最新美国发明专利
Document Document Title
US08145173B2 Receiver and electronic apparatus having diversity and single receiving modes
A receiver includes a first receiving section, a second receiving section, and a controller. A controller is operable to switch between a diversity receiving mode in which both of the first receiving section and the second receiving section are activated and a single receiving mode in which the first receiving section is activated while the second receiving section is deactivated. The controller allows the first mixer to heterodyne the signal output from the first RF amplifier with using the second oscillation signal and output the heterodyned signal in the first single receiving mode.
US08145169B2 Method and system for LNA adjustment to compensate for dynamic impedance matching
Aspects of a method and system for LNA adjustment to compensate for dynamic impedance matching are provided. In this regard, an antenna matching network may be configured to maximize received signal strength for a determined frequency and an amplifier gain may be adjusted based on the maximized signal strength such that output levels of the amplifier are between specified limits. The antenna matching network may be programmatically controlled via one or more switching elements. The amplifier gain may be programmatically controlled via one or more bias points. The antenna matching network may be configured for a plurality of frequencies in a frequency band, such as an FM broadcast band, and a configuration for each frequency may be stored. Accordingly, when the receiver is tuned to a frequency, a corresponding configuration may be retrieved from memory.
US08145164B2 Methods and apparatus for handling a signaling message the relates to transmission rate restrictions
A method for handling a signaling message that specifies transmission rate restrictions may include operating in a first state. The method may also include receiving the signaling message from a network. The signaling message may include an activation time, the transmission rate restrictions and the control duration. The method may also include receiving a state transition trigger to operate in a second state. The method may also include determining the user equipment's behavior regarding the transmission rate restrictions upon receiving the state transition trigger.
US08145162B2 Tuner device
A tuner device includes tuner circuits, where each of the tuner circuits includes a radio frequency amplifier amplifying a radio frequency signal of a transmitted broadcast wave, a frequency mixing circuit performing frequency conversion for the transmitted radio frequency signal, and a local oscillation circuit transmitting a local oscillation signal to the frequency mixing circuit, wherein the local oscillation circuit includes, at least, a reference signal source, a first frequency divider, and a second frequency divider, oscillates a local oscillation signal having a local oscillation frequency, and makes a difference between local oscillation frequencies of the tuner circuits, the difference being generated when the tuner circuits receive the broadcast waves of the same frequency, greater than or equal to a predetermined value.
US08145159B2 Method and apparatus for optimizing output power levels in power amplifiers
Some embodiments discussed relate to an apparatus comprising a power amplifier module. The power amplifier module includes a plurality of sensors, and a first digital communication port configured to provide a monitor signal from at least one of the plurality of sensors. The apparatus includes a transceiver module coupled to provide an signal to an input of the power amplifier the transceiver module including a second digital communication port configured to receive the monitor signal from the first digital communication port, a processing unit configured to generate at least one of a bias control signal and a back-off signal dependent upon the monitor signal, and a power controller to receive the at least one of bias control signal and the back-off signal and provide at least one further input signal to the power amplifier based on at least one of the bias control signal and the back-off signal.
US08145157B2 High efficiency modulation
This disclosure is directed to techniques for increasing the power efficiency of a modulator.
US08145156B2 Configuration controller for receiver and transmitter
A configuration controller generates one or more control signals based on channel data. A receiver includes an RF receiver section and a receiver processing module that are configured in response to the control signal. A transmitter includes an RF transmitter section and a transmitter processing module that are configured in response to the control signal.
US08145152B2 Gain temperature compensation circuit
A gain temperature compensation circuit producing a relatively small loss of power, and enabling modification of a variation width of the attenuation amount in a predetermined temperature range is provided. A gain temperature compensation circuit includes a circulator and a thermistor. The circulator outputs a signal being input to a first port to a second port, and outputs the signal being input to the second port to a third port. The thermistor being connected to the second port reflects the signal being output from the second port by varying the power of the signal according to temperature, so as to input to the second port, in order to adjust the attenuation amount of the signal.
US08145151B2 Hybrid switched mode/linear mode power amplifier control
In one aspect of the exemplary embodiments of this invention a method includes determining, based at least in part on a number of resource blocks to be transmitted, where the resource blocks may be spectrally contiguous or spectrally non-contiguous, a ratio of power to be provided by a switched mode power supply to power to be provided by a linear mode power supply; controlling the switched mode power supply and the linear mode power supply in accordance with the determined ratio to supply a total amount of power and providing the total amount of power to a supply voltage input of a polar transmitter.
US08145150B1 Integrated signal analyzer for adaptive control of mixed-signal integrated circuit
A mixed-signal adaptive integrated circuit may comprise a primary function circuit, a digitally controlled analog sub-system cooperatively connected with the primary function circuit, and an on-chip signal analyzer. The on-chip signal analyzer may be arranged to analyze RF signals. The signal analyzer may comprise at least one multiplexor for selecting selected RF signals for comparison and analysis, and may comprise a digital signal processor (DSP) for analyzing the selected RF signals and adjusting at least one operational parameter of the digitally controlled analog sub-system responsive to the analysis.
US08145143B2 Bidirectional frequency converter and radio equipment using same
When a power supply switch is turned on and an RF signal and an LO signal are input to a bipolar transistor, a mixed signal of both signals is output as an IF signal. When the power supply switch is turned off, the bipolar transistor operates as two diodes connected between a base terminal and an emitter terminal and between the base terminal and a collector terminal. When the IF signal and the LO signal are input, the input signals are mixed with each other by the diodes and the RF signal is output. Accordingly, one frequency conversion is performed by the use of one frequency converter, an external circuit such as a signal path switching switch is not necessary.
US08145138B2 Apparatus and method for removing interference in multiple antenna system
Provided are an apparatus and a method for removing an interference in a multiple antenna system. The apparatus includes a channel estimator, a covariance matrix generator, a weight calculator, and a beam forming unit. The channel estimator estimates a channel for a service cell and an interference channel for an adjacent cell using sounding signals via a plurality of antennas. The covariance matrix generator generates a covariance matrix as an average value from the interference channel. The weight calculator calculates a beam coefficient using the covariance matrix. The beam forming unit forms a beam using the beam coefficient.
US08145135B2 Apparatus, method and computer program product providing automatically adjusted time periods used for event evaluation
A method includes determining a first time period during which evaluation should be performed of whether a received radio frequency signal meets at least one criterion, the first time period based at least partially on a second time period of discontinuous reception or transmission. The method also includes performing the evaluation of the received radio frequency signal using measurements obtained within the first time period, and determining, based on the evaluation, whether an event should be triggered. The method further includes triggering the event in response to a determination that the event should be triggered.
US08145132B2 Method and apparatus for reducing frequency space from frequency search
A method and apparatus for reducing frequency space from code space search is disclosed in a wireless network. The method and apparatus reduces the frequency space without compromising the probability of detection, so that user equipment can expedite system acquisition and reduce power consumption. To reduce the frequency space, the described aspects note that the power spectral density of the WCDMA signal is essentially flat within the channel bandwidth. By capturing in-phase quadrature samples and doing frequency domain analysis of the signal in bandwidth around the center frequency, to the described aspects can eliminate some channels from the WCDMA code space search during frequency scan.
US08145128B2 Wireless reception apparatus, wireless transmission apparatus, wireless communication system, wireless reception method, wireless transmission method, and wireless communication method
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method capable of achieving closed loop MIMO communications, using reduced feedback, without a loss in system performance. In one embodiment of the present invention, a phase-rotated right handed singular vector matrix is derived from an estimation result of a MIMO channel (steps 231 and 232). Then, a coefficient are fed back (step 235). The coefficient is associated with an element in the phase-rotated right-handed singular vector matrix.
US08145125B2 Emergency communications controller and console
An emergency communications device contains dispatch consoles for use by user that contains multiple repeaters and multiple communication networks. The multiple repeaters and multiple communication networks are used for redundancy purposes, in case the repeater or communication network in use becomes disabled for any reason. The device also contains a recorder unit capable of provided instant playback to emergency dispatch personnel independently of whether the unit is recording. The device does not require an external computer to operate.
US08145120B2 Apparatus, system, method and computer program product for service selection and sorting
An apparatus, system, method and computer program product for providing a user of a terminal with broadcast services. A terminal controller is configured to use data forming the whole of or part of an electronic service guide, and store information concerning the accessibility of services. That information is used to then generate a list of selectable services available to the user. A user interface presents at least part of the list in a selectable manner. Service accessibility display options are included either as a setting in the terminal or as a user input. Subscribed services are presented to the user on a display differently than non-subscribed services. If a non-subscribed service is selected, payment data is retrieved from the terminal and a suitable subscription is purchased without significant user involvement. The purchase of a subscription results in the terminal receiving subscription data, which is then stored for future use.
US08145119B2 Method of jamming
A jamming system includes at least three jamming units. Each jamming unit is separately positionable and pointable. Each jamming unit covers different frequency bands. A method of using the jamming system includes moving a first jamming unit relative to a second jamming unit, and yawing a first jamming unit relative to an orientation of a third jamming unit.
US08145118B2 Image-forming system, paper curl correction apparatus, image-forming apparatus, post-processing apparatus, and computer-readable medium for controlling paper curl correction
There is provided a paper curl correction apparatus including: an input curl determining unit that determines, on the basis of curl characteristic information of a first apparatus which processes a sheet, input curl information corresponding to an amount of curl of a sheet input from the first apparatus; a target curl acquiring unit that acquires, from a post-processing apparatus which performs a post process on a sheet, target curl information suited for the post process; a correction determining unit that determines, on the basis of the input curl information and the target curl information, an amount of curl correction for correcting an amount of curl of the sheet input from the first apparatus to an amount of curl suited for the post process; and a curl correcting unit that corrects the curl of the sheet input from the first apparatus in accordance with the amount of curl correction.
US08145116B2 Electrostatographic apparatus having improved transport member
The present invention is an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus which includes a primary imaging member for producing an electrostatic latent image on a receiver, a development station for applying toner particles to said latent image which forms a developed toner image on the receiver. A fuser assembly is included for fixing the developed toner image, to form a fused toner image on the receiver. A transport member is provided for transporting the receiver to or from the fuser assembly, the transport member having a substrate bearing an oil-absorbing layer that includes transparent alumina inorganic particles of siloxane coated gamma-alumina, dispersed in an organic binder, and a fluorosurfactant.
US08145114B2 Digital manufacture of a microfluidic device
In view of the above, this invention is directed to printing methods including electrographic printing wherein toner and/or laminates form one or more multi-channeled layers, with a particular pattern. The multi-channeled layers are printed, such as by electrographic techniques, using the steps of forming a desired image on a receiver member and incorporating channels of toner that form a microfluidic item. In the microfluidic items the channels act as interconnects to transfer fluids between incorporated micro-devices such as pumps, devices, and sensors. The channels can also be designed to act as splitters ports, reservoirs, filters, and separators to allow a variety of specialty micro-devices to be developed with the printer.
US08145111B2 Fusing device and image forming apparatus having the same
A fusing device is provided for use in an image forming apparatus to fuse a toner image having a polarity on a printable medium. Such a fusing device comprises: a heating roller which comprises a heat source; a driving roller which is spaced apart from the heating roller; a fusing belt which travels on the heating roller and the driving roller and is heated by the heating roller; a pressing roller which forms a fusing nip against a surface of the fusing belt and presses the printable medium to the fusing belt; and a power supply which applies a voltage to the pressing roller to electrify the printable medium into a polarity opposite to the polarity of the toner image.
US08145107B2 Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus includes: a transfer belt to which an image is transferred; a belt tension roller around which the transfer belt is looped; a transfer roller that includes a shaft and a recessed portion which is formed in an axial direction of the transfer roller and has a first edge formed in an opening edge in one side of a rotation direction of the transfer roller and a second edge formed in an opening edge in the other side opposite to the one side; and a support member that is arranged in the shaft of the transfer roller.
US08145105B2 Belt drive control device, belt device, image forming apparatus, and belt drive control method
A belt drive control device includes: first and second detection devices which detect the angular displacement or velocity of a driven rotary member and the angular displacement or velocity of a drive rotary member, respectively; an extraction device which extracts, from the difference between the detection results of the first and second detection devices, the amplitude and phase of a variation component due to belt thickness variation; a control device which controls the rotation of the drive rotary member in accordance with the extracted amplitude and phase; first and second holding devices which hold the extracted amplitude and phase and normal ranges of the amplitude and phase, respectively; and first and second feedback devices which feed back the amplitude and phase to the rotation control, and performs feedback by using a substitution value for the amplitude or phase if the amplitude or phase is out of the normal range, respectively.
US08145100B2 Process cartridge including developing unit and incorporated in image forming apparatus
A process cartridge for use in an image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member and a developing unit. The developing unit includes a developer bearing member to bear developer including toner and carrier, a casing forming a developer container containing the developer, a screw having a shaft with a spiral screw blade, a toner density sensor to detect a density of the toner on a detection surface, and a detection surface agitating member fixedly mounted on the shaft of the screw at a position facing a detection surface to scrape away the developer accumulated on the detection surface as the screw rotates. The detection surface agitating member includes an elastic sheet elastically deformable to scrape away the developer accumulated on the detection surface and disposed at a substantially same angle to an axial direction of the shaft of the screw as the spiral screw blade.
US08145097B2 Constant-velocity joint and image-forming device
A constant-velocity joint includes an outer ring having an annular space therein and an opening at one axial end thereof. The annular space is defined by a radially outer wall and a radially inner wall of the outer ring. At least one of the radially outer wall and the radially inner wall has three axially extending track grooves circumferentially spaced apart from each other by 120 degrees. A cage is inserted in the annular space. The cage has pockets at positions corresponding to the track grooves, respectively. A ball is received in each of the pockets so as to roll along one of the track grooves. A pair of diametrically opposed protrusions is formed at radially inner and outer open ends of the pockets of the cage to prevent the balls from coming out of the pockets of the cage.
US08145095B2 Electrophotographic image forming apparatus with movable tray for supporting a cartridge
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a process cartridge which is mounted on a pull-out type cartridge tray to enable front access. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an urging unit for urging and moving the cartridge tray toward a front of a main assembly of the apparatus and a clocking member for locking the cartridge tray in a proper position so that the cartridge tray is returned back to an outside position of the apparatus when the cartridge tray is pushed to the proper position.
US08145093B2 Developing apparatus having a spacer and a leakage preventer
A developing apparatus includes an organic photo conductor, an OPC frame part to support the organic photo conductor, a developing roller to develop a latent image formed on the organic photo conductor by supplying a developer, a developing roller frame part to support the developing roller, a developer storing part to store the developer and provided with a supplying opening through which the developer is supplied to the developing roller, a spacer removably interposed between the OPC frame part and the developing roller frame part and spacing the OPC frame part from the developing roller frame part such that the organic photo conductor and the developing roller do not contact each other, a leakage preventer removably attached to and sealing the supplying opening, and a connecting part to connect the spacer with the leakage preventer. Thus, the spacer and the leakage preventer are capable of being removed simultaneously.
US08145084B2 Image processing apparatus and method
An image forming apparatus controls the conveyance speed of a transfer material at the time a leading edge of the transfer material enters a transfer nip, to be slower than the moving speed of an image bearing member. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus controls the conveyance speed of the transfer material at the time a trailing edge of the transfer material exits the transfer nip, to be faster than the moving speed of the image bearing member.
US08145079B2 Image forming device having an adjusting unit for adjusting an image forming postion on a rotational body
An image forming device includes a rotational body configured such that an image to be transferred onto a sheet is formed in an image forming position thereon, a storage configured to store thereon, in a non-volatile manner, a correction parameter for canceling a deviation of the image forming position caused due to unevenness of a rotational speed of the rotational body, an adjusting unit configured to adjust the image forming position by controlling at least one of the rotational speed of the rotational body and timing of forming the image on the rotational body, based on the correction parameter, a first board loaded with the storage, and a second board loaded with the adjusting unit, the second board being provided separately from the first board.
US08145077B2 Image forming apparatus and paper-jam clearing method
A paper conveying path extends from a paper feeding tray to an image forming unit, a branch conveying path extends from a branching point in the paper conveying path to a paper container, a first paper sensor and a second paper sensor are arranged in the paper conveying path upstream of the branching point, and a switch nail is arranged at the branching point to switch paths between the paper conveying path and the branch conveying path. The switch nail is controlled so that a jammed paper is conveyed to the paper container via the branch conveying path upon detecting paper jamming in the paper conveying path and the first sensor detects the jammed paper while the second sensor does not detect the jammed paper.
US08145074B2 Method of controlling image forming apparatus using write protection
A system and method are provided for controlling an image forming apparatus and include a supplies information storage unit, which is included in supplies of an image forming apparatus and which has a writable first storage area and a second storage area providing write protection, and which stores information regarding the supplies in the first storage area, a replacement time detecting unit, which detects a replacement time of the supplies and outputs the sensing result, and an information controller, which in response to the result output from the replacement time detecting unit, stores the information stored in the first storage area in the second storage area, sets the write protection, and deletes the information stored in the first storage area. Accordingly, illegally recycled supplies can be prevented from being installed or used. Thus, stability in the use of the image forming apparatus can be guaranteed, durability of the image forming apparatus can be lengthened, and printing quality deterioration can be prevented.
US08145071B2 Electrical-dispersion compensating apparatus, optical receiving apparatus, and optical receiving method
An optical receiving apparatus branches an optical signal, photo-electric-converts the branched signals, and compensates dispersion in each of the converted electrical signals. Electrical-dispersion compensators respectively compensate the dispersion in the electrical signals using a transversal filter having plural taps. A dispersion control unit controls the dispersion compensation amount for each of the electrical signals by adjusting tap coefficients of the transversal filter. A delay control unit controls the difference in the delay time of the electrical signals by adjusting the tap coefficients adjusted by the dispersion control unit. An identifying circuit identifies data in the optical signal based on each of the electrical signals that have been subjected to dispersion compensation by each of the electrical-dispersion compensators.
US08145068B2 Dual use of test point power monitor
A channel alignment system in an optical communication network includes logic to sample power of a quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) channel at a component downstream from a QAM modulator. The system determines if the sampled channel power has a sufficient level. The system signals power control logic of the QAM modulator to adjust a gain of the sampled channel.
US08145065B2 Low-frequency signal optical transmission system and low-frequency signal optical transmission method
The system includes: a two-light wave generator for generating light beams having wavelengths λ1 and λ2 that are spaced apart by a frequency of a signal M1 from a laser; a photodetector for detecting a signal M2 from the light beams transmitted through an optical fiber; an optical modulator for frequency-shifting the light beams by a frequency of a signal M3; a Faraday reflector for reflecting the light beams; an optical coupler for mixing the light beams that have been returned to a polarization beam splitter, with the generated light beams; a photodetector for converting the light beams into microwave signals; an image rejection mixer for frequency-converting the signals obtained through the conversion by using the signal M1 to output a two side bands; and a phase difference detector for detecting a phase difference between the side bands, and controlling a phase shifter so that the phase difference becomes 0.
US08145064B2 System and method for suppressing noise by frequency dither
A system for suppressing noise by frequency dither includes a transmitter, receiver and a frequency dither circuit, as well as a cavity along a propagation path of the electromagnetic signal between the transmitter and the receiver. The transmitter is configured to transmit an electromagnetic signal to the receiver at each of one or more selectable frequencies. The frequency dither circuit is configured to apply a frequency dither to the electromagnetic signal transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver at each of the selectable frequencies. In this regard, the applied frequency dither has a span having been selected as a function of a minimum frequency period of an expected standing wave in the system, and a rate having been selected as a function of a signal processing bandwidth for sampling a frequency spectrum including the selectable frequencies.
US08145063B2 Method and device for readjusting a polarization drift
For readjusting a polarization drift in the transmission of a polarization-encoded optical signal from a transmitter via a light guide to a receiver, optical auxiliary signals having the same wavelength as the polarization-encoded signal as well as different polarizations as in correspondence with a first base and a second base are fed into the light guide on the side of the transmitter while the transmission of the polarization-encoded signal is interrupted, and the optical auxiliary signals are picked up from the light guide and checked for shifts of the different polarizations by a polariometer on the side of the receiver, whereupon, in the event of the detection of polarization shifts, the different polarizations shifted during the transmission are displaced in the sense of the polarization set values via a polarization controller associated with the light guide.
US08145062B2 Optical amplifier capable of amplifying optical signals that traverse separate transmission fibers
Optical amplification by combining two or more optical signals from separate optical fibers, amplifying the combined signal using an optical fiber, and separating the amplified signals into their constituent optical signals. The separated optical signals may then be sent further in the direction they had been heading before combination. This allows multiple optical signals to be amplified using a single optical amplifier, perhaps even in a single optical fiber. Although not required, the two optical signals may even be travelling in different directions.
US08145061B2 Optical module implementing a light-receiving device and a light-transmitting device within a common housing
A bi-direction optical module with an arrangement to reduce the crosstalk noise is disclosed. The optical module comprises a laser diode (LD) driven by a differential signal and a photodiode (PD) on a single package. The PD is mounted on a position where the electrical potential measured from respective interconnections connected to the anode and to the cathode of the LD becomes the midpoint of the interconnections. The capacitances with respect the stem, where the LD and the PD are mounted thereon, viewed from the anode and the cathode of the LD becomes substantially equal to each other, or distances from the PD to respective interconnections are adjusted depending on the length of the interconnection facing the PD. Twisting the interconnections to the LD may be effective to reduce the crosstalk.
