A system and method for selectively setting gamut map model defaults in a color management system is disclosed for transforming colors from a first color space to a second color space. The method includes the steps of comprises determining the profile associated with the second color space from one of an ICC profile, a device model profile and a system default profile; associating a color appearance profile and a gamut mapping profile based on the profile; and selecting at least one of the color appearance and gamut mapping profiles based on the profile associated with the second color space. |
| US07667870B1 |
White region identification to accelerate image processing for copies
The present invention solves the problem set forth above by providing a method for accelerating the production of a standalone copy of a document by a peripheral device. The invention employs a white space map of the document to be copied. The map is generated by the ASIC chip and is used by the device to identify areas of the outputted copy that do not require ink or toner. This reduces the processing resources necessary to print the copy, thus speeding up copy production. |
| US07667869B2 |
Image processing device, image processing method, and printer driver
An image processing device (140), which converts multivalued pixel values of an RGB color space corresponding to original colors of a multicolor original image into multivalued pixel values of a CMY color space corresponding to color inks used for printing in order to overprint a multicolor original with a plurality of color inks, includes: a color space coordinate conversion unit (141) configured to convert the multivalued pixel values of the RGB color space into the multivalued pixel values of the CMY color space corresponding to the color inks used for printing with reference to a color conversion LUT (131) for storing relationship between the multivalued pixel values of the RGB color space and the multivalued pixel values of the CMY color space; and a correction unit (142) configured to correct the multivalued pixel values of the CMY color space converted with reference to the color conversion LUT in response to the color inks used for printing and an overprint sequence thereof. |
| US07667866B2 |
Printing apparatus, data storage medium, interface device, printer control method, and interface control method
An interface device backs up printer settings and operating history data of printer so that the settings and history data can be easily restored. A nonvolatile memory 109 in the printer 101 stores printer settings data. Commands from a host 161 are passed by the interface device 131 and received by a receiver 103 within the printer. If the command data is a print command, the print mechanism 108 prints the specified text or image. If the command data is a command for updating the settings data, the corresponding settings data in the nonvolatile memory 109 is updated and at an appropriate backup time the updated settings data is copied to a nonvolatile memory 135 in the interface device 131. The settings data backed up into the interface device 131 can then be restored back to the printer's nonvolatile memory 109 at an appropriate data restore time. |
| US07667865B2 |
Mobile device-enabled secure release of print jobs
In a printing method, a user at a user terminal (10) having a physically connected mobile device (20) including non-volatile storage constructs an incomplete print job envelope (32) and completing data (34). The completing data (34) are stored on the non-volatile storage of the mobile device (20). The incomplete print job envelope (32) is communicated to a printing device (12). The mobile device (20) is physically disconnected from the user terminal (10), and physically connected with the printing device (12) to reconstruct the print job at the printing device (12) from the incomplete print job envelope (32) and the completing data (34). |
| US07667864B2 |
Printer host, recording medium having recorded therein printing-apparatus-state-information display program, and state information display method for printing apparatus in printer host
A printer host connected to plural printing apparatuses includes state information acquiring means which are provided to correspond to the printing apparatuses and each of state information acquiring means acquires state information of the corresponding printing apparatus and a state information managing means which manages the state information acquiring means. The state information managing means causes, when a predetermined first instruction is received, the state information acquiring means to acquire state information concerning printing apparatuses which are executing printing, and displays predetermined information included in the state information. Consequently, usefulness of information to be displayed is improved in the printer host which displays state information of the plural printing apparatuses. |
| US07667863B1 |
Method for modification of publication covers
A method for preparing a modified cover for a publication that includes scanning the original cover and modifying the scanned cover to include desired indicia. The modified cover is then printed and installed upon the original publication. Alternately, the publication may received electronically and the file containing the cover modified and replaced in the publication. The publication with the modified file is then distributed electronically. |
| US07667857B2 |
Optical displacement meter, optical displacement measuring method, optical displacement measuring program, computer-readable recording medium, and device that records the program
The present invention provides an optical displacement meter which performs a profile search for performing positional adjustment of a profile shape. The optical displacement meter includes: an amplifier for amplifying a reception light signal from a two-dimensional light receiving device; profile computing means capable of computing a profile shape of the object to be measured on the basis of an amplification signal obtained by the amplifier in a point in the first direction by the reflection light of the light emitted from the projector; a display unit capable of displaying the profile shape of the object to be measured computed by the profile computing means; registered-profile designating means for designating a registered profile as a reference of a profile search from profile shapes displayed on the display unit; and profile matching means for performing a profile search to find a match between an input profile shape and the registered profile designated by the registered profile designating means and, on the basis of a result of the profile search, rotating or moving the input profile shape. |
| US07667856B2 |
Optical characteristic measuring apparatus
An optical characteristic measuring apparatus of the invention is configured in such a manner that a specular reflection light component in reflection light from an object to be measured is received, and shake of the apparatus is detected based on the amount of the received light. The optical characteristic measuring apparatus having the above arrangement enables to precisely measure an optical characteristic of the object to be measured, without the need of providing a mechanical switch or a like device, and without depending on the shape of the object to be measured. |
| US07667855B2 |
Providing position information to computing equipment installed in racks of a datacenter
Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for providing position information to computing equipment installed in racks of a datacenter that includes: projecting, by a projection module, a plurality of optical signals to a plurality of reference points on at least one reflective surface above the racks of the datacenter, each optical signal corresponding to one of the reference points and encoding reference point position information for that corresponding reference point; detecting, by a position detection module mounted on one of the racks, one or more of the optical signals reflected off of the reflective surface; determining, by the position detection module, rack position information in dependence upon the reference point position information; and providing, by the position detection module, the rack position information to a position information consumer that uses the rack position information to identify the position of the rack on which the position detection module is mounted. |
| US07667854B2 |
Hand-held survey probe
A system for providing operational feedback to a user of a detection probe may include an optical sensor to generate data corresponding to a position of the detection probe with respect to a surface; a microprocessor to receive the data; a software medium having code to process the data with the microprocessor and pre-programmed parameters, and making a comparison of the data to the parameters; and an indicator device to indicate results of the comparison. A method of providing operational feedback to a user of a detection probe may include generating output data with an optical sensor corresponding to the relative position with respect to a surface; processing the output data, including comparing the output data to pre-programmed parameters; and indicating results of the comparison. |
| US07667852B2 |
Measuring the shape, thickness variation, and material inhomogeneity of a wafer
In one embodiment, an interferometer system comprises an unequal path interferometer assemble comprising; a first reference flat having a first length L1 in a first dimension, a second reference flat having a second length L2 in the first dimension, a cavity D1 defined by a distance between the first reference flat and the second reference flat, and a receptacle to receive an object in the cavity such that an optical path remains open between the first reference flat and the second reference flat, and a radiation targeting assembly to direct a collimated radiation beam to the interferometer assembly, a radiation collecting assembly to collect radiation received from the interferometer assembly, and a controller comprising logic to; vary a wavelength of the collimated radiation beam, record interferograms formed by a plurality of surfaces, extract phases of each of the interferograms for each of the plurality of surfaces to produce multiple phase maps, and determine each phase map from its corresponding interferogram, using a weighted least-square algorithm. |
| US07667851B2 |
Method and apparatus for using a two-wave mixing ultrasonic detection in rapid scanning applications
The invention is directed to a wave characteristic adjusting device used to compensate for a wave characteristic distortion caused by the scanning motion of a probe beam of a two-wave mixing interferometer. The invention is also directed to an apparatus and method for using the wave characteristic adjusting device in a rapid scanning laser ultrasound testing device. In a rapid scanning laser ultrasound testing device, a laser pulse is directed at periodic points along a path across the surface of a manufactured object. The laser pulse initiates an ultrasonic signal associated with the manufactured object. An interferometer may be used to measure the initiated ultrasonic signal. The interferometer scans a probe beam along a path similar to the sonic initiating laser. A pulse of the probe beam is directed at the manufactured object in the vicinity of the initiating laser pulse while continuously scanning. As a result, the probe beam pulse may exhibit a Doppler shift. This Doppler shift may cause a loss in sensitivity of the two-wave mixing interferometer. The wave characteristic adjusting device may be used to compensate for the Doppler shift, thereby improving the sensitivity of the two-wave mixing interferometer. |
| US07667844B2 |
Line sensor and printing press
A line sensor includes a light source section for irradiating light of a plurality of colors to an inspecting object, and a light-receiving section for detecting reflected light from the inspecting object. The light source section has a plurality of light sources for each of the plurality of colors. The light-receiving section has a plurality of light-receiving sensors disposed in a row. The light sources are disposed in two rows so that the light-receiving section is interposed between the two rows. The light sources of the plurality of colors are divided into a first color light source group and a second color light source group. First disposition patterns, in which the light sources of the first color light source group are disposed in one of the two rows and the light sources of the second color light source group are disposed in the other row, and second disposition patterns, in which the first and second color light source groups are disposed in positions opposite to the first disposition pattern, are alternately disposed. |
| US07667838B2 |
In-stream spectroscopic elemental analysis of particles being conducted within a gaseous stream
A particle presentation apparatus for presenting particles being conducted within a gaseous stream for instream spectroscopic elemental analysis includes a particle blending section for homogenizing the distribution particles of significantly different sizes received within a gaseous stream of randomly distributed particles; and a particle sampling section including a window that is adapted for passing a particle excitation beam, such as a laser beam, and photon emissions, and a conduit for conducting the homogenized stream of particles past the window so that a particle excitation beam passing through the window can pass into the stream of homogenized particles. The apparatus may be used in combination with a drilling machine, wherein the particle blending section is coupled to an outlet pipe of the drilling machine for receiving a said gaseous stream of randomly distributed particles that are expelled from a drill hole. |
| US07667836B2 |
Apparatus and methods for container inspection
Apparatus, systems, and methods to recognize features on bottom surfaces of metal containers on a metal container production line, detect defects in the metal containers, and correlate the defects to specific production equipment of the metal container production line, based in part on the recognized features. The system includes imaging apparatus, programmable processing devices, and controllers. The methods include imaging techniques and estimation techniques. |
| US07667834B2 |
Method and configuration for detecting material defects in workpieces
A method and a configuration for automatically or visually detecting material defects, in particular cracks, in a workpiece, includes applying a test agent to the workpiece. The test agent contains color pigments which can be excited by using shortwave light. The workpiece is then irradiated with shortwave light from a light source, light emitted by the workpiece is detected by an observer's eye or by a detector, and the signals from the detector are evaluated by an electronic evaluation device in order to determine the material defects. The light source is associated with a first optical interference filter which selects the light emitted by the light source, as a bandpass filter, before the light impinges on the workpiece. |
| US07667828B2 |
Tagging systems using energy exchange
A tagging system contains first taggants and second taggants. The taggants differ from each other so that the first taggants have a first emission spectrum and a first absorption edge and the second taggants have a second emission spectrum and a second absorption edge. In the tagging system, the first taggants are arranged to be within an interaction distance of the second taggants so that energy transfer between the first taggants and the second taggants causes an emission spectrum of the tagging system to differ from a sum of the first emission spectrum and the second emission spectrum. |
| US07667819B2 |
System and method for contrast enhanced zone plate array lithography
A lithography system is disclosed that includes an array of focusing elements for directing focused illumination toward a recording medium, and a reversible contrast-enhancement material disposed between the recording medium and the array of focusing elements. |
| US07667816B2 |
Liquid crystal drop fill device and a method for drop filling liquid crystal by the use of the device
A liquid crystal drop fill device by which liquid crystal panels of different sizes is easily obtained from a mother glass, and a method for drop filling liquid crystal by using the device is provided in order to increase utilization efficiency of the mother glass. The device 1 includes a stage 3 arranged to support a substrate 2, liquid crystal dispensers 4 and 5 arranged to drop fill liquid crystal on the substrate 2, a first moving unit 6 arranged to support the dispensers 4 and 5 movably in a Y-direction relative to the stage 3, and second moving units 7 and 8 arranged to support the dispensers 4 and 5 movably in an X-direction relative to the first moving unit 6, wherein the device 1 further includes a third moving unit 9 arranged to support the dispenser 5 to be further movable in the Y-direction relative to the second moving unit 8. |
| US07667806B2 |
Liquid crystal display and thin film transistor panel therefor
A thin film transistor panel for a liquid crystal display includes a substrate, a plurality of data lines formed over the substrate and extending in a first direction, and a plurality of gate lines formed over the substrate and extending in a second direction. The plurality of gate lines cross the plurality of data lines to form a plurality of pixel areas, each of the plurality of pixel areas having a multi-bent band shape. Each of a plurality of pixel electrodes are formed in a corresponding pixel area. |
| US07667803B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
In a liquid crystal display device including an orientation film and a seal material, at a terminal connection portion where one substrate extends outward from another substrate, a step portion of an organic insulating film is formed on an inner side of the seal material to dispose a step, whereby spreading of the orientation film from the step portion to the seal material is limited. Lead wires that electrically interconnect connection terminals and pixel portions are formed on a portion of the organic insulating film where the film thickness is thin. |
| US07667802B2 |
Television set using liquid crystal display apparatus having improved viewing angle
A broadcasting receiving apparatus includes a liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal cell in which a liquid crystal layer that is twist-aligned at 90° and sandwiched between a pair of substrates, first and second polarizing layers arranged to sandwich the cell therebetween so that their absorption axes are set in parallel with directions crossing aligning treatment directions of the substrates at 45°, and viewing angle compensating plates respectively arranged between the polarizing layers and the cell. A total value of retardations in a thickness direction, defined as a value of a product of a phase difference within a plane perpendicular to substrate surfaces of the cell and a layer thickness, of optical layers present between the polarizing layers is set to a value that substantially cancels out a retardation in a liquid crystal layer thickness direction when a saturation voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer. |
| US07667800B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
A transflective liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate including transmissive and reflective pixels. Gate and data lines on the first substrate cross each other to define a pixel region, with a thin film transistor at each crossing. The transmissive and reflective pixels correspond to respective pixel regions. A first passivation layer covers the thin film transistor and has a transmissive hole in the transmissive pixel. A first reflector is disposed on the first passivation layer in the reflective pixel. A second passivation layer is disposed on the first reflector and in the transmissive hole. A pixel electrode on the second passivation layer is connected to the thin film transistor. A second substrate opposing the first substrate has a color filter layer on an inner surface thereof. The color filter layer contains R, G and B sub color filters, which each correspond to a pixel region. |
