Document Document Title
US08078060B2 Optical synchronization system for femtosecond X-ray sources
Femtosecond pump/probe experiments using short X-Ray and optical pulses require precise synchronization between 100 meter-10 km separated lasers in a various experiments. For stabilization in the hundred femtosecond range a CW laser is amplitude modulated at 1-10 GHz, the signal retroreflected from the far end, and the relative phase used to correct the transit time with various implementations. For the sub-10 fsec range the laser frequency itself is upshifted 55 MHz with an acousto-optical modulator, retroreflected, upshifted again and phase compared at the sending end to a 110 MHz reference. Initial experiments indicate less than 1 fsec timing jitter. To lock lasers in the sub-10 fs range two single-frequency lasers separated by several teraHertz will be lock to a master modelocked fiber laser, transmit the two frequencies over fiber, and lock two comb lines of a slave laser to these frequencies, thus synchronizing the two modelocked laser envelopes.
US08078057B2 Centralized congestion avoidance in a passive optical network
In one aspect, a method for congestion avoidance in a passive optical network having an optical line terminal communicatively connected to a plurality of optical network termination devices is provided. A dynamic bandwidth allocation information is periodically requested from the optical network termination device and the optical line terminator receives the response to the request. An adjusted bandwidth allocation for the optical network termination device is determined by the optical line terminator. The optical line terminator determines a packet-drop command to be taken at the optical network termination device. The adjusted bandwidth allocation and the packet-drop command are sent to the optical network termination device.
US08078056B2 Multimedia distribution system using fiber optic lines
Generating oscillator signals with which selected signals may be mixed. Such oscillator signals may be generated by dividing a pilot tone, such as a 120 MHz pilot tone found on many cable TV systems. Oscillator signals for demodulating received selected signals may be similarly generated.
US08078042B2 Vibration-proof lens unit and image capturing apparatus
Goal: Providing a vibration-proof lens that can restrict an increase in thickness in the direction of the optical axis.Means: A vibration-proof lens unit comprising a lens holder that holds a vibration-proof lens; a support that supports the lens holder in a manner to be movable within a plane orthogonal to an optical axis of the vibration-proof lens; an engaging section that engages the lens holder with the support such that the lens holder can move (i) in a rotational direction around an axis line parallel to the optical axis of the vibration-proof lens and (ii) in a direction of a rotational radius orthogonal to the axis line; a rotational driving unit that moves the lens holder in the rotational direction; and a linear driving unit that moves the lens holder in the direction of the rotational radius.
US08078039B2 Recording apparatus capable of recording moving image and still image
A recording apparatus for extracting a still image from a moving image signal that is currently being recorded, at a predetermined timing, wherein when an additional still image is newly extracted after extracting N pictures of still images, one of the N pictures of still images already extracted is deleted, and still image signals of N pictures to which the newly extracted one picture of still image is added in place of the deleted one picture of still image are generated.
US08078036B2 Custom content compilation using digital chapter marks
Digital marks are used to define segments that are sequenced in a custom content compilation that provides a virtual program. A system is configured to receive definitions of digital marks that locate segments within program content. The segments are scenes or other portions of programs that constitute less than the entirety of the program content. A series of digital marks are associated as being within a content compilation sequence. Playback of the virtual program entails sequential output of the segments corresponding to the digital marks. Alternative content includes user photos, video clips and audio clips. The virtual program may also be automatically built through access to user profile or related information.
US08078034B2 Method and apparatus for navigating through subtitles of an audio video data stream
In a method and an apparatus for navigating through subtitles of an Audio Video data stream an address information of one or more played back data units is stored together with the subtitle information of said played back data units during play back of said data units. One or more of said stored subtitle information can be displayed. Following the selection of one of said displayed subtitle information the stored address information of the data unit corresponding to the selected subtitle information is retrieved and the corresponding data unit is accessed using said retrieved address information. Playing back the accessed data unit conveniently allows to watch and listen to a scene including subtitles again, e.g. by a few clicks on the remote control.
US08078033B2 Recording apparatus
A recording apparatus includes a recording unit that records a televised program being received by a receiving unit to a disk-shaped recording medium. The recording apparatus also includes a commercial message detecting unit that detects a switch from main program to commercial message and a switch from commercial message to main program when the recording unit is recording the program. The recording unit records the program to the recording medium with chapter breaks set at first time intervals when commercial messages inserted in the main program are being received by the receiving unit, and set at second time intervals when the main program is being received by the receiving unit.
US08078030B2 Cable management panel with sliding drawer
An optical fiber cable management panel is provided with slideable drawers and structure within the drawers for cable management and/or connection to other devices. Tray inserts drop into the drawers to provide the appropriate management and connection devices. A movable take-up mechanism manages the cable entering and exiting the drawers at side openings. Stackable pivoting storage trays on the tray insert include a detent arrangement for holding each tray in a pivoted access position. The tray inserts further include a front key, and a back tab mounting arrangement for mounting the tray inserts to the drawers, and side radius limiters including notches for extending over raised portions of the drawer. The take-up mechanism includes a U-shaped trough section and cable retention tabs. A control mechanism is provided for controlling movement of the take-up mechanism relative to the drawer.
US08078029B2 Cable management panel with sliding drawer and methods
An optical fiber cable management panel includes drawer assemblies, each including a drawer slidable within a chassis. The drawer assemblies are secured together by a bracket that includes an interlock arrangement with the chassis. Such an interlock arrangement includes a non-threaded stud engaging a hole. Radius limiters may be part of the drawer assembly and include a cable entry aperture have a closed perimeter and a flared cable guide surface around most of, and preferably all of, the closed perimeter to allow for the entry of cables from all directions. A control mechanism controls movement of the radius limiter relative to the drawer assembly. The control mechanism includes a rotating member that has an axis of rotation transverse to the slidable motion of the radius limiter and normal to the radius limiter.
US08078028B2 Optical patch panel device
Various embodiments of patch panel devices are enclosed. In some embodiments, signals received are in an electrical or optical form and converted to the other form. The converted signal is provided as an output signal. A version of the original input may also be provided as an input. A signal injector can inject a optical or electrical signal that is selectively injected into the output signals. Various embodiments also include sensor to detecting the connecting of an electrical or optical line.
US08078012B2 Pattern inspection apparatus and method
A pattern inspection apparatus includes a stage configured to mount a target workpiece to be inspected thereon, a sensor configured to include a plurality of light receiving elements arrayed in a second direction orthogonal to a first direction which moves relatively to the stage, and to capture optical images of the target workpiece by using the plurality of light receiving elements, an accumulation unit configured to accumulate each pixel data of the optical images overlappingly captured by the sensor at positions shifted each other in the second direction by a pixel unit, for each pixel, and a comparison unit configured to compare the each pixel data accumulated for each pixel with predetermined reference data.
US08078010B2 Method and device for video image processing, calculating the similarity between video frames, and acquiring a synthesized frame by synthesizing a plurality of contiguous sampled frames
To acquire a high-resolution frame from a plurality of frames sampled from a video image, it is necessary to obtain a high-resolution frame with reduced picture quality degradation regardless of motion of a subject included in the frame. Because of this, between a plurality of contiguous frames FrN and FrN+1, there is estimated a correspondent relationship. Based on the correspondent relationship, the frames FrN+1 and FrN are interposed to obtain first and second interpolated frames FrH1 and FrH2. Based on the correspondent relationship, the coordinates of the frame FrN+1 are transformed, and from a correlation value with the frame FrN, there is obtained a weighting coefficient α(x°, y°) that makes the weight of the first interpolated frame FrH1 greater as a correlation becomes greater. With the weighting coefficient, the first and second interpolated frames are weighted and added to acquire a synthesized frame FrG.
US08078005B2 Method for controlling the combining of original image data and coded image data
An information processing device is provided that combines original image data and coded image data in a mutually non-overlapping manner. The information processing device generates coded image data to be combined with original image data. Next, the information process device determines whether or not the object region within the original image data and the generated coded image data region are overlapping. If it is determined that an overlap occurs, the information processing device modifies the shape of the coded image data region in accordance with instructions from a user. Next, the information processing device combines and prints the changed coded image data and the original image data.
US08078004B2 Geometric registration of images by similarity transformation using two reference points
A method for registering a first image to a second image using a similarity transformation. The each image includes a plurality of pixels. The first image pixels are mapped to a set of first image coordinates and the second image pixels are mapped to a set of second image coordinates. The first image coordinates of two reference points in the first image are determined. The second image coordinates of these reference points in the second image are determined. A Cartesian translation of the set of second image coordinates is performed such that the second image coordinates of the first reference point match its first image coordinates. A similarity transformation of the translated set of second image coordinates is performed. This transformation scales and rotates the second image coordinates about the first reference point such that the second image coordinates of the second reference point match its first image coordinates.
US08077997B2 Method and apparatus for image processing
An image processing method and an image processing apparatus are provided. After receiving an image signal, the image and apparatus according to the invention first judge whether a target block in the image signal includes a non-chroma line. If the judging result is YES, a first edge detection procedure will be performed on the non-chroma line. If the judging result is NO, a second edge detection procedure will be performed on the target block.
US08077995B1 Infrared camera systems and methods using environmental information
Systems and methods provide infrared camera techniques that may improve image quality or infrared camera performance over a range of varying conditions. For example, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a system is disclosed that transforms data provided by an infrared camera based upon environmental conditions at the time the data was obtained. As an example, the image quality provided by the infrared camera may be improved over a range of environmental conditions by the proper transformation of the data based upon the data and/or sensor information.
US08077994B2 Compression of MQDF classifier using flexible sub-vector grouping
Systems and methods to compress MQDF data are disclosed herein. A plurality of eigenvectors is identified. Each eigenvector in the plurality of eigenvectors can correspond to a pattern to be recognized. Each eigenvector in the plurality of eigenvectors can be split into sub-vectors. The sub-vectors can then be grouped into one or more groups according to a location of the sub-vectors within each of the eigenvectors. Each group can be associated with location data of the sub-vectors in the group. At least one group can be compressed according to a codebook. The codebook can be identifiable via the location data.
US08077992B2 Application based adaptive encoding
A system and method for encoding dynamic image information for an image generated by a computer application executing on a processor. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise determining a first set of information describing a reference image. A second set of information may be determined for describing an image, wherein the second set of information comprises information indicative of movement between the image and the reference image. For example, a set of primary movement directions may be determined based at least in part on the computer application generating the image. Such set of primary movement directions may be utilized for analyzing the image relative to the reference images. The difference between the image and the reference image may, for example, be analyzed using at least one of the set of primary movement directions. A movement direction may, for example, be utilized to describe the image.
US08077991B2 Spatially enhanced transform coding
A system and method for improving prediction error coding performance of various video compression algorithms. Various embodiments combine the energy compaction features of transform coding with localization properties of spatial coding. In various embodiments, the effects of pixel “outliers” are removed from the transform and are coded separately as a spatially coded pixel prediction, thereby improving the coding gain of the transform.
US08077988B2 Method and apparatus for compressed sensing
Method and apparatus for compressed sensing yields acceptable quality reconstructions of an object from reduced numbers of measurements. A component x of a signal or image is represented as a vector having m entries. Measurements y, comprising a vector with n entries, where n is less than m, are made. An approximate reconstruction of the m-vector x is made from y. Special measurement matrices allow measurements y=Ax+z, where y is the measured m-vector, x the desired n-vector and z an m-vector representing noise. “A” is an n by m matrix, i.e. an array with fewer rows than columns. “A” enables delivery of an approximate reconstruction, x#′ of x. An embodiment discloses approximate reconstruction of x from the reduced-dimensionality measurement y. Given y, and the matrix A, approximate reconstruction x# of x is possible. This embodiment is driven by the goal of promoting the approximate sparsity of x#.
US08077986B2 Information processing apparatus, method of controlling same and computer program
A multivalued original image is converted to a high-resolution image by interpolation processing and the resultant high-resolution image is subjected to binarization processing to obtain a high-resolution binarized image. This is followed by extraction of a plurality of text regions for every text color, as well as position information and text color information of each text region. First compressed data of the text regions is generated by applying compression processing to the high-resolution binarized images at the positions corresponding to the text regions extracted. Second compressed data is generated by filling text regions in the original image with a prescribed pixel value and applying compression processing to the image obtained by such filling. Compressed image data of the original image is then generated, this data including the first compressed data and the second compressed data as well as the position information and color information of each text region.
US08077985B2 Device, method, and program for compressing image data
An image data compression device for rapidly compressing the file to a desired capacity is provided. The image data compression device comprising a compression target capacity value storage device for storing compression target capacity value defined in advance; a compression processing information storage device for storing information in the compression processing; a primary compression device for performing a prescribed compression processing on the image data to generate primary compressed image data, and storing the primary compression information representing a compression property during the compression processing in the compression processing information storage device; and a secondary compression device for compressing the primary compressed image data based on the primary compression information stored in the compression processing information storage device and the compression target capacity value stored in the compression target capacity storage device.
US08077984B2 Method for computing similarity between text spans using factored word sequence kernels
A computer implemented method and an apparatus for comparing spans of text are disclosed. The method includes computing a similarity measure between a first sequence of symbols representing a first text span and a second sequence of symbols representing a second text span as a function of the occurrences of optionally noncontiguous subsequences of symbols shared by the two sequences of symbols. Each of the symbols comprises at least one consecutive word and is defined according to a set of linguistic factors. Pairs of symbols in the first and second sequences that form a shared subsequence of symbols are each matched according to at least one of the factors.
US08077983B2 Systems and methods for character correction in communication devices
A system and method for character error correction is provided, useful for a user of mobile appliances to produce written text with reduced errors. The system includes an interface, a word prediction engine, a statistical engine, an editing distance calculator, and a selector. A string of characters, known as the inputted word, may be entered into the mobile device via the interface. The word prediction engine may then generate word candidates similar to the inputted word using fuzzy logic and user preferences generated from past user behavior. The statistical engine may then generate variable error costs determined by the probability of erroneously inputting any given character. The editing distance calculator may then determine the editing distance between the inputted word and each of the word candidates by grid comparison using the variable error costs. The selector may choose one or more preferred candidates from the word candidates using the editing distances.
US08077980B2 Image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus enables image data to be handled easily after photography. A server apparatus patterns images and controls information in correspondence with user identifiers. A digital camera photographs a subject, obtains a pattern image and a piece of control information from the server apparatus, and judges whether a portion of the image data obtained by photography matches the obtained pattern image. If a matching portion exists, then the digital camera operates in accordance with an operation instruction included in the piece of control information. If the operation instruction is mosaic processing, then the digital camera performs mosaic processing to the matching portion. If the operation instruction is image replacement, then the digital camera replaces the matching portion with a predetermined image or performs CG processing on the matching portion. If the operation instruction is frame deletion, then the digital camera deletes the image data.
US08077976B2 Image search apparatus and image search method
Of the feature amounts of respective regions on an image, a region having a feature amount which is similar to that of a region of interest on a image is specified (S1307). Of the OCR results of the respective regions on the image, a region having an OCR result which matches that of the region of interest on the image is specified (S1308). Regions corresponding to respective regions on the image of the respective regions are specified based on the layout order of the specified regions (S1311). Of the regions obtained by combining neighboring regions on the image, a region corresponding to an inclusion region that includes each specified region is specified (S1314).
US08077972B2 Distributed document processing
A system for document processing including decomposing an image of a document into at least one data entry region sub-image, providing the data entry region sub-image to a data entry clerk available for processing the data entry region sub-image, receiving from the data entry clerk a data entry value associated with the data entry region sub-image, and validating the data entry value.
US08077967B2 Continuous color grading technique
The continuity of at least one image characteristic, such as color, is maintained through image creation, processing and distribution by correlating that characteristic to a frame of reference. During a first processing operation such as image capture, an initial image decision list is generated indicative of at least a one change in at least one characteristic of an image adjusted during that operation. At the completion of that operation, the image is transformed to emulate a film print that serves as the reference for subsequent operations. In this way, the initial image decision list can be modified list to further adjust of the at least one characteristic of the image using the emulated film print during a second image processing operation.
US08077965B2 Object recognition apparatus and object recognition method using epipolar geometry
An object recognition apparatus that processes images, as acquired by an imaging means (10) mounted on a moving object, in a first image plane and a second image plane of different points of view, and recognizes an object in the vicinity of the moving object. The object recognition apparatus comprises: a feature point detection means (42) that detects feature points in first and second image planes of an object image; a fundamental matrix determination means (43a) that determines, based on calculation of an epipole through the auto-epipolar property, a fundamental matrix that expresses a geometrically corresponding relationship based on translational camera movement, with not less than two pairs of feature points corresponding between the first and second image planes; and a three-dimensional position calculation means (43b) that calculates a three-dimensional position of an object based on the coordinates of the object in the first and second image planes and the determined fundamental matrix.
US08077964B2 Two dimensional/three dimensional digital information acquisition and display device
A two dimensional/three dimensional (2D/3D) digital acquisition and display device for enabling users to capture 3D information using a single device. In an embodiment, the device has a single movable lens with a sensor. In another embodiment, the device has a single lens with a beam splitter and multiple sensors. In another embodiment, the device has multiple lenses and multiple sensors. In yet another embodiment, the device is a standard digital camera with additional 3D software. In some embodiments, 3D information is generated from 2D information using a depth map generated from the 2D information. In some embodiments, 3D information is acquired directly using the hardware configuration of the camera. The 3D information is then able to be displayed on the device, sent to another device to be displayed or printed.
US08077963B2 Mobile robot with a head-based movement mapping scheme
A robotic system that includes a mobile robot and a remote input device. The input device may be a joystick that is used to move a camera and a mobile platform of the robot. The system may operate in a mode where the mobile platform moves in a camera reference coordinate system. The camera reference coordinate system is fixed to a viewing image provided by the camera so that movement of the robot corresponds to a direction viewed on a screen. This prevents disorientation during movement of the robot if the camera is panned across a viewing area.
US08077958B2 Computer-aided pathological diagnosis system
The present invention is a computer-aided pathological diagnosis method for the classification of cancer cells in a tissue specimen based on a digital cellular image of the tissue specimen. The method of the present invention includes the steps of, extracting the histological characteristic features of the cellular image using preprocessing algorithms having adaptive strategies to enhance the cellular image, declustering the extracted histological characteristic features of the cellular image to isolate the individual cells and the nuclei inside the cells, segmenting the declustered cellular image, labeling the segmented cellular image and classifying the cells in the labeled cellular image as cancer cells or non-cancer cells.
US08077957B2 X-ray image diagnostic system, image processing apparatus and image processing method
The present invention is an image processing apparatus that reconstructs one frame of image data using block-level image data, including a unit that receives the block-level image data to which position information has been added, a unit that determines whether or not there was an error in the transmission of the received position information, a first storage area used for storing the block-level image data corresponding to the position information for which a transmission error did not occur, a second storage area used for storing the block-level image data corresponding to the position information for which a transmission error occurred, a unit that infers correct position information for the block-level image data stored in the second storage area based on the first storage area and the second storage area, and a unit that reconstructs the one frame of image data using the inferred position information.
US08077956B2 Orientation detection for chest radiographic images
A method for identifying the orientation of a radiographic image of a patient generates a reduced-scale image having a smaller number of pixel elements than the original radiographic image and generates a reduced bit-depth image from the reduced-scale image. The method determines whether the image has portrait or landscape orientation by sectioning either the reduced-scale image or the reduced bit-depth image into at least two sections and calculating at least one value related to relative symmetry for each of the at least two sections.
US08077954B2 System and method for image processing
The present invention relates to a system and a method for processing an initial image of coronary arteries. In accordance with the proposed method, a healthy region and a stenosed region of said arteries are first demarcated in the initial image. A first intermediate image is obtained by generating a contour of said healthy region of said arteries by segmentation of said healthy region using a level set function. A second intermediate image obtained by performing edge detection on said stenosed region. The first and second intermediate images are then combined to obtain a composite image of a single connected component represented by a plane curve on said composite image.
US08077953B2 System and method for automatic detection of end of diastole and end of systole image frames in X-ray ventricular angiography
End-diastolic and end-systolic image frames are automatically selected on a real-time basis from a sequence of X-ray ventricular angiogram images by modeling the angiogram images by a dynamic graphical model and estimating a posterior probability density of the ventricular area in each angiogram image frame using Bayesian probability density propagation and adaptive background modeling. Then, a variation curve plot of expectation values of the posterior probability density of the ventricular area of each angiogram image frame is generated in which peaks and valleys in the variation curve correspond to end-diastolic and end-systolic angiogram image frames, respectively.
US08077950B2 Methods for determining meniscal size and shape and for devising treatment
The present invention relates to methods for determining meniscal size and shape for use in designing therapies for the treatment of various joint diseases. The invention uses an image of a joint that is processed for analysis. Analysis can include, for example, generating a thickness map, a cartilage curve, or a point cloud. This information is used to determine the extent of the cartilage defect or damage and to design an appropriate therapy, including, for example, an implant. Adjustments to the designed therapy are made to account for the materials used.
US08077947B2 Method for determining an optimal output of an ablation catheter for a myocardial ablation in a patient and associated medical apparatus
The invention relates to a method for determining an optimal output of an ablation catheter for a myocardial ablation in a patient with the following steps: creation of at least one at least three-dimensional image recording of an ablation region provided for the myocardial ablation using at least one image recording apparatus; at least partial segmentation of the recorded ablation region to obtain segmentation information using a computation apparatus; at least partial determination from the segmentation information of the location-dependent thickness of the myocardium in the ablation region by the computation apparatus; and determination of the optimal output of the ablation catheter, in particular by the computation apparatus or a separate computation apparatus of an ablation catheter system, as a function of the determined myocardium thickness.
US08077944B2 Method, device, and computer programme for evaluating images of a cavity
The invention relates to a device, a method and a computer program for evaluating images of the heart that have been captured by means of a medical imaging method. According to said method, at least two data records containing functional values, which describe the ventricular wall activity, are produced in a random format, are converted into a uniform format and the data records in the uniform format are compared with one another or calculated.
US08077939B2 Methods and systems for enhanced plaque visualization
Methods and apparatus for coding a visual representation of one or more plaque regions in a vessel are provided. The method includes segmenting the visual representation of the vessel to identify structures associated with the vessel, classifying at least one region in the vessel as a plaque region, displaying the at least one plaque region using a visual highlight selectively associated with the classification for the at least one plaque region, and shading the visual highlight based on a probability that the classification is correct.
US08077938B2 Diffusion tensor surface visualization
A computer implemented method for diffusion tensor visualization includes receiving diffusion weighted image slice data, segmenting a diffusion tensor field from the diffusion weighted image slice data to determine a three-dimensional triangular mesh, and determining a fractional anisotropy field and a principle diffusion direction field of the diffusion tensor field. The method includes determining a streamline through each surface point on a segmented surface of the diffusion tensor field according to the principle diffusion direction field, determining an oriented texture intensity for the surface points from corresponding streamlines, determining a surface color for the surface points by combining the oriented texture intensity, a color determined from the principle diffusion direction field, and a value of fractional anisotropy field at the surface points, and visualizing the surface points by rendering the surface points having the corresponding surface colors.
US08077936B2 Treatment planning software and corresponding user interface
A method and apparatus for treatment planning are described.
US08077935B2 Methods and apparatus for acquiring a swiped fingerprint image
A method for assisting a user of a fingerprint sensing system includes sensing a position of a user's finger relative to a swiped fingerprint image sensor, and providing to the user, in response to the sensed finger position, an indication of finger placement relative to the fingerprint image sensor. The indication of finger placement may include a display on a computer monitor of actual finger placement and desired finger placement. The fingerprint sensing system may include an image sensor to sense a fingerprint on a swiped finger, a finger position sensor to sense the position of the finger relative to the image sensor, and processing apparatus to provide the indication of finger placement to the user.
US08077934B2 Low power fingerprint capture system, apparatus, and method
The present invention provides a large format fingerprint capture apparatus, system and method that is low power, compact, and lightweight and has a platen area greater than 3.0 square inches. The present system is typically powered, controlled, and exchanges data over a single data/control/power connection to a host PC, e.g., a desk top computer, PDA, or laptop computer although the system can also be used in a wireless fashion with a power subsystem so no physical connections are required. In a preferred embodiment the large format fingerprint device is directly connected to a completely disconnected portable PC, such as a laptop having only a battery power source. The primary system components of the present invention combine to minimize power, size and weight and, thus, enhance portability and battery life. The system typically includes a light source, a prism, a camera (including the lens), and a case. Optional elements comprise holographic elements such as gratings and holographic optical elements (HOEs), a battery subsystem, magnetic stripe reader, barcode reader, platen heater, platen blower, and mirrors to divert the image beam.
US08077929B2 Ambient light rejection filter
A fingerprint reader is described. The fingerprint reader includes an illumination source that produces light and a camera. An optical window is also part of the reader. The window is positioned so that light from the illumination source passes through the optical window and then is reflected to the camera for imaging a person's fingerprint. A filter may be positioned on or proximate to the optical window. The filter prevents ambient light from reaching the camera. In some situations, the filter will be a dielectric mirror, a dielectric filter, a holographic mirror, a holographic filter, a dichroic mirror or a dichroic filter.
US08077925B2 Motion sensing method of sub-pixel level precision
The present invention discloses a method for motion sensing of sub-pixel level precision. The method comprises the following steps: acquiring a reference image (reference frame) and a sample image (sample frame) of a surface; calculating the correlation between the reference frame and the sample frame to obtain a motion vector of a photoelectric mouse with respect to this surface; subjecting the reference frame and the sample frame to interpolation to obtain the interpolated reference frame and the interpolated sample frame; calculating the correlation between the interpolated reference frame and the interpolated sample frame in order to correct the aforesaid motion vector and to obtain the movement of the sub-pixel. The precision of displacement measurement can be improved effectively by this method under the condition that sensor's characteristics are not changed to improve the performance of the photoelectric mouse.
US08077923B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes a first processing part selecting motion detection points for detecting a motion between images, and acquiring first motion vectors that are local motion vectors at the motion detection points, a second processing part acquiring first representative motions that are representative motions of translation, scaling and rotation based on the first motion vectors, a third processing part eliminating components of the first representative motions from the first motion vectors and acquiring second motion vectors, a fourth processing part acquiring local foreshortening motions at the motion detection points from the second motion vectors, and a fifth processing part acquiring a second representative motion that is a representative foreshortening motion from the local foreshortening motions. This process can obtain information representing geometric deformation between the images by simple processing.
US08077922B1 Optical flow sensor
An optical flow sensor for generating optical flow measurements based on a visual field is provided. The optical flow sensor comprises a binarized signal generator capable of generating binarized feature signals based on the visual field, a metafeature signal generator capable of generating metafeature signals based on the binarized feature signals, an apparatus for generating velocity reports based on the metafeature signals, and an apparatus for generating an optical flow measurement based on the velocity reports.
US08077921B2 Apparatus for determining the presence of fog using image obtained by vehicle-mounted imaging device
An apparatus that determines the presence of an element such as fog interfering with the visibility of a frontal view of an driver in an vehicle in an environmental atmosphere in ahead of the vehicle equipped with the apparatus in the daytime is provided. In this apparatus, the determination of whether the presence of the element is determined based on an image that captured by a vehicle-mounted camera and in which a picture of an obstacle located on a road over which the vehicle is traveling is masked. In the determination, a reliability of determining the presence of the element is considered by measuring the effect of masking the obstacle.
US08077919B2 Toro: tracking and observing robot
The present invention provides a method for tracking entities, such as people, in an environment over long time periods. A region-based model is generated to model beliefs about entity locations. Each region corresponds to a discrete area representing a location where an entity is likely to be found. Each region includes one or more positions which more precisely specify the location of an entity within the region so that the region defines a probability distribution of the entity residing at different positions within the region. A region-based particle filtering method is applied to entities within the regions so that the probability distribution of each region is updated to indicate the likelihood of the entity residing in a particular region as the entity moves.
US08077918B2 Architectures and methods for creating and representing time-dependent imagery
The present invention pertains to geographical image processing of time-dependent imagery. Various assets acquired at different times are stored and processing according to acquisition date in order to generate one or more image tiles for a geographical region of interest. The different image tiles are sorted based on asset acquisition date. Multiple image tiles for the same region of interest may be available. In response to a user request for imagery as of a certain date, one or more image tiles associated with assets from prior to that date are used to generate a time-based geographical image for the user.
US08077915B2 Obtaining information by tracking a user
A device may obtain tracking information of a face or a head of a user, determine a position and orientation of the user, and determine a direction of focus of the user based on the tracking information, the position, and the orientation. In addition, the device may retrieve information associated with a location at which the user focused.
US08077913B2 Method and device for determining the actual position of a geodetic instrument
In order to determine the actual position (A) of a geodetic measuring instrument (1) inside a dead range (T) wherein signals originating from a positioning system are shadowed, two reference structures (5) are detected from at least two known positions and the distances associated with the reference structures (5) are measured. Image information linked to said distance measurements is captured. Said information contains data on the arrangement of the reference structures (5). The actual position (1) can be derived from subsequent capture of the reference structures (5) from a position inside the dead range (T). Image processing methods are used advantageously to identify and measure the reference structures (5).
US08077912B2 Signal hiding employing feature modification
Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to methods and systems for signal hiding using feature modulation. One claim recites a method comprising: obtaining data representing a media signal; analyzing the data to determine features of the media signal; using a programmed electronic processor, modifying determined features to hide a signal in the data; and modifying the data to include a characteristic to facilitate later detection of the signal. In some case the features may include statistical features of the media signal. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided too.
US08077911B2 Methods, apparatus and programs for generating and utilizing content signatures
The presently claimed invention generally relates to deriving and/or utilizing content signatures (e.g., so-called “fingerprints”). One claim recites a method of generating a fingerprint associated with a content item including: pseudo-randomly selecting a segment of the content item; and utilizing a processor or electronic processing circuitry, fingerprinting the selected segment of content item as at least an identifier of the content item. Of course, other claims and combination are provided as well.
US08077909B2 Apparatus and method for testing infrared camera
An apparatus for testing infrared cameras includes: a cover plate which has a plurality of holes formed therethrough and arranged in line in a horizontal direction at a regular interval, the cover plate being adapted to emit an amount of infrared light; and an emission source which is disposed in parallel to and behind the cover plate as viewed from infrared cameras to be tested, the emission source being adapted to emit a different amount of infrared light when compared with the cover plate.
US08077908B2 Method for using an image analysis program to analyze a plurality of images having the same image blocks
The present invention relates to an image analysis method for analyzing an image. By inputting starting point coordinates and ending point coordinates of individual image blocks contained in the image, an image block arrangement table is created. The image is analyzed according to the image block arrangement table.
US08077905B2 Capturing physical feature data
Directional albedo of a particular article, such as an identity card, is measured and stored. When the article is later presented, it can be confirmed to be the same particular article by re-measuring the albedo function, and checking for correspondence against the earlier-stored data. The re-measuring can be performed through us of a handheld optical device, such as a camera-equipped cell phone. The albedo function can serve as random key data in a variety of cryptographic applications. The function can be changed during the life of the article. A variety of other features are also detailed.
US08077897B2 Phasing plug
A phasing plug for a compression driver includes a base portion and a hub portion. The base portion includes a first side, a second side, and a plurality of apertures extending between the first and second sides. The hub portion extends from the base portion along an axis. A plurality of channels formed on the second side of the base portion, each channel extending from the hub portion to a corresponding one of a plurality of apertures extending between the first and second sides, the apertures formed to define lines cutting diagonally across the annular section.
US08077895B2 Behind-the-ear hearing aid with audio shoe which can be pushed-on linearly, and appropriate mounting method
A behind-the-ear hearing aid is provided, with an elongated housing and an audio shoe, which is affixed to an end face of the housing in such a way that it can be removed, and a coupling device, with which the audio shoe is coupled to the housing by a sliding movement parallel to the end face of the housing. In addition, affixed to the audio shoe there is a securing device which includes a slider which can be moved crossways relative to the direction in which the audio shoe slides, which in a first position permits the sliding movement of the audio shoe and in a second position prevents the sliding movement. It is thus possible to mount the audio shoe on the hearing aid housing, and to make any necessary contacts, with a double linear movement which is easy to realize.
US08077892B2 Hearing assistance system including data logging capability and method of operating the same
There is provided a method of operating a system for providing hearing assistance to a user (101), comprising: capturing and processing audio signals by a transmission unit (102) and transmitting the audio signals from the transmission unit (102) via a wireless audio link to a receiver unit (103); processing the received audio signals in the receiver unit (103); stimulating the user's hearing, by stimulating means (38, 136) worn at or in the user's ear, according to the audio signals from the receiver unit (103); logging data by recording the values of at least one operation parameter of the transmission unit (102) and/or the receiver unit (103) as a function of time and/or by recording data derived from the values of at least one operation parameter of the transmission unit (102) and/or the receiver unit (103) as a function of time in the transmission unit (102); and reading the logged data from the transmission unit (102).
US08077891B2 Method and system for adjusting a hearing device
A method for wirelessly adjusting one or more hearing devices (1, . . . , 3) with a central unit (4) is presented, the method comprising the steps of: establishing a wireless network (6) wirelessly connecting the central unit (4) to hearing devices (1, . . . , 3), which are responsive to said wireless network (6), detecting said hearing devices (1, . . . , 3), identifying one or more of the detected hearing devices (1, . . . , 3, selecting one or more of the identified hearing devices (1, . . . , 3), establishing a wireless link from the central unit (4) to at least one of the identified hearing devices (1, . . . , 3), and adjusting the at least one identified hearing device (1, . . . , 3). Therewith, an audiologist is able to unambiguously assign one or two hearing devices (1, . . . , 3) in a fitting session, even if multiple hearing devices are within the range of the wireless network (6) or wireless transmitter, respectively.
US08077890B2 Preprogrammed hearing assistance device with program selection using a multipurpose control device
A user programmable hearing aid allows a user to select acoustical configuration programs that provide optimum performance for the user. The user may cycle through and evaluate various available programs by operating a single digital rocker switch on the hearing aid housing to switch from one program to the next. When a preferred program is active, the user can press and hold an up control or down control of the digital rocker switch for an extended time to select the currently active program. The user can then use the digital rocker switch to adjust the audio gain for the selected program. The hearing aid may also operate in a Configuration Mode wherein configuration settings may be changed by operating the up and down controls of the digital rocker switch. In the Configuration Mode, a clinician or patient may easily change configuration settings manually, with no need to connect the apparatus to a computer or other programming interface.