US08145060B2 Passive optical network transceiver with temperature compensation circuit
A passive optical network transceiver includes an avalanche photodiode, a bias voltage generator for supplying a bias voltage to the avalanche photodiode, a temperature detector for measuring the operating temperature of the avalanche photodiode, a memory for storing one reference bias voltage and a processing circuitry to process the value of the measured operating temperature and the reference bias voltage to generate a control signal for controlling the bias voltage generator to adjust the bias voltage supplied by the said bias voltage generator.
US08145059B2 Circuit topologies for high speed, low cost optical transceiver components
A topology for optical transceiver components comprises an electrical signal interface stage, a data timing and signal reformatting stage, and an optical fiber interface stage. Unlike transceiver components known in the art, functions having signals with the most jitter are partitioned into the electrical signal interface stage. Data timing functions, for example retiming or clock and data recovery, are included in the data timing and reformatting stage. Output jitter from the data timing and signal reformatting stage is approximately equal to jitter in a clock signal, enabling use of semiconductor components having jitter greater than SONET limits and thereby increasing a value of production yield. Embodiments of the invention are well suited for 40 G transmitters and receivers in nonconnectorized surface mount packages. 40 G transceivers built in accord with the invention are expected to have lower cost, smaller size, and higher production yield than 40 G transceivers known in the art.
US08145058B2 Optical network unit transceiver module having direct connect RF pin configuration
Systems and method for using a direct connect RF pin configuration for an ONU transceiver module to connect directly to an external component. The ONU module communicates with an optical network. The ONU module further includes an RF interface and a direct connect RF pin configuration to communicate using RF signals. In one embodiment, the direct connect RF pin configuration includes two ground pins and a data pin which are spaced apart and directly connected to a PCB of the ONU. The opposing ends of the pins are directly connected to a PCB of an external component, such as an ONU host box. The pins are thus spaced apart such that they do not impede each others' function and available for direct connection to the external component.
US08145054B2 Single-fiber protection in telecommunications networks
A solution for detecting and recovering from a failure in a protected single-fiber passive optical network. A detector is used to detect the degradation in power level of optical signals. Furthermore, the invention discloses a variable symmetric split ratio approach to improve the number of splits (e.g. the number of ONUs). A single-fiber passive optical network is disclosed that uses a plurality of passive nodes connected in the optical fiber between the interfaces, wherein in the passive nodes 2-by-2 splitters/combiners are used to couple optical power from and into the optical fiber at a predetermined split ratio.
US08145052B2 Aperture controlling system
An aperture controlling system includes a CMOS image sensor, a brightness encoder, an aperture and an aperture driving circuit. The brightness encoder is used for extracting brightness information sensed by the CMOS image sensor and converting the brightness information into digital codes. The aperture driving circuit includes a D/A converter, a motor coil driving circuit, an environment sensing module, a benchmark voltage generator and a motor. The motor is mechanically connected to the aperture. The motor coil driving circuit includes a voltage comparator. The input and the output of the D/A converter are respectively coupled to the brightness encoder and the inverting input of the voltage comparator. The input and the output of the benchmark voltage generator are respectively coupled to the environment sensing module and the non-inverting input of the voltage comparator. The output of voltage comparator is connected to the motor.
US08145047B2 Self-regulating electric heating system
There is described a heating panel comprising: a heat conductive plate having a first surface that is grooveless and planar and an opposite surface thereof; a self-regulating heating cable residing on the first surface; and an insulating layer covering the self-regulating cable and the first surface to direct the heat towards the opposite surface.
US08145037B2 Recording medium, playback device, recording method, playback method, and computer program
A recording medium capable of executing menu calls based on the particular characteristics of different versions of the same movie work when these different versions are recorded on a single recording medium. An AV clip and a dynamic scenario are recorded on a BD-ROM 100 (recording medium). The dynamic scenario is a command string showing a playback control procedure relating to video data, and has attribute information attached thereto. Attribute information is information showing a control procedure for when a user requests a menu call during AV clip playback, and includes a resume_intension_flag. The resume_intension_flag shows whether playback resumption of video data after the menu call ends is intended.
US08145035B2 Reproduction device, recording medium, program, and reproduction method
When reading an AV Clip which is formed by multiplexing a plurality of elementary streams from a BD-ROM and playing back the AV Clip, an STN_table that lists an entry of each elementary stream is acquired from PlayList information on the BD-ROM. For each elementary stream shown in the STN_table, a judgment is made as to whether the elementary stream satisfies a predetermined condition. Of all elementary streams judged as satisfying the predetermined condition, an elementary stream having a highest entry in the STN_table is selected and played back.
US08145031B2 Recording apparatus
A recording apparatus which can provide a video signal and an audio signal in synchronization even when the input signal is discontinuous. The recording apparatus includes: an input unit which receives 60P or 60I video and audio signals; a control unit which detects a discontinuity of a pulldown sequence; a recording command information generation unit which generates video recording command information and audio recording command information so that the video signal is recorded as a 24P signal; and a recording unit which provides to-be-recorded video data and to-be-recorded audio data in accordance with the video recording command information and the audio recording command information. The control unit determines the state of recording as the non-record state for a predetermined period of time during which recording of the video signal is suspended following the discontinuity detection of the pulldown sequence and after a lapse of which the recording of the video signal is resumed so that the pulldown sequence of the recorded video signal becomes continuous. The recording command information generation unit generates the video recording command information and the audio recording command information according to the determined state of recording.
US08145028B2 Optical disk device
This optical disk device includes a video recording means, a replay means, and an actuation means. The video recording means performs video recording of contents data upon an optical disk cell by cell. The replay means performs replay of the contents data, and performs special replay which differs from the replay by one or more of replay speed and replay direction. And the actuation means designates a desired predetermined time instant. During the video recording, the video recording means records upon the optical disk recording position information which specifies the recording position upon the optical disk of the cell which is video recorded at the predetermined time instant. Moreover, during performance of the special replay, when the special replay arrives at the cell which is corresponding to the recording position information, the replay means stops the special replay and starts the replay from that cell.
US08145025B2 Single-mode optical fiber having reduced bending losses
A single-mode optical fiber includes a central core, an intermediate cladding, a depressed trench, and an external optical cladding. The central core has a radius r1 and a positive refractive index difference Δn1 with the optical cladding. The intermediate cladding has a radius r2 and a positive refractive index difference Δn2 with the optical cladding, wherein Δn2 is less than Δn1. The depressed trench has a radius r3 and a negative index difference Δn3 with the optical cladding. At a wavelength of 1310 nanometers, the optical fiber has a mode field diameter (MFD) between 8.6 microns and 9.5 microns and, at a wavelength of 1550 nanometers, the optical fiber has bending losses less than about 0.25×10−3 dB/turn for a radius of curvature of 15 millimeters. At a wavelength of 1260 nanometers, attenuation of the LP11 mode to 19.3 dB is achieved over less than 90 meters of fiber.
US08145020B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a direct light-triggered thyristor triggered by an optical gate signal, a first optical fiber connected to the direct light-triggered thyristor and through which the optical gate signal is transmitted, a second optical fiber used to extend the first optical fiber, and a inter-optical-fiber relaying unit configured to connect the first optical fiber to the second optical fiber and to input the optical gate signal output from the second optical fiber to the first optical fiber.
US08145016B1 System for the environmental viewing of an outdoor ad space
A system whereby a potential advertiser can see a motorist's view of an outdoor ad space without the need to actually drive past the outdoor ad space. A video image is recorded of the outdoor ad space from a vehicle driving past the outdoor ad space using a video recorder. A database is populated with images of each outdoor ad space. An advertiser queries the database using some identifier in order to retrieve the image and once retrieved, view the image.
US08145014B2 Apparatus and method of removing color noise of digital image
There is provided an apparatus for removing color noise including: a color interpolation unit performing color interpolation on a bayer pattern image output from an image sensor; a high-pass filter unit performing high-pass filtering on each of the pixels of the bayer pattern image to generate high-pass filtered values of each of the pixels; a high frequency region determining unit comparing pixel values of a target pixel, from which color noise is removed, and pixels adjacent to the target pixel with the high-pass filtered values to determine whether the target pixel is included in a high frequency region; and a color noise region determining unit using differences between color values of the target pixel interpolated by the color interpolation unit and determining whether the target pixel is included in a color noise region when it is determined that the target pixel is included in the high frequency region.
US08145013B1 Multi-purpose scaler
A multi-purpose scaler utilizes a vertical scaler module and a moveable horizontal scaler module to resample a video signal either vertically or horizontally according to a selected scaling ratio. The moveable horizontal scaler module resides in one of two slots within the multi-purpose scaler architecture to provide either horizontal reduction or horizontal expansion as desired. The multi-purpose scaler is arranged to scale the video using non-linear 3 zone scaling in both the vertical and horizontal direction when selected. The multipurpose scaler is arranged to provide vertical keystone correction and vertical height distortion correction when the video is presented through a projector at a non-zero tilt angle. The multi-purpose scaler is also arranged to provide interlacing and de-interlacing of the video frames as necessary.
US08145012B2 Device and process for multimodal registration of images
The invention relates to a device and a process, with which images of different imaging methods can be registered, for example preoperatively obtained 3D X-ray images (A) and intra operatively obtained ultrasound images (B). First transformed images (A′,B′) are then generated in a data processing device (10), which are aligned to each other with regard to the peculiarities of each imaging method. Particularly from the three dimensional CT-image (A), can be generated a two dimensional image (A′) which adheres to the characteristic means of representation of an ultrasound system, while shaded areas behind bones and/or gas-filled volumes can be blended out. With a feature-based registration of the transformed images (A′, B′) errors are avoided, which are traced back to artifacts and peculiarities of the respective imaging methods.
US08145011B2 Correlation apparatus
This invention relates to a pattern recognition correlator in which a serial input data signal is converted into a parallel data signal for correlation with one or more reference data signals. The invention relates to use of a demultiplexer in such a correlation apparatus to reduce the data update rate for the subsequent components. The invention also relates to the use of a series of latch circuits to provide serial to parallel conversion of the input data signal in the electrical domain.
US08145010B2 Image processing system and method
An image processing system includes a first memory for storing a first image data, the first image data having a plurality of pixels; a second memory for storing at least one mapping table, the mapping table recording the mapped positions of at least a portion of pixels; a direct memory access control unit for accessing the first memory and the second memory; a first processing unit for accessing the first image data and the mapping table via the direct memory access control unit so as to produce a second image data; and a third memory for storing the second image data.
US08145009B2 Apparatus for removing ringing noise and apparatus for removing noise
Provided are an apparatus for removing ringing noise and an apparatus for removing noise. The apparatuses includes a representative value setting block dividing pixel data in one block including a plurality of pixel data into two groups through a K-means algorithm and setting a representative value in each of the groups; a parameter generator block calculating intervals and approaches between all the pixel data in the block and a pair of the representative values; and a correction block correcting an inputted pixel data value using the intervals and the approaches.
US08145003B2 Adaptive transforms
In one embodiment, an image is broken up into multiple regions or segments, where each segment may be of arbitrary shape, and a transform (multi-scale or otherwise) is applied on the set of segments. In another embodiment, pattern adaptive prediction is used when predicting the next finer level of the transform pyramid. The pattern adaptive prediction uses the parent grid to determine what geometry of a filter is to be used when predicting the child grid. At the boundaries of the domain, the pattern adaptive prediction can coupled with the domain adaptive prediction technique.
US08145001B2 Methods and systems for proxy medical image compression and transmission
In accordance with one or more implementations of the present principles, digital medical images may be efficiently transmitted between industry protocol compliant stations. Proxies may be employed to intercept messages and data transmitted between the stations and to enable transmission of data between the stations in compressed form. Further, the proxies may be incorporated into existing systems without altering integrated components to permit efficient and seamless implementation of one or more compression schemes.
US08145000B2 Image data compressing method and image data compressing apparatus
An image data compressing method, including: storing a plurality of data components of an original image data; assigning a value to a first bit sequence, where the first bit sequence includes a first group of bits associated with zero data components in the plurality of data components and a second group of bits associated with non-zero data components in the plurality of data components, each bit of the first group is assigned a first value, each bit of the second group is assigned a second value different from the first value; counting a first number which is a number of the first value continuing in the first bit sequence; obtaining a significant bit length of at least one of the plurality of data components; translating a combination of the first number and the significant bit length to a code obtained by looking up a coding table; and joining the code to a bit stream of a compressed image data.
US08144997B1 Method for enhanced image decoding
A method of processing an image includes the steps of receiving selection of the first region of interest (ROI) of an image, processing the first image data related to the first ROI, displaying the first image ROI based on the first image data, receiving selection of the second ROI of the image, which at least partially overlapping the first ROI, processing the second image data related to a portion of the second ROI that does not overlap the first ROI, combining the processed second image data with the processed first image data that overlaps the second ROI, and displaying the second image ROI based on the combined processed second image data and the processed first data.
US08144985B2 Method of high dynamic range compression with detail preservation and noise constraints
A method for high dynamic range compression uses a modified cumulative histogram as a compression curve. This curve is computed from the cumulative histogram of the image with constraints that the local derivative on the curve does not exceed a certain limit. The limit is fixed along the curve or the limit is variable, taking into account noise characteristics at various pixel values. To provide appropriate detail preservation, a smoothing filter is used to separate the image into an illumination image, referred to as a base image, and a detail image, and the compression curve is applied to the base image only. The compression method provides high dynamic range compression of the image while preserving the global contrast perception. Conventional global algorithms for high dynamic range compression are not capable of achieving this result. The proposed high dynamic range compression method also minimizes noise amplification while lightening the dark areas during image compression.
US08144981B2 Texture compression based on two hues with modified brightness
In an image-encoding scheme, an input image is decomposed into image blocks comprising multiple image elements. The image blocks are then encoded into encoded blocks. An encoded block comprises a first color codeword, a second color codeword, a color modifier codeword and a color index sequence. The color codewords are representations of a first and second base color located on a first line in color space. The modifier codeword is a representation of at least one color modifier for modifying the first base color along a second line to obtain multiple color representations along the line. The second line has a different direction as compared to the first line. The index sequence comprises color indices associated with a color representation selected form i) the representations on the second line and ii) at least one representation based on the second base color.
US08144979B2 Automatic color contrast analyzer
A computerized method and apparatus to analyze color contrast are provided. In an example embodiment, a computer readable storage medium is provided that comprises executable instructions. When executed, the instructions access data associated with a visual representation including text and perform optical character recognition on the visual representation to identify at least one character of the text. Further color data is extracted from a first area and a second area, the first area forming part of the at least one character and the second area external to the at least one character; and calculate a color contrast value based on the first and second areas. The instructions to access the data, perform the optical character recognition, extract the color data and calculate the color contrast are performed sequentially and automatically by a processor without human intervention.
US08144978B2 System and method for identifying complex tokens in an image
In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. According to a feature of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of identifying token regions in the image, each token region comprising a connected image region of similar color and intensity, and utilizing the identified token regions to generate single material token regions for use in processing material and illumination aspects of the image.
US08144977B2 Method and relative device of color interpolation of an image acquired by a digital color sensor
A method calculates statistical parameters in function of stochastic momentums of the pixel intensities of a same primary color or complementary hue of a first working window (2k+1)×(2k+1), and of at least a second working window of smaller size, both centered on the pixel to be filtered and in choosing, as a function of the values of these statistical parameters, for each pixel of the color image to be filtered, the most appropriate filtering algorithm for enhancing as much as possible the contour sharpness and reducing noise and artifacts.
US08144974B2 Image processing apparatus, method, and program
Corresponding points corresponding to each other between each of a plurality of images photographed from different positions are searched for. When a plurality of corresponding points is searched out in a second image of the plurality of images for one target pixel in a first image of the plurality of images, at least partial subject shape around the target pixel is calculated based on distance values of a plurality of pixels around the target pixel, then a target distance value, which is a distance value of the target pixel, is calculated with respect to each of the plurality of corresponding points based on the target pixel and each of the plurality of corresponding points, and a valid corresponding point is determined from the plurality of corresponding points having a smallest difference from the subject shape.
US08144972B2 Manufacturing method of printed circuit board and manufacturing apparatus for the same
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a printed circuit board and an apparatus for manufacturing the same; and, more particularly, to a method for manufacturing a printed circuit board and an apparatus for manufacturing the same capable of improving the degree of matching between contact holes and pads by correcting exposure position data of an exposing process for forming the pads according to positions of the contact holes.
US08144971B2 Pattern matching processing system and computer readable medium
The pattern matching processing system includes: a recognition pattern-storage unit which stores a first image data obtained by picking up an image of at least a portion of a lead frame or a substrate of a first object and the second image data obtained by picking up an image of at least a portion of a lead frame of a second object that is different from the first object, respectively, and also stores one of the first image data and the second image data as an ordinary recognition pattern, and the other as an auxiliary recognition pattern; and a recognition unit, which recognizes input image data by a first pattern matching with the ordinary recognition pattern stored in the recognition pattern-storage unit, and also carries out the second pattern matching with the auxiliary recognition pattern when an error is caused in the first pattern matching.
US08144966B2 Use of endogenous fluorescence to identify invading metastatic breast tumor cells
The present invention broadly provides methods and systems for detecting, identifying, and characterizing conditions, including diseases and other disorders in human or other animal subjects, by analyzing fluorescence from endogenous flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) fluorophors present in biological materials and samples. In particular embodiments, the invention relates to conditions of the human breast including cancers such as carcinoma. Methods and systems are provided for detecting, locating, and characterizing tumors and precancerous tissue via nonlinear optical imaging techniques capable of accurately characterizing fluorescence intensities and fluorescent lifetime parameters from endogenous FAD fluorophors present in a test tissue sample.
US08144959B2 Facilitating temporal comparison of medical images
Methods, systems, and computer program products for facilitating temporal comparison of medical images is provided, with one exemplary application being for breast mammograms. In one embodiment, prior and subsequent mammographic images of a breast acquired using at least partially different mammogram acquisition systems are displayed for simultaneous viewing on a same mammogram display at an identical tissue distance per unit display distance without requiring a scale-adjusting viewer input. Also described are other embodiments for optimally scaling, windowing and/or otherwise advantageously processing and/or displaying prior and subsequent mammographic image sets in manners that facilitate temporal comparison therebetween.
US08144958B2 Medical systems and methods
This disclosure generally relates to medical systems and methods. In one aspect of the invention, a method includes determining a fluorescent light intensity at one or more points on each of multiple recorded images, and producing an image based on the determined fluorescent light intensity at the one or more points.
US08144952B2 Expanded pharmacokinetic model for population studies in breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
A method for pharmacokinetic analysis, including: receiving time-series medical image data of a patient introduced with a contrast agent; identifying a reference region in the medical image data; identifying a plurality of points of interest in the medical image data; measuring an intensity of voxels in the reference region; and for each point of interest, measure an intensity of voxels therein, use the measured reference region and point of interest intensities to obtain an expression relating the point of interest's voxel concentration to that of the reference region, wherein the expression is a five-parameter nonlinear model with no reference to an arterial input function; and obtain values for each of the five-parameters by solving the expression and use the obtained values to determine whether the point of interest is malignant.
US08144945B2 Method, apparatus and computer program product for providing an orientation independent face detector
A method for providing orientation independent face detection may include generating multiple mosaic images from an input image in which each of the multiple mosaic images has a different scale, employing a plurality of differently oriented edge detectors to perform edge detection on the multiple mosaic images including combining edges of the multiple mosaic images having the different scales, and performing face detection in regions corresponding to the differently oriented edge detectors based on respective feature maps produced by the differently oriented edge detectors. An apparatus and computer program product corresponding to the method are also provided.
US08144944B2 Image sharing system and method
An image capture device, includes a body; an image sensor in the body; a lens configured to focus a scene onto the image sensor; a communications interface in the body; an image processor coupled to receive an image from or to send an image to the communications interface; executable program code embodied in a computer readable medium and configured to cause the image processor to: process image data associated with a first facial area in a first image to determine a first data set of parameters associated with the first facial area; scan one or more subsequent images stored in memory accessible by the image processor; identify facial areas in the subsequent images and process image data associated with identified facial areas in the subsequent images to determine subsequent data sets of parameters associated with identified facial areas; and compare the first and subsequent data sets to determine whether the one or more subsequent images includes a same face as the face highlighted in the first image.
US08144937B2 System and method for airport mapping database automatic change detection
A method for automatically updating a graphical information system (GIS) type database using aerial imagery. The method may involve processing a new image to identify at least one target region therewithin; analyzing the target region to determine image invariant moments thereof; using feature vector data to generate a template of a target feature from an old image; analyzing the template to generate image invariant moments thereof; and comparing the image invariant moments of the target region with the image invariant moments of the template to identify a feature change between the target region and the template.
US08144936B2 Camera based ink application verification
The present application relates to a method, apparatus and programmable product for verifying print quality of a document assembled on a document manufacturing device. In particular, a system and related method for performing print quality assessment of the document in real-time during manufacture of the document are provided. The present teachings allow for identification of the inherent qualities or pre-existing print markings of the document as a separate process from that of a process for identification and verification of markings applied onto the document by the print operation. In this way, a determination of print quality may be determined irrespective of the influence of the inherent qualities or pre-existing print markings.
US08144935B2 Movement detection method and device with a thresholding algorithm per envelope
A movement detection method that includes calculating a first mean of a signal designed to be supplied by at least one pixel of a pixel matrix which corresponds to a captured image. The movement detection method further includes calculating a second signal, second mean, third mean and fourth mean wherein a movement is detected from the result of at least one comparison made of the signal and the second, third and fourth mean.