| US07667798B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device which can enhance quality and reliability of image display by preventing the generation of bubbles in the inside of a liquid crystal display panel and, at the same time, by suppressing leaking of light from an end of a black matrix film. In the liquid crystal display panel which sandwiches a liquid crystal layer between two glass substrates, the liquid crystal layer is surrounded by a sealing material having a predetermined width. On one glass substrate, a black matrix film and an overcoat film are arranged from one-glass-substrate side such that the black matrix film and the overcoat film overlap the sealing material. The black matrix film is, in the widthwise direction of the sealing material, formed into a planar flat black matrix film until a middle position of the sealing material from a side on which the liquid crystal layer is arranged, and is formed into a slit-shaped slit black matrix film from the middle position. Due to such a constitution, an adhesion area between the glass substrate and the overcoat film under an applied region of the sealing material is enlarged and hence, an adhesion strength is increased thus largely enhancing an adhesion strength. |
| US07667793B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device of an in-plane switching mode comprises at least optically anisotropic members (A) and (B) and liquid crystal cell disposed between a pair of polarizers having absorption axes disposed approximately perpendicularly to each other, wherein nzA>nyA and nxB>nzB (nxA, nxB:refractive indices (n) in the direction of the in-plane slow axis; nyA, nyB:n in the in-plane direction perpendicular to the above direction; nzA, nzB:n in the direction of thickness, each at 550 nm); the in-plane slow axes of (A) and (B) are approximately parallel or perpendicular to each other; and the in-plane slow axis of (A) is approximately parallel or perpendicular to the absorption axis of a polarizer closer to (A). The antireflection property, scratch resistance and durability are excellent, the angle of field is wide, and uniform display of images with great contrast can be achieved at any angle of observation. |
| US07667791B2 |
Ultraviolet absorbing glass, glass tube for fluorescent lamp using same, and method for producing ultraviolet absorbing glass for fluorescent lamp
Disclosed is an ultraviolet absorbing glass for fluorescent lamps which is composed of a borosilicate glass containing, in mass %, 60 to 80% of SiO2, 1 to 7% of Al2O3, 10 to 25% of B2O3, 3 to 15% of Li2O+Na2O+K2O, 0 to 5% of CaO+MgO+BaO+SrO+ZnO, 0.001 to 0.05% of Fe2O3, 0.1 to 5% of CeO2, 0.01 to 5% of SnO+SnO2 and 0.01 to 5% of ZrO2+ZnO+Nb2O5, and having an average linear expansion coefficient in a range of 36 to 57×10−7/° C. at 0 to 300° C. defined in JIS R 3102. |
| US07667789B2 |
Backlight unit and liquid crystal display device having the same
A backlight unit which includes a structure in which the sensitivity of a light sensor for detecting color reproducibility of white light is increased, and a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) device having the same. The backlight unit includes a light source which generates light, a light guide plate which guides the light incident from the light source, a light sensor which detects the light emitted from the light guide plate and a mold frame which receives the light source, the light guide plate, and the light sensor. The mold frame includes a receiving recess which receives the light sensor, and a light sensing structure formed on a sidewall thereof being in contact with a side of the light guide plate which reflects the light emitted from the light guide plate and provides the light emitted from the light guide plate to the light sensor. |
| US07667787B2 |
Backlight device and transmission type liquid crystal display apparatus
The present invention is directed to a transmission type liquid crystal display apparatus using a backlight device for delivering rays of display light which have been emitted from a large number of light emitting diodes to a transmission type display panel, wherein an optical sheet block (10) is provided between a liquid crystal panel (5) and a light source unit (7) including a large number of LEDs (12), the transmission type liquid crystal display apparatus comprising a light diffusion plate (15), consisting of resin, having light transmitting characteristic, which is adapted control incidence of rays of display light which have been emitted from the respective LEDs (12). At the light diffusion plate (15), light adjustment patterns (18) facing the respective LEDs (12) and adapted to take a shape which has dimensions including outer shape thereof and is longitudinally elongated are formed by light reflection ink. Thus, realization of uniformity of rays of light which have been emitted from LEDs (12) is preformed to realize image display of high luminance in which color unevenness and/or lateral stripe have been suppressed. |
| US07667783B2 |
Head mounted display with curved display screen, curved tunable focus liquid crystal micro-lens and first and second curved black masks corresponding independently to one of the right and the left eye
Systems, methods, apparatus and devices for head mounted stereoscopic 3-D display devices using the tunable focus liquid crystal micro-lens array eye to produce eye accommodation information. A liquid crystal display panel displays stereoscopic images and uses tunable liquid crystal micro-lens array to change the diopter of the display pixels to provide eye accommodation information. The head mounted display device includes a planar display screen, planar tunable liquid crystal micro-lens array and planar black mask. The display device may optionally include a bias lens. In an embodiment, the display device also includes a backlight and a prism sheet for displaying the images on the display screen. The display screen, tunable liquid crystal micro-lens array, black mask and optional backlight and prism may be flat or curved. |
| US07667782B2 |
Liquid crystal display device capable of restraining deformation of a cabinet by heat
A rear cover made of resin of the liquid crystal television is integrally formed to extend to a printed circuit board at a vicinity of a position in correspondence with an electronic part of the printed circuit board and at a vicinity of a center of a accommodating portion of a rear cover and includes a boss having a screw inserting hole at a front end thereof. By inserting and fastening a screw for fixing a frame made of a metal of a liquid crystal display panel and the printed circuit board into the screw inserting hole of the boss of the rear cover, the frame made of a metal of the liquid crystal display panel and the printed circuit board and the rear cover made of resin are fixed. |
| US07667775B2 |
Digital cable TV receiver, diagnostic method for the digital cable TV receiver, and data structure of DVI status report
A digital cable TV receiver includes a POD module and a host device. The host device includes a DVI controller and a plurality of DVI ports linked to a plurality of peripheral devices, respectively. When the DVI controller receives a diagnostic request for DVI status from the POD module, it generates a DVI status report and transmits the DVI status report to the POD module. The DVI status report includes a plurality of DVI status information associated with the plurality of peripheral devices, respectively. |
| US07667774B2 |
Video switcher and video switching method
A video switcher includes: a video signal switching device for switching a video signal to be transmitted to a video display unit from a first video signal supplied from a first video input unit into a second video signal supplied from a second video input unit; and a synchronization signal switching device for switching a synchronization signal to be transmitted to the video display unit from a first synchronization signal supplied from the first video input unit into a second synchronization signal supplied from the second video input unit. The synchronization signal switching device starts transmission of the second synchronization signal to the video display unit after stops transmission of the first synchronization signal to the video display unit. The video signal switching device starts transmission of the second video signal to the video display unit, after stop of transmission of the first video signal to the video display unit and start of transmission of the second synchronization signal to the video display unit. |
| US07667773B2 |
Apparatus and method of motion-compensation adaptive deinterlacing
An apparatus and method of motion-compensation adaptive deinterlacing. The method includes detecting whether an input image is a still image using information regarding the input image stored in a memory, estimating a motion of a pixel to be interpolated when the input image is not a still image, and interpolating the pixel to be interpolated using one of using pixel values of previous and next fields with respect to a reference field including the pixel to be interpolated when the input image is the still image, the estimated motion information when the input image is not the still image and has no vertical fast motion, and pixel values of the reference field when the input image has a vertical fast motion. |
| US07667772B2 |
Video processing apparatus and method
A video processing apparatus and method are disclosed. The video processing apparatus includes a first de-interlacer to de-interlace standard definition (SD)-level interlaced video signal into an SD-level progressive video signal by using spatial-temporal interpolation and output the SD-level progressive video signal, a scaler to convert the SD-level progressive video signal into a high definition (HD)-level interlaced video signal and output the HD-level interlaced video signal, and a second de-interlacer to de-interlace the HD-level interlaced video signal into a HD-level progressive video signal by using spatial interpolation and output the HD-level progressive video signal. Accordingly, an artifact ca be prevented from appearing at a vertical edge of an image. |
| US07667771B2 |
System for interlaced video data
A reproduction system reproduces interlaced video data in a deinterlaced form. The system selects a deinterlacing algorithm used to process the interlaced video data. The deinterlaced video data is sent to a display device. The reproduction system responds to a manual or automated input that selects a deinterlacing algorithm. |
| US07667764B2 |
Image sensing apparatus
An image sensing apparatus is constructed in such a manner that a calculation priority setter 5111 (5111a) sets a priority between exposure amount control by an exposure amount control parameter calculator 511 (511a) serving as exposure amount controller, and dynamic range control by a dynamic range control parameter calculator 512 (512a) serving as dynamic range controller. Exposure control is executed by performing the exposure amount control and the dynamic range control based on a photoelectric conversion characteristic, by using exposure evaluation values detected by an evaluation value detector 405, based on the priority set by the calculation priority setter 5111 (5111a). This arrangement provides an image sensing apparatus capable of performing exposure control with high latitude, wherein a user is allowed to capture a subject in an optimal exposure state, with an appropriate dynamic range being secured, and control primarily based on the exposure amount control or control primarily based on the dynamic range control is performed on the priority basis. |
| US07667762B2 |
Dual sensor video camera
Various embodiments of a dual-sensor video camera are disclosed. The dual-sensor video camera includes a color filter array (CFA) sensor, which has a low-pass filter. The dual-sensor video camera also includes a panchromatic sensor. A beam splitter directs an incoming light beam to both sensors. An output image is produced based on image information from the two sensors. The output image includes luminance information based on the image information from the panchromatic sensor and chrominance information based on the image information from the CFA sensor. |
| US07667759B2 |
Imaging apparatus that can display both real-time images and recorded images simultaneously
The imaging apparatus of the present invention can display both real-time images received by an image pickup device and an image(s) recorded on a recording medium at the same time on a display part. The image(s) recorded on the recording medium and to be displayed is selectively switched between image data selected from a recording part in accordance with a shooting instruction and image data selected from the recording part in accordance with an instruction other than the shooting instruction. |
| US07667755B2 |
Variable sensitivity imaging device including a pulse voltage applying section, and imaging apparatus including the same
A variable sensitivity imaging device comprises: a substrate; a photosensitive layer which is stacked above the substrate, and which is interposed between a pixel electrode layer and an opposing electrode layer; a signal reading section, formed on the substrate, that reads a signal corresponding to photo-charges which are generated by incidence of light into the photosensitive layer; and a pulse voltage applying section that applies a variable pulse-width pulse voltage between the pixel electrode layer and the opposing electrode layer. |
| US07667753B2 |
Method for processing information delivered by a sensor pixel matrix offering a wide dynamic range and gain and corresponding sensor
An image sensor includes a matrix of active pixels (PXA). A pair of sampling capacitors (C1) and (C2) per matrix column processes the information delivered by the active pixel matrix. Each matrix column further includes a differential amplifier configured in follower mode connected between the pixels of the column and the pair of sampling capacitors via a pair of switches (I1) and (I2). |
| US07667751B2 |
Built-in self test for a CMOS imager
Systems, methods and devices related to detection and transmitting images. Imaging systems and devices, as well as methods of using such that are provided herein include flicker detection and/or correction; and/or built-in self test associated with various analog circuitry in the imaging devices; and/or power reduction ability; and/or pixels with charge evacuation functionality; and/or a parallel to serial conversion unit and associated serial output interface; and/or other advanced functionality. |
| US07667749B2 |
Image sensor having a partial light-shielding layer and method for fabricating the same
An image sensor and a method for fabricating the same are disclosed, in which a partial light-shielding layer is additionally arranged on a path of a particular colored light, for example, a red colored light that may cause excessive permeation, to partially shield the corresponding red colored light in a state that red colored light, green colored light and blue colored light are permeated into each photodiode of a semiconductor substrate, so that the permeation position of the red colored light coincides with that of the green colored light and the blue colored light each having the wavelength shorter than that of the red colored light, thereby normally generating optical charges caused by the red colored light in an effective depletion area of the photodiode like those caused by the green colored light and the blue colored light. The permeation position of a red colored light, a green colored light and a blue colored light coincides with one another within a depletion area of a semiconductor substrate to obtain an optimal effective ratio from respective optical charges and the uniform quantity of the respective optical charges can be transferred/discharged to an interpolation circuit by signal processing transistors, thereby effectively displaying color images having excellent display quality (in color and resolution) approximate to a ratio of 1:1:1 with red, green and blue. |
| US07667748B2 |
Method and apparatus of defective pixel correction for a solid-state imaging device
A defective pixel correction method and a defective pixel correction apparatus usable with an imaging device of the one-chip type including one color CCD. A video signal level of a pixel under consideration of a solid-state imaging device in which pixels respectively coated with mutually different color filters are disposed is compared with a signal level created from video signal levels of a plurality of peripheral pixels coated with color filters of a color of the pixel under consideration to thereby detect whether or not the pixel is defective. If the pixel is defective, the defective pixel is corrected according to a correction signal created using the video signal levels of the peripheral pixels. |
| US07667747B2 |
Processing of sensor values in imaging systems
A digital image system identifies defective pixels of a digital image sensor based on sensor values of pixels positioned in at least two dimensions on the digital image sensor. The exemplary imaging system includes a buffer for receiving sensor values that are each associated with a pixel in the digital image sensor and electronics for comparing the sensor value associated with a test pixel to the sensor values of pixels positioned in at least two dimensions on the digital image sensor. The electronics determines whether the test pixel is a defective pixel based on the comparison. |
| US07667739B2 |
Brightness adjusting methods for video frames of video sequence by applying scene change detection and/or blinking detection and brightness adjusting devices thereof
A brightness adjusting method for video frames of a video sequence includes receiving a current video frame of the video sequence and performing a scene change detection to determine if a scene change occurs between the current video frame and a previous video frame. Thereafter, one of a plurality of candidate brightness adjusting schemes is applied to the current video frame according to a scene change detection result. |
| US07667738B2 |
Image processing device for detecting chromatic difference of magnification from raw data, image processing program, and electronic camera
An image processing device has an input section and a detecting section. The input section receives RAW data composed of color components arranged in each pixel in a predetermined pattern. The detecting section detects the color shift amount by calculating the correlation between two color components included in the RAW data and determines the chromatic aberration of magnification of the optical system used for capturing the image from the color shift amount. |
| US07667737B2 |
Video signal processing apparatus for generating a video signal from output of a solid-state imaging element and digital camera including the same
In a video signal processing apparatus for generating a video signal in a prescribed format by capturing output of a solid-state imaging element that is driven by corresponding to each timing of horizontal scanning and vertical scanning, a first signal processing circuit generates a first video signal by performing the first signal processing on an analog video signal that is continuously outputted from the solid-state imaging element by a horizontal-line unit. An A/D converter circuit generates the first video data by converting the first video signal to digital information. A memory circuit stores the first video data at least by one horizontal-line unit, and reads out the first video data with a delay of a prescribed delay period. A second signal processing circuit generates the second video data by performing the second signal processing on the first video data that is read out from the memory circuit. |
| US07667732B1 |
Event generation and camera cluster analysis of multiple video streams in a pipeline architecture
