| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07974898B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for providing stabilized annuity payments and control of investments in a variable annuity
A system for providing stabilized annuity payments, the system comprising a processor, a memory, and a computer program stored in the memory. The computer program allocates the risks associated with an investment to the potential beneficiaries of the annuitant by controlling the allocation of assets between two investment pools. The annuitant pool is the pool on which annuity payments are based and the beneficiary pool contains assets that are provided to the beneficiaries upon the death of the annuitant. The beneficiary pool is used as a cushion to isolate the contents of the annuitant pool from fluctuations in value. If the underlying investments perform poorly, assets from the beneficiary pool are reallocated to the annuity pool in order to maintain the existing annuity payment. If the underlying investments perform favorably, increasing in value, excess amounts above a set trigger level amount will be periodically transferred to the annuitant pool. |
| US07974894B2 |
Methods and systems for classifying entities according to metrics of earnings quality
Methods and systems for classifying entities according to metrics of earnings quality are provided. At least one value corresponding to earnings quality of an entity is generated based on at least one metric of accruals, and the entity is classified according to the at least one value. For example, the entity may be classified according to the value as likely to have overstated its earnings and/or as likely to experience one or more business outcomes (e.g., a change in stock price, SEC enforcement action, and/or class-action lawsuit). As another example, multiple entities may be separated into various classes by ranking the entities according to their respective values. Such a ranking may provide useful heuristics regarding whether the entities have manipulated (e.g., overstated or understated) their earnings. Information about the classification may be made available for a fee and may allow parties to make better business and regulatory decisions. |
| US07974891B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing receptacles of items in a materials handling facility
Methods and apparatuses for the processing of receptacles containing heterogeneous inventory items in materials handling facilities are generally described. Dirty picking may be described as a mechanism for the “batch” processing of a receptacle which includes multiple heterogeneous inventory items with different identification codes in a materials handling facility as if all of the items in the receptacle have been ordered, even though one or more of the items may have not been ordered. Through the implementation of a dirty pick mechanism, instead of processing individual items in a receptacle, the entire receptacle may be “dirty picked” and all of the items within the receptacle may be processed “downstream” at a processing station, during which needed items for processing may be selected, and “overage” items may be put aside to be disposed, e.g. by being restocked. |
| US07974890B2 |
Inventory sales system and method
A computer system and method of facilitating a sale which permits inventory information to be used in connection with a technology enabled selling (TES) system to facilitate a sale. The inventory information may be used during configuration of an item to be sold to a customer in a manner which allows the sales representative to more easily sell items from inventory if desired. |
| US07974888B2 |
Services for providing item association data
A service is disclosed for enabling web sites and other entities to provide item recommendations and other behavior-based content to end users. The service can be implemented as a web service that is remotely accessible over the Internet. Web sites use the web service's interface to report events descriptive of item-related actions performed by end users (e.g., item views, item purchases, searches for items, etc.). The web service analyzes the reported event data on an aggregated basis to detect various types of associations between particular items, and stores resulting datasets that map items to associated items. The web service's interface also provides various API calls for enabling the web sites to request item recommendations and other behavior-based content, including but not limited to personalized recommendations that are based on the event history of the target user. Advantageously, the web sites need not host the infrastructure for providing such content. |
| US07974885B1 |
Identifying items relevant to a current query based on items accessed in connection with similar queries
The present invention provides a software facility for identifying the items most relevant to a current query based on items selected in connection with similar queries. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the facility receives a query specifying one or more query terms. In response, the facility generates a query result identifying a plurality of items that satisfy the query. The facility then produces a ranking value for at least a portion of the items identified in the query result by combining the relative frequencies with which users selected that item from the query results generated from queries specifying each of the terms specified by the query. The facility identifies as most relevant those items having the highest ranking values. |
| US07974884B2 |
Network order system and network server
The network server stores the order information and the customer information received from the order entry channel in a database with identification information of the retailer system that has mediated the order, extracts, in response to a request from the retailer system, at least one of the order information, the customer information corresponding to the identification information of the retailer system having made the request, and information obtained based on at least one of the order information and the customer information from the database, and provides to the retailer system. The network order system includes the network server for receiving and managing at least the order information. |
| US07974880B2 |
System for updating advertisement bids
A system for updating advertisement bids including a query engine and an advertisement selection engine. The query engine provides an advertisement query to the advertisement selection engine. The advertisement selection engine includes a query processing module that retrieves advertisements associated with the advertisement query based on bids. The bid update module generates a suggested bid for an advertiser. The bid update module may be configured to automatically update the current bid for an advertisement based on the suggested bid. Further, the bid update module may be configured to determine the suggested bid by calculating a maximum profit position for the advertisement and projecting an envy free point for the maximum profit position. |
| US07974878B1 |
Information distribution system and method that provides for enhanced display formats
A system and method for distributing information (collectively the “system”) is disclosed. The system can, but need not, include category-based and geography-based attributes to better “focus” the information distributed by the system. In the processing of listing-based attributes (e.g. attributes limited to a particular listing), the system can also be influenced by relationship-based attributes (e.g. attributes between the administrator of the system and the advertisers, and even potentially users). If desired, the system can accommodate the ability of advertisers to modify or enhance the display characteristics relating to information records in order to further differential listings and advertisers. The ability to organize listings into tiers can also be incorporated into the system. By organizing listings into tiers, the system may be more effective in maximizing competition at all ends of the listing continuum, and not just the competition for the top position or two. |
| US07974876B2 |
Method and system for creating advertisement-list which divides big advertiser's advertising information
A method and system for creating an advertising list including a big advertiser's advertising information, which can prevent a big advertiser's advertising information, less associated with a content page, from being displaying only because the big advertiser purchased a plurality of keywords, and thereby control ‘the Poor Get Poorer and the Rich Get Richer’ phenomenon in displaying advertising is provided. According to the present invention, there is provided a method and system for creating an advertising list, which can control ‘the Poor Get Poorer and the Rich Get Richer’ phenomenon in displaying advertising where a big advertiser's advertising information with a great purchasing power is preferentially displayed in an advertising list and thus small and medium advertisers' advertising information may not be displayed. |
| US07974873B2 |
Just in time pickup or receipt of goods or services by a mobile user
Embodiments are directed towards dynamically determining a merchant to provide just in time (JIT) goods/services/appointments to a mobile customer by seeking to minimize the mobile customer's wait time or optimizing another parameter. A registered user may place an order with a JIT service for a good/server using a mobile device. The JIT service determines a merchant/location that may satisfy the order based on attempting to minimize the user's wait time. At any time before a locktime is reached, the JIT service, the selected merchant location, and/or the user may modify the request. For example, the JIT service may select another merchant location to satisfy the request based on dynamically updating wait times at the selected location and other possible merchant locations, as well as other parameters. The JIT service may also track behaviors of the user to suggest recurring orders, modifications to orders, or changes in merchant locations. |
| US07974872B2 |
System and method for assisting consideration of selection including obtaining degree-of-necessity of a question from answer data
A system (and method) assists consideration of selection that recommends selection candidates to a considerer who is considering selection in a certain field in order to assist determination of selection with which the considerer is satisfied. A question concerning the field is sent to a considerer and answer data is received from the considerer by the system. A degree-of-significance of each evaluation item in the field is estimated from the answer data. A degree-of-recommendation representing to which degree each selection candidate can be recommended to the considerer is calculated from evaluation data for each evaluation item with respect to each piece of selection candidate data in the field and the degree-of-significance of the considerer with respect to each evaluation item. Then, degrees of recommendation of selection candidate data in the field are presented to the considerer without change or after processing the data. |
| US07974870B2 |
Sales activity management system, server device, recording medium and computer data signal
A server device includes an activity content evaluation unit, an activity pattern analyzing unit, an evaluation report creating unit, and an evaluation report sending unit, and is connected to an activity management information DB, which has activity management information for managing activity content of each salesperson registered. The server device evaluates the activity content of each salesperson based on the activity management information in the activity management information DB, and creates evaluation report information from the evaluation results. The server device analyzes the activity pattern of salespeople that have a number equal to or higher than a predetermined number of agreements reached in sales negotiations, based on the activity management information in the activity management information DB, generates advise information towards each salesperson from the analysis, and sends the evaluation report information, adding the generated advise information thereto, to a terminal device of the salesperson. |
| US07974869B1 |
Method and system for automatically measuring and forecasting the behavioral characterization of customers to help customize programming contents in a media network
The present invention is a method and system for forecasting the behavioral characterization of customers to help customize programming contents on each means for playing output of each site of a plurality of sites in a media network through automatically measuring, characterizing, and forecasting the behavioral information of customers that appear in the vicinity of each means for playing output. The analysis of behavioral information of customers is performed automatically based on the visual information of the customers, using a plurality of means for capturing images and a plurality of computer vision technologies on the visual information. The measurement of the behavioral information is performed in each measured node, where the node is defined as means for playing output. Extrapolation of the measurement characterizes the behavioral information per each node of a plurality of nodes in a site of a plurality of sites of a media network. The forecasting and customization of the programming contents is based on the characterization of the behavioral information. |
| US07974867B2 |
System and method for conducting an optimized customer identification program
A computer-implemented method of compiling a customer information set that complies with regulatory criteria is provided. The method comprises providing an overall question set having a plurality of questions and determining from the overall question set a basic question set, the basic question set including at least one basic question. The method further comprises associating an expected answer with at least one question of the basic question set and providing criteria for modifying the basic question set based on receiving an answer that differs from the expected answer. The method still further comprises optimizing an interactive customer survey with a customer using the overall question set, the basic question set, the expected answer and the criteria for modifying the basic question set. |
| US07974866B2 |
System and method for managing workflow among a plurality of business processes associated respectively with users having access rights to artifacts
A system and method for managing a workflow are provided. A system for managing a workflow in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes: a storage unit for storing, as an access history for each of at least one artifact, identification information of a business process that has accessed the artifact; a request reception unit for receiving an access request to an artifact from a user; a first notification unit for retrieving an access history corresponding to a first artifact from the storage unit on a condition that a first access request received from the user corresponding to a first business process is an update request of the first artifact, and for notifying a user corresponding to the business process that is identified in the retrieved access history that the first artifact is to be updated; and a history adding unit for adding identification information of the first business process to the access history corresponding to the first artifact in response to an accessing of the first artifact based on the first access request. |
| US07974864B2 |
Business driven learning solution particularly suitable for sales-oriented organizations
Disclosed is a business driven learning solution and related methods for managing the learning and training needs of a sales-oriented organization in a manner that is responsive to dynamic business needs. The invention employs modules of interrelated and interdependent business processes for the identification and prioritization of learning needs, the selection of learning approaches, the development of learning content, the coordination and delivery of learning instruction, and the overall management and administration learning efforts. Embodiments of the inventions disclosed include sales training objects to provide a template for sales training that is focused on a solution, and how to position and sell the solution, rather than on the products that make up the solution. As a result, the sales force is educated, understands the customers' business requirements, and is able to craft specific value propositions to a given customer with respect to that solution. Thus, the training is customer-centric as opposed to product-centric. |
| US07974862B2 |
Intelligent building including time-share exclusive rooms
In order to provide an intelligent building having specific rooms in which relatively less wealthy persons may use, and meeting the demands for specific rooms and privacy for the general public at the same time, by optimizing the space efficiency. The intelligent building comprises: permanent exclusive rooms resided by a resident, which cannot be used except by permission of said resident; time-share exclusive rooms, which is usable by residents residing in a plurality of permanent exclusive rooms but cannot be used by others except by permission of said resident during a period of time used by said resident; at least one of a means for time-share exclusive passage, which connects one permanent exclusive room to one time-share exclusive room according to movement, wherein said means is usable by residents residing in a plurality of permanent exclusive rooms but cannot be used by others except by permission of said resident during a period of time used by said resident; and a server, which communicates with permanent exclusive rooms, time-share exclusive rooms, and means for time-share exclusive passage, and thereby capable of collecting information therefrom, and which controls permanent exclusive rooms, time-share exclusive rooms, and means for time-share exclusive passage according to predetermined rules. |
| US07974860B1 |
Consumer directed health plan (CDHP) and high deductible health plan (HDHP) counseling and information distribution
Methods and systems for directing enrollment and/or use of health and wellness plans based on personality type are disclosed. |
| US07974857B1 |
Unemployment insurance management
A system and method for handling unemployment insurance includes a unified database containing unemployment insurance benefit data and unemployment insurance tax data. The unemployment insurance benefit data and the unemployment insurance tax data are unified into unified data. In another aspect, the system and method include a unified desktop configured to allow a worker to manage the unemployment insurance benefit data and the unemployment insurance tax data. The unified desktop enables a worker to manage both claims for unemployment insurance benefits and unemployment insurance tax payments. |
| US07974855B2 |
System and method for identifying, representing and evaluating information and decision flow requirements and processes in a transactional business system
A system for representing information and decision flow requirements in a transactional business process is provided. The system comprises an information gathering object and a decision object. The information gathering object represents a piece of information used in the transactional business system and the decision object represents a satisfying condition for achieving an objective associated with the transactional business system. The system further comprises one or more information channels that link the information gathering objects to the one or more decision objects. The information channels represent the information and decision flow requirements within the transactional business system. |
| US07974854B1 |
Systems and methods for retrospective home value scoring
Systems and methods are provided for providing, based on a model, an indication that an appraisal value for a property is likely to be faulty. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving information representative of at least one of a borrower, a property, or one or more demographics, such that the received information corresponds to a date. The method determines a score based on the received information and the model, such that the score provides the indication of the likelihood that the appraisal value was faulty on the date. |
| US07974852B2 |
System and method for bulk mail oriented transaction printing
A system and method for bulk mail oriented transaction printing of variable documents by evaluating particular data such as zip code data in a VI PDL. A queue can be configured with information regarding a particular rendering job, which includes the VI data fields including required postal information, a particular postal information format, and a thickness adjustment with respect to each item of mail associated with a bulk mail. The rendering job can be received for production and a number of records associated with the job automatically parsed into one or more postal bundles, based on predefined information and postal regulations. Such an approach can also be utilized to automatically generate and render the required bundle labels. |
| US07974850B2 |
Method of early case assessment in law suits
A tool which provides counsel with a data collection mechanism to guide them through various steps in the litigation process and directs counsel and/or legal assistants to determine what information is required. The tool provides a “Discovery Generator” that is available to capture counsel's potential discovery requests, which are linked to existing document and form production tools for facilitated production of discovery. The tool informs the user of the percentage of progress of the required information that has been entered. The tool provides an analytical framework that captures the judgment of seasoned practitioners to provide a comprehensive analysis of the legal, factual, and business aspects of the lawsuit. The tool provides methodologies that quantify subjective analyses through the use of weighted measuring schemes. The tool provides a decision tree structure underlying the various steps of the methodology activated by user's answers to queries to aid in the capture and analysis of information. To do this the tool directs counsel to assign values to reflect the importance of various aspects of the litigation. Based on the values that are assigned, counsel's assessment of the particular aspect of the litigation which is captured through the queries mentioned above, and statistical assessments of likely outcomes based on historical records of previously captured information and analogous assessments, the tool provides counsel with suggested paths forward. This process occurs on both a step by step basis as well as with an overall assessment of the case. |
| US07974846B2 |
Data embedding device and data extraction device
A data embedding device for embedding data in a speech code obtained by encoding a speech in accordance with a speech encoding method based on a voice generation process of a human being, includes an embedding judgment unit, every speech code, judging whether or not data should be embedded in the speech code, and an embedding unit embedding data in two or more parameter codes of a plurality of parameter codes constituting the speech code for which it is judged by the embedding judgment unit that the data should be embedded. |
| US07974845B2 |
Stuttering treatment methods and apparatus
Stuttering treatment methods and apparatus which utilize removable oral-based appliances having actuators which are attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a dental or oral appliance are described. Such oral appliances may receive the user's voice and process the voice to introduce a time delay and/or a frequency shift. The altered audio feedback signal is then transmitted back to the user through a tooth, teeth, or other bone via a vibrating actuator element. The actuator element may utilize electromagnetic or piezoelectric actuator mechanisms and may be positioned directly along the dentition or along an oral appliance housing in various configurations. |
| US07974837B2 |
Audio encoding apparatus, audio decoding apparatus, and audio encoded information transmitting apparatus
The encoding apparatus includes an MDCT unit which transforms an inputted audio signal into a frequency parameter, for every predetermined time-frequency transformation frame length, and an MDCT coefficient encoding unit which encodes the frequency parameter. The encoding apparatus also includes a pitch cycle detection unit which detects a pitch cycle of the audio signal, a framing unit which frames the audio signal based on the detected pitch cycle, and a waveform modification unit which performs waveform modification on the audio signal framed based on the pitch cycle, in conformance with the time-frequency transformation frame length, and outputs the waveform-modified audio signal to the MDCT unit. A multiplex unit multiplexes the frequency parameter encoded by MDCT coefficient encoding unit and the pitch cycle, and outputs the multiplexed result as a bitstream. |
| US07974834B2 |
Program reservation/playback judgment system, method, program and program recording medium
A program reservation/playback judgment system for making an automatic judgment of reservation or playback of a program based on the program information in texts written in a natural language. A natural language program information processing section analyzes texts read-out thereby for extracting the program information in the texts. The extracted program information is displayed as a program information screen for confirming the program information. Upon user's operation of a reservation/playback button, the program of the program information is confirmed. Based on a comparison result of the current date and time with the date and start time of the program information by a current date/time acquisition section, a date/time judgment section makes a judgment whether the program of the program information is reserved for recording or played back, thereby instructing a program monitoring device to reserve or playback. |
| US07974833B2 |
Weighted system of expressing language information using a compact notation
A special notation that extends the notion of IDL by weighted operators. The Weighted IDL or WIDL can be intersected with a language model, for example an n-gram language model or a syntax-based language model. The intersection is carried out by converting the IDL to a graph, and unfolding the graph in a way which maximizes its compactness. |
| US07974830B2 |
Tape management method and tape management system
A tape management method capable of easily using a file on a virtual tape from a plurality of programs in a system virtually emulating a magnetic tape apparatus by a disk apparatus. When a use request is generated from other program to a volume of a virtual tape used by one program, a host computer generates and uses a volume of a temporal virtual tape and can thus permit the use of the temporal tape volume from a plurality of programs without drastically changing the specification of an existing tape interface. The volume of the virtual tape temporarily generated is generated in a virtual tape management table and a virtual tape file uses a file of the same type. |
| US07974829B2 |
System for simulating mobile phone and method thereof
A system for simulating mobile phone and method thereof is provided. The system has separately designed man-machine-interface (MMI) kernel module, simulator module and plug-in module. If a designer wants to replace the MMI kernel module in a developing project, the present invention allows not only the transplantation and extension of code but also the integration with the existing simulator module. Besides, the plug-in module uses the inter-process communication (IPC) mechanism and the dynamic linking library (DLL) mechanism of the operating system of a host to exchange data with the simulator module and display a mobile phone operation interface so that the simulator module is able to support future plug-in module. |
| US07974828B2 |
Simulation device for programmable controller
A simulation device for a programmable controller is formed by realizing by software on a computer a virtual PLC for emulating operations of a real PLC, a tool that functions as a development aid device for the virtual PLC and an error simulator for emulating an error that occurs in the virtual PLC. The virtual PLC and the error simulator are structured such that the simulation device is adapted to set, without any operations by the tool, a specified condition at a corresponding address in an error memory of the virtual PLC by carrying out a specified error selection operation and a specified operation regarding presence and absence of error generation, based on a list display of error items on the computer screen, after causing desired PLC type data stored in a PLC type memory in the virtual PLC through the tool. |
| US07974824B2 |
Seismic inversion of data containing surface-related multiples
To perform seismic inversion, a model representing a subterranean structure is provided. Simulated seismic data is generated using the model, where the simulated seismic data includes surface-related multiples. The model is iteratively updated based on comparing the simulated seismic data with the observed seismic data collected by a seismic survey. |
| US07974813B2 |
Identifying vegetation attributes from LiDAR data
Aspects of the present invention are directed at using LiDAR data to identify attributes of vegetation. In this regard, a method is provided that identifies the location of individual items of vegetation from raw LiDAR data. In one embodiment, the method includes selecting a coordinate position represented in the LiDAR data that generated a return signal. Then, a determination is made regarding whether the selected coordinate position is inside a geographic area allocated to a previously identified item of vegetation. If the selected coordinate position is not within a geographic area allocated to a previously identified item of vegetation, the method determines that the selected coordinate position is associated with a new item of vegetation. In this instance, a digital representation of the new item of vegetation is generated. |
| US07974808B2 |
Methods and apparatus for using black box data to analyze vehicular accidents
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for using black box data to analyze vehicular accidents. The methods include obtaining information from an event data recorder associated with a vehicle and using the data obtained therefrom in determining and analyzing the vehicular accident. Attributes to be analyzed include impact severity, change in velocity, and other desired parameters. Further disclosed are methods to securely communicate the downloaded black box information to a secure location for later analysis and processing. |
| US07974806B1 |
Method for rolling compensation with wheel-mounted sensors
A method for compensating axial misalignment between wheel-mounted alignment sensors and an axis of rotation for an associated wheel. The method compensates sensors mounted to each wheel of a vehicle simultaneously, without requiring jacking of the vehicle wheels above a supporting surface, and which only requires wheel rotational movement over an arc of 60 degrees or less. The method utilizes measurements of a change in a wheel toe angle and measurements of a change in a wheel camber angle, during a measured rotational movement of the wheel, to identify sinusoidal variation in the respective toe and camber angles during the wheel's rotational movement, from which a measure of axial misalignment between the wheel-mounted alignment sensor axis of rotation and the wheel axis of rotation is identified. |
| US07974805B2 |
Image sensor and method
Described herein are methods that may improve yield of an image sensor. In one embodiment, a method that may improve yield of an image sensor includes generating output values of control logic associated with an array of light sensitive elements. The method further may include determining if the control logic has one or more faulty output values. The method further may include automatically correcting the one or more faulty output values. |
| US07974804B2 |
Registration detection system
A registration detection system realizes both substrate-by-substrate correction and highly accurate correction of an exposure process. Therefore, the registration detection system includes: the first detection apparatus installed on a pathway to a collection in a transport container of substrates taken out of the transport container, after passing at least an exposure process and a development process, registration-detects the substrates after passing the development process at multiple points; the second detection apparatus outside the pathway, and performing registration-detecting the substrates at more points than the first detection apparatus when the substrates after passing the first detection apparatus and collected in the transport container are taken out from the transport container again; and a generation unit (image processing parts of the aforementioned detection apparatuses) that generates compensation data for the exposure process based on detection results by the first detection apparatus and detection results by the second detection apparatus. |
| US07974803B2 |
Method and apparatus for calibrating wood testing machine
This improved method of calibrating wood testing machines includes improved test bars, shim and software to direct the operator through the steps of calibration, storing interim results and calculating new calibration factors based on values read when the test bars are placed in the wood testing machine. This method avoids a number of problems in previous methods and apparatus. It properly corrects for changes in deflection in the measurement apparatus and changes in straightness of the test bars. The result is a more stable and reliable calibration that is referenced to precise measurement of the EI product for the test bar. |
| US07974799B2 |
Backboard transmission method, backboard transmission apparatus, and substrate unit
A substrate unit and other substrate unit are mounted with integrated circuits and are connected to a backboard via respective connectors. The substrate unit monitors a signal wave passed between the substrate unit and other substrate unit and detects a delay time and a gain of a reflected wave with respect to a signal wave, performs delay adjustment with respect to a cancellation wave based on the detected delay time, performs gain adjustment with respect to the cancellation wave based on the detected gain, and superimposes the processed cancellation wave on the signal wave thereby canceling the reflected wave. |
| US07974795B2 |
Electronic apparatus
When discharge power calculated based on a current value detected by a current detector is smaller than expected maximum power, which is the maximum power expected in an actual operation, a discharge efficiency at the expected maximum power is set as a discharge efficiency used for remaining capacity calculation. This ensures that a remaining capacity based on power required for a photographing operation can be detected. |
| US07974794B2 |
Electric energy meter
An electric energy meter comprises a terminal unit and a measurement unit. The terminal unit includes plural electric lines each of which carries an electric current supplied from an external power source to a load, and a coil which is provided to at least one of the plural electric lines and converts the electric current flowing to the load into a magnetic field directly proportional to the electric current. The measurement unit includes a hall element which generates a voltage directly proportional to the magnetic field converted by the coil, a voltage detector which detects voltages of the plural electric lines, and a processing unit which calculates electric energy consumption based on the voltage generated by the hall element and the voltages detected by the voltage detector. The electric energy meter can facilitate the replacement. |
| US07974793B2 |
Systems, and/or devices to control the synchronization of diagnostic cycles and data conversion for redundant I/O applications
Methods and systems for controlling the synchronization of diagnostic cycles and data conversion for redundant I/O applications are provided. An exemplary system comprises a first analog input module adapted to request mastership with respect to a second analog input module, output a synchronization pulse to said second analog input module, initiate a diagnostic cycle of said second analog input module, and initiate a data conversion cycle, and wherein said second analog input module, said second analog input module are adapted to assume a slave role with respect to said first analog input module. Numerous other aspects are provided. |
| US07974791B2 |
Method for the optimization of stress distribution in acoustic thermography applications
In a method for the optimization of stress distribution on an object to be tested for flaws by ultrasound excitation and evaluation based on resulting surface temperature distribution,—a simulation is performed under test conditions on a CAD model of the object prior to a testing an object,—vibrational spectra and modal vibrational forms are calculated,—local mechanical stresses are determined from the vibrational modes, whereby—modes to be excited for the real test are selected from the entirety of the occurring modes such that,—the mechanical stress lies in a selected region above a predetermined minimum stress to enable a reliable proof of defect,—the mechanical stress in all other regions of the inspection part, in particular on easily damaged component structures, is smaller than a predetermined maximum stress by a predetermined factor, in order not to damage the component at weak points. |
| US07974787B2 |
Combination treatment alteration methods and systems
Methods, computer program products, and systems are described that include detecting at least one indication of bioactive agent use by an individual and/or altering an artificial sensory experience to modify at least one effect of the bioactive agent. |
| US07974784B2 |
Collision predicting apparatus and collision predicting method
A collision predicting apparatus detects subject targets present in the traveling course of the own vehicle by using the relative distance and the relative velocity, etc. The apparatus also calculates the predicted collision time of each subject target on the basis of the relative distance and the relative velocity. The apparatus also detects the relative lateral position of each subject target, and corrects the relative lateral position. The apparatus then executes a collision-predicted target selecting routine, in which the predicted collision time of each subject target that does not meet a predetermined condition is set at a predetermined maximum value. The apparatus selects a subject target that meets the predetermined condition as a collision subject target, and predicts whether the collision subject target will collide with the own vehicle. |
| US07974783B2 |
Method for determining a display image
In order to determine an easily perceived display image for a driver assistance system, in particular a distance-measuring system or a parking assistant, a method makes use of the determination of Bezier curves on the basis of measured distance values on various measuring lines. Wherein different variants for the selection of the reference points and the curve edge points are available for the modeling and parameterization of the Bezier curves taking into account the respective current situation. It is also possible for object positions not to be taken into account under certain conditions in order to obtain smooth illustrative curves. |
| US07974778B2 |
Vehicular control object determination system and vehicular travel locus estimation system
In a vehicular control object determination system, locus correlation degree calculator calculates a degree of correlation between a future travel locus of a vehicle estimated by first travel locus estimator based on a vehicle speed and a yaw rate and a future travel locus of the vehicle estimated by second travel locus estimator based on a past travel locus of the vehicle calculated by travel locus calculator. When control object determiner determines a control object based on the travel locus estimated by the first travel locus estimator and predetermined control object determination conditions, the control object determination conditions are modified according to the degree of correlation, that is, the degree of reliability of the travel locus estimated by the first travel locus estimator, thereby achieving both accuracy with which the control object is determined and determination of the control object at a distance. |
| US07974772B2 |
Method for providing driving operation data
A method provides driving operation data in a network for wirelessly exchanging driving operation data. A first motor vehicle connected to the network by communication technology determines the absolute driving operation data of a second motor vehicle by way of at least one environment sensor disposed in the first motor vehicle. The absolute driving operation data of the second motor vehicle are transmitted by the first motor vehicle to at least one other subscriber to the network. |
| US07974768B2 |
Device for controlling an internal combustion engine
(EN) The invention concerns a device for controlling an internal combustion engine (601), comprising means (600) for generating a signal for controlling the internal combustion engine (601), a sensor (602) for supplying a pressure measurement signal of a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine (601), and a filtering device (603) for generating a filtered pressure signal, said filtering device (603) being made from analog electronic components. The invention is characterized in that the filtering device (603) has a closed loop configuration with a direct portion (201, 202, 203, 204) and a return portion (205), the return portion comprising a module for re-injecting (205) said filtered pressure signal (P) and the direct portion including: a first subtracting module (201) generating the difference between said pressure measurement signal (Pr) and the output of said re-injection module (205), a static non-linear module (202) in output of said subtracting module, an integrating module (204) generating said filtered pressure signal (P) by integration from the output of said non-linear module. |
| US07974766B2 |
Valvetrain control systems with lift mode transitioning based engine synchronization timing and sensor based lift mode control
A valve control system for an internal combustion engine includes a valve actuation system. The valve actuation system includes lift control valves that actuate at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve between N open lift modes, where N is an integer greater than one. A control module enables transitioning of at least one of the intake valve and the exhaust valve between the open lift modes. The control module synchronizes transitions between the N open lift modes with crankshaft and valvetrain timing. The control module generates an engine position synchronization signal based on the transitioning. |
| US07974753B2 |
Direction and speed control device for an electronic wheelchair
A direction and speed control device for an electronic wheelchair includes: a base member mounted on the electronic wheelchair; a manually operable pointing unit mounted on the base member and including a control stick pivotable relative to the base member; first and second three-axis g acceleration sensors, each generating a voltage output indicative of tilt of a respective one of the control stick and the base member in three orthogonal axes; and a control unit operable so as to process the voltage outputs of the first and second three-axis g acceleration sensors to generate corresponding control signals for controlling rotation direction and speed of a wheel unit of the electronic wheelchair. |
| US07974750B2 |
Cellular phone configured with off-board device capabilities and starter/charger and battery testing capabilities
The present invention is directed toward a cellular phone that connects to an existing vehicle data link to perform the functions of an off-board device, such as a scan tool, for displaying diagnostic information relating to vehicles. In addition, the cellular phone connects to a starter/charger system and/or a battery to perform the functions of a starter/charger/battery testing device. Such a device allows a user to connect the cellular phone to a data link connector located in a vehicle, download software to either an adaptor or the cellular phone, retrieve information relating to diagnostic tests on the vehicle and view the results on the cellular phone display, and/or communicate the results to another person or device. |
| US07974749B2 |
Belt slip diagnostic system for accessory and hybrid electric drives
A diagnostic system for a vehicle includes a first sensor that generates a first status signal, which is indicative of an engine speed of an engine. A second sensor generates a second status signal that is indicative of an actual accessory speed of an accessory. The accessory is coupled to the engine via a belt system. A control module determines an expected accessory speed based on the engine speed and determines a residual accessory speed based on the expected and actual accessory speeds. The control module also detects a fault in the belt system based on the residual accessory speed. |
| US07974745B2 |
Avionic aviation system with a ground station for automatic elimination of resultant failures in aircraft, and corresponding method
An avionic aviation system including: a ground station that is linked to an aircraft via a wireless interface; wherein the ground station includes, a receiver that receives, via a wireless interface, a transmission from a detection device integrated in avionics of the aircraft, said transmission including a parameter regarding at least one of takeoff and landing of the aircraft, and a counter module that increments a value based on the parameter regarding at least one of takeoff or landing for the aircraft. |
| US07974743B2 |
Temperature controlling apparatus, information processing apparatus, and recording medium
A temperature controlling apparatus determines a fan rotation speed from a surrounding noise and a fan noise, measures a temperature of a large scale integration (LSI) device or the like that is a controlled object, determines, in a cooling capacity range of the determined fan rotation speed, an operating clock frequency that falls within an allowable temperature range, and controls the LSI to be connected. |
| US07974742B2 |
Method of coordinating and stabilizing the delivery of wind generated energy
The invention relates to a method of coordinating and stabilizing the delivery of wind generated power, such as to a power grid, or a facility having pneumatically driven equipment, so as to avoid sudden surges and spikes, despite wind speed fluctuations and oscillations. The method preferably uses a plurality of windmill stations, wherein energy can be used directly, and/or stored for later use when demand is high or wind availability is low. The method contemplates forming an energy delivery schedule, to coordinate the use of energy from storage, based on daily wind speed forecasts, which help to predict the resulting wind power availability levels for the upcoming day. The schedule preferably sets a reduced number of constant power output periods during the day, during which time energy delivery levels remain substantially constant, despite fluctuations and oscillations in wind speed and wind power availability levels. |
| US07974736B2 |
Robot deployed weapon system and safing method
This subject invention features a robot deployed weapon system. A remotely controlled mobile robot has a weapon mounted to the robot. There is a firing circuit for the weapon and a weapon interrupt module on board the robot. An operator control unit is for remotely operating the robot and the weapon. The operating control unit preferably includes a stop switch. Also, a separate operator module is in communication with the weapon interrupt module. Preferably, the operator module includes a kill switch. There are two communication links. The first communication link is between the operator control unit and the robot. This communication link is configured to safe the weapon if the stop switch is activated and/or the first communication link degrades. The second communication link is between the operator module and the weapon interrupt module. The communication link is configured to safe the weapon if the kill switch is activated and/or the second communication link degrades. |
| US07974732B2 |
Reconfigurable numerical control for multi level modular machine
A control system for a modular reconfigurable numerically controlled machine comprising at least one memory storage device associated with each of a plurality of detachable modular components to store kinematic and connection information about the modular component. The information in the memory storage devices is read and processed by a main processing unit when the modular component is attached to a primary structure of the numerically controlled machine. The control system further comprises a plurality of component actuators, which receive control signals from the main processing unit, to actuate the modular components attached to the numerically controlled machine. A hardware component connector may provide at least one of a physical, electrical, communications, and pneumatic connection between the primary structure of the numerically controlled machine and the modular components. |
| US07974731B2 |
Method for automated stacking of wood products
The disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for stacking wood products. In some embodiments, the disclosure the steps of designing at least two types of engineered wood products via a software application; producing the at least two types of engineered wood products based on the designs utilizing a saw in conjunction with the software application; designating, via the software application, at least two bins to hold the at least two different types of engineered wood products; selecting a first bin for depositing a first type of engineered wood product; selecting a second bin for depositing a second type of engineered wood product; automatically placing the first type of engineered wood product into the first bin; and automatically placing the second type of engineered wood product into the second bin. The at least two types of engineered wood products are at least two of: panels, I-joists, headers and dimensional lumber. |
| US07974730B2 |
Method for the discontinuous grinding of bevel gears and corresponding software for controlling a multiaxis grinding machine