US08077887B2 Electrical connector and method for manufacturing a condenser microphone
There is provided an electrical connector especially suitable for a condenser microphone, which connector is, though being small in size, provided with an electromagnetic wave shielding unit that is capable of easily being installed in the connector and is equivalent to an EMI core. The electrical connector includes a cylindrical connector housing 10; a connector element 20; and a connection cable 30, and is configured so that the connector element 20 is supported on one end side of the connector housing 10, and the connection cable is drawn into the connector housing 10 through a cable insertion part 10b on the other end side of the connector housing 10 and thereby connected electrically to the connector element 20. In this electrical connector, a magnetic fluid 62, and a permanent magnet 61 for magnetically attracting the magnetic fluid 62 are housed in an excess space between the connector element 20 and the cable insertion part 10b in the connector housing 10.
US08077885B2 Microphone device
A microphone device includes an enclosure, a nontransparent supporter, a light source, an annular-shaped optical sensor, a lens and a vibrating membrane. The enclosure has a bottom portion and a sidewall extending from the bottom portion. An opening is defined in the enclosure and opposite to the bottom portion. A nontransparent supporter is enclosed in the enclosure and positioned on the bottom portion. A passage is defined in the supporter, and has a first aperture and a second aperture at two opposite ends. The first aperture is adjacent to the bottom portion. The light source is positioned on the bottom portion, received in the passage and adjacent to the first aperture. The optical sensor is positioned on the supporter. The lens is received in the optical sensor and positioned on the supporter and covers the second aperture. The vibrating membrane is supported on the sidewall.
US08077884B2 Actuation of floor systems using mechanical and electro-active polymer transducers
Transducers and resonators are embedded in body support structures in contact with a user to for the purpose of conveying musical sound energy to a user's body at selected frequencies and in selected patterns. Body support structures comprise beds, pillows, chairs, and other structures typically used to support people. The sound may be audio tones and/or music. The transducers and resonators may be incorporated into a foam component or in a coil spring component of the body support structure. Latex-type foams and beds made with springs are candidate body support structures for receiving transducer's and resonators. Electro-active polymers are also used as transducers. Floor systems are activated by both mechanical transducers and electro-active polymers.
US08077883B2 Intelligent solo-mute switching
An intelligent solo-mute switching system for an audio signal processing device having a plurality of channels. A plurality of multi-throw momentary switches are monitored by a switch interface to detect at least three switch events. A channel state controller responds to the at least three switch events detected by the switch interface in directing a channel gain matrix to govern the plurality of channels.
US08077882B2 Audio reproducing apparatus
An audio signal processing apparatus includes a harmonic overtone adder and an equalizer. The harmonic overtone adder includes a high-pass filter for extracting from an audio signal higher than a first predetermined frequency, a filter for extracting a frequency component lower than half a second predetermined frequency, an harmonic overtone generator for generating a frequency-doubled harmonic overtone component from an output from the filter, and a first combining unit for combining the frequency component output from the high-pass filter and the harmonic overtone component output from the harmonic overtone generator. The equalizer includes a level detector for detecting a level of an overtone component contained in an output from the first combining unit, a gain controller for controlling dynamically the level of the harmonic overtone component contained in the output from the first combining unit, and a second combining unit for combining the output from the first combining unit with the harmonic overtone component.
US08077879B2 Audio output apparatus and television broadcast receiver
When an abnormality occurs in a supply circuit and its output is decreased, a protect circuit detects the abnormality and outputs a protect signal to an audio circuit. The audio circuit upon detection of the protect signal stops outputting audio so that outputting of an audio noise due to a deficiency in the supplied voltage is prevented. Meanwhile, when no abnormality occurs in the supply circuit, a microcomputer controls the audio circuit by supplying it with such a signal as to allow it to output an audio, or to increase the audio volume, or with a mute signal.
US08077865B2 Electronic device, content reproduction control method, program, storage medium, and integrated circuit
To play back a content while managing the right of use of the content, such as a total time of playback of the content, an electronic device stores right information in a right temporary storage unit 59 and judges whether or not use of the content is permitted, in a process of decoding a frame. Also, the electronic device updates the right information stored in the right temporary storage unit 59. When the frame to be played back is the one at a predetermined position in order, the electronic device stores the right information stored in the right temporary storage unit 59 into a storage area 20.
US08077864B2 Apparatus for computing streamcipher TSC-4
Provided is an apparatus for computing a T-function based Stream Cipher (TSC)-4 stream cipher. The apparatus includes: two T-function units; and a nonlinear filter for receiving bits output from the two T-function units and generating an 8-bit output sequence per clock. Each of the T-function units includes: a first register for storing an internal state value of the lower N bits; an N-bit internal state updater for updating the internal state value of the lower N-bits stored in the first register; an intermediate result register for storing an intermediate result value output from the N-bit internal state updater; a second register for storing an internal state value of the upper M bits; and an M-bit internal state updater for updating the internal state value of the upper M bits stored in the second register using the value stored in the intermediate result register.
US08077863B2 Secret sharing apparatus, method, and program
A secret sharing apparatus according to the present invention is based on a (k,n)-threshold scheme with a threshold of at least 4 but is still operational with a threshold of at least 2. The secret sharing apparatus generates a generator matrix (G) of GF(2) in which any k of n column vectors are at a full rank, divides secret information into n−1 pieces to generate divided secret data (K(1), . . . , K(n−1)), generates random data (U(0,1), . . . , U(k−2,n−1)), calculates the product of matrixes of the divided secret data, the random data, and the generator matrix (G), assigns the j×(n−1)+ith column of the calculation result to sharing partial data (D(j,i)) to calculate sharing partial data (D(j,1)), generates header information (H(j)), and individually distributes n pieces of sharing information (D(0), . . . , D(n−1)) made up of the header information (H(j)) and sharing partial data (D(j,i)) to n storage apparatuses.
US08077859B1 Adaptive analog echo/NEXT cancellation
A physical layer (PHY) device including i) an input configured to receive a first transmit signal transmitted from a remote device, and ii) an output configured to transmit a second transmit signal from the PHY device to the remote device. The second transmit signal causes interference in a receive signal at the input of the PHY device. The PHY device further including a selection module configured to select a first control signal to cancel the interference in the receive signal when the receive signal does not include the first transmit signal and a second control signal to cancel the interference in the receive signal when the receive signal includes the first transmit signal. The interference includes (i) an echo due to the second transmit signal or (ii) crosstalk due to a third transmit signal output by a local PHY device proximate to the PHY device.
US08077858B2 Echo canceler and echo canceling method
An echo canceler uses an adaptive filter to remove an echo of an incoming far-end signal from an outgoing near-end signal in the presence of ambient noise, updating the filter coefficients while the far-end signal is active and the near-end signal is inactive. The near-end and far-end signals are also sampled to obtain data vectors, which are averaged to generate simulated near-end and far-end signals, from which substitute filter coefficients are calculated and updated while the far-end signal is silent, the substitute filter coefficients being used when the far-end signal becomes active again. The number of data vectors averaged is varied according to the ratio of echo power to ambient near-end noise power, or according to the echo attenuation ratio, thereby speeding up convergence of the filter coefficients. Data sampled while the near-end and far-end signals are both active are excluded from the updating process.
US08077857B1 Portable speakerphone device with selective mixing
Disclosed herein are portable teleconferencing products that implement a doubletalk detector in a low frequency range or in a frequency range commensurate with the frequencies through which sound may be efficiently transferred between a speaker and a microphone through an enclosure. Also disclosed herein are teleconferencing systems that implement a secondary doubletalk detector, a non-presumptive doubletalk detector, a confirmatory doubletalk detector, and/or a false doubletalk detector, whereby echo cancellation coefficients may be better adapted after echo path changing events through the use of accelerated coefficient adaptation or half-duplex operation until adaptation is restored. Further disclosed herein are teleconferencing products that include more than one port for communicating with distant parties or a single party and a local source of audio material, whereby one distant party is prevented from being transmitted to it private audio from another party or another audio signal while permitting a local participant to hear the private audio. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims.
US08077853B2 VoIP adapter, IP network device and method for performing advanced VoIP functions
A VoIP adapter for POTS a phone comprises: a POTS phone connector, an IP network interface, two sets of signaling senders, signaling receivers, media senders and media receivers for the POTS phone and the IP network respectively, and a controller for controlling the operations of above components. The VoIP adapter enables the user to carry out VoIP communications using a normal POTS phone and further enables use of advanced VoIP functions via the normal POTS phone, such as Call Hold, Call Transfer, Ad Hoc Conference, etc.
US08077852B1 Method and apparatus for controlling conference calls
A conference manager establishes and controls a conference and subconferences for a plurality of telecommunication terminals so as to reduce telecommunication costs by establishing the conference and dynamically placing telecommunication terminals geographically located with conference or isolated remote telecommunication terminals geographically located remote from the conference into the conference. The conference manager requests that other conference managers establish subconferences to conference together remote telecommunication terminals that are geographically located together. The conference manager requests that the other conference managers extend these subconferences to the conference. Further, the conference manager controls the other conference managers to interconnect the subconferences if the conference manager determines that communicating cost can be lowered by interconnecting two or more of the subconferences. Telecommunication costs include telecommunication transport costs and/or conference port costs.
US08077851B2 Personal-call and feature control system and method for controlling telephones, providing extended features for such telephones and routing of media-rich calls
A Personal-CFC system and method is described for controlling a multiplicity of telephones, for providing extended feature sets globally to all such telephones and for routing of media-rich calls between such telephones and multimedia equipment. The Personal-CFC is a software program that is easily embedded in various devices and it requires no hardware. For example, a mobile Personal-CFC system can be incorporated into a PDA or PC. The end user can use the Personal-CFC system to control other telephones, such as conference telephones, that do not belong to the end user.
US08077848B2 Method and system for 7-digit dialing in 10 digit mandatory dialing areas
Certain embodiments of the invention provides a method and system for 7-digit dialing in a 10-digit mandatory dialing area. Aspects of the invention may include collecting a dialed string of digits corresponding to a directory number for a dialed call and determining whether an area code should be pre-pended to the collected dialed string of digits. The area code may be transparently pre-pended to a 7-digit dialed directory number if it is determined that the call is for a local area in order to conform with mandatory 10-digit dialing. Otherwise, 10-digits may be collected and used to route the call.
US08077846B2 Combination universal telephone and remote control device
A universal combination cordless phone/remote control device for simultaneously answering incoming phone calls, messages, texts, etc., while operating a television and peripheral equipment includes a remote control side for controlling and operating the television and peripheral equipment and a cordless phone side for controlling various standard telephonic operations with both the remote control side and the cordless phone side including electrical charging contacts that engage charging contacts located on the upper surface of a portable lightweight charging cradle when the control device is placed upon the charging cradle for electrical charging.
US08077845B2 Remote control of a security system using telephone device
System and method for remotely controlling at least one local security system from a telephone device. The system includes a reception section for receiving a telephone call, a decoding section for decoding input from a caller and a controller for receiving the information and authenticating the caller based upon the detected information. The system also includes a voice server controlled by the controller for interfacing between the system and the caller. The voice server prompts the caller for information used to authenticate the caller, reports a status of each local security system and prompts the caller to select a particular local security system to control. Furthermore, the system includes a central database that contains subscriber information separated into subscriber records. The subscriber record includes at least one subscriber identifier authorized to control each local security system. The control instruction is transmitted to a selected local security system by a transmission section.
US08077844B2 Dial up telephone conferencing system controlled by an online computer network
In a telephone conferencing system, a digital communication network such as the Internet is used to establish and control the telephone connections between multiple conferees with the telephone network being the means of exchanging verbal information. Each conferee may have a computer connected to the digital network, and each has an independent telephone instrument connected to the public switched telephone network. An in-charge conferee utilizes his computer containing appropriate software to initiate the conference and to control the participation of the conferees. The in-charge conferee sends digital control signals to a switch interface controlling a telephone switch as a gateway to the telephone network using SS7 control signals. These SS7 control signals include the commands by which the conferee telephones are rung up, brought on line, or dropped from the conference. The switch provides telephone status information back over the digital network, and the in-charge conferee, as well as other conferees provided with appropriate software, display this status information on their PC monitors.
US08077840B2 Web integrated interactive voice response
One embodiment of a representative system for web integrated interactive voice response includes an interactive voice response system adapted to provide a plurality of voice menus to a user over a telephone and a graphical user interface system adapted to provide a plurality of menus in a graphical format to the user over a network connection. Information provided in the voice menus corresponds to information provided in the menus in the graphical format and is responsive to commands received by the graphical user interface system from the user. Other systems and methods are also provided.
US08077839B2 Handheld device for dialing of phone numbers extracted from a voicemail
A method for processing a telephone number embedded in a voicemail received by a user of the handheld device comprising a processor and a memory is provided. The method includes playing back the voicemail. The method further includes in response to receiving a first marker set by the user to indicate a start of a telephone number, initiating storage of an audio sample corresponding to the telephone number in the memory. The method further includes terminating storage of the audio sample corresponding to the telephone number in the memory either automatically or in response to receiving a second marker set by the user to indicate an end of the telephone number. The method further includes using the processor, processing the stored audio sample to extract digits corresponding to the telephone number and communicating the extracted digits to an application executing on the processor.
US08077837B1 Systems and methods for providing context-based voicemail
Voicemail systems and methods for managing voicemail systems are provided herein. The subject voicemail systems provide a plurality voicemail greeting, each of which are associated with a context tag. The context tag can be, for example, a location, a device parameter, an account parameter, a network parameter, or any other contextual information. Upon receipt of a change in a context tag, the voicemail system determines a new voicemail greeting associated with the new context tag and sets the new voicemail greeting to the active voicemail greeting.
US08077836B2 Transparent voice registration and verification method and system
Transparent voice registration of a party is provided in order to provide voice verification for communications with a service center. Verbal communication spoken by a party during interaction between the party and an agent of the service center is captured. A voice model associated with the captured communication is created and stored in order to provide voice verification during a subsequent call to the service center. When a requester contacts the service center, a comparison of the voice of the requester and a voice model of the person that the requester claims to be is performed, in order to verify the identity of the requester. Additionally, a voice model associated with a party is automatically updated after a subsequent communication between the party and the service center.
US08077835B2 Method and system of providing interactive speech recognition based on call routing
A speech recognition process and system are used for interactive telecommunication. A caller is prompted for input. Each of the phrases represents a destination for routing the call. The response utterance is matched by the system to one of the phrases and the call is routed to the corresponding destination. If the call thereafter has been redirected to a destination representing another of the phrases, speech recognition training data are generated for mapping the utterance to the redirected destination.
US08077833B2 Method for sending a previously recorded personalized message to a caller by a network voice mail system
An embodiment of a method for providing a personalized greeting to a caller includes receiving an incoming call addressed to a first communication device from a caller using a second communication device, and determining a received caller identifier associated with the second communication device. The method further includes determining if the received caller identifier matches a pre-assigned caller identifier from a pre-assigned caller list. If the received caller identifier matches a pre-assigned caller identifier the method further includes playing an outgoing audio message associated with the pre-assigned caller identifier, recording an audio message from the caller, converting the audio message into a text message, and sending the text message to a user associated with the first communication device.
US08077828B2 Radiation imaging device and radiation imaging method
When the same subject is to be imaged consecutively plural times, a radiation imaging device is controlled so as to change an imaging time interval between respective imagings according to a set imaging region of the subject. When a chest portion of a subject is to be imaged, a control section designates an image obtained at a second imaging as an image for diagnosis, image quality correction processing is not performed at a first imaging, and an imaging time interval is greatly reduced compared to when other regions are imaged, thereby reducing motion artifacts of an energy subtraction image. When regions other than a chest region are imaged, the control section designates an image obtained at a first imaging as an image for diagnosis, performs image quality correction processing at the first imaging, and an imaging time interval is increased compared to when the chest region is imaged.
US08077827B2 Method for thickness calibration and measuring thickness of material
A method for measuring the thickness of a first absorbing material in the presence of a second absorbing material is provided. The method comprises the steps as follow. The thickness (tS) of the first absorbing material is fixed and the thickness of the second absorbing material is varied to obtain a calibration standard. The intensity of the transmissive energy passing through the calibration standard is detected by acquiring multiple pairs of image data comprising a foreground value (logn(Ic+s)) and a background value (logn(Ic)). The thickness (tSi) of the first absorbing material is changed and the above steps are repeated to obtain sets of image data. A fitting constant Id is determined to describe each set of the intensity data as μ s α ⁢ t S = log n ⁡ ( I c + I d ) - log n ⁡ ( I c + s + I d ) . A best fit of the proportional constant μ s α is determined to further calculate an unknown thickness of the first absorbing material (ts′) through the equation t s ′ = α μ s ⁡ [ ln ⁡ ( I c ′ + I d ) - ln ⁡ ( I c + s ′ + I d ) ] .
US08077826B2 CT scanner with scatter radiation correction and method of using same
A CT scanner with scatter correction device and a method for scatter correction are provided. The method of correcting CT images from artifacts caused by scattered radiation comprises affixing to the non-rotating frame of the CT gantry a plurality of shields for shielding some of the CT detector elements from direct X ray radiation, while allowing scattered radiation to arrive at said shielded elements; measuring scatter signals from said shielded elements, indicative of scattered radiation intensity; and correcting for scatter by subtracting scatter intensity values estimated from said measured scatter signals from signals measured by unshielded detector elements.
US08077824B2 Support arrangement
A nuclear reactor includes a reactor pressure vessel 12 and a core barrel 14, contained within the reactor pressure vessel 12. The reactor 10 further includes a single vertical support 16, for transmitting vertical load from the core barrel to the reactor pressure vessel. Further, lateral support means is provided at an elevation which is above that of the support 16 to provide lateral support to the core barrel 14. This arrangement will result in reduced stress arising from the temperature fluctuations.
US08077822B2 System and method of controlling power consumption in a digital phase locked loop (DPLL)
An apparatus comprising a programmable frequency device adapted to generate a reference clock selected from a set of distinct frequency clocks, wherein the programmable frequency device is further adapted to maintain the same temporal relationship of the triggering edges of the reference clock when switching between the distinct frequency clocks. The apparatus further comprises a phase locked loop (PLL), such as a digital PLL (DPLL), that uses the selected reference clock to establish a predetermined phase relationship between an input signal and an output signal. By maintaining substantially the same temporal relationship of the reference clock when switching between distinct frequency clocks, the continual and effective operation of the phase locked loop (PLL) is not significantly disturbed while changing the reference clock. This may be used to control the power consumption of the apparatus.
US08077819B2 Search engine for a receive equalizer
A search engine selects initial coefficients for a receive equalizer. The search engine may be incorporated into a communication receiver that includes a decision feedback equalizer and clock and data recovery circuit. Here, the search engine may initialize various adaptation loops that may control the operation of, for example, a decision feedback equalizer, a clock and data recovery circuit and a continuous time filter. The receiver may include an analog-to-digital converter that is used to generate soft decision data for some of the adaptation loops.
US08077817B2 Arrangement for adaptive bit recovery
The present invention relates to an arrangement for adaptive bit recovery, and to an apparatus for reading from and/or writing to recording media using such arrangement. According to the invention, an arrangement for adaptive bit recovery including an adaptive equalizer and an adaptive partial response maximum likelihood detector further includes an overflow control block for the adaptive equalizer for monitoring one or more of the adaptation coefficients and/or a state violation checker for monitoring the allowed states and indicating state violations as well as and a noise detector for detecting larger deviations of the target values.
US08077815B1 System and method for processing multi-channel digital audio signals
A system and method for processing multi-channel audio signals is described herein. In one embodiment, the system includes a phase detector to determine, for a frequency band, a phase difference between first and second channel signals of the multi-channel digital audio signal. In one embodiment, the system also includes an attenuator to attenuate an amplitude of the frequency band if the phase difference exceeds a first predetermined threshold.
US08077812B2 Reduced-complexity multiple-input, multiple-output detection
A wireless receiver detects signals generated with a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) transmitter. The receiver applies maximum-likelihood detection (MLD) for soft-output signal detection, where an MLD exhaustive search across all candidate vectors is performed recursively by computing and accumulating the differences between, for example, the Euclidean metrics of consecutive candidate tests. Difference terms used for the accumulation are also calculated recursively. An ordering of candidates, such as by a triangular-waveform shaped ordering, is employed such that only one candidate variable is changed between any two consecutive candidate evaluations, leading to a reduced set of computations.
US08077808B2 Radio wave receiver and wave clock
Disclosed is a radio wave receiver including: a receiving unit to receive a radio wave including a time code in which a plurality of types of data pulse different in pulse width from one another are arranged with a predetermined period of time; a detection circuit to detect the time code in the radio wave received by the receiving unit to obtain a detected signal; a low-pass filter to pass low-frequency components in the detected signal detected by the detection circuit, a cutoff frequency of the low-pass filter being twice a transmit frequency of the data pulse or less; and a data distinction unit to distinguish the types of data pulse based on an output of the low-pass filter for at least one specific point of time during a transmit period of data pulse.
US08077807B1 Adaptive timing using clock recovery
Circuits and methods are provided for adjusting a frequency of a local clock signal in approximating a frequency of a host clock signal. A phase locked loop generates a local clock signal having a first phase and a first frequency. An offset adjustment circuit receives timing information relating the local clock signal to an incoming data signal and calculates a phase offset and a frequency offset indicative of adjustments to be made to the local clock signal. A first phase interpolator generates a receive clock signal from the local clock signal, the receive clock signal having a second phase and a second frequency responsive to the phase and frequency offsets. A second phase interpolator generates a transmit clock signal from the local clock signal having a third frequency responsive to the frequency offset.
US08077800B2 Transmitting apparatus with bit arrangement method
A transmitting apparatus, that includes a means for generating bit sequences to adjust an occupation rate occupied with predetermined bits included in a first data block, which is obtained by encoding first data in a first encoding process, to be equal or closer to an occupation rate occupied with predetermined bits included in a second data block, which is obtained by encoding second data in a second encoding process, in regard to first bit positions of the bit sequences generated using bits included in the first and second data blocks and a modulator for performing multi-level modulation for transmission based on the generated bit sequences.
US08077799B2 Apparatus and method to adjust a phase and frequency of a digital signal
An apparatus comprising at least two controllers each providing control information for controlling phase or frequency of a digital signal, a combiner for combining control information from the at least two controllers to combined control information and a phase rotator for adjusting, by using phase rotation, one or more of the phase and the frequency of the digital signal on the basis of the combined control information.
US08077798B2 DTV transmitting system and receiving system and method of processing broadcast signal
A DTV transmitting system includes a pre-processor, a block processor, and a trellis encoder. The pre-processor pre-processes enhanced data by expanding the enhanced data at an expansion rate of 1/H. The block processor includes a first converter, a symbol encoder, a symbol interleaver, and a second converter. The first converter converts the expanded data into symbols. The symbol encoder encodes each valid enhanced data bit in the symbols at an effective coding rate of 1/H. The symbol interleaver interleaves the encoded symbols, and the second converter converts the interleaved symbols into enhanced data bytes. The trellis encoder trellis-encodes the enhanced data outputted from the block processor.
US08077795B2 Apparatus and method for interference mitigation
An apparatus in a wideband radio transceiver for mitigating interference between a wideband radio operating in a wide frequency band and a narrowband radio operating in a narrow frequency band within the wide frequency band. The effects of transmissions by the wideband radio on the narrowband radio are reduced by creating by the wideband radio, a transmitter notch of decreased transmit power centered at a frequency in the wide frequency band that is fixed in relation to the wideband carrier frequency. The wideband carrier frequency is then adjusted so that the transmitter notch is aligned with the second radio's narrow frequency band. The effects of transmissions by the narrowband radio on the wideband radio are reduced by creating by the wideband radio, a fixed receiver notch of decreased receiver gain in the wideband receiver, and aligning the narrowband signal with the fixed receiver notch.
US08077792B2 Method and apparatus for allocating transmission power in communication system with multiple antennas
In a method for allocating transmission power in a communication system including multiple antennas, a plurality of subcarriers are grouped by a plurality of groups, and each group includes at least one subcarrier. A transmission power weight and an antenna transmission vector are calculated for each group by using channel information, a transmission power for each group of each antenna is calculated by using the transmission power weight and the antenna transmission vector for each group, and transmission signals are transmitted through the multiple antennas after determining which signals need to be transmitted from the multiple antennas by using the transmission power.
US08077788B2 Soft demapping for MIMO decoding
A look-up table having distance information corresponding to a distance between a potential candidate symbol and a most proximate competing symbol for each bit of a plurality of potential candidate symbols is provided for a given modulation type. A MIMO decoder will obtain multiple candidate symbols that are provided in a maximum likelihood solution and that correspond to each of the antenna layers of a MIMO wireless communication system. A first candidate symbol is selected from the plurality of candidate symbols, wherein the first candidate symbol corresponds to a first potential candidate symbol of the candidate symbols provided in the look-up table. Distance information is obtained from the look-up table for each bit of the first potential candidate symbol. Likelihood indicium is determined for each bit of the first candidate symbol as a function of the distance information that was obtained for each bit.
US08077785B1 Generalized co-phasing for multiple transmitting and receiving antennas
A method for determining a phase of each of a plurality of transmitting antennas in a multiple input and multiple output (MIMO) communication system includes: calculating, for first and second ones of the plurality of transmitting antennas, a value based on first and second groups of channel gains, the first group including channel gains between the first transmitting antenna and each of a plurality of receiving antennas, the second group including channel gains between the second transmitting antenna and each of the plurality of receiving antennas; and determining the phase of each of the plurality of transmitting antennas based on at least the value.
US08077783B2 Method and apparatus for detecting transmission symbol using lattice-reduction matrix in multiple input multiple output (MIMO) system
Provided are a method and apparatus for detecting a transmission symbol using a lattice-reduction matrix in a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) system. The transmission symbol detection method includes: restoring an original transmission symbol from a reception signal received through the plurality of antennas; and obtaining at least one noise component included in the reception signal from a constellation changed due to applying the lattice-reduction matrix, exchanging a position of the at least one noise component under a predetermined condition which depends on a state of the restored transmission symbol, and processing the at least one noise component whose position is changed, together with the restored transmission symbol, thereby providing a soft output. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a performance gain in channel decoding.
US08077782B2 Adaptive modulation control apparatus and wireless communication apparatus
[Object] To prevent communication performance capabilities from deteriorating even in the cases that the estimation error of the propagation path is significant, and that the variation speed of the propagation path characteristics is fast.[Overcoming Means] An adaptive modulation control apparatus which adaptively selects a modulation parameter from among a plurality of modulation parameters corresponding to an estimation result of a propagation path state and which has a frequency axis gradient calculating section (11) which receives propagation path estimation information indicative of an estimation result of a propagation path state, and calculates a gradient of a function of frequency corresponding to each frequency when the propagation path estimation information is set to be the function of frequency, a correcting section (12) that makes a correction to increase or decrease an upper limit or a lower limit of a numerical range of the propagation path state in one-to-one correspondence with each of the modulation parameters corresponding to the calculated gradient of the function of frequency, and a modulation parameter selecting section (13) that selects a modulation parameter corresponding to the corrected numerical range of the propagation path state including the propagation path estimation information.
US08077777B2 Method of controlling complexity for video compressor
A video compressor has a real-time compression with a constant frame rate. The complexity in the compression of each frame is controlled to be smaller than a maximum value according to power management or compression time requirement. Delay jitter is eliminated. The present invention can be applied to MPEG-like video coding systems, such as H.264, MPEG4 and H.263.
US08077767B2 Scaled signal processing elements for reduced filter tap noise
An adaptive transversal filter having tap weights Wj which are products of corresponding tap coefficients Cj and tap gains Mj is provided. A filter control loop controls all of the tap coefficients Cj such that an error signal derived from the filter output is minimized. One or more tap control loops controls a tap gain Mk such that the corresponding tap coefficient Ck satisfies a predetermined control condition. For example, |Ck| can be maximized subject to a constraint |Ck|≦Cmax, where Cmax is a predetermined maximum coefficient value. In this manner, the effect of quantization noise on the coefficients Cj can be reduced. Multiple tap control loops can be employed, one for each tap. Alternatively, a single tap control loop can be used to control multiple taps by time interleaving.
US08077765B1 Mixed minimum mean square error/zero-forcing FIR filter adaptation
A system and method of adapting a FIR filter with a mixed minimum-mean-square-error/zero-forcing adaptation is disclosed. A channel response module attempts to approximate a noiseless component of the channel response. The output of the channel response module is utilized to adapt a FIR filter module. In some embodiments, a combination of the output of the channel module and the noiseless channel output is utilized to adapt the FIR filter. In some embodiments, a second FIR filter module is utilized to process the noiseless channel output, which is then compared to the target response to generate an error signal, which may be used to adapt both the first and second FIR filter modules.
US08077761B2 Data transmission and reception module, and method of adjusting reception threshold value thereof
Disclosed is a method of adjusting a reception threshold value in data reception. The method comprises: generating a transmission signal on the basis of a clock regenerated from a reception signal, determining a worst phase at which a bit error rate becomes maximum by changing a phase of the transmission signal, and adjusting a reception threshold value in the state of the worst phase. The worst phase is determined by detecting the bit error rate by shifting the phase of the transmission signal by a predetermined interval while fixing the reception threshold value to a predetermined value.
US08077759B2 Method and apparatus for new cell identification in a WCDMA network with a given neighbor set
A method and an apparatus for new cell identification in a WCDMA network with a given neighbor set are described. Aspects of a system for new cell identification in a WCDMA network with a given neighbor set may include a baseband processor that enables determination of a primary synchronization position and at least one scrambling code based on received configuration information from one or more base stations. The baseband processor may also enable determination of a slot boundary in at least one signal received from the one or more base stations based on the determined primary synchronization position. The system may also include a multipath detector that enables unscrambling of the received at least one signal based on the determined slot boundary and at least a portion of the one or more scrambling codes.
US08077757B2 Sampling method for a spread spectrum communication system
Method for decoding a signal sent over a bandwidth-expanding communication system, where both channel estimation and signal detection are carried out on a set of samples generated by sampling the received signal at a sub-Nyquist rate, thus allowing for a significant reduction of the complexity of the sampling device of receivers using said method, as well as a significant reduction of their computational requirements.
US08077755B2 Multi-mode coexistence method for a multi-mode communication device
The present invention discloses a multi-mode coexistence method of a multi-mode communication device comprising steps of: setting priorities of frequency usage for all modes supported by the multi-mode communication device; determining a channel where a signal of a lower priority mode are interfered with by that of a higher priority mode; performing frequency hopping to outside said determined channel by the lower priority mode. The invention allows signals of various modes to coexist in the multi-mode communication device without modifying the existing RF reception system, and thus reduces the system cost and implementation complexity.
US08077751B2 Bar-shaped semiconductor laser chip and method of fabrication thereof
A bar-shaped semiconductor laser chip that can hold down a variation in oscillation wavelength is provided. The bar-shaped semiconductor laser chip has a nitride semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor layer formed on the main surface of the nitride semiconductor substrate and including a plurality of laser chip portions. The plurality of laser chip portions are arrayed in the [11-20] direction. The main surface of the nitride semiconductor substrate is a (0001) plane having an off-angle in the direction along the [11-20] direction. The central part of the main surface of the nitride semiconductor substrate has an off-angle of 0.05±0.1 degrees from the (0001) plane in the direction along the [11-20] direction.
US08077749B2 Pulsed laser source with adjustable grating compressor
Various embodiments described herein relate to a laser source for producing a pulsed laser beam comprising a plurality of ultrashort optical pulses having a variable repetition rate. In one embodiment, the laser source comprises a fiber oscillator, which outputs optical pulses and a pulse stretcher disposed to receive the optical pulses. The optical pulses have an optical pulse width. The pulse stretcher has dispersion that increases the optical pulse width yielding stretched optical pulses. The laser source further comprises a fiber amplifier disposed to receive the stretched optical pulses. The fiber optical amplifier has gain so as to amplify the stretched optical pulses. The laser source includes an automatically adjustable grating compressor having dispersion that reduces the optical pulse width. The grating compressor automatically adjusts this dispersion for different repetition rates.
US08077743B2 Method and apparatus for offset interleaving of vocoder frames
The disclosed embodiments provide methods and apparatus for offset interleaving of media frames for transmission over a communication network. In one aspect, a method for interleaving a stream of media frames for transmission over a communication network includes the acts of defining a plurality of packets and interleaving a stream of media frames among the packets.
US08077742B1 Data transmission using address encoding
An apparatus includes an input circuit to receive a frame of data. The frame of data includes an address field. The address field includes an address. An encoder encodes a portion of the address into an encoded address. The encoded address includes at least two fewer bits relative to the portion of the address prior to being encoded. An address circuit replaces the address in the address field with the encoded address and at least two data bits. At least two data bits are provided based on the encoded address having at least two fewer bits. An output circuit outputs the frame of data having the encoded address and at least two data bits within the address field.
US08077741B2 Multiplexing network system and digital information transferring method
In a multiplexing network system in which media devices are interconnected through a digital transmission path, during system startup, a device that is used as a master device holds management information for recognizing bands used by media devices connected to the digital transmission path and management information for recognizing what type of data is output/received between the media devices. During the system startup, the master device refers to the management information to set the compression rates of data streams transferred between the media devices to be variable.
US08077739B2 Methods, communication networks, and computer program products for communicating time division multiplexing traffic using a traffic encapsulation standard configured to support statistical multiplexing (STATMUX) traffic
A communication network is operated by communicating Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) traffic and data (STATMUX) traffic over a single connection, where the single connection may include multiple aggregated lines using a traffic encapsulation standard configured to support STATMUX traffic.
US08077736B2 Fast audio/visual reception in DVB-H systems
An apparatus and method of reducing a channel switching delay in TDM mobile television systems, and comprises receiving a data burst associated with channels for reception on a RF channel bandwidth received on a mobile television receiver, wherein the data burst comprises a plurality of RTP packets and a RTCP packet; buffering the data burst upon reception of a first RTP packet; synchronizing the buffered data burst to allow for reception of playable A/V data; and adjusting the synchronized buffered data burst upon reception of the RTCP packet. The method may further comprise performing the synchronizing upon reception of the RTCP packet. The method may further comprise inserting a null packet in the data burst prior to performing the buffering. The first RTP packet is preferably received prior to reception of the RTCP packet.