A pipeline architecture for analyzing multiple streams of video is embodied, in part, in a layer of application program interfaces (APIs) to each stage of processing. Buffer queuing is used between some stages, which helps moderate the load on the CPU(s). Through the layer of APIs, innumerable video analysis applications can access and analyze video data flowing through the pipeline, and can annotate portions of the video data (e.g., frames and groups of frames), based on the analyses performed, with information that describes the frame or group. These annotated frames and groups flow through the pipeline to subsequent stages of processing, at which increasingly complex analyses can be performed. At each stage, portions of the video data that are of little or no interest are removed from the video data. Ultimately, “events” are constructed and stored in a database, from which cross-event and historical analyses may be performed and associations with, and among, events may be made. |
| US07667730B2 |
Composite surveillance camera system
A method and apparatus acquires images of a scene with an omni-directional imager and a pan-tilt-zoom imager. A relationship between pixels in the input image and locations in the scene is expressed in terms of polar coordinates. An event is detected in the input images and the omni-directional pan-tilt-zoom camera is directed at the event in the scene using the relationship expressed in the polar coordinates. |
| US07667729B2 |
Multi-point conference system and multi-point conference device
There are provided a multi-point conference system and a multi-point conference device capable of using an SIP terminal as a conference terminal and clearly and smoothly performing speaker switching without requesting a conference terminal to transmit an intra frame when a speaker is detected. The multi-point connection device includes an image processing unit for accumulating in a memory (13), image data from the conference terminal participating in the conference, and decoding the image data on the speaker accumulated in the memory (13) and re-encoding the decoded image upon detection of a speaker in a medium processing unit (15). Upon switching of a speaker, the image processing unit re-encodes the first image as an intra frame and transmits the image data to conference terminals other than that of the speaker, so that the conference terminals other than that of the speaker can perform decoding from the intra frame, thereby clearly and smoothly performing the speaker switching. |
| US07667727B2 |
Multiple-beam raster output scanner with a compensating filter
A printing system includes a multiple-beam generator array configured to generate multiple beams. A collimator lens is positioned to receive the multiple beams, and an aperture stop is located where the multiple beams are spatially coincident with each other. A scanning optical system is positioned to receive the beams from the aperture stop, and a recording medium receives the beams from the scanning optical system. A filter is located where the multiple beams are spatially coincident with each other, whereby each of the multiple beams may be filtered by the supplied filter. |
| US07667726B2 |
Optical writing unit and an image forming apparatus including the same
An optical writing unit, e.g., that can be included in an image forming apparatus includes a housing within which are disposed additional components of the optical writing unit including the following, a plurality of optical elements, a polygon mirror configured to deflect a laser light beam, and a collecting member configured to collect dust in the housing. |
| US07667724B2 |
Customer replaceable unit with high voltage power supply
A customer replaceable unit installable in a printing apparatus comprises a component requiring high voltage electric power for operation, a low voltage power input, and that cooperates with the low voltage power input in order to transform low voltage electric power from the low voltage power input into high voltage electric power for use by the component. The customer replaceable unit may also include a low voltage signal input, and the high voltage power supply unit controls output of the high voltage electric power in response to signals received at the low voltage signal input. The signals received at the low voltage signal input are independent of a type of the component in the customer replaceable unit, and the high voltage power supply unit provides an appropriate high voltage for the type of the component, thereby allowing modification of the type of component without having to provide a different low voltage signal. |
| US07667723B2 |
Angular adjustment of MEMS torsion oscillator scanner
Apparatus for aligning a scanner assembly in a laser scanning unit for an image forming device. A MEMS torsion oscillator is attached to a spherical base that is received by a socket in a laser scanning unit. The pivotal center of the scanner coincides with the center of the spherical base such that the center of the scanner does not move as the scanner is aligned in the skew, process, and scan directions. In various embodiments, the aligned relationship of the spherical base to the socket is maintained by an adhesive, a through-bolt, or a plurality of spring-biased adjustment screws. The configuration and location of the adjustment screws is such that adjustment of the scanner assembly is accomplished without blocking the laser beam used for alignment. |
| US07667720B2 |
Image display device, driving circuit and driving method used in same
An image display device is provided which is capable of improving its image quality when a moving picture is displayed by using a holding-type display panel such as a liquid crystal panel. A display gray-level feature value of each display screen is extracted based on a video input signal. A black inserting signal to set a gray level of a black screen (frame) is generated based on the display gray-level feature value extracted by the displayed brightness extracting section. Based on a video input signal, a control signal is sent out to a source driver and another control signal is sent out to a gate driver and a gray level of a black screen to be inserted among display screens each making up a moving picture is set to a liquid crystal panel based on the black inserting signal generated by the black inserting signal computing section. |
| US07667719B2 |
Image-based document display
The present invention is directed to a method and system for continuously displaying image pages of digital content which are available over a network. More specifically, the method and system enables a user to view image pages in a continuous manner while a limited number of image pages are being downloaded at a given time. Several image pages which are adjacent to the image page(s) the user is currently viewing may be stored in temporary memory. The image pages in the temporary memory are utilized so that, within the image pages, the user can move the displayed image pages up and down without experiencing any discontinuation. In order to ensure continuous display throughout the entire digital content, the next possible set of image pages is constantly determined and obtained to update the current set of image pages in the temporary memory. |
| US07667718B2 |
Image scaling circuit and method thereof
An image scaling circuit and a method for scaling an image into images with different ratios are provided. The image scaling circuit includes a line buffer memory apparatus, a line buffer control apparatus, a first and a second scaling circuit. The first scaling circuit is coupled to the line buffer memory apparatus, and performs a first image scaling interpolation operation on the data output by the line buffer memory apparatus. The second scaling circuit is coupled to the line buffer memory apparatus, and performs a second image scaling interpolation operation on the data output by the line buffer memory apparatus. The line buffer control apparatus is coupled to the line buffer memory apparatus, the first scaling circuit and the second scaling circuit, for controlling the line buffer memory apparatus to receive or output a scan line data according to the operation status of the first and second scaling circuits. |
| US07667717B2 |
System and method for displaying images utilizing multi-blending
A system and method for processing images utilizing varied feature class weights is provided. A computer system associates two or more images with a set of feature class data, such as color and texture data. The computer system assigns a set of processing weights for each of the feature classes. The two or more images are blended according to the feature class weights. The blended image can be further adjusted according to the content of the images. |
| US07667712B2 |
Character coloring control method, game device, and information storage medium
Whether or not a discoloring motion has been performed by a player character is determined, and a discoloration portion set for the determined discoloring motion is discolored. A discolored mark texture of which the discolored mark pattern is denser and of a thicker color is mapped as a current discoloration value set to the discoloration portion becomes larger. The current discoloration value is added and updated by a discoloration unit set based on the stadium in which the game is performed and the game day weather each time the discoloring motion is performed. |
| US07667711B2 |
Image processing system, a method thereof, and a recording medium thereof
An image processing system, a method thereof, and a recording medium thereof are disclosed. The image processing system includes a command converting unit for reading object information contained in a drawing command, and generating an attribute image; a resolution reducing unit for generating a low-resolution attribute image and a mixture flag that indicates that two or more objects are intermingled in a block of, e.g., 4×4 pixels; and a storing unit for storing a RGB image compressed by a compressing unit, the low-resolution attribute image, and the mixture flag. |
| US07667710B2 |
Graphics display system with line buffer control scheme
A graphics integrated circuit chip is used in a set-top box for controlling a television display. The graphics chip processes analog video input, digital video input, a graphics input and an audio input simultaneously. The chip includes a display engine that processes graphics images organized as windows. The system includes plurality of line buffers for receiving the graphics contents. The graphics contents are composited into each of the plurality of line buffers by blending the graphics contents with the existing contents of the line buffer until all of the graphics surfaces for the line have been composited. |
| US07667704B2 |
System for efficient remote projection of rich interactive user interfaces
An exemplary method of communicating between a host device and a rendering device for controlling a user interface of the rendering device includes generating messages, encoding the messages in a buffer as blobs of data and communicating the blobs of data to the rendering device. Various other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed. |
| US07667703B2 |
Systems and method for turning pages in a three-dimensional electronic document
A system and method for turning pages of a three-dimensional electronic book. A closed three-dimensional electronic book is modeled as at least one three-dimensional object having length, width and thickness dimensions. An opened three-dimensional book electronic is modeled as at least two three-dimensional objects having length, width and thickness dimensions, representing the left side of the opened book and the right side of the opened book. The page(s) to be turned is modeled as at least a three-dimensional object having length, width and thickness dimensions. The cross-section parallelogram having a width dimension and a thickness dimension based on the width and thickness dimensions of the closed three-dimensional electronic book, and a user-selected number of page(s) to be turned. Page turning of a three-dimensional electronic book is modeled as a dynamic animation showing the concurrent movement of three three-dimensional objects representing the left side pages block, the right side pages block, and the pages(s) to be turned. |
| US07667700B1 |
System and method for navigating operating in a virtual environment
The present invention relates to a system, method and computer program product for navigating within a virtual environment (VE). More specifically, the present invention relates to navigating large distances in a VE, without becoming disoriented and without becoming cybersick due to exposure to excessive amounts of optical flow. In one embodiment, the present invention combines jumping and flying to allow for quick navigation of large distances, while preserving a sense of orientation and limiting optical flow. |
| US07667695B2 |
Image display apparatus and information display apparatus
In a display panel adopting the structure that conductive members surrounding a potential introducing terminal are disposed on both sides of a substrate, the potential introducing terminal is applied with a potential higher than those applied to the conductive members and a discharge suppressing mechanism is provided between the potential introducing terminal and at least the conductive member mounted on the surface of the substrate constituting an outer surface of the display panel. |
| US07667689B2 |
Mouse device with mechanism to switch mode for roller operation
A mouse device includes a mouse main body, a roller, a rolling shaft and a switching mechanism. The roller is disposed within the mouse main body and partially protruded from the mouse main body. The rolling shaft is sheathed by the roller and has plural saw-toothed structures on the periphery thereof. The witching mechanism includes a metallic piece stand a first resilient element, a metallic piece, an indentation, a push rod and a fixing hook. By means of the switching mechanism, the mouse device is operated in a clicking-feel-imparting mode or a clicking-feel-lacking mode. |
| US07667685B2 |
Operations panel and image forming apparatus
An operations panel is disclosed that comprises plural operations blocks attached to a main body of an electronic apparatus; a selection information output unit that outputs a selection information item indicating a selection item selected in the operations block; a display operations block that is removably attachable to the main body, including a display unit that shows display selection items used for selecting operational functions, a selection detecting unit that detects the selected display selection item, and a display control unit that causes the display unit to show the selection items corresponding to the operations blocks together with the display selection item when the display operations block is removed from the main body; and a selection information retrieving unit that retrieves, as the selection information item, a selection result detected by the selection detecting unit of the display operations block removed from the main body. |
| US07667683B2 |
Light source driving module and circuit
A light source driving circuit includes a voltage signal source and a temperature-improving current source for adjusting luminance of a series of LEDs. A first end of the series of LEDs is electrically connected to a ground end. The temperature-improving current source includes an adjustable power supply for outputting an adjustable voltage, a voltage-controlled current source for outputting currents according to the voltage signal source, and a feedback circuit electrically connected between a second end of the series of the LEDs and the adjustable power supply for controlling the output voltage of the adjustable power supply according to the voltage on the second end of the series of LEDs. |
| US07667681B2 |
Electro-optical device having exterior circuit connection terminal
An electro-optical device has data lines and scanning lines, TFTs, pixel electrodes, and storage capacitors having capacitor electrodes connected to the TFTs and the pixel electrodes, and the like. In an image display region, a capacitor wire is formed to be connected to or to extend to the capacitor electrodes, and the capacitor wire also extends to exterior circuit connection terminals provided in a peripheral region. By appropriately supplying a predetermined potential to the capacitor electrodes of the storage capacitors, generation of problems, such as a cross-talk on an image or the like, can be suppressed as much as possible, thereby displaying a high quality image. |
| US07667680B2 |
Liquid crystal display and driving method thereof
Disclosed is an LCD and driving method thereof. The present invention comprises a data gray signal modifier for receiving gray signals from a data gray signal source, and outputting modification gray signals by consideration of gray signals of present and previous frames; a data driver for changing the modification gray signals into corresponding data voltages and outputting image signals; a gate driver for sequentially supplying scanning signals; and an LCD panel comprising a plurality of gate lines for transmitting the scanning signals; a plurality of data lines, being insulated from the gate lines and crossing them, for transmitting the image signals; and a plurality of pixels, formed by an area surrounded by the gate lines and data lines and arranged as a matrix pattern, having switching elements connected to the gate lines and data lines. |
| US07667679B2 |
Liquid crystal display, method for determining gray level in dynamic capacitance compensation on LCD, and method for correcting gamma of LCD
A liquid crystal display, a method for determining a dynamic capacitance compensation (DCC) gray level, and a method for correcting a gamma value of the liquid crystal display are provided. The liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal panel, a gate driver, a data driver, a gray scale voltage provider, and a DCC gray level provider consisting of a DCC gray scale voltage generator and a DCC processor. |
| US07667678B2 |
Recursive feedback control of light modulating elements
In one embodiment, the present invention, one or more light modulating elements are controlled by a method comprising the following steps: controlling at least one pulse width using recursive feedback; and driving an electrode means using the pulse width to thereby control a light modulating element of an array of light modulating elements. In other embodiments, the present invention provides a method and system for determining a pulse wave form for each line of a two-dimensional array of drive bits using a recursive feedback process, wherein each drive bit in the array of drive bits is in an initialized state; and for turning all of the drive bits to an off state to thereby produce a blanking interval between fields for an image, wherein control of each of the pulse wave forms is staggered in time. |
| US07667677B2 |
Liquid crystal module
A liquid crystal module for flat panel display comprising a glass substrate, a plurality of source drivers, a control board, and at least one bus. The source drivers coupled to the glass substrate utilize the chip on glass (COG) technology. The control board receives a plurality of data signals, a power signal and a gamma correction signal. The at least one bus coupled to the control board and at least one source driver, passes the data signals, the power signal and the gamma correction signal. The source drivers couple to the control board via the bus, each receiving a corresponding data signal. The data signals, conforming to transistor-transistor logic (TTL) standard, are transmitted sequentially on the bus. |
| US07667674B2 |
Organic electroluminescent light emitting display device