Method for the chip-removing machining of the tooth flanks of a gear wheel having n teeth and n tooth gaps on a multiaxis grinding machine. A grinding disc which may be dressed is used for the machining and one of the n tooth gaps after another is machined using this grinding disc in the single indexing method. The grinding disc plunges into each of the n tooth gaps up to a predefined plunging depth (T1). If it is a freshly dressed grinding disc, the grinding disc is plunged using a predefined first restraint in relation to the normal predefined plunging depth into m of the n tooth gaps at the beginning of the machining of the gear wheel, to pre-machine these m tooth gaps (for this purpose: m=1, 2, or 3 and m |
| US07974725B2 |
Integrated testing system and method for validation of a manufacturing automation system
A method of testing a physical manufacturing automation system for manufactured work pieces is provided via a testing system and includes connecting a computer-simulated manufacturing automation system to a controller of the physical manufacturing automation system, wherein the computer-simulated manufacturing automation system is configured to represent a portion of the physical manufacturing automation system, including a simulated work piece. The method then includes concurrently running the physical manufacturing automation system and the computer-simulated manufacturing automation system via the controller, with the physical automation system running in the absence of the physical work pieces. |
| US07974721B2 |
Fabrication aiding apparatus
A fabrication aiding apparatus capable of easily and properly setting a margin line is provided. The apparatus includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) to store three-dimensional shape data on a model of an abutment tooth to which a dental prosthesis is applied, an accepting section to accept the input of specification of an angle formed between a line defining a contact point and a reference axis on a face containing the reference axis in the model, a contact point detecting section to detect, based on the three-dimensional shape data, three-dimensional position information about a contact with the line forming a specified angle with the reference axis on the face containing the reference axis in the model, and a margin determining section to determine, based on coordinates of a contact point, three-dimensional position information of a margin line in the model. |
| US07974717B2 |
Customizing soundtracks
A system and method for replacing all or part of the original audio of a digital program with other audio enables a user to customize a digital program soundtrack. The method includes receiving the audio portion of the digital program as an audio data stream including multiplexed associated audio and data packets, selecting at least one of the audio packets to be replaced by a replacement audio packet, and replacing the at least one of the audio packets with a replacement audio packet thereby customizing the audio portion of the digital program during program playback. The method also enables customizing an audio portion of a transmitted analog program. The method includes receiving first and second audio signals, receiving information transmitted in a vertical blanking interval of the transmitted analog program, interpreting the information and removing a replaceable audio signal, and replacing the replaceable audio signal with a user-selected audio signal. |
| US07974716B2 |
Preprogrammed hearing assistance device with program selection based on patient usage
A programmable apparatus improves perception of sound by a person. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a processor, digital-to-analog converter, audio output section and means for generating first and second control signals. The processor executes one or more available programs for processing digital audio signals based on control signals. The digital-to-analog converter generates output analog audio signals based on the digital audio signals. The audio output section receives and amplifies the output analog audio signals, generates audible sound based thereon and provides the audible sound to the person. The memory stores programs for processing the digital audio signals. Based on an action by the person, a first control signal is generated which causes the processor to switch from one available program to another available program so that the person may cycle through and evaluate each of the available programs. Also based on an action by the person, a second control signal is generated which causes the processor to designate at least one of the available programs as a chosen program for continued use. |
| US07974711B2 |
Double stylet insertion tool for a cochlear implant electrode array
A cochlear implant electrode assembly device (10) comprising an elongate electrode carrier member (11), a first stiffening element (15a), and a second stiffening element (15b). The carrier member (11) is made of a resiliently flexible first material and has a plurality of electrodes (12) mounted thereon. The carrier member (11) has a first configuration selected to allow it to be inserted into an implantee's cochlea (30), a second configuration wherein it is curved in shape to match a surface of the cochlea (30), and at least one intermediate configuration between the first and second configurations. Both the first and second stiffening elements (15a,15b) are made of a material relatively stiffer than said the material and in combination bias the elongate member into the first configuration. If either the first stiffening element (15a) or the second stiffening element (15b) are removed, the elongate member (11) adopts the at least one intermediate configuration. |
| US07974706B2 |
Electrode contact configurations for cuff leads
A stimulation system is disclosed that may include a stimulator unit coupled to electrode contacts on a cuff. In one embodiment, the cuff may be placed at least partially around a nerve. The stimulation system may include at least two electrode contacts disposed on the cuff such that a distance between the at least two electrode contacts various along a length of the electrode contacts. In another embodiment, a plurality of electrode contacts are disposed on the cuff such that distances between at least one electrode contact within the plurality of electrode contacts and each electrode contact immediately adjacent to the at least one electrode contact are different. The stimulator unit may also be implantable. |
| US07974704B2 |
Lead body constructions for implantable medical electrical leads
A lead body of an implantable medical electrical lead includes a first filler and a second filler, each extending within a proximal portion thereof. The first filler may have a stiffness that is less than that of the second filler, and may surround and isolate a plurality of conductors which are coupled to a connector terminal of the lead, which connector terminal extends proximally from a proximal end of the lead body. The second filler extends along a limited length, alongside the first filler, wherein the limited length extends distally from the connector terminal; the second filler may further extend into the connector terminal. |
| US07974701B2 |
Dosing limitation for an implantable medical device
A method for limiting patient-initiated electrical signal therapy to a cranial nerve of a patient is provided. An electrical signal therapy limit is selected from the group consisting of; a maximum number of patient-initiated signals, a maximum dose of electrical signals, a maximum duration of electrical signal, a maximum rate of change of the number of patient-initiated signals, a maximum rate of change of the dose of electrical signals, and a maximum rate of change of the duration of the electrical signals all per unit of time. If the electrical signal therapy limit is exceeded a therapy is delivered to the cranial nerve selected from the group consisting of; providing therapy, providing reduced therapy, providing enhanced therapy, inhibiting therapy, providing background therapy, and inhibiting background therapy. |
| US07974699B2 |
Vision regeneration assisting device
A vision regeneration assisting device for regenerating vision of a patient, comprising: a plurality of electrodes which are stuck and placed into an optic disc of the patient; a storage unit which stores a generation position of a phosphene specific to the patient in association with the first output conditions for the stimulation signal that has caused to generate the phosphene, the storage unit storing various first output conditions for the stimulation signals and the generation positions of the phosphenes caused by the stimulation signals based on the various first output conditions in association with each other; a processor which sets second output conditions for the stimulation signal based on image data obtained by an external photography unit and the generation positions of the phosphenes stored in the storage unit, and converts the obtained image data into data for the stimulation signal based on the set second output conditions. |
| US07974695B2 |
Method and apparatus for optimizing stroke volume during DDD resynchronization therapy using adjustable atrio-ventricular delays
A pacing system for providing optimal hemodynamic cardiac function for parameters such as ventricular synchrony or contractility (peak left ventricle pressure change during systole or LV+dp/dt), or stroke volume (aortic pulse pressure) using system for calculating atrio-ventricular delays for optimal timing of a ventricular pacing pulse. The system providing an option for near optimal pacing of multiple hemodynamic parameters. The system deriving the proper timing using electrical or mechanical events having a predictable relationship with an optimal ventricular pacing timing signal. |
| US07974693B2 |
Techniques for applying, configuring, and coordinating nerve fiber stimulation
Apparatus is provided including an implantable sensor, adapted to sense an electrical parameter of a heart of a subject, and a first control unit, adapted to apply pulses to the heart responsively to the sensed parameter, the pulses selected from the list consisting of: pacing pulses and anti-arrhythmic energy. The apparatus further includes an electrode device, adapted to be coupled 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 coronary sinus of the subject, a vena cava vein of the subject, a right ventricle of the subject, and a jugular vein of the subject; and a second control unit, adapted to drive the electrode device to apply to the site a current that increases parasympathetic tone of the subject and affects a heart rate of the subject. The first and second control units are not under common control. At least one of the control units is adapted to coordinate an aspect of its operation with an aspect of operation of the other control unit. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US07974690B2 |
Lead integrity testing during suspected tachyarrhythmias
Techniques for performing a lead integrity test during a suspected tachyarrhythmia are described. An implantable medical device (IMD) may perform the test prior to delivering a therapeutic shock to treat the suspected tachyarrhythmia and, in some cases, may withhold the shock based on the test. In some examples, the IMD measures an impedance of a lead a plurality of times during the suspected tachyarrhythmia. In some examples, the IMD measures the impedance a plurality of times between two sensed events of the suspected tachyarrhythmia. The IMD or another device may determine a variability of, or otherwise compare, the measured impedances to evaluate the integrity of the lead. Instead of or in addition to withholding a shock, the IMD or another device may change a sensing or stimulation vector of the IMD, or provide an alert to a user, if the integrity test indicates a possible lead integrity issue. |
| US07974689B2 |
Wearable medical treatment device with motion/position detection
A wearable defibrillator consists of a vest (or belt) which is worn by the patient. The device monitors the patient's ECG with sensing electrodes and can monitor other patient conditions and in appropriate cases can treat certain conditions. An accelerometer(s) in the wearable defibrillator can allow for the device to determine the position, movements, forces applied to the patient, and/or the device. The device can use a least one patient motion detector generating a signal indicative of patient activity. Analysis of the signal can be indicative of patient activity appropriate for treatment or indication of device condition. |
| US07974688B2 |
Trained and adaptive response in a neurostimulator
A method sensing at least two physiological parameters and, for each of the at least two physiological parameters, generating a first series of signals representative of the physiological parameter sensed over a first time period, storing each of said first series of signals as a time sequence data stream, and determining when a physiological event has occurred in a patient. The method further comprises analyzing each of said time sequence data streams for a predetermined time interval preceding the occurrence of a physiological event to determine at least one marker as a predictor of the event, and again sensing the physiological parameters. Furthermore, the method comprises generating a second series of signals representative of the physiological parameter sensed, analyzing each of the second series of signals to determine whether the marker is present, and stimulating a cranial nerve when the marker is present in the second series of signals. |
| US07974686B2 |
Multi-channel bio-med electric signals capturing device based on a sound signal generation
A multi-channel bio-med electric signals capturing device includes: a detection channel unit, a control unit, a voice signal generator and a computer device. The detection channel unit is provided to detect bioelectric signals produced from human body and amplify the same. The control unit is provided to capture the amplified bio-med electric signals based on a frequency conforming to a computer acceptable audient signal. The voice signal generator transmits the captured amplified bio-med electric signals to a microphone of the computer device, whereby a recording program built in the computer device records the input audient signal as a voice file. Accordingly, the user is able to monitor the bio-med electric signals by easily and simply using a computer device. |
| US07974681B2 |
Robotic catheter system
A robotic catheter system includes a controller with a master input device, and an instrument driver in communication with the controller, the instrument driver configured for independently controlling each of number of desired motions of a flexible, elongate guide instrument in a body of a patient in response to control signals generated by the controller, the desired motions selected from the group comprising axial advancement, axial retraction, axial rotation, and radial bending. Integrated haptics capability may be provided, in which one or more motors provide tactile feedback to an operator through the master input device. |
| US07974680B2 |
Hysteresis assessment for metal immunity
Assessment apparatus is provided, including a set of one or more radiators, which is adapted to generate an energy field at at least one fundamental frequency. A receiving sensor is adapted to generate a first signal responsive to the energy field when an interfering article is at a first location relative to the receiving sensor, and is adapted to generate a second signal responsive to the energy field when the interfering article is at a second location relative to the receiving sensor. A control unit is adapted to (a) receive and analyze the first and second signals, in order to compute a fingerprint signal characteristic of the interfering article, and (b) store, in a database, data indicative of the fingerprint signal, in association with an identity of the interfering article. |
| US07974679B2 |
Method and apparatus to reduce image intensity variation during MR data acquisition
The present invention provides a system and method of reducing image intensity variations during imaging acquisitions that utilize large encoding gradient pulses that are played out immediately before a center of k-space is sampled. The present invention includes an acquisition and sampling that implements a predetermined delay in sampling prior to sampling the center of k-space. The delay in sampling the center of k-space following sampling of a peripheral region of k-space maintains the steady state of the MR signal and reduces the image intensity variation caused by eddy current and gradient hysteresis. As such, the intensity variations throughout k-space may be reduced substantially and brought closer to the intrinsic noise level of the data acquisition. |
| US07974677B2 |
Method and apparatus for preplanning a surgical procedure
A method and system to assist in a selection and planning of procedure and assist in selecting a prosthetic for the procedure. Generally, the system allows for image acquisition of a selected area of the anatomy. A model may be formed of the anatomy from the acquired images. The system may also allow for navigational tracking of the procedure to ensure that the procedure is substantially carried out relative to the selected plan. |
| US07974671B2 |
Living body information signal processing system combining living body optical measurement apparatus and brain wave measurement apparatus and probe device used for the same
A living body information signal processing system (100) combining organically a living body optical measurement apparatus and a brain wave measurement apparatus, the living body optical measurement apparatus (300) in which inspection light of from visible to near infrared is irradiated on a head portion of a subject (140) and the penetration light is received and which measures an optical characteristic variation induced by a brain activity inside the head portion as a living body optical signal and the brain wave measurement apparatus (400) which measures an electrical characteristic variation induced by a brain activity inside the head portion of the subject as a brain wave signal, is provided with a probe device (50) used for both apparatus; and a living body information signal processing and displaying device (200) which displays the living body optical signal corresponding to respective measurement positions from the living body optical measurement apparatus and the brain wave signal corresponding to respective measurement positions from the brain wave measurement apparatus on a common display device while correlating the respective measurement positions each other, thereby, with the system comprehensive observation of both data can be achieved. |
| US07974665B2 |
Dual-axis rotation folder-type mobile communication terminal and hinge device thereof
Provided is a dual-axis rotation folder-type mobile communication terminal including a main body, a folder rotatable about a first hinge axis having two positions respectively in a latitudinal direction and a longitudinal direction of the main body to open and close a top face of the main body, and a rotation hinge unit rotatable about a second hinge axis a predetermined degree to change a position of the first axis. |
| US07974663B2 |
Mast-based detachable controller device
A self-contained controller device for electronic devices is described herein. The controller device includes a fixed central mast that extends into the controller and acts as the core structural component for the controller. The controller's user movable casing is pivotally mounted about the mast with a pivot point where the user movable casing and the mast meet that is located at or above the surface of the electronic device. The internal components of the controller device include movement detection and measurement circuitry, a self-centering mechanism attached to the fixed central mast, and wires connecting the movement detection and measurement circuitry through the mast to device connection point(s) on the electronic device. |
| US07974661B1 |
Remotely accessing a computing device in a low-power state
Aspects provide a computer-readable medium for accessing computer applications and application data on a computer operating in a low-power state utilizing a wireless device and providing the requested information in a usable format over a short-range communications link. According to one aspect, a computer-readable medium causes a computer to receive a request for data over a short-range wireless link. If the computer is in a standby state, a low-power state is initiated, a software component is executed to receive the request, retrieve the data, format the data for display on the wireless device, and send the data to the wireless device. If the computer is in a hibernation mode, a pre-boot application is executed to retrieve, format, and send the stored data to the wireless device or to initiate a low-power or power-on state and forward the request to a software component for retrieving the requested data. |
| US07974656B2 |
Electronic apparatus, screen information output method and computer-readable storage medium
An electronic apparatus has a storage part to store a plurality of screen information, including incoming call screen information, a display part to display the screen information, and an output control part to output to an outside of the electronic apparatus arbitrary screen information that is to be output to the outside, of the screen information stored in the storage part, and to display the arbitrary screen information on the display part, when an external output function is set to an ON state. The output control part continues outputting the arbitrary screen information to the outside and displays on the display part the incoming screen information stored in the storage part, when an incoming call is received in a state where the external output function is set to the ON state. |
| US07974647B2 |
Mobile apparatus and method of timing synchronization
A mobile apparatus and method of timing synchronization. The mobile apparatus comprises a timing synchronization controller, a frame detector, a decoder, and a clock generator. The timing synchronization controller determines a number of times of the mobile station clock switching from a first clock speed to a second clock speed, and compares the number of times of the mobile station clock switching the clock speed with a predetermined number of clock speed switch. The frame detector, coupled to the timing synchronization controller, receives a control channel block when the number of times of clock speed switch reaches the predetermined number of clock speed switch. The decoder, coupled to the frame detector, decodes the control channel block to compute a timing error between the base station clock and the mobile station clock. The clock generator, coupled to the decoder, receives the timing error to compensate for the mobile station clock. |
| US07974642B2 |
System and method for estimating cell center position for cell ID based positioning
Systems and methods for estimating a cell center location in a wireless communication system having all interface to a satellite positioning system (“SPS”) such as for example, a Geosynchronous Positioning System (“GPS”). The wireless communication system provides service to mobile stations within a cell, each mobile station includes a SPS receiver. Examples of the systems and methods for estimating a cell center location analyze the mobile station locations in a cell as a uniform distribution of mobile station locations and calculate a statistical measure characterizing the mobile station locations as a function of the mobile station locations. In one example, the statistical measure is a maximum likelihood mobile station location. In another example, the statistical measure is the mean mobile station location in the cell. The estimated cell center location may be used to approximate the location of the mobile station during a warm or cold restart of the SPS receiver part of the mobile station. |
| US07974640B2 |
System for automatically determining cell transmitter parameters to facilitate the location of wireless devices
Several techniques for locating wireless devices involve the Mobile Stations (MS) making measurements of the signals transmitted by geographically distributed base stations within a wireless network. If some key site information is known about these transmitters, such as the transmitter location, transmit signal power, signal propagation, and transmit signal timing, measurements of these transmit signals by a MS can be used to determine the position of the MS. An automatic method to detect transmitters, identify key transmitter information, and utilize the base station transmit signals to perform location is presented. In addition, this method facilitates the use of cell site transmit signals that are part of multiple wireless networks. |
| US07974639B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing position determination with a short circuit call flow
For a call flow to perform position determination, a network sends to a user equipment (UE) an indication (e.g., a request for permission) to perform a position fix for the UE. The UE responds by sending to the network an acknowledgment (e.g., a grant of permission) to perform the position fix. The UE selectively sends a position estimate for itself to the network, typically along with the acknowledgment. The network may initiate location processing if (1) a location estimate is not received from the UE or (2) a location estimate is received from the UE but the network decides not to use this location estimate. In this case, the network and the UE perform location processing to obtain a position fix for the UE. However, if a location estimate is received from the UE and the network decides to use the location estimate, then the location processing is bypassed or short circuited. |
| US07974638B2 |
Interactive advisory system
A method for locating at least one individual located remotely from a broadcast network. An analysis unit compares user profiles, dynamic locations stored in the communicator location database, and/or fixed locations entered into the analysis unit. A data set of at least one matching individualized locatee user profile is generated and the individualized locatee user profile is transmitted to the locator via the locator's communicator device. |
| US07974635B2 |
Method and system for automated collection of call routing performance data in a wireless network
A method and system for collecting location-sensitive call routing data in a wireless telecommunications network under test, the wireless network routing a test call to an appropriate destination based on a geographic area from which the test call was placed. The method and system include receiving the test call placed from a test call device to one or more destination devices, via said network under test; generating originator call records by the test call device; generating destination call records by the devices; electronically collecting originator call records from the test call device, destination call records from the one or more destination devices and network call records from said network under test; and storing said collected originator, destination call records, and network call records in a data collecting device; and organizing said call records such that the originator call records, the destination call records, and the network call records pertaining to the placed test call are associated together. |
| US07974633B2 |
System and method for single sensor geolocation
A system and method for determining a position of a wireless mobile device. The method comprising the steps of providing one base station in communication with the mobile device, providing a sensor spaced apart a known distance from the base station, and determining the range between the mobile device and the base station. The time of arrival of a signal transmitted from the mobile device is measured at the sensor and a set of coordinates is calculated for the mobile device relative to the sensor as a function of the known distance from the sensor to the base station, the range between the mobile device and the base station, an estimate of base station transmission timing relative to a time source, and the time of arrival. One of the set of coordinates may then be chosen to thereby determine a position of the mobile device relative to the sensor. |
| US07974630B1 |
Releasing a connection in a wireless communication network
A network element, such as a radio network controller, for use in a communication network (e.g. UMTS), the network element being arranged between an end station and an end element, for example an SGSN, wherein connections are established between the end station and the end element via the network element, the network element determining if the connection between the end element and the end station is to be released. |
| US07974625B2 |
Method, communication system, central interface device and mobile terminal for operating a wireless communication connection
A method for operating a wireless communication connection comprising a first device using a first standard for LANs and providing a first radio coverage area, a second device operating according to a second standard and providing a second radio coverage area, the first and the second coverage areas overlapping, a mobile device operable according to the first and the second standards and a central interface device between the LAN and a switched telephone network, a voice data transmission according to the first standard is prioritized by the mobile device. A measurement is performed and a message including the measurement result and topology information relating to the LAN is transmitted to the central device. The central device uses the message to decide for a changeover of the operation of an existing connection from the first area to the second area, the mobile device initiating the changeover based on the decision. |
| US07974620B1 |
Selection of roaming partners based on load value
A method, system, and media are provided for selecting a preferred roaming partner based on load conditions on an access networks associated with the selected preferred roaming partner. A wireless device storing one or more lists of preferred roaming partners is configured to receive configurations messages from the access networks associated with each of the preferred roaming partners. The wireless device parses the configurations messages and extracts load information from fields included the configuration messages. A load value of each preferred roaming partner is calculated based on the extracted load information. The wireless device selects the preferred roaming partner having the lowest load value to initiate wireless communication over the access network corresponding to the selected preferred roaming partner. |
| US07974615B2 |
Method and system for communicating between a communications source and a mobile platform
A mobile platform is equipped with a broadcast signal receiver to receive a broadcast signal and with a two-way wireless communications device. Messages within the broadcast signal are received. Other messages between the communications source and the mobile platform are wirelessly communicated via the two-way wireless communications device. |
| US07974612B2 |
Transmission of database records between mobile communication terminals
A method for transmitting a phone number stored in a first mobile communication terminal to a second mobile communication terminal is provided. The method comprises selecting a phone number stored in a database in the first mobile communication terminal, by way of interacting with a user interface of the first mobile communication terminal; creating a short text message to be transmitted to the second mobile communication terminal; inputting the selected phone number in the short text message, as a single entry, by way of interacting with the user interface of the first mobile communication terminal; and transmitting the short text message to the second mobile communication terminal, wherein a user of the second mobile communication terminal upon receipt of the short text message interacts with the second mobile communication terminal to select the phone number in the short text message, as a single entry. |
| US07974607B2 |
Electronic device having limiting mode functions
A CPU 11, in the condition where the limited mode is not set, outputs the data arbitrarily selected by a user operation from a display unit 18 and a sound speaker 23, and in the condition where the limited mode is set, predetermined data is output instead of data specified by the user. As a result, in the case in which data is output according to the operation of a function included in an electronic device, even if no limitation is imposed to that function, the output of data or information, which the third party should not know about, can be prevented merely by setting the limited mode, in which limitations are imposed on the operation. |
| US07974606B2 |
System and method for configuring devices for wireless communication
A system and method for configuring devices for wireless communication are disclosed. A method may include transmitting an activation key from an activation broker to a wireless agent. The method may also include transmitting the activation key from the activation broker to a wireless registrar. At least one of the transmission of the activation key to the wireless agent and the transmission of the activation key to the wireless registrar may include transmitting the activation key via a short-range wireless communication technology. In addition, the activation key may include information for authenticating wireless communication between the wireless agent and a wireless access point. |
| US07974602B2 |
Fraud detection techniques for wireless network operators
A system and method are provided by which a network operator is able to detect fraudulent use of a subscriber's terminal, regardless of whether or not the subscriber is aware of the fraudulent use of her terminal. Detecting unauthorized terminal use in a wireless network includes recording a history of terminal location and registration patterns, analyzing the recorded history of location and registration patterns of the terminal, monitoring current location and registration patterns of the terminal, and requesting clarification when a deviation between said statistical analysis of the location and registration patterns of said terminal and said current location and registration patterns of said terminal is detected. |
| US07974601B2 |
Multi-MVNO wireless service
Systems and methods for determining an optimal range of frequencies of electromagnetic waves are described. In some embodiments, mobile voice communications devices measure average power received from certain ranges of such frequencies, each range associated with a communications service provider. A cost may be associated with each range. An optimal range of frequencies may be determined based on these factors. Each device may also receive a set of data identifying the location of the device. Each device may transmit one or more communications signals to a CIP with such measurements and location information, and some of this information may be stored in a database. |
| US07974599B2 |
Low noise amplifier with constant input impedance
A low noise amplifier includes an input transistor, an inductor, and a current sink. The input transistor includes a gate, a drain, and a source, wherein the gate of the input transistor is operably coupled to receive an input radio frequency (RF) signal. The inductor includes a first node and a second node, wherein the first node of the inductor is operably coupled to a power supply and the second node of the inductor is operably coupled to the drain of the input transistor to provide an output of the low noise amplifier. The current sink includes a first node and a second node, wherein the first node of the current sink is operably coupled to the source of the input transistor and the second node of the current sink is operably coupled to a circuit ground, wherein a real component of input impedance of the low noise amplifier is substantially constant when the low noise amplifier is in the off mode as when the low noise amplifier is in the on mode. |
| US07974597B2 |
Power amplifier system and mobile phone terminal using same
A power amplifier system includes a first power amplifier, a second harmonic generator, a phase shifter, and first and second adders. The first power amplifier amplifies a primary input signal. The second harmonic generator outputs a second harmonic by using a split part (signal) of the primary input signal as an input. The phase shifter adjusts a phase of the second harmonic. The first adder sums together a split signal of the primary input signal and an output of the phase shifter, thereby to produce an output. The second power amplifier uses the output of the first adder as an input. The second adder sums together an output of the first amplifier and an output of the second power amplifier, thereby to produce an output. |
| US07974594B2 |
Method for checking connectivity between base station controller and mobile switching center
The present invention relates to a method for checking connectivity between a BSC (Base Station Controller) and an MSC (Mobile Switching Center), including: the MSC loopbacking a circuit and sending a connectivity check command to the BSC to instruct the BSC to perform the connectivity check; the BSC performing the connectivity check according to the connectivity check command; if the connectivity check is successful, the BSC sends a Connectivity Check Success identifier to the MSC to instruct the MSC to cancel the self-loop of the circuit; if the connectivity check fails, the BSC sends a Clear Request message to the MSC to release the communication connection and cancel the self-loop of the circuit. Embodiments of the present invention implement quick and convenient locating of connection errors by adding a Connectivity Check command in the messages for A-interface. |
| US07974592B2 |
Linearization in a transmission chain
A transmission chain comprises a power amplifier adapted for receiving as input a signal to be amplified Sw(t) and for providing as output an amplified signal Dw(t); a predistortion module comprising a linearization unit adapted for applying a predistortion coefficient W(t) to an input signal S(t), and a unit for determining said predistortion coefficient. The input signal S(t) is received and the amplified signal Dw(t) is received through a return pathway, at the level of the unit for determining the predistortion coefficient, and the predistortion coefficient is determined on the basis of a comparison between the input signal and the amplified signal. Next, at the level of the linearization unit, the predistortion coefficient is applied to the input signal to provide as output the signal to be amplified. The determining unit determines the predistortion coefficient on the basis of a first-order approximation of the input signal. |
| US07974590B2 |
Method and system for simultaneous signal transmission on multiple selected frequencies
Aspects of a method and system for simultaneous signal transmission on multiple selected frequencies may include generating from a single baseband signal, a plurality of radio frequency transmission signals each at a different radio frequency, wherein the single baseband signal comprises an in-phase signal component and/or a quadrature signal component. The single baseband signal, to generate said plurality of radio frequency transmission signals, may be modulated in a single radio frequency transmission chain, the radio frequency transmission chain comprising intermediate frequency modulation and radio frequency modulation. The plurality of radio frequency transmission signals may be a radio frequency signal and a corresponding image frequency signal, based on the intermediate frequency modulation and the radio frequency modulation. The signals resulting from the intermediate frequency modulation and the radio frequency modulation may be filtered to preserve the radio frequency signal and the corresponding image frequency signal. |
| US07974586B2 |
Constant input port impedance for CATV amplifier with passive modem port
A passive directional coupler is receptive of VoIP, Internet, and video/data signals, and is used in a CATV amplifier device to couple the video/data signals from a cable drop input port to the input terminal of an amplifier, and to passively bypass the VoIP and Internet signals to a modem port, for insuring continuous connection of the VoIP and Internet signals to the a modem of a user connected to the modem port, regardless of the loss of power to the amplifier or the failure of the amplifier, in one embodiment of the invention. In another embodiment, a switching circuit is responsive to the loss of power to the amplifier, for electrically connecting a 75 ohm resistor between a source of reference potential, and the common connection between the directional coupler and the amplifier, for maintaining a 75 ohm impedance at the directional coupler output to the common connection. In a preferred embodiment, the switching circuit also opens the common connection between the directional coupler and amplifier, upon the loss of power to the amplifier. |
| US07974580B2 |
Apparatus and method for modulating an amplitude, phase or both of a periodic signal on a per cycle basis
An apparatus for wireless communications is disclosed including a signal generator adapted to generate a substantially periodic signal including a plurality of cycles, and a modulator adapted to modulate an amplitude, a phase or both the amplitude and the phase of the periodic signal on a per cycle basis. In one aspect, the modulator is adapted to modulate the amplitude, the phase, or both the amplitude and phase of the periodic signal with a defined modulation signal. In another aspect, the defined modulation signal includes a substantially root raised cosine signal. In yet another aspect, the defined modulation signal is configured to achieve a defined frequency spectrum for the modulated periodic signal. |
| US07974579B2 |
Frequency separation for multiple bluetooth devices residing on a single platform
A single host device, comprising a plurality of Bluetooth devices, estimates bandwidth requirements such as maximum rates and/or an average data rate expected by each of a plurality of Bluetooth applications to be run on the single host. For each Bluetooth device, available frequencies utilized are determined based on the estimated bandwidth requirements. Each of the plurality of Bluetooth applications is allocated to corresponding one or more Bluetooth devices based on the determined available frequencies so as to, for example, concurrently run corresponding Bluetooth applications on the single host. The determined available frequencies are assigned to corresponding Bluetooth devices based on the estimated bandwidth requirements. The determined available frequencies and the plurality of Bluetooth applications may be reassigned and reallocated, respectively. Each of plurality of Bluetooth applications is allocated to the corresponding one or more Bluetooth devices based on the assigned/reassigned available frequencies and/or the estimated bandwidth requirements. |
| US07974577B2 |
Devices and systems for improved wireless communication
A communication device for supporting wireless communication between a host system and a target system and methods for manufacturing and using same. In one preferred embodiment, the communication device can include a host adapter and a wireless transceiver. When coupled with a communication port of the host system, the host adapter exchanges data signals over a virtual communication port of the host system and supports conversion between the data signals and serial data signals. The wireless transceiver converts the serial data signals received from the host adapter into outgoing wireless signals for broadcast to the target system and incoming wireless signals received from the target system into the serial data signals for transmission to the host adapter. Thereby, the host adapter, when coupled with the host system, operates as a hardware firewall, rendering the wireless transceiver invisible to the host system's operating system. |
| US07974570B2 |
Latent property diagnosing procedure
The present invention provides a method of doing cognitive diagnosis of mental skills, medical and psychiatric diagnosis of diseases and disorders, and in general the diagnosing of latent properties of a set of objects, usually people, for which multiple pieces of binary (dichotomous) information about the objects are available, for example testing examinees using right/wrong scored test questions. Settings where the present invention can be applied but are not limited to include classrooms at all levels, web-based instruction, corporate in-house training, large scale standardized tests, and medical and psychiatric settings. Uses include but are not limited to individual learner feedback, learner remediation, group level educational assessment, and medical and psychiatric treatment. |
| US07974564B2 |
Unit opposing a fixing device in an image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a fixing device that causes a toner image to be fixed onto a recording medium; an opposing unit that is disposed opposing the fixing device and forms a conveyance path in between the fixing device, the recording medium being conveyable on the conveyance path; a holding member for the recording medium that is disposed at the opposing unit and positioned between the recording medium conveyed on the conveyance path and the fixing device; and a withdrawal mechanism that causes the opposing unit to be withdrawn in a direction away from the fixing device. |
| US07974563B2 |
Image heating apparatus and pressure roller therein having metal core and two elastic layers with different thermal conductivities
A pressure member contacts a heating member to form a nip part where a recording material is heated and pinched-conveyed, and includes a first elastic layer and a second elastic layer 24b having a higher thermal conductivity than that of the first elastic layer. An elastic layer is formed of a combination of the first elastic layer and the second elastic layer so that the thickness of the second elastic layer at the end portion is thicker than the thickness of the second elastic layer at the center portion in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to a recording material conveyance direction. Accordingly, when using the pressure member to contact the heating member to form the nip part, it is possible to reduce the difference between a center nip width and an end-portion nip width of the nip part. |
| US07974555B2 |
Development apparatus and image forming apparatus
A development apparatus 8 has developer transport members 26 and 27 respectively contained in containers 22 and 23 and transporting developer while stirring the developer and passing the developer to each other at a passing portion 41 and a passing portion 42, thereby causing the developer to circulate in a developer tank 21. The passing portion 41 is formed at a location of a partition 21c adjacent to a developer discharging mechanism 34 and the passing portion 42 is formed at a location of the partition 21c away from the developer discharging mechanism 34. The passing portions 41 and 42 have configurations in which a transport force acting on the developer at the passing portion 41 is greater than the transport force acting on the developer at the passing portion 42. |
| US07974554B2 |
Method for imprinting a recording medium
In a method or system for printing of a recording medium, potential images are generated on a potential image carrier. A developer liquid is used that comprises a transparent photo-polymerizable carrier liquid and charged colorant particles. The developer is transported via an applicator roller to the potential image carrier to form a developer film in a developing zone. The developer film adjacent to the potential image carrier comprises the photo-polymerizable carrier liquid enriched with the colorant particles in regions in which potential images are present on the potential image carrier and said photo-polymerizable liquid substantially depleted of said colorant particles in regions in which no potential images are present. The developer film splits at an end of the developing zone into an image film adhering to the potential image carrier comprising the developed potential image and a film adhering to the applicator roller comprising the photo-polymerizable liquid with residual colorant particles. The image film with the developed potential images is transferred from the potential image carrier onto the recording medium such that the colorant particles and a portion of the photo-polymerizable liquid in which the colorant particles are arranged migrates from the image film. The image film is fixed on the recording medium with a radiation such that the colorant particles of the developed potential images are embedded in a solid, transparent polymer mass via photo-polymerization, and otherwise the photo-polymerizable liquid is solidified into a transparent film. |
| US07974551B2 |
Developing device having separable two housing pieces and image forming apparatus provided with the same
A developing device is provided for an image forming apparatus that has a photoreceptor. The developing device has a housing with upper and lower housing pieces that are snap fit together. A developer opening is formed in an upper portion of the upper housing piece for supplying a developer and a bottom opening is formed in a bottom part of the upper housing piece. A developer carrier and a developer agitating member are supported rotatably in the upper housing so that an axis of the developer agitating member is below an axis of the developer carrier and below the developer opening. The lower housing piece is configured to seal the bottom opening of the upper housing piece. However, the snap fit housings can be separated for cleaning as necessary. |
| US07974549B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus
A developing device includes: a developing roller on the surface of which intersecting inclined grooves are formed by rolling working; and a seal member which comes into contact with the developing roller, wherein ridge portions of a convex portion surrounded by the inclined grooves of the surface of the developing roller are formed such that rotational resistance due to the contact of the seal member on the downstream side of a rotation direction opposite to a rotation direction of the developing roller at the time of development is larger than rotational resistance due to the contact of the seal member on the downstream side of a rotation direction of the developing roller at the time of development, and at the time of refreshing of the seal member, the developing roller is rotated in the opposite direction to a direction at the time of development. |
| US07974548B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus including same
A developing device of the present invention has a toner supply opening in a first carrying path and in the upstream of the developer carrying direction of a first carrying screw which is further from a developing roller; and a moquette member having feathers on its surface, and being provided, along the developer carrying direction, on the first carrying path. With this arrangement, it is possible to realize a compact developing device having a simple arrangement in which the supplied toner is speedily mixed with the preexisted developer, and the stable toner which is uniformly dispersed and charged can be speedily supplied for development. |