US08077735B1 System and method for reliable communications over multiple packet RF networks
The invention is a method and system for mobile communications. A mobile communicator communicates with a network routing center. The communicator monitors each of two or more wireless carriers for a service characteristic. The communicator selects, based on the monitored service characteristic, one of the two or more wireless carriers. The mobile communicator can then communicate with the network routing center using the selected wireless carrier.
US08077733B2 Vehicle gateway device, a communication data control method and computer program product therefor
A vehicle gateway device is provided with a relay function unit (11) for relaying communication data to a bus line (BL2) if communication data flowing on a bus line (BL1) is relay data to be relayed to a bus line (BL2) and a (NM) function unit (21) for performing a specified network management process in accordance with (NM) data if the communication data flowing on the bus line (BL1) is (NM) data transmitted for the implementation of an (NM) function. The relay function unit (11) is constructed by an (ASIC) and the (NM) function unit (21) is constructed by a microcomputer.
US08077725B2 System and method for a fast, programmable packet processing system
The present invention provides a cost effective method to improve the performance of communication appliances by retargeting the graphics processing unit as a coprocessor to accelerate networking operations. A system and method is disclosed for using a coprocessor on a standard personal computer to accelerate packet processing operations common to network appliances. The appliances include but are not limited to routers, switches, load balancers and Unified Threat Management appliances. More specifically, the method uses common advanced graphics processor engines to accelerate the packet processing tasks.
US08077724B2 In-line packet processing
A method and apparatus for in-line processing a data packet while routing the packet through a router in a system transmitting data packets between a source and a destination over a network including the router. The method includes receiving the data packet and pre-processing layer header data for the data packet as the data packet is received and prior to transferring any portion of the data packet to packet memory. The data packet is thereafter stored in the packet memory. A routing through the router is determined including a next hop index describing the next connection in the network. The data packet is retrieved from the packet memory and a new layer header for the data packet is constructed from the next hop index while the data packet is being retrieved from memory. The new layer header is coupled to the data packet prior to transfer from the router.
US08077716B2 Multimedia service providing method for radio mobile communication system
A multimedia broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) in a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) includes a UTRAN that provides an MBMS service. The MBMS service-related information is exchanged between the UTRAN and a terminal or between nodes in the UTRAN by using an MBMS identification so that a user group receiving MBMS data or a data of a specific MBMS service can be identified.
US08077714B2 Maintenance of bandwidth allocation for traffic including multicasts
Multicast packets that are received on a port of a network device and forwarded to multiple output ports are stored in memory and respective primary control entries which define them are converted to secondary control entries defining multiple unicast packets before a scheduling algorithm is applied. The packets are reconstituted after the application of the scheduling algorithm has been applied to the control entries. For VPLS packets that are received on a single port and replicated multiple times on one or more output ports, a replication database may be used in conjunction with a replication engine to convert the control entry for a received packet into multiple control entries defining unicast packets for each of the destination ports before the scheduling algorithm is applied. This method is applicable to the replication of packets onto a Virtual Private LAN.
US08077712B2 Static neighbor wake on local area network
In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining traffic that is to be forwarded to a neighboring device, and determining if the neighboring device is in a state that enables the neighboring device to receive the traffic. The method also includes automatically sending a first packet to the neighboring device if the neighboring device is not in the state that enables the neighboring device to receive the traffic. The first packet includes a bit sequence arranged to cause the neighboring device to awaken itself if the neighboring device is asleep.
US08077708B2 Systems and methods for determining a flow of data
A method for determining a flow of data is described. The method includes determining whether a packet including a first number of at least one bit within a first set is assigned a classification value based on the at least one bit within the first set and determining a result to be applied to the packet upon determining that the packet is assigned the classification value. The method further includes analyzing, by a processor, at least one bit of a second number within a second set of the packet upon determining that the packet cannot be assigned the classification value based on the first number of at least one bit of the packet.
US08077704B2 Web service assisted real-time session peering between enterprise VoIP networks via internet
A system and method enables Voice over IP (VoIP) session peering via Internet. A converged enterprise web server can receive a request from a caller to initiate a session, associate a Service Level Agreement (SLA) and address information of the caller with the request, and then provide the request to a receiver using a first communication protocol. After accepting from the receiver a response to the request if the caller is an allowed partner of the receiver based on the SLA, wherein the response is associated with address information of the receiver, the converged enterprise web server can establish the session between the caller and the receiver using a second communication protocol.
US08077702B2 Caller information provision
By the present invention are disclosed a method for providing and a method for obtaining voice call related information from a first party device (100) to a second party device (200), prior to establishing a voice call between the first party device (100) and the second party device (200). Portable communication devices (100, 200, 500) for providing and obtaining of voice call related information also disclosed. The methods comprises sending/obtaining in real time the voice call related information (steps 304, 402) from the first party device (100) to the second party device (200) over a packet switched network, and sending/obtaining a call setup message (steps 308, 410) over a circuit switched network, of the voice call from the first party device (100), so that the voice call related information can be presented to a user of the second party device (200) before responding to the call setup message.
US08077699B2 Independent message stores and message transport agents
Multiple independent MTAs transmit messages such that if one of the MTAs fails, the other MTAs may continue to transmit messages. Multiple independent message stores are provided such that if one of the message stores fails, messages on the other message stores may continue to be transmitted. Multiple notification agents monitor the message stores for new messages and notify one of the MTAs when a new message is available for transmission.
US08077697B2 Off network mobile to mobile calling using SIP protocol
This invention addresses the need to transport high bit-rate data to multiple users, or between users, over wired and wireless means. Specifically, this disclosure describes a new method of enabling communication from mobile phone to mobile phone when no network services are available as long as radio contact between the mobile handsets is possible by reserving un-assigned timeslots in the medium access control protocol super frame structure.
US08077695B2 Methods and apparatus for separating home agent functionality
MIP Home Agent (HA) architectures are described that decompose, e.g., split, packet forwarding control functionality from actual data packet forwarding operations performed by a conventional MIP HA. This places MIP routing control in a node which is distinct from the tunnel end-points which perform packet forwarding operations to direct packets including a mobile's Home Address. Tunneling establishment and control functionality is implemented by what is referred to herein as decomposed HA (DHA) while data packet forwarding and redirection is performed, under the control of the DHA, by a tunneling agent (TA) node. The tunneling agent node serves as the data packet redirection node for a mobile as it moves from one location to another and may be located outside of a firewall used to protect the DHA. Tunnel endpoint nodes (Mobile Nodes and/or Access Nodes) send tunnel packets to the tunnel agent whilst directing control signaling packets to the DHA.
US08077694B2 Intelligent scheduling in a time division duplexing system to mitigate near/far interference scenarios
A wireless communication system (100), method, and site controller (112) schedule at least one of transmission and reception of wireless data by at least one wireless communication device. A distance is determined between at least one wireless communication device (104) and a base station (108) in a wireless communication cell (402). At least one of a downlink subframe (610) and an uplink subframe (614) of a time division duplexing frame (602) is segmented into a plurality of segments. The at least one wireless communication device (104) is scheduled into at least one of the plurality of segments of the downlink subframe (610) and the uplink subframe (614) based on the distance determined between the at least one wireless communication device (104) and the base station (108).
US08077689B1 Method and system for establishing VPN connections in response to wireless network identifiers
A method and system for providing connections from a wireless access point. The wireless access point has multiple sets of predefined VPN security settings. The access point detects a wireless-network identifier (such as a service set identifier (SSID)) provided by a terminal via an air interface, and the access point uses the wireless-network identifier as a basis to select one of the sets of predefined VPN security settings and to responsively establish a VPN tunnel extending between the access point and a remote VPN terminator.
US08077688B2 Method of user access authorization in wireless local area network
The present invention discloses a method of user access authorization in wireless local area networks. The method comprises: when a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) user terminal is accessing a WLAN operational network, the WLAN operational network, while authenticating this WLAN user terminal, judging whether to allow this WLAN user terminal to access according to authorization conditions having an impact on the access of this WLAN user terminal, if yes, the WLAN operational network will determine the access rules of this WLAN user terminal according to the said authorization conditions; otherwise, the WLAN operational network will notify the WLAN user terminal about the failure. Different users can be controlled to access the network according to different authorization conditions, and be restricted by different access rules after getting accessed. Thus, the access control capability of a wireless local area network is enhanced and the working efficiency of the network is improved.
US08077684B2 Personal area network implementation within an infrastructure network
A wireless device is capable of communicating within a local area network (LAN) and a personal area network (PAN) concurrently, using a single wireless networking module or circuit. A wireless access point within an infrastructure-based network is used to manage the creation, maintenance, and termination of PANs within the LAN framework.
US08077682B2 Secure roaming between wireless access points
A system, method, and computer readable medium for enabling roaming of wireless client stations among wireless access points, wherein a gateway programmed to receive session data requests is provided in a network, which comprises access points that are programmed to send session data requests to the gateway. The gateway sends session information setting commands to the requesting access point, or sends a session data failure response to the access point.
US08077681B2 Method and system for establishing a connection via an access network
A method and system for establishing a connection via an access network (30) communicating with at least one user terminal, and at least one backbone network (100) comprising at least one user terminal authentication and authorization means (50) and at least one user data processing node (60, 62), wherein the connection of a user terminal (10) is authenticated to the access network (30) and one of the at least one user data processing nodes (60, 62) is selected based on selection information transferred in the authentication signaling. Then, a tunnel parameter information of the selected user data processing node is signaled to the access network (30) and a tunnel connection is created between the access network (30) and the selected user data processing node (60) based on the tunnel parameter information.
US08077678B2 Radio resource allocating method and apparatus in adaptive antenna system
A radio resource allocating method in an adaptive antenna system is provided. The radio resource allocating method includes selecting one user when there are one or more users allocable to a current spatial frame; calculating a sum of Modulation order Product code Rate (MPR) values with respect to users allocated a same radio resource including the selected user when a total transmit power of a Base Station (BS) is divided by a current spatial frame index; and allocating the selected user to the current spatial frame by taking into account the calculated sum and a sum of MPR values with respect to users allocated to a previous spatial frame. Accordingly, a system throughput or a scheduler performance can be maximized.
US08077673B2 System and method for performing handover in a broadband wireless access communication system
Disclosed is a system and a method for controlling a handover of a mobile subscriber station in a broadband wireless access communication system. When serving base station determines to perform a handover of the mobile subscriber station, neighbor base stations to which the mobile subscriber station can be handed over, from among neighbor base stations of the mobile subscriber station, are determined based on a service quality level of service being currently provided to the mobile subscriber station. A handover request signal containing information related to the determined neighbor base station to which the mobile subscriber station can be handed over is transmitted to the mobile subscriber station. The serving base station receives from the mobile subscriber station in response to the request of the handover information about one neighbor base station to which the mobile subscriber station will be handed over, and informs the neighbor base station that the mobile subscriber station will be handed over to the neighbor base station.
US08077668B2 Radio communication terminal, radio base station, and packet communication method
A radio communication terminal according to the present invention selects any one of a first session setting mode and a second session setting mode depending on a communication condition of the radio communication terminal. If the first session setting mode is selected, an auxiliary service instance and a main service instance are set on the same radio communication channel. If the second session setting mode is selected, a radio communication channel dedicated for an auxiliary service instance is set and the auxiliary service instance is set on the thus set radio communication channel.
US08077667B2 Radio communication base station apparatus and radio communication method used for multi-carrier communication
Provided is a base station capable of suppressing increase of overhead of allocation result report in frequency scheduling in multi-carrier communication and obtaining a sufficient frequency diversity effect. In the base station, encoding units (101-1 to 101-n) encode data (#1 to #n) to mobile stations (#1 to #n), modulation units (102-1 to 102-n) modulate the encoded data so as to generate a data symbol, a scheduler (103) performs frequency scheduling according to a CQI from each mobile station so as to uniformly allocate data to the respective mobile stations for apart of RB extracted from a plurality of RB, and an SCCH generation unit (105) generates control information (SCCH information) to report the allocation result in the scheduler (103) to the respective mobile stations.
US08077665B2 Bandwidth allocation in a wireless network
A contention window for allocating bandwidth in a wireless network is determined. A plurality of nodes includes at least a first and a second router and at least one client connected to each of the first and second routers. Information is received at the first router from the other nodes, the information relating to the condition of the other nodes. A contention window is calculated for the first router based on the received information and the delay is set for a retransmission of data by the first router to the calculated contention window following an unsuccessful transmission of the data.
US08077661B2 Access gateway apparatus, base station apparatus, communication control system and communication control method
A communication control system capable of reducing the traffic amount, CPU's processing load and channel bands related to a location registering process. In this system, a paging part (303) of a base station apparatus (300) receives a call request message transmitted from an access gateway apparatus (200) and addressed to a wireless terminal apparatus, and generates a call response message indicative of accommodating the wireless terminal apparatus. An MIP location registering part (304) registers an IP address established at the transmitting source of the call request message, and generates a location registration request message that requests a registration of an IP address established at the local base station. A packet combining part (305) generates and transmits a combined packet, which is obtained by combining the call request message with the location registration request message, to the access gateway apparatus (200).
US08077660B2 Base station apparatus, access gateway apparatus, communication control system and communication control method
A communication control system capable of reducing the traffic amount, CPU's processing load and channel bands related to a location registering process. In this system, a transmitting/receiving part (301) of a base station apparatus (300) receives a call request message transmitted from an access gateway apparatus (200) and addressed to a wireless terminal apparatus, and a location registration determining part (306) determines whether a wireless link to the wireless terminal apparatus to be called can be established. If the wireless link has been established, a position registering part (307) registers an IP address established at the transmitting source of the call request message, and the transmitting/receiving part (301) transmits, to the access gateway apparatus (200), a call response message indicative of accommodating the wireless terminal apparatus in response to the call request message.
US08077658B2 Packet forwarding in multi-radio multi-hop wireless networks
A packet forwarding technique is presented that forwards data packets through a multi-hop wireless network employing multi-radio nodes. In each multi-radio node, an output buffer is shared among the radios. Outgoing packets are stored in this buffer. Whenever there is a transmission opportunity on the radios sharing the output buffer, the node examines the buffer and searches for packets that are scheduled to be transmitted to a neighboring node having an open communication link with the transmitting node. The packet in the discovered group that has the highest transmission priority is then transmitted to its next scheduled node.
US08077651B2 Packet reformatting for downstream links
Systems, devices, and methods are described for formatting packets for downstream satellite links. The generation of a broadband wireless signal is described, the signal to be transmitted between a gateway and subscriber terminals via satellite. Respective data link layer addresses for the subscriber terminals may each be associated with one or more shortened identifiers for use in lieu of the associated data link layer addresses. This addressing may be included in a stream encapsulation header for an appended data packet. One or more such headers and their appended data packets may then be encapsulated in a baseband frame for transmission within a physical layer frame. Data packets may be fragmented across physical layer frames, and a range of novel formatting techniques may be used to implement the fragmentation.
US08077646B1 Equalization in a wireless multiple access communication system
An equalization method and apparatus for a communication system having a first transceiver device that communicates with each of a plurality of second transceiver devices receives a data transmission over a subset of frequency sub-carriers allotted to each second transceiver device. The communication channel between first transceiver device and the plurality of second transceiver devices is partitioned in a plurality of frequency sub-carriers of which the frequency sub-carriers allotted to a second transceiver device is a subset. The data transmission is transformed from a time-domain transmission to a frequency domain transmission. An equalization filter is applied separately to each of the frequency sub-carriers within the subset of frequency sub-carriers.
US08077643B2 Systems and methods for synchronizing audio signals of a communication device
A method for synchronizing audio signals of a communication device includes determining whether a downlink thread or a uplink thread is running, pausing the downlink thread or the uplink thread, and executing the downlink thread or the uplink thread by directing a scheduler. A system and storage medium with instructions for performance of the system also provided.
US08077642B2 Methods and apparatus for signal echo cancellation and transmitter calibration in full duplex systems
A method includes transmitting a first signal over a network from a first communication link to a second communication link. The method further includes receiving a second signal with the first communication link from the second communication link. The method further includes canceling signal echo from the first signal present in the second signal with a digital echo canceller. The method further includes providing correction data from a memory array to the digital echo canceller during the cancellation of the signal echo. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.
US08077634B2 System and method for providing group communication services
A system and method for providing group communication services. Each of a plurality of communication devices coverts information signals into data packets suitable for transmission over a data network, such as the Internet. The data packets are transmitted through the data network to a communications manager. The communications manager acts as a configurable switch, allowing communications from any communication device to be routed to the plurality of communication devices. The communications manager further allows users of other communication systems and devices to participate in group communications with each other.
US08077631B2 Method and terminal for transmitting uplink data
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for transmitting uplink Ethernet data in a coaxial network, a Coaxial Network Unit (CNU) and a Coaxial Line Terminal (CLT) applying the method. In the method, the CNU determines a transmission path loss between the CNU and the CLT, determines a transmission level for transmitting uplink data according to the transmission path loss, and transmits the uplink data by using the determined transmission level. The present invention ensures the security of data uplink transmission in an Ethernet Passive Coaxial Network (EPCN) system in essence and dramatically increases service quality.
US08077625B1 Apparatus and method for using a communication resource for performing a timing operation
A method for using a non-timer dedicated resource, such as a communication resource, for performing timing operations is provided. The method is advantageous for use with embedded applications in dedicated devices having limited timing resources, particularly in cases where the existing timing resources have all been allocated to specific tasks and are not available to accommodate further timing requirements.
US08077624B2 Method and system for out-of-band signaling for TCP connection setup
Embodiments of this invention improve TCP performance over unreliable links and allow TCP connections to be set up when otherwise not possible. Embodiments of this invention include the use of out-of-band signaling for TCP to synchronizing and establishing a connection between two TCP endpoints without modification to the TCP/IP protocol suite. Embodiments of this invention provide a system that creates a control channel to enable out-of-band signaling for TCP connection establishment between two TCP endpoints. In embodiments of this invention, the control channel used for the out-of-band signaling traffic between the TCP endpoints (or peers) is achieved using a system that consists of a signaling broker, an agent application, and a virtual network interface and capture module that together create control channel for the TCP signaling traffic. Embodiments of this invention include a protocol to execute out-of-band signaling for TCP.
US08077622B2 Systems and methods for efficiently load balancing based on least connections
Systems and methods for load balancing services based on fewest connections by decreasing granularity of service selection as a number of fewest connections serviced by the services increases may include establishing, by an appliance, a set of identifiers corresponding to a number of connections serviced by a service, the set comprising a first plurality of identifiers each identifying a predetermined number of connections and a second plurality of identifiers each identifying a predetermined range of numbers of connections. The appliance assigns, to each service servicing connections, an identifier corresponding to the number of connections serviced by the service, at least one of the identifiers selected from the second plurality of identifiers. The appliance receives a request for a service, and forwards the request to a service assigned to the identifier corresponding to a fewest number of connections with at least one service assigned to the identifier.
US08077615B2 Multicast admission control
A resource admission control entity and method in an administrative domain (AD). The AD has a topology view that comprises link capacity and link usage information. The resource admission control entity receives a request intended for a user to obtain a multicast content, derives a list of links to be newly used by the multicast content based on the request and verifies if the multicast content can be admitted on the links to be newly used by the multicast content based on the topology view thereby providing an admittance verification result. If the admittance verification result is positive, the admission control module updates usage values in the topology view for the links to be newly used by the multicast content.
US08077614B2 Synchronizing wireless local area network access points
In a wireless local area network, a first and second access point in which the RF coverage areas overlap are synchronized by positioning a monitor station within the overlap area. The monitor station receives beacon frames from both access points and records the arrival times. A manager in communication with both access points and the monitor station calculates a retardation interval and issues a control command to the second access point to retard transmission of its beacon frame. The retardation interval is calculated such that the contention-free period of the second access point does not overlap the contention-free period of the first access point. The manager may also issue control commands to the first and second access points to adjust their contention-free periods.
US08077613B2 Pinning and protection on link aggregation groups
A device may assign a virtual local area network (VLAN) to one or more specific links in a link aggregation group (LAG), and send traffic from the VLAN on the assigned one or more specific LAG links. Traffic from the same VLAN may be sent on one link in the LAG by selecting a hashing criterion or by pinning the VLAN to a primary link in the LAG and another link for redundancy purposes.
US08077612B2 Apparatus, method and computer program product to configure a radio link protocol for internet protocol flow
A radio link service profile is defined as a set of parameters for upper layer transport of an IP packet, and may be associated with a logical channel flow identifier. A data packet is sent over a wireless logical channel that is identified by the LCID between a base station and a user equipment. The association of RLSP, whether created or invoked form a memory, is coordinated among the BS and the UE without the need to involve the radio network controller, and if the RLSP does not have a diffserv field on the uplink, the BS adds it prior to forwarding the data packet. A method, device (both BS and UE), computer program product, and system are described in multiple embodiments.
US08077610B1 Memory architecture for high speed network devices
An embodiment of the present invention reduces certain memory bandwidth requirements when sending a multicast message from a network device such as a router, bridge or switch. Separate output buffers are provided for different groups of egress ports, and incoming messages are written to some or all of the output buffers. A processing determination is made as to which egress ports will forward the message. Buffers associated with non-forwarding ports are released and the message is queued at the forwarding egress ports. When the message is forwarded, data is read from the output buffers associated with the forwarding egress ports.
US08077604B1 Load sharing and redundancy scheme
Methods and apparatus for providing a device for forwarding packets in a network are disclosed. A first router and a second router having a shared set of interfaces are provided, enabling the first router and the second router to share forwarding data for forwarding packets on the shared set of interfaces.
US08077602B2 Performing dynamic request routing based on broadcast queue depths
Mechanisms for performing dynamic request routing based on broadcast depth queue information are provided. Each processor chip in the system may use a synchronized heartbeat signal it generates to provide queue depth information to each of the other processor chips in the system. The queue depth information identifies a number of requests or amount of data in each of the queues of a processor chip that originated the heartbeat signal. The queue depth information from each of the processor chips in the system may be used by the processor chips in determining optimal routing paths for data from a source processor chip to a destination processor chip. As a result, the congestion of data for processing at each of the processor chips along each possible routing path may be taken into account when selecting to which processor chip to forward data.
US08077589B2 Optical recording medium, erasure apparatus and erasure method thereof
A new optical recording medium capable of reducing the burden in erasing data in the optical recording medium is provided. The optical recording medium includes an organic pigment recording layer 12 and a light reflecting layer 14, which are at least laminated on a substrate 11, wherein a photocatalyst layer 13 is formed in contact with the organic pigment recording layer 12.
US08077586B2 Optical recording head device, optical recording apparatus, and recording method
According to one embodiment, an optical recording head device includes a light source which outputs such a relaxation oscillation optical pulse that a full width at half maximum of a single pulse is 820 ps or less, a driving unit for driving the light source, an objective lens which converges emission light from the light source on a recording layer of a recording medium, and captures reflective light which is reflected by the recording layer of the recording medium, a distribution unit, placed between the light source and the objective lens, for distributing incident light, and a photodetection unit for receiving via the distribution unit the reflective light which is reflected by the recording layer of the recording medium, wherein a resonator length of the light source is 6560 μm or less.
US08077585B2 Condenser lens for an objective lens system
An objective lens system for an optical pickup apparatus, includes in order from an object side: a first lens group having negative paraxial power P1 (mm−1); and a second lens group having positive paraxial power P2 (mm−1) for converging a light flux emitted from the first lens group on an information recording surface of an optical information recording medium.
US08077584B2 Beam shifting element for an optical storage system
The present invention relates to a beam shifting element and to an apparatus for reading from and/or writing to optical storage media using in such a beam shifting element.According to the invention, the beam shifting element has at least a first optical element for deflecting an incoming light beam by a first angle and a second optical element for deflecting the light beam coming from the first optical element by a second angle opposite to the first angle, wherein the first optical element and the second optical element are optical elements with an adjustable deflection angle.
US08077580B2 Optical information recording and reproducing apparatus
An optical information recording and reproducing apparatus includes an optical pickup, a phase conjugate optical system, a disc cure optical system, and a defect discrimination optical system; and an optical detector that receives a light emitted from the defect discrimination optical system and transmitted through or reflected from an optical information recording medium. A reference light and a signal light emitted from the optical pickup are irradiated onto the optical information recording medium to record and reproduce digital information by using a holography.
US08077577B2 Information recording device and method, and computer program
An information recording device can record a plurality of pieces of recording information, for instance, at different times, in an information recording medium provided by stacking first and second recording layers. A writing control element controls a writing element so that each piece of the information can be written over the first recording layer to the second recording layer. Furthermore, a boundary control member controls the writing element so that first boundary information is written in a recording area which is to be a boundary between the pieces of information in the first recording layer, and that second boundary information is written or ensured, in a recording area of a second recording layer which overlaps the recording area wherein the first boundary information of the first recording layer is written, as a recording area to be a boundary between the pieces of information in the second recording layer.
US08077575B2 Information recording method that records management information for managing dummy information as a file in a user data area
A method of recording information on a recording medium. The method includes determining whether an amount of information recorded in a user data area is equal to or greater than a predetermined value when a finalizing process is performed on the recording medium. The user data area is an area of the recording medium and is used for information recording. The method further includes padding an area subsequent to an area of the user data area in which the information is recorded, by recording dummy information, if the amount of the information is less than the predetermined value, and recording management information for managing the dummy information as a file, in the user data area, for dummy information that has been recorded halfway, if the padding is interrupted.
US08077574B2 Drive device and method for controlling the same
An optical drive includes: an optical pickup; a preprocessing circuit which processes an optical signal detected by the optical pickup; nonvolatile memory having stored therein relation information which represents the relation of a signal balance with respect to a signal difference between a TE signal and an FE signal at the time of a predetermined operation of the optical pickup; and a central processing circuit which performs focus control of the optical pickup. The preprocessing circuit generates the signal balance of the optical pickup. The preprocessing circuit also obtains the FE signal and the TE signal with respect to the optical disc. The central processing circuit derives a phase difference and an amplitude difference from the signal balance and the relation information, and calculates, based on the differences and the TE signal, a FE signal suitable for the predetermined operation.
US08077569B2 Methods and devices for controlling access to an optical disc
A device for controlling access to an optical disc includes a control word calculator and a numerically controlled oscillator (NCO). The control word calculator is arranged to calculate a control word corresponding to a radius where the optical disc is accessed. In addition, the NCO is arranged to generate an output frequency according to the control word, wherein the output frequency is utilized for accessing the optical disc. An associated method for controlling access to an optical disc includes: calculating a control word corresponding to a radius where the optical disc is accessed; and generating an output frequency according to the control word, wherein the output frequency is utilized for accessing the optical disc.
US08077568B2 Method and system for synchronizing information specific to a location on a surface with an external source
An apparatus including sensors that aid in the location of a stylus within the groove of a rotating record. The location of the stylus corresponds to a portion of an audio waveform present at a unique location within the groove. Using the correspondence between the location of the stylus and the portion of the audio waveform, an external digital source may be synchronized with an analog waveform. A high speed digital data path connects a control unit including a turntable platter to signal processing unit. Software in the signal processing unit synchronizes the analog waveform and digital signals from the external digital source.
US08077566B2 Systems and methods for testing unformatted optical recording media
Various embodiments herein include one or more of systems, methods, software, and/or data structures to test and evaluate unformatted optical media such as optical tape and optical discs. Advantageously, testing and evaluation can be performed earlier in the manufacturing process of the optical media to locate defects and/or other problems or issues with the optical media that can be addressed before additional manufacturing steps are performed and possible wasted. The systems and methods include at least two optical pickup units (OPUs), a first of which may be dedicated to writing digital data and the second of which may be dedicated to scanning, locating, tracking and/or reading the written data (when the optical media is moving in a first direction) in one of a plurality of manners. Information (e.g., optical signals such as sum, differential push pull and focus error signals) associated with the writing, scanning and retrieving of data at one or more locations or segments of the optical media may be used part of an analysis of one or more properties (e.g., signal to noise, signal jitter, thickness, roughness) of the optical media.
US08077562B2 Optical disc device
An optical disc apparatus according to the present invention includes a disc rotation mechanism 2 for allowing an optical disc 1 having an information recording face to be placed thereon and rotating the optical disc 1; an optical pickup 3 including an engaging section and irradiating the information recording face with a light beam to perform at least one of information recording and information reproduction; a base main body 13 for rotatably supporting the optical pickup and having the disc rotation mechanism; a driving source 5, supported by the base main body, for generating a force for rotating the optical pickup; and a driving force transmission mechanism 610 supported by the base main body, including a worm, and engaged with the engaging section to transmit a driving force of the driving source to the optical pickup, thereby rotating the optical pickup. A distance between the engaging section and a rotating axis of the optical pickup is longer than a distance between the center of gravity of the optical pickup and the rotating axis of the optical pickup.
US08077552B1 Visual alert device
A visual alert device includes a keypad for a user to enter a primary follow-up time period for which a user desires to be visually reminded of its progressive expiration. Based on the entered primary follow-up time period, the visual alert device computes a preliminary and a final follow-up time value, which are associated with a level of response priority that is visually represented by the illumination of corresponding illuminable color segments. Thus, when a timer of the visual alert device reaches each of the preliminary follow-up time value, the primary follow-up time period, and the final follow-up time value, the corresponding color segments are illuminated to indicate the current response priority level.
US08077547B2 Method and apparatus for seismic exploration
The disclosure identifies method and apparatus for seismic exploration which may be used to provide improved positioning of land-based seismic sources in an array. Also described are methods which make use of the improved positioning to allow, in some examples, improved direction or distribution of the energy beam resulting from actuation of the sources. Some methods make use of the described techniques to steer the energy beam; and in some cases at each source or a distribution location, multiple shots will be taken to distribute the beam in multiple orientations relative to the central source point.
US08077543B2 Mitigation of noise in marine multicomponent seismic data through the relationship between wavefield components at the free surface
A method and apparatus implementing a technique for mitigating noise in seismic data are presented. The technique includes estimating a noise component in a set of multicomponent seismic data representing a recorded wavefield from the relationship at the free surface of an upgoing component and a downgoing component decomposed from the recorded wavefield; and removing the estimated noise component from the seismic data. The noise component can be estimated by decomposing a recorded wavefield into an upgoing component and a downgoing component and isolating a noise component in the recorded wavefield from the relationship of the decomposed upgoing and downgoing components at the free surface.
US08077542B2 Determining the inline relationship of network nodes in a subterranean survey data acquistion network
A system includes a subterranean survey data acquisition network and a processor. The network has first nodes that are distributed along a length of the network between a first end of the network and a second end of the network. Each of the first nodes is capable of being either in a state in which the first node is transparent to the network or in a state in which the first node is visible to the network. The processor is adapted to communicate with the closest visible first node relative to the first end, and the processor is adapted to, based on the communication, determine whether the closest visible first node is the closest first node of all of the first nodes relative to the first end.
US08077541B2 Testing a sensor to produce a filter for noise attenuation
To test a seismic sensor, an output of the seismic sensor in response to a test signal applied by a signal generator is measured. According to a first function that corresponds to a reference response of the seismic sensor and according to a second function that corresponds to a signal containing noise in an environment of the seismic sensor, a filter is created to perform attenuation of the noise. The filter is applied to attenuate noise during testing of the seismic sensor.
US08077540B2 System and method for determining vector acoustic intensity external to a spherical array of transducers and an acoustically reflective spherical surface
A system and computer implemented method for determining and displaying vector acoustic intensity fields based on signals from a rigid spherical array of acoustic sensors within a volume external to the array. The method includes a propagator with a ratio of Green's functions for the location within the volume and for the spherical array radius, and a Tikhonov regularization filter that uses the Morozov discrepancy principle on the measured noise variance and Fourier coefficients of the measured partial pressures with respect to reference accelerometer or microphone measurements.
US08077538B2 Address decoder and/or access line driver and method for memory devices
Address decoders and access line drivers are provided. One such row decoder and access line driver receives power supply voltages in a manner that prevents CHC damage and avoids GIDL currents in transistors in the decoder and driver. The row decoder and a latch in the driver are powered by a first supply voltage, and an output stage in the access line driver is powered by a second supply voltage. The first and second supply voltages are maintained at a relatively low level during standby before an address is decoded. Only after an address is decoded to set the latch are the supply voltages increased to levels needed to drive the access line. Further, before resetting the latch, the first and power supply voltages are decreased to their standby levels. By maintaining the first and second voltages relatively low until after the latch is set and reset, GIDL currents may be avoided and CHC damage may be prevented.
US08077535B2 Memory refresh apparatus and method
A system and method are provided. The system and method simulate a DRAM memory circuit using an interface circuit connected to a plurality of other DRAM memory circuits. In response to the receipt of a refresh control signal, a first refresh control signal is sent to a first subset of the plurality of other DRAM memory circuits and a second refresh control signal is sent to a second subset of the plurality of other DRAM memory circuits.
US08077534B2 Adaptive noise suppression using a noise look-up table
A proactive noise suppression system and method for a power supply network of an integrated circuit. The system and method include receiving an IC event sequence to a memory element, correlating the IC event sequence to a storage location in a second memory element, the storage location including an anti-noise response signature, and utilizing the anti-noise response signature to proactively generate an anti-noise response in a power supply network in at least a portion of the integrated circuit at about the time of execution of the first IC event sequence. Anti-noise response signatures may be adaptively updated and/or created based on noise measurements made corresponding to execution of an IC event sequence by the integrated circuit.
US08077529B2 Circuit and method for outputting data in semiconductor memory apparatus
A data output circuit of a semiconductor memory apparatus includes a pre-driver generating pull-up and down signals from driving rising and falling data in active periods of rising and falling clocks, respectively, in accordance with a state of an output enable signal. A main driver generates last output data to a common node from the pull-up and down signals. An assistant pre-driver generates an assistant drive signal, which is activated when the rising data disagrees with the falling data, in correspondence with inputs of the rising data, the falling data, the rising clock, the falling clock, and a pipe output control signal. An assistant main driver generates assistant last output data to the common node from the pull-up and down signals in accordance with a state of the assistant drive signal.