In an organic electroluminescent light emitting display device comprising a plurality of pixels each of which includes an organic electroluminescent element emitting light by a current supplied thereto, a plurality of active elements including a first active element which acquires a data signal and a second active element which regulates the current supplied to the organic electroluminescent element in accordance with the data signal, and a capacitive element storing the data signal, the present invention utilizes a part of the capacitive element arranged in one of the pixels for a light shielding member which shields the plurality of active elements arranged the one of the pixels from light emitted by the organic electroluminescent element arranged therein or another pixel adjacent thereto so as to suppress image quality deterioration and smear appearing in an image display area of the organic electroluminescent light emitting display device. |
| US07667666B2 |
Wideband dielectric resonator antenna
An antenna comprises a substrate, a feed conductor, a ground layer, a resonator and a short-circuited element. The substrate comprises a first surface and a second surface. The feed conductor is formed on the first surface. The ground layer is formed on the second surface, comprising an aperture. The resonator is disposed on the ground layer, comprising a body and a notch, the notch is formed on a first side of the body, wherein the first side is perpendicular to the ground layer. The short-circuited element is disposed on the first side connecting the ground layer. |
| US07667658B2 |
Antenna and RFID tag with same mounted
A tag antenna which, within a limited area, resonates with an RFID LSI chip having a capacitance component, and an RFID tag on which such a tag antenna is mounted, and which has an antenna and an LSI chip connected in parallel to the antenna are disclosed; the antenna has a feed terminal connected to the LSI chip, a loop antenna connected to the feed terminal, and a bypass conducting path which bypasses the loop of the loop antenna. |
| US07667656B2 |
Pre-alignment outside an antenna measurement range
A method is disclosed for optically pre-aligning and referencing an antenna set-up outside an antenna measurement range. The pre-alignment is performed in an integration room close to the antenna measurement range in order to avoid unnecessary occupation of the measurement range. The method teaches a technique using generally a pair of high accuracy theodolites (T1, T2) to by means of a room mirror reference (RM) and an antenna mirror-cube transfer a difference between the co-ordinate system of an integration tower (INT) used and the measurement range antenna tower. |
| US07667654B2 |
Portable terminal having antenna apparatus
A wireless communication device comprising a substrate, an antenna unit mounted on the substrate, and multiple conductive pads at one or more periphery regions of the substrate, one conductive pad among the multiple conductive pads being connected with and providing impedance matching to the antenna unit. |
| US07667653B2 |
Antenna unit comprising first and second antenna patterns
An antenna unit includes a board having first and second surfaces opposite to each other, a first antenna pattern, formed on the first surface of the board, for transmitting and receiving a first radio wave having a first frequency band, and a second antenna pattern, formed on the second surface of the board, for transmitting and receiving a second radio wave having a second frequency band different from the first frequency band. The first antenna pattern and the second antenna pattern are disposed so as to be opposed to each other through the board with they electrically disconnected. |
| US07667652B2 |
RFID antenna system
A multi-protocol, multi-band array antenna system may be used in Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system reader and sensory networks. The antenna array may include array elements with an integrated low noise amplifier. The system may employ digital beam forming techniques for transmission and steering of a beam to a specific sensor tag or group of tags in an cell. The receive beam forming network is optimized for detecting signals from each sensor tag. Narrow and wideband interferences may be excised by an interference nulling algorithm. Space division multiplexing may be used by the antenna system to enhance system processing capacity. |
| US07667649B2 |
Detection of time of arrival of CDMA signals in a wireless location system
In a Wireless Location System (WLS) deployed in connection with a CDMA-based wireless communications system, Location Measurement Units are used to collect multi-path corrupted radio signaling for use in time difference of arrival (TDOA) and hybrid positioning methods. Signal processing techniques are used to enhance the WLS's ability to determine the minimally time-delayed multi-path component and thus increase the accuracy of the TDOA location in CDMA-based wireless communications systems. The signal processing includes a filtering technique for reducing the leading sidelobes of the cross-correlation function as well as a leading edge discovery procedure. |
| US07667648B2 |
Facilitating mobile station location using a ground-based cellular network
Communications facilitate locating a mobile station (22) using the radio frequency spectrum typically used for cellular communications. A first locating signal is communicated between a base station transceiver (30, 32) and a mobile station (22) and includes information regarding the location of the signal source. A plurality of second locating signals are communicated between a corresponding plurality of ranging beacon devices (40, 42, 44) and a mobile station (22) and each includes information regarding the location of the ranging beacon devices (40, 42, 44). The first and second signals allow for determining the location of the mobile station (22). In a disclosed example, the first and second signals are simultaneously transmitted by the base station (30, 32) and the plurality of ranging beacon devices (40, 42, 44), respectively. |
| US07667641B1 |
Portable navigational device with a remote control, an internal memory, and internal heating element
A navigation system (10) comprising a portable navigational device (12) and a remote control for remotely controlling the navigational device (12) is provided in a first preferred embodiment. The navigational device (12) is sized and configured to mount on a dashboard or in an overhead console of a vehicle. A second preferred embodiment provides a navigational device (212) substantially similar to the navigational device (12) of the first preferred embodiment and further including an internal hard drive (84) and a heating element (86) associated with the hard drive (84) and operable to warm the hard drive (84) for facilitating operating performance of the hard drive (84) in cold temperatures. A third preferred embodiment provides a navigation system (310) including a navigational device (312) substantially similar to the navigational device (212) of the second preferred embodiment and a remote control (314) substantially similar to the remote control (14) of the first preferred embodiment. |
| US07667639B2 |
Passive channel calibration method based on non-linear antenna array
Taught herein is a passive channel calibration method wherein a non-linear antenna array sets an antenna array to a non-linear formation that contains at least a combination of translation invariant dual array-element couples, detects single-azimuth ocean echoes via combinations of translation invariant dual array-element couples, estimates channel amplitude mismatch coefficients via the single-azimuth ocean echoes to implement amplitude calibration, and estimates channel phase mismatch coefficients via the single-azimuth ocean echoes after amplitude calibration and the known array position information to implement phase calibration. |
| US07667634B2 |
Active RF decoy simulation apparatus
RF decoy anti-missile testing in a virtual environment through simulating the aviation of a missile, the reflected signal of a target, and an active RF decoy by use of a target motion simulator which implements the moving trajectory of the RF decoy. The RF decoy radiates a reflected signal of the target and also a deception signal through use of a microwave device that transfers the detected signal from the missile and amplifies the received signal so that a repeated delay signal of the RE decoy greater than that of the reflected signal of the target is radiated by the target motion simulator, thereby testing the deceit performance of the decoy. |
| US07667633B2 |
Time-to-digital converter with high resolution and wide measurement range
A time-to-digital converter includes low and high resolution time-to-digital converters for providing both high resolution and wide measurement range. The low resolution time-to-digital converter measures a time difference between first and second signals with a first quantization step. The high resolution time-to-digital converter measures the time difference between the first and second signals with a second quantization step that is smaller than the first quantization step. The low resolution time-to-digital converter has a wider measurement range than the high resolution time-to-digital converter. |
| US07667630B2 |
Information compression-encoding device, its decoding device, method thereof, program thereof, and recording medium storing the program
The present invention aims to improve the compression ratio of an encoding method using a dictionary for such as LZ77, LZ78 or LZW for a sample string of an audio signal or an image signal. According to the present invention, the samples are aligned from the MSB side (73), and for an NC-th (NC is the character size, for example, eight bits) character C1(i), the samples are partitioned by starting from the MSB side, and a partitioned portion less than NC is added with dummy bits “0” until the size reaches NC to form a character (74). In this processing, lower bits in the samples can be ignored, mask data M1(i) is created in which digits in the ignorable bit and dummy bits for each C1(i) are set to “0” and effective bits (digits) are set to “1” (75), C1(i) is compared with each character D(j) in a character string for an index j in the dictionary using M1(i) to check whether or not there are matches for effective digits portions in C1(i). If there are matches, C1(i) is considered to match D(j). |
| US07667627B2 |
Memory code generator
The invention provides a memory code generator. In one embodiment, the memory code generator comprises a code memory, a preparation buffer set, and a correlation buffer set. The code memory stores code data. The preparation buffer set retrieves a first code segment of the code data from the code memory, and shifts the first code segment to obtain a second code segment with a desired code phase required by the correlation buffer set. The correlation buffer set loads the second code segment from the preparation buffer set, and provides a correlation code for correlation according to the second code segment. The preparation buffer set prepares the second code segment corresponding to a subsequent correlation when the correlation buffer set is providing the correlation code for a current correlation according to the first code segment. |
| US07667626B1 |
Enumerative DC-RLL constrained coding
Systems and methods are provided for encoding and decoding constrained codes using an enumerative coding graph. The constrained code may contain run-length and DC level limits. The enumerative coding graph contains a series of states and each state has two branches that lead to other states. Each state in the enumerative coding graph is assigned a cardinality. Configuring the structure of the graph and the cardinalities associated with each state allow the encoder to generate a code that conforms to defined constraints. |
| US07667622B2 |
Marine vessel monitoring system
The marine vessel monitoring system of the present invention enables marine vessel owners to monitor their vessels when they are unable or unavailable to personally do so. The system of the present invention provides an efficient method for inspecting and repairing a designated marine vessel at periodic intervals and for reporting the results of such inspections and repairs to the vessel's owner in a timely manner for the owner's review and consideration. |
| US07667618B2 |
System and method for tracking and billing vehicle users based on when and in which road lanes their vehicles have been driven
A system includes one or more transponders, a number of sensors, a tracking sub-system, and a billing sub-system. Each transponder is located in a vehicle capable of being driven on a road having at least a first lane and a second lane in which vehicles move in a same direction. Each sensor is movably located at a point along the road to detect the transponder of each vehicle that has changed between the first and the second lanes at the point. The tracking system is communicatively coupled to the sensors to track when and at which of the points the vehicles have changed between the first and the second lanes. The billing system is to periodically bill users of the vehicles based on when and where the vehicles are driven in the second lane of the road. |
| US07667617B2 |
Interactive bulletin board system and method
A messaging board and a traffic light apparatus comprising a primary traffic panel including a first matrix of multicolored LEDs for directing motor traffic by displaying a plurality of images; a message panel including a second matrix of multicolored LEDs for displaying information unrelated to the directing of traffic; and a personal device interface providing two-way communication of information between the traffic light apparatus and at least one local user with a personal portable electronic device is disclosed. The messaging board is capable of being used as a communications station, as well as an information terminal and/or point-of-sales station. |
| US07667610B2 |
Producing an indication of solar panel condition based on age and actual power output
A method and apparatus for producing an indication of solar panel condition is disclosed. The method involves receiving operating condition signals including an irradiance signal representing electromagnetic radiation received by the solar panel, and an age signal representing age of the solar panel. The method also involves receiving a power signal representing actual power output from the solar panel and producing a power estimate in response to the operating condition signals and irradiance and age adjustment factors. The power estimate represents an expected power output from the solar panel and the adjustment factors are for adjusting the irradiance signal and the age signal respectively. The method further involves causing a warning signal to be generated in response to a difference between the power signal and the power estimate. |
| US07667601B2 |
Apparatus for secure display, interactive delivery of product information and charging of battery-operated hand held electronic devices
Security apparatus is provided for the display of battery operated hand-held electronic devices. It includes a electronic recoiler device that combines the function of tethering the displayed devices while at the same time providing the power required by each of the displayed devices by means of a continuous electrical connection from a power supply to each displayed device. It also provides wire and wireless alarm functions, as well as visual perpetrator identification. The apparatus also provides specific product information and comparative product information to the potential customer by visual and audible means. |
| US07667595B2 |
Security system using sequence signal
There is provided an inexpensive and easy-to-use security system whose setting can be changed freely by a user using a target to be managed by the security system and whose presence is not easily perceived by an intruder.The security system comprises security targets and a management system which manages the security targets. The security target comprises a plurality of activation switches which generate activation signals and a plurality of partial signal generating sections that generate partial signals which can constitute a predetermined sequence signal upon receipt of activation signals generated from the activation switches, in accordance with predetermined relationships with these activation switches. The management system compares partial signals generated from the partial signal generating sections with predetermined sequence information and gives an alarm when they do not match each other. The relationships between the activation switches and the partial signal generating sections can be changed freely by a user of the security target. |
| US07667591B2 |
Interrogating RFID transponders during rotation of palletized items, systems and methods
The invention involves reading RFID transponders affixed to items by rotating the items as they are exposed to an RFID reader as may be incorporated in a normal processing, manufacturing or shipping process such as wrapping items in a protective membrane using a system that includes a commercially-available pallet wrapper adapted to be controlled by computer, and with an RFID transponder reading device mounted to the carriage device of the pallet wrapper. The computer interfaces with a programmable logic controller that controls the pallet wrapper and the RFID reader. The computer causes a predetermined number of wraps of the shipping membrane to be wrapped around a portion of items and the pallet to secure the items to the pallet. The RFID tags on the items on the pallet are read as the items rotate near the fixed RFID reader that is mounted to a carriage holding the shipping membrane. |
| US07667588B2 |
Cage telemetry module and system
A remote sensor assembly includes a silicon substrate, a plurality of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensors supported on the silicon substrate, a wireless communication circuit supported on the silicon substrate, and a processing device supported on the silicon substrate. The processing device is operable to obtain measurement values from at least one of plurality of MEMS sensors, perform a first filtering operation on the measurement values, and determine whether to cause the communication circuit to transmit a signal to an external device based on the first filtering operation. |
| US07667587B2 |
Data communications apparatus, data communications system and data communications method
A data communications apparatus for communicating with another apparatus is disclosed. The data communications apparatus includes: a physical amount detection unit configured to detect changes of a first physical amount caused by contact with the another apparatus; a physical amount receiving unit configured to receive a signal including change information of a second physical amount of the another apparatus detected in the another apparatus when the first physical amount detected by the physical amount detection unit exceeds a predetermined value; a physical amount comparing unit configured to compare the changes of the first physical amount with the changes of the second physical amount to determine presence or absence of similarity; and a communication establishment unit configured to establish a communication with the another apparatus when the physical amount comparing unit determines that there is a similarity between the changes of the first physical amount and the changes of the second physical amount. |
| US07667580B2 |
Vehicle start inhibition system using a cell phone and position detection
A vehicle moves to and remains in an out-of-cellular coverage area for a long time period. As long as the vehicle is located within a specified range from a reference point, a time measuring unit does not start time count for forcibly operating an immobiliser provided in the vehicle. |
| US07667575B2 |
Location virtualization in an RFID system
A system and method of determining locations of one or more RFID tags within an RFID environment. The system includes a plurality of RFID readers, each operative to transmit and receive RF signals for scanning a tag disposed within an RF coverage region associated with the reader, and for receiving tag data in response to the scanning of the tag. A plurality of sub-locations is determined within the environment, each corresponding to at least a portion of at least one of a plurality of RF coverage regions associated with the readers. The sub-locations are mapped to a plurality of predefined locations within the environment. A reader scans a tag, and receives tag scan data from the tag in response to the scanning of the tag. The tag scan data includes a tag identifier associated with the scanned tag. The tag scan data is mapped to the sub-locations based on the RF coverage region associated with the reader. The location of the scanned tag is then determined with reference to the predefined locations within the environment, based on the tag identifier included in the tag scan data, the mapping of the tag scan data to the sub-locations, and the mapping of the sub-locations to the predefined locations. |