| US07974543B2 |
Optical receiver and a free-space optical communications using the same
A device for phase distortion compensation across an optical beam is provided. The device is a part of an optical receiver, which can be used in free space optical communications, remote sensing, optical imaging and others. 2M inputs of the combiner interfere with each other via a system of tunable coupled waveguides. The phases in interleaved waveguides of the combiner are adjusted to maximize the resulting output signal. The combiner may be used for coherent communication in combination with a balanced 90° hybrid. Integrated solutions for the proposed device are provided. |
| US07974542B2 |
OTDM-DPSK signal generator capable of detecting an optical carrier phase difference between optical pulses
An OTDM-DPSK signal generator includes an optical splitter, a first and a second phase modulator, an optical coupler, and a monitor signal splitter. The optical splitter splits an optical pulse string into a first and a second optical pulse string. The first and second phase modulators generate a first and a second channel DPSK signal, respectively. The DPSK signals are provided with one bit delay to generate another DPSK signal, which enters the optical coupler, which outputs an OTDM-DPSK signal, which enters a monitor signal splitter. The monitor signal splitter splits from the OTDM-DPSK signal a monitor signal and inputs the monitor signal to an optical carrier phase difference detector. The detector generates an optical carrier phase difference detection signal as a function of an optical carrier phase difference between optical pulses. The optical carrier phase difference can thus be detected between optical pulses in an OTDM-DPSK signal. |
| US07974541B2 |
High frequency signal optical transmission system and high frequency signal optical transmission method
A filter conducts the round trip by using the return optical signal that has been shifted in frequency, and measures the transmission optical signal and the return signal in phase by the principle of the Michelson interferometer at the same time, independently, and splits the two optical signals. A polarization state in which transmission and reception optical signals within an optical phase shifter which enters one route of the two optical signals are made orthogonal to each other is provided, to thereby distinguish the transmission and reception signals of the round trip from each other. The light is allowed to pass the shifter in incoming and returning to remove the polarization rotation of the shifter by using the reversibility of the light. Then, the phases of the transmission signal and the return signal are measured and synchronized with each other to conduct the transmission phase compensation. |
| US07974540B2 |
Communication system and communication method using the same
A communication system capable of employing polarization-dependent phase modulators with a reversing configuration that preserves security against disturbance of a polarization state at a transmission path but without using Faraday mirrors and a communication method using the same are provided.A quantum cryptography system of the present invention includes a first station 1, a transmission path 2, and a second station 3. The first station 1 has means for emitting time-divided optical pulses into the transmission path 2 and measuring a phase difference between the optical pulses returning from the transmission path 2. The transmission path 2 is a medium of light. The second station 3 has means for reversing traveling directions of the optical pulses, means for producing a phase difference, corresponding to a random number bit value to be transmitted, between the time-divided optical pulses, means for splitting the entering optical pulse into orthogonally polarized components and producing a 180-degree phase difference therebetween, means for rotating each polarization direction by 90 degrees, means for eliminating a component resulting from a deviation from the polarization rotation angle of 90 degrees, and means for attenuating optical pulse intensity to include no more than 1 photon per bit. |
| US07974535B2 |
Remote control system
A quick selection of a depression key provided with a remote controller is impeded, so that controllable characteristics of the remote controller are deteriorated, and a lifetime of a cell provided on the side of the remote controller is reduced in order to acquire transport motional information.While a remote control system is equipped with the remote controller and an infrared communication apparatus 33, a pattern for reflecting diffraction light by illumination light is provided with the remote controller, whereas a transmitting/receiving unit 37 and a control unit 39 are provided with the infrared communication apparatus 33. A light emitting unit 11 for emitting light to the pattern, and a light receiving unit 17 for receiving reflection light from the pattern are provided with the transmitting/receiving unit 37. A detecting unit 41 for detecting intensity of the light received by the light receiving unit 17, a calculating unit 43 for binary-processing the intensity of the detected light to obtain binary information in response to the intensity of the detected light, and a converting unit 45 for converting the binary information into a control signal for a main appliance are provided with the control unit 39. |
| US07974525B2 |
Heat processing furnace and vertical-type heat processing apparatus
The present invention is a heat processing furnace comprising: a processing vessel for accommodating an object to be processed and performing thereto a heat process; and a cylindrical heater disposed to surround a circumference of the processing vessel, for heating the object to be processed; wherein: the heater includes a cylindrical heat insulating member, ribbed shelf sections that are axially formed in a tier-like manner on an inner circumference of the heat insulating member, and heating resistance wires of a helical pattern that are placed along the respective shelf sections; and pin members are arranged in the heat insulating member at suitable intervals therebetween, the pin members holding the heating resistance wires such that the heating resistance wires are movable in a radial direction of the heater, while preventing dropout of the heating resistance wires from the shelf sections. |
| US07974524B2 |
Heat treatment apparatus and heat treatment method
An object is to provide a method of activating impurity elements added to a semiconductor film, and a method of gettering, in a process of manufacturing a semiconductor device using a substrate having a low resistance to heat, such as glass, without changing the shape of the substrate, by using a short time heat treatment process. Another object is to provide a heat treatment apparatus that makes this type of heat treatment process possible. A unit for supplying a gas from the upstream side of a reaction chamber, a unit for heating the gas in the upstream side of the reaction chamber, a unit for holding a substrate to be processed in the downstream side of the reaction chamber, and a unit for circulating the gas from the downstream side of the reaction chamber to the upstream side are prepared. The amount of electric power used in heating the gas can be economized by circulating the gas used to heat the substrate to be processed. A portion of the circulating gas may be expelled, and can be utilized as a heat source in order to preheat a newly introduced gas. |
| US07974520B2 |
Information recording ensuring compatibility with different types of recording media
A method of optically recording data on a disk-like information recording medium from the center side to the peripheral side thereof, dividing the information recording medium into a plurality of recording divisions, includes the steps of: (a) recording the data in an initial recording division; (b) recording terminal end information successively after the step (a), the terminal end information indicating the end of the initial recording division; (c) determining whether the terminal end information recorded on the information recording medium reaches a specified region beyond a predetermined range from the center of the information recording medium; and (d) extending and recording the terminal end information in the step (b) so that the terminal end information reaches the specified region if the step (c) determines that the terminal end information does not reach the specified region. |
| US07974519B2 |
Optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus
When information is recorded on an optical disc of DVD+R type, a latest RSAT is recorded upon completion of recording of one title. When recording of the latest RSAT fails, previous RSAT address information that indicates an address in which a previous RSAT is recorded is stored in a lead-in area of the optical disc. When an optical disc is loaded for reproduction, it is checked if the previous RSAT address information is present in the lead-in area. If it is present, the previous RSAT address information is obtained. If the latest RSAT is not found in a predetermined location but the previous RSAT address information is present, reproduction from the optical disc of DVD+R type is started by using the previous RSAT. |
| US07974516B2 |
Recording medium having data structure of playlist marks for managing reproduction of still images recorded thereon and recording and reproducing methods and apparatuses
Provided are apparatuses and methods for reproducing a data structure for managing reproduction of still images recorded on a recording medium. In the recording medium, a data area stores at least first and second still images and a playlist area stores at least one playlist. The playlist includes mark information, and the mark information provides presentation information on the first and second images to allow for at least skipping from reproducing the first image to reproducing the second image. |
| US07974515B2 |
Optical disk device
A storage means, for each optical disk, and for each title recorded upon that optical disk, stores whether or not it is a replay-completed title. And an output means separates the titles recorded upon an optical disk which is loaded into replay-completed titles and titles which are not replay-completed, based upon the contents stored in the storage means, and selectively outputs a first title menu image consisting of the replay-completed titles, or a second title menu image consisting of the titles which are not replay-completed. |
| US07974514B2 |
Image data processing device and image data processing method
When original data are stored, an association information storage area is reserved for each of the original data. When the original data are referred to by a playlist function and a partial area of the original data is registered in a playlist, an identifier for identifying the playlist that made the reference uniquely is stored in the association information storage area that the referred original data have. If a user issues an instruction to delete the original data, the association information storage area of the original data to be deleted is referred to, so that the stored identifier of the playlist of the reference origin is obtained. The playlist of the reference origin is identified based on the obtained identifier, and the identified playlist is deleted or edited. |
| US07974513B2 |
Optical disk player
A user can simply select and set up resolution of a monitor display device 2 among the resolutions which the monitor display device 2 supports, according to his/her taste, only by operating a specific key such provided in the remote control 4. The resolution of the monitor display device 2 is changed responding to a number of pressing down of the specific key by the user. When a command is inputted once, the resolution of video signals outputted from the optical disc player 1 is changed to be the lowest level. When the command is inputted twice, the resolution of the video signals is changed to be the next level. When the specific key is pressed down furthermore while the monitor display device 2 displays the images at the highest resolution, the output of the video signals from the optical disc player 1 is stopped. When the specific key is pressed down furthermore, the video signals are outputted at the lowest resolution. |
| US07974512B2 |
Information storage medium and information recording/playback system
There are provided an information storage medium capable of real-time recording/playback of digital moving picture information, and a digital information recording/playback system using this medium. In a medium that records/plays back data including video data and control information, the control information (DA21 in FIG. 4; RTR_VMG in FIG. 30) includes information (VOBU entry in FIG. 31) for accessing a specific portion (VOBU) of the video data. |
| US07974507B2 |
High-fiber-density optical fiber cable
Disclosed is a fiber-optic cable that possesses a high cable filling coefficient (and/or a high cable fiber density) yet ensures that its enclosed optical fibers demonstrate improved attenuation performance when subjected to temperature variations between about −40° C. and 70° C. The fiber-optic cable is suitable for efficient installation into ducts, such as via blowing. |
| US07974504B2 |
Reflection suppression in a photonic integrated circuit
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, devices and methods in which optical reflections are reduced in a photonic integrated circuit. These embodiments include reflection suppression elements which operate to dissipate optical energy that would otherwise provide a source for optical reflections which may impact the operation of one or more devices within the photonic integrated circuit. In particular, within photonic integrated circuits incorporating semiconductor optical amplifiers, embodiments of the present invention include reflection suppression elements which operate to dissipate optical energy preventing the semiconductor optical amplifiers from operating in a gain-clamped mode. |
| US07974501B2 |
Optical modulators
An optical modulator 24 has a supporting substrate 5, a modulating substrate 11 made of an electro-optical material, an optical waveguide 12 provided on the side of a first main surface 30 of the modulating substrate 11, and an adhesion layer 6 adhering a second main surface 31 of the modulating substrate 11 onto the supporting substrate 5. The modulating substrate 11 has a high-frequency interaction portion 11c applying a voltage on the optical waveguide 12 to modulate propagating light, an incident portion 11a inputting light to the optical waveguide, and an outgoing portion 11b outputting light from the optical waveguide. The high-frequency interaction portion 11c is recessed on the first main surface 30 of the modulating substrate 11 with respect to the incident and outgoing portions 11a and 11b. The high-frequency interaction portion 11c has a thickness smaller than the those of the incident and outgoing portions 11a and 11b. |
| US07974500B2 |
Optoelectronic force sensor
A force sensor particularly suited for use in an electronic stylus that senses the contact force on its nib for recording pen strokes and handwriting recognition. The sensor has a load bearing member movably mounted for receiving an input force to be sensed, the load bearing member being biased against the direction of the input force. The sensor also has a light source, a photo-detector for sensing levels of illumination from the light source and circuitry for converting a range of illumination levels sensed by the photo-detector into a range of output signals. During use, the illumination level sensed by the photo-detector varies with movement of the load bearing member such that the output signal from the circuitry is indicative of the input force. Using an optical sensor avoids the need to use a delicate piezo-resistive sensor that requires careful tolerancing during production. |
| US07974499B2 |
Method and apparatus for efficient computation of morphology operations
Disclosed is an algorithm for applying a morphological operation to an image. In one embodiment, the morphological operation is iteratively applied to a focal pixel of the image and to another pixel of the image. The other pixel is located at an offset with respect to the focal pixel. The offset is based on an operation count. In another embodiment, the algorithm includes performing a morphological operation on an image using a convex structuring element. A work structuring element having dimensions corresponding to the outer-most dimensions of the convex structuring element is iteratively applied to the image. The dimensions of the work structuring element are then adjusted to correspond to the remaining outer dimensions of the convex structuring element not yet covered by the previous work structuring element. The applying and adjusting steps are repeated until a predetermined number of morphological operations have been performed. |
| US07974497B2 |
Method of modifying the region displayed within a digital image, method of displaying an image at plural resolutions, and associated device
A method of modifying the region displayed in a window of predetermined size within a digital image represented by several resolution levels, between a first region (display_zone) of the digital image displayed at a first resolution (R) and a second region (final_zone) of the digital image including the first region (display_zone) and different from it, comprises the steps of: —selecting (S406), from the stored image parts (bitmap[r]) including the first region (display_zone), a stored image part (bitmap[k]) with a second resolution (k) that is the maximum among the resolutions of said parts, and less than the first resolution (R); —obtaining (S84, SE86) from the selected image part (bitmap[k]) at least one region included in the second region (final_zone) and including the first region (display_zone); —displaying (S88) the region obtained in said window. A corresponding method of displaying an image at plural resolutions is also proposed. Corresponding devices are also provided. |
| US07974489B2 |
Buffer management for an adaptive buffer value using accumulation and averaging
An optical imaging system with dynamic buffer management is described. Embodiments of the optical imaging system include an image sensor, a buffer, and a buffer mode controller. The image sensor includes a pixel array to read out a plurality of pixel lines for a frame of an image. The buffer is configured to store a plurality of buffer values corresponding to a plurality of pixel values for each of the pixel lines. The buffer mode controller is configured to dynamically switch between an accumulation mode and an averaging mode. The accumulation mode facilitates a computation of each buffer value according to a sum value of the corresponding pixel value and a corresponding previous buffer value. The averaging mode facilitates a computation of each buffer value according to an average value of a normalized value of the corresponding pixel value and the corresponding previous buffer value. |
| US07974488B2 |
Matching pursuits basis selection
Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment, a method of designing a basis selection for matching pursuits is described. |
| US07974487B2 |
System and method for image white balance adjustment
The subject application is directed to a system and method for image enhancement. Image data, encoded as a plurality of pixels in YCbCr space, is first received, with Y representing a luma component, Cb representing a blue chroma component, and Cr representing a red chroma component. A maximum Y value is selected from the received image data. HSV image data is received corresponding to the YCbCr image data, with H representing a hue component, S representing a saturation component, and V representing a brightness component. A pixel is then selected from the HSV image data having a minimum S value. The S (saturation) value and the V (brightness) value of the selected pixel are then tested against a first and a second threshold level. Thereafter, a Max-RGB algorithm is selectively applied to the RGB image data in accordance with the output of the testing. |
| US07974483B2 |
Method and corresponding device for block coding data
The method for block coding data, such as video data, via a compression operation includes applying to input-data blocks a discrete-cosine-transform (DCT) operation and a quantization operation to produce compressed-data blocks. The compressed-data blocks are subjected to a coding operation to obtain compressed output flows; and an inverse-quantization operation and an inverse-discrete-cosine-transform (IDCT) operation are applied on the compressed-data blocks to obtain reconstructed blocks. The method includes controlling generation of mismatch errors from the input-data blocks by detecting data blocks from the input-data blocks and compressed-data blocks that are liable to cause mismatch errors, and modifying the blocks that are liable to cause mismatch errors prior to the coding operation. |
| US07974480B2 |
Universal fixed-pixel-size ISP scheme
An Image Signal Processing unit (ISP) has at least one fixed-size line buffer which is smaller than the width of the image buffer. To handle the image data, the image buffer is divided into regions which are sequentially loaded into the at least one fixed-size line buffer of the ISP for processing. Since functions of the ISP operate with neighboring pixels of the target pixel, margins of the regions need to be transmitted as well. After processing by the ISP, the data is encoded which includes a DCT, Quantization, and VLC. The result is then stored in segments in a buffer storage. VLC also inserts a Restart Marker which is used as a pointer to stitch together all the segments thus producing a new and seamless image. |
| US07974479B2 |
Encoding apparatus, method, and computer product, for controlling intra-refresh
An encoding apparatus encodes a picture by inserting an intra-refresh area into a portion of the picture periodically based on an intra-refresh period. An encoding-status monitoring unit monitors an encoding status of the picture. A refresh-area control unit changes at least one of the intra-refresh area and the intra-refresh period based on the encoding status monitored by the encoding-status monitoring unit. |
| US07974478B2 |
Methods and apparatus for reducing storage size
Prediction-based compression engines are spoon-fed with sequentially efficiently compressible (SEC) streams of input data that make it possible for the compression engines to more efficiently compress or otherwise compact the incoming data than would be possible with streams of input data accepted on a TV-raster scan basis. Various techniques are disclosed for intentionally forming SEC input data streams. Among these are the tight packing of alike files or fragments into concatenation suitcases and the decomposition of files into substantially predictably consistent (SPC) fragments or segments that are routed to different suitcases according to their type. In a graphics-directed embodiment, image frames are partitioned into segment areas that are internally SPC and multidirectional walks (i.e., U-turning walks) are defined in the segment areas where these defined walks are traced during compression and also during decompression. A variety of pre-compression data transformation methods are disclosed for causing apparently random data sequences to appear more compressibly alike to each other. The methods are usable in systems that permit substantially longer times for data compaction operations than for data decompaction operations. |
| US07974476B2 |
Flexible MQDF classifier model compression
A memory footprint of an Modified Quadratic Discriminant Function (MQDF) pattern recognition classifier is reduced without resulting in unacceptable classification accuracy degradation. Covariance matrices for multiple classes are clustered into a smaller number of matrices where different classes share the same set of eigenvectors. According to another approach, different numbers of principal components are stored for different classes based on criteria such as class usage frequency, larger variation in writing, and the like, resulting in fewer principal components to be stored in memory. |
| US07974475B1 |
Adaptive bayes image correlation
This invention relates generally to a system and method for correlating two images for the purpose of identifying a target in an image where templates are provided a priori only for the target. Information on other objects in the image being searched may be unavailable or difficult to obtain. This invention treats the design of target matching-templates and target matched-filters for image correlation as a statistical pattern recognition problem. By minimizing a suitable criterion, a target matching-template or a target matched-filter is estimated which approximates the optimal Bayes discriminant function in a least-squares sense. Both Bayesian image correlation methods identify the target with minimum probability of error while requiring no prior knowledge of other objects in the image being searched. The system and method is adaptive in that it can be re-optimizing (adapted) to recognize the target in a new search image using only information from the new image. |
| US07974473B2 |
Image processing method and image processing apparatus
This invention consists in an image processing method in which the similarity between a first pixel and a second pixel constituting an image is numerically given by statistical testing, and the values of the first and second pixels are averaged when the similarity numerically given is high, whereas the first and second pixel values are not averaged when the determined similarity is low, whereby an image with noises suppressed is obtained without spoiling a spatial resolution as well as a temporal resolution. |
| US07974472B2 |
Feature design for HMM based Eastern Asian character recognition
An exemplary method for online character recognition of East Asian characters includes acquiring time sequential, online ink data for a handwritten East Asian character, conditioning the ink data to produce conditioned ink data where the conditioned ink data includes information as to writing sequence of the handwritten East Asian character and extracting features from the conditioned ink data where the features include a tangent feature, a curvature feature, a local length feature, a connection point feature and an imaginary stroke feature. Such a method may determine neighborhoods for ink data and extract features for each neighborhood. An exemplary Hidden Markov Model based character recognition system may use various exemplary methods for training and character recognition. |
| US07974467B2 |
Image-taking system
An image-taking system includes an image-taking device which takes an image of a subject; a flashing device which emits a flash to the subject; an illumination device which has a surface positioned opposite the image-taking device and which illuminates the subject interposed between the image-taking device and the surface with light emitted from the surface. The system further includes a background replacement device which acquires a plurality of images of the subject taken by the image-taking device under a respective plurality of image-taking-light conditions created by the flashing device and the illumination device, discriminates between the subject and a background in a taken image based on the acquired images, and replaces the background with another background. |
| US07974466B2 |
Method for deriving consistent, repeatable color measurements from data provided by a digital imaging device
A method for obtaining a target color measurement using an electronic image capturing device comprising the steps of: (1) determining one or more of a field correction array, level correction vectors, a color correction matrix, and a calibration correction and; (2) adjusting a target color measurement based upon one or more of a field correction array, level correction vector, a color correction matrix, and a calibration correction to obtain a corrected color target measurement. |
| US07974458B2 |
System and method for detecting defects in camera modules
A method for detecting defects in camera modules is provided. The method includes the following: an image is acquired from the camera module; a comparison formula and a standard value of defect luminance are set; the image is divided into many test regions; the corresponding reference regions are then plotted out; a test region is selected, and a reference region is confirmed correspondingly; averages of gray scale values of the selected test region and the confirmed reference region are calculated; a defect luminance of the selected test region is calculated; the calculated defect luminance is compared with the standard value for confirming whether the camera module is of satisfactory quality. A related system is also disclosed. |
| US07974457B2 |
Method and program for correcting and testing mask pattern for optical proximity effect
A method of testing a mask pattern, includes applying optical proximity-effect compensation to a first pattern to be tested and to be formed onto a mask layer, to thereby form a mask pattern of the mask layer, dividing the first pattern into a plurality of areas in accordance with a second pattern to be formed onto another mask layer, determining sampling points on an edge of the first pattern, determining a test standard for each of the areas, simulating a resist pattern formed on a resist by exposing the resist to a light through the mask pattern, and checking whether a dimensional gap between the first pattern and the resist pattern at each of the sampling points is within a test standard associated with an area to which each of the sampling points belongs, wherein test standards for first and second areas among the areas are different from each other. |
| US07974450B2 |
Method for generation of 3-D x-ray image data of a subject
In a method for generation of 3D x-ray image data of a subject, a number of initial 2D x-ray images of the subject are acquired from various viewing directions. A number of noise-filtered 2D x-ray images are produced by, for each noise-filtered 2D image, combining at least two of the initial 2D x-ray images with noise filtering. 3D x-ray image data are generated from the noise-filtered 2D x-ray images. |
| US07974449B2 |
System and method for recording handwritten notes
A system for recording handwritten notes includes a feature information obtaining section that obtains feature information of a user who is holding a handwriting tool, a handwritten notes obtaining section that obtains notes handwritten with the handwriting tool, and a recording section that records the feature information of the user who is holding the handwriting tool and the notes handwritten with the handwriting tool, the handwritten notes being directly or indirectly associated with the feature information. |
| US07974446B2 |
Face authentication system and face authentication method
A face authentication system includes a data input section for obtaining three-dimensional data concerning a face area of a subject at multiple points, and a processor for performing a registration process or a verification process of authentication data of the subject based on the three-dimensional data. The processor has a quality rater for rating a quality of the three-dimensional data with respect to each of the points of the three-dimensional data to generate quality data, and a quality distribution deriving section for deriving a distribution of the quality with respect to the face area, based on the quality data. |
| US07974443B2 |
Visual target tracking using model fitting and exemplar
A method of tracking a target includes receiving an observed depth image of the target from a source and analyzing the observed depth image with a prior-trained collection of known poses to find an exemplar pose that represents an observed pose of the target. The method further includes rasterizing a model of the target into a synthesized depth image having a rasterized pose and adjusting the rasterized pose of the model into a model-fitting pose based, at least in part, on differences between the observed depth image and the synthesized depth image. Either the exemplar pose or the model-fitting pose is then selected to represent the target. |
| US07974441B2 |
Object detection apparatus for detecting a specific object in an input image
An object detection apparatus for detecting a specific object in an input image includes a specific object detection module for performing a specific object detecting process of setting the input image or a reduced image of the input image as a target image, and of determining whether or not the specific object exists in a determination region while scanning the determination region in an edge feature image of the target image. The specific object detection module includes a determination module for determining whether the specific object exists in the determination region, based on an edge feature amount of the edge feature image corresponding to the determination region, and a previously determined relationship between an edge feature amount and a weight indicating object likelihood for each predetermined feature pixel in an image having the same size as the determination region. |
| US07974437B2 |
Identifying steganographic data in an image
Disclosed are embodiments of systems and methods for embedding and/or extracting data from images. In embodiments, an image may be segmented into regions, and characters or other image groups within a segmented region may be determined to be embedding sites. A data vector may be embedded into a set of corresponding ordered embedding sites by representing each data element as different intensity values assigned to the pixels within one portion of an embedding site relative to the pixels in another portion of the embedding site. In embodiments, embedded data may be extracted from an image by extracting and decoding a set of bit values from a set of identified and ordered embedding sites. |
| US07974432B1 |
Cap for retaining an audio system
A baseball styled cap that retains an elasticized sleeve on the inside, front wall of the cap. A portable audio player or radio can be inserted into the sleeve and connected to a pre-installed wiring and speaker system that is integrated into the fabric seams of the cap. This unitary configuration allows the cap with audio system to be worn and used in comfort, with little or no limitation on the physical activity of the wearer. |
| US07974428B2 |
Hearing aid with acoustic feedback suppression
A hearing aid having an input transducer (2), a signal processor (3), an output transducer (4) and an adaptive filter (5) for generating a feedback cancellation signal (101) further comprises a norm estimator (10) generating a first norm signal (109) indicative of a norm of the electrical input signal and a second norm signal (110) indicative of a norm of a feedback-cancelled electrical input signal, a comparator for comparing the first and second norm signals and generating a difference value Nfbc−Nx and a decision unit disabling application of the feedback cancellation signal to the signal path of the hearing aid if the difference value is above a certain threshold value cth thus avoiding the feedback cancellation mechanism actually increasing acoustic feedback of the hearing aid. The invention also provides a method for reducing acoustic feedback of a hearing aid, a computer program, and an electronic circuit for a hearing aid. |
| US07974427B2 |
Method for identifying a hearing aid
A hearing aid is identified by storing a binary code in the hearing aid, receiving a transmitted code, reading out a subset of bits from the stored binary code, and comparing the transmitted code with the subset for identification. The reading step preferably reads the lowest order nibble, byte, or word of the binary code. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a charger for the hearing aid, a controller for the hearing aid, and a programmer for the hearing aid store the identification codes for two way communication among the devices. |
| US07974424B2 |
Speaker array system
A speaker array system for outputting, with a simplified construction, sounds audible with a nearly uniform sound volume within an arbitrarily set area. The speaker array system includes a speaker array having speaker units, a delay unit for supplying the speaker units with delayed audio signals generated by adding delays to an input audio signal, an input unit for inputting area information representing a target area to which an acoustic service is provided using an acoustic beam emitted from the speaker array and which has a normal line extending in a direction different from a normal direction of a speaker surface of the speaker array, and a control unit for calculating delays to be applied to the delay unit. Based on the delays, acoustic waves output from adjacent ones of the speaker units toward the target area are made coincident with each other and an envelope is more distorted from a spherical surface so as to face the target area as the envelope propagates closer to the target area. |
| US07974414B2 |
Methods and apparatus for automatically grouping user-specific information in a mobile station
Methods and apparatus for automatically grouping user-specific information items (400) in a mobile station (102) are disclosed. In one illustrative example, a method includes the steps of reading a first user-specific information item (404, 406, 408, or 410) associated with a first file or application of the mobile station (102); storing the first user-specific information item (404, 406, 408, or 410) in a user information file or message (402) of the mobile station (102); and repeating the acts of reading and storing for at least a second user-specific information item (404, 406, 408, or 410) associated with a second file or application of the mobile station (102), so that the first and the second user-specific information items are grouped together as user information in the user information file or message (402). Examples of user-specific information items (400) include a user name (404) associated with an end user of the mobile station (102), a telephone number (406) (e.g. an IMSI) of the mobile station (102), an e-mail address (408) associated with an e-mail communication application of the mobile station (102), and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) (410) of the mobile station (102). The user information file or message (402) containing the user-specific information items (400) may easily be transmitted from the mobile station (102) to one or more recipients through a wireless communication network (104) in a message such as an e-mail or PIN message. |
| US07974413B2 |
Spread spectrum communications system and method utilizing chaotic sequence
A method is provided for generating a coherent chaotic sequence spread spectrum communications system. The method includes phase modulating a carrier with information symbols. The method also includes generating a string of discrete time chaotic samples. The method further includes modulating the carrier in a chaotic manner using the string of discrete time chaotic samples. Each of the discrete time chaotic samples has a shorter sample time interval than the duration of the information symbols. The generating step includes selecting a plurality of polynomial equations. The generating step also includes using residue number system (RNS) arithmetic operations to respectively determine solutions for the polynomial equations. The solutions are iteratively computed and expressed as RNS residue values. The generating step further includes determining a series of digits in the weighted number system based on the RNS residue values. The method further includes synchronizing the chaos generated at the receiver with that generated at the transmitter without periodic transfer of state update information. |
| US07974408B2 |
Scrambling of a calculation performed according to an RSA-CRT algorithm
A method and a circuit for scrambling an RSA-CRT algorithm calculation by an electronic circuit, in which a result is obtained from two modular exponentiation calculations, each providing a partial result, and from a recombination step, and in which a first step adds a digital quantity to at least one first partial result before said recombination step; and a second step cancels the effects of this quantity after the recombination step. |
| US07974407B2 |
Privacy enhanced comparison of data sets
A computer implemented method for performing a privacy enhanced comparison of a plurality of data sets includes allocating a private encryption key to each of the data sets; performing an encryption operation for each of the data sets, the encryption operation comprising generating a commutatively encrypted data set of the respective data set, wherein the commutatively encrypted data sets are generated by successively applying a keyed commutative encryption function on the respective data set with the private encryption key of the respective data set itself and with the private encryption keys of the other data sets; and comparing the commutatively encrypted data sets. |
| US07974405B2 |
Method and device for calculating a function from a large number of inputs
In an input process, a circuit and an input bit to the circuit are inputted to a plurality of computers. Firstly, one computer performs calculation and transmits the calculation result to another computer of the computers. Next, the another computer which has received the calculation result performs the next calculation. Thus, calculation is performed by one computer after another. When all the computers have performed calculation once, the last computer which has performed calculation transmits the calculation result to the first computer which has performed calculation. After this, calculation is performed by one computer after another and the calculation result is transmitted to the next computer, thereby repeating the calculation of each cycle. Thus, it is possible to realize calculation of a value of a given function by using a device including a plurality of computers, with a simpler configuration. |
| US07974403B2 |
Method and system for called party to provide indication information to calling party
The present invention discloses a method for a called party to provide indication information for a calling party. The method includes the steps of: presetting the indication information to be provided to the calling party at the called party; before the called party answers the call in the connection procedure between the calling party and the called party, the network side obtaining the preset indication information from the called party and sending the indication information to the calling party. Accordingly, the present invention discloses a system for a called party to provide the indication information to a calling party. The present invention makes it possible that the called party flexibly selects the indication information to be provided to the calling party and the problem that only the indication information in the indication information database can be provided is avoided. |
| US07974398B2 |
Virtual personal assistant for handling calls in a communication system
Connecting a caller with a plurality of destinations using a destination list received from a caller or a designated user. Attempts are made to connect the caller with each of the destinations in the stored destination list, with each attempt including a connectability query to determine whether either the caller or the destination is connectable. Thereafter, the other party is called and offered a connection attempt to the first party. If the second party accepts, a call is made to the first party. If the first party is indeed connectable and answers the call, a connection is established between the two parties. Once the destination list is stored, attempts to connect the caller with each destination can be separately initiated or paused. Furthermore, the stored destination list can be edited even after connection attempts have been initiated. |
| US07974396B2 |
System and method for modifying package service subscriptions online
A disclosed method allows service subscribers to modify service subscriptions online. Operations within the method may include receiving an order for a service package from a subscriber, wherein the service package includes multiple features. In response to the order, the features in the service package may automatically be cross referenced with a list of existing features for the subscriber to detect any overlap between the features in the service package and the existing features. In response to detecting an overlap, a subscription change request may automatically be computed, wherein subscription change request includes only the features in the service package that do not overlap the existing features. The subscription change request may then be submitted for implementation by a service provider, possibly after receiving confirmation of the change request from the subscriber. |
| US07974394B1 |
System and method for distributed IP telephony tracking
A method of filtering telecommunication service includes receiving a call that includes a call identifier. The method also includes determining a filter status of the call and transmitting a notification message to a remote node. The notification message identifies the call identifier and the filter status of the call. |
| US07974387B2 |
Proactive analysis of communication network problems
Customer problem reports are collected and analyzed in order to monitor, analyze, and proactively prevent the same or similar problems from reoccurring in the future. A selection of customer problem reports are received and may be prioritized for analysis. Associated network elements may be scheduled for monitoring and/or testing at a greater frequency. Network elements may be the subject of new problem reports which may be dispatched to technicians for proactive analysis and repair. |
| US07974378B2 |
Method for positioning the breast for a biopsy in a mammography device, and mammography device to implement the method
In a method and a mammography device, a virtual mask is created from an x-ray image of the breast for positioning the breast for a biopsy. The mask reproduces the image region covered by the breast tissue. A region targeted for the biopsy, and located within the breast tissue, is marked in the mask. The breast is then positioned for the biopsy in the mammography device between a support plate and a compression plate, the compression plate being provided with a recess for introducing the biopsy instrument therethrough. The mask and the compression plate are superimposed to cause the marked region to be located within this recess. The breast is then moved until the position and the contour thereof substantially coincide with the position and contour of the mask. |
| US07974373B2 |
Method and architecture for digital pulse shaping and rate conversion
A method and architecture for pulse shaping are provided. The architecture includes a pulse shaping filter having a plurality of memory elements and a plurality of taps connected to the plurality of memory elements wherein a total number of the plurality of taps is independent of a sampling rate. The pulse shaping filter further includes a selector configured to select outputs from the plurality of taps to define a pulse shaped output. |
| US07974368B2 |
Decoding method and system for real-time wireless channel estimation
A decoding method and system for real-time wireless channel estimation, which decodes a received signal with a noise. The received signal is coded by a concatenation code. At first, the received signal is performed a certain amount of decoding by a Max-Log-MAP decoding procedure. Next, an estimated amplitude of the received signal and an estimated variance of a noise are computed. Then, the received signal is adjusted in accordance with the estimated amplitude and the estimated variance to thereby produce an adjusted received signal. Finally, the adjusted received signal is decoded by a Log-Map decoding procedure. |
| US07974367B1 |
Symbol timing method and digital receiver apparatus
The present invention provides for receiving a radio frequency signal which encodes transmitted data, and for outputting data corresponding to the transmitted data. The radio frequency signal is received and converted to inphase and quadrature data. Phase information is extracted from the inphase and quadrature data. A symbol timing for the radio signal is determined based on the extracted phase information. The transmitted data encoded within the radio frequency signal is detected and processed based on the determined symbol timing. Data is output based on the detected and processed transmitted data. Since symbol timing is determined based on phase information, in the phase domain, a radio frequency receiver can be constructed with a lower complexity and a simpler structure. |
| US07974361B2 |
Incoherent type mimo UWB communication system
This invention relates to a space-time coding process for a pulse type MIMO-UWB system using symbols belonging to a PPM modulation alphabet. Orthogonality of signals emitted by the different antennas is achieved by providing a mechanism for permutation of PPM symbol modulation positions and by imposing a constraint on the positions of said symbols. The space-time coding process according to the invention enables an incoherent type reception. |
| US07974360B2 |
Multi input multi output (MIMO) orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication system
An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to process signals in a communication system. In one embodiment, a plurality of signal processing units processes signals received from a plurality of antennae. The signal processor units are controlled by operational mode control signals. A channel estimator estimates channel responses using the processed signals according to an operational mode. An equalizer and combiner generates an equalized and combined signal using the received signals and the estimated channel responses. A Carrier to Interference Noise Ratio (CINR) estimator estimates CINR from the equalized and combined signal. The estimated CINR is used to generate the operational mode control signals. In another embodiment, a sub-carrier allocation controller generates sub-carrier allocation signals using an allocation base. A channel status information (CSI) and multiple input multiple output (MIMO) controller generates sub-carrier CSI signals and operational mode control signals using the sub-carrier allocation signals, estimated channel responses provided by a channel estimator, and an estimated CINR provided by an CINR estimator. The operational mode control signals select one of a plurality of antenna paths associated with a plurality of antennae. A transmitter diversity processor generates transmitter diversity signals as a function of at least a mapped signal Mk, the sub-carrier CSI signals, and the operational mode control signals. |
| US07974359B2 |