US08077527B2 SRAM leakage reduction circuit
A method and system are provided for maintaining a virtual ground node of an SRAM memory array at a minimum level sufficient for maintaining data retention. A circuit can maintain the virtual ground node at a virtual ground reference voltage of VDD−(1.5*Vth), or maintain 1.5*Vth across the memory cells, where Vth is a threshold voltage of an SRAM memory cell transistor and VDD is a positive supply voltage. By tracking the Vth of the memory cell transistors in the SRAM array, the circuit reduces leakage current while maintaining data integrity. A threshold voltage reference circuit can include one or more memory cell transistors (in parallel), or a specially wired memory cell to track the memory cell transistor threshold voltage. The value of the virtual ground reference voltage can be based on a ratio of feedback chain elements in a multiplier circuit.
US08077524B2 Correcting for over programming non-volatile storage
A non-volatile storage system corrects over programed memory cells by selectively performing one or more erase operations on a subset of non-volatile storage elements that are connected to a common word line (or other type of control line).
US08077521B2 Bitline current generator for a non-volatile memory array and a non-volatile memory array
A bitline current generator, for a non-volatile memory array which comprises a plurality of memory bitcells and bitlines, comprises a switching means for each bitline for coupling a bitline to a program voltage supply when the bitline is selected for programming and a variable current source for providing a programming current to said selected bitlines. The variable current source is adapted to select a level of said programming current such that the programming of the selected memory bitcells does not disturb the programed state of the unselected memory bitcells on unselected bitlines.
US08077516B2 Method and apparatus for accessing memory with read error by changing comparison
In response to a disagreement between a previously generated check code associated with previously programmed data bits and a more recently generated check code generated in response to a read command, the comparison process is changed, between i) a value representing accessed data and ii) a reference applied to such accesses to distinguish between logical levels. For example, the ratio of resistances characterizing input circuits of a sense amplifier and/or the read bias arrangement and/or a read reference of a memory integrated circuit is/are changed.
US08077512B2 Flash memory cell and method for operating the same
A flash memory cell according to the present invention includes a first charge-trapping region and a second charge-trapping region disposed in a semiconductor substrate, a first doped region disposed in the semiconductor substrate at a first side of the first charge-trapping region, a second doped region disposed in the semiconductor substrate at a second side of the first charge-trapping region, a first dielectric layer separating the semiconductor substrate from the first charge-trapping region and the second charge-trapping region, a first conductor disposed above the first charge-trapping region, and a second dielectric layer separating the first charge-trapping region from the first conductor, wherein the second charge-trapping region is configured to influence the conduction behavior of a carrier channel in the semiconductor substrate under the first charge-trapping region.
US08077508B1 Dynamic multistate memory write driver
A circuit includes, in part, a multitude of magnetic random access memory cells, one or more column decoders, one or more row decoders, and a write driver circuit. The write driver circuit is responsive to data signal as well as to read/write signals. During writing of a first data to a selected magnetic random access memory cell, the write driver circuit causes the first signal line to be at a second voltage and the second signal line to be at the first voltage. The second voltage is greater than the first voltage. During writing of a second data to the selected magnetic random access memory cell, the write driver circuit cause the first signal line to be at a third voltage and the second signal line to be at the second voltage. The third voltage is smaller than the first voltage.
US08077500B2 Volatile memory elements with soft error upset immunity
Memory elements are provided that exhibit immunity to soft error upset events when subjected to high-energy atomic particle strikes. The memory elements may each have ten transistors. To overcome difficulties in writing data into the memory elements, signal strengths for one or more of the signals provided to the array may be adjusted. There may be two positive power supply voltages that are used in powering each memory element. One of the power supply voltages may be temporarily lowered relative to the other power supply voltage to enhance write margin during data loading operations. Other signal strengths that may be adjusted in this way include other power supply signals, data signal levels, address and clear signal magnitudes, and ground signal strengths. Adjustable power supply circuitry and data read-write control circuitry may be used in making these signal strength adjustments.
US08077499B2 Semiconductor integrated memory circuit and trimming method thereof
A latch circuit includes first and second inverters connected in a cross-coupling manner at a first node and a second node. A voltage application circuit applies a hot carrier generation voltage for generating hot carrier at a transistor included in the first inverter or the second inverter. An inverting circuit generates an inversion signal as an inverted signal of an amplified signal provided from the latch circuit to the bit line pair to provide the inversion signal to the first node and the second node.
US08077492B2 Semiconductor memory device
A CAM (Content Addressable Memory) cell includes first and second data storage portions storing data, horizontal port write gates for storing data applied through a match line pair in the data storage portions in a data write through a horizontal port, and search/read gates for driving the match lines of the match line pair in accordance with the data stored in the data storage portions in a search operation and in a data read through the horizontal port. The match lines are used as horizontal bit line pair, or signal lines for accessing the horizontal port. As the first and second data storage portions are used, it becomes possible to store ternary data, and accordingly, a write mask function of inhibiting a data write at a destination of data transfer is realized. Further, as the CAM cell is used, an arithmetic/logic operation following a search process can be executed selectively, and high speed data writing/reading becomes possible.
US08077488B2 Switching-type power-supply unit and a method of switching in power-supply unit
A switching-type power-supply which enables the switching with little power loss and a method of switching the switching-type power-supply are provided. The switching-type power-supply unit includes a transformer with primary, secondary, winding and control windings, a switch which switches supply of a primary current from a dotted terminal to a non-dotted terminal through the primary winding, a rectifying diode connected the secondary winding, a monitoring signal generation circuit with a diode and a resistor, the diode between GND and a dotted terminal of the control winding, the resistor between GND and a non-dotted terminal of the control winding, the monitoring signal generation circuit generating a monitoring signal at the dotted terminal of the control winding, and a control unit with a zero-point detector and a controller. The zero-point detector monitoring the monitoring signal and supplying a detection signal to the controller. The controller determining on-timing of the switch based on the detection signal supplied from the zero-point detector.
US08077487B2 Using output drop detection pulses to achieve fast transient response from a low-power mode
In a first aspect, in a Primary Side Regulation (PSR) power supply, some primary current pulses are used to forward bias an output diode such that an auxiliary winding voltage can be properly sampled after each pulse. The samples are used to regulate the power supply output voltage (VOUT). Other primary current pulses, however, are of a smaller peak amplitude. These pulses are not used for VOUT regulation, but rather are used to determine whether the VOUT has dropped. In a second aspect, a transient current detector circuit within the PSR controller integrated circuit detects whether an optocoupler current has dropped in a predetermined way. If the TRS current detector detects that the optocoupler current has dropped, then the power supply stops operating in a sleep mode and is made to operate in another higher power operating mode in which the power supply switches.
US08077486B2 Method and apparatus for power converter fault condition detection
An example controller includes a fault detector and a control. The fault detector is to be coupled to a feedback circuit of a power converter to detect a fault condition in the power converter in response to an input voltage of the power converter. The control is coupled to the fault detector and is to be coupled to control the switching of a power switch to regulate an output of the power converter. The control is coupled to inhibit the switching of the power switch in response to the fault detector detecting the fault condition during the switching of the power switch.
US08077485B2 Circuit for transmitting an amplified resonant power to load
A circuit for transferring amplified resonant power to a load is disclosed. The circuit transfers amplified resonant power, which is generated in an inductor of a conventional transformer when serial or parallel resonance of a conventional power supply is formed, to a load through the conventional transformer. The circuit comprises: a power supply for producing and supplying voltage or current; a power amplifier for generating amplified resonant power using the voltage or current; and a power transferring unit for transferring the amplified resonant power to the load using a transformer.
US08077477B2 Electronic component and circuit board
An electronic component, including: a first terminal group including a plurality of functional terminals provided along a first side of the electronic component; a second terminal group including a plurality of functional terminals provided along a second side of the electronic component opposing the first side; and an element that is connected to at least one of the functional terminals of the first terminal group and to at least one of the functional terminals of the second terminal group. The first terminal group includes a first dummy terminal in at least one space between the functional terminals of the first terminal group; the second terminal group includes a second dummy terminal in at least one space between the functional terminals of the second terminal group; and the first and second dummy terminals are not connected to any element inside the electronic component.
US08077476B2 Electronic device mounting structure
An electronic device mounting structure includes a thermally conductive base, a busbar located on the base, an electronic device mounted on the busbar, a thermally conductive wall standing on the base and having first and second portions located opposite each other across the electronic device, and a plate spring supported by the first and second portions of the wall. The plate spring presses the electronic device against the base so that thermal resistance between the electronic device and the base is reduced. The plate spring has a thermal conductivity so that heat in the electronic device is transferred to the wall through the plate spring.
US08077475B2 Electronic device
An electronic device is disclosed. One embodiment provides a metallic body. A first electrically insulating layer is applied over the metallic body and having a thickness of less than 100 μm. A first thermally conductive layer is applied over the first electrically insulating layer and having a thermal conductivity of more than 50 W/(m·K). A second electrically insulating layer is applied over the first thermally conductive layer and having a thickness of less than 100 μm.
US08077470B2 Cover latch mechanism, latch, and portable electronic device using same
A cover latch for a portable electronic device includes a housing member forming two latching protrusions, a cover member, a mounting panel secured to the cover member, two latching members pivotally positioned on the mounting panel, and a contact member slidably positioned on the mounting panel. Each of the latching members includes a latching portion for interlocking with one of the latching protrusions. The contact member slides relative to the mounting panel to pivot the latching members to release the interlocking of the latching portions and the latching protrusions.
US08077468B2 Rail coupling handle, unit support mechanism and electronic device
A disclosed rail coupling member couples a pair of rail members to be attached to lateral sides of a unit that is detachably supported in an electronic device. The rail coupling member is a flexible and discrete unit, and is not part of the rail members. The rail coupling member has end portions to which the rail members are to be joined, respectively, in a separable manner.
US08077459B2 Electronic device with expansion card
An electronic device includes a chassis. The chassis has a bottom wall and a rear wall, substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall. A motherboard is disposed on the bottom wall, and a riser card is perpendicularly connected to the motherboard. An expansion card is substantially parallel to the motherboard and coupled to the riser card. The expansion card has a first end and a second end, and the first end is secured to the rear wall. An airflow duct is located on the bottom wall of the chassis. A supporting bar protrudes from the airflow duct. A securing member is pivotably mounted to the airflow duct. The securing member includes a pressing plate. The second end of the expansion card is clamped between the pressing plate and the supporting bar of the airflow duct.
US08077457B2 Modularization of data center functions
In one example, a data center may be built in modular components that may be pre-manufactured and separately deployable. Each modular component may provide functionality such as server capacity, cooling capacity, fire protection, resistance to electrical failure. Some components may be added to the data center by connecting them to the center's utility spine, and others may be added by connecting them to other components. The spine itself may be a modular component, so that spine capacity can be expanded or contracted by adding or removing spine modules. The various components may implement functions that are part of standards for various levels of reliability for data centers. Thus, the reliability level that a data center meets may be increased or decreased to fit the circumstances by adding or removing components.
US08077456B2 Apparatus, mounting structure, and mounting method
An apparatus has a plurality of printed board units each including a printed board, a frame to have the printed board arranged therein, a first rail to be arranged at a first lower end of an inner wall of the frame having the printed board located thereon in a lower opening of the frame, and a second rail to be arranged at a second lower end opposed to the first lower end in the opening; a housing including a rail holding unit to movably hold the first rail of a first printed board unit and the second rail of a second printed board unit adjacent to the first printed board unit among the plurality of printed board units; and a cooling fan to be arranged on an upper side or underside of the housing to send air into the frame.
US08077455B2 Server cabinet and computer server system using same
A server cabinet includes a rack and a common power supply received in the rack. The rack defines an interior space configured for accommodating a plurality of servers therein. Each server has an electrical plug at an outer side thereof. The common power supply includes a power input socket and a plurality of power output sockets. The power output sockets are configured to electrically connect to the server electrical plugs, respectively. The common power supply is configured for receiving AC power from an external power source via the power input socket, and converting the AC power to DC power and outputting the DC power to the servers via the power output sockets.
US08077452B2 Face panel for a computer housing
A face panel for a computer housing includes a face panel body and a cover plate assembly. The face panel body includes a surrounding wall having first and second engaging grooves, and a mounting hole. The cover plate assembly is provided in the mounting hole and is assembled to the surrounding wall, and includes a cover plate having a through hole and a first engaging hook for engaging the first engaging groove, and a locking member having a fixed block coupled to the cover plate, a slide block, and a resilient connecting portion interconnecting the fixed and slide blocks to provide the slide block with a restoring force. The slide block includes a second engaging hook for engaging the second engaging groove, and a press portion exposed through the through hole and pressible to enable the second engaging hook to disengage from the second engaging groove.
US08077448B2 Plasma display apparatus
An improved structure of a plasma display apparatus is provided. At least one of an integrated circuit and a driving board is formed over an edge potion of a frame for supporting a plasma display panel. Thus, the plasma display apparatus is manufactured to be thin and light, and also its manufacturing cost decreases.
US08077445B2 Monolithic ceramic electronic component and method for manufacturing the same
A method for manufacturing a monolithic ceramic electronic component includes a plating substep of depositing precipitates primarily composed of a specific metal on an end of each of internal electrodes exposed at a predetermined surface of a laminate and growing the precipitates to coalesce into a continuous plated layer, wherein the specific metal is different from that of the internal electrodes, and the same or substantially the same metal that defines the internal electrodes is distributed throughout the plated layer.
US08077442B2 Lightning arrester and method of manufacturing and assembling the same
A pair of electrodes sandwiches a serial unit that includes a nonlinear voltage resistor block and a compression spring, which is coupled by a plurality of insulating rods. Each of the electrodes has a plurality of insulating-rod inserting holes and a plurality of fastening-member mounting holes each perpendicular to a corresponding insulating-rod inserting hole. Both ends of each of the insulating rods have a fastening-member through hole such that the insulating rods and the electrodes are fastened by inserting a plurality of fastening members through the fastening-member and mounting the fastening members on the fastening-member mounting holes.
US08077441B2 Interface circuit and communication device
An interface circuit and a communication device are provided. The interface circuit includes a transformer unit, a protection unit, and an interface unit. A secondary side of the transformer unit is connected with a chip. A first terminal of the protection unit is electrically connected with a center tap of a primary side of the transformer unit, and a second terminal of the protection unit is grounded. A first access terminal of the interface unit is connected with a first port of the primary side of the transformer unit, a second access terminal of the interface unit is connected with a second port of the primary side of the transformer unit, and a third access terminal and a fourth access terminal of the interface unit are electrically connected with the first terminal of the protection unit respectively.
US08077440B2 ESD protection circuit
An ESD protection circuit comprises a first supply line (VDD), a second supply line (Vss), an ESD protection device, preferably being configured as a transistor (MP), which is connected between the first and second supply line (VDD, VSS) and at least one pin (VA) connected to the first and second supply lines (VDD, VSS) via diodes D1, D2. The ESD protection device is controllable by a trigger voltage that is set by a trigger voltage setting circuit (RP, RD, Z1, Z2, Z3). The ESD protection circuit comprises a trigger circuit (1) being connected to the at least one pin (VA) and providing pin specific trigger voltages, wherein the trigger circuit (1) is further connected to the trigger voltage setting circuit.
US08077437B2 Integrated circuits and power supplies
We describe a semiconductor-on-insulator integrated circuit die comprising a substrate bearing a power conditioning circuit, the power conditioning circuit comprising at least two power devices, a lateral power device and a vertical power device. The power conditioning circuit comprises: a DC input to receive DC power, an AC output for connection to AC mains; a DC-to-DC converter having an input coupled to said DC input; a DC-to-AC converter having a DC input and an AC output to convert DC power to AC power for mains output; and a DC voltage regulator coupled between the output of said DC-to-DC converter and the input of said DC-to-AC converter to regulate said DC voltage input to said DC-to-AC converter. The regulator is configured to control an AC output current of said circuit by controlling said DC voltage input to the DC-to-AC converter.
US08077436B2 CPP-type magnetoresistance effect element having three magnetic layers
A magnetoresistance effect element comprises: a magnetoresistive stack including: first, second and third magnetic layers whose magnetization directions change in accordance with an external magnetic field, said second magnetic layer being located between said first magnetic layer and the third magnetic layer; a first non-magnetic intermediate layer sandwiched between said first and second magnetic layers; and a second non-magnetic intermediate layer sandwiched between said second and third magnetic layers; wherein sense current is adapted to flow in a direction perpendicular to a film plane; a bias magnetic layer provided on an opposite side of said magnetoresistive stack from an air bearing surface.
US08077434B1 Perpendicular magnetic recording head having a recessed magnetic base layer
A method and system for providing a magnetic transducer having an air-bearing surface (ABS) are described. The magnetic transducer includes a base layer, a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) pole on the base layer, an additional pole, a write shield, a write gap between the PMR pole and a portion of the write shield, and coil(s) that energize at least the additional pole. The base layer includes a first portion proximate to the ABS and a second portion recessed from the ABS. The first portion is nonmagnetic, while the second portion is magnetic. The PMR pole has a first front portion proximate to the ABS. The additional pole has a second front portion recessed from the ABS. At least a portion of the additional pole resides between the PMR pole and write shield. At least a portion of the write gap resides on the front portion of the PMR pole.
US08077432B2 Disk stack assembly with spindle motor hub having improved disk-supporting flange
An improved disk stack assembly for a hard disk drive (HDD) includes a generally cylindrical hub with flange having a downward sloping conical flange surface. The conical flange surface is defined between a radially inner circular ridge and a radially outer circular edge. The bottom disk in the stack is in contact with the flange inner circular ridge. The disk stack assembly also includes a disk clamp with a contact surface having a contact rim that is in contact with either the radially inner portion of the top disk in the stack or a spacer ring. The clamp contact rim is located at approximately the same radial distance from the hub's central cylindrical axis as the flange circular ridge so that the clamping force is applied to the disks close to the area where the disk stack is supported on the conical flange surface.
US08077430B2 System and apparatus for mass-balanced spoiler in disk storage devices
A system and apparatus for reducing flutter in disk drive spoilers positions the center of mass of the mean aerodynamic section of the spoiler at or ahead of the quarter-chord location nearest the leading edge of the spoiler. A balance weight may be formed in or attached to the spoiler. The center of gravity is located no farther back from the leading edge than one quarter-chord in a direction of the flow field. Alternatively, the spoiler trailing edge is lightened by making the trailing edge more porous or thinner than other sections of the spoiler.
US08077428B1 Disk drive correcting position error signal based on velocity of head
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk comprising a plurality of servo sectors that define a plurality of servo tracks. A position error signal (PES) is generated in response to the servo sectors, and a head velocity is estimated relative to the servo tracks. A correction value is generated as a function of the head velocity and the PES, and the PES is adjusted using the correction value to generate an adjusted PES. The head is positioned over the disk in response to the adjusted PES.
US08077427B2 Fly-height control using asynchronous sampling
In one embodiment, a hard-disk drive system performs fly-height control using a read-back mode and a loop-back mode. The read-back mode measures first and second harmonics pre-recorded on the medium and divides the first measurement by the second to obtain a read-back mode harmonic ratio. The loop-back mode measures the same first and second harmonics; however, the harmonics are provided by a write precompensation circuit rather than the medium. Further, the loop-back mode measurements are performed using asynchronous sampling to address aliasing and quantization errors. The first measurement is divided by the second to generate a loop-back harmonic ratio. In logarithm domain, the loop-back ratio is subtracted from the read-back mode ratio to remove environment-induced variations in the read path electronic circuits. The resulting harmonic ratio is subtracted from an initial harmonic ratio determined, for example, during manufacturing, to determine how much the harmonic ratio has changed.
US08077426B2 Magnetic disk centering method and system
A system and method are described for aligning a data axis of one or more circular data-bearing tracks on an annular surface region of a magnetic media-bearing disk, with a spin axis of a spindle of a spinstand or a disk drive. The data axis is perpendicular to the surface region of the disk and the data tracks are concentric with respect to a data axis.
US08077418B1 Reducing thermal protrusion of a near field transducer in an energy assisted magnetic recording head
Methods of fabricating an energy-assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) head to compensate for a heat-induced protrusion of a near field transducer formed therein are disclosed. The methods can include applying optical power to the near field transducer to generate heat therein. The near field transducer protrudes beyond an air bearing surface of the EAMR head by the generated heat. The methods can further include removing a protruded portion of the near field transducer.
US08077416B2 Magnetic recording medium formatted with ROM and RAM regions
A magnetic recording medium has a RAM region and a ROM region. The RAM region includes a plurality of first tracks each having a first magnetic portion. The first magnetic portions in adjacent tracks are separated from each other. The ROM region includes a plurality of second tracks each having a second magnetic portion. A width of the second magnetic portions in a direction perpendicular to a track direction of the first tracks is larger than that of the first magnetic portions in the perpendicular direction.
US08077414B2 System and method for analyzing magnetic media surfaces for thermal erasures and other characteristics
Analyzing magnetic media surfaces for thermal erasures and other characteristics is described. The system includes a drive channel module configured to measure servo automatic gain control values for a magnetic media surface that represent the amount of gain applied by the drive channel module to a preamble signal recorded on the magnetic media surface. The gain control values are then acquired according to certain measurement parameters. The gain control values are then arranged by proximity to each other and organized to generate images that represent changes in the characteristics of the magnetic media surface. Analysis of the images then detects patterns that represent changes in the characteristics of the media surface and determines measurement parameters that coincide with the change in the characteristic.
US08077412B2 Lens barrel and imaging device
An interchangeable lens unit comprises a second lens group support unit, a focus lens, a focus lens support frame, and a focus drive unit. The second lens group support unit supports the focus lens support frame movably in the Z-axis direction and has second cam pins disposed spaced apart around an optical axis. The focus drive unit is a unit for driving the focus lens support frame in the Z-axis direction with respect to the second lens group support unit and is disposed at a different position from those of the second cam followers when viewed in the Z-axis direction.
US08077411B2 Lens displacement mechanism using shaped memory alloy
A lens displacement mechanism using shaped memory alloy (SMA) applied to an auto-focusing lens module is disclosed. The lens displacement mechanism comprising at least one SMA wire. Two opposite ends of the SMA wire are fixed and a longitudinal mid-point of an intermediate movable portion between the two opposite ends is tightened and is fixed on a corresponding hook disposed on an outer edge of the lens so that the intermediate movable portion is tightened between the two opposite ends. When the SMA wire is heated, the intermediate movable portion contracts to pull the hook of the lens for driving the lens to move and slide along with an optical axis so as to achieve auto-focus control. The present lens displacement mechanism is simple in structure and reflow process. Therefore, the present displacement mechanism is suitable to be used in portable camera or mobile phone or PDA, which needs to be small and have easily mass production by SMT.
US08077407B2 Lens array unit mounting structure
A lens array unit mounting structure mounts a lens array unit in a recess provided in a housing of an image reading device. The structure includes a right projection and a left projection provided on the lens array unit and includes a right groove and a left groove provided in the recess of the housing. The lens array unit is secured in the recess of the housing by engaging the right projection with the right groove and engaging the left projection with the left groove.
US08077395B2 Optical sheet, image source unit, display device, process for producing optical sheet, and method for manufacturing display device
An optical sheet is disposed on an observer side relative to an image source and includes a plurality of layers that control light emitted from the image source to emit the light on the observer side. At least one of the plurality of layers is a base material layer. One layer disposed on one side of the base material layer is an optical functional sheet layer which includes prisms arranged in parallel along the sheet surface of the optical sheet whereby light can be transmitted and light-absorbing parts are arranged in parallel between the prisms whereby light can be absorbed. One layer disposed on the other side of the base material layer is an adhesive layer. An adhesive layer is not provided on a side surface of the optical functional sheet layer facing the side disposed with the base material layer.
US08077394B2 Glass lens array module with alignment member and manufacturing method thereof
A glass lens array module with alignment fixture and a manufacturing method thereof are revealed. A glass lens array is produced by multi-cavity glass molding and alignment members are arranged on a peripheral of non-optical area of the glass lens array. Optical axis of each of two adjacent glass lens arrays is aligned by corresponding alignment members and the glass lens arrays are assembled by glue. A spacer is disposed between the two adjacent glass lens arrays to form a preset interval if needed. Thus a glass lens array module is formed after curing of the glue. Thereby the alignment of the optical axis of the glass lens is achieved easily and optical precision is also attained. Moreover, the manufacturing processes are simplified and the cost is reduced.
US08077391B2 Wavefront aberration measuring method, mask, wavefront aberration measuring device, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
A wavefront aberration measuring device includes a mask placed in an object plane of a to-be-tested optical system and having a pattern including a pinhole producing a spherical wave and adjoining diffraction gratings each ruled with lines oriented in a direction different from the other; an illumination optical system that illuminates an area of the mask with light emitted from a light source; a light splitter that splits the light from the pattern transmitted through the to-be-tested optical system; an image pickup unit that takes an image of interference fringes produced by the split light, the image being used in measuring wavefront aberration of the to-be-tested optical system; a detector that detects respective light quantities of respective diffracted beams from the respective illuminated diffraction gratings; and a control unit that controls alignment of the illuminated area of the mask and the pattern in accordance with a detection result.
US08077389B2 Glass polarizer for visible light
A glass polarizer applicable to projection-type liquid crystal displays and the like and having an excellent transmittance and extinction ratio with respect to light in the visible light region (500 nm to 600 nm) using silver halide containing glass as a starting material is provided.A glass polarizer for visible light according to the present invention is a polarizer manufactured by heating and stretching borosilicate glass in which silver halide particles are dispersed and deposited by heat treatment and reducing at least a portion of silver halide particles oriented and stretched in the glass to produce metallic silver particles. An average transmittance (T⊥ % 500 to 600 nm) in a wavelength range of 500 nm to 600 nm of light having a polarization plane perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of metallic silver particles having shape anisotropy that is uniaxially oriented and dispersed is 75% or more and an extinction ratio in the wavelength range is 25 dB or more.
US08077386B2 Movable objective lens assembly for an optical microscope and optical microscopes having such an assembly
A movable objective lens assembly that includes an infinity-corrected objective lens providing the microscope with an optical field of view. The assembly permits the imaging of a specimen under investigation over an area of the specimen much larger than the field of view of the objective lens without moving the microscope and/or a specimen stage relative to one another. The assembly includes a mirror system and the linearly movable infinity-corrected objective lens. The mirror system includes a plurality of mirrors that provide a folded optical path that allows the objective lens to be moved relative to the specimen without moving the entire microscope. The mirror system and the objective lens are pivotably mounted relative to the rest of the microscope so as to allow the objective lens to be located substantially anywhere within a circular, or circular-sectoral, viewing area.
US08077383B2 Optical amplifier
An optical amplifier including: a first amplifying unit amplifying an input light by utilizing a first excitation light and thereby outputting a first amplified light; a second amplifying unit amplifying the first amplified light by utilizing a second excitation light and thereby outputting a second amplified light; and a control unit detecting a first absorption rate of the first excitation light and a second absorption rate of the second excitation light, and controlling a level of the first excitation light and a level of second excitation light based on the first absorption rate and the second absorption rate. The first absorption rate corresponds to a ratio of the first excitation light absorbed in the first amplifying unit, and the second absorption rate corresponds to a ratio of the second excitation light absorbed in the second amplifying unit.
US08077381B2 Components and methods for use in electro-optic displays
A front plane laminate useful in the manufacture of electro-optic displays comprises, in order, a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer, a layer of an electro-optic medium in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer, an adhesive layer and a release sheet. This front plane laminate can be prepared as a continuous web, cut to size, the release sheet removed and the laminate laminated to a backplane to form a display. Methods for providing conductive vias through the electro-optic medium and for testing the front plane laminate are also described.
US08077373B2 Clear to circular polarizing photochromic devices
The present invention provides composite optical elements including a photochromic linear polarizing element and a birefringent layer such that composite optical element circularly or elliptically polarizes transmitted radiation. The photochromic linear polarizing element is formed from (i) an at least partially ordered polymeric sheet; and (ii) a reversible photochromic-dichroic material that is at least partially aligned with the polymeric sheet and has an average absorption ratio of at least 1.5 in the activated state. The birefringent layer includes a polymeric coating or a polymeric sheet connected to the photochromic linear polarizing element.
US08077372B2 Micro-electromechanical microshutter array
A microshutter array has a frame having a light transmissive portion. Linear microshutter elements extend across the light transmissive portion and in parallel to each other. Each microshutter element has a flat blade extended in a length direction and first and second torsion arms extending outwards from each side of the blade in the length direction, the blade extending across the light transmissive portion. There is at least one electrode associated with each linear microshutter element and extended in the length direction parallel to the microshutter element.
US08077367B2 Speckle mitigation in laser projection systems
Particular embodiments relate generally to laser projection systems and, more particularly, to systems and methods of reducing the appearance of speckle in laser projection images. According to one embodiment, a laser projection system comprising a light source and scanning optics is provided. The scanning optics include a plurality of frame generating optics configured to scan the output beam across a given projection surface to generate an image frame. The frame generating actuators are spatially separated such that output beams scanned by the frame generating actuators illuminate each common pixel portion of the image frames at a different incidence angle. The scanning optics also include an actuator selector positioned in an optical path of the output beam and configured to direct the output beam towards a selected one of the plurality of frame generating actuators.
US08077366B2 Holographic storage device having an adjustment mechanism for a reference beam
A monocular holographic storage device or system to provide for compact recording and/or reading of data pages in a holographic storage medium. Also provided are methods for carrying out such data storage and/or data recovery using a monocular holographic storage device or system. Further provided are articles including holographic storage media for recording or for reading recorded data using such devices or systems.
US08077365B2 Holographic image display system
This invention relates to holographic image display systems, and to related methods and processor control code. We describe a method of displaying an image holographically, the method including: inputting display image data defining said image for display; processing said image data to determine first image data representing a first spatial frequency portion of said image data and second image data representing a second spatial frequency portion of said image data, wherein said second spatial frequency is higher than said first spatial frequency; displaying a hologram of said first image data on a spatial light modulator (SLM) to form a holographically-generated intermediate real image; modulating said intermediate real image using said second image data to display said image.
US08077363B2 Block matching circuit and data update method
Scanning image data and target image data are respectively stored in a first storage area and a second storage area. In one case, (J−M+1)×(K−N+1)×M×N pieces of pixel data are stored as comparison image data relating to all comparison areas, and M×N pieces of pixel data are stored as target image data. In contrast, the present invention requires the storage only of J×K pieces of pixel data as scanning image data, and M×N pieces of pixel data as target image data. This means the number of pieces of pixel data to be stored is reduced. In the case discussed above, one piece of target image data and (J−M+1)×(K−N+1) pieces of pixel data relating to all comparison areas and corresponding to this target image data are stored. As compared to this case, the number of times pixel data are retrieved is reduced to 1/(M×N), thereby shortening processing speed.
US08077362B2 Image scanning device and multifunction apparatus having the same
An image scanning device includes a main body casing, a scanning unit which is movably disposed within the main body casing, and a position indicating unit to generate position information of the scanning unit, and to wirelessly receive and display the position information.
US08077360B2 Method for automatically identifying scan area
In accordance with the present invention, a method for automatically identifying a scan area by a scanner is disclosed. The method comprises steps of scanning an original comprising an object, identifying the original to establish a location and a profile of the object in the original, displaying a preview window corresponding to the original, wherein a location and a profile of a confined area is exactly the location and the profile of the object, receiving a framed area selected from the preview window by user, wherein a portion of the framed area beyond the confined area is automatically removed to generate a scan area, and scanning the scan area. The present invention can also extend to a method for selecting a scan area by a user and a scanner with a feature of automatically identifying a scan area.
US08077359B2 Image processing system and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A novel image processing system includes a pixel position indicator and a pixel inserting unit. The pixel position indicator is configured to indicate insertion positions in the image data. The pixel inserting unit is configured to enlarge a size of the image data by inserting an additional pixel at each of the insertion positions and accordingly shifting the original pixels in a given direction. The additional pixel has a value lower than a given threshold. Each insertion position is at an approximate center of an area formed of pixels having values higher than the given threshold. A novel image forming apparatus incorporates such an image processing system and an electrophotographic system. The electrophotographic system is configured to form an image by irradiating a photoconductive surface with a laser beam according to the processed image data.
US08077358B2 Systems and methods for implementing use of customer documents in maintaining image quality (IQ)/image quality consistency (IQC) of printing devices
This invention generally relates to systems and methods for implementing use of customer documents in maintaining Image Quality (IQ)/Image Quality Consistency (IQC) of printing devices. The system may include an image analyzer configured to analyze input image data for a document and to identify one or more relevant pages of the document that may provide information regarding the state of the printing system; a scheduler that selects the relevant pages for printing out-of-order; a marking engine constructed to print images; a scanning device for scanning print images of the one or more relevant pages; and a buffer for holding the print images of the one or more relevant pages and inserting the print images of the one or more relevant pages into the media path in proper order. A method for analyzing printed documents is also provided.
US08077356B2 Content-aware halftone image resizing using iterative determination of energy metrics
As provided herein, there are supplied teachings to systems and methods for resizing a halftone image using halftone tile parameters. One approach entails receiving into a digital imaging system, a digital halftone image and a desired resizing factor for that digital halftone image. The system will then define cells within the digital halftone image and determine from those cells, a number of halftone tile seams to suitable for manipulation. The orientation of these halftone tile seams is dictated by the received desired resizing factor. The seam energy of these halftone tile seams is then determined according to an energy metric so as to provide indication of a number of low energy determined halftone tile seams. The number of low energy seams identified is sufficient to achieve the desired resizing factor. A resizing of the halftone image is then performing by iteratively deleting the low energy determined halftone tile seams within the halftone image. The resized halftone image may then be printed on a printer.
US08077354B2 Print control program, print control apparatus, and print control method
According to the present invention, a print control apparatus for displaying a print preview, comprises the units adapted to: spool print data created by application; issue a rendering instruction of the spooled print data to a graphic engine together with output information indicating one of a preview setting and a print setting; return a response about one of a color profile for previewing when the output information indicates the preview setting and a color profile for printing when the output information indicates the print setting, as a response to an inquiry about a color profile from the graphic engine that receives the rendering instruction; and display image data rendered by the graphic engine when the output information indicates the preview setting, and outputting the rendered image data to the printer when the output information indicates the print setting.