US08144934B2 Photographic subject tracking method, computer program product and photographic subject tracking device
A photographic subject tracking method comprises calculating similarity levels of images input sequentially to a template image, determining a photographic subject position in each of the input images based upon the similarity levels, tracking the photographic subject position through the input images, judging whether reliability of the similarity level calculated for the photographic subject position is high or low, and changing ways of at least one of calculating the similarity levels, determining the photographic subject position and tracking the photographic subject position, if the reliability of the similarity level is judged to be low.
US08144933B2 Storage medium having information processing program stored thereon and information processing apparatus
A motion information obtaining step successively obtains motion information from a motion sensor. An imaging information obtaining step successively obtains imaging information from an imaging means. An invalid information determination step determines whether the imaging information is valid information or invalid information for predetermined processing. A motion value calculation step calculates a motion value representing a magnitude of a motion of the operation apparatus in accordance with the motion information. A processing step executes, when the imaging information is determined as the invalid information in the invalid information determination step and when the motion value calculated in the motion calculation step is within a predetermined value range, predetermined processing in accordance with most recent valid imaging information among valid imaging information previously obtained.
US08144929B2 Human pursuit system, human pursuit apparatus and human pursuit program
A human pursuit system includes a plurality of cameras, shooting directions of which are directed toward a floor, are installed on a ceiling, a parallax of an object reflected in an overlapping image domain is calculated on the basis of at least a portion of the overlapping image domain where images are overlapped among shot images shot by the plurality of cameras, the object equal to or greater than a threshold value predetermined by the calculated parallax is detected as a human, a pattern image including the detected human object is extracted, and a pattern matching is applied to the extracted pattern image and the image shot by the camera to thereby pursue a human movement trajectory.
US08144922B2 Two-dimensional code with a logo
A two-dimensional code with a logo, wherein a two-dimensional code that represents information by means of a cell dot distribution pattern formed by having a plurality of cells colored and a logo mark visually representing characters are superimposed. In a preferred embodiment, at least a part of the cell dot color area is smaller than the cell area while the two-dimensional code that represents the information by means of the cell dot distribution pattern that color codes the cells and the logo mark that visually represents the character are superimposed.
US08144917B2 Dynamic type unit with multiple magnetic field system
The present invention relates to a dynamic type unit with a multiple magnetic field system, and more particularly, to a dynamic type unit including a magnet, a diaphragm and a moving coil such as a microphone or a speaker, wherein an auxiliary magnet is mounted around a main magnetic field formed by the magnet so as to form an auxiliary magnetic field to thereby correct a waveform of each individual distorted frequency generated from the microphone or the speaker, which results in realization of the best sound whose quality is closest to that of an original sound.
US08144916B2 Vibrating system of panel form electrodynamic loudspeaker
The present invention discloses a vibrating system of flat-plate electrodynamic loudspeaker, which comprises a flat-plate vibrating plate and a voice coil mounted under the vibrating plate. The vibrating system is characterized in that the thickness of the vibrating plate within the voice coil is not more than ½ of that of the vibrating plate outside the voice coil. Alternatively, the vibrating plate within the voice coil can be replaced by a vibrating diaphragm. The thin plate within the voice coil according to the present invention can provide compensation for high frequency response, widen frequency band, and reduce the overall height of voice coil and vibrating plate. According to the present invention, a thin flat-plate loudspeaker that almost cover the full audio frequency bands can be designed, thereby producing a thin flat-plate full frequency speaker system to meet the demand of market.
US08144913B1 Travel pillow with audio system
Described is a traveling pillow having embedded headphones for providing a traveler with a comfortable place for resting the neck and head and music to the ears. A universal plug can be located within a pocket of the pillow to permit connection to the headphones and a location for storing an MP3 player, iPod® or cellular phone with music files. Alternatively, a separate plug is provided and accessible from the exterior of the pillow should the traveler desires to use an audio cord and place the music storage device elsewhere, or to connect a Walkman®, Discman®, laptop or DVD player to the pillow headphones. A volume control knob permits the traveler to set an appropriate volume level to provide his or her favorite music in surround sound and total comfort.
US08144908B2 Method and an arrangement for damping a resonance frequency
A method and an arrangement for damping the resonance frequency in a vibrator for bone anchored hearing aids in which sound information is mechanically transmitted via the skull bone directly to the inner ear of a person with impaired hearing. A microphone picks up the sound, a signal processor amplifies and filters the signal from the microphone and a vibrator converts the electrical signal into vibrations. The signal processor of the hearing aid is used for damping the resonance frequency peak of the vibrator. For this purpose the signal processor includes electronic filters that are arranged to reduce the amplification in the signal processing chain of the hearing aid as much as the desired dampening of the resonance frequency peak of the vibrator.
US08144907B2 Water-resistant hearing device
The invention relates to a water-resistant hearing device, which has the following: At least one first electroacoustic transducer for receiving sound waves and converting said sound waves into electrical signals, an electronic circuit sealed against liquids by coating and/or encapsulation, at least one second electroacoustic transducer converting electrical signals supplied to the circuit into sound waves and an electrical energy source sealed against liquids by means of coating and/or encapsulation. In this way the electroacoustic transducers are made of materials which realize a deformation in an electrical and/or magnetic field and/or an electrical current flow and/or an electrical voltage (and/or vice versa) and are insensitive to liquids, in particular water, salt water and slight acids.
US08144900B2 Speaker system
A speaker system which includes a housing and a linear array of a plurality of sound-generating transducers. A housing is in the form of a cylinder having a longitudinal axis and substantially circular cross-section. The linear array of sound-generating transducers are mounted upon a substantially planar chord configured within a sidewall of the cylinder.
US08144899B2 Acoustic transducer and microphone using the same
An acoustic transducer comprises a substrate, a membrane configured to move relative to the substrate, a number of supports configured to suspend the membrane over the substrate, a first group of projections extending from the membrane, and a second group of projections extending from the substrate, the second group of projections being interweaved with and movable relative to the first group of projections, wherein each projection of one group of the first group of projections and the second group of projections is composed of a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer and a dielectric layer between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, and each projection of the other one group of the first group of projections and the second group of projections is composed of a third conductive layer.
US08144898B2 High performance microphone and manufacturing method thereof
A microphone (100) and method of manufacture thereof is disclosed. The microphone (100) includes a housing (108), a diaphragm assembly (120), a spacer (134), a backplate assembly (140), a body assembly (150), and a printed circuit board (164) disposed within the housing (100). The diaphragm assembly (120) and the backplate assembly (140) constitute a variable capacitor responsive to sound pressure level changes coupled through an acoustic port (118). The base capacitance is inversely proportional to the thickness of the spacer (134). The backplate assembly (140) is disk shaped with protrusions and coupled to the body assembly (150) such that an acoustic passage (172) is formed between an outer edge of the backplate assembly (140) and an inner periphery of the hollow body assembly (150). The body assembly (150) comprises conductive mount (158) for electrically coupling the backplate assembly (140) to a first surface (166) of a circuit board (164). A second surface (168) of the circuit board (164) is then held in contact with the connecting surface (114) of the housing (108) by mechanical fastening such as crimping, soldering, welding or adhesive bonding.
US08144897B2 Adjusting acoustic speaker output based on an estimated degree of seal of an ear about a speaker port
A degree of seal of an ear about a speaker port may be estimated by detecting touch contact between the ear and at least one touch sensor in fixed relation to the speaker port. The degree of seal is estimated based on the detected touch contact. Based upon the estimated degree of seal, the acoustic output of the speaker may be adjusted. The adjustment may compensate for perceived changes to the quality of the acoustic output resulting from the degree of seal. The at least one touch sensor may be a plurality of touch sensors spaced around the speaker port. Each sensor may have a truncated wedge shape, with a narrow end closest to the speaker port. Upon receipt of user input indicative of a high degree of ear seal, a sample of the sensor(s) may be taken and stored for using during future estimation of the degree of seal.
US08144896B2 Speech separation with microphone arrays
A system that facilitates blind source separation in a distributed microphone meeting environment for improved teleconferencing. Input sensor (e.g., microphone) signals are transformed to the frequency-domain and independent component analysis is applied to compute estimates of frequency-domain processing matrices. Modified permutations of the processing matrices are obtained based upon a maximum magnitude based de-permutation scheme. Estimates of the plurality of source signals are provided based upon the modified frequency-domain processing matrices and input sensor signals.Optionally, segments during which the set of active sources is a subset of the set of all sources can be exploited to compute more accurate estimates of frequency-domain mixing matrices. Source activity detection can be applied to determine which speaker(s), if any, are active. Thereafter, a least squares post-processing of the frequency-domain independent components analysis outputs can be employed to adjust the estimates of the source signals based on source inactivity.
US08144888B2 Filter apparatus for actively reducing noise
A filter apparatus for reducing noise from a primary noise source, comprising a secondary source signal connector for generating secondary noise to reduce said primary noise and a sensor connector for connecting to a sensor for measuring said primary and secondary noise as an error signal. A first control filter is arranged to receive a reference signal and calculate a control signal for the secondary source signal. A second control filter is arranged to receive a delayed reference signal and calculate an auxiliary control signal; wherein an adaptation circuit is arranged to adapt said second control filter while receiving an error signal as a sum of the auxiliary control signal and an auxiliary noise signal. The auxiliary noise signal is constructed from a difference of the delayed filtered error signal and a delayed control signal. The first control filter is updated by a copy of said updated second control filter.
US08144877B2 Method and apparatus for updating a key in an active state
A method for updating a key in an active state is disclosed according to the embodiments of the present invention. The method includes steps of: initiating a key update by a user equipment in the active state or a network side when a pre-defined condition is met; updating the key by the network side and the user equipment, and negotiating an activation time of the new keys. An apparatus for updating a key in an active state is also disclosed according to the present invention. With the present invention, the user equipment in an active state and the network side may actively initiate the key update procedure in different cases, thereby solving the problem concerning the key update for a session in an active state.
US08144875B2 Method and system for establishing real-time authenticated and secured communications channels in a public network
A system and method comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for authenticating and encrypting and decrypting information transferred over a public network between a client application program running in a client computer and a server application program running in a server computer and a directory service application program running in a server computer. A method for secure communication by a processor with a server includes generating a message to the server by employing a one pass key generation probabilistic authentication process using a predetermined session master key and sending the message to the server. A method for secure communication between an application executable on a computer and a web server coupled to the computer includes participating by the application in an initial authentication process with the server and wrapping every GET and POST request message to the server in an SSLX-EA exchange after the initial authentication process.
US08144873B2 User interface technique for selection and activation of wireless service among multiple transport carriers
A method and device are provided for handling network activation between a computer and a carrier. In one example, the method involves receiving a command to initiate network activation procedures. The network activation status of the computer is then determined. If the computer is network enabled, a request is sent to a device having network activation information. The network activation information is received from the device. The computer is then configured with the network activation information in order to establish network activation with the carrier.
US08144871B2 Trusted communications between untrusting parties
A system and method is disclosed for assuring that networked communications between parties playing a game on a network (e.g., the Internet) are not tampered with by either of the parties for illicitly gaining an advantage over the other party. An initial sequence of tokens (e.g., card representations) for playing the game are doubly encrypted using an encryption key from each of the parties. Accordingly, during play of the game neither party can modify the initial sequence of game tokens during the game. At termination of the game, at least one of the parties can fully decrypt the initial sequence of tokens, and thereby, if desired, compare the played token sequence with the corresponding the initial token sequence.
US08144869B2 Content protection system, key data generation apparatus, and terminal apparatus
A content protection system prevents illegal key acquisition, without checking uniqueness of device keys. The content protection system includes a key data generation apparatus and a user terminal. The key data generation apparatus converts first key data, which is for using content, based on a predetermined conversion rule, thereby generating second key data, encrypts the second key data using a device key held by valid terminals, and outputs the encrypted key data. The user terminal obtains the encrypted key data, decrypts the encrypted key data using a device key held by the user terminal, thereby generating second key data, converts the second key data based on a re-conversion rule corresponding to the conversion rule, thereby generating the first key data, and uses the content with use of the generated first key data.
US08144864B2 Method for speeding up the computations for characteristic 2 elliptic curve cryptographic systems
In some embodiments, an apparatus and method for speeding up the computations for characteristic 2 elliptic curve cryptographic systems are described. In one embodiment, a multiplication routine may be pre-computed using a one iteration graph-based multiplication according to an input operand length. Once pre-computed, the multiplication routine may be followed to compute the products of the coefficients of the polynomials representing a carry-less product of two input operands using a carry-less multiplication instruction. In one embodiment, the pre-computed multiplication routines may be used to extend a carry-less multiplication instruction available from an architecture according to an input operand length of the two input operands. Once computed, the carry-less product polynomial produces a remainder when the product is computed modulo a programmable polynomial that defines the elliptic cryptographic system to form a cryptographic key. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08144862B2 Method and apparatus for the detection and suppression of echo in packet based communication networks using frame energy estimation
A method and apparatus for use in suppressing acoustic echo in a target speech signal being transmitted through a packet-based communications network uses frame energy estimation applied to the target speech signal and to a reference speech signal. The method or apparatus estimates one or more reference speech energy levels in one or more reference packets based on one or more of the speech parameters generated by the speech encoding of the reference signal; estimates a target speech energy level in a target packet based on one or more of the speech parameters generated by the speech encoding of the target signal; compares the target speech energy level to one or more reference speech energy levels; and detects an echo in the target speech signal based on the comparison of the target speech energy level to the one or more reference speech energy levels.
US08144861B2 Communication circuitry, devices and methods
A method of signal communication includes receiving a selection signal, and selecting a selected frequency range used for a multi-carrier signal communication from a set of predetermined frequency ranges for signal communication depending on the selection signal. The set of predetermined frequency ranges includes a first frequency range and a second frequency range including the first frequency range.
US08144855B2 Optimizing interactive voice response unit port utilization
A method of and system for optimizing interactive voice response (IVR) unit port utilization starts each call of a plurality of calls on a separate IVR unit port. The method launches an IVR call flow for each call. Each IVR call flow includes a section that is common to all of the call flows. The method conferences together on a single IVR unit port at least some of the plurality of calls for the common section of the call flow by transferring calls to the single IVR unit port when each transferred call reaches the common section. The method synchronizes the calls conferenced together on the single port by inserting into the call flow on the single IVR unit port an on-hold treatment. The method starts the common section of the call flow when all calls have been transferred to the single IVR unit port.
US08144852B2 Method and apparatus for spectral containment over telephone service lines
A service to a user is prevented by providing, to the user, at least one communication link used to provide multiple services to the user. The plurality of services are activated over the at least one communication link. Transmission for the prevented service is prevented based on at least one characteristic of the at least one communication link over which the prevented service would be provided.
US08144851B2 Communication apparatus, and method and program for controlling the same
To update phone book data (identification information necessary for connection to one's own apparatus stored in communication partner information storing means of a communication partner) of a communication apparatus easily, inexpensively, quickly, and reliably.
US08144850B2 Logging calls according to call context
A method, system, and program for logging calls according to call context are provided. A context for a call is detected, where the context include information such as the parties to a call, whether a backup party is accessed, where the call is on behalf of another, the locations of the parties to the call, the subject matter of the call, tariffs applied during the call, billing for telephone services accessed during the call, and orders placed during the call. At least one context based logging request valid for the context for the call is accessed from among multiple context based logging requests stored for multiple parties. Parties requesting logging may include parties to the call, on behalf of parties, third parties, and guardians. The context is logged according to the context based logging request.
US08144845B2 Communication apparatus and communication method
A communication apparatus 100 is equipped with, as plural communication sections capable of communicating with another communication apparatus over different transmission lines, a powerline communication section which performs a wired transmission using a powerline PL and a wireless communication section which performs a wireless transmission. The communication apparatus 100 causes at least one of the powerline communication section and the wireless communication section to perform a communication. If at least one of the powerline communication section and the wireless communication section is not to perform a communication, operation of that communication section is suspended.
US08144844B1 Method and system for announcement
A method for delivering audio announcements, includes: receiving an announcement package, the announcement package including a package identity, a package update time, and one or more announcement items; and presenting the announcement package to an audio player. Each announcement item includes an item identity, and a summary part, where the summary part includes audio information. The audio information includes an audio data type and audio data. Updates for the announcement package can be received, where the announcement package is modified according to the update. A content of the announcement package can be replaced, deleted, or added. The announcement item can be presented to the audio player once, repeatedly, or periodically. In this manner, audio announcements are delivered in an effective and timely manner.
US08144841B2 Multimedia spam determination using speech conversion
Determining unwanted multimedia message originated from a multimedia call. An interface receives a multimedia message from a telecommunication service operator, and multimedia message is stored on a storage area. A unified communication system manages communication message delivery to at least one of the following access points for the recipient, and the unified communication system includes a processor configured to execute computer-executable instructions for identifying a voice portion from content of the received multimedia message. An anti-spam engine is applied to analyze a textual representation of the identified voice portion, and a confidence ranking of the representation is generated in response to the analyzed representation. It is determined whether the multimedia message is an unwanted multimedia message as a function of the confidence ranking and the analyzed representation.
US08144840B2 Method and system for facilitating mediated communication
One embodiment of the disclosures made herein is a method for facilitating mediated communication. In such an embodiment of the disclosures made herein, a voice-based communication request transmitted from a first communication device is received by a mediation system. The voice based communication request is requesting voice-based communication between the first communication device and a second communication device. In response to receiving the request for voice-based communication, a capability of the first communication device for communicating via a prescribed text messaging protocol is determined. Facilitating presentation of a text messaging follow-through action at the second communication device is performed in response to determining that the first communication device is capable of communicating via the prescribed text messaging protocol.
US08144839B2 Communication method and system for determining a sequence of services linked to a conversation
The present invention concerns a method for determining a sequence of services linked to a conversation in which a user (12) takes part from a communication system (1), as well as the associated communication system (1). According to the invention, the method includes the following stages: retrieval (E2) of all the expressions used during the conversation; semantic analysis (E31) of the expressions retrieved; selection (E32) of a plurality of services from a list of services previously saved, based on at least said semantic analysis, with each service of said list able to be launched from said communication system (1); contextual analysis (E33) of the expressions used during the conversation; determination of a sequence of said services selected based on the contextual analysis; display (E4) on said communication system (1) of the sequence of services selected.
US08144837B2 Method and system for enhanced user experience of audio
A system and method for providing enhanced quality audio streaming, including an audio streaming server providing an audio stream, a client including a buffer storing at least portions of the audio stream received from the audio streaming server, a buffer status sensor operative to monitor the contents of the buffer and a client audio output enhancer operative in response to an output from the buffer status sensor for providing a modified audio stream output.
US08144836B2 Lifestyle multimedia security system
A method is disclosed for remote monitoring of a premises, comprising the steps of operatively coupling a geographically remote client to a security system server which is capable of authenticating a user of the remote client, operatively coupling the remote client to a security gateway which is capable of managing the monitoring of the premises, activating a signal at the premises for notifying an occupant at the premises that remote monitoring is occurring, and transferring information between the security gateway and the remote client. The transfer of information between the security gateway and the remote client is controlled by the user of the remote client. The security gateway may be operably coupled to at least one camera at the premises and to at least one audio station at the premises.
US08144833B2 Planning for adaptive radiotherapy
The present invention provides a method for updating and optimizing a treatment plan for radiotherapy. An initial treatment plan, calculated using a constraint-driven method, may be updated using a weighted-sum method, where Lagrange multipliers generated in the constraint method are reused as the weights for the weighted sum. This method results in acceptable updated treatment plans that are generated in a small fraction of the time taken to generate an entirely new treatment plan, reducing patient discomfort and ensuring the radiotherapy facility can treat more patients.
US08144827B2 Method for determining a residual frequency offset, communication system, method for transmitting a message, transmitter, method for processing a message and receiver
A method of determining a residual frequency offset between a transmitter and a receiver in a transmission of data via a communication channel, is described, wherein the message is transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver via the communication channel and the message comprises at least one short preamble (201), at least one long preamble (202) and user data (203). The at least one long preamble (202) comprises residual frequency offset determination information based on which the residual frequency offset is determined.
US08144825B1 Predicting clock period in a semiconductor device
A computer-implemented method of predicting a clock period within an integrated circuit can include determining configuration information for the integrated circuit (1430, 1435, 1445) and determining at least one measure of directional shift for an edge of a pulse of a reference clock signal of the integrated circuit with reference to at least one other clock signal of the integrated circuit (1440, 1450, 1460). The measure of directional shift for the edge of the pulse of the reference clock signal can be output (1475).
US08144820B2 System and method for relative phase shift keying
Disclosed are various embodiments of systems and methods for relative phase shift keying. In one embodiment, an analog waveform is converted to digital signals. A specified frequency range is isolated and the magnitudes of tones corresponding to a channel are measured. The relative phase of a subset of the tones having the greatest magnitude is measured and a relative phase component is generated. At least one symbol is associated with the subset of tones and the relative phase component.
US08144818B2 Apparatus and methods for determining timing in a communication system
Apparatus and methods for use in a wireless communication system are disclosed for determining a timing position for channel activity in order to resolve timing ambiguity. A disclosed apparatus includes a processor that determines when channel activity occurs in at least one of an early or a late arrival position in a communication channel estimate and unwraps the channel activity in either the early arrival position or the late arrival position to a corresponding late or early arrival unwrapped channel activity position in the wireless channel estimate. The processor correlates symbol data in the communication signal corresponding to both the channel activity and the unwrapped channel activity to symbol data of the main channel activity. The processor determines whether a correct timing position of the channel activity is one of the early or late arrival positions based on the correlations, thus resolving timing ambiguity. Complementary methods are also disclosed.