| US07667571B2 |
Locking system, in particular for a motor vehicle
A locking system for providing authorization to access and drive a motor vehicle has a first control device for unlocking and locking the car doors, the ignition lock, the steering wheel lock, etc. Additionally, the locking system has a second device, which is an electronic key or an identifier. The two devices have transmission means and/or receiving means for electromagnetic signals with frequencies ν lying in a frequency band between two cut-off frequencies νa, νb. At least one of the signals, transmitted between the devices, is a coded operating signal for authenticating the second device. The actual frequency νi with which the transmission means of the second device is operated is stored in a storage means of the first device. |
| US07667570B1 |
Nanostructured combination key-lock
A lock and key mechanism comprising a sensor detecting friction between first and second nanostructured surfaces and a controller receiving output from the sensor and comparing same to stored values. Also a method for activating or deactivating a lock comprising providing a first nanostructured surface, causing a second nanostructured surface to frictionally interact with the first nanostructured surface, sensing the interaction with a sensor, the sensor producing an output signal, and via a controller comparing the sensor output signal to a reference signal. |
| US07667569B2 |
Chip resistor, and its manufacturing method
A chip resistor includes: a pair of upper surface electrodes formed at opposing side portions of a rectangular substrate as opposed to each other with respect to a center line of the rectangular substrate extending in a direction connecting the side portions; a resistive element formed on the rectangular substrate to be electrically connected with the upper surface electrode pair; and a pair of end surface electrodes formed on end surfaces of the opposing side portions of the rectangular substrate and electrically connected with the upper surface electrode pair. The chip resistor further includes dummy electrodes formed individually at the opposing side portions of the rectangular substrate at positions corresponding to the upper surface electrode pair in the direction connecting the side portions. |
| US07667568B2 |
Chip resistor and manufacturing method thereof
A chip resistor (A1) includes a chip-like resistor element (1), two electrodes (31) spaced from each other on the bottom surface (1a) of the resistor element, and an insulation film (21) between the two electrodes. Each electrode (31) has an overlapping portion (31c) which overlaps the insulation film (21) as viewed in the vertical direction. |
| US07667563B2 |
Transformer
The present invention relates in general to the field of interface technology. Electronic components, such as modular converters for measurement control and regulation technology, in particular isolation amplifiers, are known from interface technology. Such isolation amplifiers can be used for galvanic separation, conversion, amplification and filtering of standard, normal signals and for matching analog signals. These isolation amplifiers are galvanically separated from one another in the input, output and supply circuits. According to the invention, a separate component of a transformer is integrated for separation into a circuit board of an isolation amplifier with the aid of SMD mounting technology, wherein the transformer contains a combination of inductive components, consisting of a magnetic core and a winding, and a substrate which contains internal printed conductors that form planar short-circuit windings. |
| US07667561B2 |
Starter having minimized electromagnetic switch
A starter includes a motor and an electromagnetic switch disposed close to and radially outward of the motor. The switch includes a contacts cover, a terminal bolt, and a conductive metal member. The contacts cover is cup-shaped. The terminal bolt is secured in the contacts cover so as to extend in the axial direction of the motor through an end wall of the contacts cover. The metal member has a first and a second end portion. The first end portion is inserted in the contacts cover through a side wall of the contacts cover. The second end portion is located outside the contacts cover and electrically connected to the motor. The switch further includes a movable contact, a first fixed contact that is electrically connected to a power source via the terminal bolt, and a second fixed contact made up of the first end portion of the metal member. |
| US07667554B2 |
Pre-emphasis adjustment method
A pulse train having a specific amplitude is transmitted from a transmitting circuit, and the amplitude at the receiving end is measured by a comparator. A coarse adjustment control unit determines a coarse adjustment value of the pre-emphasis intensity based on the measured amplitude. The pre-emphasis intensity is changed within the course pre-emphasis range, and the maximum receivable time width of a test signal is obtained by a reception judging unit 13 by using a fine adjustment stage. |
| US07667553B2 |
Frequency modulator using PLL
In a frequency modulator, a VCO oscillates at a frequency according to a voltage applied to an input terminal. A divider divides an output signal of the VCO. A phase comparator compares the output of the divider with a reference clock signal and outputs a voltage corresponding to a phase difference. A loop filter is provided on a path leading from an output terminal of the phase comparator to the input terminal of the VCO, and the loop filter removes a high-frequency component of an output voltage of the phase comparator. A terminal for inputting a modulation signal is provided in the loop filter, separately from a terminal connected with the path leading from the output terminal of the phase comparator to the input terminal of the VCO. |
| US07667552B2 |
Discrete dithered frequency pulse width modulation
A system is described for generating a discrete noise-shaped variable switching frequency signal that may be used to define a digital pulse width modulation (“PWM”) period. The system may define a switching frequency waveform that may be used to generate a current switching frequency signal as a function of a system clock. The system may quantize the current switching frequency signal to generate a discrete switching frequency signal that is realizable with the system clock. The system may detect quantization noise and input the noise into the current switching frequency signal to eliminate or reduce discrete tones at the switching frequencies of a PWM signal spectrum. |
| US07667545B2 |
Automatic calibration lock loop circuit and method having improved lock time
A lock loop circuit (216) includes a precharge circuit (304), an oscillator circuit (306), and a calibration circuit (309). The calibration circuit includes at least one register (362). The precharge circuit provides a precharge signal (347). The oscillator circuit provides an output frequency signal (228) in response to a steering signal (334) that is based on the precharge signal. The calibration circuit, prior to the lock loop circuit entering a disabled mode of operation, determines a calibration value (368) for the precharge circuit based on the precharge signal and the steering signal. The calibration circuit stores the calibration value as a digital calibration value (370) in the register. |
| US07667543B2 |
Power supply device for driving an amplifier
A power supply device for driving first and second amplifiers includes a first power generator, a second power generator, a charge pump and a control unit. The first power generator provides a first voltage for first power reception ends of the first and second amplifiers. The second power generator provides a second voltage. The charge pump is coupled between the second power generator and a second power reception end of the first amplifier and between the second power generator and a second power reception end of the second amplifier, and is used for generating a third voltage for the first and second amplifiers according to the second voltage. The control unit is coupled to the second power generator and is used for controlling the second power generator, so as to adjust the second voltage to make the third voltage equal to a multiple of the first voltage. |
| US07667541B2 |
Amplifier circuit and wireless communication device
An amplifier circuit has a current conversion circuit that receives a high frequency signal and produces a signal current according to the high frequency signal; a gain control circuit that includes a control signal input for receiving a control signal, a first output, and a second output, and produces the signal current from the first output or the second output according to the control signal; an impedance circuit that includes a first node connected to the first output, a second node connected to the second output, and a third node, the impedance circuit presenting a predetermined impedance between the nodes; a switch circuit that is inserted between the first output and the first node; and a load impedance unit that is connected to the first output and produces a gain signal representing an amplified high frequency signal. |
| US07667539B2 |
Low-voltage wide-range linear transconductor cell
An improved low-voltage, low-power, wide range, and linear Gm Cell is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of linearizing output current with an input voltage using a Gm Cell includes receiving an input differential voltage by an emitter degenerated input stage and outputting a current including a linear part and a nonlinear part at signal output terminals Iout_P and Iout_M, converting the non-linear part of the output current to a voltage difference via a compression stage, converting the voltage difference to a linear output current by a linear voltage to current converter stage, outputting the linear output current using a current mirror output stage to the signal output terminals Iout_P and Iout_M, and summing the output currents of the emitter degenerated input stage and the current mirror output stage at the signal output terminals Iout_P and Iout_M to obtain a linear output current with the input differential voltage. |
| US07667536B2 |
Offset fixing operational amplifier circuit
In an offset fixing operational amplifier circuit, an operational amplifier circuit includes an input stage containing a first constant current source, a second constant current source, a first differential pair and a second differential pair. A bias circuit supplies a bias voltage to the operational amplifier circuit. An offset fixing circuit controls the input stage in accordance with an input voltage of the operational amplifier circuit. |
| US07667530B2 |
Charge pump down circuit and method for the same
The present invention discloses a charge pump down circuit which comprises three capacitors operating in three time phases. In the first time phase, the total of the voltages across the three capacitors is equal to an input voltage; in the second time phase, the voltage across the second capacitor is equal to the voltage across the third capacitor; in the third time phase, the difference between the voltages across the first and the second capacitors is equal to the voltage across the third capacitor, wherein the voltage across the third capacitor is the output voltage of the charge pump down circuit. |
| US07667527B2 |
Circuit to compensate threshold voltage variation due to process variation
Structure and process for compensating threshold voltage variation due to process variation. The structure includes a circuit segmented into sub-blocks having a predetermined size corresponding to a characteristic length associated with a process variation. A local circuit is located in each circuit sub-block, and a reference signal coupled to each local circuit. The local circuit generates a compensation signal in response to the reference signal to adjust an electrical parameter of the respective sub-block to a predetermined value. |
| US07667526B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for multifunctional pin in an integrated circuit
Some embodiments of the invention include an integrated circuit having a node or pin to detect a first information during a first a detection period and to detect a second information during a second detection period. In some embodiments, the information at the pin may allow the integrated circuit to operate in a quasi-resonant operation. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US07667525B2 |
Bus switch circuit with back-gate control during power down
The bus switch with back gate control circuit includes: an NMOS transistor coupled between a first port and a second port; a PMOS transistor coupled in parallel with the NMOS transistor; a first blocking device coupled between the first port and a control node of the PMOS transistor; a second blocking device coupled between the second port and the control node of the PMOS transistor; a first pull-down device coupled to a back gate of the NMOS transistor; and a second pull-down device coupled to the back gate of the NMOS transistor, wherein the pull down device is controlled by a power supply node and the control node of the PMOS transistor. |
| US07667519B2 |
Biasing circuit for pass transistor for voltage level translator circuit
A pass transistor signal level translator between a first voltage level and a higher second voltage level having a bias circuit for the pass transistor including a first switching circuit coupled to the first voltage level for providing a bias voltage that is less than the first voltage level. A second switching circuit is coupled to the second voltage level for providing a pulse at substantially the second voltage to the bias voltage. A voltage clamping circuit is coupled between the bias voltage and a reference voltage. |
| US07667518B2 |
Method and apparatus for robust mode selection with low power consumption
A low power method and apparatus for selecting operational modes of a circuit. One circuit according to the teachings of the disclosed method and apparatus includes a first current limiting circuit coupled between a selector terminal and a first voltage bus. The first current limiting circuit is adapted to vary a current limit out of the selector terminal in response to a voltage on the selector terminal. The circuit also includes a second current limiting circuit coupled between the selector terminal and a second voltage bus. The second current limiting circuit adapted to vary a current limit into the selector terminal in response to the voltage on the selector terminal. |
| US07667515B1 |
Time delay apparatus and method of using same
Disclosed is a time delay generator 200 apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a time delay gate 212, a mixer 216 (a Gilbert cell circuit), and a current digital to analog converter 206. The mixer 216, comprised of first and second transistor differential pairs 218 and 220, receives an analog input signal 202 without a delay as well as a delayed input signal 210 produced by the time gate delay. The digital to analog converter regulates the relative current flow between a first control signal 232 and a second control signal 238, effectively altering the mixing of the undelayed input signal 208 and the delayed input signal 210 to generate a delayed output signal 214 with a time or phase delay substantially equal to the temporal delay represented by the digital signal input 204. The time delay generator exhibits reduced phase noise and a linear time delay response. |
| US07667514B2 |
Delay circuit and electronic device including delay circuit
A delay circuit includes: a current control circuit which has n (n is 1 or larger natural number) control pins and a first output line, and is capable of controlling current outputted from the first output line in response to n control signals inputted to the corresponding n control pins; a current mirror circuit connected with the first output line to produce current mirror current from the current and output the current mirror current from a second output line; a first active element having a gate pin and an input pin, the gate pin is connected with the second output line, and the input pin is connected with the first voltage line; a second active element having a gate pin and an input pin, the gate pin is connected with the first output line, and the input pin is connected with the second voltage line; and an inverter circuit having third and fourth active elements connected in series between an output pin of the first active element and an output pin of the second active element. |
| US07667512B2 |
Duty cycle comparator
A duty cycle comparator is described for comparing the duty cycles of two digital signals. The duty cycle comparator comprises a first controllable current source, a second controllable current source and a charge accumulation device. The comparator provides an output signal that is representative of the difference between the duty cycles independent of the frequency of the two digital signals. |
| US07667506B2 |
Customizable power-on reset circuit based on critical circuit counterparts
A power-on-reset circuit (POR) for integrated circuits that detects the minimum power levels needed to operate the most critical circuit(s) reliably. The circuit is implemented in a customized POR built into a custom IC, and emulates the critical circuit transistors in the custom IC using mimicking counterparts which are similarly affected by changes in temperature and process variations as the main circuit components. The mimicking counterparts may have smaller dimensions, to draw less current but still emulate the characteristics of the main working circuit components. Each critical sub-circuit of the main circuit may have a mimicking POR, and the multiple PORs may have their outputs combined by logic so that subtle failure modes can be modeled in the POR. The POR allows operation of the main circuit to continue at the lowest possible voltage levels while reducing the risk of unexpected results or undetected non-catastrophic failures. The POR also implements safety margins for the operation of the main circuit and tracks process sensitivity. |
| US07667505B2 |
Quadrature divide-by-three frequency divider and low voltage muller C element
A low voltage, low power, wideband quadrature divide-by-three frequency divider using a wideband low voltage, low power differential Muller C element with multiple inputs operates on quadrature input and quadrature output signals. This frequency divider can be used in frequency synthesizers and as quadrature local oscillator generator. |
| US07667500B1 |
Glitch-suppressor circuits and methods
Circuits and methods of suppressing signal glitches in an integrated circuit (IC). A glitch on a signal entering a clock buffer, for example, is prevented from propagating through the clock buffer. In some embodiments, a latch is added to an input clock path that detects a transition on the input signal, and then ignores any subsequent transitions for a time delta that is determined by a delay circuit. In some embodiments, a multiplexer circuit is used to select between the input clock signal and the output clock signal, with changes on the input clock signal not being passed through the multiplexer circuit unless the time delta has already elapsed. In some embodiments, the delay is programmable, pin-selectable, or self-adapting. |
| US07667499B2 |
MuGFET circuit for increasing output resistance