US08077340B2 Image forming apparatus
In the present invention, in a color copy machine, original modes of copy job units, and setting changes of sharpness adjustment, whose updates are permitted beforehand, are totaled, change of default is judged, when this accumulated result is larger than a threshold value, and the original mode whose accumulated result is larger than the threshold value, and the sharpness adjustment are set to change a default state of an image processing unit.
US08077338B2 Method for online printing digital project
A method for online printing a digital project includes the steps of: separating at least one image from a digital project template; replacing the digital project template with an executable file; encapsulating an executable code into the executable file; converting the image into at least one thumbnail; writing the executable file, the thumbnail, and related information into an image file; uploading the image file to a server via a network; extracting the image file by the server, so as to read out the executable file, the thumbnail, and the related information; reading a corresponding project template from a database of the server according to the executable code; attaching the thumbnail back to the project template according to the related information in the image file, so as to recover a preview image of the digital project and print the project image by a printer.
US08077326B1 Human-readable, bi-state environmental sensors based on micro-mechanical membranes
An environmental sensing device includes an interferometric modulator which permanently actuates, in a visually-detectable manner, in response to being exposed to a predetermined environmental threshold or condition. The device can include a reactive layer, coating, or proof mass disposed on a movable member of the interferometric modulator. The reactive layer, coating, or proof mass can expand, contract, bend, or otherwise move when exposed to a predefined chemical, level of humidity, temperature threshold, type of radiation, and/or level of mechanical shock, causing the interferometric modulator to collapse and permanently indicate such exposure.
US08077319B2 Apparatus and a method for observing the surface of a sample
An apparatus for observing the appearance of the surface (2) of a sample (1), comprising a light source (11) for illuminating said surface (2) from a predetermined direction and means for observing the surface (2). The means of observing the surface (2) comprise a number of substantial flat mirrors (8) located in different directions with respect to said surface (2). The means furthermore comprise an optical system (6,14) for observing said flat mirrors (8). Each flat mirror (8) reflects an image of the surface (2) of the sample (1) to the image receiving part (6) of the optical system (6,14).
US08077317B2 Sensor head for a dry powder agent
A sensor head for a dry powder agent according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a housing defined along an axis along which light is communicated, the housing defines a multiple of apertures transverse to the axis and in communication with a measurement volume along the axis. Each of the multiple of apertures defines a longitudinal length along the axis which is less than a lateral length defined around the axis. A minor is within the housing to reflect the light through the measurement volume.
US08077311B1 Spectrophotometric system for simultaneous flow-through measurements of dissolved inorganic carbon, pH and CO2 fugacity
Provided is a flow-through CO2 system for simultaneously measuring surface seawater pH, carbon dioxide fugacity (fCO2), and total dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). All measurements are based on spectrophotometric determinations of solution pH at multiple wavelengths using sulfonephthalein indicators.
US08077305B2 Imaging semiconductor structures using solid state illumination
The invention consists of a camera, light sources, lenses and software algorithms that are used to image and inspect semiconductor structures, including through infrared radiation. The use of various configurations of solid state lighting and software algorithms enhances the imaging and inspection.
US08077303B2 Rotation and differential angle optical sensor with short optical sensing array
A sensor may simultaneously sense the angular position of a first rotatable member relative to a frame of reference and the angular position of a second rotatable member relative to the first rotatable member up to a maximum displacement angle. The sensor may include a first and a second disk, each of which have an annular pattern which alternates between two different levels of optical transparency. The first disk may be coupled to the first rotatable member; and the second disk may be coupled to the second rotatable member. A lighting system may direct light toward the first and the second disks with an orientation that causes an annular illumination pattern to be cast upon an optical sensing array which corresponds to a composite of a portion of the first and the second annular patterns and which spans an angle that is less than or equal to the maximum displacement angle. An optical sensing array may provide signals indicative of the annular illumination pattern. The optical sensing array may have a length which is not substantially greater than the width of the annular illumination pattern cast upon the optical sensing array.
US08077301B2 Rotation and differential angle optical sensor with integral bearing races
A sensor may simultaneously sense the angular position of a first rotatable member relative to a frame of reference and the angular position of a second rotatable member relative to the first rotatable member. The sensor may include a first and a second disk, each of which have an annular pattern which alternates between two different levels of optical transparency. The first disk may be coupled to the first rotatable member; and the second disk may be coupled to the second rotatable member. The first and the second disks may each have an integral annular race configured to support ball bearings.
US08077299B2 Method for measuring polarization characteristics of optical fiber, drawing method, method for identifying abnormal point, and method for configuring optical fiber transmission line
The present invention relates to a measuring method, etc., comprising a structure for accurately measuring optical characteristics such as PMD of an optical fiber. The measuring method is a technique for measuring polarization characteristic distributions along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber as a measuring object by using BOCDA, and by propagating probe light and pumping light opposite in the optical fiber, BGS is generated at a plurality of respective measurement positions. Then, based on Brillouin gain fluctuations at the respective measurement positions, polarization characteristic distributions are calculated.
US08077298B2 Apparatus for monitoring optical obstructions in an optical split network and method thereof
An apparatus and method for monitoring optical fiber obstructions in an optical split network is described. The monitoring apparatus comprises a broadband-monitoring light source module, an optical circulator, an optical spectral analyzer, a high-density multi-wavelength OTDR, a controlling computer, a wavelength division multiplexer, a specific wavelength optical filter, a monitoring-waveband reflector, and an optical channel selector. The monitoring apparatus utilizes the specific wavelength optical filter and the monitoring-waveband reflector to collectively construct an optical split network optical fiber obstruction monitoring apparatus for the passive optical network having multiple split routes by filtering, reflecting, and transmitting coming lights, so as to achieve the purposes of locating the obstructed split routes and obstruction locations at the same time.
US08077295B2 Distance measurement device
A distance measurement device having better measurement accuracy than conventional distance measurement devices. A stereo camera (1) has a camera stay (4) to be secured to a housing (12) of a vehicle and also has a pair of cameras (2, 3) mounted on the camera stay (4). The camera stay (4) has an installation section (4a) located between the pair of cameras (2, 3) and to be mounted on the housing of the vehicle via fixation sections (6, 7, 8). The installation section (4a) is movable in the direction of a base line interconnecting the cameras (2, 3).
US08077292B2 Projection exposure method
A projection exposure method that projects the shape of a hole onto a wafer by projecting a diffracted light, which is produced by applying light to a mask having a pattern for forming a hole pattern, onto the wafer through a projection optical system for exposure, wherein, in a plane substantially perpendicular to an optical axis, the light applied to the mask has a first intensity distribution in which the intensity is higher in the vicinity of eight apexes of an octagon centered at the optical axis than in other areas, the mask has a plurality of first opening patterns are arranged in a rectangular lattice configuration having sides parallel to diagonals of the octagon passing through the optical axis, and a plurality of second opening patterns are arranged in a face-centered rectangular lattice configuration having sides parallel to diagonals of the octagon passing through the optical axis.
US08077284B2 Substrate for a display device, a method for repairing the same, a method for repairing a display device and a liquid-crystal display device
The present invention is a substrate for a display device comprising an active matrix substrate and an opposed substrate which are opposed to each other with a display medium layer interposed therebetween, said active matrix substrate including a pixel electrode arranged in a matrix shape on the side of the display medium layer and said opposed substrate including a common electrode opposing to the pixel electrode on the side of the display medium layer, wherein said substrate for a display device includes an electrode slit formed in one of the pixel electrode and the common electrode; and at least one of the electrical connecting portions of said electrode slit is provided outside of a light-blocking region.
US08077282B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device that includes: a liquid crystal display panel configured by a pair of substrates sandwiching therebetween a liquid crystal material with a positive dielectric anisotropy; and a flat-shaped common electrode and a pixel electrode disposed on one of the pair of substrates with an overlay, via an insulator layer, between the common electrode and the pixel electrode when viewed from above. In the liquid crystal display device, the pixel electrode is extended in a first direction, and includes a plurality of comb-like electrode sections aligned in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and the comb-like electrode sections of the pixel electrode are varied in width in the second direction for a plurality of times at intervals shorter than a side extending in the first direction.
US08077281B2 Liquid crystal device
A liquid crystal device includes a liquid crystal layer between a pair of substrates. One substrate includes pixel electrodes, an insulating layer and a common electrode having a plurality of slits. An electric field between the pixel and common electrodes turns liquid crystal molecules in a predetermined direction in regions corresponding to the slits. Each slit includes a first straight portion extending from a center of the pixel electrode toward both sides of the pixel electrode and second straight portions extending from the ends of the first straight portion to the outside of the pixel electrode. The first and second portions each form an acute angle with an initial orientation of the liquid crystal molecules in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction. The acute angle between the second portions and the initial orientation is larger than the acute angle between the first portion and the initial orientation.
US08077279B2 Liquid crystal display device and method for producing the same
A picture element includes a 4-divided domain including first, second, third and fourth sub-domains which are arranged in this order in a predetermined direction and in each of which an orientation direction of liquid crystal molecules located in the vicinity of the center of a liquid crystal layer in the thickness direction is different from those of the other sub-domains. A first substrate includes two first regions having an orientation-regulating force for orienting the liquid crystal molecules in a first direction and a second region provided between the two first regions and having an orientation-regulating force for orienting the liquid crystal molecules in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. A second substrate includes a third region having an orientation-regulating force for orienting the liquid crystal molecules in a third direction that crosses the first direction and a fourth region having an orientation-regulating force for orienting the liquid crystal molecules in a fourth direction that is opposite to the third direction. The first sub-domain is formed between one of the two first regions and the third region, the second sub-domain is formed between the second region and the third region, the third sub-domain is formed between the second region and the fourth region, and the fourth sub-domain is formed between the other one of the two first regions and the fourth region.
US08077278B2 Flexible display device with dilatant fluid
A display device is provide, which includes a supporting substrate, a flexible display provided with a transparent display substrate formed above the supporting substrate, and a dilatant fluid accommodating member. The dilatant fluid accommodating member is disposed on the outside of the flexible display.
US08077277B2 Liquid crystal display device comprising a first optical compensating member disposed without a birefringent medium sandwiched between the liquid crystal layer and the first optical compensating member
A liquid crystal display device comprising a first optical compensating member disposed without a birefringent medium sandwiched between a liquid-crystal layer and the first optical compensating member. The first optical compensating member is constructed so that when a refractive index thereof in a slow-axis direction in a plane parallel to the substrate is taken as n1, a refractive index in a fast-axis direction in the plane parallel to the substrate is taken as n2, and a refractive index in a thickness direction is taken as n3, the first optical compensating member satisfies n1˜n3>n2 and a slow axis thereof in the plane parallel to the substrate is substantially vertical to an optical axis of the liquid-crystal layer.
US08077268B2 Thin film transistor substrate and method of manufacturing the same
A thin film transistor array substrate comprising a base substrate, a first wire on the base substrate, a first insulating layer on the base substrate to cover the first wire, a semiconductor layer on the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer on the first insulating layer on which the semiconductor layer is formed, and a second wire on the second insulating layer on the second insulating layer is provided, and a portion of the second wire makes contact with the semiconductor layer through the contact hole.
US08077258B2 Image display apparatus, signal processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer program product
An image display apparatus includes the following elements. An IP converter performs signal conversion processing for converting an interlace signal into a progressive signal including information on interpolated pixels. A frame controller temporally divides an input image frame to generate a plurality of sub-frames. A high-frequency-enhanced sub-frame generator and a high-frequency-suppressed sub-frame generator perform filtering processing on the sub-frames to generate high-frequency-enhanced sub-frames and high-frequency-suppressed sub-frames, respectively. A first output controller alternately outputs the high-frequency-enhanced sub-frames and the high-frequency-suppressed sub-frames. A gain controller adjusts an output level of the sub-frames. A second output controller receives an output from the first output controller and an output from the gain controller to output an output-level-adjusted signal as a signal corresponding to the interpolated pixels and outputs an output-level non-adjusted signal as an original pixel signal. A display unit performs frame-hold-type display processing and alternately displays the high-frequency-enhanced sub-frames and the high-frequency-suppressed sub-frames.
US08077253B2 Solid-state device having digital signal processing circuit
An analog signal photo-electrically converted in a pixel of a light receiving area is converted to a digital signal by an ADC. The digital signal is processed by a digital signal processing circuit, and then, successively output as a digital video signal. The digital signal processing circuit has a first signal processing block for detecting and correcting a pixel defect and preventing a noise, and a second signal processing block for restoring apparent resolution lost by the processing by the first signal processing block.
US08077248B2 Optical device and production method thereof
A lead frame is buried in mold resin to form a mold structure. A wide blade is used to make an indentation having an alignment step in the mold structure. Then, a narrow blade is used to split the mold structure. At the outer perimeter portion of a base which is a separate part separated from the mold structure, an alignment step is formed. Due to the alignment step, an optical element, such as a mirror tube of an imaging optical system, or the like, is readily and quickly attached.
US08077243B2 Video output device and OSD forced display method of video output device
A video output device includes an OSD generation means for generating OSD (On Screen Display) for controlling the device itself, a detection means for detecting a connected state in which the device is connected to a prescribed external display device in a state realizing a mutual device control function which can perform control between devices mutually and a forced output means for outputting the OSD generated by the OSD generation means to the external display device forcibly and displaying the OSD on a display portion of the external display device regardless of any setting of the device when detecting the connected state by the detection means.
US08077239B2 Solid-state image pickup device and camera
A solid-state image pickup device which has means of adding signals from plural pixels, which achieves a high S/N and a pickup device suitable for both static and moving image pickup. The device has a pixel unit having plural pixels arranged two-dimensionally and outputting pixel signals derived by photoelectric conversion, and has a first mode reading a pixel signal every pixel, and a second mode adding and reading a plurality of pixel signals, having a variable gain column amplifier for performing readout at different gains in the first mode and second mode. The device has plural output lines where signals from plural pixels arranged in one line are outputted respectively, and at least one amplifier is connected to each of the plurality of output lines. Gain at time of second mode readout is higher than gain at time of first mode readout.
US08077238B2 Wide dynamic range sensor having a pinned diode with multiple pinned voltages
A pixel cell has controlled photosensor anti-blooming leakage by having dual pinned voltage regions, one of which is used to set the anti-blooming characteristics of the photosensor. Additional exemplary embodiments also employ an anti-blooming transistor in conjunction with the dual pinned photosensor. Other exemplary embodiments provide a pixel with two pinned voltage regions and two anti-blooming transistors. Methods of fabricating the exemplary pixel cells are also disclosed.
US08077236B2 Method and apparatus providing reduced metal routing in imagers
An imaging device and method for operating the device. The imaging device comprises a pixel array having a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns. At least one pixel of the array comprises a photosensor and a first reset circuit responsive to a first reset control signal for resetting the photosensor. A first terminal of the first reset circuit is coupled to the photosensor and a second terminal of the first reset circuit is configured to receive a first resetting voltage from a control line.
US08077234B2 Image pickup device and method for processing an interpolated color signal
An image pickup device has a signal processing part configured to perform signal process for the first to third color signals. The signal processing part includes a first color generator configured to generate a fourth color signal corresponding to a reference pixel based on a ratio between a second color signal at a pixel located in vicinity of the reference pixel and a first color signal at a pixel located in vicinity of the reference pixel, a second color generator configured to generate a fifth color signal corresponding to the reference pixel based on a ratio between a third color signal at a pixel located in vicinity of the reference pixel and the first color signal at a pixel located in vicinity of the reference pixel, and a image quality converter configured to generate color signals by performing a predetermined image process based on the first to fifth color signals.
US08077232B2 Imaging device for adding signals including same color component
An imaging device includes a plurality of photoelectric converting units arrayed in the horizontal and vertical directions, and an adder for adding signals including the same color component from the a plurality of photoelectric converting units such that the centers of gravity of the signals after addition are at the same pitch for respective signals.
US08077228B2 Processing of sensor values in imaging systems
A digital image system identifies defective pixels of a digital image sensor based on sensor values of pixels positioned in at least two dimensions on the digital image sensor. The exemplary imaging system includes a buffer for receiving sensor values that are each associated with a pixel in the digital image sensor and electronics for comparing the sensor value associated with a test pixel to the sensor values of pixels positioned in at least two dimensions on the digital image sensor. The electronics determines whether the test pixel is a defective pixel based on the comparison.
US08077225B2 Image pickup apparatus
An image pickup apparatus includes optical and electronic zooming units, and a controller configured to control an operation of the electronic zooming unit. When the first aspect ratio is selected, the controller operates the electronic zooming unit along with an operation of the optical zooming unit between a first zoom state and a second zoom state that is closer to a telephoto end than the first zoom state. When the second aspect ratio is selected, the controller does not operate the electronic zooming unit between the first zoom state and a third zoom state that is located between the first zoom state and the second zoom state, and operates the electronic zooming unit along with the operation of the optical zooming unit between the second zoom state and the third zoom state.
US08077221B2 Image capturing apparatus and control method therefor with determination whether storage medium is limited-rewriteable storage medium
An image capturing apparatus using a limited-rewriteable storage medium is disclosed. The image capturing apparatus writes generated image data in the limited-rewriteable storage medium at the time of shooting processing. On the other hand, an internal memory in the image capturing apparatus holds management information such as a FAT and directory entry. The apparatus writes the management information in the limited-rewriteable storage medium after the contents of the information are determined.
US08077219B2 Integrated circuit having a circuit for and method of providing intensity correction for a video
A method of providing intensity correction for a video is disclosed. The method may comprise evaluating a portion of a frame of the video; determining a difference in intensity of a current block of the frame with the corresponding block of the previous frame; correcting all blocks of the frame with local intensity correction if a first set of parameters is met; and correcting the current block of the frame with both global intensity correction and local intensity correction if the first set of parameters is not met. An integrated circuit having a circuit for providing intensity correction for a video is also disclosed.
US08077218B2 Methods and apparatuses for image processing
Methods and apparatuses for generating a low dynamic range image for a high dynamic range scene. In one aspect, a method to generate a low dynamic range image from a high dynamic range image, includes: determining one or more regions of the high dynamic range image containing pixels having values that are outside a first range and inside a second range; computing a weight distribution from the one or more regions; and generating the low dynamic range image from the high dynamic range image using the weight distribution. In another aspect, a method of image processing, includes: detecting one or more regions in a first image of a high dynamic range scene according to a threshold to generate a mask; and blending the first image and a second image of the scene to generate a third image using the mask.
US08077216B2 Image pickup apparatus with a human face detecting function, method and program product for detecting a human face
A digital camera has a human face dictionary set 151 for storing information defining peculiarities of a human face and a mode selection key 142 for selecting a first mode or a second mode, wherein the first mode is for putting priority to a speed at which the human face is detected and the second mode is for putting priority to accuracy of detecting the human face. When the first mode has been selected with the mode selection key 142, a control unit 7 controls a face detecting unit 15 to read less information from the human face dictionary set 151 than information to be read from the human face dictionary set 151 when the second mode has been selected, and to use the less information to detect a face of a person to be photographed with CCD 2. When the face of the person is detected, the control unit 7 processes a photographed image of the person based on image information of the detected face and records the processed image in an external memory 13.
US08077215B2 Apparatus for detecting blinking state of eye
A state-of-eye distinguishing means calculates a feature value that represents a state of an eye, for an eye-area based on pixel data of pixels that constitute the eye-area. A threshold value setting means calculates a first threshold value representing a feature value at a first transition point from an open state to a closed state and a second threshold value representing a feature value at a second transition point from the closed state to the open state, based on a feature value calculated for a targeted eye when the targeted eye is open. A blinking state detection means detects the blinking state of the eye corresponding to the eye-area, by sequentially comparing feature values which are sequentially calculated for a series of frame images by the state-of-eye distinguishing means with one of the first threshold value and the second threshold value.
US08077214B2 Signal processing apparatus, signal processing method, program and recording medium
A signal processing apparatus includes: an input unit receiving a first image generated by a first camera and higher-resolution second images generated by a plurality of second cameras; a similar portion detecting unit detecting a similar portion between part of a subject included in the first image and a subject included in each of the second images; an image synthesizing unit pasting the second images at positions corresponding to the detected similar portions within the first image to generate a synthesized image; an imaging area detecting unit detecting an area, for which image information is insufficient in the first image and is difficult to complement by the second cameras, as a non-imageable area from the synthesized image; and a camera parameter calculation unit changing a camera parameter for controlling the second camera that captures the second image by which the image information insufficient in the first image is complemented.
US08077212B2 Shock and vibration isolator for a camera
A shock and vibration isolator for a movie or video camera has a vertical axis system including a base, an arm pivotably attached to the base, and at least one spring connected to the base and to the arm. One or more dampeners are connected to the base and to the arm. A horizontal axis system is supported by the vertical axis system. A leveling linkage connects the vertical and horizontal axis systems. The leveling linkage has adjustment features that allow for compensation of camera lens angulation caused by movement of the camera supported on a vehicle rolling over rough or uneven ground.
US08077206B2 Image pickup apparatus, communication control method, and program
In an image pickup apparatus having a communication function through a predetermined communication interface and being equipped with a plurality of connectors adapted for the communication interface, the image pickup apparatus includes a connection state determining unit configured to detect respective connection states of the connectors, and when a state of two or more connectors being connected is detected, to hold communication on standby until a state of only one connector being connected is detected.
US08077203B2 Vehicle-periphery image generating apparatus and method of correcting distortion of a vehicle-periphery image
A vehicle-periphery image generating apparatus and a method of correcting distortion of vehicle-periphery image corrects distortion of the obstacle image appearing in the vehicle-periphery image after viewpoint conversion, so that visual discomfort experienced by the driver is reduced. Images around the vehicle are captured by a plurality of cameras, and an obstacle around the vehicle is detected by an ultrasonic sensor. When the obstacle is detected, a width of an image in the region positioned on the far side of the obstacle is compressed in the center direction of the images to generate the vehicle-periphery image. As a result, when a three-dimensional obstacle around the vehicle appears in an camera image, the camera image is viewpoint-converted so that enlargement or stretching of the obstacle image can be prevented.
US08077197B2 Three-dimensional data preparing method and three-dimensional data preparing device
A 3-dimensional data preparing method, comprising a first step of continuously taking digital images when moving from a first known point, via a second known point, to a third unknown point, a second step of generating tracking points from an image acquired at the first point, and sequentially specifying the tracking points on the continuously acquired images, a third step of obtaining 3-dimensional data of the tracking points based on the first and second points, a fourth step of sequentially obtaining a position of the third point, based on the orientation and the position data of the tracking point, a fifth step of obtaining position data of an image based on the first and second points, and a sixth step of sequentially obtaining position data of images from the orientation of the images at the second and third points and from the position data at those points.
US08077190B2 Exposure head, an image forming apparatus and an image forming method
An exposure head, includes: imaging optical systems which are arranged in a first direction; light emitting elements which are arranged in a second direction orthogonal to or substantially orthogonal to the first direction and emit lights to be imaged by the imaging optical systems; a first wiring which is connected with the light emitting element located at a first side in the second direction; and a second wiring which is connected with the light emitting element located at a second side in the second direction.
US08077189B2 Drive circuit
A drive circuit of the present invention is a drive circuit for driving a display element in accordance with grayscale information, which circuit outputs a drive waveform controlled through (i) plural-stepped voltage amplitude modulation and (ii) a pulse width modulation which is settable for each voltage amplitude of the plural-stepped voltage amplitude modulation, the drive circuit including an output control section for (A) latching a pulse width corresponding to a maximum voltage amplitude, according to the grayscale information, which amplitude is one of plural steps of amplitudes of the drive waveform, and which amplitude is to be outputted, so as to control a pulse width of the maximum voltage amplitude, and (B) outputting a maximum pulse width for a voltage amplitude smaller than the maximum voltage amplitude. With this drive circuit, it is possible to realize a drive circuit, whose circuit scale is smaller, for driving a display device including luminescent elements arranged in a matrix manner, the drive circuit generating a drive signal having been controlled by a voltage amplitude modulation (AM) and a pulse width modulation (PWM).
US08077188B2 Gamma correction device and gamma correction method for liquid crystal display device
A gamma correction device for a liquid crystal display device including LCD panels. The gamma correction device includes a storage device for storing gamma correction data corresponding to chiral directions of LCD panels. A chiral direction data acquisition circuit acquires chirality data on the chiral direction of a LCD panel arranged in the liquid crystal display device. A control circuit sets a gamma correction datum adapted to the chiral directions of the LCD panel arranged in the liquid crystal display device selectively from the stored gamma correction data based on the acquired chirality data. A gamma correction circuit performs a gamma correction process on image signals provided to the LCD panel using the set gamma correction datum.
US08077186B2 Terminal device having correction function for natural color and method thereof
A terminal device having a correction function for natural color and a method thereof are provided for creating an image closest in color to the natural color. A priority storing unit stores at a reference color data area a range of natural colors which are colors of objects existing in the natural world. A color editing unit corrects natural color image data corresponding to the natural color area, based on a command for correcting the natural area existing in a predetermined image from the user. A controlling unit decides whether the natural color image data corrected by the color editing unit is included in the reference color data area.
US08077180B1 Systems for and methods of using a display controller to output data
In accordance with one aspect, a display controller is included in a graphics processing unit. In some embodiments, the display controller includes a read memory requester configured to provide a data request to a source of image data, a data path configured to be coupled to the source of image data, an output coupled to the data path and a control unit in electrical communication with the read memory requester and the data path. In accordance with one embodiment, the output is configured to provide image data processed by the display controller and the control unit is configured to stop an output of image data processed by the display controller. In accordance with a further embodiment, the control unit includes a stop-output register configured to provide information employed by the control unit to stop the output of image data processed by the display controller.
US08077179B2 System and method for creating animated video with personalized elements
Described herein are systems and methods for cartoonizing an image and incorporating the image into an animated video based upon a predefined animated story. In alternate embodiments of the invention, multiple images may be incorporated into the animated video. In further embodiments, the animated video may be output from the system in printed, hard copy.
US08077178B2 Displaying multi-ownership in a tree-map visualization
A multi-ownership tree-map visualization system can include a tree-map configured to visualize a set of interrelated nodes in which at least one individual node in the set is related to at least two parent nodes in the set. The system further can include an event handler programmed to process a proximity event associated with a specific portion of the tree-map by highlighting multiple portions of the tree-map in which the portions represent a single node in the set. In this regard, the proximity event can include a mouse-over event, a mouse-click event, or a keyboard selection event, to name a few. The system yet further can include logic for displaying a call-out box for each portion of the tree-map associated with the single node in the set.
US08077172B2 Method and apparatus for processing an image, image display system, storage medium, and program
In an image display system, when a sequence of frames α, α+1, α+2, α+3, . . . , with a frame rate of m is given as an input video signal S1, a controller controls a frame memory to output a sequence of frames α, α+2, . . . , as an output video signal S2 at a frame rate of m/2 and a sequence of frames α+1, α+3, . . . , as an output video signal S3 at a frame rate of m/2 such that the timing of outputting each of frames α+1, α+3, . . . , of the output video signal S3 is delayed by 1/m with respect of the timing of outputting each of frames α, α+2, . . . , of the output video signal S2. By displaying the output video signals S3 and S2 in the above-described manner, a resultant motion image formed by a combination of the output video signals S3 and S2 is refreshed at an effective frame rate of m.
US08077169B2 Information processing device and control method
There is disclosed an information processing device with an operator unit capable of providing adequate operationality for both of display devices or drive modes which respectively require different rewrite times. The information processing device includes: at least one display device; an operator unit that is displaced from a reference point; a displacement detection unit that detects a displacement amount of the operator unit; a signal supply unit that supplies the at least one display device with a control signal for changing display on the at least one display device, depending on the displacement amount detected by the displacement detection unit; and a load controller that controls a load applied to the operator unit, depending on a display rewrite time per unit information amount in the at least one display device.
US08077166B2 Driving apparatus and driving method for display device
A driver and a driving method of a display device that includes a signal controller that processes image data input from an external circuit and a memory that is connected to the signal controller, wherein the signal controller includes a data converter that converts the image data and outputs the converted image data to the memory, and the data converter includes a data output unit that converts and outputs the image data and a data input unit that restores the image data input from the memory. Accordingly, the number of data transitions between the signal controller and the memory can be minimized to reduce current consumption and to reduce EMI.
US08077165B2 Operation device, electronic book device and electronic apparatus
An operation device includes: an operated body; an operation signal producing part that produces an operation signal based on an operation on the operated body; and a tactile information presenting part that presents tactile information through the operated body. The operation device may be applied to an electronic book device for flipping of pages.
US08077163B2 Mobile device with acoustically-driven text input and method thereof
A mobile device has a housing having first and second display areas. A mic-array is integrated into the housing and has microphones operable to sense sound signals at multiple locations on the housing from a sound pen when handwriting an alphanumeric symbol on a surface separate from and in proximity to the housing. A handwriting-to-text converter is operable to graphically represent, for display on the first display area, simulated handwritten traces of the alphanumeric symbol and to convert the alphanumeric symbol into a computer-readable interchange code, representative of the alphanumeric symbol, for display in the second display area.
US08077159B2 Systems and methods for correction of variations in speed of signal propagation through a touch contact surface
Methods and algorithms for compensating for variances in the uniformity of a touch substrate in a touch sensitive device.
US08077157B2 Device, system, and method of wireless transfer of files
Device, system, and method of wireless transfer of files. For example, a method includes: identifying a selection of a representation of a digital object stored in a mobile device by detecting contact on a touch-sensitive surface of the mobile device at a contact position that corresponds to said representation; identifying a directional movement of said contact position on the touch-sensitive surface; and in response to said directional movement, wirelessly transferring data corresponding to the digital object to a nearby computing device.
US08077155B2 Relative-position, absolute-orientation sketch pad and optical stylus for a personal computer
A notebook computer is upgraded by providing stylus-cooperating indicia near the keyboard and an optical stylus that can recognize the indicia. The indicia includes a sketch pad area that cooperates with the optical stylus to transmit movement data to the computer. The movement data is relative in position and absolute in orientation, providing .DELTA.X and .DELTA.Y in the sketch pad's coordinate plane rather than the stylus's. Other indicia represents tool buttons recognized by both humans and the stylus. A stylus and stickers kit is used to upgraded existing notebook computers. New ones can be manufactured with the stylus-cooperating indicia in place or the indicia may be provided on a substrate that may be attached to any notebook computer, as selected and positioned by the end user. The stickers or substrate is thin enough to permit the notebook computer to be closed as usual. In an alternative embodiment, the indicia is printed on a mouse pad or other surface to provide tablet and stylus functionality to other kinds of personal computers as well.
US08077153B2 Precise selection techniques for multi-touch screens
A unique system and method is provided that facilitates pixel-accurate targeting with respect to multi-touch sensitive displays when selecting or viewing content with a cursor. In particular, the system and method can track dual inputs from a primary finger and a secondary finger, for example. The primary finger can control movement of the cursor while the secondary finger can adjust a control-display ratio of the screen. As a result, cursor steering and selection of an assistance mode can be performed at about the same time or concurrently. In addition, the system and method can stabilize a cursor position at a top middle point of a user's finger in order to mitigate clicking errors when making a selection.
US08077150B2 Storable mouse
A storable mouse is provided. The storable mouse includes a mouse body, a connecting element and a protective case. A connecting surface of the connecting element is coupled with a rear surface of the mouse body such that bilateral sides of the connecting element are rotatable with respect to the mouse body. The protective case is pivotally coupled with the connecting element and rotatable with respect to the connecting element. The protective case includes a receptacle. When the protective case is folded toward the mouse body, the upper surface of the mouse body is sheltered by and accommodated within the receptacle of the protective case.
US08077147B2 Mouse with optical sensing surface
A mouse with an extended optical sensing surface is disclosed.
US08077138B2 Arrangement comprising a mobile telephone and an LCD display module
In certain medical systems, such as modalities, it is not desirable to install a program for adjusting an image reproduction characteristic curve with respect to a reference characteristic curve. An arrangement which comprises a mobile telephone, an LCD display module and a look-up table to facilitate said adjustment is provided.
US08077131B2 Liquid crystal display and method of driving the same for improving luminance uniformity
In a liquid crystal display or panel and a method of driving the same, in response to the receipt of a plurality of image control signals each intended for one of the data lines, the image control signals are modified in accordance with different characteristics of the data lines. The modified image control signals are outputted to the respective data lines to drive the liquid crystal display or panel.
US08077129B2 Pixel structure and method for generating drive voltages in the same
A pixel structure and a method for generating drive voltages in the pixel structure are disclosed. The pixel structure comprises a first sub-pixel electrode, a first com-line, and second com-line. The first sub-pixel electrode is applied with a first drive voltage. The first com-line transmits a first com-voltage signal. The second com-line transmits a second com-voltage signal. The first drive voltage is derived by combining the first com-voltage signal and the second com-voltage signal.
US08077128B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel having liquid crystal cells, a gate driver for driving gate lines of the liquid crystal display panel, a data driver for driving a first to (2m+1)th data lines of the liquid crystal display panel, wherein the liquid crystal display panel includes first thin film transistors connected to odd numbered data lines arranged on each horizontal line in zigzag with reference to the odd numbered data lines, second thin film transistors connected to even numbered data lines arranged on each horizontal line in zigzag with reference to the even numbered data lines, pixel electrode connected to the first thin film transistor for having a first data signal supplied thereto through the odd numbered data lines, and a common electrode connected to the second thin film transistor for having a second data signal supplied thereto through the even numbered data line and forming a horizontal electric field together with the pixel electrode.
US08077126B2 Display device and driving method thereof
In a pixel of a display device, a first transistor of which an second terminal is connected to a first terminal of a light emitting element supplies a driving current that corresponds to a voltage between a control terminal and the second terminal to the light emitting element, and a second terminal of the light emitting element is connected to a driving voltage. At least one second transistor transmits a black voltage that corresponds to a black gray to the control terminal of the first transistor in a first period and a second period, and transmits a gray voltage that corresponds to an input image signal to the control terminal of the first transistor in a third period. A third transistor is connected between the first terminal of the light emitting element and a voltage supply line to transmit a reference voltage, and the third transistor is turned on in the first period and turned off in the second period. A capacitor is connected between the control terminal and the source of the first transistor, stores a control voltage based on a threshold voltage of the first transistor in the second period, and stores a voltage based on the control voltage and the gray voltage in the third period.