Methods and apparatus for mitigating multi-antenna correlation effect in communication systems
The disclosed embodiments provide for methods and systems for transmitting a number of streams of modulation symbols by a multi-antenna transmitter. In one aspect, a method for transmitting a number of streams of modulation symbols by a multi-antenna transmitter includes the acts of transforming a first number of streams of symbols to a second number of streams of symbols, the first number being smaller than or to the second number; and transmitting the second number of streams of symbols by a transmitter having the second number of antennas. |
| US07974358B2 |
Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) encoding and decoding methods and systems
An orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system provided for communication includes an OFDM transmitter and an OFDM receiver. The OFDM transmitter may be configured to transmit OFDM signals through a communication channel and may include a channel encoder configured to encode a plurality of information bits and an interleaver configured to interleave the channel-encoded information bits. The OFDM transmitter may also include a mapper configured to map the interleaved channel-encoded information bits into mapped multi-level symbols. The OFDM transmitter may also include a dispersive encoder that is configured to dispersively encode the mapped symbols. The OFDM receiver may be configured to receive the transmitted OFDM signals and to decode the received OFDM signals iteratively based on soft decision methods. |
| US07974352B2 |
Wireless transmitter, wireless receiver and wireless communication system
To reduce interference mutually provided among peripheral cells, and perform data transmission while maintaining total throughput at the maximum level.Provided are an acquiring section (105) that acquires information of interfering power level that a communication apparatus receives from peripheral cells from a signal received from the communication apparatus, a determining section (106) that determines the number of subcarriers to use in data transmission corresponding to the information of interfering power level, and a modulation scheme determining section (107) that determines a modulation scheme for each of the subcarriers to use in data transmission corresponding to the information of interfering power level, and a radio signal is transmitted to the communication apparatus using the modulation scheme determined in the modulation scheme determining section (107) and the number of subcarriers determined in the determining section (106). |
| US07974351B1 |
Method for detecting a periodic signal
In detecting a signal, angle information is generated based on a complex signal having a periodic portion. An autocorrelation signal is generated based on the angle information and not based on magnitude information associated with the complex signal. The periodic portion is detected based on the autocorrelation signal. |
| US07974350B2 |
Propagation path estimation method and apparatus
In estimating propagation path in an OFDM receiver in an OFDM communication system, a CIR estimation unit estimates a group of impulse responses of a propagation path, a valid-impulse discriminator selects impulse responses (CIR), which are greater than a predetermined threshold value, from the impulse-response group, and a propagation path estimation unit generates a matrix expression using a CIR estimation vector that includes the selected CIRs as elements, a matrix S, which is decided based upon number N of points of an IFFT used in OFDM modulation and number Nc of subcarriers used in actual transmission, and a propagation-path response vector, obtains the propagation-path response vector by solving this matrix expression and estimating the propagation path. |
| US07974349B2 |
Optimum perturbation apparatus and method in a multi-antenna multi-user communication system
An optimum perturbation apparatus and method in a multi-antenna, multi-user communication system are provided. In the optimum perturbation method, upon receipt of modulation symbols, channel responses are decomposed into eigenvalues and eigenvectors by Single Value Decompositin (SVD) and a distortion value of the modulation symbols is estimated using the eigenvectors and the eigenvalues to minimize noise and interference power. The modulation symbols are precoded by combining the modulation symbols with the estimated distortion value. |
| US07974344B2 |
Method for obtaining image reference block in a code of mode of fixed reference frame number
A “rounding to zero” method can maintain the exact motion vector and can also be achieved by the method without division so as to improve the precision of calculating the motion vector, embody the motion of the object in video more factually, and obtain the more accurate motion vector prediction. Combining with the forward prediction coding and the backward prediction coding, the present invention realizes a new prediction coding mode, which can guarantee the high efficiency of coding in direct mode as well as is convenient for hardware realization, and gains the same effect as the conventional B frame coding. |
| US07974340B2 |
Adaptive B-picture quantization control
The present application is directed to techniques and tools for adapting the quantizer as well as the quantization step size used during video encoding. For example, a video encoder uses a non-uniform quantizer (having a relatively large dead zone ratio) for B-picture types, but uses a uniform quantizer for other types of pictures. In many encoding scenarios, this helps the encoder control bit rate for the B-picture types instead of resorting to higher quantization step sizes, which improves overall quality for the B-picture types. |
| US07974326B2 |
Hybrid laser diode for single mode operation and method of fabricating the same
Provided are a hybrid laser diode for single mode operation, and a method for manufacturing the hybrid laser diode. The hybrid laser diode includes a silicon layer, an active pattern disposed on the silicon layer, and a bonding layer disposed between the silicon layer and the active pattern. Here, the bonding layer includes diffraction patterns constituting a Bragg grating. |
| US07974324B2 |
Surface-emitting laser device
A surface-emitting laser device includes: a substrate; a low refractive index layer with a refractive index nL and disposed on the substrate; a light emitting layered structure with a refractive index nH, where nH>nL, the light emitting layered structure being formed on the low refractive index layer and having first and second semiconductor layers and a multi-quantum well (MQW) disposed between the first and second semiconductor layers and capable of generating photons having a wavelength λ0; and a two-dimensional photonic crystal (2DPC) formed in the light emitting layered structure and having optical nanostructures arranged into a periodic pattern with a lattice constant a. The nanostructures extend from the first semiconductor layer through the MQW. The 2DPC has a normalized frequency, which is defined as a/λ0, ranging from 0.25 to 0.70. |
| US07974323B2 |
Semiconductor laser
A semiconductor laser includes: a multiple quantum well active layer that is formed on a semiconductor substrate comprised by GaAs and includes well layers having GaInAsP that has a tensile strain against the GaAs, and a barrier layer having AlGaInP that has substantially zero strain against the GaAs, the well layers and the barrier layer being alternately stacked; a pair of first AlGaInP layers that has substantially zero strain against the GaAs, and is provided so that the first AlGaInP layers contact upper and lower surfaces of the multiple quantum well active layer respectively; and a pair of second AlGaInP layers that has a compressive strain against the GaAs, and is provided so that the second AlGaInP layers contact the pair of first AlGaInP layers respectively. |
| US07974317B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling the voltage of signals used to control power amplifiers
A method for controlling the voltage of signals used to control power amplifiers is described. A first multiplexer and a second multiplexer are set to an enabling signal. The first multiplexer is on a first integrated circuit and the second multiplexer is on a second integrated circuit. A command is written to the first multiplexer to set the first multiplexer to one of a plurality of control signals used to control a power amplifier. A command is written to the second multiplexer to select one of the plurality of control signals that maps to the first multiplexer. The second integrated circuit is connected to a power supply. |
| US07974316B2 |
Receiving apparatus for digital broadcasting signal and receiving/recording/reproducing apparatus thereof
In a digital broadcasting signal receiving/recording/reproducing apparatus, a recorded program can be immediately reproduced without performing complicated operations. Only a desired program and information related to the desired program are separated to be extracted from the digital broadcasting signal. Then, the separated/extracted broadcasting signal is supplied to a recording/reproducing apparatus. In the recording/reproducing apparatus, the supplied broadcasting signal is recorded, and the recorded program can be immediately reproduced without complicated manipulating operations during the signal reproducing operation. |
| US07974315B2 |
Method for implementing synchronization of link state database, router, line card and master board
A router is provided including a line card (LC), an active master board (AMB), a standby master board (SMB) and a LC for implementing a simple synchronization of a link state database (LSDB). |
| US07974314B2 |
Synchronization of multiple data source to a common time base
Systems and methods are described herein that cause data from asynchronous data sources to be provided with a timestamp that corresponds to a common time base. A trigger board can be used to control synchronized data sources, and can generate timestamps when data is collected by the synchronized data sources. Unsynchronized data sources can generate data independent of the trigger board. System timestamps are generated each time data from the synchronized data source and the unsynchronized data source is received. Values of the system timestamp can be modified, and can be replaced by timestamps that correspond to the time base used by the trigger board. |
| US07974313B2 |
System for intermediating A/V stream between data network and IEEE 1394 network and method thereof
A system and method for intermediating an audio/video (A/V) stream between a data network and an IEEE 1394 network are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, an A/V stream of an IP network is provided to a device connected to the IEEE 1394 network in real time, or the A/V stream of the IP network is once stored and then is provided to the device connected to the IEEE 1394 network when a viewer desires to view the A/V stream. The A/V stream can be provided to the viewer irrespective of the format parser, codec, transmission protocol, and transmission control protocol, required for the transrecorder's reception of the A/V stream from the media server or for the transrecorder's transmission of the A/V stream to the display device. Also, diverse A/V streams provided from the server of the data network can be stored, and then can be provided to the viewer through the display device whenever the display device connected to the IEEE 1394 network requests the A/V stream. |
| US07974309B2 |
Controlling network traffic
In an ATM exchange, a cell transmission control section transmits an ATM cell to a transmission path of an ATM network. A traffic monitor monitors traffic of the cell transmissions. A statistical process section performs a temporal statistical process on the result of the traffic monitoring using a clock and a memory. A CAC produces an instruction for traffic control over a transmission terminal based on the result of the statistical process. A UPC controls traffic of a transmission path from the transmission terminal in accordance with the instruction. |
| US07974308B2 |
Interworking circuit emulation service over packet and IP/MPLS packet processing
A system and method are provided for implementing CESOP inexpensively yet effectively implemented across an MPLS or an IP network. A Zarlink chip provides CESOP functionality, providing a TDM pseudowire by converting TDM streams into Ethernet packets. These Ethernet packets can be processed by a Marvell chip, which has the ability to perform QoS functions on the packets. The Marvell chip converts the Ethernet packets into MPLS or IP packets for transmission over a packet network. Use of a single virtual circuit label, invisible to the packet network for routing purposes, within the Ethernet packet allows Marvell chips at each end of the emulated circuit to tie traffic to a particular customer and to thereby apply appropriate QoS constraints. |
| US07974306B2 |
Signal transferring device
A signal transferring device adapted to connect to a communication device via a network cable, includes a network port, a third port, a decoder circuit and a signal strength indicator unit. The network port is connected to a communication device via a network cable. The third port is different from the network port and connected to a plurality of signal lines and a ground line of a main board of the communication device via the network port. The decoder circuit is connected to a power line, a ground line and at least one first control line of the main body to receiving a signal in relation to a signal receiving strength state of the communication device for generating a signal strength indicator signal. The signal strength indicator unit is connected to the decoder circuit and configured for displaying the signal receiving strength state of the communication device. |
| US07974303B2 |
Method and system for providing bandwidth request opportunities for high priority service flows
Different polling rates are applied to high priority BE service flows depending on whether the service flow contains, or is about to contain, traffic packets. A high priority service flow is identified upon boot-up of a user device, and defaults to a slow polling mode. A trigger causes the service flow to be serviced as a fast polling mode. The fast polling mode lasts for a predetermined period of time. If traffic continues at the end of the predetermined period of time, the predetermined period of time is reset so that the fast-polling mode continues until traffic flow on the high priority service flow ceases. |
| US07974301B2 |
Adaptive network to dynamically account for hidden nodes
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a network element that is configured to be associated with a network having a number of nodes. The master node is configured to communicate with a number of nodes and allocate bandwith therebetween by sending outgoing signals and receiving incoming signals over a transmission medium. The master node is further configured to adaptively account for hidden nodes with which the master node cannot bi-directionally directly communicate by communicating at least one signal with at least one proxy node. Other methods and network elements are disclosed. |
| US07974300B2 |
Configuration for messaging multiplexed channel instances with varying connection speeds
A method, system and article of manufacture are disclosed for selecting a channel instance for connecting a client with a server in a multi-channel instance computer system. In this computer system, when a new channel instance is used for connecting the client with one of the servers, defined channel information is established for the channel instance. The method of this invention comprises the steps of, when a new connection request is made, locking existing channel information; and after said locking, scanning through a list of channel connections for one of the channel instances that is a candidate for said connection request. In response to finding a candidate channel instance, which is in the process of connecting, the connection request is queued against the candidate channel instance. When the candidate channel instance does not complete connecting within a defined or determined time period, a new channel instance is used for the connection request. |
| US07974292B1 |
Method and apparatus for dynamically adjusting broadband access bandwidth
A method and apparatus for providing a method to enable subscribers of broadband access services, such as Digital Subscriber Loop based or Cable based broadband access services, to dynamically reconfigure their access arrangements as a function of the application they invoke are disclosed. Subscribers that subscribe to a basic amount of bandwidth can dynamically increase their bandwidth allocation when they invoke a voice or video application by simply requesting the application. The present invention provides a method for broadband service providers to dynamically adjust access bandwidth allocation for subscribers by detecting signaling messages, such as application request setup messages and disconnect messages. |
| US07974289B2 |
Node apparatus
To satisfy a quality required for each traffic and perform switching for a packet segmented into cells without packet reassembly, there is provided a node apparatus including a header processing section (2) for determining an output destination of an incoming packet and a quality class from the header information of the packet, a route table (3), and a quality description table (4), and storing the packet in an output queue (6) determined by the determined output destination and quality class, an output control section (7) for reading out a packet from the output queue in accordance with the quality set for each output queue (6) and sending out the read packet through a VC determined by the determined output destination and quality class, and a quality description table (4) which has at least a virtual dedicated network number field, a destination address/mask length field, a source address/mask length field, a fourth-layer protocol/destination port number field, and a destination port number field and in which each field is made blank when any value can be set. In the node apparatus, a packet segmented into cells and arriving from each input VC is temporarily stored in a packet queue (26) corresponding to each input VC. When the final cell of the packet arrives, 1-packet cells are moved altogether to an output queue (27) corresponding to the destination IP address contained in the start cell and output to a corresponding output VC by an output section (28). |
| US07974286B2 |
Reduced redundant security screening
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for screening data packets. A determination is made as to whether a signature of a trusted security element is present in a header of the data packet in response to receiving a data packet. The signature indicates that a previous security action has been performed on the data packet. A security action is performed on the data packet based on the previous security action performed on the data packet in response to the signature of the trusted security element being present. |
| US07974282B2 |
Network apparatus for redundant multicast
For continuing multicast data transfer according to path control information after being switched from an active status to a standby status, it is necessary that the standby status hold the same path control information as the active status. However, a synchronization of the path control information thereof is not guaranteed. To solve the above-mentioned problem, this invention provides a data transfer apparatus coupled to a network, including a plurality of interfaces for transmitting and receiving data, in which the data transfer apparatus is configured to: create transfer destination information for correlating a destination of the data with the interfaces for transmitting the data to be transmitted to the destination; and transmit, upon reception of multicast data via one of the interfaces before being judged that the transfer destination information has been created, the multicast data from at least one of the interfaces irrespective of the transfer destination information. |
| US07974281B2 |
Multiplexer and multiplexing method, program, and recording medium
The present invention relates to a multiplexer, a multiplexing method, a program, and a recording medium, whereby TS packets encoded with different encoding methods can be multiplexed. In the event of multiplexing each TS packet of a BS audio TS 173 wherein a BS audio ES 171 encoded with a first encoder is subjected to TS packetizing, and each TS packet of an HQ audio TS 183 wherein an HQ audio ES 181 encoded with a second encoder is subjected to TS packetizing, a control unit assumes a first virtual decoder capable of decoding a BS audio ES alone, and a second virtual decoder capable of decoding an HQ audio ES alone, and determines TS packets to be multiplexed based on an elementary buffer of each virtual decoder, a data transfer rate for the elementary buffer, and multiplexing constraints for random access. The present invention can be applied to a multiplexer configured to multiplex TS packets. |
| US07974280B2 |
Distributed and secured method and system for protecting and distributing audio-visual flows
A process for secure distribution of digital audiovisual streams according to a standard, normalized or proprietary format, on which streams a separation of the stream into two parts is made prior to transmission to equipment of an addressee to generate a modified main stream having a format of the original stream and complementary information of any format including digital information suitable to permit reconstruction of the original stream, wherein a transmission is made, by separate paths during distribution of the modified main stream from a distribution server and of the complementary information to the equipment of the addressee from a secure central server passing via at least one local server connecting the equipment of the addressee to the local server via at least one access point. |
| US07974279B2 |
Multipath data communication
A multipath data communication network structure in which probing middle-boxes send periodical probe messages through their different interfaces and subsequent routers map the probe messages through their randomly selected interfaces until each probe message arrives at a destination, engages to a loop or meets a time-to-live limit. The probing middle boxes select a random interface for each probe message and furnish their routable identification and a temporary random number correlated to the selected interface to each probe messages. Subsequent multipath routers select a random outgoing interface and random forwarding state descriptor (FSD) and temporarily correlate the selected random outgoing interface with the FSD and add the FSD to the probe message. The probe messages provide different destinations with various hidden paths. Each hidden path enables forwarding of packets from probing middle-boxes to the destination without identifying any routable address en-route to the destination. The destination then provides a data source with the hidden path. Each multipath network element only store their mappings related to the paths for limited term so that each path expires and vanishes after the term. Attackers are not issued a new path and thus denial of service attacks are shortly stopped. |
| US07974278B1 |
Packet switch with configurable virtual channels
A communication system includes a packet switch that routes data packets between endpoint devices in the communication system through virtual channels. The packet switch includes output ports each having a link bandwidth for outputting data packets. Each virtual channel is associated with an output port and is allocated a portion of the link bandwidth of the output port. The packet switch receives a data packet identifying a virtual channel at an input port, selects another virtual channel associated with the input port, routes the data packet through the packet switch, and outputs the data packet from the packet switch by using the selected virtual channel. Additionally, the packet switch may select a reliable transmission protocol, a continuous transmission protocol, or a pseudo-continuous transmission protocol for outputting the data packet from the packet switch. In some embodiments, the packet switch modifies the data packet to indicate the selected virtual channel. |
| US07974277B2 |
System and method for routing calls
Routing calls includes receiving a call request at a call manager from a first endpoint. The call request includes a uniform resource identifier that associates with a second endpoint. A determination is made whether the call request associates with the call manager that received the call request. To route the call request, the call manager searches a call search space for a match to the call request. The call manager communicates the call request to the routing target. |
| US07974276B2 |
System and method for providing advanced calling features to a packet network-based communication device and packet network employing the same
For use with a user communication device (UCD) that communicates over a packet network by alternately transmitting and receiving streams of associated continuous media communication data packets, systems and methods for providing call processing features, such as call forwarding and call blocking, to the communication device. In one advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the call processing system: (1) determines that a call composed of a stream of continuous media communication packets and associated with the UCD requires a specified alternative processing and (2) causes the continuous media communication data packets associated with the call to be processed in accordance with the specified alternative processing. |
| US07974275B2 |
Saturated datagram aging mechanism
Methods for aging datagrams in the memory portion of a datagram distribution device or other network device are provided. According to some of these methods, an attribute of each datagram entering the device may be used to assign an initial aging counter value to each datagram. Then, the attribute-specific aging counter values may be used to extend the time until expiration of certain datagrams relative to other datagrams. Also, devices for implementing these methods are provided. |
| US07974270B2 |
Media route optimization in network communications
Media routes may be optimized in network communications, such a radio telephony communications networks. In one embodiment, the description includes identifying a first network controller corresponding to a first media communications client, identifying a second network controller corresponding to a second media communications client, determining whether the first and second network controller coincide, and if the first and second network controller coincide, then establishing a direct media communications connection between the first and the second client. |
| US07974268B2 |
Internet trunking protocol
A method and system for efficient voice transmission over internet protocol networks is provided. A first node detects a next node, and a channel is created between the first node and the next node. A first packet is received at the first node and the protocol of the first packet is detected. The first packet is merged with a second packet having the same protocol as the first packet, and the merged first packet and second packet are transmitted to the next node via the channel. |
| US07974259B2 |
Enhanced polling method for preventing deadlock in a wireless communications system
A method of polling in a wireless communications system includes prohibiting polling within a predetermined period and triggering a poll function while polling is prohibited. After the predetermined period has expired the method determines that there are no protocol data units (PDUs) scheduled for transmission or re-transmission and that the poll function was triggered by a “Every Poll_SDU SDU” trigger, and selects a PDU to schedule for re-transmission to fulfill the poll function. |
| US07974256B2 |
Radio communication system, radio communication apparatus and method
A radio communication system for carrying out communications among a plurality of radio communication apparatus pertaining to the radio communication system through a radio network connecting the radio communication apparatus with each other wherein, each of the radio communication apparatus includes an access setting unit configured to prescribe a super frame period within a predetermined time and setting a reserved period within the super frame as a period for making an access to the radio network, and the access setting unit selects either a first reservation setting method not contending with reservation setting done by another radio communication apparatus, or a second reservation setting method possibly contending with reservation setting done by another radio communication apparatus. |
| US07974255B2 |
Method and apparatus for multi-stream transmission with time and frequency diversity in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication system
A method and apparatus increase the time and frequency diversity of a multi-stream signal in a DAB system. A plurality of audio streams are divided into four (4) digital sub-streams, C00, C01, C10, and C11. Each sub-stream C00, C01, C10, and C11 is assigned a unique frequency band, and time slot. A first core sub-stream C10 is mapped to one frequency partition and a second core sub-stream C00 is mapped to another frequency partition and delayed relative to the first core sub-stream. Similarly, two enhancement sub-streams C11 and C01 are mapped to different frequency partitions and are time delayed relative to each other and the core sub-streams. The two core sub-streams C00 and C10 can have a maximum separation across both the time and frequency axes. |
| US07974252B2 |
Error control method, medium access control (MAC) frame designing method, and terminal registration method in wireless communication system, and recording medium
The MAC frame in a wireless communication system includes a terminal ID allocated to each of multiple terminals. At least one connection ID is allocated to each terminal having the terminal ID, and sub-carrier allocation information is allocated to each connection having the connection ID. The sub-carrier allocation information includes a sub-carrier allocation status for each sub-carrier, and the number of allocated information bits for each sub-carrier. The sub-carrier allocation status and the number of allocated information bits for each sub-carrier can be allocated, by sub-carriers, to the sub-carrier allocation information using a same number of bits; or the information on the sub-carrier allocation status is first allocated to the sub-carrier allocation information and the number of allocated information bits for each sub-carrier is allocated. |
| US07974251B2 |
Wireless networks for vehicles
A system for a vehicle including a first user interface to generate a first command to receive audio/video data from a server in the vehicle, a first wireless client station to transmit a first packet including the first command, and a first wireless access point to (i) receive the first packet transmitted from the first wireless client and (ii) transmit the first packet to a wireless router. The wireless router routes the first packet to the server and routes, to the first wireless access point, packets received from the server in response to the first command, where the packets include the audio/video data. The first wireless access point transmits the packets to the first wireless client station. A media player (i) generates audio/video signals based on the packets received from the first wireless client station and (ii) outputs the audio/video signals to the first user interface. |
| US07974248B2 |
Wireless “whooper” system for consolidating wireless communication access points and client stations and providing differentiated wireless services
A Wireless Whooper system for use in wireless networks is provided with a collection of wireless client stations arranged to transmit and receive wireless streams of information, and wireless Access Points (APs) arranged to wirelessly link with the wireless client stations, each supporting a group of wireless client stations; and a supervisory processing unit (SPU) arranged to monitor and dynamically switch between available wireless APs, forward and transmit streams of information through the wireless networks. Such a supervisory processing unit (SPU) can be installed as a separate control device or integrated within each wireless AP to handle the dynamic switching and routing of streams of information between available wireless APs within the system. This way the Wireless Whooper system can advantageously provide high quality differentiated wireless services and capabilities to dynamically change a single wireless traffic stream between any single source and destination to multiple streams via other existing wireless elements (e.g., wireless Access Points “APs” and client stations). |
| US07974242B2 |
Device, system, and method of channel quality indication
Device, system, and method of channel quality indication. In some demonstrative embodiments a method may include, for example, calculating a plurality of channel-quality-indicator values corresponding to a plurality of sub-channels associated with a mobile communication device; and transmitting a channel-quality-indicator message from the mobile communication device to a base station, the channel-quality-indicator message including only first and second channel-quality-indicator values of the plurality of channel-quality-indicator values corresponding to first and second sub-channels of the plurality of sub-channels. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US07974240B2 |
Cellular network based on relay station and space division duplex communication method
A cellular network that is based on relay station and a space division duplex communication method are disclosed. The cellular network based on RS includes a base station, a RS and a UE, wherein the base station has at least one antenna and the RS has at least two antennas. The base station allocates resources for the UE, transmits a downlink signal in a current slot and receives an uplink signal from the UE through the RS in a next slot; the RS receives the downlink signal from the base station and the uplink signal from the UE in the current slot and transmits the received downlink signal to the UE and the uplink signal to the base station in the next slot; the UE transmits the uplink signal in the current slot and receives the downlink signal through the RS in the next slot, wherein the uplink signal and the downlink signal transmitted in the same slot are orthogonal. With the cellular network and the communication method of embodiments of the present invention, the use efficiency of each channel can be improved effectively and the system complexity can be reduced. |
| US07974238B2 |
Managing wireless communication with limited channels
Communications between a central station and plural nodes is managed at the central station. The central station has an answer channel, a number of data channels, and a data channel manager. A node transmits a channel request, which is received by the answer channel. The answer channel queries the data channel manager, which determines if a data channel is available. If so, then the answer channel passes the node's request to the open data channel, which then communicates with the node. The answer channel is freed to handle channel requests from other nodes. The node is unaware of the passing off as the node does not change the address for the central station. A data channel is freed to communicate with other nodes by either receiving a disconnect message from the node or by timing out the connection. |
| US07974237B2 |
Cost efficient spectral-reuse transceiver
An operational mechanism enables frequency re-use techniques, including selective frequency hopping and channel aggregation, on very low-cost transceiver hardware. |
| US07974235B2 |
Secure location session manager
A Secure Location Session Manager (SLSM) is an intelligent router for open mobile alliance (OMA) Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) Version 1.0 (and later) messages best implemented when multiple, geo-diverse SUPL servers are deployed in a distributed environment, such as an active-active redundant configuration within a wireless carrier's network. In a standalone option, the SLSM acts as a “middleman” for all SUPL positioning messages between a mobile device and a responsible SUPL server. In an embedded option, the SLSM resides within an existing server. The SLSM manages and stores session information for all pending and ongoing SUPL positioning sessions in internal tables for routing and load balancing purposes. The external interfaces of the SLSM consist of OMA ULP messages. |
| US07974230B1 |
Mitigating interference by low-cost internet-base-station (LCIB) pilot beacons with macro-network communications
Methods and systems are provided for mitigating interference by low-cost Internet-base-station (LCIB) pilot beacons with macro-network communications. In one embodiment, an LCIB transmits a pilot beacon on the forward link of a carrier at a first power level. While transmitting the pilot beacon on the forward link of the first carrier, the LCIB measures a current reverse-noise rise (RNR) on the reverse link of the carrier. The LCIB determines that the current RNR is greater than an RNR threshold, and responsively transmits the pilot beacon on the carrier at a second power level, which is lower than the first power level. |
| US07974229B2 |
Relay for extended range point-to-point wireless packetized data communication system
A limited acknowledgement-based communication methodology increases the throughput efficiency of a relay-based, extended range, wireless packetized data transmissions to a data-reception site from a data-sourcing site, geographically remote with respect to the data-reception site. Rather than return an acknowledgement for each received packet, the data-reception site returns an acknowledgement only after receipt of a group of packets. When returning an acknowledgement, the data-reception site identifies which packets of the group were not successfully received. Missing packets may be retransmitted by the data-sourcing transmitter either immediately, or in response to a subsequent poll. |
| US07974226B2 |
Separating control and data in wireless networks
Wireless communication techniques are described in which control and data are separated. In an implementation, a method is described which includes sending data packets on a first wireless channel and sending control data relating to the data packets on a second wireless channel having a data rate that is lower than a data rate of the first wireless channel. |
| US07974225B2 |
Providing extended range modes as part of the 802.11n standard
An extended range preamble is disclosed, for transmission between extended range 802.11n devices. The extended range preamble consists of a high-throughput signal field, in which a modulation coding scheme rate and payload length are specified by the transmitting device. The extended range preamble also includes an expanded preamble, which is adjacent to the high-throughput signal field, and is not understood by non-extended range devices. The modulation coding scheme rate is specified as either one of the rates supported in non-extended range 802.11 devices or as a reserved modulation coding scheme not understood by the non-extended range devices. In either circumstance, the non-extended range device respects the preamble, and thus does not itself attempt a transmission during processing of the preamble. |
| US07974224B2 |
Subscriber unit capable of switching between full-duplex and half-duplex modes during an on-going session
A subscriber unit including an interface and a processor to transmit a first request to a wireless communication system by way of the interface to request a communication session in a first communication mode with one or more users; communicate with the one or more users by way of the interface in the communication session and in the first communication mode; transmit, while in the communication session, a second request to the wireless communication system by way of the interface to switch the first communication mode to a different second communication mode; and communicate with the one or more users by way of the interface in the communication session and in the second communication mode. |
| US07974221B2 |
Efficient content authentication in peer-to-peer networks
In one exemplary embodiment, a method includes: providing an abstract tree structure having a root node, tree nodes, and leaf nodes, each leaf node corresponds to a portion of data; mapping first network nodes of a distributed network to the tree nodes; mapping second network nodes to the leaf nodes; assigning unique identifiers to the root node, tree nodes, and leaf nodes; storing, at each first network node, the unique identifier of the corresponding tree node, the unique identifier of a parent, and the unique identifiers of children; storing, at each second network node, the portion of data and path information; providing a distributed hash tree wherein the DHT includes a hash value for each node of the ATS signing the top hash value for the root node; and storing, at each second network node, the corresponding hash value of the tree node and the hash values of children. |
| US07974220B2 |
System and method for overlaying a hierarchical network design on a full mesh network
A system and method are disclosed for overlaying a hierarchical network on a full mesh network. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network element of a full mesh network (402) having a controller programmed to overlay (200, 400, 400) in part a hierarchical network on the full mesh network with an isolation protocol. |
| US07974218B2 |
Intersection-based configuration management
A configuration management system and related methods are provided to facilitate intersection-based management of configuration information for network devices. In one example, a method includes polling a plurality of network devices to determine address entries stored by address tables of the network devices. The method also includes applying a hash function to the address entries to determine a plurality of key-value associations. The method further includes maintaining a hash table comprising the key-value associations. Each key of the hash table corresponds to an address entry stored by one or more of the address tables. Each value of the hash table identities which of the address tables are storing the address entry corresponding to the associated key. |
| US07974216B2 |
Approach for determining the real time availability of a group of network elements
The real time availability of a group of network elements is determined based upon both a real time availability value for each of the network elements and cooperation relationships between the network elements. The cooperation relationships reflect both the topological relationships between the network elements, i.e., how the network elements are connected, and the extent to which network elements interact with each other effectively. For relatively small groups of network elements, where the cooperation relationships are not overly complex, the real time availability is determined directly from the real time availability value for each of the network elements and cooperation relationships between the network elements. Decomposition and recombination are used to determine the real time availability of large groups of network elements based on specific formulas for basic network element topology models. |
| US07974211B2 |
Methods and apparatus for network configuration baselining and restoration
A method of baselining a network topology including at least one network device and one application node from and to which data from the network device may be sent using a network protocol. The method includes the steps of providing a network-wide time reference ensuring clock synchronicity of all the network devices and at the application node with the network-wide time reference. The method further includes causing configuration information to be collected at the application node from all network devices at a particular time or within a predetermined time slot, determining the number of networks supplied such configuration information and comparing this number against a stability threshold value. Finally, the method includes storing the configuration information together with an indication that such is stable, and thus usable in providing a reliable baseline, only if the stability threshold value is met or exceeded. |
| US07974210B2 |
Multi-signal analysis device
A multi-signal analyzer (1) includes an AD converter (11) for simultaneously receiving a plurality of time series signals representing physical and chemical phenomena and subjecting the signals to AD conversion, a delay time calculation unit (19) for calculating the delay time between arbitrary two signals x(1) and y(1) input to the AD converter (11), a time axis adjustment unit (39) for advancing or delaying the time axis of one of the arbitrary two signals according to the delay time calculated by the delay time calculation unit (19) to thereby make the two signals to have the same time axis, and a data analyzer (41) for performing analysis such as determining a mutual correlation coefficient for the two signals made to have the same time axis. |
| US07974209B1 |
Packet processing with re-insertion into network interface circuitry
Method and apparatus for packet processing by re-insertion into network interface circuitry. A method for handling a burst of packets sent to network interface circuitry includes checking for a connection table entry for received packets, and responsive to non-existence of the connection table entry for the received packets, sending the packets to network interface software for processing. The network interface software processing includes: building the connection table entry; processing the packets; and sending the packets as processed to the network interface circuitry. Additionally, a method for re-inserting a packet responsive to an active audit mode is described. |
| US07974208B2 |
System and method for router queue and congestion management
In a multi-QOS level queuing structure, packet payload pointers are stored in multiple queues and packet payloads in a common memory pool. Algorithms control the drop probability of packets entering the queuing structure. Instantaneous drop probabilities are obtained by comparing measured instantaneous queue size with calculated minimum and maximum queue sizes. Non-utilized common memory space is allocated simultaneously to all queues. Time averaged drop probabilities follow a traditional Weighted Random Early Discard mechanism. Algorithms are adapted to a multi-level QOS structure, floating point format, and hardware implementation. Packet flow from a router egress queuing structure into a single egress port tributary is controlled by an arbitration algorithm using a rate metering mechanism. The queuing structure is replicated for each egress tributary in the router system. |
| US07974207B2 |
Bandwidth-based admission control mechanism
A device generates a service protection factor (SPFi) for links (N) on a link aggregation group (LAG), determines a traffic allocation bandwidth on the LAG for a service class based on the service protection factor (SPFi) and a congestion guard factor (CGFi), and restricts the traffic allocation bandwidth on the LAG. The service protection factor (SPFi) may guarantee a service availability target in the presence of link failure, and the congestion guard factor (CGFi) may protect against link overload that may arise from imperfectness in traffic load balancing across links in the LAG. |
| US07974200B2 |
Transmitting and receiving real-time data
Real-time data (e.g. video) is streamed over packet networks (e.g. the Internet). Streamed video is provided without the start-up delay by transmitting data from a video streamer to the video viewer more rapidly than the video viewer consumes the data and using the excess data to build a buffer at the video viewer. When a suitable sized buffer is built the transmission rate of data to the buffer may be reduced. In order to deliver the best quality material for the available bandwidth, the supply of video data may be switched to a higher bit-rate source when the reservoir is filled. Fluctuations in network throughput may be accommodated during the transmission of data on a fine scale by adjusting the transmission rate of the data and on a coarse scale by switching between data streams encoded at different bit-rates. Fluctuations in network throughput are determined by counting the number of missing packets at the video viewer which information may then be fed back to the video streamer to adjust the flow of data accordingly. |
| US07974198B2 |
Apparatus and method for guaranteeing QoS traffic rate in mobile communication system
Apparatus and method for guaranteeing a Quality of Service (QoS) traffic rate in a mobile communication system are provided. The scheduling method for guaranteeing a QOS traffic rate in a mobile communication system includes calculating a total sum of traffic rates based on a channel change and a total sum of sustained traffic rates; calculating a weighted traffic rate using the traffic rate based on the channel change and the sustained traffic rate when the sustained traffic rate does not meet the QoS traffic rate; and determining a service priority using the weighted traffic rate. Therefore, the minimum reserved traffic rate and the maximum sustained traffic rate can be assured. |
| US07974193B2 |
Methods and systems for resizing multimedia content based on quality and rate information
In general, this disclosure describes techniques for exchanging information between a plurality of encoder modules and a multiplex module to combine segments of data from the encoder modules with an improved overall quality. In particular, the encoder modules associate their respective segments of data with quality and rate information and send at least the quality and rate information associated with the segments of data to the multiplex module. The multiplex module analyzes the quality and rate information to determine whether the segments of data that encoder modules desire to include in the current superframe fit within the available bandwidth of a transmission channel. If the multiplex module determines the plurality of segments of data do not fit within the available bandwidth, the multiplex module selects one or more of the segments to be resized based on the quality and rate information received from the encoder modules. |
| US07974191B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for the synchronized combining of packet data
A method, apparatus and system for the synchronized combining of packet data in a network includes sorting data packets received during a predetermined time period into groups according to for which communications device of the network the received data packets are intended. The data packets in each of the groups intended for the respective communications devices are respectively time aligned and orthogonally combined. The respectively combined data packets intended for each of the specific communications devices are subsequently transmitted to the intended device using a single header and in a substantially compressed format. |