In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a MuGFET device coupled to a reference source, the MuGFET device configured to receive an input signal at a gate thereof; and Also includes a further MuGFET device coupled between the MuGFET device and a first terminal of a load, a second terminal of the load coupled to a further reference source, the further MuGFET device configured to receive a further input signal at a gate thereof, and wherein the MuGFET device and the further MuGFET device are disposed above a substrate and configured to provide an output signal at the first terminal of the load. |
| US07667497B2 |
Process variation tolerant circuit with voltage interpolation and variable latency
A circuit having dynamically controllable power. The circuit comprises a plurality of pipelined stages, each of the pipelined stages comprising two clocking domains, a plurality of switching circuits, each switching circuit being connected to one of the pipelined stages, first and second power sources connected to each of the plurality of pipelined stages through the switching circuits, the first power source supplying a first voltage and the second power source supplying a second voltage, wherein the first and second power sources each may be applied to a pipelined stage independently of other pipelined stages, first and second complementary clocks, and a plurality of latches connected to the first and second complementary clocks and to the plurality of pipelined stages for proving latch-based clocking to control the first and second clocking domains and to enable time-borrowing across the plurality of switching circuits. The first voltage differs from the second voltage and the plurality of pipelined stages interpolates between the first and second voltages to provide differing effective voltages between the first and second voltages. |
| US07667490B2 |
Voltage shifter circuit
The present invention provides a voltage shifter circuit, in which a control circuit is used to control the pull-up circuit, so that the pull-up circuit is kept as off when the signal from the input signal source changes from a low voltage to a high voltage. Hence, the competition between the pull-up circuit and the pull-down circuit is avoided. The speed of the voltage shifter circuit is improved and the voltage shifter circuit can operate within a wider voltage range. The delay time of the pull-up circuit and the pull-down circuit is small and the duty cycle is small. In addition, since no direct current path is established, no current is wasted. Additionally, the voltage shifter circuit uses the second delayer to compensate the delay time between the pull-up circuit and the pull-down circuit and optimizes the duty cycle. |
| US07667484B2 |
Semiconductor device reducing power consumption in standby mode
A voltage supply control circuit is arranged between a true ground voltage and a pseudo ground line. In an active mode, first and second control signals are at the “H” and “L” levels, respectively. In response to this, a first switch is turned on so that a first node is electrically coupled to a power supply voltage, and attains the “H” level. Further, a second switch is turned on to couple electrically the ground voltage to a second node. In a standby mode, the first and second control signals are at the “L” and “H” levels, respectively. In response to this, a third switch is turned on to couple electrically the first and second nodes together. Since the power supply voltage was electrically coupled to the first node according to the turn-on of the first switch in the active mode, the path of the control signal including the first node to the switch has accumulated charged charges. |
| US07667479B2 |
Apparatus for testing concentration-type solar cells
There is disclosed an apparatus for testing concentration-type solar cells. The apparatus includes a light source for emitting light, a focusing unit for focusing the light emitted from the light source and turning the same into a light beam, a testing unit for testing any one of solar cells of a wafer; and a wafer-positioning unit for moving the wafer horizontally and vertically, thus brining a targeted one of the solar cells into contact with the testing unit. |
| US07667478B2 |
System and method for measuring negative bias thermal instability with a ring oscillator
An integrated circuit, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, includes a first device under test (DUT), a first ring oscillator, a second DUT and a second ring oscillator. The first DUT is biased such that interface traps are generated during a first mode. The generated interface traps result in a decrease in a first drive current of the first DUT. The second device under test is biased to maintain a reference drive current during the first mode. The operating frequency of the first ring oscillator, during a second mode, is a function of the first drive current. The operating frequency of the second ring oscillator, during the second mode, is a function of the reference drive current. The integrated circuit may also include a comparator for generating an output signal as a function of a difference between the operating frequency of the first and second ring oscillator. |
| US07667477B2 |
Circuit for detecting and measuring noise in semiconductor integrated circuit
Noise measuring circuitry of the present invention can be used to observe power supply noise waveforms, ground level noise waveforms, and a spatial distribution of noise at different positions in an integrated circuit having plural circuit blocks that perform digital signal processing, by being integrated into the integrated circuit (i.e., embedded), distributed at different positions. The distributed noise measuring circuitry can be manufactured using a CMOS process to manufacture the integrated circuit. The power supply noise measuring circuit and the ground level noise measuring circuit comprise a source follower, a select read out switch, and source-grounded amplifier. These noise measuring circuits can be configured by several (about 6) MOS transistors, so the layout for the measuring circuit can be small and can be achieved by using a logic gate circuit of the same size as that of a standard cell type logic gate circuit. As for the output of the noise measuring circuits, the output current of said source-grounded amplifier is connected to the current bus line, the outputted current is amplified and the amplified current is read by driving the external resistance load circuit. Plural noise measuring circuits can be connected parallel to the current bus line. Measuring multiple noise points in the main integrated circuit can be achieved by reading out the output current. |
| US07667475B2 |
Electronics tester with a signal distribution board and a wafer chuck having different coefficients of thermal expansion
The invention relates to a tester apparatus of the kind including a portable supporting structure for removably holding and testing a substrate carrying a microelectronic circuit. An interface on the stationary structure is connected to the first interface when the portable structure is held by the stationary structure and is disconnected from the first interface when the portable supporting structure is removed from the stationary structure. An electrical tester is connected through the interfaces so that signals may be transmitted between the electrical tester and the microelectronic circuit to test the microelectronic circuit. |
| US07667472B2 |
Probe assembly, method of producing it and electrical connecting apparatus
A probe assembly for use in electrical measurement of a device under test. The probe assembly comprises a plate-like probe base plate with bending deformation produced in a free state without load, and a plurality of probes formed on one face of the probe base plate to project from the face. All the tips of the probes are positioned on the same plane parallel to an imaginary reference plane of the probe base plate. |
| US07667471B2 |
Contact pin probe card and electronic device test apparatus using same
A contact pin (50) for contacting a terminal of a wafer and supplying a signal to that wafer is provided with a first conductive layer (51b) composed of a first conductive material having a relatively higher hardness than the oxide film formed on the terminal of the wafer, a second conductive layer (51c) composed of a second conductive material having a relatively lower hardness than the oxide film, and a base material (51a) with the first conductive layer (51b) and second conductive layer (51c) formed at the outside, the first conductive layer (51b) being formed so as to closely contact the outside of the second conductive layer (51c), the first conductive layer (51b) and second conductive layer (51c) both being exposed at the front end face (50a) of the contact pin (50). |
| US07667467B2 |
Method and system for determining antenna characterization
An antenna and its associated components are consolidated in a small measurement box, and multiple tests are competed simultaneously, with a single vector network analyzer. This can be done by treating the “Far Field” measurements (typically measured on antenna/RCS ranges) as another port of a larger passive network. After characterization of one ideal “gold” unit (or a sample set of “gold” units), the S-parameters of subsequent units are measured in the same passive test box environment. The results of these subsequent tests are compared to the results of the “gold unit's” test, and if they are repeated to within some tolerance, electrical similarity can be proven. |
| US07667463B2 |
Antenna for picking up magnetic resonance signals and provided with its own communication unit
An RF receiver antenna (1), notably for use in an magnetic resonance imaging system for picking up magnetic resonance signals comprises a resonant pick-up circuit and communication unit (2) to transmit and/or receive data and including a transmit/receive antenna integrated in the resonant pick-up circuit. |
| US07667462B2 |
Nuclear magnetic resonance module
A nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus that may be used in connection with a variety of different tools, including a down-hole side-wall coring tool as well as with manufacturing process controllers. In one embodiment, the nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus may include a magnet assembly constructed around a sample chamber. The magnet assembly is constructed and arranged to provide a non-uniform magnetic field having a known magnetic field gradient inside the sample chamber. The use of gradient fields may allow for a more flexible and robust magnet assembly design that may be suitable for a variety of different applications. |
| US07667459B2 |
Method, system and software arrangement, for measuring magnetic field correlation
Methods, systems, software arrangements and storage medium for measuring the magnetic field correlation function (“MFC”), and more particularly, to methods for measuring the magnetic field correlation function utilizing asymmetric spin echoes. Asymmetric Dual Spin Echo Sequences (“ADSE”) and Echo Planar Imaging Asymmetric Dual Spin Echo Sequences (“EPI-ADSE”) may be employed to apply multiple echoes to a sample and acquire data from which the MFC may be determined. |
| US07667454B2 |
Inspection system, inspection method, and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
The present invention provides an inspection system of ID chips that can supply a signal or power supply voltage to an ID chip without contact, and can increase throughput of an inspection process and an inspection method using the inspection system. The inspection system according to the present invention includes a plurality of inspection electrodes, a plurality of inspection antennas, a position control unit, a unit for applying voltage to each of the inspection antennas, and a unit for measuring potentials of the inspection electrodes. One feature of the inspection system is that a plurality of ID chips and the plurality of inspection electrodes are overlapped with a certain space therebetween, and the plurality of ID chips and the plurality of inspection antennas are overlapped with a certain space therebetween, and the plurality of ID chips are interposed between the plurality of inspection electrodes and the plurality of inspection antennas by the position control unit. |
| US07667453B2 |
Test tray for test handler
The present invention relates to a test tray for a test handler. According to this invention, there is disclosed a technique that an insert loaded in a loading part which is arranged in a matrix pattern in a frame of the test tray allows an amount and direction of free movement thereof to be determined in accordance with a location of the loading part, where the insert is loaded, on the matrix, thereby enabling a thermal expansion or contraction of a match plate or the test tray to be compensated. |
| US07667450B2 |
Electrostatic discharge device testing system and method
There is disclosed an electrostatic discharge (ESD) device tester and a method of operating the tester. In an embodiment, the method comprises operating the tester by uniquely identifying an ESD device to be tested using identification means provided on the tester; taking at least one test measurement of the uniquely identified ESD device using testing means provided on the tester, the testing means being configurable in dependence upon data associated with the uniquely identified ESD device; and storing the at least one test measurement in a storage means provided in the tester. A running average of test measurements for the uniquely identified ESD device may be stored on the tester in order to compare a test measurement against the running average. A test is repeated if a test measurement falls outside of a predetermined range of the running average. |
| US07667449B2 |
Constant current supply circuit capable of being trimmed
To provide a constant current circuit which is capable of not only acquiring characteristics of various sorts of electric circuits even before a trimming adjustment is carried out, performing the trimming adjustment based upon the acquired characteristics, performing trimming processes to both the constant current circuit and a load collectively, and performing an adjustment of a constant current with high precision, but also capable of reducing a total number of manufacturing steps so that a production cost can be lowered, as compared with that of a conventional constant current circuit.A constant current circuit of the present invention includes: a current output portion including a first transistor for causing a reference current to flow and a second transistor for causing an output current with respect to a load to flow, the first transistor and the second transistor connected with each other through a current mirror connection; a depletion transistor connected in series with the first transistor, for adjusting the reference current through trimming; a third transistor interposed between the depletion transistor and a ground point, for controlling tuning on/off of a connection between the depletion transistor and the ground point; and a first external terminal for allowing the reference current to flow through the first transistor. |
| US07667448B2 |
Reference voltage generation circuit
A reference voltage generation circuit of the present invention includes: a band gap reference-type current generation circuit for controlling each of currents flowing through a first current path and a second current path, which are extending from a first node to a second node, to be a predetermined reference current, by utilizing a voltage difference occurring between a pair of transistors or diodes; and a resistive load circuit provided between the second node and a third node. |
| US07667447B2 |
Load adaptive power delivery
Embodiments disclosed herein include a power monitor and controller which are used to control the operation of a voltage regulator depending on an operating mode or state of a load device, such as a hard disk drive. By controlling the voltage regulator in this manner, voltage regulator efficiency may be improved for any load condition, thus reducing power losses in the system. |
| US07667444B2 |
Capacitive load driving device
An improved capacitive load driving device that provides increased signal voltage gain, over-voltage, over-current, and over-temperature protections, over-modulation prevention, output level control, minimized harmonic generation, and compensation for propagation medium distortion. The device includes driver/amplifier circuitry, protection circuitry, and an output stage. The driver/amplifier circuitry simultaneously modulates and discretizes an analog input signal by comparing it with a specified digitally-synthesized modulation waveform, which is a repeating series of approximately parabolic waveforms. The resulting PWM waveform is processed to generate a discrete low-harmonic sine wave approximation used to produce gate drive signals for the output stage. The protection circuitry monitors the device for fault conditions, and, in the event a fault condition is detected, controls startup and automatic shutdown. The output stage includes an H-bridge that drives an impedance-matching transformer feeding an inductor. When the device is used to drive a capacitive transducer, the impedance-matching transformer, the inductor, and the transducer form a series-resonant circuit for boosting the signal voltage gain, reducing power consumption, and filtering higher harmonics. |
| US07667442B2 |
Constant voltage power supply circuit and method of testing the same
A constant voltage power supply circuit is provided with a constant voltage circuit part to convert an input voltage into a predetermined constant voltage, a first excessive current protection circuit part to control the constant voltage circuit part so as to reduce the output voltage while maintaining an output current that is output to a predetermined maximum value if the output current is greater than or equal to the predetermined maximum value when the output voltage is a rated voltage, and a second excessive current protection circuit part to control the constant voltage circuit part so as to reduce the output voltage and the output current and to output a short-circuit current if the output voltage decreases to a ground voltage when the output voltage is decreased to a predetermined value by the first excessive current protection circuit part. The second excessive current protection circuit part is disabled in response to a first test signal that is active. |
| US07667441B2 |
Inductive element for a multi-phase interleaved power supply and apparatus and method using the same
An inductive element for transforming and/or regulating voltage input from a multi-phase, interleaved power supply system into an output voltage to a load is disclosed. The multi-phase, interleaved power supply system includes a plurality of pulsed power sources, each of which is adapted to provide voltage at a discrete phase. The inductive element includes a magnetic core having, for each power supply, a distinct area of relatively-high magnetic reluctance, which is surrounded by areas of relatively-low magnetic reluctance, and a pair of windings. Each of the pair of windings includes a first, phase winding that is electrically coupled to an output of one of the pulsed power source and to the load, and a second, loop winding that is operatively coupled and proximate to the first, phase winding. Each of the second, loop windings is disposed serially on a closed loop. |
| US07667440B2 |
Power-supply control
An embodiment of a power-supply controller is operable to couple a first node of a first inductor to first and second reference nodes, the first inductor composing a first phase of a power supply and having a second node coupled to an output node of the power supply. The controller is also operable to couple a first node of a second inductor to third and fourth reference nodes, the second inductor composing a second phase of the power supply and having a second node. Furthermore, the controller is operable to uncouple the second node of the second inductor from the output node of the power supply. For example, where the first and second inductors are magnetically coupled, such a controller allows the power supply to operate as an uncoupled-inductor (UI) power supply in one mode, and as a coupled-inductor (CI) power supply in another mode. |
| US07667436B2 |