US08077123B2 Emission control in aged active matrix OLED display using voltage ratio or current ratio with temperature compensation
Compensation needed to be made for reduced light efficiency in aged sub-pixels of an active matrix organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display are determined using a current ratio or a voltage ratio pertaining to an aged sub-pixel relative to un-aged, reference sub-pixels. When the current through the sub-pixels or the voltage across the sub-pixels are measured to determine the age of the sub-pixels, correction is made to the measured current or voltage to account for variations in the ambient temperature in which the OLED display is placed.
US08077118B2 Display apparatus and driving method thereof
A display apparatus for displaying image information according to display data, including: display pixels, each having a light emitting element; and a drive circuit for making each of the light emitting elements emit a light having brightness according to the display data, wherein the drive circuit includes: a plurality of power source circuits each generating a first voltage used as a light emission drive voltage to be supplied to the display pixels to flow a drive current according to the display data to each of the light emitting elements, wherein the power source circuits generates voltages of different values, respectively, as the first voltage; and a selecting circuit for switching the plurality of power source circuits so that any one of the power source circuits is selected according to a display state set to the display pixels and for causing the selected power source circuit to generate the first voltage.
US08077117B2 Electronic display device and method thereof
An electronic image device and a driving method thereof. An image of one frame is displayed in a frame period divided into at least two periods including first and second periods. A barrier layer includes a first barrier driven during the first period and a second barrier driven during the second period. The same plane image is repeatedly displayed during the first and second periods in an area for displaying the plane image on the display unit, and a first image displayed during the first period and a second image displayed during the second period are respectively images combined in different sequences in an area for displaying a stereoscopic image on the display unit.
US08077112B2 Collapsible tri-axial frame antenna
A antenna is described including a first frame having a first loop antenna element disposed thereon; a second frame having a second loop antenna element disposed thereon, the second frame disposed perpendicular to the first frame in an operational mode and disposed parallel to the first frame when in a stored mode; and a third frame having a third loop antenna element disposed thereon, the third frame disposed perpendicular to the first and second frame in an operational mode and disposed parallel to the first and second frame when in a stored mode.
US08077109B1 Method and apparatus for wideband planar arrays implemented with a polyomino subarray architecture
Methods for producing wide-band planar array antenna designs and antenna corresponding thereto.
US08077106B2 Receiving antenna coil
The present invention provides a receiving antenna coil capable of realizing both improvement in the reception characteristic and miniaturization. In a receiving antenna coil, at least one of an X-axis winding core part and a Y-axis winding core part is formed in a plurality of bars. While increasing occupancy of the winding core parts (the X-axis winding core part and the Y-axis winding core part) in a region in the XY plane surrounded by a Z-axis receiving coil, the length of the winding core parts can be assured long. Further, since the X-axis winding core part and the Y-axis winding core part are provided in the same plane, the height of the core is suppressed, and the dimension of the entire receiving antenna coil can be suppressed.
US08077104B1 Passive anti-jamming antenna system
System and method for improving the interference resistance of an radio frequency (RF) antenna system through passive prescreening of the RF energy incident upon the antenna. The invention physically partitions the RF environment into two or more sectors with respect to the direction of arrival of incident energy. The power level of the RF frequencies of interest incident upon each sector is determined such that whenever the power level exceeds a given threshold, the received signal from energy incident on that sector is modified.
US08077097B2 Dual-band antenna and electronic device employing the same
A dual-band antenna includes a feed portion, a ground portion, a radiating portion and a fine-tuning portion. The feed portion is operable to feed electromagnetic signals. The radiating portion includes a first radiator, a second radiator and a connecting portion. The first radiator is elongated and has a first end electrically connected to the ground portion, and a second end of the first radiator is floating. The second radiator is U shaped, with two open ends floating. The connecting portion is connected to the first radiator, the second radiator and the feed portion. The feed portion feeds electromagnetic signal to the first radiator and the second radiator via the connecting portion. The fine-tuning portion is arranged around the second radiator, operable to control operating frequency bands of the second radiator.
US08077093B2 Patch radiator with cavity backed slot
A patch radiator for use in beamformed or steerable antenna systems which maximizes upper frequency limit and simultaneously minimizes the lower frequency limit, by providing an annular patch configuration in which a central region of the patch element is devoid of material, whereby this central region is of a different shape from the shape of the exterior perimeter of the patch element. One possible configuration of such a patch radiator comprises a square exterior shape, enclosing a central circular region of removed material. In this manner, the upper frequency limit threshold tends to rise as the interior annular perimeter is reduced. Preferably, the exterior and interior perimeters have no interior angles of more than 180°.
US08077091B1 System and method for determining a position of a mobile device within a surveillance volume in the presence of multipath interference
A system of determining a position of a mobile device within a surveillance volume includes a phase difference array comprising a spatially diverse array of N sensors for detecting RF signals from the mobile device and acquiring phase difference data from the RF signals, N being greater than 4. The system includes a processor for processing the phase difference data and determining the position of the mobile device from the phase difference data.
US08077090B1 Simultaneous localization and RF modeling
The simultaneous localization and RF modeling technique pertains to a method of providing simultaneous localization and radio frequency (RF) modeling. In one embodiment, the technique operates in a space with wireless local area network coverage (or other RF transmitters). Users carrying Wi-Fi-enabled devices traverse this space while the mobile devices record the Received Signal Strength (RSS) measurements corresponding to access points (APs) in view at various unknown locations and report these RSS measurements, as well as nay other available location fix to a localization server. A RF modeling algorithm runs on the server and is used to estimate the location of the APs using the recorded RSSI measurements and any other available location information. All of the observations are constrained by the physics of wireless propagation. The technique models these constraints and uses a genetic algorithm to solve them, thereby providing an absolute location of the mobile device.
US08077089B2 Precision geolocation of moving or fixed transmitters using multiple observers
A method of geolocating a stationary transmitter observed by a fixed receiver device and at least two receiver devices, at least one of the receiver devices moving includes obtaining wavelength-scaled phase difference measurements between pairs of receiver devices, and obtaining a result lattice of possible locations of the transmitter, one location more probable than the remainder. A method of geolocating a moving transmitter observed by a plurality of fixed or nearly fixed receiver devices, and a moving receiver device, includes obtaining wavelength-scaled phase difference measurements from the plurality of fixed or nearly fixed receiver devices to obtain a shape of the transmitter trajectory, measuring the phase difference between the moving receiver device and at least one of the plurality of fixed or nearly fixed receiver devices to obtain a phase error residual, and moving an estimated starting point of the transmitter to obtain a best-fit residual.
US08077088B2 Method for single satellite geolocation of emitters using an ambiguous interferometer array
A method of locating a terrestrial emitter of electromagnetic radiation in the midst of a plurality of emitters in a satellite in orbit about the earth which utilizes a location estimation and location probability determination process with respect to each possible emitter site and its corresponding error region and then using both feedback and feed forward interaction between location and phase ambiguity resolution processes to generate resolved phase from emitter location, update emitter location or some or all of the emitters, and subsequently utilizing the probabilities thus determined to produce a single estimate of the desired emitter's location.
US08077083B2 Deployable antenna system
A rapidly deployable HF surface wave radar phased array antenna system is provided, including a plurality of separate antenna elements that are relatively movable to desired spaced apart positions, each antenna element including a respective receiver for receiving HF radio signals, wherein, in order to determine and control properties of the radar system, each element includes a GPS receiver for determining the location of each element and for timing and frequency synchronization.
US08077078B1 System and method for aircraft altitude measurement using radar and known runway position
A method of and system for determining the altitude of an aircraft can use a relative altitude estimate using information from an onboard radar. The altitude can be referenced to a runway for landing operations. The radar can produce relative altitude information from the range to the landing point and a precision estimation of the vertical angle to the landing point. The vertical angle estimate can be made with a phase processing antenna/radar system.
US08077075B2 Object verification method for use in radar systems for motor vehicles
In an object verification method for use in radar systems for motor vehicles, the distances and relative velocities of located objects are determined on the basis of received radar echoes. The signature of multiple reflections is searched for in the received radar echoes to verify real objects.
US08077074B2 Networked waveform system
Certain embodiments provide a network waveform system that can include multiple radars disposed at different geographical positions within an environment. The multiple radars may be configured to transmit a network waveform. The network waveform may include multiple radar waveforms. Each radar waveform of the multiple waveforms may be transmitted by a specific radar of the multiple radars. The system can also include a computer system coupled with the multiple radars that can include a processor and a memory. The memory may be configured to store information including data received from the multiple radars, data processed by the processor, and processing code executable by the processor. The processing code may include instructions to receive output data from the multiple radars resulting from the transmitted network waveform instructions to jointly process the output data from the multiple radars to determine a measurement of the environment based on the network waveform.
US08077072B2 Static RF imaging for inside walls of a premises
A system includes a radar unit configured to provide raw data from scanning an exterior of a structure; and a signal processing and imaging module configured to: process the raw data into markers of interior locations of the structure; and display an image of interior structural features based on the markers. A method includes: scanning a building structure from the exterior of the structure using a radar unit to provide raw data; processing the raw data into markers of interior locations of the structure; estimating locations of interior structural features of the structure from the markers; and displaying an image of the interior structural features.
US08077070B2 Charge-domain pipelined charge-redistribution analog-to-digital converter
A charge-domain pipeline of at least two stages is provided. Each stage comprises a charge-storage node, a charge-transfer circuit for conveying charge from said charge-storage node out of said stage, a charge-control capacitor connected to said charge-storage node and driven by a periodic clock voltage, a comparator which compares the voltage of said charge-storage node to a reference voltage, and a digital latch which latches the state of said comparator output under control of a second periodic clock voltage and provides a latched digital output from said stage. The second stage of the pipeline further includes a first charge-redistribution capacitor connected to the charge-storage node of the second stage and driven by a conditional voltage responsive to the latched digital output from the first stage. The charge output from each stage of said pipeline is substantially similar to the charge input to said stage.
US08077062B2 Pack ASCII zSeries instructions
ASCII input data to be packed into memory is obtained. The ASCII input data includes a plurality of blocks of ASCII data. wherein each block of ASCII data includes a plurality of ASCII characters. A block of ASCII data to he packed is selected. The selected block is chosen from the plurality of blocks of ASCII data and includes a plurality of bytes of data. One or more operations are performed on the selected block of ASCII data to obtain a plurality of bytes of packed data. The selecting and the performing are repeated one or more times for a next selected block to obtain a packed array for the input data.
US08077060B2 Distributed threshold adjustment for high speed receivers
According to one general aspect, an apparatus may include a terminal configured to receive an analog input signal. In various embodiments, the apparatus may also include a multistage amplifier configured to amplify the analog input signal by an amount of gain. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a distributed threshold adjuster interspersed between the stages of the multistage amplifier configured to adjust the DC voltage of the analog input signal to facilitate a decision by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). In one embodiment, the apparatus may include the ADC configured to convert the amplified analog input signal to a digital output signal.
US08077057B2 Input device with palm detecting unit
A capacitive input pad is provided at a position near input keys constituting a keyboard input unit. A left palm detecting unit and a right palm detecting unit are provided both sides of this input pad. When the left palm detecting unit and the right palm detecting unit detect both palms, an input operation, corresponding to a space key input area, an L-key input portion, or an R-key input portion, is performed through an operation of the input pad. When the left palm detecting unit and the right palm detecting unit do not detect both palms, a coordinate input operation is performed using the input pad.
US08077056B2 Immobilizer receiver for outboard motor
An immobilizer receiver for an outboard motor includes a control unit that is housed in a liquid-tight case and arranged to receive an authentication code, an antenna wire arranged to receive the authentication code, and an answer-back buzzer arranged to provide an indication that the authentication code has been received, which are housed in a recessed section of a housing. A distance from an opening surface to a bottom surface of the recessed section of the housing is arranged such that the antenna wire can receive the authentication code even in a case that a hull is made of metal. Then, the opening surface of the housing is preferably mounted on a vertical or approximately vertical surface of the hull. Therefore, it is possible to secure a receiving function of the antenna wire that is housed on the bottom surface of the recessed section. In addition, the answer-back buzzer is protected against coming in contact with water. The immobilizer receiver can easily be mounted to a hull and has a receiving function that is secured.
US08077055B2 Method and device for filtering windshears alarms for an aircraft
Method, device and item of equipment for filtering alarms originating from a windshear detection system embedded in an aircraft being able to emit an alarm. The aircraft has at least one sensor allowing the acquisition of a flight parameter. The device includes: units for the calculation of the second derivative of the flight parameter, units for the calculation of the absolute value of the second derivative of the flight parameter, units for the comparison of the absolute value of the second derivative of the flight parameter with a threshold C1, units for evaluating whether the absolute value of the second derivative of the flight parameter exceeds the threshold C1 over a duration greater than a time threshold T, and units for suppressing the alarm originating from the windshear detection system.
US08077054B1 Garage door opener and parking guide combination
A garage door opener and parking guide combination includes a housing that includes a drive assembly mechanically coupled to a garage door to selectively open or close the garage door when the drive assembly is activated. The housing is attached to a ceiling of a garage containing the garage door. A light bulb socket is in electrical communication with a control of the drive assembly and receiving electricity while the drive assembly is activated. A male connector is removably extended in and electrically coupled to the light bulb socket. A light bulb is electrically coupled to the male connector and emits light when electricity is supplied to the light bulb socket. A laser light assembly is electrically coupled to the male connector and emits laser light when the male connector receives electricity from the light bulb socket.
US08077053B2 Method and apparatus for sensing a borehole characteristic
An apparatus and method are disclosed for sensing a characteristic of a borehole. An exemplary apparatus includes a conductive pipe; an inlet, connected to the conductive pipe, for applying pulse to the conductive pipe; a resonant network device connected with the conductive pipe; and a transducer which is in operative communication with the resonant network device to measure a borehole characteristic, the transducer being configured to sense a modulated vibration frequency induced in the resonant network device when a pulse is applied to the inlet.
US08077048B2 Smoke monitor
Systems and methods for a smoke monitor are described. In one aspect, a smoke monitor includes a detector to sense when a user lights a smoking device such as a cigarette, pipe, etc. In one implementation, for example, such detection is made by detecting the audible sound of a lighter, via a smoke detector, and/or so on. In one implementation, the smoke monitor includes a counter that counts the number of smoking devices lit by a user, for example, over a predetermined amount of time. Exceeding a threshold number of smoking devices (e.g., lighting one or more smoking devices) over that period of time may cause the smoke monitor to implement one or more configurable events such as audio alarms, vibrations, etc. In one implementation, and responsive to the smoke monitor detecting smoke, a particle generator coupled to the smoke monitor generates particles to freshen surrounding air.
US08077047B2 Tampering detection system using quantum-mechanical systems
The use of quantum-mechanically entangled photons for monitoring the integrity of a physical border or a communication link is described. The no-cloning principle of quantum information science is used as protection against an intruder's ability to spoof a sensor receiver using a ‘classical’ intercept-resend attack. Correlated measurement outcomes from polarization-entangled photons are used to protect against quantum intercept-resend attacks, i.e., attacks using quantum teleportation.
US08077042B2 Diagnostic radio frequency identification sensors and applications thereof
An integrated passive wireless chip diagnostic sensor system is described that can be interrogated remotely with a wireless device such as a modified cell phone incorporating multi-protocol RFID reader capabilities (such as the emerging Gen-2 standard) or Bluetooth, providing universal easy to use, low cost and immediate quantitative analyses, geolocation and sensor networking capabilities to users of the technology. The present invention can be integrated into various diagnostic platforms and is applicable for use with low power sensors such as thin films, MEMS, electrochemical, thermal, resistive, nano or microfluidic sensor technologies. Applications of the present invention include on-the-spot medical and self-diagnostics on smart skin patches, Point-of-Care (POC) analyses, food diagnostics, pathogen detection, disease-specific wireless biomarker detection, remote structural stresses detection and sensor networks for industrial or Homeland Security using low cost wireless devices such as modified cell phones.
US08077039B2 Physiological sensor system with automatic authentication and validation by means of a radio frequency identification protocol with an integrated RFID interrogator system
This invention relates to a physiological sensor which acquires pre-programmed data from an electrode or an electrode array using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. The source of the sensor may be authenticated by means of a wireless interface between an RFID transponder affixed to the electrode array, and an RFID interrogator embedded in the patient interface cable. The criteria for use are then verified to ensure that they are met by the electrode array before beginning signal acquisition. If the criteria are not met, a message is provided to the user via the monitor.
US08077038B2 Systems and methods for RFID surveillance
A RFID monitoring system, which can be used to track and identify RFID tags and tag readers as they are used, can include a computing device including an RFID tag database for storing a list of authorized RFID tags that have been licensed by an intellectual property owner or licensee. The monitoring system may be configured to receive transmitted RFID tag data relating to the location, date, and/or time of detection of tags and other devices. Based on a statistical analysis of this data, the system can determine whether RFID tags and devices are authorized by a rights holder. Other features and embodiments are also disclosed.
US08077034B2 Sensor for presence detection
The invention refers to a sensor (10) for presence detection, and a method for presence detection, in a detection area (18) comprising at least an image generator (14) for generating an image on a detection area (18) formed by illuminated structures reflecting from said detection area (18), a detector (20) for detecting signals of the image reflected from the detection area (18), an image processing unit (24) for comparing the signals based on the reflected and received image with signals of a reference image stored in storing means of the image processing unit (24), wherein the image generator (14) generates a pattern (16) on the detection area (18) having illuminated and non-illuminated zones, the image processing unit (24) uses triangulation technique to detect changes of the pattern (16) within the detection area (18) over the reference image.
US08077032B1 System and method for selectively providing security to and transmission power from a portable electronic device depending on a distance between the device and a user
A portable electronic device is provided for sending and receiving a communication signal to and from a target, respectively. Among other components, the portable electronic device includes an antenna, a transceiver, a signal processing system and control circuitry. The signal processing system determines a distance between the target and the portable electronic device. There are various ways to determine the relative distance between the target and the device. One such methodology is to use a change in a signal that is transmitted from the transceiver and reflected from the target back to the transceiver. The change can be a frequency shift, a phase shift, a capacitive coupling change, an impedance change, or any other change which notes the presence of a target relative to the transceiver. The control circuitry may be used to change the amount of power applied to the antenna and/or to change at least one security measure of the device depending on the distance detected between the target and the device.
US08077028B2 System and apparatus with self-diagnostic and emergency alert voice capabilities
An emergency alert system with the capability of providing audible alerts upon the detection of a possible emergency condition or a malfunctioning system component is provided. An audible alert may include voice phrases that are selected and output based, at least in part, on information associated with the possible emergency condition or malfunctioning system component. The noise in an area may be received and the volume of the outputted voice phrase may be changed based, at least in part, on the noise in the area.
US08077020B2 Method and apparatus for tactile haptic device to guide user in real-time obstacle avoidance
An apparatus for providing information about a physical surrounding environment to a user includes an elongate body having first and second opposing ends and a mast, at least one sensor mountably coupled to the mast, at least one dual purpose, bi-directional haptic force feedback device including first and second haptic force feedback mechanisms and a vibrator, and a processor, which receives signals from the at least one sensor and operatively controls the at least one dual purpose, bi-directional haptic force feedback device.
US08077018B2 Smoke detector
To enable an air velocity of sampling air to be precisely measured, a smoke detector (S) includes: a smoke detection part (22) connected to a sampling pipe (11); a fan (12) that sucks sampling air (SA) into the sampling pipe; and an air velocity sensor (15) that measures an air velocity of the sampling air within the sampling pipe. The air velocity sensor (15) is disposed at a primary side of the fan (12), and a straightening vane (25) is disposed between the air velocity sensor (15) and a suction port (12a) of the fan (12).
US08077017B2 Laser-aid fire evacuation guidance system
A fire evacuation guidance system includes a pair of dissimilarly colored laser beams generated by at least one laser emitting device. The dissimilarly colored laser beams are generated substantially parallel to hallways of a (5) structure and subsequently reflected, where required, to direct occupants to a shortest exit route in the event of a fire emergency. That is, a first laser beam of one color is generated substantially parallel to one side of a hallway while a second laser beam of a second color different from the first color is generated substantially parallel to the opposite side of the hallway. So long as an occupant (10) of the structure positions himself or herself between the two laser beams and keeps the laser beam of the first color on his or her right hand side, the occupant will be directed to the closest exit in the event of a fire emergency.
US08077013B2 RFID reader Q-parameter aided by RF power measurement
RFID tag responses are detected by an RFID reader system. The tag response may be detected based on a reference measurement during a tag silent period and another one during the tag response. This helps determine whether a slot is empty or occupied, in a slotted aloha algorithm. The result is reported to the Q-algorithm for a better decision.
US08077010B2 RFID interrogator device
RFID interrogator device carries out an automatic gain control when an RF signal from RFID tag with a backscatter radio-communication is received. To carry out the automatic gain control, amplitude of the reception signal is measured within a prescribed time corresponding to a length of preamble added to the head of data of the RF signal. An AGC value is determined based on the measured amplitude value.
US08077005B2 Aligned multilayer wound coil
The invention provides an aligned multilayer wound coil that is compact in size and excellent in productivity, an apparatus for manufacturing the same, an electrical equipment and a non-inductive resistance to which the aligned multilayer wound coil is applied. The aligned multilayer-wound coil comprises two or more winding layers, the winding layers being provided with insulated electric wires, respectively, wound in one direction in alignment with each other, wherein a lead wire is guided out from respective ends of the coil, on a layer-by-layer basis, and wherein the lead wire guided out from one end of the coil on a layer-by-layer basis is connected to one terminal while the lead wire guided out from the other end of the coil on a layer-by-layer basis is connected to the other terminal, and winding layer coils on a layer-by-layer basis are connected in parallel with each other in a circuit.
US08077003B2 Coil component, transformer and switching power supply unit
A coil component includes a first coil winding wound around a first axis, a second coil winding wound around a second axis and juxtaposed to the first coil winding, a connecting member for electrically connecting second terminals that are one end of the first coil winding and one end of the second coil winding, and a heat conductive member mounted on the connecting member and having electrical insulation properties and heat conductivity. The first and second coil windings are each wound such that magnetic flux is generated by a current flowing through the first and second coil windings to pass through an opening of the first coil winding and through an opening of the second coil winding in an opposite direction to the direction passing the opening of the first coil winding. Accordingly, heat generated in the first and second coil windings is dissipated from the heat conductive member.
US08077002B2 Open MRI magnetic field generator
A magnet primarily for use in MRI applications comprises a pair of poles oriented about a plane of symmetry parallel to each therebetween defining an air gap region, magnetic field sources secured on the surfaces of the poles opposite the air gap that have yokes disposed on them, the yokes connected to each other by returns so that the entire magnet assembly can form a closed magnetic flux circuit to substantially confine the magnetic fields generated by the apparatus in the air gap where an imaging region is formed to place subjects for the purposes of examination. The main assembly being cylindrical in geometry has permanent magnets for magnetic field sources that are composed of two regions, a central disk-like portion magnetized substantially along the axial direction and an outer ring-like region magnetized substantially along the radial direction extending axially to form part of the pole together producing a very efficient and even flux distribution throughout the entire magnet assembly with minimal flux leakage. A further means of reducing flux leakage is incorporated in the yokes which have two sections, a disk-like region and an ring-like section to enclose the permanent magnets. The poles are made of multiple sections with a central disk-like region and an outer ring-like region that is a combination of permanent magnets and high permeability materials. This magnet assembly can achieve 1.0 Tesla or greater magnetic fields for whole-body scanning without saturating the magnet pole and other structures.
US08077000B2 Electromagnetic bandgap structure and printed circuit board
Disclosed are an electromagnetic bandgap structure and a printed circuit board. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the electromagnetic bandgap structure can include a dielectric layer; a plurality of conductive plates; a stitching via, configured to pass through the dielectric layer and have a part electrically connecting the conductive plates to each other by connecting through a planar surface that is different from a planar surface of the conductive plates, and a through via. Here, the dielectric layer, the conductive plates and the stitching via can be placed between any two conductive layers, and the through via can be configured to pass through a clearance hole formed in the conductive layer and electrically connect the two conductive layers to each other.
US08076991B2 Frequency hopping band-stop filter
A digitally-tunable filter includes a tunable filter circuit (110) for generating an output signal by processing an input signal based at least on a plurality of filter control signals (114). The filter also includes an input power sampler (118) for sampling an input power of the input signal, an output power sampler (120) for sampling an output power of the output signal, and a tuning processor (112) for generating the plurality of filter control signals based on at least one channel control signal (116) associated with a current communications channel and a comparison of the input and the output powers. In the filter, the plurality of control signals configure the tunable filter circuit to attenuate at least a portion of the input signal if a difference between the input power and the output power is less than a threshold value.
US08076990B2 Communications medium connector with integrated common-mode noise suppression
According to one exemplary embodiment, a connector for coupling a communications medium to an electronic device includes a common-mode suppression block coupled to a number of connector pins. The common-mode suppression block is configured to reduce common-mode noise coupling between the communications medium and the connector pins in the connector. The common-mode suppression block is further configured to provide substantially no attenuation to a differential-mode signal. In one embodiment, the communications medium is an Ethernet cable and the connector is an Ethernet plug. In one embodiment, the common-mode suppression block comprises common-mode chokes. In one embodiment, the connector is an RJ45 plug.
US08076988B2 Voltage and current signaling
Circuitry and methods are provided. Voltage and current of an electrical load are detected, scaled and biased to derive respective voltage and current signals. Frequency-modulated signals corresponding to the voltage and current signals are respectively derived. The frequency-modulated signals are communicated between different electrical domains by way of optical isolation barriers. The frequency-modulated signals are processed to improve linearity and to time-correlate the signals to discrete samplings of the load voltage and current. Control of a printer or other device is performed using the processed signals.
US08076983B2 Constant-temperature type crystal oscillator
A constant-temperature type crystal oscillator includes: a crystal unit including a case main body, in which two crystal terminals and two dummy terminals are provided on an outer bottom face thereof, and a crystal element housed in the case main body; an oscillator output circuit including an oscillating stage and a buffering stage; a temperature control circuit for keeping an operational temperature of the crystal unit; and a circuit substrate, on which circuit elements of the crystal unit, the oscillator output circuit and the temperature control circuit are installed. The temperature control circuit includes: heating chip resistors; a power transistor; and a temperature sensing element. Each of the dummy terminals is connected to a respective one of circuit terminals on the circuit substrate. At least one of the circuit terminals is connected to an electrically-conducting path, to which one terminal of the heating chip resistors is electrically connected, on the circuit substrate.
US08076982B2 Voltage-controlled variable frequency oscillation circuit and signal processing circuit
A voltage-controlled variable frequency oscillation circuit, includes: an oscillation circuit section including a resonance circuit which includes a coil and a variable capacitance element, and a negative resistance circuit; and a first resistor connected between the oscillation circuit section and a first one of a pair of terminals of a power supply.
US08076981B2 Self-calibrating oscillator
An oscillator that increases the accuracy of an output frequency, without using a charge pump, has an oscillation circuit, first and second voltage supply circuits, and a calibration value generation circuit. The first voltage supply circuit includes a resistor and a capacitor, the resistance and capacitance of which are determined so that a first voltage reaches a reference voltage within a reference time. The second voltage supply circuit includes first and second switching means, which perform switching when receiving pulse signals corresponding to the frequency of the oscillation circuit to raise the second voltage. A calibration value generation circuit provides the oscillation circuit with a calibration value that lowers the frequency when the second voltage reaches the reference voltage before the first voltage and raises the frequency when the second voltage reaches the reference voltage after the first voltage.
US08076979B2 Lock detection circuit for phase locked loop
A lock detector circuit for detecting a lock condition between a reference signal and a feedback signal includes a first counter for outputting a first counter value indicative of a number of clock cycles of the reference signal, and a second counter for outputting a second counter value indicative of a number of clock cycles of the feedback signal. An asynchronous comparator receives the first and second counter values and provides an output signal having a pulse width that is proportional to the difference between the first and second counter values. A pulse width detector receives the comparator output signal and produces an output signal that is indicative of the relationship between the pulse width of the comparator output signal and a predetermined threshold value. A state machine controls the state of at least one lock indication signal according to the pulse width detector output signal.
US08076978B2 Circuit with noise shaper
In an embodiment, a circuit comprising an oscillator is provided. The oscillator is controlled based on a feedback value and an input reference value. The feedback value or the reference value or both are generated using noise shaping.
US08076967B2 Integrated smart power switch
A device including a controllable semiconductor, sensor, and controller is provided. The controllable semiconductor is associated with a first operating parameter and a second operating parameter, wherein at least the first operating parameter is controllable. The sensor is in communication with the controllable semiconductor device and acquires data relating to the second operating parameter of the controllable semiconductor device. The controller is in communication with the controllable semiconductor device and the sensor, and the controller is configured to access device data associated with the controllable semiconductor, control the first operating parameter of the controllable semiconductor, and receive data from the first sensor relating to the second operating parameter. The controller determines a first predicted value dependent on the device data, compares the data relating to the second operating parameter with the first predicted value, and, if a first condition is detected based on this comparison, dynamically modifies the first operating parameter.
US08076964B2 Sampling circuit
A sampling circuit for use in a semiconductor device, includes a first sampling unit configured to sample a data signal in synchronism with a reference clock signal and output a first output signal, a second sampling unit configured to sample a delayed data signal in synchronism with the reference clock signal and output a second output signal, and an output unit configured to combine the first and second output signals and output a sampling data signal.
US08076960B2 Digital phase-locked loop with two-point modulation using an accumulator and a phase-to-digital converter
A digital phase-locked loop (DPLL) supporting two-point modulation is described. In one design, the DPLL includes a phase-to-digital converter and a loop filter operating in a loop, a first processing unit for a lowpass modulation path, and a second processing unit for a highpass modulation path. The first processing unit receives an input modulating signal and provides a first modulating signal to a first point inside the loop after the phase-to-digital converter and prior to the loop filter. The second processing unit receives the input modulating signal and provides a second modulating signal to a second point inside the loop after the loop filter. The first processing unit may include an accumulator that accumulates the input modulating signal to convert frequency to phase. The second processing unit may include a scaling unit that scales the input modulating signal with a variable gain.
US08076959B2 Circuits and methods for voltage detection
A circuit for detecting an input voltage includes a voltage-to-current converter and a current comparator. The voltage-to-current converter is operable for generating a monitoring current that varies in accordance with the input voltage. The current comparator coupled to the voltage-to-current converter is operable for comparing the monitoring current to a threshold current proportional to the temperature of the circuit, and for generating a detection signal indicating a condition of the input voltage based on a result of the comparison.
US08076955B2 Configurable logic device
The configurable logic device comprises a plurality of configurable logic cells (2). A configurable logic cell comprises a plurality of multi-bit registers (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d). At least one is accessible both in a parallel and in a serial fashion. A functional unit (30) therein is coupled to two or more of the registers and comprises a chain of functional unit segments (31, 31′) that each comprise an AND gate (33) and a 1-bit full adder (32) receiving an output of the AND-gate. An output selection facility (50) provides an output signal of the configurable logic cell selected from two or more input signals. At least one of the input signals is provided by one of the multi-bit registers, and another by the functional unit.
US08076949B1 Enhanced proximity sensing
An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method for rejecting sensor information when a switch is being pressed in a system having sensors over switches. A switch in the process of being pressed may be determined based on an increase in pressure which may be determined by measuring the increase in capacitance at a plurality of capacitive sensors. The rejection of sensor information when the switch is being pressed allows the user interface to more accurately thus facilitates smooth and jitterless interface operation.
US08076946B1 Leakage calibration
An integrated circuit and a method for efficiently operating integrated circuit devices. The integrated circuit includes an input that is configured to receive a first current which is representative of a leakage current drawn by leakage in a portion of the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes a leakage calibrator that is configured to compare the first current to a current required to perform a switching operation and output a value indicative of the leakage.
US08076944B2 Systems and methods for detecting electrical line faults
Methods and systems for detecting changes in currents are disclosed, including: dividing a main current into two or more subcurrents, combining a first magnetic flux of a first subcurrent of the two or more of the subcurrents with another magnetic flux of another current to generate a combined magnetic flux, and sensing the combined magnetic flux to determine relative changes between the first subcurrent and the other current.
US08076942B2 Method for marine electrical survey of oil-and-gas deposits
A method for survey of hydrocarbon deposits in a researched profile of sea-bottom comprises providing a generator generating pulse electric current with a generator frequency in a towable generator line exciting electric field signals measured by sea-bottom stations synchronized with the generator, forming space-domain data arrays for the generator frequency and for higher odd harmonics frequencies nearest thereto, forming time-domain data arrays for selected offsets, inversion of the time-domain and space-domain data, and determining a bottom strata resistivity and polarization characteristics for the researched profile, based the inversion's results. The inversion preferably encompasses synchronizing and adjusting the generator line and electric field signals, dividing them into a frequency branch, including a fast Fourier transform and a robust summation producing the space-domain arrays, and a time-domain branch, including a robust summation producing the time-domain arrays. Embodiments include transient field analysis with spatial derivatives, special towing configurations, generator line types choices, etc.
US08076935B2 Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using SPIR and/or chess suppression pulses
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an imaging condition setting unit and an image data acquisition unit. The imaging condition setting unit sets an imaging condition applying first and second suppression pulses of which at least ones of types, center frequencies and frequency bands are different from each other. The first and the second suppression pulses frequency-selectively suppress at least one of fat and silicone. The image data acquisition unit acquires image data according to the imaging condition.
US08076933B2 Method for determining wettability of an oil reservoir
A method for determining wettability of an earth formation zone surrounding a borehole, including the following steps: introducing paramagnetic ions into the water component of the zone; performing NMR measurements on the zone, and determining an NMR relaxation time parameter for the zone; extracting a fluid sample from the zone; performing NMR measurements on the sample, and determining the NMR relaxation time parameter for the sample; and determining wettability of the earth formation zone using the determined relaxation time parameter for the zone and the determined relaxation time parameter for the sample.