| US07974189B2 |
Apparatus and method to set the signaling rate of a network disposed within an information storage and retrieval system
A method is disclosed to set the speed of a network. The method supplies a network interconnected with a system controller and a plurality of switch domains, where each of those plurality of switch domains comprises one or more information storage devices and a switch domain controller, and sets by each of the plurality of switch domains a signaling rate for that switch domain. The method queries in-band by the system controller each of the plurality of switch domains for that switch domain's signaling rate, and provides in-band by each of the plurality of switch domains the signaling rate for that switch domain. The method provides in-band by the system controller to each of the plurality of switch domains a first speed selection command specifying a first network speed, and resets by each of the plurality of switch domains the signaling rate for that switch domain to the first network speed. |
| US07974188B2 |
Repeater and communication method
A repeater for sending and receiving a routing message for changing routing information determines whether a routing message received from a first adjacent repeater which is disposed adjacent to the repeater is to be sent or not. If it is judged that the routing message is not to be sent, then the repeater generates a pseudo-routing message and sends the generated pseudo-routing message, instead of the routing message received from the first adjacent repeater, to a second adjacent repeater which is disposed adjacent to the repeater. |
| US07974186B2 |
Connection recovery device, method and computer-readable medium storing therein processing program
A connection information takeover unit in an active communication processing apparatus in the system sends connection information and a transmission sequence number of each data to be transmitted to a standby connection recovery device when a connection is established, and a connection information takeover unit in a standby communication processing apparatus retains the connection information and the latest transmission sequence number in a connection information storing unit. A dummy data sending unit of the communication processing apparatus which is switched to active because a failover occurred sends dummy data to a client, and if a transmission sequence number of a reply packet for the dummy data matches with the transmission sequence number in the connection information storing unit, a connection continuity determining unit notifies a communication processing unit that connection can be continued. |
| US07974181B2 |
Systems and methods for transmit-only peak-to-average ratio reduction in the oversampled regime using reserved tones
Systems and methods for reducing the peak-to-average power ratio (PAR) at the transmitter can reduce the dynamic range required in various analog components. PAR can be reduced by applying a time-domain compensation signal in the oversampled regime, using tones reserved for PAR reduction. A set of vectors corresponding to PAR tones is generated by processing out-of-phase symbols for each PAR tone to form a span matrix. The span matrix is used to find a best fit of a desired target signal to a time-domain compensation signal comprising only PAR tones. |
| US07974180B2 |
Transmitting/receiving apparatus of wideband wireless channel apparatus using multiple carriers
The present invention relates to transmitting/receiving apparatuses of a wideband radio channel measuring device using a multi-carrier. The wideband radio channel measuring device using the multi-carrier may measure radio channel characteristics at a frequency domain. Since the radio channel is measured at the frequency domain by the wideband radio channel measuring device using the multi-carrier, the channel characteristics may be simultaneously measured while maintaining a maximum Doppler measurement frequency at a predetermined level regardless of increase of the number of transmitting and receiving antennas, in an MIMO configuration. |
| US07974177B2 |
User equipment, base station apparatus, and method
User equipment that is capable of transmitting at least an uplink control channel to a base station apparatus using a single carrier method and to which persistent scheduling is applied, the user equipment includes a unit providing data arrival acknowledgement information, a unit providing channel quality information, a control channel generation unit generating an uplink control channel including at least one of the data arrival acknowledgement information or the channel quality information, and a transmission unit transmitting the uplink control channel using a predetermined dedicated bandwidth, in which the uplink control channel includes at least one unit block including a sequence in which a same factor reported using an upper-layer signaling is multiplied to each chip of an orthogonal code sequence for the user equipment. |
| US07974175B2 |
Information storage medium, and recording/reproducing apparatus and recording/reproducing method
An information storage medium and a recording/reproducing apparatus and method are provided with the ability to extend at least one middle area of an information storage medium comprising two or more recording layers so as to ensure optimal data recording/reproduction. The information storage medium comprises a plurality of recording layers, each including a user data area for recording user data and at least one middle area used by a recording/reproducing apparatus that records/reproduces data on the information storage medium to move among two recording layers, wherein the at least one middle area is extended when the information storage medium is finalized. As a result, when an information storage medium that contains an OPC area for obtaining optimum recording conditions (such as recording power) in an outer circumference thereof is finalized, and if a middle area of the disk is not large enough, the middle area can flexibly be extended. |
| US07974165B2 |
Error detection apparatus and method for a disc loading system
The effect of detection errors when detecting if a disc recording medium is in a disc drive is eliminated. A control unit 17 detects if an optical disc 11 was supplied to an optical disc drive 13 based on the operation of the transportation unit 16, causes the optical disc drive 13 to detect if an optical disc 11 is inside the disc drive, and compares the results of these detection operations. If the results do not match, the control unit 17 causes the optical disc drive 13 to repeat the operation discharging and loading the optical disc 11, and causes the optical disc drive 13 to again detect if an optical disc 11 is present after the discharge and loading operation. The control unit 17 then determines if the new detection result from the optical disc drive 13 and the detection result related to supplying the optical disc 11 to the optical disc drive 13 match, and based on the result of this evaluation detects an optical disc drive 13 operating error. |
| US07974161B2 |
Method of adjusting gain balance of optical transducer
A method of adjusting gain balance of an optical transducer includes the following steps. First, two external gains are predetermined. Next, the projection position of a reflection spot is adjusted toward one side of the optical transducer, and the current output values of the optical transducer each corresponding to one of the external gains are measured, respectively. Next, the projection position of the reflection spot is adjusted toward the other side of the optical transducer, and the current output values of the optical transducer each corresponding to one of the external gains are measured, respectively. Then, a gain balance value of the optical transducer is adjusted, and is set as the external gain. Next, the projection position of the reflection spot is adjusted. Finally, the projection position of the reflection spot, where the current output value of the transducer is equal to 0, is locked to complete the adjustment rapidly. |
| US07974159B2 |
Tray controlling method using firmware for detecting different inclined position
A tray control method for a disk drive including a tray for carrying a disk, a detect switch movable to different inclined positions for detecting different positions of the tray during tray ejection operation, a firmware for receiving signals transmitted by the detect switch upon reaching the different inclined positions. The voltage applied to the DC motor for moving the tray is adjusted based on the time difference between the signals. |
| US07974157B2 |
Method for forming an apparatus for indicating the passage of time and the formed apparatus
The present invention discloses a time passage indicating apparatus which comprises a substrate, a background layer on the substrate, and a time passage indicating layer on the background layer. The background layer and the time passage indicating layer bond to each other through a first and second polymer binder. The background layer displays a background color. The time passage indicating layer displays an initial color in an initial state that is different from the background color, and a final color in a final state that is substantially the same as the background color, so as to indicate the end of a time period where the time passage indicating layer transforms from the initial state to the final state. |
| US07974156B2 |
Movement for timepiece with retrograde display
A movement for a timepiece having a retrograde display member displaying at least one time division, includes a going train, elements for driving the display member including a wheel unit driven by the going train and carrying a first cam sharing the same axis of rotation. The movement also includes a rocker supporting a probe held against the edge of the first cam by deformable elastic elements undergoing a deformation of variable amplitude. This results in the application of a corresponding force on the rocker in proportion to the distance between the probe and the axis of rotation of the first cam. The movement also includes drive members to connect the rocker to a retrograde display member. A force-regulating device is interposed between the elastic elements and the rocker. |
| US07974153B2 |
Three-dimensional seismic survey methods using a perturbation pattern to provide bin fractionation
A receiver point arrangement is deployed having one or more receiver lines, each receiver line having receivers with substantially uniform inline spacing. A seismic source is triggered at each source point in an arrangement of source points along one or more source lines, each source line having source points with substantially uniform crossline spacing. Seismic data traces are collected, each trace having an associated midpoint. A perturbation pattern is applied to at least one of the receiver point arrangement and the source point arrangement to distribute the midpoints evenly within a bin having dimensions of half the receiver inline spacing and half the source crossline spacing across multiple locations within that bin. The fractionation in the crossline and inline directions is determined by the interaction between the number of offset positions in the receiver point arrangement and number of offset positions in the source point arrangement, respectively; phase shifts of the perturbation pattern between adjacent receiver lines and between adjacent source lines, respectively; and crossline and inline fold, respectively, of a recording patch employed. |
| US07974152B2 |
Control system for marine vibrators and seismic acquisition system using such control system
A method for controlling output of a marine seismic vibrator includes operating the vibrator using a predetermined driver signal. A vibrator output signal is measured at at least two different places on the vibrator. The at least two measured vibrator output signals are used to determine a corrected driver signal, wherein the corrected driver signal results in fewer harmonics of fundamental frequencies in the vibrator output. The vibrator is operated using the corrected driver signal. |
| US07974148B2 |
Semiconductor memory device using only single-channel transistor to apply voltage to selected word line
A semiconductor memory device has a memory cell array, a first transistor of a first conductivity type, a second transistor of a second conductivity type and a third transistor of the first conductivity type. A source or drain of the first transistor is connected to each of word lines. A drain of the second transistor is connected to a gate of the first transistor. A source of the third transistor is connected to the gate of the first transistor. The gates of the second transistor and the third transistor are not connected, a source of the second transistor is not connected to a drain of the third transistor, and the gate of the second transistor and the drain of the third transistor have different voltage levels corresponding to opposite logic levels each other. |
| US07974147B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring memory addresses
Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for monitoring a memory address transmitted along an address path and converted into a row or column address of memory. The method includes: generating a path decision signal for deciding whether to connect the address path to a data terminal of the memory according to a memory command; and when the address path is connected to the data terminal of the memory in response to the path decision signal, transmitting a memory address, corresponding to the memory command, to the data terminal of the memory so that the memory address is monitored through the data terminal of the memory. |
| US07974146B2 |
Wordline temperature compensation
A nonvolatile memory includes a temperature dependent read window. One or more temperature compensated wordline voltage supply circuits provide temperature compensated wordline signal(s) to the nonvolatile memory. The temperature compensated wordline signals change as the temperature dependent read window changes. |
| US07974143B2 |
Memory system, a memory device, a memory controller and method thereof
The memory system, memory device, memory controller and method may have a reduced power consumption. The memory system, memory device, memory controller and method may transition a data strobe signal to a valid logic level during a standby state. The valid logic level may be less than a logic level associated with a higher impedance level, such as when a bus may be turned off or connected to a ground voltage. A delay locked circuit need not be used in the memory device. |
| US07974140B2 |
Semiconductor device having a mode register and a plurality of voltage generators
A semiconductor device includes a mode register and a plurality of voltage generators in connection with a plurality of banks. Based on an operation mode set to the mode register, the voltage generators are selectively driven in response to an access to each bank and a CAS latency number defining a delay time between the input timing of an external command and the input/output timing of data of each bank. The number of voltage generators being driven is controlled based on the CAS latency number so that an adequate internal voltage is supplied to the peripheral circuitry, thus adjusting the current consumption without increasing the power consumption. |
| US07974139B2 |
Non-volatile memory generating different read voltages
In one aspect, a non-volatile memory is provided which includes a plurality of m-bit non-volatile memory cells and a plurality of n-bit non-volatile memory cells, where 1≦m |
| US07974138B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a selector line selection circuit for selecting, in a read operation, a selector line for connecting a first main bit line connected to the sense amplifier with a sub-bit line to which the memory cell being read is connected, a selector line for connecting the first main bit line with a sub-bit line of at least one sector different from the sector to which the memory cell being read belongs, a selector line for connecting a second main bit line connected to the sense amplifier with a sub-bit line to which the reference cell is connected, and a selector line for connecting the second main bit line with a sub-bit line of at least one sector different from the sector to which the memory cell being read belongs. |
| US07974132B2 |
Shifting reference values to account for voltage sag
A system and method, including software implemented techniques, can be used to adjust for sag in stored data values. Charge is applied to multiple memory cells, and each memory cell is charged to a target voltage corresponding to a data value. The memory cells include a reference cell that is charged to a predetermined voltage. A voltage level in the reference cell is detected, and voltage levels from a group of memory cells are also detected. An adjustment is performed based upon the difference between the detected voltage level in the reference cell and the predetermined voltage. |
| US07974131B2 |
Nonvolatile memory comprising a circuit capable of memory life time recognizing
A nonvolatile memory wherein remaining lifetimes of memory cells can be accurately determined is provided, the nonvolatile memory includes: plural memory cell groups, assigned with respective addresses, arranged for respective words and used for storing one word of data; plural dummy cell groups also assigned the respective addresses and having different ranks of rewriting lifetimes; a writing circuit which, when writing data into a memory cell group having a given address, also writes the data into a dummy cell group having the same address at the same time; a lifetime recognizing circuit which recognizes an estimated number of past writing times by determining whether each dummy cell group can be successfully accessed; and a control section which controls operations of the memory cell groups and the dummy cell groups in response to an externally given command. |
| US07974128B2 |
Flash memory device capable of reduced programming time
A flash memory device including a high voltage generator circuit that is adapted to supply a program voltage having a target voltage to a selected word line is provided. The flash memory device is adapted to terminate the program interval in accordance with when the program voltage has been restored to the target voltage after dropping below the target voltage. A method for operating the flash memory device is also provided. |
| US07974127B2 |
Operation methods for memory cell and array for reducing punch through leakage
A method for programming a first memory cell in a memory array. In a specific embodiment, each memory cell has a drain, a source, a channel, and a control gate overlying a charge storage material and the channel. The source of the first memory cell is coupled to the drain of a second memory cell. A voltage is applied to the drain of the first memory cell, and the source of the second memory cell is grounded. The method includes floating the drain of the second memory cell and the source of the first memory cell and turning on the channels of the first and second memory cells, effectively forming an extended channel region. Hot carriers are injected to the charge storage material of the first cell to program the first memory cell. The extended channel lowers electrical fields and reduces punch through leakage in unselected memory cells. |
| US07974126B2 |
Semiconductor memory device including write selectors
A semiconductor memory device includes: static memory cells arranged in a matrix; a read bit line for transmitting data read from one of the memory cells; a write bit line for transmitting data to be written to one of the memory cells; an input data line for transmitting data which is received from outside and is to be written in one of the memory cells; and a selector for selectively transmitting data of the read line or the input data line to the write bit line. |
| US07974125B2 |
Flash memory device and method of controlling flash memory device
A flash memory device includes multiple memory blocks, a decoder configured to select at least one of the memory blocks in response to block select signals, a controller configured to generate the block select signals in response to a block address and to generate a flag signal when the block address corresponds to a bad block, and an output buffer configured to output fixed data in response to the flag signal indicating that the block address corresponds to the bad block. When the block address corresponds to a bad block, the controller generates the block select signals to cause the decoder to interrupt selection of a memory block corresponding to the block address. |
| US07974120B2 |
Spin device
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a spin device includes an intermediate semiconductor region arranged between a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is adapted to provide a current having a first degree of spin polarization to the intermediate semiconductor region, and wherein the second terminal is adapted to output the current having a second degree of spin polarization. The spin device further includes a spin selective scattering structure abutting the intermediate semiconductor region, the spin selective scattering structure being adapted such that the first degree of spin polarization is altered to be the second degree, wherein the spin selective scattering structure comprises a control electrode being electrically insulated from the intermediate semiconductor region, and wherein the control electrode is adapted to apply an electrical field perpendicular to a direction of the current through the intermediate semiconductor region to control a magnitude of the current. |
| US07974117B2 |
Non-volatile memory cell with programmable unipolar switching element
A non-volatile memory cell with a programmable unipolar switching element, and a method of programming the memory element are disclosed. In some embodiments, the memory cell comprises a programmable bipolar resistive sense memory element connected in series with a programmable unipolar resistive sense switching element. The memory element is programmed to a selected resistance state by application of a selected write current in a selected direction through the cell, wherein a first resistance level is programmed by passage of a write current in a first direction and wherein a second resistance level is programmed by passage of a write current in an opposing second direction. The switching element is programmed to a selected resistance level to facilitate access to the selected resistance state of the memory element. |
| US07974112B2 |
Off-line converter with digital control
A regulation circuit for use in DC to DC converter is disclosed. One such regulation circuit includes a feedback circuit to be coupled an energy transfer element output to receive a feedback signal to indicate whether the energy transfer element output is above or below a threshold level. A control circuit is included that is to be coupled to a switch that is coupled to an energy transfer element input. The control circuit is further coupled to the feedback circuit to generate a drive signal to control the switch to regulate the energy transfer element output to approximately the threshold level. The control circuit is to maintain an on-time of a current cycle of the drive signal and not allow an on-time of a next cycle of the drive signal in response to the energy transfer element output rising above the threshold level. |
| US07974107B2 |
System and method for controlling a current limit with primary side sensing using a hybrid PWM and PFM control
A hybrid constant current control system that uses both pulse width modulation (PWM) and pulse frequency modulation (PFM) control. When transitioning from constant voltage mode to constant current mode the present invention can continue to control using PWM. Thereafter, when the voltage has dropped, the present invention smoothly transitions to PFM mode. The point of transition is based upon the switching frequency and the lowest rated voltage of operation. The system and method avoids very short (narrow) Ton times which ensures accurate constant current (CC) control with bipolar junction transistor (BJT) devices. The present invention also avoids acoustic noise because the switching frequency is maintained at a high enough level to avoid such acoustic noise even when the energy transferred through the transformer is still substantial and the output voltage is not too low. In addition the output current limit is insensitive to variation in the inductance-input voltage ratio, and is minimized against leakage inductance. |
| US07974106B2 |
Ripple cancellation
Systems, methods and devices for power generation systems are described. In particular, embodiments of the invention relate to the architecture of power conditioning systems for use with fuel cells and methods used therein. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems usable to reduce ripple currents in fuel cells. |
| US07974104B2 |
Printed wiring board and connection configuration of the same
A printed wiring board having an insulating base material; a wiring formed on at least one surface of the insulating base material, the wiring forming a predetermined circuit pattern; a first connection terminal portion formed on the surface and electrically connected to the wiring, the first connection terminal portion having a first width; a second connection terminal portion formed on the surface and electrically connected to the wiring, the second connection terminal portion having a second width; and a cover layer configured to cover the wiring and expose the first and the second connection terminal portion. |
| US07974101B2 |
Power converter
A power converter in which the structure of a connecting portion is highly resistant against vibration and has a low inductance. The power converter includes a plurality of capacitors and a laminate made up of a first wide conductor and a second wide conductor joined in a layered form with an insulation sheet interposed between the first and second wide conductors. The laminate comprises a first flat portion including the plurality of capacitors which are supported thereon and electrically connected thereto, a second flat portion continuously extending from the first flat portion while being bent, and connecting portions formed at ends of the first flat portion and the second flat portion and electrically connected to the exterior. |
| US07974098B2 |
Mechanism to make a heat sink in contact with a pluggable transceiver, a pluggable optical transceiver and a cage assembly providing the same
A heat-dissipating mechanism with a thermo-conducting sheet is arranged between a pluggable optical transceiver and a heat sink. One of the optical transceiver and the heat sink includes the thermo-conducting sheet. The heat sink is assembled with a cage to be movable vertically and against a downward force. The optical transceiver includes a projection that comes in contact with the heat sink. The heat sink includes a rail with a pocket. When the transceiver is inserted into the cage, the projection first runs along the rail to lift the heat sink upward; subsequently, the projection is set within the pocket to allow the thermo-conducting sheet to contact the transceiver. |
| US07974096B2 |
Three-dimensional thermal spreading in an air-cooled thermal device
The present disclosure relates to heat transfer thermal management device utilizing varied methods of heat transfer to cool a heat generating component from a circuit assembly or any other embodiment where a heat generating component can be functionally and operatively coupled. In a proposed embodiment, at least one heat pipe is used to transfer heat from the condensation portion of a vapor chamber to cool a bottom portion of a finned heat dissipation space and transfer the heat to a colder location on the heat fins. In another proposed embodiment, the water vapor chamber is placed in a heat sink and is adapted to thermally connect to at least one heat pipe. |
| US07974095B2 |
Power source apparatus
A power source apparatus includes a power source module which is formed of a plurality of power source elements, a case which houses the power source module and a cooling liquid, a fan which is placed in the case in a state in which the fan is immersed in the cooling liquid together with the power source module, the fan forming a laminar flow of the cooling liquid, the laminar flow having a width at least substantially the same as a length of the power source element in a length direction of the power source element. |
| US07974090B2 |
Portable medical device cooling system
A cooling system cools an electrically rechargeable portable device accommodated in a docking station. The cooling system includes a docking station having a non-forced air active cooling unit and a housing. The cooling unit maintains a first heatsink surface at a temperature below an ambient temperature and a second heatsink surface at a temperature exceeding said first heatsink surface temperature. The housing accommodates an electrically re-chargeable portable device. The housing re-charges said portable device and seats said portable device in a position providing thermal contact between said docking station first heatsink surface and a heat spreader of said portable device while re-charging of said portable device. |
| US07974089B2 |
Fixing mechanism for storage device
A fixing mechanism for fixing a storage device to an electronic device. The electronic device includes a bracket. The fixing mechanism includes two pairs of latching members extending upward from the bracket, a limiting member having a pair of resilient limiting portions, and two pairs of fixing members fixing the limiting member to the storage device. The two pairs of fixing members engage the corresponding latching members. The pair of the resilient limiting portions resists the corresponding latching members to secure the two pairs of the fixing members. The storage device is detached from the bracket depending on the resilient deformation of the resilient limiting portions. |
| US07974088B2 |
Retaining apparatus for data storage device
A retaining apparatus for at least one data storage device includes a tray and a retaining device. The tray is used for receiving the at least one data storage device. The retaining device is attached to a front side of the tray. The retaining device includes base member, an arm member, an operation member and a blocking tab. The base member is attached to the front side of the tray. The arm member is pivotably attached to the base member about a first pivot axis. The operation member is pivotably attached to the base member about a second pivot axis. The second pivot axis is substantially perpendicular to the first pivot axis. The blocking tab is secured to the operation member. The blocking tab has a blocking portion to block the arm member. |
| US07974080B2 |
Round housings for virtual computing systems with stylesheets
A computer system that has an outer shape that is round in outer cross-section. The computer housing can be formed of first and second housing parts that are each round in outer cross-section where one unscrews relative to another like taking the lid off a jar. The inside of the housing can store various kinds of nonvolatile memory and a processor. The user's entire processing environment may be stored within the memory and processor, and part of that environment may include stylesheet that represents specific styles of the user. |
| US07974076B2 |
Desalination device and associated method
A desalination system and method of desalinating liquids are provided. The desalination system includes a supercapacitor desalination unit. A first liquid source to be desalinated is provided to the supercapacitor desalination unit while the system is in a charging mode of operation. A second liquid source comprising saturated or supersaturated liquid is provided to the supercapacitor desalination unit when the system is in a discharging mode of operation. |
| US07974074B2 |
Electric double-layered capacitor
The invention relates to a coin-type electric double-layered capacitor, including activated carbon electrode layers, an electrolytic solution, and a separator between a metal-made top vessel and a metal-made bottom vessel, and obtained by caulking and sealing the top vessel and the bottom vessel with a gasket and a sealing agent, wherein the edges of the top and bottom vessels overlap each other by 0.1 to 0.5 mm. Preferably, the injection amount of the electrolytic solution is in a range of 0.1 to 10% of the void volume in the electrode. |
| US07974073B2 |
Electric double-layer capacitor with a negative electrode containing a carbon material and a titanium oxide
An electric double-layer capacitor includes: a positive electrode containing a carbon material; a negative electrode containing a carbon material and a titanium oxide; and an electrolytic solution containing an ammonium salt. A weight ratio of the titanium oxide to the carbon material contained in the negative electrode is 2% by weight or more but not more than 50% by weight. |
| US07974067B2 |
Plasma processing apparatus and method of suppressing abnormal discharge therein
In a plasma processing apparatus having an electrostatic chuck for holding a semiconductor wafer by an electrostatic adsorption force and a DC power supply for applying an electrostatic adsorption voltage to the electrostatic chuck, abnormal discharge in plasma is suppressed by providing the apparatus with a signal detector that detects a foresee signal that foresees occurrence of abnormal discharge in plasma, and a controller that controls ESC leakage current based upon the foresee signal. If the foresee signal is outside a prescribed range, control is exercised so as to reduce the absolute value of the electrostatic adsorption voltage, thereby suppressing the occurrence of an abnormal discharge. |
| US07974066B2 |
Wireless communication device
A wireless communication device includes a PCB, a grounded electrostatic protection element and an antenna. The PCB includes a ground and an antenna clearance portion. The ground portion includes a ground layer. The antenna clearance portion overlaps the antenna and includes a plurality of second key contacts, a plurality of ground contacts and a plurality of microstrips. The second key contacts are placed on a top surface of the PCB. The ground contacts and the microstrips are placed on a bottom surface of the PCB and corresponding to the second key contacts. The plurality of microstrips connect the plurality of ground contacts to the ground layer. The electrostatic protection element connects the second key contacts to protect them from electrostatic interference. |
| US07974064B2 |
Protective relay and human-machine interface therefor
A fully operational digital protective relay or Intelligent Electronic Device (IED) are provided for protecting electrical equipment of a power distribution system. The relay includes an input module, a processing module and an output module. Signals received from current transformers connected to the input module are evaluated by the processing module, and in reaction thereto, trip signals can be output to an actuator of a circuit breaker via the output module. A base Human Machine Interface (HMI) enables a user to enter operating parameters such as a delay time or nominal current to the processing module. Optionally, a further HMI may be attached to the protective relay and connected, via a suitable interface for data exchange, to the processing module for the purpose of displaying protection-related information to a user. This further HMI is both optional and detachable. For example, the further HMI can be repeatedly attached to and detached from the protection device. The detachable HMI provides for an increased flexibility in the use of the protective relay, as a user may adapt its interfacing capability by acquiring a detachable HMI of the type and at the time that best suits his evolving needs. |
| US07974060B2 |
Overcurrent limitation and output short-circuit protection circuit, voltage regulator using overcurrent limitation and output short-circuit protection circuit, and electronic equipment
A disclosed overcurrent protection and output short-circuit protection circuit has a proportional output current generation unit and a first current voltage conversion unit provided in series between a first power supply terminal and an output terminal. Furthermore, the overcurrent protection and output short-circuit protection circuit has a control unit that operates based on a difference between a voltage generated at the first current voltage conversion unit and that generated at a second current voltage conversion unit provided between the first power supply terminal and a second power supply terminal. A current flowing to the second current voltage conversion unit is changed by one or more switching elements in a stepwise manner based on the output voltages of the output transistor when supplying the current, thereby changing the voltages generated at both ends of the second current voltage conversion unit. |
| US07974059B2 |
Power supply apparatus, power supply apparatus control method
A power supply apparatus comprises a current limiting unit connected in series between a power source and a power supply circuit that limits output current of the power source; a first switch connected in series with the current limiting unit; a second switch connected in parallel with the current limiting unit; a resistor connected in series between the power source and the current limiting unit; an abnormal current detection unit, connected in parallel with the resistor, that detects the current flowing through the resistor and determines whether or not the detected current is abnormal; and a control unit that turns on the first switch if the abnormal current detection unit detects a current, and, thereafter, turns the second switch on if the detected current is not abnormal, and turns the first switch off if the detected current is abnormal. |
| US07974058B2 |
Group protection module for a switchgear arrangement and switchgear arrangement having such a group protection module
A group protection module for a switchgear arrangement is provided in order to protect a group of load feeders, each having a contactor for connecting or disconnecting a respective load. The group protection module has a circuit breaker for providing short-circuit protection, said circuit breaker being connected to a supply-side input and to a load-side output of the group protection module for connection to a power supply system and for connecting the group of load feeders. The group protection module has a safety evaluation unit via which the circuit breaker can be tripped if a status signal detectable by the respective load feeders indicates that one of the contactors of the load feeders can no longer be de-energized. The group protection module is implemented as a constructional unit. |
| US07974047B2 |
Current perpendicular to plane differential magnetoresistance read head design using a current confinement structure proximal to an air bearing surface
A current to perpendicular to plane (CPP) differential magnetoresistance (DMR) read head using current confinement proximal to an air bearing surface (ABS) is disclosed. The CPP DMR read head includes a first electrically conductive lead, a first MR sensor formed on the first lead, and a non-magnetic electrically conductive spacer formed on the first MR sensor proximate to the ABS. The CPP DMR read head further includes insulating material on the first MR sensor distal to the ABS. A second MR sensor is formed in contact with the conductive spacer such that the second MR sensor is in electrical contact with the first MR sensor proximate to the ABS and is electrically isolated from the first MR sensor distal to the ABS. A second electrically conductive lead is in contact with the second MR sensor. Sense current injected into the first and the second MR sensor is confined proximate to the ABS. |
| US07974045B2 |
Apparatus and method for a piezoelectric micro-actuator for a hard disk drive
Micro-actuator assembly including micro-actuator mount coupled to micro-actuator bridge to provide merged footprint with slider and micro-actuator bridge gap. Flexure finger including micro-actuator assembly for coupling to slider. Head gimbal assembly including flexure finger coupled to the slider. A head stack assembly including at least one of the head gimbal assemblies coupled to a head stack. Hard disk drive including head stack assembly. The invention includes manufacturing the micro-actuator assembly, the flexure finger, the head gimbal assembly, the head stack assembly, and the hard disk drive, as well as these items as products of the invention's manufacturing processes. |
| US07974044B1 |
Solder control features for a disc drive head flex interconnect
A FOS circuit and a method for fabricating the same that reduces the possibilities of shorts or damage to a circuit board during assembly due to solder reflow. The FOS circuit has a tail, a shunt bar, a plurality of flying leads, and a dam. The tail has a first and second end. The shunt bar is located adjacent to the second end of the tail. The plurality of flying leads project substantially perpendicular from the first edge of the second end of the tail. The plurality of flying leads are substantially parallel to one another and extend between the second end of the tail and the shunt bar. A plurality of electrical paths are formed through the tail to the flying leads. The dam intersects the flying leads and extends from a first flying lead to a last flying lead and is substantially parallel with the first edge of the second end of the tail. |
| US07974043B2 |
Thermally assisted magnetic head
A thermally assisted magnetic head has a slider having a medium-facing surface, and a light source unit having a light source support substrate, and a light source disposed on the light source support substrate; the slider has a slider substrate and a magnetic head portion disposed on a side surface of the slider substrate; the magnetic head portion has a magnetic recording element for generating a magnetic field, first and second waveguides, for receiving light through an end face and guiding the light to the medium-facing surface, and a near-field light generator disposed on an end face; the light source support substrate is fixed to a surface of the slider substrate so that light emitted from the light source can enter the end face of the first waveguide. |
| US07974040B2 |
Pass-through mechanism for linear tape library
A pass-through mechanism that couples a first linear tape library string to a second linear tape library string is maintained. A first robotic assembly associated with the first linear tape library string places a tape from the first linear tape library string into the pass-through mechanism. The pass-through mechanism moves the tape to a position where the tape can be removed by a second robotic assembly associated with the second linear tape library string. The second robotic assembly removes the tape from the pass-through mechanism and places the tape into the second linear tape library string. |
| US07974039B1 |
Disk drive to reduce head instability
A disk drive to reduce head instability during disk drive manufacturing is disclosed. The disk drive comprises: a disk; a dynamic flying height (DFH) read/write head; a flying height actuator to control the spacing between the DFH read/write head and the disk; and a controller. The controller controls operations in the disk drive including applying a sloped increasing power between a first voltage and a second voltage to move the DFH read/write head towards the disk. |
| US07974038B2 |
Servo writer with retract capacitor for generating a VCM driving current during a power failure
A servo writer is disclosed for writing servo data onto a disk of a disk drive. The servo writer comprises a push-pin operable to contact an actuator arm of the disk drive, an actuator for actuating the push pin, and a retract capacitor. The retract capacitor is charged, and the actuator actuates the push-pin in order to position the head radially over the disk. If a power failure occurs while actuating the push-pin, a current is applied from the retract capacitor to a voice coil of the actuator arm in order to retract the actuator arm. |
| US07974036B2 |
Time-shifted bits for write synchronization correction
Systems and methods are provided for correcting write synchronization of a magnetic storage device with respect to magnetic storage media and its corresponding writable magnetic bits, or dots. In particular, these systems and methods involve using time-shifting principles to calibrate the magnetic storage devices to correct slow drifts of reader-writer timing. It is to be appreciated that time-shifting techniques can be applied in a variety of manners. For example, the very dots on the media can be positioned in time-shifted fashion. In another example, the writing to the dots can be time-shifted. |
| US07974034B1 |
Systems and methods for sync mark detection using correlation
Systems and methods for detecting and designing enhanced disk sync marks using correlation detection are disclosed. The enhanced sync marks provide better noise immunity and higher detection rates over traditional Viterbi-based detection schemes even with a shorter sync mark length. The disk sync mark may provide optimal noise immunity for a particular target polynomial or a plurality of common target polynomials. The minimum Euclidean distance between a candidate sync mark and a plurality of right-shifted versions of the candidate sync mark is computed and compared with other candidate sync marks. The sync mark with the largest minimum Euclidean distance is then selected as the optimal mark. Systems and methods are also disclosed for detecting and designing a disk sync mark using correlation detection when the polarity of the disk is unknown or time-varying. |
| US07974032B1 |
Non-linear transition shift identification and compensation
A system for identifying and compensating for non-linear transition shift in a magnetic medium data storage device is disclosed. The non-linear transition shift compensation system includes a non-linear transition shift estimation module adapted to generate non-linear transition shift estimates for specific bit patterns. The system further includes a pre-compensation module adapted to adjust the temporal spacing of binary transitions written to the magnetic medium based on the non-linear transition shift estimates generated by the non-linear transition shift estimation module for specific bit patterns corresponding to bit patterns appearing in the data being written to the magnetic medium. |
| US07974029B2 |
Disk drive biasing refresh zone counters based on write commands
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk comprising a plurality of tracks, and a head actuated over the disk. A plurality of refresh zones are defined, wherein each refresh zone corresponds to a plurality of the tracks. Data is written to a first refresh zone, and a first zone counter is updated for a second refresh zone at a first rate. Data is written to a third refresh zone, and the first zone counter is updated for the second refresh zone at a second rate different than the first rate. |
| US07974028B2 |
Magnetic transfer master carrier and magnetic transfer method
A magnetic transfer master carrier of the present invention includes a base material having convex portions on its surface, the convex portions being provided corresponding to a pattern of information to be recorded on a perpendicular magnetic recording medium, and a magnetic layer deposited at least on top surfaces of the convex portions, wherein when a magnetic field is applied to the magnetic transfer master carrier, the magnetic layer absorbs a magnetic flux so as to form a pattern of the magnetic field, wherein the magnetic layer includes at least two perpendicular magnetic anisotropic layers, and an antiferromagnetic coupling induction layer which is provided so as to be sandwiched in between two neighboring layers of all the perpendicular magnetic anisotropic layers, and to induce antiferromagnetic coupling therebetween. |
| US07974027B2 |
Plane waves to control critical dimension
The present invention describes an aperture including: an opaque plate; two sliver openings located in the opaque plate, the two sliver openings having rectangular shapes, the two sliver openings being parallel to each other.The present invention further describes a method including: decomposing a pattern into horizontal sub-features and vertical sub-features; forming a first mask corresponding to the horizontal sub-features; forming a second mask corresponding to the vertical sub-features; forming a first aperture with two parallel horizontal sliver openings corresponding to the first mask; forming a second aperture with two parallel vertical sliver openings corresponding to the second mask; exposing a wafer using the first aperture and the first mask; exposing the wafer using the second aperture and the second mask; and exposing the wafer with the third mask. |
| US07974026B2 |
Lens moving device and installation unit
Disclosed is a lens moving device and a lens installation unit within which at least one lens is installed and at least one guiding protrusion is formed, a driving means that moves the lens installation unit, and a frame which includes a guiding slot into which the guiding protrusion is arranged and houses the lens installation unit. |
| US07974024B2 |
Lens driving device
A lens drive apparatus includes a base, a lens frame, a nut movable with the lens frame while being threadably engaged with a lead screw, a main guide shaft for guiding the lens frame along an optical axis, an auxiliary guide shaft for guiding the lens frame along the optical axis while inhibiting the lens frame from rotating, and a cover, arranged so as to oppose the base for mating with and securing the main guide shaft and auxiliary guide shaft. The lens frame has a lens holding part projecting out of the base and cover. The base and cover have a first positioning pin and a first positioning hole, which are provided near the main guide shaft, and a second positioning pin and a second positioning hole, which are provided at a position distanced from the main guide shaft. The foregoing can yield a lens drive apparatus having high optical performances, which can be assembled with a high precision. |
| US07974020B2 |
Lens and process for the production thereof
A lens formed of a fluorophosphate glass, which has an optical-function surface and has a positioning reference surface for positioning and fixing the lens in the fixing tool (and also for determining the direction in the direction of the optical axis), so that the above optical-function surface is not damaged, both the optical-function surface and the positioning reference surface being transfer surfaces formed by the transfer of form of a molding surface of a mold according to precision press-molding. |
| US07974018B2 |