US08144815B2 Demand-assigned multiple access (DAMA) communication device and associated acquisition methods
The communications terminal and acquisition method is for use with Continuous Phase Modulation (CPM) and Phase Shift Keying (PSK) modulation-type signals, each modulation-type signal having a respective preamble phasing sequence. The communications terminal may include a wireless communications device to receive a modulated signal having one of the CPM and PSK modulation types, and having a symbol rate. A controller may be included to cooperate with the wireless communications device to perform a transform process, such as a Fourier Transform (FT) process, on the received modulated signal to detect the modulation type and the symbol rate of the received modulated signal based upon the preamble phasing sequence. Carrier phase and frequency of the received modulated signal may be estimated based upon bin amplitudes. Also, symbol timing may be estimated based upon a phase difference between tones associated with the preamble phasing sequence.
US08144814B2 Signal quality estimator
Techniques for estimating signal quality in a communication system are described. Scaled errors are obtained for inphase (I) and quadrature (Q) components of detected symbols. The scaled errors are determined based on a first function having higher resolution for small errors than large errors between the detected symbols and nearest modulation symbols. The first function may be a square root function or some other function that can provide good resolution for both low and high SNRs. The scaled errors for the I and Q components are combined to obtain combined scaled errors, which are averaged to obtain an average scaled error. A signal quality estimate is then determined based on the average scaled error and in accordance with a second function having non-linearity to compensate for the first function.
US08144811B2 Hybrid zero-IF receiver
An apparatus for processing a Bluetooth signal advantageously mixes down a received RF signal to an IF signal wherein one band-edge of the spectrum of the IF signal may be approximately 0 Hz. In one embodiment, the IF signal may be digitized, decimated and filtered before being processed into a baseband signal. The baseband signal may be processed by a cordic (COordinate Rotation DIgital Computer) processor to transform the baseband signal from rectangular to polar coordinates. A phase signal from the cordic processor may be used to determine transmitted Bluetooth data symbols. The apparatus may advantageously use less area than traditional Bluetooth receivers.
US08144808B2 Codebook generating method and apparatus for generating a codebook for multi-polarized multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems
A communication apparatus and method include: selecting, as a precoding matrix, one of pre-stored at least one matrix Wi, where i is a natural number, and precoding a data stream desired to be transmitted based on the precoding matrix, wherein each diagonal block, among a plurality of blocks included in each of the at least one matrix Wi, includes a nonzero matrix, the nonzero matrix excluding a zero matrix, and wherein each remaining block among the plurality of blocks, excluding the diagonal blocks, includes the zero matrix.
US08144802B2 Digital data encoding and decoding method and system
Digital data encoding and decoding method and system is provided. The data encoding includes encoding a frame signal into a bit stream, including detecting a specific bit pattern in the bit stream when the frame signal is present, generating a control signal in respect to the specific bit pattern, and encoding the bit stream into one or more marks and one or more spaces so that encoded data include a unique encoding pattern for the frame signal. The data decoding includes detecting at least one of mark and space from encoded data, recovering a bit stream from the encoded data when the at least one of mark and space is present, detecting a specific bit pattern associating with a frame signal from the encoded data when the at least one of mark and space is present, and recovering the frame signal from the encoded data.
US08144800B2 Downstream transmitter and cable modem receiver for 1024 QAM
A headend transmitter that transmits 1024 QAM including a 256 QAM modulator which has been modified to have more aggressive forward error correction processing. The 256 QAM modulator outputs 256 QAM points to a summer. Another data modulator receives additional data to be transmitted in a separate, substantially less complex constellation. This modulator processes the additional data to do forward error correction thereon and then maps the encoded data into a less complex constellation such as QPSK, 16 QAM etc. The additional data constellation points are then amplified in a variable gain amplifier and fed to a summer where each additional data point is added by vector summation to one 256 QAM point. The output 1024 QAM point is filtered and shifted to the desired transmission frequency. Legacy cable modem receivers can still receive the 256 QAM point since the addition of the new data just appears to be noise which they can overcome using the parity bits encoded in the transmitted symbols. 1024 QAM cable modem receivers receive both the 256 QAM points and the new data points and output both.
US08144798B2 Long training sequence for MIMO WLAN systems
A method for configuring a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) wireless communication begins by generating a plurality of preambles for a plurality of transmit antennas. Each of the plurality of preambles includes a carrier detection sequence at a legacy transmit rate, a first channel sounding at the legacy transmit rate, a signal field at the legacy transmit rate, and Z−1 channel soundings at a MIMO transmit rate, where L corresponds to a number of channel soundings. The method continues by simultaneously transmitting the plurality of preambles via the plurality of transmit antennas.
US08144796B2 Apparatus and method for selecting operation mode in MIMO communication system
An apparatus and a method for selecting an operation mode to improve a throughput in a mobile communication system are provided. The apparatus includes a Carrier to Interference and Noise Ratio (CINR) predictor for predicting a probable average and dispersion for a CINR measured using a preamble of a received pilot signal or radio signal, a metric calculator for calculating a throughput for each Modulation and Coding Scheme Level (MCS_Level) by using the probable average and dispersion for the predicted CINR and for selecting an MCS_Level having a maximum throughput, and an operation mode selector for selecting an operation mode of the selected MCS_Level having the maximum throughput.
US08144792B2 Communication channel calibration for drift conditions
A method and system provides for execution of calibration cycles from time to time during normal operation of the communication channel. A calibration cycle includes de-coupling the normal data source from the transmitter and supplying a calibration pattern in its place. The calibration pattern is received from the communication link using the receiver on the second component. A calibrated value of a parameter of the communication channel is determined in response to the received calibration pattern. The steps involved in calibration cycles can be reordered to account for utilization patterns of the communication channel. For bidirectional links, calibration cycles are executed which include the step of storing received calibration patterns on the second component, and retransmitting such calibration patterns back to the first component for use in adjusting parameters of the channel at first component.
US08144791B2 Apparatus, method, and medium for video synchronization
An apparatus, method, and medium for video synchronization are provided. The apparatus may include a PTS register storing a presentation time stamp (PTS) of a picture to be reproduced and skip enable flag information indicating whether the picture can be skipped, by using a position of the picture in a video decoder buffer in which pictures to be decoded are stored; and a controller controlling the picture reproduction by skipping, repeating, or reproducing the picture with reference to the PTS and the skip enable flag information stored in the PTS register.
US08144787B2 Adaptive weighting of reference pictures in video decoding
A video decoder, encoder, and corresponding methods for processing video signal data for an image block and a particular reference picture index to predict the image block are disclosed that utilize adaptive weighting of reference pictures to enhance video compression, where a decoder includes a reference picture weighting factor unit for determining a weighting factor corresponding to the particular reference picture index; an encoder includes a reference picture weighting factor assignor for assigning a weighting factor corresponding to the particular reference picture index; and a method for decoding includes receiving a reference picture index with the data that corresponds to the image block, determining a weighting factor for each received reference picture index, retrieving a reference picture for each index, motion compensating the retrieved reference picture, and multiplying the motion compensated reference picture by the corresponding weighting factor to form a weighted motion compensated reference picture.
US08144786B2 Adaptive weighting of reference pictures in video decoding
A video decoder, encoder, and corresponding methods for processing video signal data for an image block and a particular reference picture index to predict the image block are disclosed that utilize adaptive weighting of reference pictures to enhance video compression, where a decoder includes a reference picture weighting factor unit for determining a weighting factor corresponding to the particular reference picture index; an encoder includes a reference picture weighting factor assignor for assigning a weighting factor corresponding to the particular reference picture index; and a method for decoding includes receiving a reference picture index with the data that corresponds to the image block, determining a weighting factor for each received reference picture index, retrieving a reference picture for each index, motion compensating the retrieved reference picture, and multiplying the motion compensated reference picture by the corresponding weighting factor to form a weighted motion compensated reference picture.
US08144783B2 Method and apparatus for H.264 to MPEG-2 video transcoding
A method for transcoding from an H.264 format to an MPEG-2 format is disclosed. The method generally comprises the steps of (A) decoding an input video stream in the H.264 format to generate a picture having a plurality of macroblock pairs that used an H.264 macroblock adaptive field/frame coding; (B) determining a mode indicator for each of the macroblock pairs; and (C) coding the macroblock pairs into an output video stream in the MPEG-2 format using one of (i) an MPEG-2 field mode coding and (ii) an MPEG-2 frame mode coding as determined from the mode indicators.
US08144779B2 Apparatus and method for detecting motion vector, program, and recording medium
A motion vector detecting apparatus includes a first generation unit that generates a first evaluation value table from an image signal of a first level, a second generation unit that generates a second evaluation value table from an image signal of a second level higher than the first level, a correction unit that corrects the first evaluation value table on the basis of the second evaluation value table, a first extraction unit that extracts first candidate vectors using the first evaluation value table, a second extraction unit that extracts second candidate vectors using the corrected first evaluation value table, and a detection unit that detects a motion vector from the first and second candidate vectors.
US08144778B2 Motion compensated frame rate conversion system and method
Systems and methods of motion compensated frame rate conversion are described herein. These systems and methods convert an input video sequence at a first frame rate to an output video sequence at a second frame rate through a novel motion estimation and motion vector processing stage that produces a motion field having a plurality of motion vectors that describe the movement of objects between input video frames from the perspective of an interpolated video frame. A subsequent motion compensated interpolation stage then constructs the interpolated video frame using an adaptively blended combination of a motion compensated prediction and a temporal average prediction of the pixel values from the input video frames. Motion estimation in these systems and methods is enhanced by utilizing spatial and temporal biasing on the predictions of moving objects between and within the input frames, and also by removing aberrational motion vectors from the motion field through a hierarchy of motion vector processing blocks.
US08144777B2 Motion vector detection method and apparatus
A motion vector detection method includes extracting a first block from the m-th picture, extracting second blocks having a large correlation with respect to the first block from a (m+n)-th picture ((m+n)>m-th), detecting first motion vectors between the first and second blocks, extracting a third block located in spatially the same position as that of the first block from a (m+i)-th picture ((m+n)>(m+i)>m-th), computing second motion vectors of (n−1)/n times the first motion vectors, extracting a fourth block corresponding to a movement position of the third block from the (m+n)-th picture according to the second motion vector, and selecting an optimum motion vector maximizing a correlation between the third and fourth blocks from the first motion vectors.
US08144776B2 Direct mode video coding using variable selection criterion
The present invention provides a video coding method which includes, as one of a plurality of coding modes, a direct mode generating a piece of motion information of each of Macro Blocks, which are obtained by dividing a first picture, by predicting from motion information of a coded Macro Block of other plurality of second pictures, including: a first step for selecting the direct mode as the coding mode by using a variable selection criterion; and a second step for coding the Macro Blocks based on the selected coding mode.
US08144775B2 Method and device for generating candidate motion vectors from selected spatial and temporal motion vectors
A motion estimation method and device are provided for processing images to be inserted, between a preceding original image and a following original image, into a sequence of determined images. Each image is divided into pixel blocks and a motion vector is associated with each block of a processed image. Motion vectors associated with respective blocks of the image are processed and motion vectors associated with respective blocks of a preceding processed image (spatial and temporal motion vectors) are selected with respect to a current block of an image being processed. Candidate motion vectors are generated from the motion vectors selected. One vector is elected from among the candidate vectors. Information associating the elected vector with the block is stored. A temporal motion vector is selected only if it satisfies a determined selection criterion based on the orientation of the motion vector.
US08144765B2 Apparatus and method for decoding picture data
A coding apparatus for hierarchically (layering) coding top field data and bottom field data divided from each of a plurality of picture data composing a moving picture image has a first coding unit (12) configured to encode one field data between two field data of the top field data and the bottom field data divided from the picture data, a conversion unit (13) configured to interpolate first predicted image data generated by the first coding unit encoding above one field data and generate a second predicted image data of a scanning position of the other field data between the two field data, and a second coding unit (14) configured to encode the other field data between the two field data based on the second predicted image data generated by the conversion unit.
US08144762B2 Band extending apparatus and method
A band extending apparatus (1) is provided with: first generating device (111, 112) for generating a baseband signal (XB(n)) by up-sampling an input signal (X(n)) and then transmitting it through a low-pass filter; a second generating device (21) for generating a high-frequency signal (XH(n)), by extracting a signal component on a higher-frequency side of a signal which is obtained by squaring a band limited signal (Xb(n)) which is a signal component with a predetermined band of the baseband signal; and a third generating device (141) for generating an output signal (XE(n)) by adding the high-frequency signal to the baseband signal.
US08144754B2 Method for detecting the presence of spread spectrum signals
The present invention relates to a method for detecting the presence or the absence of a spread spectrum signal in a frequency band of interest of a received signal, wherein: the autocorrelation function of said received signal is calculated for a set (S*) of non-zero time shift values (m); at least one cyclic correlation coefficient on (Rekα(m)) of the autocorrelation function is determined for said time shift values; the energy of the autocorrelation function is estimated from the quadratic sum of the values assumed by said cyclic correlation coefficient for said time shift values; the thereby estimated energy is compared with a predetermined threshold value and the presence or absence of said spread spectrum signal in the received signal is inferred from the result of the comparison.
US08144748B2 Method and apparatus for equalizing CDMA signals
A minimum mean square error (MMSE) equalizer corresponding to a plurality of receive antennas is generated using channel information for a first plurality of users including a desired user, a ratio of interference power to signal power, channel information for a second plurality of users served by another base station, and a ratio of noise power due to code division multiple access (CDMA) signals corresponding to the second plurality of users to noise power due to CDMA signals corresponding to the other users in the first plurality of users. CDMA signals received by the plurality of antennas are filtered using the MMSE equalizer. The CDMA signals are despread using a spread code corresponding to the desired user. User data corresponding to the desired user is generated by detecting symbols corresponding to the desired user in the CDMA signals after despreading.
US08144746B2 Wireless communication apparatus and wireless communication method
A wireless communication apparatus wherein the performance can be prevented from degrading due to the affection of a frequency offset, while the sequence length of Zadoff-Chu sequence (ZC sequence) being kept long. In this wireless communication apparatus, a ZC sequence generating part (11) generates a ZC sequence corresponding to a preamble number that is selected at random and then inputted; a randomizing part (12) randomizes the ZC sequence; a preamble generating part (13) generates a preamble from the randomized ZC sequence; and a radio transmitting part (14) transmits, via an antenna (15), the preamble after subjecting it to predetermined radio transmission processes, such as a D/A conversion, an up-conversion and so on. For example, the randomizing part (12) multiplies the ZC sequence by a PN sequence so as to randomize the ZC sequence.
US08144739B2 System method and apparatus for selecting and controlling light source bandwidth
The bandwidth selection mechanism includes a first actuator mounted on a second face of a dispersive optical element, the second face being opposite from a reflective face, the first actuator having a first end coupled to a first end block and a second end coupled to a second end block, the first actuator being operative to apply equal and opposite forces to the first end block and the second end block to bend the body of the dispersive optical element along the longitudinal axis of the body and in a first direction normal to the reflective face of the dispersive optical element. The bandwidth selection mechanism also includes a second actuator being operative to apply equal and opposite forces to bend the body along the longitudinal axis of the body, in a second direction perpendicular to the reflective face of the dispersive optical element.
US08144738B2 External cavity wavelength tunable laser device and optical output module
In an external cavity wavelength tunable laser device including an external cavity (20) which includes a semiconductor optical amplifier (2) and performs laser oscillation operation by feeding back external light, a wavelength tunable mirror (7) having at least a single peak reflection spectrum characteristic within a laser wavelength tuning range is placed on one end of the external cavity (20), and a Fabry Perot mode interval determined by the effective length of the external cavity (20) is not less than 1/10 times and not more than 10 times the reflection band full width half maximum of the wavelength tunable mirror (7).
US08144737B2 Adjustable pulsewidth picosecond fiber laser
A pulsed fiber laser generating light pulses in the picosecond range has an adjustable pulsewidth. The fiber laser includes a figure-of-eight type laser cavity, preferably of polarization-maintaining optical fiber, defining reciprocal and non-reciprocal loops. A gain medium is disposed asymmetrically in the reciprocal loop, at a position therealong favoring coupling of light in the propagation direction of the non-reciprocal loop. A pump source is coupled to the reciprocal loop to inject pump light into the gain medium. The laser cavity is designed so that changing the pump power will directly affect the pulsewidth of the generated light pulses, providing a useful control mechanism of the pulsewidth.
US08144735B2 Transmission of signaling information for broadcast and multicast services
Techniques for transmitting signaling information for broadcast and multicast services are described. A base station transmits signaling information for each service in accordance with a schedule that includes a repetition period and a modification period. The signaling information is sent in each repetition period to allow wireless devices to quickly obtain this information. Changes to the critical signaling information are permitted at the start of each modification period, which is an integer multiple of the repetition period. Whenever the critical signaling information for a given service is changed in a given modification period, a notification indicator for the service is set in an entire preceding modification period to inform the wireless devices of the impending change. The wireless devices can detect the notification indicator being set in the preceding modification period and can retrieve the updated critical signaling information in the following modification period.
US08144732B2 Method for boosting downlink transmission to mobile station and system utilizing the same
The invention discloses a method for boosting the downlink transmission rate to a mobile station by a processing unit thereof, including the steps of requesting a base station for a bandwidth amount for transmission of at least one un-generated acknowledgement (ACK) packet, generating the ACK packet or packets, and instructing an RF module to transmit the ACK packet or packets to the base station following a notification from the base station indicating that the requested bandwidth amount has been allocated.
US08144730B2 Automated tactical datalink translator
An automated system for translating datalink information and producing a computer code based on the translated datalink information. The computer code may subsequently be used to establish datalink communications between pieces of equipment having different communication protocols. The automated production of computer code reduces time and errors during software development for applications used in communicating between different datalinks.
US08144727B2 Hardware-centric medium access control (MAC) device
A hardware-centric medium access control (MAC) device comprises a control plane module and a hardware media access planed module. The control plane module is configured for providing control functions of the hardware-centric MAC device. The hardware media access plane module communicatively coupled to the control plane module is configured for performing real-time data communication functions without requiring a microprocessor.
US08144723B2 Method and system for stable throughput of cognitive radio
In one embodiment, a cognitive radio system includes a first transmitter in communication with a first receiver via a wireless channel. The first transmitter receives a plurality of first packets, and transmits the first packets to the first receiver via the channel. A second transmitter in communication with a second receiver and the first receiver via the channel receives a plurality of second packets, receives the plurality of first packets from the first transmitter, and transmits the second packets to the second receiver via the channel. The second transmitter is configured to detect an idle state of the channel. Upon detecting the idle state of the channel, the second transmitter is configured selectively to transmit at least one of the second packets to the second receiver or to relay at least one of the first packets to the first receiver.
US08144720B2 Uplink radio resource allocation in the presence of power limited users
A base station in an OFDMA system which determines a modulation and coding scheme to use for a packet of a certain size to be transmitted by a Mobile Station. The base station schedules transmissions by mobile stations and transmits packets. The base station includes a processing unit which determines a number of time-frequency resources required to transmit the packet for a modulation and coding scheme, determines an SINR based on the number of time-frequency resources used and available power at the mobile station, determines a transmission rate as a ratio of the packet size transmitted to the number of time-frequency resources used, sets a rate to zero if the determined SINR is lower than a threshold SINR required for the modulation and coding scheme, and selects the modulation and coding scheme with a highest transmission rate. The base station includes a memory storing modulation and coding schemes.
US08144718B2 Control system having a plurality of spatially distributed stations, and method for transmitting data in such a control system
In a method for transmitting data in a control system, a first station generates a data frame having a plurality of data fields. At least one data field to be filled with transmission data is clearly assigned to each further station. The data frame is transmitted as an outgoing data frame from one station to the next, with every further station filling the respectively assigned data field with transmission data. The last station returns the data frame as a returning data frame to the series of stations. The stations read extraneous transmission data from the data fields in the returning data frame. Preferably, the respective data fields are individually assigned to the stations.
US08144713B2 Telecommunications system
Virtual dedicated voice connections between parties to a packet-switched system can be created by reserving capacity for such connections in the packet-switched system. The capacity reservable by any one party is limited to prevent over-subscription of resources in the packet switched. The system incorporates a call admission control processor for controlling access to the packet-switched call routing system such that a voice call attempt is successful only if capacity for such a dedicated connection has previously been reserved. The capacity reserved for the virtual connections is made available for use by other traffic when not required for voice sessions.
US08144710B2 MPLS transport network scheme
A method of partitioning the header stack of a data packet, the header stack conforming to a label switching protocol, the method comprising: receiving the packet at an edge mode of a routing domain in the communication system; and processing the label header stack at the edge node to add a new stack entry having a label field comprising a value which delimits the header stack entries between a stack domain configurable by the node belonging to a first routing domain of the label switching protocol and at least one other stack domain configurable by a node belonging to another routing domain of the communications system.
US08144705B1 Systems and methods for recursively accessing a multi-bank SRAM
A device may include multi-bank static random access memory (SRAM) logic that receives multiple addresses from a packet processor, and provides the multiple addresses to multiple SRAMs. The SRAM logic also reads intermediate data and final data from the multiple SRAMs using the provided multiple addresses, provide a next address to the multiple SRAMs for each of the intermediate data, and transmits each of the final data to the packet processor.
US08144702B1 Generation of a pipeline for processing a type of network packets
Generating a pipeline for processing a type of network packets. A specification is input of the processing of the type of network packets. The specification specifies actions for inspecting and modifying one or more of the fields of the type of network packets. Assignments are generated that assign each of the actions to a corresponding stage of the pipeline. One or more of the actions is assigned to each stage of the pipeline. One or more quality metrics is evaluated for each of the assignments. A specific one of the assignments is selected in response to the quality metric or quality metrics. The pipeline is generated for the specific assignment. Each stage of the pipeline implements each action assigned to the stage.