US08076929B2 Device and method for detecting an anomaly in an assembly of a first and a second object
A method for detecting an anomaly in an assembly of a first and a second object of electrically conductive material forming an intermediate space between them, comprising providing a device (5) comprising a transmitter/receiver arrangement (7) for generating an electromagnetic field, and for measuring a signal indicative of an eddy current which is generated in the assembly by the electromagnetic field; arranging the device in a measurement position within the intermediate space; activating the device so as to receive a signal indicative of an eddy current in the assembly; and comparing the signal with a norm so as to detect if an anomaly is present at the measurement position, and a device for detecting an anomaly in an assembly of a first and a second object forming an intermediate space between them, the device comprising a transmitter/receiver arrangement a fixation means which. is arranged to fix the transmitter/receiver arrangement at a measurement position with respect to the inspection object.
US08076927B2 Magnetic-field sensor and method of calibrating a magnetic-field sensor
An embodiment of a magnetic-field sensor has a plurality of sensor elements connected to form measurement arrangements, each measurement arrangement having a measurement tap, and a control circuit formed to perform an embodiment of a method of calibrating the magnetic-field sensor.
US08076923B2 Dead-line phase identification system and method thereof
A system and method for dead-line conductor phase identification is provided. The system includes a receiver unit having a set of current sensors, such as current transformers. The receiver unit current sensors are coupled to conductors having a known phase in a multiphase power line. The current sensors are positioned adjacent a transformer connected to a section of the power line having an open circuit condition. A transmitter unit transmits a current signal on to a conductor at the open circuit section of the power line. The current sensors detect the current signal and the receiver unit transmits a signal to the transmitter unit identifying the phase on which the current signal was transmitted.
US08076914B2 Switching regulator including low-pass filter configured to have time constant for step-up operation and time constant for step-down operation
A switching regulator includes a step-down-and-step-up unit to convert an input voltage to a low voltage or to a high voltage in accordance with a control signal, and a controller including a low-pass filter to receive a reference voltage generated in accordance with an external control signal. The controller causes the step-down-and-step-up unit to perform a step-down operation or a step-up operation in accordance with a voltage difference between a proportional voltage proportional to an output voltage of the step-down-and-step-up unit and the reference voltage. The controller further causes the step-down-and-step-up unit to perform a step-down operation or a step-up operation in accordance with a voltage difference between an output voltage of the low-pass filter and the proportional voltage, and changes a time constant of the low-pass filter in accordance with the operation being performed.
US08076911B2 Flash memory and related voltage regulator
A voltage regulator includes a voltage regulator unit configured to output a step voltage and a damping resistance switching unit coupled between a load and an output node of the voltage regulator and configured to select an optimal damping resistance value based on a required load capacity.
US08076910B2 Power factor correction using hierarchical context of a power monitoring system
Automated power factor correction analysis methods based on an automatically determined hierarchy representing how IEDs and transformers are linked together in an electrical system for reducing a utility bill, releasing capacity to the electrical system, reducing losses, and/or improving voltages. The automatically determined hierarchy places the system elements in spatial context and is exploited by the power factor correction analysis methods to identify power factor correction opportunities. Recommendations are made as to sizing and location of capacitors within the hierarchy where power factor improvements can be achieved. Harmonic distortion levels can be checked first to determine whether safe levels exist for capacitor banks. Recommendations are also checked to avoid leading power factors anywhere in the system due to the addition of capacitor banks. Capacitor bank location is tailored to the end-user's goal for power factor correction. Cost savings and payback periods associated with any ameliorative power factor correction activities are also determined.
US08076902B2 Charger
A charger capable of clamping portable communication device is provided. The charger includes a body, a securing portion, and at least one elastic element, wherein the at least one elastic element is deformable elastically when electricity power is supplied thereto, and recoverable to its normal shape when the power is off. The at least one elastic element joins the securing portion to the body. When a user uses the charger, firstly, places the portable communication device between the body and the securing portion, then, supplies electricity power, and the at least one elastic element contracts and drives the securing portion to move towards the body, as a result, the portable communication device is clamped.
US08076900B1 Portable battery charger
A portable battery charger, comprising a base assembly housing a first electrical system. The first electrical system comprises a first rechargeable battery with a respective first booster cable port. The first booster cable port has first receiving means to receive removable booster cables. The first electrical system has first recharging means to recharge the first rechargeable battery. The base assembly also houses an air compressor system. The air compressor system comprises an air compressor having means to deliver compressed air through a hose to a valve stem fitting. A head assembly houses a second electrical system. The second electrical system comprises a second rechargeable battery with a respective second booster cable port. The second booster cable port has second receiving means to receive the removable booster cables. The second electrical system has second recharging means to recharge the second rechargeable battery. The head assembly removably mounts onto the base assembly.
US08076899B2 Valve timing control apparatus
An electric power supply driver executes duty control of turning on and off of a selected switching element to supply electric power to a corresponding stator coil in a case where an actual rotational direction and a target rotational direction of a motor shaft coincide with each other. Furthermore, the driver sets an on-duty ratio of the selected switching element below a lower limit value, which is at least required to rotate the motor shaft through the power supply to each corresponding stator coil in a case where the actual rotational direction and the target rotational direction do not coincide with each other.
US08076898B2 Method of brushless DC motor control and its application
The invention relates to electric engineering, in particular to methods for controlling an ac electronic motor. The inventive control method consists in starting and rotating a rotor upon EMF signals in current-free sections of an armature winding, in converting the EMF signals into discrete logical level signals by a normalizer, in detecting switching points by means of a microcontroller and in displacing said points according to a load current quantity, the rotor speed of rotation and the inductance of the armature winding sections, wherein the switching points are calculated and displaced with respect to bridging times of the free sections EMF whose voltage levels are different from zero. The inventive device is characterized in that it comprises a reference level displacing unit (26), which is arranged in the normalizer between a divider 22 and a comparator unit (23) and which consists of a current sensor (27), a voltage sensor (27), two adders (29, 30) and an inverter (31).
US08076892B2 Stator position adjustment method, motor drive device and stator position adjustment system
A stator position adjustment method for a motor drive device that includes a motor case, a rotor shaft supported by the motor case in order to rotate a rotor inside the motor case, and a stator disposed at an outer circumference of the rotor concentrically with the rotor and having a configuration in which the stator is tightened and secured to the motor case by a tightening unit that tightens the stator along a rotor axis. The method includes the steps of setting a first tolerance range as a maximum tolerance range of a stator axis in which a first gap is formed between an outer circumference surface of the stator and an inner circumference surface of the motor case; measuring a position of the stator axis; and adjusting the position of the stator axis within the first tolerance range based on a measured position of the stator axis.
US08076886B2 Device and a method for providing electrical energy to an actuator, and an actuator system
A method for providing electrical energy to an actuator is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes having a first voltage (UBUS) from a data bus; ii) converting the electric current to a current having a second voltage that is higher than the first voltage; iii) storing electrical energy of the second electric current; and discharging the stored electrical energy to an actuator. A device is also disclosed for providing electrical energy to an actuator.
US08076881B1 System and method for controlling an electric motor
A system. The system includes a first module, a second module communicably connected to the first module, a third module communicably connected to the first module, and a fourth module communicably connected to the third module. The first module is configured for determining an angle. The angle is defined by a first rotating reference frame having an axis aligned with a permanent magnet flux of a permanent magnet motor, and a vector of a motor magnetizing flux of the permanent magnet motor. The second module is configured for defining a second rotating reference frame having an axis aligned with the vector, and for transforming a two-phase set of direct currents from the first rotating reference frame to the second rotating reference frame. The first and second rotating reference frames are synchronized. The third module is configured for generating a first direct current reference signal associated with the second rotating reference frame. The fourth module is configured for generating a second direct current reference signal associated with the second rotating reference frame. The first and second desired direct current reference signals are orthogonal.
US08076877B2 System and method for controlling power balance in an electrical/mechanical system
An electrically commutated actuator and control system has a stator and a shaft that is movable with respect to the stator. A plurality of magnets movable with the shaft provide a first magnetic flux, and an electric current in at least one coil defined on the stator provides a second magnetic flux. The second magnetic flux is controlled in response to the first input so that the second magnetic flux has a predetermined phase with respect to the first magnetic flux. The second magnetic flux is controlled in response to the second input so that the phase of the second magnetic flux with respect to the first magnetic flux varies from the predetermined phase.
US08076874B2 On-vehicle actuator system
A motor is controlled to always consume power supplied from a power supply system or not to supply power to the power supply system, by performing control to advance or delay a phase of a 3-phase current flowing in the motor or to reduce a percentage of the generated torque with respect to an effective value of the 3-phase current of the motor, or by applying a d-axis current to the motor.
US08076870B2 LED illumination system with multiple independent loops
A LED illumination system with multiple independent loops includes an input unit provided to receive a D.C. voltage, and a plurality of light module control circuits electrically connected to the input unit. Each of the light module control circuits includes a light module controller and two filtering units. The two filtering units are electrically connected to the light module controller, and receive D.C. power transmitted form the input unit to drive two set of LED illuminators, respectively. The light module controller controls current of the two set of LED illuminators via the two filtering units so as to control brightness of the LED illuminators, respectively. Therefore, the LED illuminators are controlled by the independent loops to reduce mutual influence among the LED illuminators.
US08076867B2 Driving circuit with continuous dimming function for driving light sources
A driving circuit for controlling power of a light source includes a power converter coupled to a power source and the light source, and a dimming controller coupled to the power converter. The power converter can receive power from the power source and provide a regulated power to the light source. The power converter includes a control switch coupled in series with the light source. The dimming controller can monitor a power switch coupled between the power source and the driving circuit, and receive a dimming request signal and a dimming termination signal. The dimming request signal can indicate a first set of operations of the power switch. The dimming termination signal can indicate a second set of operations of the power switch. The dimming controller can continuously adjust the regulated power from the power converter by controlling the control switch if the dimming request signal is received, and can stop adjusting the regulated power from the power converter if the dimming termination signal is received.
US08076866B2 Electronic ballast having current waveform control within the half wave
Aspects of the invention include an electronic ballast and method for controlling current through a lamp to produce various current waveforms through the lamp. In one embodiment, the ballast samples and adjusts the current through the lamp on a micro-second time scale within each half-cycle of the current waveform (i.e., at least twice within a period of a reference waveform). The ballast can accommodate different lamp types, provide arbitrary current waveforms, operate a lamp at multiple power levels, and provide power to the lamp as a function of an operational state of a lamp. For example, in one embodiment, the ballast increases power to the lamp and adjusts the current waveform provided to the lamp as the lamp ages to minimize luminous flux loss caused by darkening of lamp walls and changes in lamp chemistry.
US08076858B2 Light sensing apparatus and method for luminaire calibration
A light sensing apparatus and method for luminaire calibration are provided. Since the lighting frequencies of LEDs are modulated in sequence and a light sensing unit is activated and deactivated periodically, the light intensity received from each LED channel can be measured in sequence. In particular, only the light signals from one channel at one time can be sensed. Further, the received light signals for each channel are compared with the ideal value, and the result can be used for LEDs' calibration. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the sensing apparatus includes a plurality of LEDs, regulators, and single light sensing unit for retrieving the light intensities without any switching circuit should be installed. After that, the signals will be transmitted into a driving controller that can switch the light sensing unit, and the light sensing unit can measure the light intensities in a specific period.
US08076856B2 LED lamp
An LED lamp includes an optical part, a heat dissipation part and an electric part. The optical part includes main and auxiliary LED light sources thermally attached to the heat dissipation part. The electric part includes a rechargeable battery and a circuitry for converting an external AC power source into first and second DC power sources. The auxiliary LED light source is connected to the first DC power source for providing an auxiliary illumination when the external AC power source is normally supplied or to the rechargeable battery for providing an emergency illumination when the external AC power source is interrupted. The main LED light source is connected to the second DC power source for providing normal illumination when the external AC power source is supplied normally. Photoelectric switches are also provided for controlling the action of the auxiliary LED light source.
US08076851B2 Plasma display having a crystalline MgO dielectric layer
A plasma display panel including a front substrate and a back substrate facing each other across a discharge space, and a plurality of row electrode pairs and a plurality of column electrodes extending in a direction orthogonal to the row electrodes. The row electrodes and said column electrodes being provided between the front substrate and the back substrate and forming unit light emission areas at intersections with each other within the discharge space. A crystal having a volumetric particle-size distribution in which a ratio of a crystal having a particle size of 0.7 μm or less is 25% or less, is provided in an area facing the discharge space between the front substrate and the back substrate.
US08076850B2 Light emitting tube array, display device employing the light emitting tube array, and method of producing the light emitting tube array
A light emitting tube array is provided which includes: front and rear plates; and a plurality of elongated light emitting tubes each filled with a discharge gas and disposed parallel to each other between the front and rear plates, the front plate being transparent and having an enough rigidity to support the light emitting tubes, the front plate including at least one pair of display electrodes provided thereon in contact with the light emitting tubes as extending perpendicularly to the light emitting tube, the rear plate having an enough flexibility to adapt to variation in sectional dimensions of the light emitting tubes, the rear plate including address electrodes provided thereon in contact with the respective light emitting tubes as extending longitudinally of the light emitting tubes.
US08076849B2 Plasma display panel having a bus electrode
A plasma display panel is disclosed. The plasma display panel includes a front substrate on which first and second electrodes are positioned parallel to each other, a rear substrate on which a third electrode is positioned to intersect the first and second electrodes, and a barrier rib positioned between the front and rear substrates to partition a discharge cell. At least one of the first or second electrode has a single-layered structure. At least one of the first or second electrode includes a plurality of line portions intersecting the third electrode, a projecting portion projecting from the line portion, and a connecting portion connecting at least two line portions to each other. The projecting portion and the connecting portion are positioned in a straight line.
US08076848B2 Mercury dispensing system for fluorescent lamps
The present invention relates to a mercury dispensing system (11; 21, 31) for fluorescent lamps, comprising a dispensing member (12; 22, 32) containing a mercury releasing compound. The dispensing member (12; 22, 32) is fixed on a metal support (13; 23; 33) suitable to be heated by electromagnetic induction in order to cause the activation of said mercury releasing compound. The surface area of the metal support (13; 23; 33) is comprised between 9 and 64 mm2. The invention also relates to fluorescent lamps comprising said mercury dispensing system (11; 21; 31).
US08076845B2 Display apparatus
In a display apparatus, a thin film transistor, a planarization film, and at least two light-emitting devices are provided on a substrate, and the light-emitting device at least includes a light-emitting layer and first and second electrodes. At least two first contact holes and at least two second contact holes are provided in the planarization film at a part outside a display region and connect the first electrode to ground wiring and/or power wiring with a resistance lower than that of the first electrode, the distance between the second contact hole and the display region is longer than that between the first contact hole and the display region, and the opening area of the second contact hole is smaller than that of the first contact hole.
US08076844B2 Organic EL display device and manufacturing method of the same
An organic EL display device includes a glass substrate and a flattening film arranged above the glass substrate. A plurality of anodes are arranged on a surface of the flattening film. A plurality of organic EL layers are arranged on a surface of the anodes. The flattening film has irregularities formed in at least a partial surface in a region outside a region where the plurality of organic EL layers are arranged. According to such a structure, an organic EL display device in which remaining of moisture in an insulating film is suppressed can be provided.
US08076843B2 Organic electroluminescence display device
An organic electroluminescence display device wherein the wiring width is made large enough to secure a current capacity for the power supply line and at the same time high luminance is achieved by increasing the aperture rate is to be realized. The device has lower electrodes formed over the main face of a transparent substrate, a plurality of organic electroluminescence elements each stacked over one or another of the lower electrodes and emitting light of a prescribed color, and an upper electrode formed as a film covering the plurality of organic electroluminescence layers in common, and this upper electrode is reflective and the luminescence from the organic electroluminescence elements is emitted from the transparent substrate side. The device further has: a pixel circuit including, over the inner face of the transparent substrate, a plurality of signal lines and a plurality of scanning lines arranged crossing each other and an organic electroluminescence layer in each of pixel areas surrounded by the signal lines and the scanning lines; and a power supply line for supplying a current to the organic electroluminescence layer, wherein the pixel line is arranged across the pixel areas.
US08076842B2 Multilayer polymer light-emitting diodes for solid state lighting applications
Multilayer polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) are demonstrated using semiconducting polymers blended with organometallic emitters as the emissive layer and one or both of an electron transport layer and a hole transparent layer on the appropriate electron injection and hole injection sides of the emissive layer. The transport layers reduce energy potential gaps between the hole injection electrode and the emissive polymer and between the electron injection electrode and the emissive polymer. A solvent-processing based procedure for preparing these devices is also disclosed It uses nonpolar solvent-based solutions of emissive polymers to form the emissive layer and polar solvent-based solutions to form the transport layers to minimize etching and other undesirable interactions as the multiple layers are being laid down. Illumination quality white light can be obtained with stable Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage coordinates, stable color temperatures, and stable color rendering indices, all close to those of “pure” white light. These multilayer white light-emitting PLEDs are useful as backlights for liquid crystal displays and for solid state lighting applications.
US08076839B2 Organic electroluminescence device
An organic electroluminescence device (1) including: an anode (20) and a cathode (50), at least two organic emitting layers (30), (32) and (34) interposed between the anode and the cathode, and at least one intermediate connection layer (40) and (42) being provided between the organic emitting layers (30), (32) and (34), the intermediate connection layer (40) and (42) comprising an acceptor layer, a donor layer and an electron-transporting material layer being stacked in this order from the cathode (50), the electron-transporting material layer containing a non-complex compound with a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic structure.
US08076838B2 Light emitting device
A light emitting device includes a plurality of types of light emitting elements including at least a red light emitting element that outputs red light, a green light emitting element that outputs green light, and a blue light emitting element that outputs blue light. Each of the plurality of types of the light emitting elements includes a first electrode, a second electrode that is disposed on a side for outputting light and has semi-transmissive reflectivity or transparency, a function layer that is formed between the first electrode and the second electrode and includes at least a light emitting layer, a reflective layer that additionally serves as the first electrode or is formed separately from the first electrode in a position for facing the function layer through the first electrode and reflects light generated in the light emitting layer to the second electrode side, and a color filter that is disposed in a position for facing the reflective layer through the function layer and absorbs light having wavelengths in a wavelength range other than a wavelength range of the output light. In addition, at least one type of the light emitting element of the plurality of types of the light emitting elements further includes a semi-reflective layer that is disposed between the reflective layer and the function layer and a transparent layer that is disposed between the reflective layer and the semi-reflective layer.
US08076835B2 Multi-chip light emitting device lamps for providing high-CRI warm white light and light fixtures including the same
A multi-chip lighting emitting device (LED) lamp for providing white light includes a submount including first and second die mounting regions thereon. A first LED chip is mounted on the first die mounting region, and a second LED chip is mounted on the second die mounting region. The LED lamp is configured to emit light having a spectral distribution including at least four different color peaks to provide the white light. For example, a first conversion material may at least partially cover the first LED chip, and may be configured to absorb at least some of the light of the first color and re-emit light of a third color. In addition, a second conversion material may at least partially cover the first and/or second LED chips, and may be configured to absorb at least some of the light of the first and/or second colors and re-emit light of a fourth color. Related light fixtures and methods are also discussed.
US08076833B2 Methods and apparatuses for enhancing heat dissipation from a light emitting device
A light emitting device and method of producing the same is disclosed. The light emitting device includes a phosphor layer and a wire mesh thermally coupled to the phosphor layer and configured to dissipate heat from the phosphor layer.
US08076831B2 Optical platform to enable efficient LED emission
An integrated multi-layer apparatus and method of producing the same is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an LED, a beam shaping layer, and a refracting layer between the beam shaping layer from the LED. The refracting layer may have an index of refraction lower than the index of refraction of the LED and the beam shaping layer.
US08076830B2 Piezoelectric vibrating pieces, and piezoelectric vibrators and oscillators comprising same
Piezoelectric vibrating pieces are disclosed that include a base portion and first and second vibrating arms extending in a longitudinal direction from the base portion. Each vibrating arm has first and second main surfaces, a first groove on the first main surface, and a second groove on the second main surface. The grooves extend in the longitudinal. By adjusting the length and shapes of at least the first grooves relative to each other, the rigidity of the vibrating arms can be balanced and adverse effects of deformed regions between the vibrating arms caused by anomalous etching can be reduced.
US08076829B2 Electrostrictive composite and electrostrictive element using the same
An electrostrictive composite includes a flexible polymer matrix and a number of one dimensional conductive materials dispersed in the flexible polymer matrix. The flexible polymer matrix is a sheet. The one dimensional conductive materials cooperatively form an electrically conductive structure in the flexible polymer matrix. The one dimensional conductive materials are oriented substantially along a same preferred direction.
US08076822B2 Piezoelectric element drive device, electronic apparatus, and method for controlling piezoelectric element drive frequency
A drive device for a piezoelectric element includes a transformer, a driver circuit, and a control circuit. The transformer has a primary side and a secondary side. The drive circuit causes the secondary side to generate a drive signal whose frequency varies in accordance with a control signal input to the primary side and to supply the generated drive signal to the piezoelectric element. The control circuit changes a frequency of the control signal in a predetermined frequency range multiple times, detects an impedance change in the piezoelectric element each time the control-signal frequency is changed, determines a resonant frequency of the piezoelectric element on the basis of a transition of the impedance change, and controls the control-signal frequency so that the determined resonant frequency is obtained.
US08076820B2 High energy density electro-osmotic pump and actuator
An electro-osmotic pump includes a pump chamber having a wall fabricated of an electric double layer material, the surface area of the electric double layer material being high relative to the volume of the chamber. An electric potential applied across the material causes a fluid in the chamber to be transported through the wall.A nastic actuator includes the electro-osmotic pump and an actuator chamber, having a variable volume, coupled to the pump chamber. A superabsorbent polymer is disposed in the pump and actuator chambers, such that transport of the fluid into the pump chamber results in absorption of the fluid by the superabsorbent polymer, causing the actuator chamber to increase in volume. When the electric potential is applied across the superabsorbent polymer, the superabsorbent polymer expands, further causing the actuator chamber to increase in volume.
US08076816B2 Stator and cooling fan having the same
A cooling fan includes a fan housing, a stator mounted in the fan housing and a rotor rotatablely supported by the stator. The stator includes a stator core, an insulating frame attached to the stator core and stator coils wound on the insulating frame and around the stator core. The insulating frame electrically insulates the stator coils from the stator core. The stator core includes a main body and a plurality of claws. Every two neighboring claws define a receiving room therein. The insulating frame includes a bottom portion located at a bottom of the stator core and a plurality of flanges extending upwardly from the bottom portion into the receiving rooms of the stator core, respectively. A height of the flanges is no less than that of the stator core.
US08076806B2 Spindle motor having bushing
A spindle motor is provided. The spindle motor includes a base, a bearing housing, a bearing, a rotation shaft, a stator, a bushing, and a rotor. The bearing housing is installed on the base. The bearing is fixed inside the bearing housing. The rotation shaft is installed to be supported by and rotate on the bearing. The stator is disposed around the bearing housing. The bushing is coupled to the rotation shaft. The rotor is coupled to the bushing to rotate through interaction with the stator.
US08076805B2 Rotating electric machine with rotor cooling slots
A rotor of a rotating electric machine includes a cylindrical rotor core, a plurality of coil slots provided on an outer periphery of the rotor core along a rotor axis direction, rotor coils disposed in the coil slots by laminating a plurality of field conductors through an insulation material, a rotor wedge disposed at an opening end portion of the coil slot so as to support the rotor coil, a coil ventilation duct formed in the coil slot so as to pass through the rotor coils, the rotor wedge and the insulation material, and sub-slots provided at bottom portions of the coil slots so as to be communicated with rotor core ends and the coil ventilation ducts. In such a rotor of a rotating electric machine, the coil slot, the sub-slots and the coil ventilation duct constitute a cooling gas channel for distributing a cooling gas to thereby cool the rotor coils. A depth in a diameter direction of each sub-slot from the rotor coil end to a nearest coil ventilation duct is larger than a depth of the sub-slot at a portion near a center of the rotor core.
US08076804B2 Linear motor with force ripple compensation
The invention relates to a primary component (2) for an electric motor (1), said primary component (2) being formed from at least one bundle of laminations (3) and comprises at least one flux guiding element (10) on one or both front faces (S1, S2) to reduce the ripple effect, said primary component (2) being separated from a secondary component (7) by a first air gap (δ1). The primary component (2) has at least one section (δ2) in the region of the flux guiding element (10), said section (δ2) being electrically non-conducting (Kel=0) and having a negligibly low magnetic permeability (μr≅1).
US08076801B2 Wireless energy transfer, including interference enhancement
Disclosed is an apparatus for use in wireless energy transfer, which includes a first resonator structure configured for energy transfer with a second resonator structure over a distance D larger than characteristic sizes, L1 and L2, of the first and second resonator structures. A power generator is coupled to the first structure and configured to drive the first resonator structure or the second resonator structure at an angular frequency away from the resonance angular frequencies and shifted towards a frequency corresponding to an odd normal mode for the resonator structures to reduce radiation from the resonator structures by destructive far-field interference.
US08076796B1 Adaptive power supply for telecommunications networks
An adaptive power supply span powers devices used in telecommunications. It includes a power circuit and control circuit that receives power and sense signals therefrom and provides a control signal thereto and distinguishes between a first network interface load having a constant voltage input power requirement and a second network interface unit load having a constant current input power requirement. A voltage control circuit and current control circuit are interconnected together and connected to the power circuit. A control signal from the voltage control circuit and current control circuit extends to the power circuit. The control circuit maintains a fixed output voltage for constant voltage regulation for the first network interface unit load, if the output current remains below a threshold current. The circuit limits the output current to a regulated value for constant current regulation below the initial maximum value for powering a second network interface unit if the initial output current is greater than the threshold current for a time greater than a threshold time.
US08076793B2 Magnetic isolation of power sourcing equipment control circuitry
A circuit for providing electrical isolation of Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) circuitry from external circuitry in a Power over Ethernet (PoE) system has an inductive circuit for providing an isolation barrier to electrically isolate an isolated side of the isolation circuit from a non-isolated side of the isolation circuit. A signal path circuitry is configured for transferring bidirectional and/or unidirectional signals over the isolation barrier between respective nodes at the isolated and non-isolated sides.
US08076789B2 System and method for controlling wind turbine power output
A system and method for use in controlling a wind turbine's power output by a wind turbine controller. The method includes determining a predicted wind speed for the wind turbine, determining a current wind turbine power output, and determining a predicted wind turbine power output utilizing the predicted wind speed. The method also includes comparing the current wind turbine power output to the predicted wind turbine power output and adjusting the wind turbine power output based on the comparison of the current wind turbine power output and the predicted wind turbine power output.
US08076785B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element having a main surface where an outside connection terminal pad is provided. The semiconductor element is connected to a conductive layer on a supporting board via a plurality of convex-shaped outside connection terminals provided on the outside connection terminal pad and a connection member; and the connection member commonly covers the convex-shaped outside connection terminals.
US08076783B2 Memory devices having contact features
Annular, linear, and point contact structures are described which exhibit a greatly reduced susceptibility to process deviations caused by lithographic and deposition variations than does a conventional circular contact plug. In one embodiment, a standard conductive material such as carbon or titanium nitride is used to form the contact. In an alternative embodiment, a memory material itself is used to form the contact. These contact structures may be made by various processes, including chemical mechanical planarization and facet etching.
US08076780B2 Semiconductor device with pads of enhanced moisture blocking ability
A semiconductor device is provided having a pad with an improved moisture blocking ability. The semiconductor device has: a circuit portion including a plurality of semiconductor elements formed on a semiconductor substrate; lamination of insulator covering the circuit portion, including a passivation film as an uppermost layer having openings; ferro-electric capacitors formed in the lamination of insulator; wiring structure formed in the lamination of insulator and connected to the semiconductor elements and the ferro-electric capacitors; pad electrodes connected to the wiring structure, formed in the lamination of insulator and exposed in the openings of the passivation film; a conductive pad protection film, including a Pd film, covering each pad electrode via the opening of the passivation film, and extending on the passivation film; and stud bump or bonding wire connected to the pad electrode via the conductive pad protection film.
US08076779B2 Reduction of macro level stresses in copper/low-K wafers
A pad structure and passivation scheme which reduces or eliminates IMC cracking in post wire bonded dies during Cu/Low-k BEOL processing. A thick 120 nm barrier layer can be provided between a 1.2 μm aluminum layer and copper. Another possibility is to effectively split up the barrier layer, where the aluminum layer is disposed between the two barrier layers. The barrier layers may be 60 nm while the aluminum layer which is disposed between the barrier layers may be 0.6 μm. Another possibility is provide an extra 0.6 μm aluminum layer on the top barrier layer. Still another possibility is to provide an extra barrier layer on the top-most aluminum layer, such that a top barrier layer of 60 nm is provided on a 0.6 μm aluminum layer, followed by another harrier layer of 60 nm, another aluminum layer of 0.6 μm and another barrier layer of 60 nm.
US08076775B2 Semiconductor package and method for making the same
A semiconductor package includes: a semiconductor substrate; an inner insulator layer formed on the substrate; at least one internal wiring extending from a front side of the substrate along one of lateral sides of the substrate to a rear side of the substrate; a first outer insulator layer disposed at the front side of the substrate, formed on the internal wiring, and formed with at least one wire-connecting hole; and a second outer insulator layer disposed at the rear side of the substrate, formed on the internal wiring, and formed with at least one wire-connecting hole which exposes a portion of the internal wiring.
US08076772B2 Printed circuit board, memory module having the same and fabrication method thereof
A printed circuit board, a memory module having the same, and a fabrication method thereof. The printed circuit board includes an interconnection substrate on which electronic components are mounted and in which a plurality of signal lines are arranged. The signal lines are electrically coupled to the electronic components. A heat sink is disposed on one surface of the interconnection substrate to dissipate heat of the electronic components, and in which no signal lines are arranged. The printed circuit board includes a bending substrate coupling the interconnection substrate to the heat sink, and formed of a flexible material configured to be bent.
US08076767B2 Semiconductor device
A non-insulated DC-DC converter has a power MOS-FET for a highside switch and a power MOS-FET for a lowside switch. In the non-insulated DC-DC converter, the power MOS-FET for the highside switch and the power MOS-FET for the lowside switch, driver circuits that control operations of these elements, respectively, and a Schottky barrier diode connected in parallel with the power MOS-FET for the lowside switch are respectively formed in four different semiconductor chips. These four semiconductor chips are housed in one package. The semiconductor chips are mounted over the same die pad. The semiconductor chips are disposed so as to approach each other.
US08076764B2 Stacked type semiconductor memory device and chip selection circuit
A stacked type semiconductor memory device of having a structure in which a plurality of semiconductor chips is stacked and a desired semiconductor chip can be selected by assigning a plurality of chip identification numbers different from each other are individually assigned to the plurality of semiconductor chips comprising: a plurality of operation circuits which is connected in cascade in a stacking order of the plurality of semiconductor chips and outputs the plurality of identification numbers different from each other by performing a predetermined operation; and a plurality of comparison circuits which detects whether or not each the identification number and a chip selection address commonly connected to each the semiconductor chip are equal to each other by comparing them.
US08076759B2 Semiconductor package with a controlled impedance bus and method of forming same
An apparatus includes a first substrate having a set of semiconductor devices formed within it. The apparatus also includes a second substrate. A third substrate has a data conductor coupled between first and second connections to the second substrate. The data conductor is coupled to the set of semiconductor devices at respective connection points.
US08076754B2 Silicide-interface polysilicon resistor
A silicide-interface polysilicon resistor is disclosed. The silicide-interface polysilicon resistor includes a substrate, an oxide layer located on top of the substrate, and a polysilicon layer located on top of the oxide layer. The polysilicon layer includes multiple semiconductor junctions. The silicide-interface polysilicon resistor also includes a layer of silicide sheets, and at least one of the silicon sheets is in contact with one of the semiconductor junctions located within the polysilicon layer.
US08076753B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
In the semiconductor device composing MOS transistor on which impurities are added from the surface of a P-type substrate, the region of immediate below a gate layer is the P-type substrate on which the impurities are not added, and first and second MOS devices, having an N-type diffusion layer are provided on the surface region of the P-type substrate circumscribing the gate layer. The gate layer of the first MOS device, and the N-type diffusion layer of the second MOS device are connected, and the N-type diffusion layer of the first MOS device and the gate layer of the second MOS device are connected, and thereby a first capacitive element is composed.
US08076745B2 Imaging photodetection device
An imaging photodetection device includes a plurality of photodetectors (6) arrayed on a substrate (5) one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally, a low refractive index transparent layer (12) formed above the plural photodetectors, and a plurality of columnar or plate-like high refractive index transparent sections (13) embedded in the low refractive index transparent layer along the array direction of the plural photodetectors. At least two of the photodetectors correspond to one of the high refractive index transparent sections. Light entering the low refractive index transparent layer and the high refractive index transparent sections passes therethrough to be separated into a 0th-order diffracted light, a 1st-order diffracted light and a −1st-order diffracted light by a phase shift occurring on the wavefront. Thereby, improvement in the efficiency for light utilization and pixel densification can be realized.
US08076744B2 Photosensitizing chip package and manufacturing method thereof
A photosensitizing chip package construction and manufacturing method thereof is comprised of photosensitizing chips constructed on one side of a wafer using a bonding layer; a color attachment array being disposed over those photosensitizing chips; a glass substrate provided with weir and covered up over the color attachment array; a proper gap being defined between the glass substrate and the color attachment array to promote permeability of stream of light by direct receiving stream of light from those photosensitizing chips constructed over the wafer.
US08076734B2 Semiconductor structure including self-aligned deposited gate dielectric
A semiconductor structure, such as a field effect device structure, and more particularly a CMOS structure, includes a gate dielectric that is at least in-part aligned to an active region of a semiconductor substrate over which is located the gate dielectric. The gate dielectric comprises other than a thermal processing product of the semiconductor substrate. In particular, the gate dielectric may be formed using an area selective deposition method such as but not limited to an area selective atomic layer deposition method. Within the context of a CMOS structure, the invention provides particular advantage insofar as the use of a self-aligned method for forming a gate dielectric aligned upon an active region of a semiconductor substrate may avoid a masking process that may otherwise be needed to strip portions of an area non-selective blanket gate dielectric.