Optical element, production method therefor, and composite component provided with an optical element
An optical element (14) is specified which is suitable for an optoelectronic component and has a carrier part (1) and a beam shaping part (12), wherein the beam shaping part is molded onto the carrier part, or vice versa. A corresponding production method and a composite device comprising the optical element are furthermore specified. |
| US07974016B2 |
Fixed focus lens
A fixed focus lens includes, numbered in order of location from an object side to an image side, a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, and a fourth lens. The first lens is a biconvex lens with a positive refractive power, and the second lens is a convex-concave lens with a negative refractive power. The third lens is a concave-convex lens with a positive refractive power, and the fourth lens is an aspherical lens having a negative refractive power in the centre portion thereof and a positive refractive power at the periphery portion thereof. The fixed focus lens satisfies the condition: 1.0>|(1/r2−1/r1)|>0.6, where r1 denotes the radius of curvature of a front surface of the second lens and r2 denotes the radius of curvature of a rear surface of the first lens. |
| US07974015B2 |
Wide-angle compound-eye imaging device
A center lens for collecting light in a center range and left/right lenses for collecting light in left/right ranges are supported in one plane to form center and left/right unit images. A microprocessor combines the unit images into a wide-angle image. The left/right optical lenses are placed on left-right direction line parallel to the wide-angle direction, while the center lens is placed distant from the left/right lenses above the direction line. Prisms are placed in front of the left/right lenses, and a toroidal lens to vertically modify the light path for light convergence onto each lens is placed in front of the prisms. The toroidal lens has a vertically curved surface having an axis coinciding with the direction line, and a horizontally cured surface having an axis coinciding with a vertical line passing through the center lens. This device can obtain a wide-angle image with a vertically large picture angle. |
| US07974014B2 |
Optical system for taking image
An optical system for taking image comprises three lens elements with refractive power, wherein a first lens element with positive refractive power includes at least one aspheric surface, a second lens element with negative refractive power, and a third lens element with negative refractive power includes at least one aspheric surface, which are mounted orderly from the object side to the image side. By such arrangements, the volume of the lens assembly can be reduced, and can obtain high resolution. |
| US07974006B2 |
Stereoscopic sheet structure
The present invention serves to provide a stereoscopic sheet structure in which a three-dimensional design appears to be changing by changing the angle of observation. The stereoscopic sheet structure has a convex lens assembly which is formed on one surface of a sheet member and in which a plurality of convex lenses are arranged; and a repeating design portion in which a plurality of design units are arranged on a focal plane of the convex lenses at arrangement intervals and/or in arrangement directions different from those of the convex lenses, and which has a continuously deformed design portion in which the arrangement intervals and arrangement directions of the design units regularly change. |
| US07974003B2 |
Photolithographed micro-mirror well for 3D tomogram imaging of individual cells
A micro-mirror well. In one embodiment the micro-mirror well includes a plurality of planar mirrors arranged around an axis of symmetry and inclined to form a pyramid well, where each of the plurality of planar mirrors is capable of reflecting light emitting from an object of interest placed inside the pyramid well. |
| US07974001B2 |
Display element and electronic paper
There are provided a display element and electronic paper. The display element includes a structure having a cylindrical shape and including a void inside, and at least two display regions formed on a side face of the structure and colored with different colors. The use of the display element for electronic paper can improve a response rate while lowering driving voltage, and can improve a contrast ratio by increasing a packing fraction. |
| US07974000B2 |
Optical shutter having charged particle and display apparatus using the same
Provided are an optical shutter including charged particles, and a display apparatus using the optical shutter. The optical shutter may block or transmit light by changing the position of the charged particle according to a direction an electrical field is applied. Also, a new type of display apparatus may be realized by using the optical shutter as a pixel of the display apparatus. The charged particles react very quickly to the change of the electrical field, and thus, a display apparatus having high operational speed may be realized. |
| US07973999B2 |
System for on-chip actuation
In accordance with particular embodiments, a system for displaying modulated light includes a spatial light modulator comprising a plurality of micromirrors having a pixel pitch less than 17 micrometers. The system also includes an intermediate voltage generator operable to generate a negative voltage and a positive voltage. The system further includes at least two level shifters coupled to the intermediate voltage generator. The system additionally includes a reset driver coupled to the at least two level shifters and to at least a subset of the plurality of micromirrors. The reset driver is operable to drive the subset of the micromirrors. The spatial light modulator, the intermediate voltage generator, the at least two level shifters, and the reset driver are all incorporated on a common substrate. |
| US07973998B2 |
Temperature activated optical films
The present invention discloses a multilayer dielectric optical structure wherein one of the optical materials in the multilayer structure shows an optically isotropic state above and a birefringent state below a characteristic temperature Tc near the room temperature. The optical structure reflects a predetermined wavelength range of electromagnetic radiation above the Tc but allow the same to transmit through below the Tc. The predetermined wavelength can be the near infrared radiation from 700 nm to 2500 nm, and the optical structure rejects solar heat in warm summer days but admits the same to interior on a colder winter day. |
| US07973996B2 |
Optical system for a digital light projection system including a 3-channel LED array light engine
An optical system for a digital light projection system is provided. The optical system comprises a plurality of LED arrays, wherein each LED array comprises a plurality of LEDs. The optical system also comprises an optical concentrator element positioned substantially adjacent to each of the LED arrays, wherein each concentrator element totally internally reflects light emitted from the plurality of LEDs within the corresponding LED array so as to provide substantially uniform light at an output surface of each concentrator element, and wherein the concentrator element has a complex conic shape. The optical system preferably further comprises an optical combiner element, wherein the output surface of each concentrator element is positioned substantially adjacent to a corresponding side of the combiner element, and wherein the combiner element spatially combines the substantially uniform light provided at the output surface of each concentrator element so as to form substantially white light at an output surface of the combiner element. |
| US07973994B2 |
Spatial light modulator
The present invention provides a spatial light modulator, comprising: a plurality of pixel units configured as a pixel array wherein each of the pixel units further comprises a memory circuit. The spatial light modulator further includes a bit line for transmitting a data signal to the memory circuit. The spatial light modulator further includes a word line for selecting and writing the data signal to the selected memory circuit. The spatial light modulator further includes a plate line for controlling the memory; and an address decoder for selecting the plate line, wherein the address decoder comprises an address judgment unit constituted by a plurality of first judgment units and further includes a second judgment unit for changing an output from the second judgment unit depending on a result generated by the first judgment unit. |
| US07973989B2 |
System and method using a voltage kick-off to record a hologram on a photorefractive polymer for 3D holographic display and other applications
An updateable system and method of recording a hologram on a media simultaneously reduces the writing time and increases persistence without sacrificing diffraction efficiency. A voltage kick-off technique controls the bias electric field applied to a photorefractive polymer media in conjunction with the application of the writing beams and dark decay. Essentially the voltage kick-off technique applies a high electric field above the optimal field while the writing beams are on and reduces the electric field when the writing beams are off during dark decay. The voltage kick-off technique produced two separate unexpected results. First, when the writing beams are turned off and the electric field is lowered the diffraction efficiency continues to increase until it reaches a maximum efficiency that is within a few percent of that achieved by writing at the optimal field until steady-state is achieved. Second, the decay time constant is much larger than expected producing a much longer persistence without sacrificing diffraction efficiency or writing time. |
| US07973983B2 |
Light guide device and illumination module using the same
An illumination module is provided in the invention. The illumination module includes a light source having a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a linear array and a light guide device. The light guide device receives light from the light source and generates uniform light which is transmitted onto an article to be scanned, has a longitudinal direction, and includes a diffraction structure and a reflection portion. The diffraction structure has a shape inducing light to be scattered and deflects the scattered light toward the longitudinal direction. The reflection portion reflects the light scattered and deflected by the diffraction structure, and is inclined to have an inclined angle with the light propagating direction. In addition, the reflection portion is formed on the diffraction structure or apart from it. |
| US07973981B2 |
Method for selecting and adjusting scanner illuminant
A scanner includes a first illuminant device having a first power associated therewith, and a second illuminant device having a second power associated therewith. The first power is greater than the second power, and each of the first illuminant device and the second illuminant device is configured to selectively scan a document. The scanner is configured to select one of the first illuminant device and the second illuminant device based, at least in part on, a level of power supplied to the scanner via a power source, and perform a single scan of the document using only the selected one of the first illuminant device and the second illuminant device. |
| US07973979B2 |
Methods and systems for centralizing an application process
Provided are methods and systems for centralizing an application process. |
| US07973977B2 |
System and method for removing semi-transparent artifacts from digital images caused by contaminants in the camera's optical path
A method and system for retouching digital images for a motion picture removes semi-transparent artifacts or ‘blotches’ caused by contaminates in the optical path of the camera. This approach provides the benefit of only having to retouch a single average image that is than automatically applied via a correction power map to the entire sequence of images for the affected scene. The formation of an average image tends to reinforce the artifacts making them easier to identify and reduce background detail making it easier to retouch the artifact. |
| US07973971B1 |
Gray component replacement in color conversions
A method includes receiving a first value in a first color space for conversion to a second value in a second color space. The first color space includes luminance, chroma, and hue components and the second includes black and multiple color components. The method includes identifying a color gamut limit of the second color space and determining multiple boundaries in the first color space corresponding to the limit. The method also includes identifying gray and saturation levels associated with first value based on a relationship of the luminance and chroma components and the boundaries. The method includes determining a black component value in the second color space using the identified gray level and the identified saturation level. The method also includes determining the second color value in the second color space using the black component value and the first value. |
| US07973966B2 |
Method of printing a compressed image having bi-level black contone data layers
A method of printing a compressed image includes the steps of receiving the image, having a bi-level black data layer and a continuous tone (contone) CMYK data layer, from an image host; expanding the image by decompressing the two data layers in parallel; halftoning the contone CMYK data layer into bi-level CMYK data layer; compositing the bi-level black data layer over the bi-level CMYK data layer to form a composited bi-level CMYK image; separating the color planes of the composited bi-level CMYK image, and separating each color plane into even and odd pixels; storing the odd and even pixels of each color plane in respective odd and even FIFOs for each color; and printing the composited bi-level CMYK image with a pagewidth printhead onto a print medium. |
| US07973961B2 |
System enabling initiation of requested action via printed substrate
A system enabling a user to initiate a requested action via a printed substrate. The system comprises: a printed substrate comprising user information and a position-coding pattern; an optically imaging pen comprising a nib, an image sensor and a processor; and a computer system for identifying and initiating the requested action. The processor is configured for decoding the imaged position-coding pattern, determining a first position using the decoded position-coding pattern, and determining a second position using the first position. The second position is different than the first position, and is used by the computer system to identify the requested action. |
| US07973959B2 |
Document administration system and document destruction apparatus
A document administration system includes a document administration apparatus and a document destruction apparatus. The document administration apparatus includes a document administration information storage section that stores administration information containing at least document identification information assigned to a document and a retention period of the document. The document destruction apparatus includes an identification information reader, a determination section and a document reader. The identification information reader reads the document identification information assigned to the document. The determination section determines, based on a reading result by the identification information reader, as to whether or not the document identification information is assigned to the document. The document reader reads the document to acquire an image of the document if the document meets a predetermined read condition. The document reader reads the document to acquire the image of the document if no document identification information is assigned to the document. |
| US07973957B2 |
Generic interface
A system and process for ensuring the smooth flow of electronic ink is described. Dynamic rendering is give priority over other event handlers. Priority may be the use of one or more queues to order when events occur and may be performing dynamic rendering prior to other steps. |
| US07973955B2 |
Specification and management of consolidated ticket packages in workflows
Systems, methods, and/or techniques (“tools”) for specifying and managing consolidated ticket packages in workflows are provided. In some aspects, the tools may request and receive indications of capabilities of devices that may participate in a workflow, and may generate ticket packages based on the device capabilities, with the ticket packages being consolidated across the workflow. In other aspects, the tools may provide the device capabilities upon request, and may receive job requests that include the ticket packages. In still other aspects, the tools may present a user interface that includes representations of one or more workflows, may receive from a user a selection of one of the workflows, and may present information from a ticket package related to the selected workflow. |
| US07973946B2 |
Global printing system and method of using same
A system and method for parsing data formatted in a plurality of encoding schemes at a printer is provided. The method comprises receiving data from at least one host computer at the printer, wherein at least a portion of the data is encoded in a plurality of encoding schemes. The method also includes determining a parser state of the data based on a plurality of characters and/or at least one printer control command associated with the plurality of encoding schemes. |
| US07973941B2 |
Reference signal generating configuration for an interferometric miniature grating encoder readhead using fiber optic receiver channels
A reference mark configuration for an interferometric miniature grating encoder readhead using fiber optic receiver channels is provided. The readhead may include primary fibers that provide reference mark primary signals processed to generate a reference signal with accuracy of approximately 0.2 microns. In some embodiments, a zone grating type reference mark may be embedded in a periodic scale grating, and configured such that it provides strong reference mark primary signals without disrupting periodic incremental measurement signals associated with the periodic scale grating. In one embodiment, the readhead may include secondary fibers used to generate reference mark secondary signals processed to generate a reference signal with accuracy of approximately 20 nanometers. |
| US07973940B2 |
Optical object measurement apparatus
An optical object measurement apparatus includes a light source for generating a low-coherent light beam, which is swept via an array of pinholes on a Nipkow disk that rotates about an axis. A beam splitter splits the swept light beam into a probe light beam toward an object to be measured and a reference light beam toward a reference optical path. The probe light beam from the object and the reference light that has traveled along the reference optical path are combined in the beam splitter to produce interference light. A two-dimensional image-capturing device detects the interference light and produces a video signal to provide reflection intensity information of the interior of the object. This allows an interference optical system to be readily realized and tomographic images of an object to be observed at high levels of resolution and contrast. |
| US07973930B2 |
Spectroscopic ellipsometer
A spectroscopic ellipsometer can compare data different in a measurement condition and facilitate setting an initial value of fitting data even for an inexperienced operator such as a beginner. The spectroscopic ellipsometer includes a reference data storage part storing therein reference data to be compared with measurement data, a conversion operation part converting the measurement data or the reference data into comparable data, so that the measurement data can be compared with the reference data, and a comparison and determination part comparing the measurement data with the reference data made comparable by the conversion operation part with each other and determining a coincidence between the measurement data and the reference data. |
| US07973929B2 |
System and method for calibration verification of an optical particle counter
Described herein is a portable, low power consuming optical particle counter calibration verification system and reliable and sensitive methods for verifying the calibration status of a gas or liquid particle counter. The calibration verification systems described herein are useful for quickly determining the calibration status of an optical particle counter at its point of use, as well as for allowing the end user to determine if an optical particle counter is in need of a recalibration before the recommended calibration schedule suggests. |
| US07973922B2 |
Optical inspection method and optical inspection apparatus
An optical inspection apparatus irradiates a light beam onto the outer surface of an object to be inspected, in the form of an illumination spot having an illumination intensity which is higher in the outer peripheral part of the object to be inspected than in the inner peripheral part thereof while uniformly maintains a temperature rise caused by the irradiation of the light beam, over the outer surface of the object to be inspected, in order to prevent the effective entire signal value of a scattered light signal from lowering, without lowering the linear speed of a movable stage for the object to be inspected in the outer peripheral part of the object to be inspected, thereby it is possible to prevent lowering of the detectability for a foreign matter or a defect, for preventing lowering of inspection throughput. |
| US07973919B2 |
High resolution wafer inspection system
A method for inspecting a region, including irradiating the region via an optical system with a pump beam at a pump wavelength. A probe beam at a probe wavelength irradiates the region so as to generate returning probe beam radiation from the region. The beams are scanned across the region at a scan rate. A detector receives the returning probe radiation, and forms an image of the region that corresponds to a resolution better than pump and probe Abbe limits of the optical system. Roles of the pump and probe beams may be alternated, and a modulation frequency of the pump beam may be changed, to produce more information. Information extracted from the probe signal can also differentiate between different materials on the region. |
| US07973916B2 |
Inclination detection methods and apparatus
Apparatus and methods for detecting inclination employ a point source of light from which light is emitted through a lens toward a reflective surface of a liquid contained in a vessel. Light reflected from the surface passes through the lens to form a defocused image of the point source on a two-dimensional array of detector elements. Data acquired from the array represents intensity of the light incident on each of the detector elements. A center of gravity representing inclination of the vessel is determined from the data. |
| US07973915B2 |
Method and apparatus for inverting a flexible molding
A method for providing a flexible molding, in particular an ophthalmic lens such as a contact lens, in a predetermined orientation, comprises the steps of determining the actual orientation of the molding, and in case the molding has been determined as not having the predetermined orientation, inverting the flexible molding to the predetermined orientation. |
| US07973911B2 |
Object measuring device and method for use in the device
Provided is an object measuring device capable of avoiding unnecessary scanning of an object that is unlikely to be an obstacle. By detecting a reflected light of a laser light emitted to an entire emission region, objects, other than a road surface, existing within the emission region are identified. When the objects other than the road surface are identified, a spread angle of the laser light, which is required for measuring the identified objects with a necessary accuracy, is determined. When the spread angle is determined, the laser light is emitted, at the determined spread angle, to the objects other than the road surface, and thereby the respective objects are measured. |
| US07973908B2 |
Six-mirror EUV projection system with low incidence angles
The invention relates to a projection system for guiding light with wavelengths ≦193 nm from an object plane to an image plane, comprising at least a first mirror, a second mirror, a third mirror, a fourth mirror, a fifth mirror and a sixth mirror centered around an optical axis and being arranged along the optical axis, with the light traveling from the object plane to the first mirror, then from the first mirror to the second mirror then from the second mirror to the third mirror, then from the third mirror, the fourth mirror, then from the fourth mirror to the fifth mirror and then from the fifth mirror to the sixth mirror. The invention is characterized in that the first mirror is arranged along the optical axis geometrically between the fifth mirror and the sixth mirror, and the third mirror is a convex mirror. |
| US07973904B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel
An liquid crystal display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second substrates, a patterned black matrix layer disposed on the surface of the first substrate, a patterned first color filter layer disposed on the first substrate having a protruding portion that covers a portion of the patterned black matrix layer, a plurality of first ball spacers disposed on the surface of the patterned black matrix layer, and a plurality second ball spacers disposed on the surface of the protruding portion of the patterned first color filter layer. The bottom surfaces of the second ball spacers and the bottom surfaces of the first ball spacers respectively are disposed on different planes in the liquid crystal display panel. |
| US07973902B2 |
Display with RGB color filter element sets
An electronic display containing a light source and a color filter set, the color filter set comprising: a green color filter having a green filter layer comprising a first pigment having its maximum absorption at a wavelength from 600 to 700 nm wherein at least 90 volume percent of the first pigment particles have a particle size less than 300 nm, and a second pigment having its maximum absorption at a wavelength from 400 to 500 nm wherein at least 90 volume percent of the second pigment particles have a particle size less than 300 nm, and wherein the green filter layer has a transmittance of 60% or more at a wavelength of 520 nm and of no more than 10% at a wavelength of 480 nm and of no more than 10% at a wavelength of 590 nm; a blue color filter having a blue filter layer; a red color filter having a red filter layer; and wherein the color gamut defined by the electronic display has a % NTSCx,y ratio greater than 88%. |
| US07973901B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes: a substrate; a pixel electrode disposed on the substrate and having a first subpixel electrode and a second subpixel electrode; and a common electrode facing the pixel electrode, wherein the first subpixel electrode has a pair of bent edges substantially parallel to each other, the second subpixel electrode has a pair of bent edges substantially parallel to each other, and the second subpixel electrode has a height greater than a height of the first subpixel electrode. |
| US07973895B2 |
Antiglare film having first and second particles with different average diameters
An antiglare film includes an antiglare layer having a binder matrix, and particles A and particles B therein on a transparent substrate. A difference in density between the particles A and particles B is 0.2 g/cm3 or less. The quotient value (RA/H), which is obtained by division of the average diameter of the particles A (RA) by the average thickness of the antiglare layer (H), is in the 0.40-0.80 range. The quotient value (RB/RA), which is obtained by division of the average diameter of the particles B (RB) by the average diameter of the particles A (RA), is in the 0.20-0.60 range. The quotient value ((wA+wB)/wM), which is obtained by dividing the sum of the content of the particles A (wA) and that of the particles B (wB) in the antiglare layer (wA+wB) by the content of the binder matrix in the antiglare layer (wM), is in the 0.10-0.40 range. The quotient value (wB/wA), which is obtained by division of the content of the particles B (wB) by that of the particles A (wA) in the antiglare layer, is in the 0.50-1.50 range. |
| US07973892B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel including a first substrate having a thin film transistor and forming a transmissive region and a reflective region thereon, a second substrate facing the first substrate and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and second substrates and being in an electrically controlled birefringence (ECB) mode, a first optical unit attached to an external surface of the first substrate and having a first polarizing layer, and a second optical unit attached to an external surface of the second substrate and having a second polarizing layer and a compensation film interposed between the second substrate and the second polarizing layer, the compensation film having a single λ/2 film. |
| US07973891B2 |
Liquid crystal panel having reflective film corresponding to non-display region
An exemplary liquid crystal panel includes a first substrate assembly, a second substrate assembly parallel to the first substrate assembly, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first substrate assembly and the second substrate assembly. The second substrate assembly includes a transparent substrate and a reflective layer provided on a surface of the transparent substrate facing the first substrate assembly. The liquid crystal panel includes a display region and a non-display region. The reflective layer is positioned corresponding to the non-display region. |
| US07973888B2 |
Liquid crystal display device having minimized outer region
The LCD device comprises a display region defined by a plurality of gate and data lines, and having a plurality of thin film transistors (TFTs), for displaying an image; a frame region disposed outside the display region, and composed of a first region having a reflection layer for displaying a color having a set brightness by reflecting incident light in a reflective mode, and a second region having a driving circuit pattern and a driving circuit for shielding incident light; and an outer region formed outside the frame region and having the driving circuit. |
| US07973887B2 |
Color filter for transflective type liquid crystal display
The main object of the present invention is to provide a color filter for a transflective type color liquid crystal display which is easily produced and capable of displaying the same color tone with both of a reflecting light and a transmitting light, and shows light scattering in a reflective light region. In order to attain the above mentioned object, the present invention provides a color filter for transflective type color liquid crystal display comprising a transparent substrate and a reflective light coloring layer and a transmissive light coloring layer formed on the transparent substrate, wherein, a convex-concave is formed on a surface of a liquid crystal layer side of the reflective light coloring layer, and an average thickness of the reflective light coloring layer is formed to be thinner than the thickness of the transmissive light coloring layer, and a refractive index difference between the reflective light coloring layer and a layer in contact with the surface of the convex-concave formed side of the reflective light coloring layer, is 0.1 or more. Further, a main object of the present invention is to provide a color filter for transflective type liquid crystal display comprising a transparent membrane pattern region obtained by laminating: a transparent substrate; a transparent membrane pattern layer comprising a transparent membrane formed in a pattern on the transparent substrate; and a coloring layer formed so as to cover the transparent membrane pattern layer. |
| US07973883B2 |
Polarizing plate protective film, polarizing plate, and liquid crystal display
Disclosed is a polarizing plate protective film having high dimensional stability against moisture. Also disclosed are a polarizing plate using such a polarizing plate protective film, and a liquid crystal display. Specifically disclosed is a polarizing plate protective film which is characterized by containing a cellulose ester and a polymer X which is obtained by copolymerizing at least a styrene derivative monomer Xa having no hydroxyl group and an ethylenically unsaturated monomer Xb having a hydroxyl group or a carboxyl group, and has a weight average molecular weight of 500-100,000. |
| US07973882B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
There is provided a liquid-crystal-layer 15 in which an electrical field is applied in a direction parallel to a first substrate. Respective absorption axes of the first substrate provided with a first polarizing-plate 12 on a light-input side and a second substrate provided with a second polarizing-plate 11 on a light-output side are perpendicular. An optical axis of the liquid-crystal-molecule is parallel to the output polarizing-plate 11 and the absorption axis of the input polarizing-plate 12. A matrix-drive-electrode group is positioned on a side of the liquid-crystal-layer 15 of the first or second substrate. The input and output polarizing-plate are composed of a polarizing layer and a supporting-substrate material. The supporting-substrate material is present on the liquid-crystal-layer side of the polarizing layer. The supporting-substrate material of one of the input or output polarizing-plate is birefringent, and the Nz coefficient being 4 or more. The other supporting-substrate material is optically isotropic. |
| US07973878B2 |
Diffuser for light from light source array and displays incorporating same
An optical structure placeable between a backlight array of point light sources and a planar display. The structure distributes light emitted by the point light sources to uniformly illuminate the plane of the display, without introducing significant viewing parallax. The emitted light is partially collimated within a preferred angular viewing range, maximizing the display's luminance when viewed from the normal direction. The structure is highly reflective, such that a substantial portion of any non-emitted light rays are internally reflected by the structure, increasing the likelihood that those rays will be subsequently emitted by the structure. |
| US07973869B2 |
Color filter on thin film transistor type liquid crystal display device including shielding layer and method of fabricating the same
A liquid crystal display device includes: first and second substrates facing and spaced apart from each other; a gate line and a data line on the first substrate, the gate line and the data line crossing each other to define a pixel region; a thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line, the thin film transistor including a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode; a first shielding layer covering a space between the source and drain electrodes; a color filter layer on the first shielding layer; a pixel electrode on the color filer layer; a black matrix on the second substrate, the black matrix corresponding to the gate line and the data line; a common electrode on the black matrix; a patterned spacer on the common electrode, the patterned spacer corresponding to the black matrix; and a liquid crystal layer between the pixel electrode and the common electrode. |
| US07973866B2 |
Liquid crystal display devices
Fringe field switching mode liquid crystal display (FFS LCD) devices are disclosed. A first substrate is disposed opposing a second substrate with a gap therebetween. A liquid crystal layer is interposed between the first and the second substrate. A gate line and data lines are formed on the first substrate in a matrix configuration and defining pixel areas. A counter electrode is disposed on each pixel area of the first substrate. A pixel electrode is disposed above the counter electrode with an insulating layer therebetween. The pixel electrode includes a plurality of parallel electrodes. Each electrode includes a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment, wherein the first segment has an included angle θ from the horizontal direction, the second segment has an included angle φ from the horizontal direction, and the first segment has an included angle θ from the horizontal direction. |
| US07973857B2 |
Teleconference group formation using context information
Teleconferencing and, in particular, distributed teleconferencing may use methods and systems for location grouping to reduce feedback and other audio anomalies. Terminals and users connected to the same teleconference and in the same location might not need to receive audio signals from the other terminals and users in the same location. As such, by detecting and analyzing the location of each participating terminal, the terminals (and thus, the users thereof) may be organized into location groups to provide proper audio mixing. In one example, first and second terminals in the same location might not receive each other's audio in a downstream teleconference signal. The location and grouping of terminals may be processed using context fingerprint information derived from sensor readings of each terminal. Sensors may include GPS sensors, cameras, BLUETOOTH sensors and the like. Context fingerprint information may further be synchronized to enhance location determination and grouping. |
| US07973854B2 |
Image pickup apparatus having mechanisms for holding an image pickup element
An image pickup apparatus which permits reduction of the thickness of a mechanism for holding an optical filter component and prevents failure of the optical filter component. A CCD is configured to convert an object image having passed through the photographic lens into an electric signal. A CCD plate holds the CCD. A CCD rubber is disposed on the object-side surface of the CCD, and an optical LPF is disposed on the object-side surface of the CCD rubber. An LPF cover is opposed to the CCD rubber in a manner sandwiching the optical LPF between the CCD rubber and the LPF cover itself. The LPF cover is supported by the CCD plate such that the CCD, the CCD plate, the CCD rubber, the optical LPF, and the LPF cover are combined into a unitary assembly. |
| US07973853B2 |
Image pickup device, automatic focusing method, automatic exposure method calculating an exposure based on a detected face
An image pickup device provided with an automatic exposure function includes an image pickup unit configured to input image data corresponding to a subject, a face detection unit configured to detect a human face from the image data input from the image pickup unit, a photometric unit configured to measure optical intensity, designating the human face detected by the face detection unit as a photometric area, and an exposure control unit configured to calculate the exposure based on the photometric result of the human face by the photometric unit, and to perform exposure control based on the calculated exposure. |
| US07973848B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing composition information in digital image processing device
Provided is a method and apparatus for providing composition information in a digital image processing device whereby composition information of a target object displayed in a live-view screen is provided using auditory information or visual information during photographing in order to induce a composition of the target object to be matched to a predetermined composition for photographing. The apparatus includes a detection unit detecting a composition of an object from a live-view image to be captured, a comparison unit comparing the detected composition with a reference composition, and a control unit performing a control operation to output an auditory alert signal until the detected composition is matched to the reference composition and performing a control operation to output an auditory match signal when the detected composition is matched to the reference composition. |
| US07973847B2 |
Circuit for an active pixel
A pixel circuit includes a pixel-capture device having a pixel node and operable to convert light intensity into a pixel signal at the pixel node, the pixel signal representing a captured pixel. A row node carries a row signal that is operable to both (a) enable passage of the pixel signal from the pixel node to a column node during a readout phase of the captured pixel, and (b) set the pixel node to a predetermined signal level during a reset phase of the captured pixel. The reset phase and the readout phase are configured to occur during different time intervals. A reset node is included for carrying a reset signal that is operable together with the row signal to (a) enable passage from the pixel node to the column node during the readout phase, and (b) set the pixel node to predetermined signal level during the reset phase. |
| US07973845B2 |
Method and pixel for performing correlated double sampling
A method and apparatus for performing correlated double sampling to remove low frequency noise. The method and apparatus includes an active pixel of an array of active pixels comprising a sensor circuit for collecting radiation induced charges and transducing them to a measurement signal corresponding to the amount of charge collected, two memory elements for storing the measurement signal at the beginning and the end of a first integration period respectively, and at least one further memory element for storing at least the measurement signal at the beginning of a next integration period. |
| US07973844B2 |
Solid state image pickup device
The present invention relates to a solid-state image pickup apparatus which allows, when being applied as an element of a solid-state image pickup array, to reduce a non-sensitive region between the adjacent devices, and can thus obtain more accurate imaging results. The solid-state image pickup apparatus comprises a photodetecting section, an output section, a row selecting section, and a column selecting section, and further comprises M waveform shaping circuits as waveform shaping means for shaping the waveforms of row selecting signals. A row selecting signal outputted from the row selecting section is shaped by the waveform shaping circuit and is then inputted into N pixels that constitute an mth row of the photodetecting section. |
| US07973840B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and imaging system
A solid-state imaging device includes: a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, the matrix defining columns of the pixels, and each of the pixels outputting an analog signal by performing photoelectric conversion; an analog-digital converter provided for each of columns which sequentially converts a plurality of analog signals outputted from the pixels in a column into a plurality of digital signals; a memory circuit provided for each column which includes memories and performs, in parallel, a process of storing a one of the digital signals in one of the memories and a process of outputting another of the digital signals previously stored in another of the memories; and data buses connected to the memory in each column. |
| US07973839B2 |
Solid image pickup device, image pickup system and method of driving solid image pickup device
The solid image pickup device of the present invention comprises a photoelectric conversion part, a charge-voltage conversion part for converting electric charges from the photoelectric conversion part to voltage signals, a signal amplifier for amplifying the voltage signals generated in the charge-voltage conversion part, charge transfer means for transferring photo-electric charges from the photoelectric conversion part to the charge-voltage conversion part, and means for applying a certain voltage to a charge-voltage conversion part, wherein at least two readout operations for reading out the photo-electric charges accumulated during a period of accumulating photo-electric charges in the photoelectric conversion part via a signal amplifier. |
| US07973838B2 |
Active mask for electronic imaging system
An active pixel masking system for automatic glare suppression uses a variably transmissive screen such as an LCD in front of a lens. A measurement by an image sensor of oversaturated pixels from one or more extremely bright lights is used to generate corresponding opaque pixels in the variably transmissive screen, thereby preventing the excess light from entering the lens, and thereby clarifying the appearance of any objects near to the bright light. A continuous reading of a motion picture image is used to move the location and area of the opaque pixels in response to the motion and area of the light. |
| US07973831B2 |
Solid-state image sensor and imaging apparatus using the same
An objective is to provide a solid-state image sensor which can reduce the pixel rate while restraining the reduction in the angle of view and the deterioration in image quality when image data is output from the image sensor, and an imaging apparatus using the image sensor. A solid-state image sensor includes: plural photoelectric conversion elements which respectively have color filters being divided into plural groups each including color filters of plural colors, the groups being cyclically provided; and an signal output unit which mixes up digital signals, which are output via the A/D converter, at predetermined sampling positions and at predetermined different rates, and outputs signals which are smaller in number than the photoelectric conversion elements, and sampling gravity centers of the signals output from the signal output unit are at equal intervals. |
| US07973827B2 |
Image data generating apparatus, method and program for generating an image having high spatial and high temporal resolution
The shooting, recording and playback system 100 of the present invention receives incoming light 101, stores an image shot, and then subjects the image shot to be reproduced to resolution raising processing, thereby outputting RGB images with high spatial resolution and high temporal resolution (ROUT GOUT BOUT) 102. The system 100 includes a shooting section 103, a color separating section 104, an R imaging sensor section 105, a G imaging sensor section 106, a B imaging sensor section 107, an image shot storage section 108, an image shot writing section 109, a memory section 110, an image shot reading section 111, a spatial resolution upconverter section 112, a temporal resolution upconverter section 113, an output section 114, and a line recognition signal generating section 185. The system can get image data with high spatial resolution and high temporal resolution without getting the camera configuration complicated and without decreasing the optical efficiency. |
| US07973822B2 |
Drive device and image stabilizer
A drive device includes an actuator, a fixed member, a movable member, rotating members, and a guide member. The actuator is arranged on the fixed member, and includes a piezoelectric element and at least two drivers on the piezoelectric element in parallel with the central axis of the piezoelectric element. The movable member moves by the drivers on the fixed member. The rotating members are located between the fixed member and the movable member to support the movable member. The guide member is arranged on at least one of the fixed member and the movable member, and guides movement of the rotating members in a direction parallel to the central axis of the piezoelectric element. The drivers are located between the rotating members in the direction parallel to the central axis of the piezoelectric element. |
| US07973818B2 |
Mixing background effects with real communication data to enhance personal communications
There is provided a communication device for mixing effects data with real communication data. The communication device comprises a receiving element configured to receive real communication data, a first analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to convert real communication data to digitized real communication data, an effects data storage containing the effects data, a first mixer configured to mix the digitized real communication data with the effects data and generate first enhanced data, and a coder configured to packetize the first enhanced data to generate packetized data, and transmit the packetized data over a communication line. The communication device may be a phone, and the real communication data may be audio or video data, and the effects data maybe background effects audio or video data. |
| US07973817B2 |
Pixel clock and pulse-modulation-signal generating device, optical scanner, and image forming apparatus
A pixel clock and pulse-modulation-signal generating device includes a high-frequency-clock generating unit that generates a high-frequency clock; a modulation-data generating unit that generates, based on pixel control data that specifies a pixel length and image data, phase data that indicates a transition timing of a pixel clock and modulation data that indicates a desired bit pattern that corresponds to the image data; a pixel-clock generating unit that generates a pixel clock based on the high-frequency clock, the phase data, and a horizontal synchronization signal; and a serial-modulation-signal generating unit that inputs the modulation data, and outputs a pulse modulation signal in a serial pulse string based on the high-frequency clock. |
| US07973810B2 |
Display apparatus and cellular device
An object of the invention is to provide a display device that allows its useful life to be prolonged without letting the user of the device conscious of changes in the display state of the display device, and the power consumption to be prevented from increasing, and the usable time without charging to be prevented from being shortened even when a light emitting display device is used. The display device is driven by a power source chargeable by connection with an external power source and includes a display portion (4), a display control portion (31) that switches between an inverted display state and a non-inverted display state of said display portion (4), and a power source detection portion (5) that detects a connection with said external power source. The display control portion switches between the inverted display state and non-inverted display state of said display portion (4) when said power source detection portion (5) detects a connection with said external power source. |
| US07973809B2 |
Electro-optical device, driving circuit and driving method of the same, and electronic apparatus
A driving circuit of an electro-optical device wherein one field is divided into p (p is an integer that is equal to or more than two) groups and each group is divided into two sub-fields. The p groups each are set to have the length of a time period that is equal to one another. The 2p sub-fields that constitute the one field are set to different lengths of time periods in such a manner that a boundary between two sub-fields of each group is shifted by a predetermined interval compared to the boundary between the two sub-fields of the preceding group. The different gray scale values are expressed by turning on a single sub-field or n (n is an integral number that is equal to two or more and that is equal to or less than 2p) sub-fields that are adjacent to each other. |