US08144697B2 System and method for networking computing clusters
In certain embodiments, a method for networking a computer cluster includes communicatively coupling together each of a plurality of client nodes through one or more switches, each switch comprising a plurality of switch ports. The method also includes positioning at least two of the one or more switches inside a switch package. In addition, the method includes electrically interconnecting at least a subset of the plurality of switch ports of the at least two of the one or more switches within the switch package.
US08144686B2 Method and systems for bandwidth scheduling and path computation for connection-oriented networks
A connection-oriented network includes a control server. The control server receives requests to establish and utilize dedicated channels in the network. The control server utilizes various scheduling methods and algorithms to determine channels based on the request's requirements and resources of the network. For example, the control server may determine a channel based on: (i) a specified bandwidth in a specified time slot, (ii) highest available bandwidth in a specified time slot, (iii) earliest available time with a specified bandwidth and duration, and (iv) all available time slots with a specified bandwidth and duration.
US08144685B2 Wireless communication system, wireless communication apparatus and wireless communication method for constructing a decentralized distributed type network
In order to solve problems arising when a communication system such as a wireless LAN is constructed as a decentralized distributed type network without a relationship of control station and controlled stations such as a master station and slave stations, in a wireless communication system composed of a plurality of communication stations without a relationship of control station and controlled stations, respective communication stations transmit beacons with information concerning a network written thereon with each other to construct the network, and it becomes possible to make sophisticated judgment such as communication states of other communication stations by those beacons.
US08144683B1 High throughput fine timing
After detecting the predetermined phase rotation, a receiver can advantageously remove any cyclic shifting delays (CSDs) from the mixed mode packet for each chain. Once any CSDs are removed, the receiver can perform timing offset estimation and decode the mixed mode packet. In another embodiment, a timing offset from a channel for a first chain without any CSDs can be estimated. Compensation for the timing offset in the first chain can then be performed. At this point, the CSDs from other chains can then be removed. After CSD removal, compensation for any timing offsets in the other chains can be performed using the timing offset in the first chain.
US08144681B2 Wireless communication method and apparatus
In a wireless communication method in which a wireless communication apparatus having radio units 1 and 2 and central processing units 11 and 12 communicates wirelessly with a base station, the radio units 1 and 2 receive notification information by a notification channel, based on which reception timing the central processing units 11 and 12 calculate first and second transmission timing, based on which the wireless communication apparatus performs initial communication with the base station by a control channel, so that the first central processing unit 11 acquires information of communication time from the base station, based on which the first transmission timing is corrected and the information of communication time is transmitted to the central processing unit 12, based on which the central processing unit 12 corrects the second transmission timing, so that the wireless communication apparatus transmits information from the radio units 1 and 2 at these corrected timing respectively.
US08144680B2 Contention-based communications
Methods and apparatus are presented for conducting communications using a shared communication medium. A message is sent over the shared communication medium. The shared communication medium is organized to include an allocation of node identification signal space and an allocation of data transmission signal space. The allocation of node identification signal space includes a plurality of node identification segments. The allocation of data transmission signal space includes a data transmission segment. The message includes a node identification portion and a data transmission portion. The node identification portion is transmitted in the allocation of node identification signal space and occupies a node identification segment. The data transmission portion is transmitted in the allocation of node identification signal space and occupies the data transmission segment.
US08144678B1 Mobile device handoff while maintaining connectivity with multiple access points
A method, system, and computer-readable media are provided for allowing a mobile device to maintain communication connectivity during a handoff between wireless access points. In one aspect, the method may include negotiating security association information and establishing a first communication tunnel by tunneling an inner IP address within a first outer IP address. The method may further include authenticating a request for establishing a second communication tunnel by identifying the negotiated security association information within the request. Additionally, the method may include establishing the second communication tunnel by tunneling the inner IP address within a second outer IP address. Moreover, the method may include pushing data associated with the communication session through the second communication tunnel.
US08144676B2 Network allocation
Included are embodiments for network allocation. More specifically, one embodiment of a method includes receiving, at a first communications device, without a prior RTS signal being sent, a first clear to send (CTS) signal from a second communications device, addressed to the first communications device, the CTS signal indicating a data exchange duration and sending a second CTS signal, from the first communications device, to the second communications device.
US08144675B1 Adaptive wireless network multiple access techniques using traffic flow
A method, apparatus, and computer-readable media for a wireless local-area network comprises a transmit circuit to transmit first data; a transmit counter to count an amount of the first data transmitted by the transmit circuit during a predetermined monitoring interval; a receive circuit to receive second data; a receive counter to count an amount of the second data received by the receive circuit during the predetermined monitoring interval; and an adaptive access control circuit to generate an access trigger signal at a time determined by the amount of the first data counted by the transmit counter during the predetermined monitoring interval and the amount of the second data counted by the receive counter during the predetermined monitoring interval; and wherein the transmit circuit transmits third data according to the access trigger signal.
US08144670B2 Channel allocation management method for transferring uncompressed isochronous data, uncompressed isochronous data transferring method and apparatus thereof
A method of managing channel allocation for uncompressed isochronous data transmission includes broadcasting a first superframe for a first beacon period, the first superframe containing a control section and a data slot section; receiving a request frame from at least one wireless device belonging to a network via the control section, the request frame requesting addition of a data slot for uncompressed isochronous data transmission; transmitting a response frame to the at least one wireless device via the control section in response to the request frame; and broadcasting a second superframe for a second beacon period, the second superframe containing the data slot added to the at least one wireless device.
US08144665B2 Resource release control method, communication system and device
A resource release control method, a communication system, and a device are configured to delete a bearer context on an original-side heterogeneous-system management network element (NE) even if a target-side management NE does not support interaction with a serving gateway (S-GW) and does not support an idle mode signaling reduction (ISR) mechanism. The resource release control method includes: acquiring version information of a target-side management NE, when a user equipment (UE) activating an ISR mechanism is handed over from an original-side network to a target-side network; and deleting a bearer of an original-side heterogeneous-system management NE, if the version information indicates that the target-side management NE does not interact with an S-GW and does not support the ISR mechanism. Meanwhile, a communication system and a relevant device are also provided.
US08144663B2 Method and base station for forwarding retransmission protocol related data
The present invention relates to a method for controlling a radio cell change of a communication terminal from a first radio cell to a second radio cell, wherein the first and the second radio cell is controlled by at least one base station of a mobile communication system. The present invention further provides a base station and a communication system comprising a plurality of base stations and a communication terminal adapted to execute the control method. To overcome negative impacts of data loss and delay during a cell change procedure the protocol context of a retransmission protocols are transferred from a source base station to a target base station upon an cell change of a communication terminal in issue.
US08144661B2 Node and a method relating to handover within mobile communication
The present invention relates to a packet data support node (10A) in a core network and connectable to at least one radio access network over a radio network control node. The packet data support node (10A) comprises duplicating means (12A) for duplicating original downlink data packets intended for a mobile station for which a hand-over is performed from the packet data support node acting as source node to a packet data support node acting as target node, control means (HA) for activating sending of the duplicated data packets to the packet data support node acting as a target node for forwarding to the mobile station such that the original downlink data packets are sent to the mobile station over a source radio access node from the source packet data node (10A). The duplicated data packets are sent to the mobile station over a target radio access node from the packet data source node acting as target node.
US08144660B2 Multimode terminal for supporting fast handover between heterogeneous networks
A multi-mode terminal (MMT) including a plurality of interfaces which provides access capability to heterogeneous networks respectively to provide quick handover between the heterogeneous networks, is provided. In this instance, when a Binding Update (BU) message is transmitted to a home agent via each of the plurality of interfaces, routers existing in a path to the home agent may update path latency information and path bandwidth information as a Binding Unique Identifier (BID) sub-option extension of Mobile Nodes and Multiple Interfaces in Internet Protocol version 6 (MONAMI6). In this case, the home agent may receive the BU message and select a care-of address (CoA) by referring to path latency information and path bandwidth information, included in the BU message. Also, the home agent may transmit a success binding acknowledgement (BAck) message with respect to the BU message of the selected path.
US08144659B2 Handover processing system in mobile communication system
A handover processing system in mobile communication system, implemented in gateway connected to subscriber network including base station in the mobile communication system, public network and IP network and accompanied by movement of radio terminal in the mobile communication system, wherein the gateway comprises line exchanger performing line exchange processing, VoIP connection unit controlling communication function to transmit/receive IP-packetized data to make communication and call control function for the VoIP communication function, handover detector determining whether or not call originating request from the base station is handover call, communication call detector determining whether or not communication source call of handover is present, call information storage unit storing call information, handover source call retriever retrieving handover source call in IP network, and handover processor taking over communication call from communication partner to continue the communication, and performing handover processing of VoIP communication call.
US08144655B2 Method of scheduling broadcast messages for transmitting system information
A method for scheduling broadcast messages to transmit system information is disclosed. This method for scheduling broadcast messages having system information classifies a plurality of system information into one or more groups. For example, the system information may be control information for a network entry and initialization of a mobile station, or a burst profile. Then, the scheduling method allocates different numbers of transmission times to the individual groups, and determines transmission start times of system information of the individual groups according to the allocated transmission times.
US08144654B2 Communication device performing communication according to two communication methods
A communication device includes a CPU, a wireless LAN communication controller, and a digital cordless communication controller. The wireless LAN communication controller is capable of communicating wirelessly with the access point according to a data communication method. The digital cordless communication controller is also capable of communicating wirelessly with the handset according to a voice communication method. The CPU sets a first frequency band used for wireless communications by the wireless LAN communication controller. The CPU sets a second frequency band used for wireless communications by the digital cordless communication controller. When another communication device interferes with wireless communications between the communication device and the handset, the communication device changes this interference from the other communication device to interference received from wireless communications with the access point by shifting the second frequency band to the first frequency band.
US08144651B2 Mobile communication system and mobile station
When a radio resource allocation channel transmitted from a radio base station (eNB) at a discontinuous reception timing satisfies a specific condition, a mobile station (UE) is configured not to start a continuous reception of a signal transmitted from the radio base station (eNB), but to continue the discontinuous reception of a signal transmitted from the radio base station (eNB), even though the mobile station (UE) is performing the discontinuous reception of a signal transmitted from the radio base station (eNB).
US08144648B2 Method and apparatus for selecting MBMS radio bearer type
A method and apparatus for selecting a radio bearer type for providing a service to a plurality of mobile terminals according to a count of mobile terminals obtained through responses to a service response request message from a network is provided. An MBMS radio bearer type is selected according to a count that includes RRC-connected mobile terminals that still need to establish a connection in order to receive an MBMS such that the radio bearer type established is sufficient to provide the MBMS to all mobile terminals desiring to receive the service.
US08144647B2 Access point with simultaneous downlink transmission of independent data for multiple client stations
A wireless network device comprises R modulation modules that receive R independent data streams, that modulate the R independent data streams, and that apply a multiplexing matrix to generate M modulated and multiplexed data streams, respectively, where R and M are integers greater than one. M summing modules sum portions of each of the M modulated and multiplexed data streams to generate M transmit data streams. M transmitters simultaneously transmit the M transmit data streams during a simultaneous downlink transmission (SDT) period.
US08144642B2 Method for controlling the synchronization in a communication system covering at least one cell for wireless communication with a line-limited or across-line wireless direct communication possibility between mobile parts that is synchronized with a base station
In order to prevent in a communication system covering at least one cell for wireless communication, the system having a line-limited or across-line wireless direct communication possibility between mobile phones that is synchronized with a base station, that mobile parts attempt to synchronize in the communication system with a continuous broadcast downlink service provided by a hybrid mobile part, it is proposed to mark the continuous broadcast downlink service of the hybrid mobile part, which assumes the role of a radio fixed part, so that mobile parts, which want to synchronize with a true radio fixed part, can detect that the service provided by the hybrid mobile part is not permanently available, or even incomplete.
US08144641B2 System and method for implementing an in-band relay scheme
A method for implementing an in-band relay scheme includes establishing a connection between a base station and a relay station and between the relay station and a mobile station using a frequency. The method also includes receiving data from the base station during a frame via the frequency, the frame comprising a downlink sub-frame, and an uplink sub-frame, wherein the data is received during a beginning portion of the downlink sub-frame. The method further includes transitioning from receive to transmit during the downlink sub-frame. The method additionally includes transmitting data, received from the base station during a previous frame, to the endpoint during a later portion of the downlink sub-frame via the frequency. The method also includes transmitting data received from the endpoint during a previous frame, to the base station during a beginning portion of the uplink sub-frame via the frequency. The method further includes transitioning from transmit to receive during the uplink sub-frame. The method also includes receiving data from the endpoint during a later portion of the uplink sub-frame via the frequency.
US08144631B2 Interconnecting IP video endpoints with reduced H.320 call setup time
In one embodiment, a method includes sending, from an originating gateway device (OGW) to a terminating gateway device (TGW), a setup message for setting up a call on a primary bearer channel (B-channel) of an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN). The OGW interconnects with a first Internet Protocol (IP) video endpoint, and the TGW interconnects with a second IP video endpoint. In response to an alerting message sent from the TGW, the OGW initiates procedures for synchronizing a plurality of secondary B-channels between the OGW and the TGW prior to the call entering into a connect state. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.
US08144627B2 Inferring connectivity in the presence of conflicting network data
The connectivity information provided by a variety of inference engines is integrated to provide a set of inferred links within a network. A consolidation is performed among inference engines that operate at a base level of connectivity detail to create a model of the network at this base level. The connectivity information provided by inference engines at each subsequent higher level of connectivity abstraction is then overlaid on the base level connectivity. By separately consolidating the connectivity information at each level of abstraction, the rules for dealing with conflicts can be simplified and/or better focused to resolve the conflict. By assuming that the more detailed lower level information is likely to be more accurate, rules can be developed to modify the connectivity models produced by the higher level techniques to conform to the lower level connectivity details while still maintaining the integrity of the higher level connectivity models.
US08144624B2 Method and system for discovering a pure hub-and-spoke topology
Presented is a method and system for determining network topology of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) in a Wide Area Network (WAN). The method includes obtaining a list of CE (customer edge) routers in a network, obtaining a list of prefixes advertised by each CE router, iterating, for each prefix, the list of prefixes advertised by all CE routers, verifying, in case a potential hub CE router already exists, whether the second CE router and the potential hub CE router are same, marking, in case a potential hub CE router does not exist, the second CE router as the potential hub CE router, and marking, if there exists a potential hub CE router that advertises every other prefix in the network, the potential hub CE router as hub site and other CE routers as spoke sites.
US08144623B2 Method and apparatus for automatically setting IP address
An embodiment of the present invention relates to a method of setting an IP address of an electronic apparatus including receiving a router advertisement transmitted from the router, receiving prefix information of the router advertisement, additionally storing an IP address based upon the received prefix information as an IP address of the electronic apparatus when the electronic apparatus has setting for maintaining the prefix information, and rewriting a presently registered IP address with an IP address based upon the received prefix information when the electronic apparatus does not have the setting for maintaining the prefix information.
US08144618B2 Method and apparatus for automatic verification of a zone configuration and network access control construct for a plurality of network switches
Embodiments of the invention provide a method and an apparatus for automatic verification of a zone configuration of a plurality of network switches. In one method embodiment, the present invention accesses an actual network access control construct and an actual zone configuration for a plurality of network switching devices. Additionally, a machine-readable map of the network is accessed, the map providing a pre-determined network access control construct defining the device which should be coupled with the network switching device and a pre-determined zone configuration defining the switching devices which should be part of the zone. An automatic verification is performed, wherein the verification verifies that the actual network access control construct and the actual zone configuration of network switching devices correlates with the pre-determined network access control construct and zone configuration defined by the machine-readable map.
US08144617B2 Packet transfer arrangements varying transfer performance based on number of group joining messages
A router stands by in a power saving state when there is no multicast joining message received. The router increases transfer performance with granularity such as the bandwidth of each multicast channel or the maximum bandwidth of each receiving line when a multicast joining message is received. On the other hand, the router decreases transfer performance with granularity such as the bandwidth of each multicast channel or the maximum bandwidth of each receiving line when a multicast disjoining message is received. The aforementioned processing permits achievement of power saving in the router connected to a multicast network.
US08144616B2 System and method for mapping internet protocol television interference
A method in a server for monitoring an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) service for a customer premises is disclosed. A first geographical location of a customer premises is retrieved, and a second geographical location of an amplitude modulation broadcasting facility within a threshold distance from the customer premises is retrieved. A first signal transmission power rating for the amplitude modulation broadcasting facility during daytime hours is retrieved, as is second signal transmission power rating for the amplitude modulation broadcasting facility during nighttime hours. A time of day that the IPTV service failure occurs is determined based on the first signal transmission power rating for the daytime hours and the second signal transmission power rating for the nighttime hours.
US08144615B2 Rate matching device and method for controlling rate matching in communications system
A method for controlling rate matching in a communications system includes calculating a rate matching parameter containing a basic variable for an input bit string, and evaluating an additional parameter reflecting a current channel status of the transport channel receiving the input bit string. The input bit string generated in the upper layer is mapped to a physical channel of a Physical Layer by performing bit repeating or bit puncturing. If the bit repeating is executed on the input bit string on the basis of the first basic variable, and a second basic variable is calculated using the first basic variable and the additional parameter. A communication device to control rate matching between a physical channel and a transport channel includes a parameter calculator, an additional parameter generator, and a rate matching executioner to execute bit repeating or bit puncturing.
US08144614B2 Method and apparatus for detecting vocal data flow in a packet data flow
The invention concerns a method and an apparatus for detecting vocal data flow in a packet data flow characterised by at least two measurable variables (X5Y). A distribution function (P{x 1 C}, P{y I C}) is provided of the values of each variable (X5Y) in a vocal data flow, and the values (x,y) of each variable (X,Y) are measured in order to obtain a sequence of measured values (x(k), y(k)) on a number (k) of blocks. Each measured value (x(k), y(k)) is therefore applied to the respective distributiion function (P{x 1 C}, P{yI C}) in order to generate a sequence of likelihood values Formula (I) from which respective average likelihood values (E [Bx],E[By]) are generated. The average values are processed in order to generate a reference likelihood value (B) which, when compared with a threshold likelihood value (Bmin) enables the presence of vocal data flow in a packet data flow to be detected.
US08144613B2 Achieving quality of service in a wireless local area network
Examples of achieving quality of service in a wireless local area network via meeting communication channel performance criteria to include a minimum signal-to-noise plus interference ratio and a proportional fairness limit are disclosed.
US08144610B2 Method and system for uplink establishment in a wireless cellular communication
The present invention relates to wireless communications. More especially it relates to wireless packet data communications. Particularly it relates to latency reduction by distinguishing connection initiation of circuit switched and packet switched connections, respectively.
US08144603B2 Apparatuses and methods for detecting anomalous event in network
IP state-vector manager determines state vector value by updating token numbers of IP state vector according to source and destination IP addresses of the received packet, and obtains state number of state vector value by counting state vector value. Port-number state-vector manager determines state vector value by updating token numbers of port-number state vector according to source and destination token numbers of packet, and obtains state number of state vector value by counting state vector value. Entropy calculator calculates entropies related to IP address and port number, based on number and state number of state vector values related to IP state vector and port-number state vector. Anomalous event determiner determines whether there is anomalous event in network based on calculated entropies. Anomalous event can be efficiently detected with minimized false negative and positive rates.
US08144599B2 Binary class based analysis and monitoring
The invention concerns binary class based analyzing and monitoring. Data relating to indicators relating to at least one of: a communications network resource, a communications network service, and a service provided over a communications network, is collected. Value ranges of the indicators are divided into value range classes, and a binary code is assigned to each class. The collected data is classified by translating each piece of the collected data into the binary code assigned to its associated value range class. The classified data is monitored for changes. The invention allows significantly faster analyzing and monitoring of a communications network, network resources, network services and services provided over the network.
US08144594B2 Congestion management in a shared network
A shared channel used to communicate between a cable modem termination system and multiple cable modems is managed to prevent and/or reduce the impact of congestion. If the average channel utilization is above a near-congestion threshold, a cable modem in an extended high consumption state is assigned a reduced data transmission priority for managed traffic. Priority for that cable modem is restored to a default preferred level when the channel usage by that cable modem drops below a predetermined level or when the average aggregate channel utilization by all cable modems drops below the near-congestion threshold.
US08144584B1 WRR scheduler configuration for optimized latency, buffer utilization
A method includes receiving network information for calculating weighted round-robin (WRR) weights, calculating WRR weights associated with queues based on the network information, and determining whether a highest common factor (HCF) exists in relation to the calculated WRR weights. The method further includes reducing the calculated WRR weights in accordance with the HCF, when it is determined that the HCF exists, and performing a WRR scheduling of packets, stored in the queues, based on the reduced WRR weights.
US08144579B2 Wireless performance improvement via client-free forward error correction
Packets are duplicated, delayed, and spread in time as a form of forward error correction. If a client device receives duplicate packets, they can be discarded. If one of the duplicate packets is lost, then the duplication provides forward error correction with no change to the device that receives the packet.
US08144574B1 Distributed control packet processing
Packet switch operating methods and packet switches, using first processing circuitry of the packet switch, specify a configuration for a control packet processing procedure implemented by different second processing circuitry of the packet switch, communicate the configuration to the second processing circuitry, and using the second processing circuitry, receive a control packet, examine contents of the control packet, and process the control packet according to the control packet processing procedure, the control packet processing procedure being configured according to the configuration.