Energy storage type feeder voltage compensation apparatus and method of controlling feeder voltage
An energy saving type feeder voltage compensation apparatus improved in availability at low temperatures, wherein when a electric energy storage apparatus is lower in temperature than a predetermined value, an output voltage output to a feeder side is made equal to or higher than a no-load output voltage of a substation connected in parallel. Power is supplied to a power running rolling stock preferentially from the electric energy storage apparatus. The heating value of the secondary battery is increased and the battery temperature is raised by this discharging, whereby internal resistance of the electric energy storage apparatus is lowered, and the charging and discharging loss is suppressed, and the efficiency and availability of the energy saving type feeder voltage compensation apparatus as a whole are improved. |
| US07667427B2 |
Motor control apparatus
Presence/absence of a failure in a feedback control system of a motor is monitored. When a failure is detected in the feedback control system, the motor is driven by switching to an open-loop control. During the open-loop control, the motor is rotated by sequentially switching the motor current supply phase without feeding back encoder count information. The position count is incremented or decremented every time the current supply phase is switched. When the position count has reached a target count, it is determined that the rotor has reached a target position, whereupon the open-loop control is finished. |
| US07667425B2 |
Method and device for controlling a door/gate drive
The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling an electric door drive. During a learning process determination of the course over time of the torques of the door drive for each of at least one opening process and closing process is carried out. Maximum permissible torques are derived from the ascertained torques for predetermined zones within an opening process and closing process. During operation of the door drive a comparison of the current torque with the maximum torques and a comparison of the current speeds of the door drive with predetermined target speeds are carried out. The current speed of the door drive is increased if the associated target speed is fallen below. In addition, switching-off the door drive takes place if the current torque exceeds the associated maximum torque. |
| US07667422B2 |
Fan with failure detecting function
A fan with failure detecting function includes a power input terminal, a current limiting resistor, a light emitting diode (LED), and a fan motor. The power input terminal is coupled to the anode of the LED via the current limiting resistor. The cathode of the LED is coupled to one terminal of the fan motor, another terminal of the fan motor is grounded. |
| US07667419B2 |
Motor driving apparatus, motor driving method and disk driving apparatus
A motor driving apparatus includes a virtual difference voltage detecting unit operable to detect a difference voltage between a virtual neutral point of a resistor circuit connected in parallel to motor coils and a terminal of a motor coil in non-conduction state, a rotor position detecting unit operable to detect a position of the rotor based on the difference voltage, and a controller operable to control commutation of an inverter based on the rotor position. The motor driving apparatus has a searching start mode for detecting the rotor position and energizes the coils, and a back electromotive voltage feedback mode for controlling commutation based on the back electromotive voltage. In the searching start mode, a rotor position searching process and a rotation start torque applying process are alternately performed. |
| US07667416B2 |
Electrical power supply system having two batteries for an electric motor vehicle
An electrical power supply system for an electrically powered motor vehicle, said vehicle including an electric motor, and a transmission device for transmitting energy between the drive wheels and the motor, said vehicle further including electrical accessories, in particular an air-conditioning device. Said system comprises a first rechargeable battery serving to power the electric motor and a second rechargeable battery serving to power the electrical accessories of the vehicle, the batteries being connected in parallel to the motor. The invention also relates to a method for controlling such a system. |
| US07667412B2 |
Light source driving device
A driving device for driving a light source module (12), includes an inverter circuit (15) for converting a received signal to a signal driving the light source module, a feedback and filter circuit (13) for feeding back currents flowing through the light sources and filtering radio frequency interference (RFI) signals of feedback currents, and a controller (14) electrically connected between the feedback and filter circuit and the inverter circuit. The feedback and filter circuit includes at least one filter for filtering the RFI signals of the feedback currents, and a resistor (R) for feeding back the current flowing through the light source module. The filter includes an impedance (Z11) including a first terminal designated as an input of the filter and a second terminal, and a capacitor (C11). The capacitor includes a third terminal designated as an output of the filter and a fourth terminal electrically connected to ground. |
| US07667410B2 |
Equalizing discharge lamp currents in circuits
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for balancing currents passing through multiple parallel circuit branches and in some cases through parallel fluorescent lamps. Single transformers with multiple-leg magnetic cores are wound in specific manners that simplify current balancing. Conventional three-legged EE-type magnetic cores, with disclosed windings are used to balance current in circuits with three or more parallel branches, such as parallel connected Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps (CCFLs). |
| US07667408B2 |
Lighting system with lighting dimmer output mapping
A system and method map dimming levels of a lighting dimmer to light source control signals using a predetermined lighting output function. The dimmer generates a dimmer output signal value. At any particular period of time, the dimmer output signal value represents one of multiple dimming levels. In at least one embodiment, the lighting output function maps the dimmer output signal value to a dimming value different than the dimming level represented by the dimmer output signal value. The lighting output function converts a dimmer output signal values corresponding to measured light levels to perception based light levels. A light source driver operates a light source in accordance with the predetermined lighting output function. The system and method can include a filter to modify at least a set of the dimmer output signal values prior to mapping the dimmer output signal values to a new dimming level. |
| US07667407B2 |
Odor neutralizing fluorescent sunlamp
A fluorescent tanning lamp having a glass envelope has an ultra-violet light reflecting coating covering at least 180° of an inside surface of the envelope; and a phosphor layer covering substantially 360° of the inside surface of the envelope, including overlying the ultra-violet reflecting coating. An odor reducing photocatalytic material is provided on an outside surface of the envelope, the photocatalytic material being coextensive with the ultra-violet light reflecting material. A preferred material is anatase TiO2; i.e., the crystalline form. |
| US07667404B2 |
Plasma display apparatus
A plasma display apparatus is provided. Polygonal discharge cells are arranged in delta. Extension parts are extended from pairs of sustain electrodes that apply a voltage to the discharge cells to discharge spaces to face each other. Since the extension parts have at least one depressed parts, the efficiency of sustain discharge improves due to a long gap. Since the width of data electrodes formed under the discharge cells is large in the discharge spaces, a distance between the effective side surfaces of the pairs of sustain electrodes and the data electrodes is reduced so that the efficiency of address discharge improves. |
| US07667402B2 |
Plasma display panel and method of fabricating the same
A plasma display panel that includes a front substrate, a rear substrate positioned in parallel to the front substrate, a plurality of address electrodes between the front and rear substrates, a plurality of display electrodes positioned perpendicularly to the plurality of address electrodes, and a plurality of barrier ribs between the front and rear substrates, the barrier ribs defining a plurality of discharge cells, and wherein each barrier rib includes at least one longitudinal portion positioned at an obtuse angle with respect to the rear substrate. |
| US07667395B2 |
Light emitting device, method of manufacturing light emitting device, and electronic apparatus
A light emitting device includes on a base member: a plurality of first electrodes; a barrier wall having a plurality of opening portions corresponding to the plurality of first electrodes; organic functional layers disposed in the opening portions; a second electrode covering the barrier wall and the organic functional layers; an organic buffer layer covering the second electrode; a gas barrier layer disposed to cover patterns of the organic buffer layer and surroundings thereof; and an outside reinforcing layer disposed to cover the outer circumferential region of the organic buffer layer. |
| US07667394B2 |
Display apparatus
Provided is a display apparatus that improves luminous efficiency and reduces a driving voltage. The display apparatus includes: a first electrode and a second electrode separated from each other; an electron accelerating layer interposed between the first and second electrodes and accelerating and emitting electrons when a voltage is applied between the first and second electrodes; and a light emitting layer interposed between the second electrode and the electron accelerating layer and producing visible rays by the electrons emitted from the electron accelerating layer. |
| US07667391B2 |
Electrically excited organic light-emitting diodes with spatial and spectral coherence
A light-emitting device, comprising: a multi-layer stack of materials supported on an optically transparent support member, a first spatial filter, and a second spatial filter spaced from the first spatial filter. The multi-layer stack including at least one organic light-emitting layers, an anode layer, and a cathode layer. The first spatial filter is disposed intermediate the multi-layer stack of materials and the second spatial filter. |
| US07667386B2 |
Fabricating method of display panel
A fabricating method of display panel is provided. A first substrate having display area and non-display area is provided. A pixel array is formed in the display area of the first substrate, and at the same time, a spacer layer is formed in the non-display area. The spacer layer surrounds the display area. Next, a sealant is formed in the non-display area, and the spacer layer is disposed between the sealant and the pixel array. A second substrate is arranged above the first substrate, and the first substrate and the second substrate are fixed by using the sealant. The spacer layer can prevent the overflow sealant from contaminating the devices in the panel. The spacer layer is formed during the fabricating process of the pixel array, so that no extra fabrication cost is needed. |
| US07667382B2 |
Substrate having fluorescent member, image display apparatus and image receiving and displaying apparatus
A substrate having a fluorescent member arranged on a pixel area in a plane of a surface of the substrate, wherein the fluorescent member emits light by an irradiation with an electron and comprises a first fluorescent member having a larger gamma value and arranged in the pixel area, and a second fluorescent member having a smaller gamma value and arranged at a peripheral of the first fluorescent member within the pixel area. |
| US07667381B2 |
Electron emission device and electron emission display device using the same
An electron emission device is disclosed. The electron emission device includes a resistance layer for electrically connecting a line electrode and isolate electrodes included in the cathode electrode. The cathode electrode can maintain a uniform voltage due to the resistance layer. A protection layer is located on the resistance layer. The protection layer prevents conductive elements contained in the resistance layer from diffusing over the protection layer. The protection layer also prevents the resistance layer from being oxidized. |
| US07667379B2 |
Industrial hollow cathode with radiation shield structure
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the hollow-cathode apparatus comprises a small-diameter tantalum tube with a plurality of tantalum-foil radiation shields, wherein the plurality of shields in turn comprise one or more spiral windings external to that tube and approximately flush with the open end from which electron emission takes place. The axial length of at least one of the inner windings (closer to the tantalum tube) is equal to or less than approximately half the length of the tantalum tube. An enclosed keeper surrounds the cathode. To start the cathode, a flow of ionizable inert gas, usually argon, is initiated through the cathode and out the open end. An electrical discharge is then started between the keeper and the hollow cathode. When heated to operating temperature, electrons exit from the open end of the hollow cathode. |
| US07667376B2 |
Energy converter arranged on rotating elements and used to convert mechanical energy into electric energy
An energy converter arranged on a rotating element and used for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy, having a converter element (2) for converting the mechanical energy into electrical energy and a first mass (M1) and a second mass (M2), the second mass (M2) being connected to the rotating element. The converter element (2) is arranged between the first mass (M1) and the second mass (M2) such that a mechanical relative movement of the two masses (M1, M2) acts on the converter element (2) so as to generate electrical energy. |
| US07667374B2 |
Ultrasonic transducer, ultrasonic probe and method for fabricating the same
In an ultrasonic transducer including a gap between an upper electrode and a lower electrode on a silicon substrate, it is made possible to reduce or adjust warpage of an above-gap membrane vibrated by electrostatic actuation due to internal stress. A fourth insulating film and a fifth insulating film of films positioned above the gap which is a cavity required for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic are respectively a silicon oxide film for compression stress and a silicon nitride film for tensile stress. Therefore, compression stress and tensile stress cancel each other, so that warpage of the above-gap membrane is reduced. An amount of warpage can be adjusted by adjusting a film thickness of the fourth insulating film and a film thickness of the fifth insulating film. |
| US07667372B2 |
Driving circuit for piezoelectric motor
In a method and a device according to the present invention, two piezo-elements of a piezo-electric actuator are driven with two voltages having a mutual phase difference. One of said piezo-elements is charged by a capacitive voltage step-up means to a voltage exceeding an available power supply voltage. A capacitor is coupled to the piezo-element, which divides the voltage of the piezo-element and simultaneously transfers part of the energy stored in the piezo-element to said capacitor. A part of the energy transferred to said capacitor is later transferred back to said piezo-element, providing an energy-saving feature. The second piezo-element is driven in a similar way providing the required phase difference. In a further embodiment, the waveforms of the two driving signals are corrected using balancing capacitors. |
| US07667369B2 |
High sensitivity microsensors based on flexure induced frequency effects
Acoustic sensing utilizing a cantilever structure coupled about at least one side of said cantilever to a base substrate, wherein said cantilever includes a piezoelectric section and has at least one acoustic wave device on a portion of the cantilever, wherein a flexure of the cantilever produces force-frequency effects measurable by the acoustic wave device. According to one embodiment, the cantilever sensor uses the flexure-frequency effect as measured by an acoustic wave device to sense a target matter. According to one embodiment, a sensing material is disposed on at least a portion of at least one surface of the cantilever. |
| US07667368B2 |
Axial air-gap electronic motor
In an axial air-gap electronic motor in which a stator is formed by a plurality of core members, the manpower for assembling the core member is reduced, and the motor is assembled in a shorter period of time. A hook portion 320, which is a first connecting means, is projectingly provided at one end in the circumferential direction of a flange portion 310 of each of the core members 21a to 21i, and a columnar locking shaft 330 to which the hook portion 320 is locked is provided at the other end in the circumferential direction of the flange portion 310, by which the core members 21a to 21i are connected to each other. |
| US07667367B2 |
Laminated core and method for manufacturing the same
A laminated core formed by reliably and firmly connecting laminated core segments (10) in an annular form by first and second joining sections (19, 20) thereof, the first and second joining sections (19, 20) formed by alternately laminating sets of core segment sheets (21) and sets of core segment sheets (22), each set consisting of a predetermined number of sheets, the core segment sheets having brimmed concavities (24, 25) and brimmed convexities (23, 26) located at both ends of yoke-segment pieces (27, 36), wherein each laminated core segment (10) has round corners formed at both sides of a magnetic pole shaft section (12) and radially outward sides of a magnetic pole tooth section (13) at lower and upper laminated portions of the laminated core segment (10), thereby preventing damage to wires wound around the magnetic pole shaft section (12). |
| US07667360B2 |
Rotor unit, bearing mechanism, motor, and data storage disk drive device
In bearing mechanism for a motor spinning a storage disk about a center axis, an interference-fit portion of a shaft is interference-fitted into a through hole of a bushing from an axial lower side thereof such that the shaft is fixed to a rotor hub. The interference-fit portion of the shaft is defined with an upper section, a lower section, and a concave portion. When the shaft is interference-fitted into the bushing, the upper and lower sections engage with the bushing, and the concave portion radially faces an inner surface of the bushing with a gap defined therebetween. |
| US07667357B2 |
Motor having shaft members
A motor includes a shaft including upper and lower shaft members spaced axially away from each other. A shaft connecting member made of electrically insulating material is arranged axially between the upper and lower shaft members. The shaft connecting member is provided with fitting portions to which the upper and lower shaft members are to be fitted. While the upper and lower shaft members are secured to the shaft connecting member, the rotor magnet is integrally formed with the upper and lower shaft members and the shaft connecting member. With this configuration, an axial electric current is prevented from flowing through the shaft by the shaft connecting member. |
| US07667356B2 |
Magnetic pistons engine
The present invention relates to the “Magnetic pistons engine”, hereafter called “Maps engine” or “RAT engine” or “engine” that works on the principle of magnetism. It can be used to perform various tasks and functions that involve application of force or displacement of objects. This method provides an environmental friendly, very high efficiency engine that can complement or replace any engines that use fossil fuel, bio-fuel, solar power, wind power, hydro power, electricity, stored energy, or other energy sources. |