| US07973806B2 |
Reproducing apparatus capable of reproducing picture data
A reproducing apparatus includes a graphics processing unit that outputs graphics data of an RGB color space, a video decoder that outputs video data of a YUV color space, a conversion unit that converts a color space of the graphics data from the RGB color space to the YUV color space, a blending process unit that executes a blending process in which the graphics data that is converted to the YUV color space and the video data of the YUV color space are blended on the YUV color space, and a picture data output unit that outputs picture data, which is obtained by the blending process, to a display apparatus. |
| US07973805B1 |
Methods and apparatus for invising objects in computer animation
A method for invising objects includes receiving information indicating an intersection between a first object and a second object. Visibility of the first object is modified based on the amount of interpenetration between the first object and the second object. A predetermined threshold may be received. The visibility of the first object may be reduced while the amount of the interpenetration fails to exceed the predetermined threshold. The first object may be made invisible when the predetermined threshold is exceeded. |
| US07973800B2 |
Source color modification on a digital nonlinear editing system
A system and method for generating a representation of a color modification to be applied to segments on a digital nonlinear editing system, where each segment is a component of a media composition, and represents a section of a digital media. An indication of a modification to be applied to a color attribute of a segment is received, and the source from which the segment originates is identified. The indication of the color modification is then stored, and, as a result, the color modification is applied to other segments that originate from the identified source. Source color modification is applied to a section of a digital media on a digital nonlinear editing system. a media segment represents the section of a digital media. The segment is a component of a media composition, and originates from a source data structure. The source data structure also represents the section of the digital media. The section is received, and the first source data structure from which the segment originates is identified. It is determined whether the first source data structure includes a color modification attribute, where the color modification attribute defines a color modification to be applied to sections of the digital media represented by segments that originate from the source data structure. If the source data structure includes the color modification attribute, the color modification is applied to the section of media. |
| US07973799B2 |
Shading using texture space lighting and non-linearly optimized MIP-maps
In a technique for rendering non-linear BRDFs that are stable in both the temporal and spatial domains, without serious interruption to the content creation pipeline used in most games, non-linear content is linearized by rendering in texture space at a fixed resolution. A MIP-map chain is calculated from this texture. The complete MIP-map chain is used for rendering on a display device. Low resolution reflectance parameters are used to approximate the highest resolution reflectance parameters as the object becomes smaller on the display device. The low resolution reflectance parameters are calculated using non linear fitting techniques. |
| US07973798B2 |
Inverse texture synthesis
A “texture generator” uses an inverse texture synthesis solution that runs in the opposite direction to traditional forward synthesis techniques to construct 2D texture compactions for use by a graphics processing unit (GPU) of a computer system. These small 2D texture compactions generally summarize an original globally variant texture or image, and are used to reconstruct the original texture or image, or to re-synthesize new textures or images under user-supplied constraints. In various embodiments, the texture generator uses the texture compaction to provide real-time synthesis of globally variant textures on a GPU, where texture memory is generally too small for large textures. Further, the texture generator provides an optimization framework for inverse texture synthesis which ensures that each input region is properly encoded in the output compaction. In addition, the texture generator also computes orientation fields for anisotropic textures containing both low- and high-frequency regions. |
| US07973794B2 |
Method and system for animating graphical user interface elements via a manufacturing/process control portal server
A method and system are disclosed for rendering animated graphics on a browser client based upon a stream of runtime data from a manufacturing/process control system. The graphics animation is based upon an animated graphic display object specification and runtime data from a portal server affecting an appearance trait of the animated graphic display object. The client browser receives an animated graphics description from the portal server specifying an animation behavior for an identified graphical display object. The client creates a data exchange connection between an animated display object, corresponding to the animated graphics description, and a source of runtime data from the portal server affecting display of the animated display object. Thereafter, the client applies runtime data received from the source of runtime data to the animated display object to render an animated graphic display object. |
| US07973789B2 |
Dynamic model generation methods and apparatus
A method for a computer system includes opening a model of an object, wherein the model comprises a plurality of geometric elements, determining a subset of geometric elements from the plurality of geometric elements of the model, modifying properties of one or more of the geometric elements in the subset of geometric elements to form a modified subset of geometric elements, and using the modified subset of geometric elements to represent the model of the object in the computer system. |
| US07973778B2 |
Visual simulation of touch pressure
The simulation of touch pressure on a touch-sensitive display is disclosed. In one disclosed embodiment, a touch pressure is simulated on a touch-sensitive display by detecting inputs corresponding to each of an untouched display and two or more measures of touch pressure, and displaying images on the display corresponding to the untouched display and each measure of touch pressure. In this manner, a user may be provided with a richer visual response to a touch-sensitive display input. |
| US07973777B2 |
Display device and driving apparatus including a photo sensing circuit and a pressure sensing circuit and method thereof
A display apparatus may include touch detection circuitry including a light sensing circuit and a physical parameter sensing circuit (e.g., a pressure sensing circuit). The display apparatus may further include processing circuitry implementing a power-saving mode and a normal mode, and configured to generate touch information. An display driver may include a photo sensing circuit and a pressure sensing circuit. An embodiment of the display driver may include: an amplifying unit amplifying a photo sensing signal and a pressure sensing signal; a parallel-to-serial converting unit converting the amplified photo sensing signal and the amplified pressure sensing signal into serial sensing signals; and an analog-to-digital converter converting the serial sensing signals into digital sensing signals, wherein the amplifying unit, the parallel-to-serial converting unit, and the analog-to-digital converter operate in one of a normal mode and a power saving mode according to the pressure sensing signal. |
| US07973774B2 |
System for software interaction using form identity
A system for enabling user interaction with computer software which includes a printer for receiving print data, printing a form, using the print data, by printing information related to at least one text field coincident with coded data indicative of the text field, receiving indicating data from a sensing device and transferring the indicating data to a computer system to allow the interaction to be interpreted. The sensing device when moved relative to the text field senses the coded data and generates the indicating data using the sensed coded data to be indicative of the relative movement of the sensing device. The coded data is indicative of an identity and the computer system determines the identity using the indicating data, determines a page description using the identity, and identifies the text field using the page description. |
| US07973773B2 |
Multipoint, virtual control, and force based touch screen applications
A method and apparatus are provided providing a touch screen having multipoint sensing and/or force based sensing and feedback capability useful in many applications which extend beyond traditional computer applications. The touch screen can be located in many non-traditional locations as well, such as desks, tables, walls, vehicles, and the like. The apparatus may be used by a single user, or multiple users, employing fingers, hands, feet and other body portions, if desired or practical. Related applications for virtual image or physical control applications are also disclosed. |
| US07973771B2 |
Touch sensor with electrode array
A touch sensor is provided that includes an array of discrete electrodes disposed over a touch sensitive area, the electrodes being elongated in a first direction and having a variable width measured in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. A touch location can be determined by simultaneously applying an electrical signal to a plurality of positions on the touch sensor, the touch location along the first direction being determined by comparing a capacitive coupling between the touch implement and the plurality of positions in the touch sensor, and the touch location along the second direction being determined by comparing a resistive coupling between the touch implement and the plurality of positions in the touch sensor. |
| US07973770B2 |
Method and user interface for entering characters
The invention relates to a method for entering characters in a user interface of an electronic device. The method according to the invention comprises: detecting the direction of movement indicated by the input device when the start of the character entering function has been detected; showing the character of the character area on the display, towards which character area the direction of movement indicated by the input device is proceeding; detecting the termination of the character entering function; interpreting the character towards whose character area the direction of movement was last detected to proceed as the character to be entered next, when the termination of the character entering function is detected. |
| US07973768B2 |
Optical navigation device with consolidated processing for surface and free space navigation
An optical navigation device for operation in a surface navigation mode and a free space navigation mode. The optical navigation device includes a microcontroller, a first navigation sensor, and a second navigation sensor. The first navigation sensor is coupled to the microcontroller, and the second navigation sensor is coupled to the first navigation sensor. The microcontroller processes a movement of the optical navigation device. The first navigation sensor generates a first navigation signal in a first navigation mode. The second navigation sensor generates a second navigation signal in a second navigation mode and sends the second navigation signal to the first navigation sensor. By implementing a navigation sensor to process signals from multiple navigation sensors, the cost and size of the optical navigation device can be controlled, and a small packaging design can be used. |
| US07973762B2 |
Character input using multidirectional input device
Character information is input into a computing device using one or more multidirectional keys, such as an analog stick, a multidirectional button, or a d-pad. The complete collection of desired characters can be divided into character sets. Each of these sets can then be associated with one input value of one of the multidirectional keys, such as, for example, the d-pad. Selecting a value (such as up) then selects one of the character sets. Another multidirectional input device, such as an analog stick, can then be used to choose one of the characters within the chosen character set. The chosen character is then displayed. |
| US07973761B2 |
Method of driving information display panel
In a method of driving an information display panel of a passive matrix driving type, in which display media are sealed in a space between two substrates, at least one substrate being transparent, and, in which an electrostatic field, which is generated from an electrode at scan side and an electrode at data side arranged respectively to the opposed substrates in an intersected manner, is applied to the display media so as to display information such as an image, at least two or more voltage values or an open state (including a connection state under a high-impedance state) are applied to at least one electrode. According to the invention, it is possible to obtain a method of driving an information display panel, which can reduce a cross-talk occurring voltage generated between the electrode at scan side and the electrode at data side and thus improve a display quality. |
| US07973760B2 |
Backlight control circuit with input circuit including diode and capacitor
An exemplary backlight control circuit (200) includes a DC power supply (VDD), a load circuit (210), an input circuit (230), and a PWM IC (250). The load circuit includes two light sources (2113, 2114) and a rectifier and filter circuit (213). The input circuit includes a diode (231) and a capacitor (237). The PWM IC includes a current sampling pin (251) and an overvoltage protection pin (253). A low voltage terminal of a first one of the two light sources is connected to the current sampling pin via the rectifier and filter circuit, and a low voltage terminal of a second one of the two light sources is connected to a cathode of the diode. An anode of the diode is connected to the DC power supply and grounded via the capacitor. The overvoltage protection pin is connected to the DC power supply. |
| US07973757B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display replaces the common electrodes of a conventional LCD with a plurality of switch electrodes. The plurality of switch electrodes is grouped into several switch electrode sets. Each of the switch electrode sets' potential is modulated by a different driving circuit. The driving circuits can also separately modulate the potentials of the switch electrode sets according to the scanning sequence of the LCD. |
| US07973755B2 |
Data driver and electro-optical device
A data driver drives comb-tooth distributed data lines of an electro-optical device in units of a predetermined number of data lines. The data driver includes first and second divided gray-scale buses, a gray-scale bus to which gray-scale data is supplied corresponding to an arrangement order of each of the data lines, a gray-scale data distribution circuit which distributes and outputs the gray-scale data supplied to the gray-scale bus to the first and second divided gray-scale buses, a first driver circuit which drives the data lines belonging to a first group among the data lines based on the gray-scale data output to the first divided gray-scale bus by the gray-scale data distribution circuit, and a second driver circuit which drives the data lines belonging to a second group among the data lines based on the gray-scale data output to the second divided gray-scale bus by the gray-scale data distribution circuit. |
| US07973750B2 |
Projector with dual image formation units and greyscale
A projector includes a lighting device, a first image forming unit including first through third light modulation elements, a second image forming unit including fourth through sixth light modulation elements, a polarization combining optical system, a projection optical system, and an image correction device, wherein the image correction device, based on one of combined transmittance and combined reflectance obtained by combining one of transmittances and reflectances corresponding to gray-scale values of two of the first through sixth light modulation elements for modulating the same colored light beam, outputs the drive value corresponding to the input image data for driving the two light modulation elements corresponding to the predetermined colored light beam. |
| US07973746B2 |
Pixel and organic light emitting display using the same
A pixel includes a light emitting diode, and a switching circuit that is coupled to a data line and a compensation power source line, and includes a transistor including a control terminal, a first main terminal coupled to a power source line, and a second main terminal coupled to the light emitting diode. The switching circuit generates a control signal based on at least a voltage of a data signal transmitted through the data. |
| US07973740B2 |
Method of driving information display device
A method of driving an information display device including displaying information of one frame by performing a scanning operation with respect to line electrodes on one substrate and column electrodes on another substrate, such that a voltage is applied to the line electrodes from one end to the other end. Then, a voltage for generating a cross-talk in the first color and a voltage for generating a cross-talk in the second color is applied to all cells one or more times respectively after the one frame is displayed. The information of the one frame is an image, and two or more lines of line electrodes are added at the end of the scanning operation, and a drive, in which a display of the first color and a display of the second color are performed one or more times respectively, is performed after the scanning operation is finished. |
| US07973738B2 |
Electronic devices having complementary dual displays
Methods for controlling complementary dual displays for use with an electronic device are presented including: sending a video signal to a first display, wherein the first display is a refresh-based, high frame rate display; displaying the video signal on the first display; and printing a frame of the video signal to a second display, wherein the second display is a bistable, low frame rate display, the printing including, loading a portion of a current frame of the video signal into a frame buffer, and displaying the current frame of the video signal to a second display, such that a bistable static image is displayed on the second display. |
| US07973733B2 |
Electromagnetically coupled end-fed elliptical dipole for ultra-wide band systems
An antenna that includes a first plane, a second plane spaced apart from the first plane, a first radiating surface, positioned substantially on the first plane, to act as a poise, a second radiating surface to act as a counterpoise, and an end-feed microstrip positioned on the second plane, wherein the first radiating surface and the second radiating surface are electromagnetically coupled to the end-feed microstrip. |
| US07973731B2 |
Folded conical antenna and associated methods
The conical monopole antenna includes a conical antenna element having an apex and a base, a conductive base member coupled across the base of the conical antenna element and a ground plane antenna element, e.g. a disc antenna element, adjacent the apex of the conical antenna element. A fold conductor is coupled between the conductive base member and the ground plane antenna element. The fold conductor may include at least one impedance element, such as a resistive element or inductive element. An antenna feed structure is coupled to the ground plane and conical antenna elements. The antenna may have reduced gain above a cutoff frequency being traded for low VSWR below the cutoff frequency to get increased usable bandwidth. The folded resistive termination is preferential to driving point attenuation and edge loading, and the conical monopole antenna provides low VSWR at most radio frequencies. |
| US07973725B2 |
Mobile wireless communications device with selective load switching for antennas and related methods
A mobile wireless communications device may include a plurality of antennas, a plurality of wireless transceivers, and signal processing circuitry. The device may further include a controller for selectively switching the signal processing circuitry to a desired one of the wireless transceivers, and for selectively switching a desired one of the antennas to the desired one of the wireless transceivers. Moreover, the controller may also be for selectively connecting and disconnecting the at least one other one of the antennas to an unused one of the wireless transceivers. |
| US07973723B2 |
Electric device and antenna module thereof
An electronic device and an antenna module thereof are provided. The electronic device includes a plurality of electronic elements and the antenna module. The antenna module includes a radiating body and a grounding body. The grounding body covers the electronic elements for being a shielding casing. A radio frequency resonance is formed between the radiating body and the grounding body. |
| US07973719B2 |
Semiconductor package and semiconductor device
A semiconductor package includes an insulating substrate configured to be provided for mounting a semiconductor chip which processes a signal with a frequency in a radio frequency band. The insulating substrate includes a first external connecting electrode, a second external connecting electrode, and a partial antenna wiring. The first external connecting electrode and the second external connecting electrode are connected with the partial antenna wiring. Each of the first external connecting electrode and the second external connecting electrode is an electrode to be connected with an external antenna pattern. |
| US07973718B2 |
Systems and methods employing coupling elements to increase antenna isolation
An antenna system comprises a first antenna element mutually coupled with a second antenna element, the mutual coupling between the first and second antenna elements causing a first current in the second antenna element, and a coupling element disposed at least partially between the first and second antenna elements, wherein the coupling element is mutually coupled to each of the first and second antenna elements, and wherein the coupling element is configured to induce a second current in the second antenna element that at least partially cancels the first current. |
| US07973716B2 |
Systems and methods for transparency mapping using multipath signals
Systems and methods for mapping a structure detect wireless signals, including at least one multipath signal that has experienced at least one reflection against a portion of the structure prior to the detection. The wireless signals are analyzed to estimate reflection points for the multipath signal(s), and a map of at least the portion of the structure is generated based on the estimated reflection points. |
| US07973714B2 |
Beam switching antenna system and method and apparatus for controlling the same
A beam switching antenna method and apparatus for controlling a beam switching antenna system including an antenna element for forming a beam, at least one conductive reflector for reflecting the beam, and a ground switch for applying a reference voltage to the at least one conductive reflector, the method includes forming the beam of the antenna element, and imparting the formed beam with a predetermined beam pattern by controlling the ground switch to apply the reference voltage to at least one conductive reflector. |
| US07973711B2 |
Controlling satellite navigation receivers in response to low frequency electromagnetic signals
Methods of operating a satellite navigation system (SNS) receiver in a portable electronic device according to some embodiments include determining the presence or absence of a low frequency signal associated with power distribution lines, and disabling the SNS receiver in response to detecting the low frequency signal associated with power distribution lines. The methods may further include detecting weakening of a satellite navigation signal, and determining the presence or absence of a low frequency signal associated with power distribution lines may be performed in response to a detected weakening of the satellite navigation signal. Related devices are also disclosed. |
| US07973710B2 |
Method for adjusting a measurement cycle in a satellite positioning system signal receiver
A method for adjusting a measurement cycle in a satellite signal receiver is described. The method includes adjusting a measurement cycle in a satellite signal receiver by computing a position state comprising at least one of a velocity and a heading of the satellite signal receiver, detecting a change in the position state, and automatically adjusting a frequency of the measurement cycle in response to the change in the position state. |
| US07973708B2 |
System and method for detecting location using data communication network
The present invention provides a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) based positioning system and tracking method using a data communication network. When a GNSS-based positioning device is connected to a data communication network, the positioning device transfers the GNSS digital data and supplementary information used for additional performance improvement to a location tracking server through the data communication network, the location tracking server calculates a position of the positioning device with improved receiver sensitivity based on plentiful computational resources available at the location tracking server. Thus, the positioning device may find its location of even in very poor signal condition. Further, the present invention provides a positioning system and method using a data communication network, which may achieve time synchronization when there is a need to extract not only position information but also absolute timing information. |
| US07973707B2 |
Method for geofencing
A method for determining that a GPS receiver is located within a predetermined geofence volume. An embodiment of the invention includes the steps of receiving global positioning system signals from a plurality of GPS satellites; calculating a solution set of possible receiver positions from the global positioning signals; determining whether any portion of the solution set of receiver positions is within the geofence volume; and determining that the receiver is outside the geofence volume if no portion of the solution set of receiver positions is within the geofence volume. The concept of exclusion space is introduced and used in methods for determining the probability that a receiver is within a geofence volume. |
| US07973704B2 |
Handheld radar
The present invention relates to a handheld radar apparatus. The apparatus comprises an antenna (22,23) adapted to transmit and receive electromagnetic signals, a direction sensor (24, 25) that outputs an orientation signal indicative of the orientation of the antenna, and a radar (21) coupled to the antenna (22, 23), the radar (21) adapted to generate an electromagnetic signal for transmission via the antenna (22, 23), and adapted to receive a reflected version of the electromagnetic signal via the antenna (22, 23) reflected from an object. The radar (21) comprises a processor (30) for generating location information indicative of the location of the object using the received reflected electromagnetic signal and the orientation of the antenna (22,23) as indicated by the orientation signal, and a screen (4) adapted to display indicia (e.g. 43a to 43c) representing the object and its location based on the location information. |
| US07973701B2 |
Automotive radar sensor blockage detection system and related techniques
A blockage detection system and method for use in a sensor such as a side object detection (SOD) sensor in an automotive radar system is described. The sensor emits signals and receives return signals (i.e. reflected signals) from a passing object. If the passing object is within a virtual detection zone, the sensor uses the information from the passing object to determine if a blockage condition exists in the sensor. The technique utilizes statistics related to the passing object to determine whether a blockage condition exists within the sensor. In one embodiment, a SOD sensor mounted in a first vehicle uses information from a second passing vehicle (e.g. radar return information) to determine whether a blockage condition exists within the SOD sensor itself. |
| US07973693B2 |
Circuit with a successive approximation analog to digital converter
During successive approximation analog to digital conversion a series of successive digital reference values is selected that converges towards a digital representation of an analog input signal. An analog reference signal is generated dependent on the successive digital reference values and compared to the analog input signal. The digital reference values are selected dependent on comparison results. In the selection of the digital reference values successive steps between digital reference values are each selected dependent on values of the comparator result from a plurality of preceding recursion cycles. The comparison results define a series of successively narrower ranges of digital values that contain a digital representation of the analog input signal. Use of a plurality of comparator results for selecting the steps in the digital reference values makes it possible to reduce uncertainty about whether the comparison result has settled. This in turn makes it possible to reduce the sizes of the successive ranges, which speeds up convergence. |
| US07973692B2 |
Systems and methods for synchronous, retimed analog to digital conversion
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for analog to digital conversion. For example, a latch based analog to digital converter is disclosed that includes a first interleave with a set of comparators, a selector circuit and a latch. The set of comparators is operable to compare an analog input with respective reference voltages, and is synchronized to a clock phase. The selector circuit is operable to select an output of one of the set of comparators based at least in part on a selector input. A first interleave output is derived from the selected output. The latch receives a second interleave output from a second interleave and is transparent when the clock phase is asserted. The selector input includes an output of the latch. |
| US07973690B1 |
Gamma voltage generation circuit
A gamma voltage generation circuit is provided. An offset voltage generator generates a first offset voltage by dividing a voltage difference between a first input voltage and a second input voltage based on a first code. A first voltage shifting circuit of a voltage level shifter shifts down a first reference voltage by the first offset voltage to output a first level-shifted voltage. A second voltage shifting circuit of the voltage level shifter shifts down a second reference voltage by the first offset voltage to output a second level-shifted voltage. Each of resistors of a resistor string outputs one of the gamma voltages. A first end and a second end of the resistor string are respectively coupled to a first output terminal and a second output terminal of the voltage level shifter. |
| US07973689B2 |
Bandpass multi-bit sigma-delta analog to digital conversion
Examples of a system and method for sigma-delta analog-to-digital conversion of an electrical input signal are disclosed. A bandpass-filtered signal based on an electrical input signal and an analog feedback signal may be provided. A multi-bit digital representation of the bandpass-filtered signal may be provided. An analog representation of the multi-bit digital representation may be provided. A return-to-zero (RTZ) carving operation may be performed on the analog representation to obtain the analog feedback signal. |
| US07973686B2 |
Integrated circuit device and electronic instrument
An integrated circuit device includes a plurality of data line driver circuits, a first correction D/A conversion circuit, and a plurality of D/A conversion circuits. Each of the data line driver circuits includes an operational amplifier, an input capacitor, and a first correction capacitor. Each of the D/A conversion circuits outputs an output signal to the input capacitor. The first correction D/A conversion circuit outputs a correction output voltage to the first correction capacitors to correct data signals output from the data line driver circuits. |
| US07973684B2 |
Self auto-calibration of analog circuits in a mixed signal integrated circuit device
Auto-calibration of the analog circuits occurs when requested by a user and/or the occurrence of an event(s). The user may invoke an auto-calibration on demand through an auto-calibration (ACAL) input to the mixed-signal integrated circuit. An external voltage calibration (VCAL) input may be used for auto-calibration of the mixed-signal integrated circuit to a user-supplied common-mode voltage reference. Auto-calibration of the mixed-signal integrated circuit may also be initiated upon the occurrence of any one or more of the following events: 1) detection of auto-calibration data corruption, e.g., parity checking of auto-calibration data values digitally stored in the mixed-signal integrated circuit; 2) an internal timer that causes a calibration request after a programmable timeout period, 3) change in the internal integrated circuit die temperature as determined by a temperature sensor, and 4) a change in the power supply and/or internal supply voltage(s). |
| US07973681B2 |
High speed, low power non-return-to-zero/return-to-zero output driver
A gating logic receives a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) input signal and couples the NRZ input signal as an NRZ output signal when operating in a NRZ mode of operation and converts the NRZ input signal to a return-to-zero (RZ) output signal when operating in a RZ mode of operation. A circuit coupled to the gating logic receives a clock signal and couples the clock signal to the gating logic to convert the NRZ input signal to the RZ output signal in the RZ mode of operation. In the NRZ mode of operation, the circuit decouples the clock signal and places a predetermined signal state at the gating logic to pass through the NRZ input signal as the NRZ output signal. The circuit receives a select signal to select between the NRZ and RZ modes of operation and the NRZ and RZ modes are obtained by controlling the clock signal to the gating logic. |
| US07973674B2 |
Vehicle-to-vehicle traffic queue information communication system and method
Disclosed are embodiments of a vehicle-to-vehicle traffic queue information communication system, a traffic queue information communication device, and method. The system and method embodiments incorporate the use of multiple vehicles. Each vehicle is equipped with a traffic queue information communication device. Each traffic queue information communication device can be used to determine if its corresponding vehicle has entered or exited a queue in a single lane of traffic. When the vehicle is in a queue, the device can communicate with the immediately adjacent vehicles in front and behind. Specifically, it can receive data from the preceding vehicle in the queue and use the received data to determine its position in the queue as well as the estimated time it will take to travel through the queue. Revised data can then be transmitted by the device to the next vehicle in the queue for making the same determinations. |
| US07973672B2 |
Fallen conductor warning system having a disruption assembly
A system for notifying and/or warning of fallen or downed insulated conductor generally includes a distribution system for distributing a utility, such as power, and a sensor system for sensing whether the distribution system is properly operating. The warning system can include a support structure; an arm carried by the support structure and extending outwardly therefrom; a distribution system providing a utility via at least one wire, the wire held aloft from a below surface via the arm; a communication cable transmitting a signal; a disruption assembly carrying the communication cable and in communication with the support structure. The disruption assembly is loaded with the potential of disrupting the signal transmitted by the communication cable; and a sensor system is adapted to monitor the distribution system based on the signal transmitted by the communication cable. |
| US07973669B2 |
Apparatus and method for wireless location sensing
A sensor assembly includes a sensor configured to detect at least one material or condition, such as a smoke detector, fire detector, or carbon monoxide detector. The sensor assembly also includes a base configured to be mounted on a structure, such as a wall or ceiling, and to receive the sensor. The sensor assembly further includes a wireless module located between the sensor and the base. The wireless module is configured to transmit position information. The wireless module may include one or more electrical contacts used to form at least one electrical connection between the base of the sensor assembly and the sensor. The wireless module may also include a printed circuit board having the contacts, wireless radio circuitry, an antenna, and other components. The printed circuit board could be substantially hidden from view when the sensor is attached to the base and the base is mounted on the structure. |
| US07973668B2 |
Air sampling system having a plurality of air sampling devices with their own flow switches
A system for sampling air in a controlled environment that includes two or more air sampling devices at different locations within the controlled environment. A controller is provided at a location outside of the controlled environment and in separate air flow communication with each air sampling devices via separate first vacuum tubes. A ffow switch for each of the air sampling devices is provided at a location between a corresponding air sampling device and the vacuum source, each of the flow switches being configured to separately measure and control the rate of air flow through a corresponding first vacuum tube. An alarm is automatically activated at a location inside the controlled environment by one or more of the flow switches when the rate of air flow measured at one or more of the flow switches deviates from a desired value by a predetermined amount. |
| US07973665B2 |
Child monitor system with content data storage
A child monitor system includes a child unit having a sensor to capture content, and a parent unit having a processor and a user interface communicatively coupled with the processor to reproduce the content captured by the sensor. The child unit and the parent unit are configured to communicate via a wireless communication link carrying content data representative of the captured content. The system further includes a memory communicatively coupled with the child unit or the parent unit and configured for non-volatile storage of the content data. The processor of the parent unit is configured to issue an instruction to effectuate the non-volatile storage of the content data in the memory in response to a content storage request received via the user interface. |
| US07973664B1 |
Closure having RFID and foil
A closure comprising a top wall with an annular side wall depending there from. An induction foil is proximate an inner surface of the top wall and may have a ring or circular configuration. An RFID device is affixed or is integral with the closure a minimum distance from and/or orientation with the induction foil as to prevent damage to the RFID device during an induction sealing process and to reduce adverse operational effects of the RFID from the foil. The RFID may be active or passive and may be proximate or integral with the top wall or integral with the side wall of the closure. The RFID may be contained within a film wherein a portion of the film is inductively sealed to the closure. |
| US07973662B2 |
RFID bridge antenna
A package for at least two objects includes RFID bridge antennas, having RF antenna elements, for wirelessly communicating data between a tag associated with each object and a reader. An electromagnetic carrier signal transmitted by the reader antenna is received by one of the RF antenna elements and retransmitted to the tag antenna by the other RF antenna element, increasing the distance over which the tag can communicate with the reader. Where the tag is attached to a packaged object, the RFID bridge antenna may be included in the package to allow wireless data communication between the tag and a reader. The reader may also be located external to the package. For example, one of the RF antenna elements may be attached to a label on the package, allowing data stored in the tag to be extracted by the external reader. |
| US07973661B2 |
Detacher system and method having an RFID antenna for a combination EAS and RFID tag
A detacher unit for disengaging a combination EAS/RFID tag from its article. The detaching unit detaches the spring clamp mechanism of a combination EAS/RFID tag when the tag is placed within a particular region within the detaching unit. A near field magnetic loop antenna is situated within the placement region in a housing. When the combination EAS/RFID tag is placed within the placement region just above the near field magnetic loop antenna, the RFID code of the tag is read and the detachment unit releases the clamp mechanism that attaches the EAS/RFID tag to its article. |
| US07973660B2 |
Electronic article surveillance deactivator with multiple label detection and method thereof
A method and system for preventing simultaneous deactivation of multiple electronic article surveillance (“EAS”) tags. An RF pulse is transmitted within an EAS interrogation zone to induce a response from at least one EAS tag placed within the interrogation zone. The response of the at least one EAS tag is received. A presence of more than one EAS tag is determined by evaluating a frequency response curve corresponding to the response. |
| US07973656B2 |
Suspicious activity detection apparatus and method, and program and recording medium
A device for detecting a suspicious activity, efficiently performing surveillance of a person and vehicle detected by a surveillance camera. The device uses signal generation means, a sensor for receiving a signal from the signal generation means, and image data taken by the camera. The device detects mobile bodies, such as a person and a vehicle, included in an image taken by the camera and uses them as mobile body information, uses as authentication information an ID number represented by a signal received by the sensor, defines permitted activities and prohibited activities according to authorized activities corresponding to authentication information, and issues an alarm when the device detects that an activity represented by mobile body activity information is a illegal or prohibited activity. |
| US07973652B1 |
Personal safety system for a vehicle
A personal safety system is designed for a user of a vehicle. The system includes body-protective gear adapted for wear by the user of the vehicle. A sensor determines a positive or negative functional state of the body-protective gear. In the positive functional state, the body-protective gear is presumed to be properly applied to a body part of the user; and in the negative functional state, the body-protective gear is presumed to be improperly applied to the body part of the user. A transceiver is operatively connected to the sensor, and communicates the functional state of the body-protective gear to the vehicle. When the body-protective gear is in the negative functional state, operation of the vehicle is restricted. |
| US07973650B2 |
Motor vehicle tire pressure monitoring system and diagnosis method using this system
The motor vehicle tire pressure monitoring system includes a computer to receive input data including at least one tire pressure and transmit a warning to a driver of the vehicle in the event of an abnormal pressure in the tire. The system also includes a recording unit designed to record the input data from the monitoring system in the event that the warning is transmitted to the driver. The data recorded in this recording unit is accessible for diagnosis. |
| US07973649B2 |
Method of an apparatus for sensing the unauthorized movement of vehicles and the like and generating an alarm or warning of vehicle theft
An improved motion sensing and alarm technique and apparatus for monitoring unauthorized movement of vehicles or the like and notifying the owner thereof, wherein the motion sensors in the vehicle are microprocessor controlled to be automatically armed when the owner is not in the vicinity of the vehicle, but disarmed or de-activated in the presence of the owner and the owner's radio-coded identification transmitter associated with the owner's key fob, and with energy saving features as well. |
| US07973648B2 |
Remote operation system
When a television receiver is connected to a DVD player via an HDMI cable, HDMI authentication is carried out. EDID data is then acquired from the television receiver and a manufacturer name is determined. When the manufacturer name is determined to be, for example, “company A”, a table indicating a correspondence relationship of manufacturer names and remote control codes is referred to and remote control codes corresponding to the determined company A are selected. The selected remote control codes are then transmitted after selection of remote control codes of the company A is carried out. Remote control codes corresponding to the manufacturer name of the company A received from the DVD player are then stored in a memory in a manner corresponding to operation key numbers allocated in advance to a plurality of operation keys at a remote control unit. |
| US07973642B2 |
RFID food production, inventory and delivery management method for a restaurant
A system and method for managing food production, inventory and delivery in a restaurant by automatically monitoring the types and quantities of food types that have been cooked and are in a cooked food holding area. Food holding trays are equipped with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, and holding cabinets are equipped with RFID interrogators. The type and quantity of food items are determined manually or by machine vision or weighing systems, and the data is stored on the RFID tags and in a controller. The system manages the use of food items on a first-in, first-out basis, alerts operators when the inventory of an item is nearing exhaustion, and alerts operators when food items in the holding area must be discarded. The system manages movable trays of food no matter where in the facility they are located. |
| US07973641B1 |
RFID based parking management system
An radio frequency identification (RFID) tag parking system to control a gate to allow a patron in a vehicle to enter and exit a parking facility without stopping, the system comprising: a first antenna for reading an RFID tag in a first area contained within a lane 215 associated with an entrance or an exit of the facility; a second antenna for reading the RFID tag in a second area, separate from the first area, contained within the lane 215 associated with the entrance or exit; an RFID reader 250 connected to the first and second antennae to read an identification (ID) associated with the RFID tag when the RFID tag passes through one of the first and second areas; and a processing device to determine that the read ID is valid and may access the facility and to control the gate to open. The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second antennae are sequentially activated as a vehicle enters the first area and the second area, respectively. The system also may include a registration unit 120, a payment unit, a driver information unit, and a reservation unit. |
| US07973635B2 |
Printed circuit board coil
A multilayer printed circuit board (“PCB”) coil that simulates a coil formed from litz wire. The PCB includes a plurality of alternating conductor and insulating layers interconnected to cooperatively form the coil. Each conductor layer includes a trace that follows the desired coil shape and is divided into a plurality of discrete conductor segments. The segments are electrically connected across layers to provide a plurality of current flow paths (or filaments) that undulate between the layers in a regular, repeating pattern. The coil may be configured so that each filament spends a substantially equal amount of time in proximity to the paired coil and therefore contributes substantially equally to the self or mutual inductance of the coil. Each conductor layer may include a plurality of associated traces and intralayer connector that interconnected so that each filament undulates not only upwardly/downwardly, but also inwardly/outwardly in a regular, repeating pattern. |
| US07973633B2 |
DC to DC converter module
Lower surface terminals are disposed at the lower surface of a magnetic substrate. An upper surface electrode is disposed at the upper surface of the magnetic substrate. A control circuit, an input capacitor, and an output capacitor are mounted on the upper surface electrode. The control circuit contains a switching element. A smoothing choke is disposed inside the magnetic substrate. The connection wiring of connecting the upper surface electrode and at least one of the input terminal, the output terminal, and the ground terminal is constructed using an inner conductor passing through the inside of the magnetic substrate, and the connection wiring forms an inductor. |
| US07973631B2 |
Inductive component and method for manufacturing an inductive component
A method for manufacturing an inductive component which is formed from a plurality of layers, wherein the method comprises the steps of a) arrangement of an electrically conductive material as a winding of the component on a first non-magnetic, dielectric ceramic layer; b) formation of at least one cutout which passes all the way through in the non-magnetic, dielectric ceramic layer; c) arrangement of a first magnetic ceramic layer on an upper face and a second magnetic ceramic layer on a lower face of the non-magnetic, dielectric ceramic layer; and d) carrying out a process step in which at least one of the magnetic ceramic layers is plastically deformed such that contact is made with the two magnetic ceramic layers in the area of the cutout, and the two magnetic ceramic layers form a magnetic core of the component. |
| US07973627B2 |
Solenoid actuator