US08144572B2 Detection and mitigation of interference and jammers in an OFDM system
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting interference in a wireless communications system. The invention compares the receiver FFT output of a received signal against known sequences such as the packet synchronization sequence, frame synchronization sequence, and channel estimation sequence. By comparing the reference signal to the known sequences, the invention estimates the instantaneous signal to noise ratio (SNR) for each tone of a wireless transmission. To improve the SNR estimate, the invention computes a weighted average across multiple OFDM symbols. The invention looks for significant increases (spikes) in the SNR as a way of distinguishing interfering signals from noise. The invention can store separate SNR estimates for each transmitter in a wireless network. One embodiment of the invention uses Viterbi branch metrics in conjunction with the estimated SNR to determine the presence of an interfering signal. If interference is detected the invention feeds the inverse of the SNR estimate into the Viterbi decoder or declares and erasure for that symbol.
US08144569B2 Multi-layer optical disc, and recording method and apparatus for multi-layer optical disc
Each layer includes a data recording area and a test writing area divided into a plurality of small areas, wherein the small areas of the test writing area are recorded in advance so that other each layer can make a combination of recorded and unrecorded states with respect to the small area, where OPC is carried out, in a layer where OPC is carried out. Moreover, OPC is carried out to each small area, where a combination of recorded/unrecorded states of other each layer differs from each other, to thereby calculate, as the optimum power, an average value of the result of each OPC or a central value of the dispersion thereof.
US08144566B2 Information recording medium and information recording apparatus
An information storage medium according to the present invention has n information storage layers (where n is an integer and n≧3), on which data can be written with a laser beam and which are stacked one upon the other. Each of the n storage layers has a test write zone for determining the recording power of the laser beam. When those n layers are counted from the one that is located most distant from the surface of the medium on which the laser beam is incident, there is a bigger radial location difference between the outer peripheral end of the inner one of the test write zones of ith and (i+1)th information storage layers (where i is an integer that satisfies 2≦i≦n−1) and the inner peripheral end of the other outer test write zone than between the outer peripheral end of the inner one of the test write zones of jth and (j+1)th information storage layers (where j is an integer that satisfies 1≦j≦i−1) and the inner peripheral end of the other outer test write zone.
US08144565B2 Optical head and apparatus using the same
An optical head and an apparatus using the optical head are shown. The optical head includes a light-emitting element, a first polarized light diverging element for transmitting the light beam of a first polarization direction and reflecting the light beam of a second polarization direction orthogonal to the first polarization direction, a second polarized light diverging element for transmitting or reflecting the light beam of the first polarization direction, a converging element for converging the light beam on an information recording medium, a reflection element for reflecting a first reflected light beam reflected on the information recording medium and reflected on or transmitted through the second polarized light diverging element, and a detection element for detecting a second reflected light beam reflected on the reflection element and transmitted through or reflected on the second polarized light diverging element.
US08144562B2 Optical disc apparatus, method of controlling the same, and information storage medium
An optical disc apparatus includes an optical pickup for outputting an output signal according to reflected light from an optical disc medium and a comparison signal output unit for outputting a comparison signal indicating whether a level of the output signal is higher than a threshold value, relatively moves an objective lens with respect to a surface of the medium within a predetermined range to measure a maximum level of the output signal, sets a value determined according to the maximum level as a threshold value used by the comparison signal output unit, and measures a level of a reflected signal corresponding to reflected light from each of a plurality of signal surfaces based on the output signal in a time period in which the comparison signal indicates that the level of the output signal is higher than the set threshold value, while moving the objective lens.
US08144558B1 Hidden patterns on a data storage medium
Apparatus and method for providing hidden data to a data storage medium. The hidden data are written by selectively adjusting at least one access parameter of the medium, and preferably by selectively adjusting multiple such parameters. The presence of the hidden data is preferably undetectable to the human eye during unaided visual inspection of the medium, but is revealed by a surface plot of at least a portion of the medium. The surface plot preferably provides a human detectable image of the hidden data to authenticate the medium as an authorized copy. The medium preferably comprises a pre-recorded or recordable optical disc, or a glass master from which such discs are formed. The adjusted access parameter(s) preferably include adjustments in motor velocity, data bit rate, latency time, adjusted symbol length, illegal symbol length, localized reflectivity of the medium, variations in pre-groove amplitude, error rates, and/or localized induced errors.
US08144555B2 System and method for embedding optical drive compatibility information in optical media
Compatibility information embedded in an optical medium modifies actions allowed by predetermined non-compatible optical disc drives on the optical medium, such as optical disc drives that may suffer damage if certain actions are performed on the optical medium. For instance, a compatibility engine of the optical disc drive applies compatibility information read from an optical medium to determine restrictions to impose on the use of the optical medium, such as restricting the optical disc drive from writing to the optical medium, reading from the optical medium or performing any operations until an update to the optical disc drive firmware is performed either automatically or by display of a compatibility user interface at an information handling system associated with the optical disc drive. In one embodiment, the compatibility information identifies incompatible optical disc drives and firmware versions by unique identifiers.
US08144550B2 Drive apparatus for performing a sequential recording and reproduction on a write-once recording medium, and method of reproducing same
The drive apparatus of the present invention includes a recording/reproduction section and a drive control section. The drive control section determines a physical address indicating a location at which data can be recorded next in the determined track of a write-once recording medium as a next writable address, based on the last recorded address in the track; compares the physical address corresponding to the logical address included in the recording instruction with the next writable address; when the physical address corresponding to the logical address is smaller than the next writable address, controls the recording/reproduction section to record the data at a specific location in the user data area other than the location indicated by the physical address corresponding to the logical address in the recording instruction; generates new disc management information; and controls the recording/reproduction section to record the new disc management information in the disc management information area.
US08144549B2 Head stack assembly and information recording apparatus
An information recording apparatus includes a medium for recording information; a head slider including a device for writing the information onto the medium and a reflective surface for reflecting light; a light emitting portion for generating emission light toward the reflective surface; a light receiving portion for detecting light reflected on the reflective surface; and a regulating mechanism for adjusting an amount of the emission light from the light emitting portion in a mode of information recording onto the medium in correspondence to a result of the detection.
US08144548B2 Electronic device, time correction method and time correction program thereof
An electronic device corrects its device side time with a time correction information supplied from outside the device. The electronic device includes a reception section and a time correction section. The reception section receives the time correction information. The time correction section judges whether the information is received during any correction inhibiting periods of the device side time, then either discards the time correction information if it is received during the correction inhibiting periods, or corrects the device side time with the time correction information if it is received other than the correction inhibiting periods.
US08144544B2 Method of processing echo profile, and pulse-echo system for use with the method
An echo profile in a pulse-echo ranging system is processed by determining the relative slope at points on the profile, determining the relative area of each region of positive slope on the profile, identifying within the region having the largest relative area a point of greatest relative slope as a leading edge reference point, and using either said leading edge reference point or a peak within the echo profile as an echo timing measurement point.
US08144539B2 Semiconductor memory device for self refresh and memory system having the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory core unit including a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells and a sense amplifier to sense and amplify data of the plurality of memory cells, and a self refresh control unit to apply at least one first core voltage to the memory core unit and to control a self refresh operation to be performed at every first self refresh cycle, in a first self refresh mode, and to apply at least one second core voltage to the memory core unit and to control the self refresh operation to be performed at every second self refresh cycle, in a second self refresh mode. In the semiconductor memory, a level of the at least one first core voltage is higher than that of a corresponding one of the at least one second core voltage, and the first self refresh cycle is shorter than the second self refresh cycle.
US08144535B2 Test circuit for measuring resistance distribution of memory cells and semiconductor system including the same
The test circuit for measuring a resistance distribution of memory cells includes a sensing circuit and a digital value generation circuit. The sensing circuit compares a reference voltage with a voltage of a sensing node receiving a voltage of a bit line connected with a resistive element and generates a sensing signal. The digital value generation circuit generates a digital value corresponding to a resistance-capacitance (RC) delay of the bit line in response to the sensing signal from the sensing circuit.
US08144534B2 Methods and memory devices for repairing memory cells
Methods and memory devices for repairing memory cells are discloses, such as a memory device that includes a main array having a plurality of sections of memory cells. One such main array includes a plurality of sets of input/output lines, each of which may be coupled to a respective plurality of memory cells in each section. One such memory device also includes a redundant section of memory cells, corresponding in number to the number of memory cells in each of the sections of the main array. An addressing circuit may contain a record of, for example, sections that have been determined to be defective. The addressing circuit may receive an address and compare the received address with the record of defective sections. In the event of a match, the addressing circuit may redirect an access to memory cells corresponding to the received address to memory cells in the redundant section.
US08144528B2 Memory with data control
In an embodiment, a memory device comprises memory, a first data link, a first input, a second input, a second data link, a first output and a second output. The first data link is configured to input one or more packets into the memory device. The first input is configured to input command strobe signals into the memory device that delineate command packets that are input into the memory device via the first data link. The second input is configured to input data strobe signals into the memory device that delineate data packets that are input into the memory device via the first data link. The first and second outputs are configured to output the command strobe signal and data strobe signal, respectively. The second data link is configured to output packets from the memory device.
US08144527B2 Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes: a data multiplexing unit configured to output one of a data training pattern and data transferred through a first global input/output line in response to a training control signal; and a latch unit configured to latch an output of the data multiplexing unit to apply and maintain the latched output to a second global input/output line.
US08144525B2 Memory cell sensing using negative voltage
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, devices, modules, and systems for memory cell sensing using negative voltage. One method includes applying a negative read voltage to a selected access line of an array of memory cells, applying a pass voltage to a number of unselected access lines of the array, and sensing whether a cell coupled to the selected access line is in a conductive state in response to the applied negative read voltage.
US08144520B2 Non-volatile memory device and method of reading data in a non-volatile memory device
A non-volatile memory device includes a row decoder and a memory cell array. The row decoder generates a read voltage, and first, second and third drive voltages. The memory cell array includes a selected word line receiving the read voltage, a first neighboring word line of the selected word line receiving the second word line drive voltage, a second neighboring word line of the selected word line receiving the third word line drive voltage, and a non-neighboring word line of the selected word line receiving the first word line drive voltage.
US08144519B2 Programming a flash memory device
An initial verify read operation is performed after each programming pulse. The verify voltage starts at an initial verify voltage for the first word line and increases for each word line that is verified up to a maximum verify voltage. A second verify read operation is then performed after the program/verify operation. The second verify read operation uses a verify voltage that is substantially close to the maximum verify voltage used during the program/verify step.
US08144516B2 Dynamic pass voltage for sense operation in a memory device
Methods for sensing and memory devices are disclosed. One such method for sensing uses a dynamic pass voltage on at least one adjacent memory cell that is adjacent to a selected memory cell for programming. If the adjacent memory cell is not programmed, the pass voltage is reduced on the adjacent memory cell. The adjacent memory cell can be on the drain side, the source side, or both drain and source sides of the selected memory cell.
US08144515B2 Interleaved flash storage system and method
A flash storage system accesses data interleaved among flash storage devices. The flash storage system receives a data block including data portions, stores the data portions in a data buffer, and initiates data transfers for asynchronously writing the data portions into storage blocks interleaved among the flash storage devices. Additionally, the flash storage system may asynchronously read data portions of a data block interleaved among the storage blocks, store the data portions in the data buffer, and access the data portions from the data buffer.
US08144512B2 Data transfer flows for on-chip folding
A memory system and methods of its operation are presented. The memory system includes a volatile buffer memory and a non-volatile memory circuit, where the non-volatile memory circuit has a first section, where data is stored in a binary format, and a second section, where data is stored in a multi-state format. When writing data to the non-volatile memory, the data is received from a host, stored in the buffer memory, transferred from the buffer memory to into read/write registers of the non-volatile memory circuit, and then written from the read/write registers to the first section of the non-volatile memory circuit using a binary write operation. Portions of the data and then subsequently folded from the first section of the non-volatile memory to the second section of the non-volatile memory, where a folding operation includes reading the portions of the data from multiple locations in the first section into the read/write registers and performing a multi-state programming operation of the portions of the data from the read/write registers into a location the second section of the non-volatile memory. The multi-state programming operations include a first phase and a second phase and one or more of the binary write operations are performed between the phases of the multi-state programming operations.
US08144511B2 Selective memory cell program and erase
Techniques are disclosed herein for programming memory arrays to achieve high program/erase cycle endurance. In some aspects, only selected word lines (WL) are programmed with other WLs remaining unprogrammed. As an example, only the even word lines are programmed with the odd WLs left unprogrammed. After all of the even word lines are programmed and the data block is to be programmed with new data, the block is erased. Later, only the odd word lines are programmed. The data may be transferred to a block that stores multiple bit per memory cell prior to the erase. In one aspect, the data is programmed in a checkerboard pattern with some memory cells programmed and others left unprogrammed. Later, after erasing the data, the previously unprogrammed part of the checkerboard pattern is programmed with remaining cells unprogrammed.
US08144508B2 Memory reading method for resistance drift mitigation
Techniques for reading phase change memory that mitigate resistance drift. One contemplated method includes apply a plurality of electrical input signals to the memory cell. The method includes measuring a plurality of electrical output signals from the memory cell resulting from the plurality of electrical input signals. The method includes calculating an invariant component of the plurality of electrical output signals dependent on the configuration of amorphous material in the memory cell. The method also includes determining a memory state of the memory cell based on the invariant component. In one embodiment of the invention, the method further includes mapping the plurality of electrical output signals to a measurements region of a plurality of measurements regions. The measurements regions correspond to memory states of the memory cell.
US08144507B2 Method of measuring a resistance of a resistive memory device
A method of measuring a resistance of a memory cell in a resistive memory device can be provided by applying a data write pulse to a selected cell of the resistive memory device, applying a resistance read pulse to the selected cell after a delay time measured from a time of applying the data write pulse, measuring a drop voltage at the cell responsive to a pulse waveform output when applying the resistance read pulse to the selected cell, measuring a total current through the cell using the drop voltage and an internal resistance of a test device coupled to the cell, and determining a resistance of the resistive memory device using the total current and a voltage of the resistance read pulse.
US08144504B2 Method of operating magnetic random access memory device
Provided is a method of operating a magnetic random access memory device comprising a switch structure and a magnetoresistance structure. According to the method, current variation depending on the direction of the current can be reduced by controlling a gate voltage of the switch structure when supplying current to write data to the magnetoresistance structure.
US08144502B2 Static random access memory
Included are a memory cell, a first metal interconnection, a variable capacitance circuit and a connection switch. The memory cell includes cross-coupled first and second inverters which are connected to a power supply node. The first metal interconnection is connected to the power supply node. The variable capacitance circuit includes: second and third metal interconnections electrically connected to a connection node; and a controller capable of controlling electrical connection between the third metal interconnection and the connection node. The connection switch is connected between the first metal interconnection and the connection node of the variable capacitance circuit. The connection switch is configured to electrically connect the first metal interconnection and the connection node in a write operation of the memory cell.
US08144498B2 Resistive-switching nonvolatile memory elements
Nonvolatile memory elements are provided that have resistive switching metal oxides. The nonvolatile memory elements may be formed in one or more layers on an integrated circuit. Each memory element may have a first conductive layer, a metal oxide layer, and a second conductive layer. Electrical devices such as diodes may be coupled in series with the memory elements. The first conductive layer may be formed from a metal nitride. The metal oxide layer may contain the same metal as the first conductive layer. The metal oxide may form an ohmic contact or a Schottky contact with the first conductive layer. The second conductive layer may form an ohmic contact or a Schottky contact with the metal oxide layer. The first conductive layer, the metal oxide layer, and the second conductive layer may include sublayers. The second conductive layer may include an adhesion or barrier layer and a workfunction control layer.
US08144493B2 CAM cell memory device
A code address memory (CAM) cell memory device comprises a first storage unit comprising a first nonvolatile memory cell configured to output a power source voltage in response to a read voltage, and a second storage unit comprising a second nonvolatile memory cell configured to output a ground voltage in response to the read voltage.
US08144492B2 Current controlled power converter
A current controlled power converter includes a converting part configured to convert a three-phase ac voltage into a dc voltage or converts a dc voltage into a three-phase ac voltage, ac side current detection portions configured to detect an ac side current of the converting part, dc side current detection portions configured to detect a dc side current of the converting part, and a control section configured to control the converting part by pulse-width modulation using a spatial vector modulation method based on the ac side current detected by the ac side current detection portions and the dc side current detected by the dc side current detection portions. The control section corrects an amplitude error of the ac side current detected by the ac side current detection portions, and an offset error of the ac side current detected by the ac side current detection portions.
US08144488B2 Voltage source converter station
The resistors of a filter block \in a voltage source converter station are connected with a floating neutral point.
US08144482B2 Circuit board device, wiring board interconnection method, and circuit board module device
A circuit board device includes: plurality of wiring boards (101 and 102) in which terminals are provided on the front and back surfaces and vias are provided for connecting the terminals together, an anisotropic conductive member (103) arranged between wiring boards (101 and 102) for connecting the electrodes of one wiring board to the electrodes of another wiring board, a functional block (104) composed of a metal material and arranged between the wiring boards (101 and 102) to enclose anisotropic conductive member (103), and a pair of holding blocks (105 and 106) composed of a metal material arranged to clamp the plurality of wiring boards (101 and 102), wherein the plurality of wiring boards (101 and 102), while in a state of being clamped between the pair of holding blocks (105 and 106), is connected together by the anisotropic conductive member (103) and the terminals provided on each of the wiring boards (101 and 102), the functional block (104), and the holding blocks (105 and 106) are electrically connected.
US08144473B2 Electro-optical apparatus, flexible printed circuit board, manufacturing method for electro-optical apparatus, and electronic equipment
An electro-optical apparatus comprising an electro-optical panel including a display section, a flexible printed circuit board, and a rigid circuit board. The flexible printed circuit board includes a first terminal connected to the electro-optical panel and a second terminal connected to an external circuit. The rigid circuit board includes a first surface on which electronic components are mounted and a second surface mounted to the flexible printed circuit board. The second surface of the rigid circuit board is opposite to the first surface. An entirety of the rigid circuit board is stacked on the flexible printed circuit board within the flexible printed circuit board. The rigid circuit board is electrically connected to the flexible printed circuit board. The flexible printed circuit board is bent toward the external circuit.
US08144471B2 Cable routing structure
A cable routing structure includes a flexible flat cable and a wiring board. The wiring board has a first side and a second side that is opposite the first side. The wiring board includes a cable attachment component, a first access component and a second access component. The cable attachment component is formed on the first side of a wiring board and electrically coupled to an end portion of the flexible flat cable. The first access component includes a first slit formed on the wiring board. The flexible flat cable extends through the first slit from the first side of the wiring board to a second side of the wiring board. The second access component is spaced from the first access component. The flexible flat cable extends through the second access component from the second side of the wiring board to the first side of the wiring board.
US08144467B2 Dehumidifying and re-humidifying apparatus and method for an electronics rack
Dehumidifying and re-humidifying cooling apparatus and method are provided for an electronics rack. The apparatus includes a dehumidifying air-to-liquid heat exchanger disposed at an air inlet side of the rack and a re-humidifying structure disposed at an air outlet side of the rack. The dehumidifying air-to-liquid heat exchanger is in fluid communication with a coolant loop for passing chilled coolant through the heat exchanger, and the dehumidifying heat exchanger dehumidifies ingressing air to the electronics rack to reduce a dew point of air flowing through the rack. A condensate collector disposed at the air inlet side collects liquid condensate from the dehumidifying of ingressing air, and a condensate delivery mechanism delivers the condensate to the re-humidifying structure to humidify air egressing from the electronics rack.
US08144466B2 Fan unit and electronic apparatus including the same
A fan unit holds a cooling fan and is detachable from a main body of an inverter apparatus. The fan unit is provided with a fan-unit retainer plate having keyhole-shaped apertures and provided between an upper case and a lower case. The fan unit is fixed by pressing the fan-unit retainer plate with fixing screws. The fan unit is easily and reliably removed by moving the fan-unit retainer plate without directly moving the fan unit and without removing the fixing screws.
US08144464B2 Side-exhaust cooling system with extensible duct for rack mounted equipment
A cooling device for rack mount equipment comprises an extensible side duct, open on its inner and rear-facing sides which redirects warm exhaust air exiting vents in the side of a chassis towards the rear of an enclosure holding the chassis. An apparatus incorporating the cooling device may be installed in a rack with the extensible side duct in a retracted position. The extensible side duct may extend under the influence of air pressure, forming a plenum in fluid communication with the interior of a chassis on which it is mounted such that warm air exiting the chassis is collected in the plenum formed by the extensible side duct and directed out towards the rear of the chassis. Use of the apparatus permits conventional front-to-back cooling airflow patterns to be maintained even with chassis having side exhaust vents.
US08144462B2 Lock and electronic device using the same
A lock is applied in an electronic device including a main body and a display. The display includes a first hook able to pass through the main body. The lock includes a base, a rack, a shaft and a gear. The rack is slidably connected to the base and includes a second hook. The shaft is secured to the base. The gear is rotatably connected to the shaft and engages the rack. The gear defines a latching slot to receive a portion of a key, which allows the gear to rotate together with the key to cause the rack to slide. The second hook is moveable together with the rack to a position where the second hook engages the first hook to lock the display to the main body. An electronic device using the lock is also provided.