US08076733B2 Flat panel display device having an organic thin film transistor and method of manufacturing the same
Provided are an organic TFT that reduces contact resistance between a source and drain electrode and an organic semiconductor layer and that can be easily manufactured, a flat panel display device having the organic TFT, and methods of manufacturing the organic TFT and the flat panel display device having the same. The organic TFT includes; a substrate; a gate electrode and a blocking layer formed on the substrate; a gate insulating film covering the gate electrode and the blocking layer; a source electrode and a drain electrode located on the gate insulating film; an auxiliary source electrode and an auxiliary drain electrode respectively located on the source electrode and the drain electrode; and an organic semiconductor layer contacting the auxiliary source electrode and the auxiliary drain electrode.
US08076729B2 Semiconductor device having a dual gate electrode and methods of making the same
Disclosed is a method for forming a dual gate electrode of a semiconductor device, which may improve manufacturing productivity by simplifying a process of forming gate electrodes in PMOS and NMOS regions, respectively, and may provide improvement in performance by making the two gate electrodes have a different thickness and material state in a manner that one of the two gate electrodes has a single-layer structure and the other one has a two-layer structure.
US08076727B2 Magnesium-doped zinc oxide structures and methods
Methods of forming transparent conducting oxides and devices formed by these methods are shown. Monolayers that contain zinc and monolayers that contain magnesium are deposited onto a substrate and subsequently processed to form magnesium-doped zinc oxide. The resulting transparent conducing oxide includes properties such as an amorphous or nanocrystalline microstructure. Devices that include transparent conducing oxides formed with these methods have better step coverage over substrate topography and more robust film mechanical properties.
US08076715B2 Dual-bit memory device having isolation material disposed underneath a bit line shared by adjacent dual-bit memory cells
A dual-bit memory device is provided which includes trench isolation material disposed below a bit line that is shared by adjacent memory cells. The dual-bit memory device comprises a substrate, a first memory cell designed to store two bits of information, a second memory cell designed to store two bits of information, and an insulator region. The first memory cell is adjacent to the second memory cell. The first memory cell includes a first buried bit line and a second buried bit line. The first memory cell and the second memory cell share the second buried bit line. The insulator region is disposed in the substrate below the second buried bit line to prevent electrons from flowing between the first memory cell and the second memory cell.
US08076711B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a semiconductor device including a plurality of memory cells, comprising a plurality of floating gate electrodes which are formed on a tunnel insulating film formed on a semiconductor substrate and have an upper portion which is narrower in a channel width direction than a lower portion, an interelectrode insulating film formed on the floating gate electrodes, and a control gate electrode which is formed on the interelectrode insulating film formed on the floating gate electrodes and partially buried between the floating gate electrodes opposing each other.
US08076708B2 Structures for and method of silicide formation on memory array and peripheral logic devices
A memory device and peripheral circuitry on a substrate are described, made by a process that includes forming a charge trapping structure having a first thickness over a first area. A first gate dielectric layer having a second thickness is formed for low-voltage transistors. A second gate dielectric layer having a third thickness, greater than the second thickness, is formed for high-voltage transistors. Polysilicon is deposited and patterned to define word lines and transistor gates. The thickness of the second gate dielectric layer in regions adjacent the gates, and over a source and drain regions, is reduced to a thickness that is close to that of the second thickness.
US08076707B1 Pseudo-nonvolatile direct-tunneling floating-gate device
A semiconductor device is provided that uses a floating gate to store analog- and digital-valued information for periods of time measured in milliseconds to hours. Charge is added to and/or removed from the floating gate by means of direct electron tunneling through the surrounding insulator, with the insulator typically being thin enough such that appreciable tunneling occurs with an insulator voltage smaller than the difference in electron affinities between the semiconductor and the insulator and/or between the floating gate and the insulator. The stored information is refreshed or updated as needed. In many applications, the stored information can be refreshed without interrupting normal circuit operation. Adding and removing charge to or from the floating gate may be performed using separate circuit inputs, to tailor the performance and response of the floating-gate device. There is no need to use a control gate in the floating-gate structures disclosed herein.
US08076705B2 Capacitor device providing sufficient reliability
A capacitor device includes a dielectric layer configured to have a composition represented as (Ba1−x, Srx)Ti1−zScyO3+δ (0
US08076704B2 Organic light emitting device and manufacturing method thereof
An organic light emitting device according to an embodiment includes a thin film transistor substrate including a plurality of thin film transistors and an over-coating film formed on the thin film transistors. The over-coating film includes a curved surface on at least two pixels among pixels of different colors and the slope angles of depressed portions forming the curved surface are respectively different from each other depending on the colors of the pixels. A plurality of first electrodes formed on the over-coating film includes a surface formed according to the curved surface, an organic light emitting member formed on the first electrodes includes a surface formed according to the curved surface, and a second electrode formed on the organic light emitting member includes a surface formed according to the curved surface. Slope angles of the depressed portions increase according to a decrease of wavelengths of the colors of the pixels.
US08076702B2 CMOS image sensor and fabricating method thereof
A CMOS image sensor and fabricating method thereof by which capacitance of a floating diffusion region (FD) can be increased. The CMOS image sensor can include an epitaxial layer formed over a semiconductor substrate; a gate electrode formed over the epitaxial layer; a gate metal formed over a floating diffusion region of the epitaxial layer; n+ type source and drain regions formed in the epitaxial layer; a gate spacer formed on both sidewalls of the gate electrode and both sidewalls of the gate metal; an insulating interlayer formed over the epitaxial layer including the gate electrode, the gate spacer and the gate metal layer, the insulating interlayer including a first contact hole extending through the insulating interlayer exposing the source region; a second contact hole extending through the insulating interlayer exposing the gate metal; a first contact plug formed in the first contact hole and connected to the source region; a second contact plug formed in the second contact hole and connected to the gate metal; and a metal line formed over the first contact plug and the second contact plug to electrically connect the source region to the gate metal.
US08076687B2 Light emitting device for improving the color purity of emitted light and electronic apparatus
A light emitting device includes: a light emitting element which includes a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and a light emitting function layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; a reflection layer which reflects light emitted from the light emitting function layer toward the light emitting function layer; and a translucent transflective layer which is disposed opposite the reflection layer with the light emitting function layer interposed therebetween to reflect some of the light emitted from the light emitting function layer toward the light emitting function layer and to transmit the remainder of the light. The translucent transflective layer is centered between a first layer having a refractive index n1 and being disposed on a side of the reflection layer and a second layer having a refractive index n2 (where n2
US08076686B2 Light emitting diode and manufacturing method thereof
A light-emitting diode and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The manufacturing method includes the steps of: sequentially forming a bonding layer, a geometric pattern layer, a reflection layer, an epitaxial structure and a first electrode on a permanent substrate, wherein the geometric pattern layer has a periodic structure; and forming a second electrode on one side of the permanent substrate.
US08076685B2 Nitride semiconductor device having current confining layer
A nitride semiconductor device includes an active layer formed between an n-type cladding layer and a p-type cladding layer, and a current confining layer having a conductive area through which a current flows to the active layer. The current confining layer includes a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer and a third semiconductor layer. The second semiconductor layer is formed on and in contact with the first semiconductor layer and has a smaller lattice constant than that of the first semiconductor layer. The third semiconductor layer is formed on and in contact with the second semiconductor layer and has a lattice constant that is smaller than that of the first semiconductor layer and larger than that of the second semiconductor layer.
US08076684B2 Group III intride semiconductor light emitting element
A group III nitride semiconductor light emitting element, comprising having a light emitting layer with a multiquantum well structure formed of a group III nitride semiconductor. The light emitting layer has plural well layers, and the plural well layers are formed to coincide in emission wavelength with each other.
US08076681B2 White organic electroluminescent device
A high-efficiency, white organic electroluminescent device has such a structure that its emission layer is obtained by laminating sub-emission layers of red, green, and blue, respectively. The green sub-emission layer contacting a hole transport layer has a delayed fluorescent material, and the red sub-emission layer has a phosphorescent light emitting material.
US08076680B2 LED package having an array of light emitting cells coupled in series
Disclosed is a light emitting diode (LED) package having an array of light emitting cells coupled in series. The LED package comprises a package body and an LED chip mounted on the package body. The LED chip has an array of light emitting cells coupled in series. Since the LED chip having the array of light emitting cells coupled in series is mounted on the LED package, it can be driven directly using an AC power source.
US08076679B2 Nitride-based semiconductor light-emitting diode and illuminating device
A plurality of semiconductor layers including a light-emitting layer (14) are formed on the main surface of a substrate (10) which is composed of a group III-V nitride semiconductor. A first n-type semiconductor layer (12) containing indium is formed between the light-emitting layer (14) and the substrate (10), thereby reducing the affect of damage in the substrate surface. By having such a structure, there is realized a semiconductor light-emitting device having uniform characteristics.
US08076675B2 Light-emitting diode chip and method of manufacturing the same
An LED chip includes a substrate and a p-n junction type semiconductor light-emitting structure. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the second surface. The p-n junction type semiconductor light-emitting structure is arranged on the first surface of the substrate. A plurality of blind holes is defined in the second surface of the substrate and extends from the second surface towards the first surface. A heat conductive material is filled in each of the plurality of blind holes thereby forming a plurality of heat conductive poles in the plurality of blind holes.
US08076668B2 Electrostatically regulated atomic scale electroconductivity device
An atomic scale electroconductivity device with electrostatic regulation is provided that includes a perturbing species having a localized electronic charge ol a dangling bond. A sensing species having an electronic conductivity is placed in proximity to the perturbing species at a distance sufficient to induce a change in the electronic conductivity associated with the localized electronic charge. Electronics are provided to measure the conductivity via the sensing species. The dangling bond functions as a single atom gate electrode.
US08076667B2 Efficient light extraction method and device
A tight emitting device comprises at least one p-type layer and at least one n-type layer and a microlens array surface. A method for improving light efficiency of a light emitting device, comprises depositing polystyrene microspheres by rapid convection deposition on surface of light emitting device; depositing a monolayer of close-packed SIO2 microspheres onto the polystyrene microspheres; and heal treating to convert the polystyrene microspheres into a planar microlayer film to provide a surface comprising substantially two-dimensional (2D) hexagonal close-packed SIO2 colloidal microsphere crystals partially imposed into a polystyrene monolayer film.
US08076666B2 Use of sack geometry to implement a single qubit phase gate
An implementation of a single qubit phase gate for use in a quantum information processing scheme based on the υ=5/2 fractional quantum Hall (FQH) state is disclosed. Using sack geometry, a qubit consisting of two σ-quasiparticles. which may be isolated on respective antidots, may be separated by a constriction from the bulk of a two-dimensional electron gas in the υ=5/2 FQH state. An edge quasiparticle may induce a phase gate on the qubit. The number of quasiparticles that are allowed to traverse the edge path defines which gate is induced. For example, if a certain number of quasiparticles are allowed to traverse the path, then a π/8 gate may be effected.
US08076664B2 Phase change memory with layered insulator
A phase change memory may be formed with an insulator made up of two different layers having significantly different thermal conductivities. Pores may be formed within the stack of insulating layers and the pores may be filled with heaters, chalcogenide layers, and electrodes in some embodiments. The use of the two different insulator layers enables embodiments where thermal losses may be reduced and an amorphous region may be maintained along the entire length of the phase change material layer.
US08076659B2 Foil trap and extreme ultraviolet light source device using the foil trap
An extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light source device and foil trap, the device including a vessel; an EUV radiating species supply means that feeds an extreme ultraviolet radiating species into the vessel; a discharge part with discharge electrodes that heat and excite the EUV radiating species and generate a high-temperature plasma; a collector mirror collecting EUV radiation emitted from the plasma; the foil trap installed between the discharge part and the mirror; an extractor part extracting the collected radiation; and an evacuation means exhausting and regulating pressure within the vessel. The foil trap includes foils extending radially from a main axis thereof to capture debris from the light source, while allowing the emitted radiation to pass through a region thereof to the mirror. A length of at least part of the foils in directions parallel to the main axis is shorter in positions close to the main axis than distant therefrom.
US08076653B2 Dispersions of luminescent rare-earth oxide particles, varnish comprising these particles, their methods of preparation and method for marking substrates
A composition including: a dispersion of particles of at least one oxide of at least one luminescent rare earth, disaggregated and stabilized in a hydrophobic liquid medium to which at least one surfactant is added, in which said surfactant is a non-ionic surfactant having an HLB (hydrophilic-to-lipophilic balance) lower than 12.
US08076652B2 Real-time, on-line analysis of haloacetic acid species and amounts thereof in drinking water supplies
Post-column reaction-ion chromatography (PCR-IC) analysis of drinking water samples for quantity measurements and species identification of haloacetic acid contaminants therein is provided. With the necessity to chlorinate drinking water to remove harmful bacteria and other potential toxins, haloacetic acid byproducts are generated that may harm humans after consumption as well. A reliable manner of measuring such drinking water supplies for haloacetic acids at locations far from the source and closer to dispensers is highly desirable. The PCR-IC analysis method of the invention has been found to be nearly as reliable as source measuring methods for the same purpose, but with the versatility to measure for such haloacetic acid contaminants anywhere along the drinking water supply line.
US08076646B2 Burst-mode readout for solid state radiation detectors using partitioned pipeline architecture
A partitioned pipeline read-out circuit architecture eliminates real-time constraints from off-chip read-out control electronics in a solid-state radiation detector system, so that an efficient decoupled architecture is possible. The front-end electronics includes a multi-channel ASIC with independently triggered charge sensitive pre-amplifiers, shaper circuits, and switched sample-and-hold capacitor circuits for each photodiode or pixel of the detector module. With this structure, individual photodiodes of the photodetector array can detect and store scintillation events independently and randomly. The ASIC is interfaced to an external successive approximation A/D converter for conversion and subsequent input to a data processing apparatus.
US08076644B2 Methods and systems for determining a medical system alignment
Methods and systems for performing a patient scan using a three-dimensional (3D) cylindrical Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging system are provided. The method includes acquiring a count-rate profile of a brain, repositioning at least one of a detector and the brain based on the count-rate profile and a detector sensitivity profile, and scanning the brain when the acquired count-rate profile substantially matches the detector sensitivity profile.
US08076643B2 Detection apparatus and method
A technique and apparatus for detection of infrared radiation emitted from a taggant material sample following the excitation of the sample are described. The decay time of the radiation is a function of the particular taggant being used and so, if the decay characteristic or signature is accurately measured, the particular taggant can be accurately identified. The apparatus comprises an electronic controller (10), a pair (12) of illuminating light-emitting diodes, a photo-detector (14), a first amplifier (16), a three-way sampling switch (18), filter/stores (20)(a-c), second amplifiers (22)(a-c) and an output display (26). The infrared emission is excited by repeatedly illuminating the material for a period of microseconds every few milliseconds using a very intense source of infrared light. This light is supplied by the pair of 940 nm, light-emitting diodes (12). Once this light source has been turned off, the sample continues radiating infrared light for a few milliseconds. The emission is detected by photo-detector (14) that is only sensitive to infrared light in the 800 to 1000 nm waveband. This helps to reject interference from visible light sources.
US08076642B2 Electron beam apparatus and method of operating the same
An electron beam apparatus is offered which can well detect backscattered electrons or both backscattered electrons and secondary electrons if an electron detector is disposed above an objective lens in the apparatus. The electron beam apparatus has an electron beam source for emitting an electron beam accelerated by a given accelerating voltage, the objective lens for focusing the electron beam emitted from the beam source onto a specimen, scan coils for scanning the focused beam over the specimen, and the electron detector located above the objective lens and provided with a hole permitting passage of the beam. The detector has an electrode for producing an electric field that attracts the electrons produced from the specimen in response to the electron beam irradiation. Correction coils for correcting deflection of the beam caused by the electric field are located below the detector.
US08076641B2 Method and device for producing an image
The invention relates to a method and to a device (1) for producing an image of an object (5) by means of a particle beam. According to the method and in the device (1), the particle beam is scanned by the object (5). The aim of the invention is to provide a method and a device for producing an image of an object (5) by means of a particle beam that can be used with a cold field emitter (2) in such a manner that a good image quality is constantly ensured. Said aim is achieved by virtue of the fact that, according to the invention, when a radiation parameter is altered, the object (5) is rescanned preferably with the corrected parameter. The inventive device (1) comprises the corresponding means (4, 6, 7) therefor.
US08076640B2 Method and device for measuring electron diffraction of a sample
The invention relates to a method and a device for measuring electron diffraction of a sample, including the steps of illuminating the sample with an incident electron beam which is deflected from a sample axis to hit the sample at an angle of incidence relative to the sample axis, at least partially subjecting the incident electron beam to diffraction by the sample, subjecting the diffracted and undiffracted electron beams transmitted through the sample to a partial deflection compensation, detecting the intensity of the diffracted and undiffracted electron beams transmitted through the sample in dependency on the angle of incidence and a scattering angle of the diffracted beam. The invention also relates to a computer program for controlling a transmission electron microscope for carrying out the inventive method.
US08076637B2 Mass spectrometer
A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a quadrupole rod set ion guide or mass filter device. Broadband frequency-signals (13, 14, 15) having a plurality of frequency notches (16a; 16b; 16c) are applied sequentially to the rods of the quadrupole rod set. The notched broadband frequency signals (16a, 16b, 16c) cause undesired ions to be resonantly or parametrically ejected from the ion guide. The resulting ion signals are deconvoluted to provide a mass spectrum.
US08076632B2 Device and method for the contactless manipulation and alignment of sample particles in a measurement volume using a nonhomogeneous electric alternating field
The invention relates to a device for contactless manipulation and alignment of sample particles in a measurement volume using a nonhomogeneous electric alternating field, comprising a radiation source for emitting electromagnetic radiation and optical means for guiding the electromagnetic radiation into the measurement volume. The device is characterized in that the optical means include a beam shaping device for generating an intensity profile that is asymmetrical about the beam axis, wherein sample particles in the measurement volume can be trapped in a nonhomogeneous field distribution of the electric field generated by the asymmetrical intensity profile, that for the purpose of entraining sample particles trapped in the nonhomogeneous field distribution there is provided a rotating device to effect rotation of the asymmetrical intensity profile about the beam axis relatively to the measurement volume, and that the electromagnetic radiation beam in the measurement volume is unfocused, more particularly, divergent. The invention further relates to a method for contactless manipulation and alignment of sample particles in a measurement volume using a nonhomogeneous electric field.
US08076631B2 Photodetector circuit
Two unshielded photosensors to determine the outside-light illuminance and two shielded photosensors are placed alternating both in the longitudinal direction and in the lateral direction. Then, the difference between the output of the unshielded photosensors and the output of the shielded photosensors is obtained. Accordingly, even when the thermoelectric currents differ from each other due to a variation in characteristics between the elements and a difference in the thermal distribution between the elements, the sensor currents can be corrected, so that a photodetector circuit which stably determines the outside-light illuminance can be provided.
US08076630B2 System and method of evaluating an object using electromagnetic energy
A system for evaluating subject objects includes at least one physical source operable to emit electromagnetic energy and driver electronics drivingly coupled to at least one physical source. The driver electronics is configured to drive at least one physical source as a number of logical sources, using an electromagnetic forcing function. The number of logical sources is greater than the number of physical sources. In addition, the system includes a sensor configured to receive an electromagnetic response from at least a portion of an evaluation object illuminated by one or more physical sources operated as logical sources, and convert the electromagnetic response to a test response signal indicative of the electromagnetic response of the evaluation object.
US08076620B2 Anti-oxidation food preparation device
An anti-oxidation food preparation device includes a food preparation vessel having an electrically conductive body and a separate power supplying base. The base generates high frequency AC power that is transferred by a primary coil to as secondary coil maintained by the vessel. A rectification circuit converts the high frequency AC power into a rippled, rectified AC current that is supplied to the electrically conductive body of the vessel so as to create a reducing environment of available electrons for absorption by the food as it is prepared.
US08076613B2 Panel heating device
The invention depicts and describes a panel heating device (1) for placing in the area of floors, walls or ceilings, comprising an electrically conductive layer (2), another first layer (3), and electrical supply lines (5, 6). The invention provides that the first layer (3) is made of an electrically insulating and liquid-tight material.
US08076611B2 Welding device having a selector to designate welding conditions
A welding device includes a welding torch, a memory, a power supply, an input section, a selector, and a controller. The welding torch includes a welding tip having a feeder for supplying electric power to a welding wire. The memory stores a plurality of welding conditions in which a feeder-work-piece to be welded distance is associated with at least one a length of the wire supplied per unit time, a weight of the wire supplied per unit time, and a set electric current. The power supply supplies electric power between the wire and the work-piece. The input section receives an input of a set value of a feeder-work-piece distance. The selector selects one of the welding conditions stored in the memory based on the set value. The controller controls the power supply based on the welding condition selected by the selector.
US08076609B2 Apparatus and method for machining tubing
An apparatus for machining tubing includes a weighted base, an upright frame attached to the weighted base, and a laser light source attached to the weighted base. The apparatus also includes a guide bushing tooling attached to the upright frame which holds a guide bushing. A rotary drive bushing is aligned with the guide bushing holder. An optical assembly for focusing the laser light to a laser beam spot is also attached to the guide bushing tooling block. Spacer plates may be used to correctly space the optical assembly from the tubing material.
US08076605B2 Systems and methods for adapting parameters to increase throughput during laser-based wafer processing
Systems and methods automatically modify a laser-based system for processing target specimens such as semiconductor wafers. In one embodiment, the laser-based system detects a trigger associated with a processing model. The processing model corresponds to a set of wafers. In response to the trigger, the system automatically adjusts one or more system parameters based on the processing model. The system then uses the modified system parameters to selectively irradiate structures on or within at least one wafer in the set of wafers. In one embodiment, the trigger includes variations in a thermal state related to a motion stage. In response to the variations in the thermal state, the system operates the motion stage in a series of movements until a thermal equilibrium threshold is reached. The sequence of movements may, for example, simulate movements used to process a particular wafer.
US08076604B2 Process and device for electric spot welding
A plurality linkages, preferably a robot holding either a spot welder with welding guns or the workpiece. The plurality of linkages move a spot welder with open tongs toward a first spot weld position. The welding guns are then closed on the workpiece and welding is performed at the first spot weld position. While the welding is being performed, parts of the plurality of linkages are advanced toward a second weld position while the welding guns remained closed at the first spot weld position. When the welding at the first position is finished, parts of the linkages are already advanced towards the second position, and the remaining linkages are then advanced to the second position. This allows the linkages or robot to move faster from one spot weld position to another.
US08076603B2 Axially-movable rotary switch
An axially-movable rotary switch includes a casing, a fixing base, a substrate and a knob. The fixing base is fixed in the hollow casing. The substrate is fixed below the fixing base. The knob is pivotally disposed on the upper end of the hollow casing. The switching rod of the knob eccentrically penetrates a positioning hole of the fixing base. The elastic piece is disposed at the distal end of the switching rod and is brought into contact with the electrical contacts of the substrate. With the elastic piece of the switching rod being arranged to correspond to the electrical contacts of the substrate, a user can switch the states between a closed circuit and an open circuit by axially drawing/pressing the knob. Further, the contact between the elastic piece and the electrical contacts will not generate unnecessary frictional interference, so that the lifetime of the device can be extended.
US08076602B2 Printed circuit board for a mobile device
A printed circuit board is provided for use in a keyboard assembly of a mobile device having a plurality of keys in a key layout. The printed circuit board has a plurality of contacts, such as dome switches, arranged in a contact layout. The contact layout is such that it can be used with a plurality of different key layouts, each actuating different combinations of contacts. Some keys in a particular key layout are overlying at least two of the plurality of contacts, and such keys actuate only one of the underlying contacts. As such, a common printed circuit board can be used for a plurality of complementary mobile device designs having different key layouts, thereby allowing a manufacturer to realize cost efficiencies.
US08076598B2 Interlock system and method for rotary disconnect switches
Disclosed herein is an interlock system in combination with an enclosure, including: the enclosure having a base and a door that define an interior; a rotary handle attached to the door; a disconnect switch disposed in the interior of the enclosure and including a shaft extending toward an exterior of the enclosure in a direction toward the door; a first interlocking member attached to the door and extending toward an interior of the enclosure; and a second interlocking member attached to the shaft. The handle is configured to engage the shaft when the door is closed and rotate the shaft to move the disconnect switch between an on position and an off position. The second interlocking member is configured to engage and interlock with the first interlocking member when the door is closed and the disconnect switch is in the on position.
US08076592B2 Electromagnetic interference preventing module
An electromagnetic interference preventing module is provided. The module includes a metal pad that is disposed on a circuit board. The metal pad includes a soldering portion and a grounding portion that are connected to each other. At least one fixing lug of a connector is soldered to the soldering portion. At least one protrusion of a grounding housing is in contact with the grounding portion, so as to electrically connect the connector with the grounding housing.
US08076589B2 Multilayer wiring board and its manufacturing method
A multilayer wiring board employs a thin insulating substrate having substantially only resin flow as the compression property effect, and has an any-layer IVH structure where at least one core layer is formed without burying wiring. For sufficiently securing an effective compression amount of the crush-allowance of a conductor, the ratio of the thickness of a cover film to that of the electrical insulating substrate is increased, and a via can be formed in the core layer without burying the wiring in the insulating substrate. Thus, a multilayer wiring board having an any-layer IVH structure that can achieve high-density component mountability and wiring storability in an extremely small thickness can be provided.
US08076588B2 Multilayer wiring board
A multilayer wiring board having a structure in which wiring layers 12A to 12D and insulating layers 11A to 11C are alternately arranged, and in which one or plural kinds of wirings selected from a group of a signal wiring 25 having a signal electrode 15, a power supply wiring 26 having a power supply electrode 16, and a ground wiring 27 having a ground electrode 17 are formed on each of the wiring layers 12A to 12D. The signal wiring 25 and the power supply wiring 26 are alternately provided on the insulating layers. Alternatively, the signal wiring 25 and the ground wiring 27 are alternately provided on the insulating layers.
US08076584B2 Power adapter with cable organizer
A power adapter with cable organizer is provided. The power adapter includes a main body; and a containing/fixing portion disposed on the main body and having a first blade and a second blade, wherein the first blade and the second blade face each other to form a receiving portion.
US08076582B2 Terminal for engaging type connector
A terminal for an engaging type connector includes a punched Cu alloy strip as a base material, a coating formed on the Cu alloy strip by postplating processes and including a Sn layer, and a Cu—Sn alloy layer sandwiched between the base material and the Sn layer. The Sn layer is smoothed by a reflowing process. The terminal has an engaging part and a solder-bonding part, and the surface of a part of the base material corresponding to the engaging part has a surface roughness higher than that of the surface of the base material corresponding to the solder-bonding part. The engaging part has a low frictional property and the solder-bonding part has improved solder wettability.
US08076581B2 Flexible flame retardant insulated wires for use in electronic equipment
The invention relates to an insulated wire for use in electronic equipment, comprising an electrically conductive core and an insulating layer and/or an insulating jacket consisting of a flame retardant elastomeric composition surrounding the electrically conductive core, wherein the flame retardant elastomeric composition comprises a elastomeric polymer selected from the group consisting of styrenic block copolymers, thermoplastic elastomers and combinations thereof; and a metal salt of a phosphinic acid of the formula [R1R2P(O)O]−mMm+ (formula I) and/or a diphosphinic acid of the formula [O(O)PR1—R—PR2(O)O]2−nMxm+ (formula II), and/or a polymer thereof, wherein R1 and R2 are equal or different substituents chosen from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear, branched and cyclic C1-C6 aliphatic groups, and aromatic groups, R3 is chosen from the group consisting of linear, branched and cyclic C1-C10 aliphatic groups and C6-C10 aromatic and aliphatic-aromatic groups, M is a metal chosen from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Al, Sb, Sn, Ge, Ti, Zn, Fe, Zr, Ce, Bi, Sr, Mn, Li, Na, and K, and m, n and x are equal or different integers in the range of 1-4.
US08076578B1 Adjustable electrical outlet box assembly
An adjustable outlet box assembly for mounting a receptacle or similar electrical device within a wall. The adjustable box includes an outlet box and a bracket that slides with respect to the box. An adjustment screw, accessible from the front of the assembly, can be rotated to move the box with respect to a stud to which the outlet box is secured thereby allowing adjustment of the outlet box face so that it is flush with the wall surface. The bracket provides a front plate for securing to the front of a stud and a side plate having ears for securing to the side of a stud. The adjustment screw engages straps that are bent outwards from the side plate to enable the bracket to slide with respect to the outlet box as well as a rearwardly located integral flange to which the adjustment screw is introduced upon tightening thereof.
US08076575B1 Electrical box assembly for mounting and supporting a security camera or fixture
An electrical box assembly for mounting a security camera or an electrical fixture on a wall or ceiling. The electrical box assembly includes an electrical box with a sidewall and back wall defining an enclosure therein. A flange extends laterally from the rim of the sidewall. A plurality of rotatable flags, adjustable from the front of the electrical box assembly, are tightened to secure the assembly to the wallboard in a ceiling or wall. Wall preparation for installation of the electrical box assembly requires only a round hole in the wallboard, which can be easily provided by a hole-saw. Recessed areas in the sidewalls of the electrical box enable retracting of the flags to enable easy insertion of the sidewalls within the hole in the wallboard. An adapter plate enables the mounting of a security camera to the electrical box assembly.
US08076574B2 Distribution cabinet with a plurality of inner bodies
The invention relates to a distribution cabinet (1) having a body (3), comprising an inner body (21) in the form of a body frame (16) made from metal and possibly paneling with shielding plates (13), and an outer body (22), in particular in the form of spaced paneling of the inner body (21), which is preferably made from plastic, and a mounting rack (6) for fixing the internals, which mounting rack is fixed on the inner body (21), the body (3) comprises a plurality of inner bodies (21) next to one another, and at least one attachment element (12) is fixed thereto which allows the use of parts of the outer body (22) of an individual distribution cabinet (1), and to a construction kit and a method for extending a distribution cabinet.
US08076573B1 Electrical box hanger
A system for the adjustable suspension of electrical outlet, junction boxes or the like including in combination an elongated wire for attachment to an existing fixed overhead member, a wire gripper including a passageway therethrough, and a knockout engagement device that engages an opening in an electrical junction or outlet box and further includes an engagement mechanism for engaging the elongated wire as it passes from a fixed overhead member through the passageway to the engagement member and returns thereto through the passageway where it is secured by an appropriate screw, bolt or the like.
US08076572B2 Water stopping configuration of linear members and method of water stopping the linear members
A water stopping configuration of linear members, includes a liquid water stopping material which is cured after the liquid water stopping material is penetrated into interstices between the linear members bundled together. The water stopping material is a magnetic fluid. The water stopping material is cured in a condition that a magnetic field is applied to the water stopping material from the outside of a covering member which covers an outer periphery of bundled portions of the linear members having the water stopping material penetrated therein so as to gather the water stopping material at a predetermined portion within the covering member.
US08076569B2 Method and structure, using flexible membrane surfaces, for setting and/or maintaining a uniform micron/sub-micron gap separation between juxtaposed photosensitive and heat-supplying surfaces of photovoltaic chips and the like for the generation of electrical power
A near-field energy conversion structure and method of assembling the same, utilizing a sub-micrometer “near field” gap between juxtaposed photocell infrared radiation receiver and heat emitter surfaces, wherein compliant membrane structures, preferably fluid-filled, are interposed in the structure.
US08076567B2 Music piece reproducing apparatus and music piece reproducing method
A music piece reproducing apparatus has: a sound collecting unit collecting noise data of an ambient environment; an analyzing unit performing a frequency analysis to the noise data collected by the sound collecting unit and extracting a feature amount showing a feature of the noise data; a noise parameter database classifying the noise data every environment; and a reproducing unit reproducing music piece data which has been recorded in a recording medium and classified every category, wherein the analyzing unit classifies the noise data with reference to the noise parameter database on the basis of the extracted feature amount of the noise data, selects the previously-corresponded category of music pieces in accordance with a classification result of the noise data, and selects predetermined music piece data from music piece data classified into the selected category.
US08076562B1 Double pedal percussion instrument
A double pedal percussion instrument of the present invention has a bottom plate and a pedal plate. The bottom plate includes a rear plate and a front plate. The rear plate is rotatably connected to the front plate about an axial pole. A rear end of the pedal plate and the rear plate are in an operative relationship. As such, the pedal plate is rotatable with respect to the front plate. The position of the pedal plate is adjustable.
US08076560B2 Musical instrument pick grip
A grip member for connection to an instrument pick includes a grip member body having opposed first and second sides. A plurality of abrasive particles is attached to and extends away from the first side. An adhesive on the second side is used to adhesively connect the grip member to a pick surface. An aperture extends entirely through the grip member first and second sides such that the pick surface is exposed through the aperture when the grip member is adhesively connected to the pick surface permitting the user's finger to contact both the abrasive particles and the pick surface through the aperture.
US08076558B1 Reinforced music box
A reinforced music box includes a base portion, a two-sided cogwheel, a step type cogwheel, a music generator, a cover portion and a friction set. The two-sided cogwheel is disposed in the base portion and may rotate axially. The cover portion has a main part, a friction part and a supporting part. The main part, friction part and supporting part are integrally formed and either the main part or supporting part has a plurality of engagement holes that can engage with the fixing protrusions of the base portion. The friction set has a friction part and a spirally cogged stick. The spirally cogged stick may engage with the second cogwheel of the two-sided cogwheel at 90 degree. Therefore, the cover portion, which is integrally formed, may provide better protection and the cost in manufacturing and assembly may be reduced.
US08076557B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH388736
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH388736. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH388736, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH388736 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH388736.
US08076556B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH929723
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH929723. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH929723, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH929723 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH929723.
US08076555B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH156941
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH156941. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH156941, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH156941 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH156941.
US08076554B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH345220
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH345220. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH345220, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH345220 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH345220.
US08076552B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH088316
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH088316. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH088316, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH088316 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH088316.
US08076551B2 Plants and seeds of corn variety CV683810
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV683810. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV683810, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV683810 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV683810 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV683810.