A solenoid actuator (1) attached to a hydraulic equipment comprises a shaft (5) connected to the hydraulic equipment, a plunger (4) fixed to the shaft (5), a coil (12) which magnetically drives the plunger (4), and a first bearing (7) and a second bearing (8) supporting the shaft (5) on both sides of the plunger (4). A plunger front chamber (74) is formed between the first bearing (7) and the plunger (4), a plunger rear chamber (75) is formed between the plunger (4) and the second bearing (8), and a second bearing rear chamber (76) is formed on the opposite side of the second bearing (8) to the plunger rear chamber (75). To secure an oil flow between these chambers, a plunger exterior oil passage (63), a second bearing oil passage (64), and a shaft-penetrating oil passage (65) are provided, thereby realizing a preferable balance between oil pressures acting on the second bearing (8). |
| US07973626B2 |
Apparatus for position recognition
The invention relates to an apparatus for position detection having a magnet and a sensing element which has switched states or parameter values depending on the magnetic field generated by the magnet, with the apparatus furthermore having a means for influencing the magnetic field, with the means being made and arranged such that different switched states or parameter values of the sensing element can be generated in dependence on the position of the magnet, the sensing element and the means for influencing the magnetic field with respect to one another. |
| US07973624B2 |
Electromagnetic switch for an E-machine
An electromagnetic switch is described as including a starter relay, in particular, for an electrical starter motor for controlling a starter pinion when starting an internal combustion engine, having a housing, an armature electromagnetically controllable therein, for controlling a control lever, and having a flexible protective cap which seals a transition from the housing to the armature, the protective cap being developed to be pot-shaped and having a pot floor and a pot opening, the pot floor having a circular opening having a thickened ring for the form-locking connection to the armature, and the pot opening being developed reinforced at its circumferential edge for the form-locking connection to the housing, the pot floor having a setpoint bending region, as seen in cross section. In order to create a small installation space, the protective cap has an arrangement or structure, on its inner wall, for connecting to the housing, which are able to be connected to the housing in a form-locking manner. |
| US07973618B2 |
Phase shifter, method of fabricating the same, and duplexer having the same
A phase shifter fabricated by a simple process and having a simple structure, a method of fabricating the same, and a duplexer having the same are disclosed. The duplexer includes a transmitting-end filter capable of passing only a signal in the range of a transmission frequency, a receiving-end filter capable of passing only a signal in the range of a reception frequency, and a phase shifter interposed between the transmitting-end filter and the receiving-end filter to isolate a transmitted signal of the transmitting-end filter and a received signal of the receiving-end filter from each other. The phase shifter includes a substrate provided with an input port and an output port, an inductor formed on the substrate and connected to the input and output ports, and a capacitor provided on the substrate, wherein the capacitor and inductor share a region of the substrate. |
| US07973617B2 |
Unequal three-way divider for in-phase signal division
An unequal three-way divider divides an input signal into three in-phase signals whose power ratio is different between a center and both ends. The unequal three-way divider includes an input terminal, and three output terminals for outputting a three-divided signal respectively, and three transmission lines branched from the input terminal are provided between the input terminal and the three output terminals. The transmission line connected to the center output terminal has a first transmission line which is connected in series and a second transmission line whose electrical length is ¼ wave length. Two transmission lines connected to the output terminals at both ends have a third transmission line which is connected in series and a fourth transmission line whose electrical length is ¼ wave length respectively. An absorption resistor is provided between a connection point between the first transmission line and the second transmission line and connection points between the third transmission lines and the fourth transmission lines respectively. An electrical length of the first transmission line or the third transmission line is ¼ wave length. |
| US07973616B2 |
Post-wall waveguide based short slot directional coupler, butler matrix using the same and automotive radar antenna
A short slot directional coupler includes a dielectric substrate having both surfaces each covered by a metal film, a first via-hole string and a second via-hole string, each of which has via-holes penetrating through the substrate, and formed so that a distance between the first via-hole string and the second via-hole string is narrow at a center of a length direction of the string and wider along directions of both ends of the string, and a pair of third via-hole strings each having via-holes penetrating through the substrate, and formed between parts adjacent to both ends of the first via-hole string and parts adjacent to both ends of the second via-hole string to form a first post-wall waveguide along with the first via-hole string and a second post-wall waveguide along with the second via-hole string. |
| US07973613B2 |
Mode converter and microwave rotary joint with the mode converter
A microwave rotary joint comprises a mode converter for converting microwave signals of a TE01 circular symmetric mode, and the mode converter comprises: two circular waveguides, one end of each of the waveguides has a circular input/output port; and two power dividing structures, each of the power dividing structure has an input/output port and four connecting ports, the four connecting ports are separated and surround each of the circular waveguides and connected to the inside of each of the circular waveguides, the two circular waveguides are integrated as one member through rotating a bearing. |
| US07973612B2 |
Supply-regulated phase-locked loop (PLL) and method of using
A supply-regulated Phase-locked loop (PLL) is provided. The PLL comprises a supply-regulating loop, a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), and a programmable decoupling capacitor array for the VCO. The capacitance of the VCO decoupling capacitor array is adjustable to be equal to N times CUNIT, where N is the current value of a multiplication factor of a divide-by-N circuit and CUNIT is a unit capacitance characterized for a processing technology chosen for fabricating the decoupling capacitor array. When the PLL switches from one frequency band to another, a higher-order pole introduced by the VCO decoupling capacitor tracks the PLL reference frequency, thus improving the PLL operational stability. |
| US07973611B2 |
Middle layer of die structure that comprises a cavity that holds an alkali metal
An apparatus in one example comprises a die structure that comprises a middle layer, a first outside layer, and a second outside layer. The middle layer comprises a cavity that holds an alkali metal, and one of the first outside layer and the second outside layer comprises a channel that leads to the cavity. The middle layer, the first outside layer, and the second outside layer comprise dies from one or more wafer substrates. |
| US07973605B2 |
Three-stage frequency-compensated operational amplifier for driving large capacitive loads
A three-stage frequency-compensated operational amplifier includes a first-stage circuit, a second-stage circuit incorporated with a first compensation circuit, a third-stage circuit, and a second compensation circuit. The three-stage frequency-compensated operational amplifier functions as a two-stage operational amplifier at high frequencies, thereby capable of driving large capacitive loads with low power consumption. |
| US07973603B2 |
Low-noise amplifier suitable for use in a television receiver
A low-noise amplifier includes a first resistor that receives a first signal of a differential input signal, and a second resistor that receives a second signal of the differential input signal. The amplifier includes a first transconductance device coupled to the first resistor that provides a first signal of a differential output signal, and a second transconductance device coupled to the second resistor, that provides a second signal of the differential output signal. The receiver also includes a first capacitor coupled between the first resistor input and a control electrode on the second transconductance device, and a second capacitor coupled between the second resistor input and a control electrode on the first transconductance device. The low-noise amplifier can include additional gain stages. |
| US07973599B2 |
Amplification control device, test signal generation module, test device, amplification control method, program, and recording medium
An amplification control device for controlling a variable-gain amplifier the amplification factor of which is controlled based on an analog control signal, and which amplifies an analog input signal and outputs an analog output signal, includes component acquisition means that transforms, by the discrete Fourier transform, a digital output signal converted from the analog output signal into digital form by an A/D converter, thereby acquiring a desired frequency component of the digital output signal, differentiating means that acquires a difference between the electric power of the frequency component acquired by the component acquisition means and a target value of the electric power of the frequency component, and digital control signal output means that outputs a digital control signal, based on the difference acquired by the differentiating means, for controlling the amplification factor of the variable-gain amplifier, in which the analog control signal is obtained by converting the digital control signal into analog form by the D/A converter. |
| US07973596B2 |
Low-noise, low-power, low drift offset correction in operational and instrumentation amplifiers
Low-noise, low-power, low drift offset correction in operational and instrumentation amplifiers and amplifiers using the same are disclosed. The amplifiers disclosed use different combinations of chopping and auto-zero techniques. Also disclosed are amplifiers using on-off switches to affect the chopping and auto-zeroing, with unique circuits for driving the switches on the differential input to provide boot-strapped switch controls. Other features are disclosed. |
| US07973590B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a first transmission line and a second transmission line disposed at different layers; a contact fuse coupled with the first transmission line and the second transmission line; a power driver configured to apply an electric stress to the contact fuse; and a fuse state output unit configured to output a fuse state signal having a logic level corresponding to an electric connection state of the contact fuse. |
| US07973585B2 |
Driver circuit
A driver circuit including a pre-driver B1 that operates by receiving operating power from a first power supply VDDI, and a main-driver B2 that receives operating power from a second power supply VDDE, amplifies an output signal from the pre-driver B1, and outputs the amplified signal. It also includes a first switch B4 between the first power supply VDDI and the pre-driver B1. It also includes a second switch B5 between the second power supply VDDE and the main-driver B2. A overvoltage protection sequence circuit B3 controls the On/Off states of the first switch B4 and the second switch B5 to controls the On/Off order of the pre-driver B1 and the main-driver B2. By doing so, the overvoltage protection sequence circuit B3 prevent an overvoltage from being applied to the driver circuit, especially to the main-driver B2. |
| US07973584B2 |
Waveform generator
Timing setting data include an arbitrary combination of a set timing signal indicating a positive edge timing and a reset timing signal indicating a negative edge timing. A sort unit sorts n pieces of the timing setting data in accordance with timing orders indicated by each of the timing setting data. With reference to the sorted timing setting data an open processor detects continuation of the set timing signals or continuation of the reset timing signals, and invalidates one of the continuous set timing signals or one of the continuous reset timing signals. An edge assigning unit sequentially assigns the set/reset timing signals remaining without being invalidated to, among the m variable delay circuits for setting/resetting, the variable delay circuits for setting/resetting in the ascending order of the frequencies of use thereof by then. |
| US07973581B2 |
Phase detector, phase comparator, and clock synchronizing device
A flip-flop circuit includes: a first latch circuit that receives input of a data signal and a rise delay clock signal, raises a signal of a first node according to the fall of the rise delay clock signal, and lowers the signal of the first node according to the rise of the rise delay clock signal; a second latch circuit that receives input of the signal of the first node and the clock signal and lowers a signal of a second node at timing when the clock signal falls; a third latch circuit that receives input of the signal of the second node and the clock signal and generates an output signal for maintaining the data signal; and a pull-down circuit that pulls down the signal of the first node with the rise delay clock signal. |
| US07973579B2 |
Device and method for phase synchronization with the aid of a microcontroller
A phase controller device according to the invention comprises a hardware core that is formed by a signal detector, a voltage-controlled oscillator, a phase comparator, and an integration unit, where the hardware core, by controlling the working clock pulse frequency of the microcontroller, brings an output clock pulse signal that is generated by a microcontroller into phase with the input clock pulse information that is received from the input data stream, and does so in such a manner that the jitter is low. The microcontroller executes a program with this working clock pulse, where with that program the microcontroller generates the output clock pulse signal with an output clock pulse frequency that is in a predetermined division ratio to the control clock pulse frequency that is generated by the voltage-controlled oscillator and is given to the microcontroller as a working clock pulse frequency. In this way the program enables the phase controller device according to the invention to process, with a microcontroller, external periodic signals, data, or events, where the software processes taking place in the microcontroller are always locked in phase with the periodic occurrence of these external signals, data, or events. |
| US07973578B2 |
Time-to-digital converter and all-digital phase-locked loop
A time-to-digital converter (TDC) includes a converter which receives a first signal and a second signal, delays the second signal in phases using a plurality of delay elements which are coupled in series, compares the delayed second signal with the first signal, and outputs a phase error of the second signal with respect to the first signal, a phase frequency detector which receives the first signal, and a third signal from one of the nodes in the plurality of delay elements, and outputs a phase difference between the first signal and the third signal, and a frequency detector which outputs a frequency error of the second signal with respect to the first signal as a digital code using an output signal of the phase frequency detector and the second signal. |
| US07973571B2 |
Multichannel drive circuit
The invention provides a multichannel drive circuit by which, even when there occurs a variation between channels in circuit characteristics of each channel including current source due to the semiconductor manufacturing process and the like, loads of each channel constituting a load array can be driven under conditions uniform between all the channels. The invention includes; an interchannel common connection line (5) for making conduction between respective current paths of each channel for connecting the respective current sources of each channel constituting a current source array (11) with respective input switches of each channel constituting an input switch array (13); and current blocking means (12) for blocking output current of the current source of that channel of the plurality of channels in which the input switch is in an OFF state from flowing into the interchannel common connection line. |
| US07973570B2 |
Sample-and-hold (S/H) circuit
A sample-and-hold circuit (100) is provided that that includes a sample-and-hold switch (125), an integrator circuit (180) designed to generate an output voltage (VOUT) signal, and a bias voltage (VBIAS) source (185). The sample-and-hold switch (125) incldues a first switch (130), a second switch (140), and a third switch (150). The first switch (130) has a first gate (132), a first source (134) and a first drain (134), the second switch (140) has a second gate (142), a second source (144) electrically coupled to a bulk region (147), and a second drain (146), and the third switch (150) has a third gate (152), a third drain (154), and a third source (156) coupled to the first source (136). The integrator circuit (180) includes an output operational amplifier (170) having an inverting input (V−) (172) coupled to the second drain (146) and a non-inverting input (V+). The bias voltage (VBIAS) source (185) applies a bias voltage (VBIAS) to the third drain and the non-inverting input (V+) to drive a gate-to-source voltage (VGS) of the second switch (140) to an optimum negative value that reduces a sub-threshold leakage current (IDS) and a Gate Induced Drain Lowering (GIDL) leakage current in the second switch (140), and to drive a drain-to-source voltage (VDS) of the second switch (140) is biased at a low value equal to an offset voltage (VOFFSET) of the output operational amplifier (170) to minimize a drain-to-bulk current (IDB) in the second switch (140). |
| US07973568B2 |
System for providing large RC time constants in integrated circuits
A peak detector for implementation in a monolithic integrated circuit includes one or more Miller capacitors and one or more transistors for selectively setting large RC time constant values only with components included in the integrated circuit's die. Neither resistors nor capacitors located outside the integrated circuit are used for setting a selected value of a time constant. Some embodiments of the invention include diodes for compensation of amplifier leakage current in the peak detector, thereby increasing a maximum value of a time constant that can be implemented in an integrated circuit. A peak detector in accord with an embodiment of the invention may optionally be configured for either single-ended or differential operation. |
| US07973564B1 |
High load driving device
A high load driving device is disclosed. The driving device comprises an inverter receiving a digital voltage. The inverter reverses the digital voltage, and then sends out it. The output terminal of the inverter is coupled to a capacitor, a first P-type field-effect transistor (FET), a second P-type FET, a first N-type FET, and a third N-type FET. A push-up circuit is composed of these transistors and a second N-type FET and coupled to a P-type push-up FET. A load is coupled to a high voltage through the P-type push-up FET. When the digital voltage rises from a low level to a high level, the push-up circuit utilizes the original voltage drop of the capacitor to control the P-type push-up FET, whereby the gate voltage of the P-type push-up FET is at a low stabilization voltage that is lower than the ground potential. Then, the load is driven rapidly. |
| US07973561B2 |
Receiver particularly for a meter-bus
A receiver particularly suited for an M-BUS is described. During transmission, the receiver is disabled. After each transmission, nodes and states in the receiver are set to prepare the receiver to receive a signal. Once data is sensed, a feedback loop clips the input signal to the receiver to limit the swing of the input signal. The line of the power supply at the lower potential is modulated, rather than modulating the line at the higher potential, for the transmission of data. |
| US07973560B2 |
Level shifter
A level shifter includes a first level shift circuit that converts a signal level of a first pulse signal into an amplitude level of a power supply voltage, and a second level shift circuit that converts a signal level of the second pulse signal into an amplitude level. Each of the first and second level shift circuits includes a first transistor of a first conductivity type having a gate receiving the first and second pulse signals respectively, a source connected to a ground, and a drain that outputs a level shifted pulse signal, and a second transistor of a second conductivity type having a gate connected to the first transistor gate, a drain connected to the first transistor drain, and a source connected to the power supply via a connected transistor group, the connected transistor group includes at least one of the second conductivity type transistors. |
| US07973558B2 |
Integrated circuit with delay selecting input selection circuitry
Some embodiments provide an integrated circuit (IC) with a delay select input selection circuit. The delay select input selection circuit comprises a first input selection circuit, a first storage element, a second storage element, and a first input line branching into multiple input lines. The multiple input lines include at least a second, third, and fourth input line. The second input line is communicably connected to a first input of the first input selection circuit. The third input line enters the first storage element. The fourth input line enters the second storage element. An output from the first storage element is communicably connected to a second input of the first input selection circuit. An output from the second storage element is communicably connected to a third input of the first input selection circuit. |
| US07973554B2 |
Method of configuring embedded application-specific functional blocks
A method of configuring application-specific functional blocks embedded in a user programmable fabric, the user programmable fabric comprising configuration data control means having an input and an output and the application-specific functional blocks comprising configuration memory means having an input and an output. The method comprises the steps of sending configuration data to configure the application-specific functional block to the configuration control means of the user programmable fabric, routing the output of the configuration data control means of the user programmable fabric to the input of the configuration memory means of the application-specific functional blocks, transferring the configuration data to the configuration memory means of the application-specific functional blocks and configuring, using the configuration data, the application-specific functional blocks. |
| US07973551B2 |
Test fixture for printed circuit board
There is provided a printed circuit board (“PCB”) test fixture comprising a support, an electrical tester, and a pusher. The support is for supporting a PCB being tested in a PCB test position, The electrical tester is positioned with respect to the PCB test position such that, when a PCB is supported by the support in the PCB test position, the electrical tester is disposed in electrical contact with a circuit on the PCB supported by the support in the PCB test position during PCB testing. The pusher is configured for releasable coupling to a plurality of pusher members, such that each one of the plurality of pusher members is configured to co-operate with the pusher so as to become releasably coupled to and uncoupled from the pusher independently of the releasable coupling and uncoupling of at least another one of the plurality of pusher members, and such that an operative plurality of pusher members is provided when each one of the plurality of pusher members is releasably coupled to the pusher, wherein the operative plurality of pusher members is configured for translating, to a PCB which is supported by the PCB support and is disposed in the PCB test position, a force being applied by the pusher so as to effect pressing of a circuit of the PCB against the electrical tester when the PCB is supported on the PCB support and disposed in the PCB test position. |
| US07973549B2 |
Method and apparatus for calibrating internal pulses in an integrated circuit
A method and circuit for measuring internal pulses includes an enable circuit configured to receive a control signal from an on-chip built-in tester to enable measurement of internal circuits. A delay chain is configured to receive a pulse signal from an on-chip circuit component. Sampling latches each include a data input coupled between adjacent delay elements of the delay chain and synchronized with the clock signal such that a transition in the pulse signal is indicated by comparing adjacent digital values in an output sequence. |
| US07973543B2 |
Measurement apparatus, test apparatus and measurement method
Provided is a measurement apparatus that measures a current flowing through a load, including a power supply section that outputs a current supplied to the load; a current measuring section that measures a load current flowing between the load and the power supply section; a switch that is connected in parallel with the current measuring section between the load and the power supply section; and a control section that disconnects the switch during measurement of the load current and connects the switch when the load current falls outside of a predetermined reference range. |
| US07973541B2 |
Method and apparatus for estimating resistance and capacitance of metal interconnects
Techniques for estimating resistance and capacitance of metal interconnects are described. An apparatus may include an interconnect, a set of pads, a set of isolation circuits, and a test circuit. The set of pads may be coupled to the interconnect and used for simultaneously applying a current through the interconnect and measuring a voltage across the interconnect. The current and voltage may be used to estimate the resistance of the interconnect. The test circuit may charge and discharge the interconnect to estimate the capacitance of the interconnect. The isolation circuits may isolate the pads from the interconnect when the test circuit charges and discharges the interconnect. The apparatus may further include another interconnect, another set of pads, and another set of isolation circuits that may be coupled in a mirror manner. Resistance and/or capacitance mismatch between the two interconnects may be accurately estimated. |
| US07973539B1 |
Methods for measuring dielectric properties of parts
A method is disclosed for calibrating a capacitance of an apparatus for measuring dielectric properties of a part. The apparatus includes an electrically grounded chamber, a lower electrode disposed within the chamber and connected to a radiofrequency (RF) transmission rod, an electrically grounded upper electrode disposed within the chamber above the lower electrode, and a variable capacitor connected to control transmission of RF power through the RF transmission rod to the lower electrode. A method is also disclosed for determining a capacitance of a part through use of the apparatus. A method is also disclosed for determining a dielectric constant of a part through use of the apparatus. A method is also disclosed for determining a loss tangent of a part through use of the apparatus. |
| US07973535B2 |
Methods and apparatus to manage ground fault conditions with a single coil
A ground fault detection device includes a sense coil including a primary winding and a secondary winding to detect current in a line conductor and a neutral conductor. It also includes a capacitor in parallel with the secondary winding and a virtual inductor to form a resonance circuit having a signal proportional to the current and being indicative of a ground fault condition. |
| US07973531B2 |
Detuning a radio-frequency coil
For detuning of radio-frequency coils (in magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy, for example), a conducting element (102) of a transmission cable is configured to form a primary resonant circuit tunable to at least one first resonance frequency. A second conducting element (104) of the transmission cable is configured to form a switching circuit that is electrically insulated from and reactively coupled via inductive coupling and/or capacitive coupling to the primary resonant circuit, and is adapted to tune the primary resonant circuit to at least one second resonance frequency, thereby detuning the primary resonant circuit. |
| US07973530B2 |
MRI display with contrast navigation window
In a method of displaying settings for a Magnetic Resonance (MR) image, a visual marker is displayed in a window. The coordinates of the visual marker correspond to T1 weighting of the MR image along a first axis of a display and correspond to T2 weighting of the MR image along a second axis of a display window. |
| US07973529B2 |
Sensor magnet holder for use in motor and its manufacturing process
A sensor magnet holder is mounted on a motor shaft, and a sensor magnet is provided relative to a magnetic induction sensor on the non-moving side for obtaining a signal indicative of a rotational position of the motor shaft. The sensor magnet holder integrally forms a cylindrical portion, a flange portion of a terminal end of the cylindrical portion having a large diameter, a magnet rear end holding portion of the other terminal end of the cylindrical portion and a plurality of snap fit board portions. A shaft press fit portion is formed on an internal diameter of the flange portion. The plural snap fit board portions extend from the cylindrical portion in an axial direction of the motor shaft. A magnet front end holding portion is formed at an extending tip over an outer diameter surface of each of the snap fit board portions. Each of the flexible snap fit board portions snuggly contacts the inner flat surface of the sensor magnet while the sensor magnet is held between said magnet rear end holding portion and said magnet front end holding portion. |
| US07973528B2 |
Sensor device
A sensor device for detecting a relative movement including a transmitter unit configured to generate a field. The transmitter unit includes first transmitter elements and second transmitter elements, wherein the first transmitter elements and the second transmitter elements, configured to generate a spatially varying field, are arranged alternately one behind another along a line at predetermined positions, and at a reference position, which corresponds to at least one of the predetermined positions of a first or second transmitter element along the line, at least one value of the field is altered by a positive factor with respect to a corresponding other position of a first or second transmitter element. Furthermore, a pick-up unit is configured to generate an alternating output signal depending on the field generated by the first and second transmitter elements, wherein the transmitter unit and the pick-up unit can be moved relative to one another. |
| US07973526B2 |
Reference voltage generator having improved setup voltage characteristics and method of controlling the same
A reference voltage generator for improving setup voltage characteristics without an increase in a standby current and a method of controlling the same, in which the reference voltage generator includes: a reference voltage generation unit including a resistor connected between a power supply voltage and an output node, for dividing the power voltage, and generating a reference voltage fed to the output node thereof; a voltage detector receiving a feedback of the reference voltage and detecting a level of the reference voltage; and a bypass circuit connected in parallel to the resistor of the reference voltage generation unit and bypassing the resistor in response to an output signal of the voltage detector. |
| US07973525B2 |
Constant current circuit
Provided is a constant current circuit capable of supplying a stable constant current. Even when K values of NMOS transistors vary due to manufacturing fluctuations in semiconductor devices, a voltage generated across a resistor is always a threshold voltage difference between the NMOS transistors, and thus hardly varies. Even when the K values of the NMOS transistors vary due to a change in temperature, the voltage generated across the resistor is always the threshold voltage difference between the NMOS transistors, and thus hardly varies. |
| US07973518B2 |
Low noise voltage regulator
In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes a voltage regulator (VR) that includes a first amplifier receiving a first reference voltage and a feedback voltage as inputs. A second amplifier receiving a second reference voltage and an output of the first amplifier as inputs. A drive component (e.g., transistor(s)) coupled to the second amplifier to drive current to an output based on an output of the second amplifier. A shunt component (e.g., transistor(s)) coupled to the first amplifier to shunt current from the output based on the output of the first amplifier. Current variations in the shunt component are controlled. |
| US07973515B2 |
Power management systems with controllable adapter output
A power management system includes a battery pack having a battery controller and includes an adapter operable for charging the battery pack and powering a system load. The adapter generates a power recognition signal indicative of a maximum adapter power and receives a control signal. The battery controller in the battery pack receives the power recognition signal and generates the control signal to adjust an output power of the adapter according to a status of the battery pack and a status of the system load. |
| US07973511B2 |
Method for distinguishing batteries having different chemistries
A method is provided for distinguishing between batteries having different chemistry compositions. The method includes: supplying electrical energy to the battery for charging thereof; monitoring a voltage characteristic of the battery periodically during charging, wherein the voltage characteristic varies over time with the state of charge of the battery; and identifying the chemistry composition of the battery based on the voltage characteristic of the battery. |
| US07973510B2 |
Apparatus for controlling inverter
The apparatus for controlling an inverter is disclosed which detects a rotation angle of a load using a current supplied to the load when the inverter utilizes a voltage/frequency control to control the driving of the load, and accurately drives the load using the detected rotation angle, where the current supplied to the load by the inverter is detected by a current sensor, and a rotation speed of the load is estimated by the detected current to be used for the driving of the load. |
| US07973508B2 |
Automation systems diagnostics and predictive failure detection
The present invention discloses a system and method for monitoring and diagnosing a robot mechanism. This requires adding intelligence to the diagnostics by parameters of physical robot arm linkages respecting component relative rotation or load transfer; storing rotation or translation relationship parameters characteristic of resonant frequencies between at least one mechanical link; receiving servo motor signals; digitizing and storing servo known normal data time histories; performing a time domain to frequency domain transformation on signal to identify components which are out-of band limit pre-sets. |
| US07973505B2 |
Electric vehicle control device
When an electric vehicle outputs a torque instruction, firstly, a request torque is acquired and a judged whether the acquired request torque is positive or negative (S10) Regardless of the sign of the request torque, it is judged whether the eco-switch is ON (S12, S14) If the request torque has a positive sign and the eco-switch is OFF, a map A is selected (S20). If the eco-switch is ON, a map B which limits the maximum torque to a low value for the map A is selected (S22). If the request torque has a negative sign, a map C is selected regardless of the eco-switch ON/OFF state and the maximum torque is not limited (S24). |
| US07973499B2 |
Working vehicle
A crawler type power shovel vehicle (1) operated by a hydraulic actuator (20), constructed from an electric motor (31) for driving a hydraulic pump (32) for supplying hydraulic oil to the hydraulic actuator (20), a battery (50) for supplying direct current power, an inverter (41) for operating the electric motor (31) by converting the direct current power into alternating current power and supplying it to the motor, a controller (40) for causing the inverter (41) to control operation of the electric motor (31), and a voltage/current sensor (42) for detecting the magnitude of a load current flowing from the battery (50) into the inverter (41). The controller (40) stops the motor (31) when the magnitude of the load current detected by the voltage/current sensor (42) continuously exceeds a predetermined threshold for a predetermined time period. |
| US07973498B2 |
Illumination control system
An illumination control system includes lighting apparatuses connected to a communications line and a number of functional units of plural kinds functioning to detect information from ambient environments of the lighting apparatuses. Each lighting apparatus includes a lamp, an illumination circuit, a communication unit, a control unit, and a unit attaching part to which the functional unit is detachably attached. Each lighting apparatus belongs to one or more of plural groups corresponding to the functional units, the groups being operated based on information detected by the respective functional units. A functional unit having a detecting function corresponding to an operation of each group is attached to each unit attaching part of at least one lighting apparatus of each group, and each communication unit of the at least one lighting apparatus sends the control signal including information detected by the corresponding functional unit to another lighting apparatus in the same group. |
| US07973495B2 |
Adaptive control apparatus and method for a solid state lighting system
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for adaptive control of a solid-state lighting system consisting of one or more groups of one or more light-emitting elements The invention comprises a voltage control device to provide each group with an independently controllable voltage A feedback system to detect and generate a signal representative of drive currents through the one or more groups A computing device then adaptively evaluates, based on the signal, a required voltage that achieves a desired respective drive current in each of the one or more groups. |
| US07973494B2 |
Electronic ballast with step up/down power factor correction DC-DC converter suitable for high input voltage applications
Electronic ballasts and buck-boost DC-DC converters therefor are presented with a buck converter with two switching devices connected with two capacitances and two diodes to limit the individual switching device voltages to around half the converter DC input voltage or less. |
| US07973490B2 |
HID lighting control with transient voltage sensing and lamp restarting, and method of making and using
A voltage control apparatus (10) for an HID lamp includes a voltage control transformer circuit (20), and is connected between supply mains (22) and a high intensity discharge (HID) lamp. The HID lamp is started at full line voltage, and after a sufficient operating interval ensuring that the lamp has achieved a sustaining temperature, the operating voltage applied to the lamp is reduced, effecting considerable savings in energy use, with little or only an acceptably small decrease in light output from the lamp. Further, the voltage control apparatus include a circuit portion responsive to voltage transients on the AC line, and which effects restarting of the HID lamp in the event a voltage transient occurs which is sufficiently long (i.e., about ½ cycle) as to extinguish the HID lamp. |
| US07973477B2 |
Plasma display panel having a phosphor layer that is at least partly covered with a material higher in secondary electron emission and production method therefore
Provided is a PDP in which a weak discharge is always generated in a stable manner to lower the firing voltage, the generation of the reset luminous points is restricted to improve the image quality, and reduction of the luminous efficiency and reduction of the luminance are restricted to improve the luminance. A manufacturing method of the PDP is also provided.The PDP includes a front panel and a back panel arranged to face each other with a discharge space between the panels. A phosphor layer is provided in an area of the back panel that faces toward the discharge space. Part of the surface of the phosphor layer is covered with a phosphor-coating film as a high γ member. The phosphor-coating film is made of a material having a higher secondary electron emission coefficient than a material of the phosphor layer. The high γ member and the remaining are of the surface of the phosphor layer are exposed to the discharge space. |
| US07973475B2 |
Organic light emitting display device and method for fabricating the same
An OLED device and a method for fabricating the same are disclosed, capable of improving yield and preventing decomposition of organic layers by moisture. An organic passivation layer having excellent morphology is applied to prevent a short circuit between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode. A Ca layer is applied to remove moisture from the inside of the device, thereby increasing the lifespan of the device. Accordingly, generation of dark sports by the short circuit caused by protrusions on a poor-morphology layer can be prevented. In addition, moisture absorbent layers are formed between the passivation layers and the partitions to remove outside moisture and the moisture outgassed from the inside, that is, partitions and organic layers, thereby elongating the lifespan of the OLED device. |
| US07973474B2 |
Electroluminescent display including conductive film coupled to connector
An electroluminescent (EL) display includes a substrate, an EL pixel array with a light emitting diode (LED) on the substrate, a connector electrically coupled to the EL pixel array, an encapsulant on the substrate and surrounding the EL pixel array, an encapsulation substrate attached to the substrate, the EL pixel array enclosed between the encapsulation substrate and the substrate, and a conductive film electrically coupled to the connector, the conductive film being in communication either with the substrate or the encapsulation substrate. |
| US07973469B2 |
Organic electroluminescence element, and illuminating device and display device therewith
In an organic EL element, at the interface between a first electrode and a light-emitting layer, a diffraction grating with grating constants a, b, and c is provided in the form of surface irregularities on the first electrode. The grating constants are determined such that, when the effective refractive index as light experiences in the organic EL element is n, with respect to the periods d01, d10, and d1−1 defining the periodicity of the diffraction grating, n×d01 corresponds to a red region and n×d10 and n×d1−1 correspond to a blue to green region. |
| US07973468B2 |
Organic electroluminescence device and method for fabricating thereof
There are provided an organic EL device and a method of fabricating the same. An effective display area on which an anode electrode, an organic luminescence layer and a cathode electrode are formed is sealed by means of a metal can, a glass cap or an organic/inorganic material. A power source is applied to the anode and the cathode electrodes through a power transferring part extended from the effective display area to a non-effective display area. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the oxidation of the cathode electrode of the organic EL device, thereby preventing the electrical contact characteristics of the cathode electrode from being deteriorated. |
| US07973465B2 |
Light emitting diode with thin multilayer phosphor film
A multiple layer film and a method of manufacturing the same, the film having a phosphor bearing layer including phosphor and a carrier, and a rigid protective layer. In some embodiments a mixture including phosphor and an uncurable fluid are dispensed onto a surface, and the mixture is at least partially dried. A curable fluid is dispensed onto the at least partially dried mixture, and the curable fluid is cured. |
| US07973464B2 |
Field emission element having carbon nanotube and manufacturing method thereof
A given field emission element includes a carbon nanotube field emission wire and at least one supporting protective layer coating an outer surface of the carbon nanotube field emission wire. The carbon nanotube field emission wire is selected from a group consisting of a carbon nanotube yarn, a wire-shaped CNT-polymer composite, and a wire-shaped CNT-glass composite. A method for manufacturing the described field emission element includes the steps of: (a) providing one carbon nanotube field emission wire; (b) forming one supporting protective layer on an outer surface of the carbon nanotube field emission wire; and (c) cutting the carbon nanotube field emission wire to a predetermined length and treating the carbon nanotube emission wire to form the field emission element. |
| US07973461B2 |
Light emitting device and display device using the same
A light emitting device and a display device using the same. The light emitting device includes: a substrate provided with recesses formed in a stripe pattern; first electrodes disposed inside the recesses in a stripe pattern aligned parallel to the recesses; electron emission regions disposed on the first electrodes; second electrodes disposed in a stripe pattern aligned in a direction crossing the first electrodes and closely fixed to the substrate; and an adhesive member for fixing the second electrodes to the substrate. The second electrodes include mesh portions spaced apart from tops of the electron emission regions in crossing of the first electrodes and the second electrodes, supports surrounding the mesh portions and connected with the substrate, and combining grooves formed at edges of the supports facing the substrate. The adhesive members are disposed in the combining grooves of the second electrodes to connect the second electrodes with the substrate. |
| US07973459B2 |
Spark plug configuration having a noble metal tip
A spark plug having a particular firing end configuration that satisfies numerous dimensional ranges for improved performance. The spark plug generally includes a shell, an insulator, and center and ground electrodes, with the electrodes each having a copper core for improved thermal conductivity and a noble metal insert for improved erosion and corrosion resistance. The noble metal insert for the center electrode is preferably in the form of a cylindrical Ir-based tip, which is received within a complimentary recess formed in the center electrode. The noble metal insert for the ground electrode is in the form of a flat Pt-based pad attached to a surface of the ground electrode. Various dimensional ranges are provided for the various components of the spark plug assembly, both individually and in combination with other dimensions. |
| US07973458B2 |
Piezoelectric vibrating pieces having progressively narrowed vibrating arms
An exemplary piezoelectric vibrating piece comprises a base formed of a piezoelectric material; and a pair of vibrating arms extending from one end of the base in a designated direction; wherein the vibrating arm comprises an arm portion in which only the inner side slopes as it becomes narrower to the distal end and a hammer-head portion that is formed wider than the arm portion at the distal end of the vibrating arms. |
| US07973457B2 |
Crystal Unit
A double rotation Y-cut crystal unit includes a crystal element, which is respectively rotated by an angle θ° and an angle φ° in a counterclockwise direction centering on an X axis and a Z axis of crystal axes (X, Y, Z), which principal surface is perpendicular to a Y″ axis of newly-generated rotated crystal axes (X′, Y″, Z′), and which is formed into a rectangular geometry longer in one direction, wherein when the X′ axis is rotated by an angle α° in the counterclockwise direction with the Y″ axis serving as a central axis in a plane of X′-Z′ of the rotated crystal axes serving as the principal surface, a direction of a long side of the crystal element corresponds to the rotated X′ axis direction, and wherein the angle α° is set to (30−φ)°±45°. |
| US07973456B2 |
Piezoelectric ceramic and piezoelectric element employing it
The piezoelectric element 20 of the invention comprises a pair of electrodes 2,3 and a piezoelectric ceramic 1 comprising as the major component a solid solution of the two components KNbO3 and BaTiO3. In the solid solution, the molar ratio of KNbO3 is 0.5-0.9 with respect to the total of the two components. |
| US07973451B2 |
Ultrasonic linear motor
The invention relates to an ultrasonic linear motor (1) comprising a plate-type ultrasonic oscillator (2) with two planar parallel main faces, two end faces and two lateral faces and a displaceable element (9) that engages with at least one guide rail (10) and has two friction parts, said element interacting with the ultrasonic oscillator to cause friction via the lateral faces of the friction parts. The lateral faces of the ultrasonic oscillator are planar and are inclined at the same angle in relation to a longitudinal plane of symmetry, in such a way that the intersection lines between the planes of the lateral faces and the longitudinal plane of symmetry run parallel to the main faces of the ultrasonic oscillator. The friction parts of the displaceable element are interconnected by springs. |
| US07973449B2 |
Transducer for surface acoustic waves and a resonator and a filter having said transducer
A transducer for surface acoustic waves, and a resonator and a filter for surface acoustic waves having the transducer are provided. The transducer for surface acoustic waves has cells containing two electrode fingers per cell, wherein the transducer exhibits unidirectional behavior for propagation directions of the surface acoustic waves parallel to highly symmetrical directions of the crystal substrate. Each of two electrodes have a plurality of electrode fingers, the electrode fingers having center axes extending parallel to their longitudinal axes and being spaced apart from center axes of adjacent electrode fingers of the same electrode by a distance which equals the ratio of the velocity of the surface acoustic wave and the cut-off frequency of the transducer. The electrode fingers of both electrodes define a plurality of cells each consisting of two fingers. |