US08144461B2 Leather coating structure for a case and method for manufacturing thereof
A leather coating structure for a case includes a supporting plate with a top surface and a bottom surface assembled onto a upper cover of a portable electronic apparatus, and a leather coating layer with a top portion which covers the top surface and a extended portion which extends from the top portion to cover a portion of the bottom surface. The manufacturing method for the leather coating structure is also disclosed. A leather coating layer is attached onto a supporting plate to form a leather coating structure, the leather coating layer is bent at the edge of the supporting plate to cover a portion of the bottom surface, and then the leather coating structure is assembled onto an upper cover of a portable electronic apparatus.
US08144456B1 Apparatus for mobile information handling
A mobile information handling assembly comprising a mobile information handling device further comprising a plurality of peripheral device connection ports and a plurality of card slots, a data processing device electronically coupled to said mobile information handling device, a communications interface for providing communication between the mobile information handling device and the data processing device, and a carrying assembly, comprising a strap and at least two anchor assemblies further comprising an attachment device receiving assembly configured to receive an attachment device. The at least two anchor assemblies are configured to attach to the mobile information handling device at least two corners of the mobile information handling device.
US08144451B2 Mobile electronic device with dovetail connector
An improved mobile electronic device is disclosed. The mobile electronic device (10) can include: a housing (12) including a front cover (14) and a rear cover (16), the rear cover (16) configured to interconnect with the front cover (14), defining an enclosure (18) for electrical components; a plurality of connectors (20) located on walls (22) of the front cover (14) and rear cover (16); the plurality of connectors (20) including a male portion (24) and a female portion (26) being substantially complementarily configured to receive the male portion (24). Advantageously, the connectors (20): provide a resilient interconnection, forming a robust housing; take up a minimal amount of room in the enclosure (18), for maximizing the area available for electronic component placement therein; and help to allow the profile, from the front cover (14) to rear cover (16), to be designed ultra thin.
US08144448B2 Control unit comprising a closed-loop controller for regulating the electrical coil current of a regulating electrovalve
A control unit has a closed-loop controller which is connected to a regulating electrovalve by way of a feedback branch, forming a closed-loop control circuit, in order to regulate the electrical coil current of the regulating electrovalve. The armature of the electrovalve is used to adjust a desired volume flow in a motor vehicle hydraulic device. The armature of the regulating electrovalve is continuously subjected to an armature oscillation in order to reduce the static friction and/or magnetic hysteresis. Inside the closed-loop controller of the closed-loop control circuit itself, the nominal current, which is supplied to the closed-loop controller on the input side as a command variable, is subjected to a dither signal generated inside the closed-loop controller for producing the armature oscillation, essentially synchronously to the clock cycle of the closed-loop controller.
US08144447B2 Electromagnetic load controller
An internal combustion engine controller comprises a current or voltage source for controlling a potential at a diagnosis position in order to ensure a high-precision fault diagnosis, even if the drive cycle of the electromagnetic load (such as a fuel injector), in the internal combustion engine is shorted. Diagnosis timing is optimally set or the number of determinations for averaging is increased in order to ensure high-precision fault diagnosis without being influenced by unexpected disturbance such as noises. In fault diagnosis of a regeneration circuit into a booster circuit, either an input/output voltage or the regeneration current of a driver of the electromagnetic load is detected.
US08144442B1 Power protection in a multi-level power hierarchy
Embodiments of a multi-level power hierarchy are described. This power hierarchy contains a higher level, which includes a first sub-circuit, and a lower level, which includes a second sub-circuit and a third sub-circuit. Moreover, the second sub-circuit and the third sub-circuit are included in branches in the power hierarchy and are separately electrically coupled to the first sub-circuit. A given sub-circuit in a given level includes programmable power protection which is configured to protect sub-circuits at higher levels of the power hierarchy from power variations associated with changes in load on branches at lower levels of the power hierarchy, thereby providing failure isolation in the power hierarchy.
US08144440B2 Electric appliance and heating cooking device
An appliance comprises: an appliance main body for employing an AC power supply, and a power supply unit, which outputs a DC voltage and an AC voltage to the appliance main body as power supply voltages. The power supply unit comprises: a power supply circuit for converting the input AC into DC, which is insulated from the AC power supply; relays for turning ON and OFF a supply of the AC power supply voltage; and an earth leakage sensing circuit provided between contact points of the relays and the appliance main body, for turning OFF the relays while earth leakage is sensed. While the earth leakage occurs, the sensing circuit turns OFF the relays so as to stop the supply of the AC voltage. It is possible to avoid a failure caused by earth leakage in advance, and also, the relays are turned OFF during a standby mode.
US08144438B2 Motor control center communication system
A motor control center communication system configured to interface with a communication network. The system includes a plurality of motor control units (MCUs), and a MCU controller configured to transmit and receive data signals via the communication network to and from, the plurality of MCUs. Each of the plurality of MCUs includes a magnetic contactor having electrical contacts operable between open and closed positions, and a local control module operatively connected to the associated magnetic contactor and to the MCU controller, and configured to monitor a status of the electrical contacts, transmit the monitored status information to the MCU controller, and actuate the associated magnetic contactor based on data signals received from the MCU controller.
US08144434B1 Integrated pivot-carriage for improving pivot bonding process
An integrated pivot-carriage for a hard disk drive for improving a pivot bonding process. Embodiments include a pivot-bearing assembly comprising an upper bearing, a lower bearing and a pivot-bearing spacer there between; a carriage comprising: a center-bore within which a pivot-shaft coupled with the pivot-bearing assembly is disposed; and a plurality of pivot-bonding glue dispensers, each of the pivot-bonding glue dispensers comprising: a glue inlet; a glue outlet; and an enclosing wall defining an interior flow passage between the glue inlet and the glue outlet, the interior flow passage configured for conveying bonding glue there through; and a glue receiving region coupling the glue outlet with a bearing of the upper and the lower bearing, the glue receiving region configured for receiving bonding glue dispensed thereto, thereby bonding the pivot-bearing assembly with the carriage.
US08144433B2 Hard disk drive
A hard disk drive including an actuator arm to pivot across a disk and having a read/write head disposed at an end of the actuator arm to read data from the disk and to write data to the disk, and a crash stop to prevent the read/write head from being pivoted beyond a preset outermost position of the disk. The crash stop can include a housing coupled to a base of the disk drive and disposed adjacent to an outer circumference of the disk, and a buffer member forcibly coupled to the housing. A coupling groove can be provided on one of the housing and the buffer member and a coupling protrusion can be provided on the other one of the housing and the buffer member to precisely locate the read/write head at the preset outermost position of the disk when the actuator arm contacts the crash stop.
US08144432B2 Sinking heat from an integrated circuit to an actuator
An actuator for selectively positioning a portion of a communication channel formed by a cable circuit having a protuberant component connected at a proximal end to a flexible base, whereby the actuator defines a heat transfer surface operably disposed in thermal conductivity with a distal surface of the protuberant component for sinking heat from the component to the actuator.
US08144430B2 Multi-layer ground plane structures for integrated lead suspensions
Multi-layer ground plane structures and methods of manufacture for integrated lead suspension flexures. A flexure in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes an insulating layer, a plurality of traces on the insulating layer and a stainless steel base layer on the side of the insulating layer opposite the traces. The stainless steel base layer includes one or more void portions with voids in the base layer opposite the insulating layer from the traces and one or more backed portions with the base layer backing the traces. A plurality of first conductive ground planes are located between the stainless steel base layer and the insulating layer opposite the insulating layer from the traces at the backed portions of the stainless steel base layer. A continuous second conductive ground plane is located opposite the insulating layer from the traces at the void portions and backed portions of the stainless steel base layer.
US08144429B2 Magnetic head slider with diffusion stop films each of which is disposed between the associated terminal portion and lead portion or between the associated lead portion and seed film
Embodiments of the present invention help to reduce the resistance variation of the heater provided in order to adjust the flying height of the slider. According to one embodiment, a magnetic head slider has a magnetic read/write device and a heater formed on the trailing end surface of the slider. The heater comprises a heating portion, terminal portions and lead portions. Where a terminal portion overlaps with a lead portion, a diffusion stop film is disposed between them. In addition, a diffusion stop film is disposed between a lead portion and a lower shield seed film (NiFe) under the associated stud. The diffusion stop films and are Ta films with a thickness of 5 nm or preferably at least 10 nm.
US08144426B2 Perpendicular magnetic recording head having front and back poles of different specific resistances
A perpendicular magnetic recording head and a method of manufacturing said perpendicular magnetic recording head are provided. The perpendicular magnetic recording head has a main pole, a coil, which applies a magnetic field to the main pole, and a return pole constituting a magnetic circuit together with the main pole. The main pole has a back pole around which the coil is wound and a front pole contacting the back pole. The back pole and the front pole are formed on the same plane.
US08144422B2 Air bearing surface method and apparatus optimizing flying height on demand efficiency during flying height on demand activity of slider in a hard disk drive
A slider including air bearing surface with Flying height On-Demand (FOD) protrusion with method of controlling airflow to maximize FOD efficiency as ratio of change in vertical position to protrusion height. Slider including components controlling the air flow to maximize FOD efficiency and/or including specific components minimizing an air bearing pressure under a Flying height On Demand (FOD) operation away from a maximum air bearing pressure, placing a peak pressure off of an FOD area create by a FOD protrusion, and shrinking a high peak pressure area of the air bearing surface. Hard disk drive includes head stack assembly, which includes head gimbal assembly, which includes the slider. Manufacturing method for slider, head gimbal assembly, head stack assembly and hard disk drive, and these items as products of these processes.
US08144421B2 Radial position seek tuning for acoustic performance
Examples of the present invention relate to reduction in acoustic noise by tuning seek characteristics of a servo controller, depending on a radial position of a head relative to a disk. The servo controller can provide compensation for acoustic resonance modes.
US08144413B2 Reduced instruction set computer (RISC) processor based disk manager architecture for hard disk drive (HDD) controllers
Reduced instruction set computer (RISC) processor based disk manager architecture for HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controllers. Disk manager operations of a HDD are off-loaded from a main processor to a dedicated RISC processor. The main processor is operable to provide higher level instructions to the RISC processor, and the RISC processor is operable to translate those higher level instructions into bit level instructions that are subsequently provided to one or more control engines that is then operable to execute those bit level instructions to perform one or more channel interfacing protocol control functions that can include any one or more of low level timing for servo demodulation, timing for data formatting operations, media control operations, transfer control operations, and/or other disk manager related functions.
US08144411B2 Multimodal optical imaging
Multimodal optical imaging is disclosed. Possible devices include a filter assembly that is capable of rotary action during real time image acquisition. Systems are disclosed that include such filter assemblies, which are detachable or integrated in the systems. Various techniques for capturing image targets using multiple light sources such as white light and fluorescent light are also disclosed.
US08144401B2 Zoom lens
A zoom lens includes a first lens group, a second lens group, a third lens group, and a fourth lens group. The first lens group including three lenses is disposed between a magnified side and an reduced side, and the first lens group has a negative refractive power. The second lens group including two lenses is disposed between the first lens group and the reduced side, and the second lens group has a positive refractive power. The third lens group including one lens is disposed between the second lens group and the reduced side, and the third lens group has a positive refractive power. The fourth lens group including seven lenses is disposed between the third lens group and the reduced side, and the fourth lens group has a positive refractive power.
US08144400B2 Lens apparatus
Provided is a lens apparatus including: a lens barrel; a fixed stopper fixed to the lens barrel; an optical unit moving in a direction of an optical axis relative to the lens barrel; a cylindrical grooved cam which includes a stopper restrictor and is held in the lens barrel to be rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the optical axis, for restricting movement of the optical unit in the direction of the optical axis; and a movable stopper which is movable within a limit of the stopper restrictor, in which the movable stopper is in contact with the stopper restrictor and the fixed stopper to restrict a rotation range of the cylindrical grooved cam.
US08144396B2 Microscope apparatus
An image can be prevented from becoming unclear over time during long-term observation. The invention provides a microscope apparatus including a specimen container for containing a specimen; an objective lens disposed opposite the specimen container for collecting light from the specimen in the specimen container; an immersion-liquid supplying unit for supplying immersion liquid to a space between the objective lens and the specimen container; and an immersion-liquid removing unit for removing the immersion liquid from the space between the objective lens and the specimen container. The immersion-liquid removing unit includes a nozzle for ejecting compressed air to the space between the objective lens and the specimen container.
US08144395B2 Focusing apparatus and method
A focusing apparatus for use with an optical system having a high NA objective lens includes an image forming and capturing apparatus for forming an image in an intermediate image zone, and for capturing an image by receiving and refocusing light from a selected focal plane within the intermediate image zone, and a focus adjusting apparatus for adjusting the position of the selected focal plane within the intermediate image zone. The image forming and capturing apparatus includes at least one high NA lens. In use, spherical aberration introduced by the high NA objective lens is reduced.
US08144394B2 Stereoscopic imaging optical system
The invention provides a stereoscopic imaging optical system that has a total optical length short enough to be suitable for use in electron image microscopes. The stereoscopic imaging optical system comprises, in order from its object side, one objective lens DB and a plurality of zoom imaging optical systems ZI. Each zoom imaging optical system ZI comprises, in order from its object side, a positive first group G1, a negative second group G2, an aperture stop AS, a positive third group G3 and a positive fourth group G4. The second group moves for zooming on an optical axis, and the fourth group moves on the optical axis in association with the second group for correcting an image position fluctuation incidental to zooming. Various conditions are satisfied.
US08144391B2 Wavelength converter, image display and machining apparatus
A wavelength converter is provided with an infrared light source (1) for emitting a fundamental wave having a wavelength of 2000 nm or shorter, a wavelength conversion element (3) composed of a nonlinear optical crystal having a periodical polarization reversal structure and adapted to convert a fundamental wave emitted from the infrared light source (1) into a harmonic wave, and a heater (4) for heating the wavelength conversion element (3). The period of the polarization reversal structure is designed so that a quasi phase matching temperature of the fundamental wave and the harmonic wave is 40° C. or higher. The heater (4) heats the wavelength conversion element (3) to a temperature at which quasi phase matching is established, and the nonlinear optical crystal contains a lithium niobate or lithium tantalate including at least any one of additives Mg, In, Zn and Sc as a main component. Thus, optical damage can be suppressed and visible light absorption attributed to ultraviolet light can be reduced.
US08144390B2 Apparatus and method for 2D and 3D image switchable display
An image display apparatus and method are disclosed. The image display apparatus includes a light source unit to include at least one light source, an optical unit to generate a directional light using a light projected from the light source unit, a variable diffuser unit to control diffusion of the directional light, a pixel unit to selectively generate one of two-dimensional (2D) images and three-dimensional (3D) images to correspond to the control of the variable diffuser unit, and a vertical diffusion unit to diffuse the 3D images in a vertical direction.
US08144377B2 Duplex scanning apparatus
The present invention relates to a duplex scanning apparatus. The duplex scanning apparatus includes a sheet input tray for placing a stack of documents thereon. For performing duplex scanning operations on the stack of paper sheets, the documents are successively scanned from the bottommost one to the uppermost one. As a consequence, the scanned documents are stacked in the sheet ejecting tray in the same order as that of the original stack.
US08144375B2 Image forming apparatus
When a monochromatic copy mode is to be executed, a control section sets a read mode in a scanner section so as to enable the scanner section to read an image at high speed by means of only a line sensor K, sets in an image processing section an image process that can print monochromatic image information, which is sent from the scanner section, with a single black color in the printer section, and sets in the printer section a monochromatic print mode that can print a black image at high speed, thereby controlling a monochromatic copy operation.
US08144374B2 Auto document feeder and image scanning apparatus
A gap indicator device is rotatably locked to an auto document feeder openably and closably installed to a scanner device of an image scanning apparatus, is rotated by being pressed by the scanner device, and includes a pointer or a scale to indicate a state of an image reading gap, as a gap between a platen guide and an image reading portion, through which an original document passes. The pointer or the scale is located at a position where it can be visually recognized from above when a cover of the auto document feeder is opened.
US08144373B2 Image writing device
An image writing device is provided and includes: a case including an accommodating part that accommodates a plurality of display media stacked, a entrance and exit port which is communicated with the accommodating part and through which the display media enter and exit the case, and a window through which an image on a display surface of a display medium can be externally browsed, the image being written in the display medium by applying external stimulation; a conveying part that conveys the display medium into and out of the case through the entrance and exit port; and a writing part arranged near the entrance and exit port of the case, the writing part applying the external stimulation to the display medium to write the image in the display medium when the display medium is conveyed into or out of the case by way of the conveying part.
US08144370B2 Image forming apparatus, printing method and printing apparatus
To provide new image forming apparatus and a printing method that can obtain information on image forming by using terahertz waves. An image forming apparatus includes a stock unit for stocking a media stack made of a plurality of media with images formed on; an electromagnetic wave generation unit for generating a terahertz wave to radiate on the media stack; an electromagnetic wave detection unit for detecting the terahertz wave propagated in a laminating direction of the media stack; a memory unit for storing reference data; a processing unit for generating data related to an image forming state from the detection signal from the electromagnetic wave detection unit, information on the number of sheets of the medium, and information on the image formed on the medium; and a comparative unit for comparing the data generated by the processing unit and the reference data stored in the memory unit.
US08144369B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method and memory medium
An object of the present invention is to solve dissatisfaction of the user who cannot take out the source data in a case where a code image in the original can not be decoded. In order to accomplish the above object, the invention provides an image processing apparatus comprising code image detection unit that determines whether or not an code image is included in the original image data, code image decoding unit that decodes the code image to extract source data if it is determined that the code image is included by the code image detection unit, and synthesizing unit that encodes information obtained by decoding a partial area of the code image and overlaying encoded information on the area where the code image is included, if the code image decoding unit is successful in decoding only the partial area of the code image.
US08144368B2 Automated methods for distinguishing copies from original printed objects
This disclosure describes methods for using embedded auxiliary signals in documents for copy detection and other applications. In on application, the auxiliary signal is formed as an array of elements selected from a set of print structures with properties that change differently in response to copy operations. These changes in properties of the print structures that carry the embedded auxiliary signal are automatically detectable. For example, the changes make the embedded auxiliary signal more or less detectable. The extent to which the auxiliary data is detected forms a detection metric used in combination with one or more other metrics to differentiate copies from originals. Examples of sets of properties of the print structures that change differently in response to copy operations include sets of colors (including different types of inks), sets of screens or dot structures that have varying dot gain, sets of structures with different aliasing effects, etc. Robust and fragile watermarks are used in Image Replacement Documents for a variety of applications. Digital watermarks act as on-board mediators in authentication of a variety of printed documents. Finally, digital watermarks are used to help manage quality of the scanners used in imaging systems.
US08144367B2 Image forming apparatus equipped with a plurality of functions relating to image formation including printing computer data and copying images
The present invention includes an image forming apparatus having an image forming portion that forms an image on a based on supplied image data, that can selectively execute a plurality of functions, and further comprises a storage device having a shared area for commonly storing information when executing any function among the plurality of functions, wherein when information that is due to be written in a shared area of the storage device based on an execution command of one function is already written in an area that is reserved for another function, the apparatus outputs a selection request relating to execution of the one function, and restricts utilization of the storage device with respect to a shared area for executing the one function in accordance with the selection result.
US08144366B2 Populating multidimensional look-up tables with missing values
Values at nodes of a LUT which is arranged as a rectangular grid of cells are populated, wherein the populated values model an underlying process that transforms from a first color space to a second color space, and some of the cells of the LUT are completely inside a constraint boundary of the underlying process and some of the cells are not completely inside the constraint boundary. The cells are indexed in a certain order. Samples of the underlying process are accessed. Values of nodes for cells whose nodes are all within the constraint boundary are populated first by using the samples of the underlying process. Values of nodes for cells whose nodes are not all within the constraint boundary are populated second by visiting such cells in the indexed order and populating values for the unpopulated nodes using populated ones of the nodes of such cells and the accessed samples.
US08144364B2 Methods and systems for processing heavy-tailed job distributions in a document production environment
A production printing system for processing a plurality of print jobs may include a plurality of print job processing resources and a computer-readable storage medium including one or more programming instructions for performing a method of processing a plurality of print jobs in a document production environment. The method may include identifying a print job size distribution for a plurality of print jobs in a document production environment and determining whether the print job size distribution exhibits a heavy-tail characteristic. For each print job size distribution that exhibits a heavy-tail characteristic, the plurality of print jobs may be grouped into a plurality of subgroups such that at least one of the plurality of subgroups exhibits a non-heavy-tail characteristic, and each job in the at least one of the plurality of subgroups exhibiting the non-heavy-tail characteristic may be processed by one or more print job processing resources.
US08144355B2 Method and apparatus for improving raster image processing performance for variable information printing having reusable objects
A method receives, at a processor of a printing apparatus, a variable information print job. The variable information print job is processed into upper planes of the record-specific objects, upper planes of the reusable objects, lower planes of the record-specific objects, and lower planes of the reusable objects. The method stores such objects within a storage medium of the printing apparatus. The method combines ones of the compressed upper planes of the record-specific objects and the compressed upper planes of the reusable objects corresponding to the record of the variable information print job using the processor to create a single compressed upper plane for the record within an output buffer of the printing apparatus and creates an ordered list (corresponding to the record) of lower plane tiles by assembling the compressed lower planes of the record-specific objects and the compressed lower plane reusable objects. The method performs a printing operation for the record of the variable information print job by decompressing multiple ones of the lower plane tiles in a predetermined order to form a lower plane of the record into an output raster page, decompressing the single compressed upper plane of the record into the output raster page, and outputting the output raster page to a printing engine of the printing apparatus to print the record of the variable information print job on print media.