| US07667348B2 |
Vehicle theft prevention device
A theft prevention device makes an ECU operable by transmitting a second ID code to the ECU from a keyset when an input code agrees with a first ID code. A device is provided for inputting a second reference code which is collated with a second ID code provided to a receiver unit of an ECU or a keyset. A device is provided which, when the inputted code and a pre-registered second reference code agree with each other, writes the registered second reference code into the receiver unit as the second ID code. The code which is inputted as the second reference code is inputted based on an opening/closing manipulation of a throttle provided to a vehicle and a plurality of times of standing/storing manipulation of a side stand with and one digit of the code being represented by the number of throttle manipulations during two side stand standing/storing manipulations. |
| US07667347B2 |
Multi-power source locomotive control method and system
Control modes for operating multiple power sources include energy storage systems and applicable to large systems such as locomotives. Selectable operating modes are provided for different locomotive speed ranges and work loads. A common DC bus electrical architecture is used so that prime power sources need not be synchronized. Multiple-engine locomotives have the engine systems that may be electrically connected in parallel or in series or in combinations of parallel and series to a DC bus. |
| US07667346B2 |
Affixation adapter
An adapter to detachably affix an implement comprises mutually engaging segments with cross-sectionally shaped structures. An upper segment for the base of a fuel tank bag is shaped similarly and in locking manner to a lower segment affixed to a fuel tank sealing lid. Both segments have frame-like shapes and are detachably assembled, one segment spanning the other from above or below in interlocking manner. The segments are fitted with aligned ends which can be assembled to one another with pairwise, diametrically opposite portions. The ends of the segment are hollow claws that partly enclose claw counterparts of the other segment. Ends of the upper segment are fitted with gripping ribs. A spring-loaded detent catch may snap using the ends into a borehole of a cog, thereby actuating a magnetic switch applying a low voltage to terminals. A cover mounted in vibration-damping manner may be fitted with an implement coupling. |
| US07667343B2 |
Hydrogen production system using wind turbine generator
A wind turbine-driven hydrogen production system controlling a power converter system such that the wind turbine stays in its operable range for a longer time and thus the hydrogen production system produces hydrogen for a longer time. The wind turbine-driven hydrogen production system varies an amount of electrical current supplied to an electrolytic hydrogen production system according to the rotational speed of the wind turbine to reduce variations in the rotational speed. Furthermore, the pitch angle of the wind turbine varies according to the speed. Thus, variations in the speed of the wind turbine can be reduced. A permanent-magnet generator is used as the electricity generator of the wind turbine to obtain a power supply at start-up. Alternatively, a power storage system used as assistive equipment at start-up is supplementarily added or only a power supply for the controllers is supplied from a system. |
| US07667337B2 |
Semiconductor device with conductive die attach material
A semiconductor device includes a carrier such as a lead frame, a semiconductor die and an attachment member affixing the semiconductor die to the carrier. The attachment device includes an electrically conductive organic material. |
| US07667336B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device provided with a semiconductor chip wherein an electrode pad is formed on a circuit formation surface, includes a first passivation film, which serves as an adhering layer; a second passivation film formed on the first passivation film, for protecting the semiconductor chip from external physical damage; a metal film formed so as to cover at least a first electrode-pad opening section of the first passivation film; and an external connection terminal to connect the electrode pad to an external equipment. A second electrode-pad opening section of the second passivation film is formed so as to expose the first electrode-pad opening section entirely. The second passivation film is formed so as not to be in direct contact with the electrode pad. |
| US07667334B2 |
Integrated matching networks and RF devices that include an integrated matching network
An integrated matching network includes a first die on a substrate, a second die on the substrate, and a metallization layer on the first and second dies. The second die has a capacitance, the metallization layer has an inductance, and the capacitance and inductance together provide a shunt impedance from the first die to the substrate. The integrated matching network includes a first die having a power amplifier, a second die having a capacitor, and a metal interconnect coupled to the power amplifier and the first capacitor. The metal interconnect has an inductance. The capacitor and metal interconnect form a shunt impedance. |
| US07667333B2 |
Stack of semiconductor chips
A stack of semiconductor chips includes a substrate or an interposer board comprising conductor structures for electrical connection of the stack and a first chip. The first chip includes an active side with peripherally arranged bonding pads and is mounted face-up on the substrate or the interposer board. The stack beyond includes at least a further chip with peripherally arranged bonding pads on its active side. The back side and at least two chip edges of the further chip are embedded by a mold cap providing a protuberance on the back side of the chip. The protuberance forms a planar surface extending substantially parallel and with a distance to the back side of the chip. The further chip is attached face-up to the active side of the first chip by an adhesive applied between the protuberance and the first chip so that the protuberance is inserted between both chips to provide a gap there. The protuberance has at least one linear dimension that is smaller than a linear dimension of the subjacent chip. |
| US07667331B2 |
Interposer chip, method of manufacturing the interposer chip, and multi-chip package having the interposer chip
An interposer chip in accordance includes an insulating layer, conductive patterns and a dummy pattern. The conductive patterns are formed on the insulating layer. The dummy pattern is formed on the insulating layer to suppress a bending of the insulating layer. Further, the dummy pattern can have first isolating grooves formed along peripherals of the conductive patterns to isolate the dummy pattern from the conductive patterns. Thus, the interposer chip is not vulnerable to being bent. Further, an electrical short between the conductive patterns through the dummy pattern caused by particles is substantially avoided. |
| US07667328B2 |
Integration circuits for reducing electromigration effect
An integrated circuit for reducing the electromigration effect. The IC includes a substrate and a power transistor which has first and second source/drain regions. The IC further includes first, second, and third electrically conductive line segments being (i) directly above the first source/drain region and (ii) electrically coupled to the first source/drain region through first contact regions and second contact regions, respectively. The first and second electrically conductive line segments (i) reside in a first interconnect layer of the integrated circuit and (ii) run in the reference direction. The IC further includes an electrically conductive line being (i) directly above the first source/drain region, (ii) electrically coupled to the first and second electrically conductive line segments through a first via and a second via, respectively, (iii) resides in a second interconnect layer of the integrated circuit, and (iv) runs in the reference direction. |
| US07667324B2 |
Systems, devices, components and methods for hermetically sealing electronic modules and packages
Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices and methods for forming an hermetic seal between a lid and a submount for an electronics module or package. At least one thieving pad is connected to a metallized ring formed about or near the circumference of an upper surface of the submount. A corresponding metallized ring is disposed about the lower perimeter of the lid. Solder paste is placed between the two metallized rings and melted, preferably under a reducing atmosphere. Excess molten solder controllably flows towards the at least one thieving pattern while the lid is being hermetically sealed and soldered, avoiding the formation of undesired wayward solder balls inside the package. |
| US07667319B2 |
Electroosmotic pump using nanoporous dielectric frit
An electroosmotic pump may be fabricated using semiconductor processing techniques with a nanoporous open cell dielectric frit. Such a frit may result in an electroosmotic pump with better pumping capabilities. |
| US07667313B2 |
Stacked semiconductor module
A stacked semiconductor module is made by stacking a second semiconductor device having a second semiconductor chip mounted to the top surface of a second semiconductor substrate above the top surface of a first semiconductor device having a first semiconductor chip mounted to a first semiconductor substrate. The top surface of the first semiconductor substrate is provided with a first connection terminal and the bottom surface of the first semiconductor substrate is provided with an external connection terminal. A region of the bottom surface of the second semiconductor substrate lying opposite to the second semiconductor chip is provided with a second connection terminal. A conductive connecting member connects the first connection terminal to the second connection terminal. |
| US07667311B2 |
LSI package provided with interface module, and transmission line header employed in the package
An LSI package encompasses a transmission line header embracing a header-base, a transmission line held by the header-base, and an interface IC chip mounted on the header-base, an interposer substrate having a plurality of board-connecting joints, which facilitate connection with the printed wiring board; an LSI chip mounted on the interposer substrate; and a receptacle having a lead terminal and being mounted on the interposer substrate, configured to accommodate the transmission line header so that the interface IC chip electrically connects to the LSI chip through the lead terminal. |
| US07667307B2 |
Semiconductor device
To actualize a reduction in the on-resistance of a small surface mounted package having a power MOSFET sealed therein. A silicon chip is mounted on a die pad portion integrated with leads configuring a drain lead. The silicon chip has, on the main surface thereof, a source pad and a gate pad. The backside of the silicon chip configures a drain of a power MOSFET and bonded to the upper surface of a die pad portion via an Ag paste. A lead configuring a source lead is electrically coupled to the source pad via an Al ribbon, while a lead configuring a gate lead is electrically coupled to the gate pad via an Au wire. |
| US07667305B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device according to the present invention includes a base tape (film carrier tape); a semiconductor chip mounted on the base tape; conducting leads formed on the base tape to be connected to the semiconductor chip; input terminals and output terminals connected to the conducting leads; and a protecting layer formed to cover the conducting leads completely. The base tape is provided at its side edges with roller-contact regions, where carrier rollers are to be in contact with. No holes and no unevenness area is formed on the roller-contact regions. |
| US07667300B2 |
Semiconductor device including gate stack formed on inclined surface and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes a transistor. The transistor includes a substrate having an inclined surface, a first upper surface extending from a lower portion of the inclined surface, and a second upper surface extending from an upper end of the inclined surface. A gate stack structure is formed on the inclined surface and includes a gate electrode. A first impurity region formed on one of the first and second upper surfaces contacts the gate stack structure. A second impurity region formed on the second upper surface contacts the gate stack structure. A channel between the first and second impurity regions is formed along the inclined surface in a crystalline direction. |
| US07667298B2 |
Oxygen-doped n-type gallium nitride freestanding single crystal substrate
Oxygen is doped into a gallium nitride crystal by preparing a non-C-plane gallium nitride seed crystal, supplying material gases to the seed crystal, growing a non-C-plane gallium nitride crystal on the seed crystal and allowing oxygen to infiltrate via a non-C-plane surface to the growing crystal. Otherwise, oxygen is doped into the crystal by preparing a C-plane gallium nitride seed crystal or a three-rotationally symmetric plane foreign material seed crystal, supplying material gases to the C-plane seed crystal or the foreign seed crystal, growing a faceted C-plane gallium nitride crystal having facets of non-C-planes on the seed crystal, maintaining the facets on the crystal and allowing oxygen to infiltrate via the non-C-plane facets to the crystal. |
| US07667295B2 |
Semiconductor device
In a semiconductor device including a bipolar transistor, a base region has a two layer structure including a first base region, and a second base region which is provided around the first base region and has a lower impurity density than that of the first base region and has a shallower depth than that of the first base region. |
| US07667294B2 |
Lateral bipolar transistor
A P+ base drawing diffusion region is formed on a substrate having an SOI structure. N+ emitter diffusion regions are formed on both sides of the P+ base drawing diffusion region through isolation insulating films interposed therebetween. A P type SOI layer, which serves as a base diffusion region, is formed so as to surround the N+ emitter diffusion regions, and conductive layers are formed thereon. Further, an N+ collector diffusion region is formed so as to surround the conductive layers. |
| US07667293B2 |
Resistive random access memory and method for manufacturing the same
A resistive random access memory including, an insulating layer, a hard mask layer, a bottom electrode, a memory cell and a top electrode is provided. The insulating layer is disposed on the bottom electrode. The insulating layer has a contact hole having a first width. The hard mask layer has an opening. A portion of the memory cell is exposed from the opening and has a second width smaller than the first width. The top electrode is disposed on the insulating layer and is coupled with the memory cell. |
| US07667292B2 |
Integrated circuit comprising at least one capacitor and process for forming the capacitor
An integrated circuit includes at least one capacitor that is formed on a layer provided with at least one first trench. The capacitor, which is provided with a dielectric layer that separates two electrodes, conforms to the shape of the first trench, but leaves a part of the first trench unfilled. A material capable of absorbing stresses associated with the displacements of the walls of the trench is placed in the trench to fill the part of the first trench. A second trench is formed at least partly surrounding the first trench. This second trench is also at least partly filled with a material capable of absorbing stresses associated with the displacements of the walls of the second trench. A void may be included in the stress absorbing material which fills either of the first or second trenches. |
| US07667291B2 |
FPGA structure provided with multi parallel structure and method for forming the same
In an FPGA of a semiconductor device and a method of forming the FPGA, a first pattern having a voltage selectable conductivity is formed to connect first vias of the semiconductor device in parallel. |
| US07667290B2 |
Semiconductor device including a laser light blocking layer which overlaps fuses
The present invention provides a semiconductor device comprising: a substrate; a first insulating film formed on a principal surface of the substrate; a second insulating film formed on the first insulating film; a plurality of fuses formed on the second insulating film; and a blocking layer disposed in the first and second insulating films, the blocking layer being formed of a material capable of reflecting laser light irradiated to blow the plurality of fuses. The blocking layer overlaps a region in which the plurality of fuses are formed when viewed from the principal surface of the substrate. The plurality of fuses may be each formed in two or more insulating film layers laminated to one another on the second insulating film. |
| US07667289B2 |
Fuse structure having a tortuous metal fuse line
A laser fuse structure for a semiconductor device, the laser fuse structure having an array of laser fuses wherein one or more of the fuses in the array have a tortuous fuse line extending between first and second connectors that connect the fuse to an underlying circuit area. |
| US07667288B2 |
Systems and methods for voltage distribution via epitaxial layers
Systems and methods for voltage distribution via epitaxial layers. In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, an integrated circuit comprises an epitaxial layer of a connectivity type disposed upon a wafer substrate of an opposite connectivity type. |
| US07667287B2 |
Thin film transistor and method of fabricating thin film transistor substrate
Provided are a thin film transistor (TFT) capable of increasing ON current and decreasing OFF current values, a TFT substrate having the polysilicon TFT, a method of fabricating the polysilicon TFT, and a method of fabricating a TFT substrate having the polysilicon TFT. The polysilicon TFT substrate includes a gate line and a data line defining a pixel region, a pixel electrode formed in the pixel region, and a TFT including a gate electrode connected to the gate line, a source electrode connected to the data line, a drain electrode connected to the pixel electrode, and a polysilicon active layer forming a channel between the source and drain electrodes. The polysilicon active layer includes a channel region on which the gate electrode is superposed, source and drain regions connected to the source and drain electrode, respectively, and at least two lightly doped drain (LDD) regions y formed between the source region and the channel region and between the drain region and the channel region. The LDD regions have an impurity concentration different from each other. |
| US07667285B2 |
Printed electronic substrate havine photochromic barrier layer
A protective photochromic barrier film for a light-sensitive printed electronic substrate. Light-sensitive semiconductor devices on a dielectric substrate are electrically connected by conductors. A barrier layer containing photochromic dyes covers some or all of the light-sensitive semiconductor devices. Upon exposure to visible, infrared, or ultraviolet light, the photochromic dyes change chemical structure and decrease the amount of visible or non-visible light that can impinge upon the light-sensitive electronic devices. Upon removal of the visible or non-visible light, the photochromic dyes either revert to their original structure or maintain their altered state. |
| US07667283B1 |
Coiled circuit camera
A coiled camera includes a coiling layer, a circuit device layer, active microelectronic circuitry fabricated on the circuit device layer, a semiconductor imaging device electronically coupled to the active microelectronic circuitry and a lens coupled to the semiconductor imaging device. |