US08144351B2 Print system, information processing apparatus, and information processing method, including log information
It is the object of the present invention to realize a print system capable of storing content of print processing as log information using a simple method. To realize this object, a user-client terminal 101 of the present invention is communicably connected to a printer 102 and a tracking information recording printer 103, and includes a first log information generating unit 306 for generating log information based on a print job generated by a printer 102-use driver 303, and a print job transmitting unit 307. The print job transmitting unit 307 transmits the print job generated by the printer 102-use driver 303 to the printer 102, appends the log information and identification information to the print job, and transmits the appended print job to the tracking information recording printer 103.
US08144350B2 Image forming apparatus and method of controlling the same
An image forming apparatus including a video controller that increases or reduces a pulse width of video data when video data is generated in synchronization with a video clock so as to vary a frequency of the video data. It is possible to effectively cope with emission of electromagnetic waves (electromagnetic interference) whose frequency increases when the same type of pulses is repeated, so that the electromagnetic waves are out of the recognition range of a user and image quality is prevented from deteriorating.
US08144345B2 Information-processing apparatus and method
According to the claimed invention, an information-processing apparatus capable of communicating with a printing apparatus, comprises: a setting unit (S2201), configured to set, as part of a print setting when printing document data that includes a plurality of pages to print, a bookbinding setting for casing a sheet printed with a page to be used for a body out of the plurality of pages with a sheet printed with a page to be used for a front cover out of the plurality of pages; and a generator (S2211, S2212), configured to generate, if the bookbinding setting is set, body print data for repeatedly printing, in collated form, a first page to a last page of the body in the document data for a specified plurality of copies, and front cover print data for printing the front cover for a number of sheets equivalent to the specified plurality of copies.
US08144343B2 Printing apparatus and an image supply device using picture transfer protocol having a function which checks attribute information of a file object managed in the image supply device
A printing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of this invention receives, from an image supply device, a first script “DDISCVRY.DPS” that describes the print function of the image supply device. If the first script describes support for printing by XHTML, the printing apparatus determines whether printing corresponding to the description is possible. The printing apparatus transmits a second script “HDISCVRY.DPS” that describes a print function executable by the printer to the image supply device in accordance with the determination result.
US08144336B2 Optical coherence tomography imaging
A digitized image of an object may include representations of portions of the object that are obscured, occluded or otherwise unobservable. The image may be a multi-dimensional visual representation of dentition. Characteristics of the dentition and its surfaces, contours, and shape may be determined and/or analyzed. A light may be directed toward and reflected from the dentition. The reflected light may be combined with a reference to determine characteristics of the dentition, including obscured areas such as subgingival tissue.
US08144335B2 Vibration-insensitive interferometer using high-speed camera and continuous phase scanning method
The present invention relates to a vibration-insensitive interferometer using a high-speed camera and a continuous phase scanning method. The interferometer measures a measurement target by completely isolating influences of externally occurring vibrations from a frequency domain. The interferometer includes a light source unit for emitting light. A light transmission unit radiates the light emitted from the light source unit to the measurement target, splits light reflected from the measurement target into reference light and measurement light, and allows the reference light and the measurement light to interfere with each other, thus generating an interference fringe. A continuous phase scanning unit for radiates the reference light split by the light transmission unit through continuous phase scanning. A high-speed camera acquires an interference fringe generated by both the measurement light radiated through the light transmission unit and the reference light radiated through the continuous phase scanning unit.
US08144333B2 Optical fiber structure monitoring and analysis
A system and method for monitoring the structural integrity of a structure is provided. An optical fiber is acoustically coupled to one or more of the structural elements. A source of optical energy is configured to inject optical energy into the optical fiber, and an optical detector is configured to detect a first optical return signal having characteristics that are affected by vibrations of the structural elements. An analyzer measures characteristics of the optical return signal to determine information concerning the movement of the structural elements monitored by the fiber optic cable. The results of the analyzer can be stored and so that the analysis of the optical return signal can be compared to previously recorded signals to determine changes in structural integrity over time. Multiple fibers can be acoustically coupled to the monitored structural elements to obtain additional data concerning the structural integrity.
US08144332B2 Temperature measurement apparatus and method
A temperature measurement apparatus includes a light source; a first splitter that splits a light beam into a measurement beam and a reference beam; a reference beam reflector that reflects the reference beam; an optical path length adjustor; a second splitter that splits the reflected reference beam into a first reflected reference beam and a second reflected reference beam; a first photodetector that measures an interference between the first reflected reference beam and a reflected measurement beam obtained by the measurement beam reflected from a target object; a second photodetector that measures an intensity of the second reflected reference beam; and a temperature calculation unit. The temperature calculation unit calculates a location of the interference by subtracting an output signal of the second photodetector from an output signal of the first photodetector, and calculates a temperature of the target object from the calculated location of the interference.
US08144329B2 Low power RF tuning using optical and non-reflected power methods
Aspects of the present invention include methods for controlling a plasma in a substrate processing system. One embodiment provides controlling a first set of wavelength intensities of reflected electromagnetic radiation reflected from the plasma within a chamber before processing a first set of one or more substrates, associating the first set of wavelength intensities of reflected electromagnetic radiation to an RF power within the processing system, adjusting a matching circuit based on the first set of wavelength intensities of reflected electromagnetic radiation, processing the first set of one or more substrates in the substrate processing system, controlling a second set of wavelength intensities of reflected electromagnetic radiation reflected from the plasma within the chamber, and associating the second set of wavelength intensities of reflected electromagnetic radiation to the RF power within the processing system.
US08144328B2 Methods and apparatus for normalizing optical emission spectra
An arrangement for in-situ optical interrogation of plasma emission to quantitatively measure normalized optical emission spectra in a plasma chamber is provided. The arrangement includes a flash lamp and a set of quartz windows. The arrangement also includes a plurality of collimated optical assemblies, which is optically coupled to the set of quartz windows. The arrangement further includes a plurality of fiber optic bundles, which comprises at least an illumination fiber optic bundle, a collection fiber optic bundle, and a reference fiber optic bundle. The arrangement more over includes a multi-channel spectrometer, which is configured with at least a signal channel and a reference channel. The signal channel is optically coupled to at least the flash lamp, the set of quartz windows, the set of collimated optical assemblies, the illuminated fiber optic bundle, and the collection fiber optic bundle to measure a first signal.
US08144327B2 Photoacoustic apparatus, and probe for receiving photoacoustic waves
A photoacoustic apparatus obtains information on a specimen by receiving photoacoustic waves which are generated from the specimen resulting from light irradiated to the specimen. The apparatus includes a light source for irradiating light to the specimen, an acoustic wave receiver for receiving the photoacoustic waves, and a light reflection member for causing the light, which is radiated out of the specimen by optical diffusion thereof after having entered an interior of the specimen from the light source, to reenter the interior of the specimen, wherein the light reflection member allows elastic waves to pass therethrough. As a result, a photoacoustic apparatus and a probe are provided which can confine scattered light from the specimen into the specimen, and which can reliably prevent photoacoustic waves from being generated from a receiving element region of the probe by the scattered light.
US08144323B2 Apparatus, method and computer-readable storage medium for determining the ring-down time in a spectrometer system
A system is provided that includes a cavity ring-down spectrometer and a processor. The spectrometer is configured to pass, through a cavity resonator, a modulated, continuous-wave electromagnetic signal at each of one or more selectable, transmission frequencies in the Terahertz region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The spectrometer includes a transmitter that, with the cavity resonator, is configured so as to excite a single resonant mode of the cavity resonator. The processor is configured to receive a measurement of the passed portion of the modulated electromagnetic signal, and determine a phase shift of the modulated electromagnetic signal based upon the measurement. The processor is then configured to calculate a ring-down time of the cavity resonator as a function of the phase shift.
US08144319B2 Automated soil measurement device
A system and a method are disclosed for combining a soil sample and extractant in a mixing chamber to produce a liquid extractant-soil mixture. A portion of the liquid extractant-soil mixture is directed from the mixing chamber through a sample measurement chamber coupled to the mixing chamber. The sample measurement chamber is coupled to a light source so that light propagates from the light source through the portion of the liquid extractant-soil mixture to an optical detector which generates an attenuation spectrum indicating light received by the detector at different wavelengths. The sample measurement chamber may include an attenuation cell having a specified optical path between a first measurement window and a second measurement window and angular surface directing particulates in the liquid extractant-soil mixture away from the attenuation cell.
US08144314B2 Spectral measurement apparatus and measurement method utilizing Brillouin scattering
The present invention relates to a spectral measurement apparatus and measurement method utilizing Brillouin scattering, which judge the state of the temperature or strain of an optical fiber more quickly. The spectral measurement apparatus comprises a light source, an analysis section, and an anomaly judgment section. The light source outputs pumping light and probe light. The pumping light and probe light thus output are caused to enter in opposite directions to the sensing fiber. The analysis section analyzes the gain received by the probe light as a result of the Brillouin scattering. The anomaly judgment section judges the state relating to the temperature or strain of the sensing fiber on the basis of the analysis result of the analysis section. The frequency difference ν between the pumping light and probe light is set within a predetermined frequency difference setting range. The frequency difference setting range is a range which includes the frequency difference at which the peak value of the reference gain spectrum of the gain received by the probe light is obtained when the temperature or strain of the sensing fiber is in the reference state and is set at or below the line width of the reference gain spectrum
US08144309B2 Imprint lithography
A chuck apparatus for holding a substrate is the disclosed. The chuck apparatus includes a first surface portion on which the substrate is to be held and a second surface portion adjacent to the first surface portion and extending at least partially around an edge of the first surface portion and which, in use, is arranged to deflect gas over the first surface portion and thus the substrate that is to be held on the first surface portion.
US08144306B2 Reverse flow gas gauge proximity sensor
A gas gauge proximity sensor supplying gas in a reverse flow direction from the injection chamber to the measurement chamber. Supplying gas in a reverse flow direction enables the transient behavior in the sensor to more rapidly stabilize, with a resulting increase in bandwidth. Optionally, a scavenger chamber can be used to remove the excess gas by locating a scavenger aperture of the scavenger chamber in close proximity to the exit aperture of the injection chamber. A bridge proximity sensor can be used with a reference chamber to receive gas flow from a location close to the exit aperture of the injection chamber in order to reduce common mode errors.
US08144303B2 Liquid crystal apparatus, projection apparatus and electronic equipment
A liquid crystal apparatus includes: a liquid crystal panel having a pair of substrates and including a display area; and a case body having an opening in an area corresponding to the display area of the liquid crystal panel and being attached to the liquid crystal panel, in which the case body includes: a plurality of panel-shaped members having a laminated structure including a clearance in the direction of the thickness of the liquid crystal panel, openings provided at portions on the side of one side of the liquid crystal panel and on the side of the other side thereof opposing the one side corresponding to the clearance, a diaphragm formed in the clearance of the plurality of panel-shaped members from the side of the one side toward the side of the other side.
US08144301B2 Semiconductor device
When a columnar spacer is provided in a region overlapping with a TFT, there is a concern that pressure will be applied when attaching a pair of substrates to each other, which may result in the TFT being adversely affected and a crack forming. A dummy layer is formed of an inorganic material below a columnar spacer which is formed in a position overlapping with the TFT. The dummy layer is located in the position overlapping with the TFT, so that pressure applied to the TFT in a step of attaching the pair of substrates is distributed and relieved. The dummy layer is preferably formed of the same material as a pixel electrode so that it is formed without an increase in the number of processing steps.
US08144299B2 Thin film transistor for driving gate line and liquid crystal display having the same
A thin film transistor for driving a gate line and a liquid crystal display having the same are provided. The thin film transistor for driving a gate line includes a gate electrode, a semiconductor layer formed on the gate electrode, a drain electrode formed on the semiconductor layer, a source electrode formed on the semiconductor layer and separated from the drain electrode and being coupled to the gate line, and a ripple-prevention electrode formed on the drain electrode which overlaps at least a part of the drain electrode.
US08144298B2 FFS mode liquid crystal display device with viewing angle control region and display control region and method of fabricating the same
A liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the device where the device can control a viewing angle in all directions without forming a white pixel. The liquid crystal display device includes a display control region that is controlled such that liquid crystal molecules are inclined and a viewing-angle control region that is controlled such that liquid crystal molecules are aligned in a horizontal or vertical direction, where a control voltage is supplied through a viewing angle control line independent of a common line for the display control region.
US08144296B2 Method of fabricating array substrate for in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device having double-layered metal patterns
An array substrate of an in-plane switching liquid crystal display device includes, among other features, a gate electrode and a gate line having a first double-layered structure consisting of a first barrier layer and a first low resistance metallic layer; a data line defining a pixel region with the gate line, the data line having a second double-layered structure consisting of a second barrier layer and a second low resistance metallic layer; a plurality of common electrodes disposed in a direction opposite to an adjacent gate line; a thin film transistor (TFT) near a crossing of the gate and data lines, each of the source and drain electrodes of the TFT having the same double-layered structure as the data line; and a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in an alternating pattern with the common electrodes and disposed in the direction opposite the adjacent gate line.
US08144295B2 Common bus design for a TFT-LCD display
Embodiments of the present invention provide for a FFS TFT LCD with a high refresh rate without limiting the aperture of individual pixels. More specifically, embodiments of the invention provide for the use of common bus lines to reduce the effective resistance of the common electrode and to therefore allow for higher refresh rates of the display. Furthermore, the common bus lines can be positioned in such a manner so that they do not further reduce the aperture of the display. More specifically, the common bus lines can be positioned above or below existing elements of the display that are already opaque. Thus, adding the common bus lines need not reduce the aperture. The above can be achieved by, for example, placing the common bus lines above or below existing non-transparent lines, such as gate lines or data lines.
US08144294B2 Liquid crystal display having a cutout in a pixel electrode and a cutout in a common electrode
A liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first insulation substrate; a pixel electrode disposed on the first insulation substrate and including a first cutout; a second insulation substrate facing the first insulation substrate; and a common electrode disposed on the second insulation substrate and a second cutout arranged alternately with the first cutout, wherein at least one of the first cutout and the second cutout includes a stem and a plurality of first slits and a plurality of second slits extended from the stem and obliquely inclined with respect to the length direction of the stem, and an inclined direction of the first slits is opposite to an inclined direction of the second slits.
US08144291B2 Display device and production method thereof
A display device includes an active matrix substrate and a color filter substrate facing each other, wherein the active matrix substrate includes a scanning line, a signal line, and a switching element, and has a pixel, the switching element being arranged at an intersection of the scanning line and the signal line, the pixel including two sub-pixels, the two sub-pixels being arranged with the scanning line or the signal line therebetween, the color filter substrate includes a bank and a plurality of colored layers surrounded by the bank, the bank being arranged in regions overlapping with the signal line, and the switching element, and the plurality of colored layers include the first colored layer and the second colored layer, the first colored layer overlapping with one sub-pixel positioned at an end and a region outside a sub-pixel-arranged region, and the second colored layer overlapping with two sub-pixels.
US08144290B2 Viewing angle controllable liquid crystal display
One embodiment of the invention includes an LCD which comprises a back light module, a first polarizer, a second polarizer, an LCD panel, a first viewing angle controller and a third polarizer. The first polarizer and the second polarizer are disposed on the back light module and respectively have a first transparent axis and a second transparent axis which are perpendicular to each other. The LCD panel is disposed between the first polarizer and the second polarizer. The first viewing angle controller is disposed between the LCD panel and the second polarizer and has a first horizontal alignment liquid crystal layer. The third polarizer is disposed between the LCD panel and the first viewing angle controller and has a third transparent axis parallel to the second transparent axis.
US08144288B2 Display unit and television receiver
A display unit (1) includes a lighting apparatus (3) having a light source (5) consisting of a fluorescent tube extending in one direction and a back chassis (4) for covering a rear side of the light source (5) and for holding both ends of the light source (5), and a display panel (2) positioned in opposition to the lighting apparatus (3), which illuminates the display panel (2). On the lighting apparatus (3), provided is an isolation chamber (20) which is arranged at the rear side behind the back chassis (4) in opposition to the end of the light source (5) and has an opening (20b) at its rear side. As a benefit of attachment of the isolation chamber (20), when vibration of the back chassis (4) which is caused by on/off switching of the light source (5) is transmitted into the isolation chamber (20), vibration is partly reflected and vibration components with each phase inverted to each other are combined to be released from the opening. As a result, any abnormal noise caused by vibration of the back chassis (4) can be reduced. The display unit (1) is available for a television receiver with a built-in liquid crystal display panel.
US08144282B2 Liquid crystal display device having first and second pixel electrodes overlapping a common electrode and connected to first and second switching elements respectively
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device which includes a pixel electrode and a counter electrode in a pixel formed on a surface of a substrate which faces liquid crystal, the counter electrode is formed below an insulation film, and the pixel electrode is formed above the insulation film, wherein the counter electrode is formed over a whole area of a center except for a slight periphery of at least the pixel, the pixel electrode is constituted of separate pixel electrodes to which a video signal which is supplied to the pixel is inputted through the separate switching elements at the same timing, and the separate pixel electrodes are respectively formed of a plurality of electrodes and the respective electrodes are alternately arranged.
US08144276B2 Liquid crystal optical device configured to reduce polarization dependent loss and polarization mode dispersion
An LC-based optical device compensates for differences in optical path lengths of polarization components of input beam. As a result, PDL and PMD of the optical device are reduced. The compensation mechanism may be a glass plate that is disposed in an optical path of a polarization component so that the optical path length of that polarization component can be made substantially equal to the optical path length of the other polarization component that traverses through a half-wave plate. Another compensation mechanism is a birefringent displacer that has two sections sandwiching a half-wave plate, wherein the two sections are of different widths and the planar front surface of the birefringent displacer can be positioned to be non-orthogonal with respect to the incident input light beam.
US08144272B2 Display device
A display device includes: a display panel having a display region for displaying an image; a functional panel positioned so as to face the display panel; and an interposed member provided outside the display region so as to be interposed between the display panel and the functional panel, wherein an optical sheet having predetermined optical characteristics is provided on at least one surface between the display panel and the functional panel so as to overlap the display region, and the interposed member is provided along a sidewall of the optical sheet.
US08144271B2 Multi-touch sensing through frustrated total internal reflection
High-resolution, scalable multi-touch sensing display systems and processes based on frustrated total internal reflection employ an optical waveguide that receives light, such as infrared light, that undergoes total internal reflection and an imaging sensor that detects light that escapes the optical waveguide caused by frustration of the total internal reflection due to contact by a user. The optical waveguide when fitted with a compliant surface overlay provides superior sensing performance, as well as other benefits and features. The systems and processes described provide true multi-touch (multi-input) and high-spatial and temporal resolution capability due to the continuous imaging of the frustrated total internal reflection that escapes the entire optical waveguide. Among other features and benefits, the systems and processes are scalable to large installations.
US08144267B2 Display apparatus
A display apparatus is provided. The display apparatus does not require a cover structure for enclosing a front peripheral portion of a front panel so that the screen of the display apparatus can be seemed to be large, and the display apparatus can have a neat appearance.
US08144264B2 Image processor, image display device, image processing method, image display method, and program
An image processor that corrects image signals corresponding to sub-pixels which form one pixel includes: a shift amount storage section that stores shift amounts of display positions of display sub-pixels corresponding to the sub-pixels which form a display pixel with respect to a predetermined reference position within a display image; and an image signal correcting section that corrects image signals corresponding to sub-pixels, which form each pixel of an input image, on the basis of the shift amounts stored in the shift amount storage section. The image signal correcting section corrects image signals in which dummy image signals corresponding to dummy sub-pixels, which are provided outside sub-pixels in an endmost portion of the input image, are added to input image signals of the sub-pixels.
US08144260B2 System and apparatus for receiving digital television signals
Apparatus and methods to receive and display digital television signals are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus to receive digital television signals comprises an antenna assembly coupled to the signal processing circuitry and comprising a first antenna positioned to maximize reception in a first direction and a second antenna positioned to maximize reception in a second direction, different from the first direction, and a processor coupled to the antenna assembly and comprising a selection logic module to select an antenna to receive a digital television signal for a specific channel, and a tuning logic module to configure the antenna assembly to receive a signal via a selected antenna.
US08144258B2 DTV receiving system and method of processing DTV signal
A digital television (DTV) receiving system includes a tuner, a demodulator, a known data detector, an equalizer, a transmission detector, and a block decoder. The tuner receives a DTV signal having a data frame in which main and mobile service data are multiplexed. The demodulator demodulates the DTV signal, and the known data detector detects known data included in the mobile service data. The equalizer equalizes the demodulated DTV signal using the detected known data, and the transmission parameter detector detects an error correction mode from the equalized DTV signal. Finally, the block decoder decodes the equalized DTV signal for error correction using the detected error correction mode.
US08144256B2 Video signal transmission unit
A repeater unit includes an input circuit having an input terminal that can be connected to output of an upstream repeater unit through a signal cable for inputting a video signal from the input terminal; an output circuit having an output terminal that can be connected to input of a downstream repeater unit through a signal cable for outputting a video signal to the output terminal; and a selection circuit that can be connected to a video signal output device for outputting a video signal and outputs the video signal input from the video signal output device to the output circuit. The input circuit and the output circuit have termination resistors matched with each other. When the repeater units are daisy-chained, termination matching is conducted.
US08144255B2 Still subtitle detection apparatus and image processing method therefor
According to one embodiment, to detect a still subtitle part included as a part of an image in a video signal, the still subtitle detection apparatus detects in pixel units a subtitle part from a video frame formed of pixels. The apparatus includes a subtitle part determination module and a still subtitle detection module. The subtitle part determination module determines, as the subtitle part, a pixel or pixel group on the high-luminance region side (white peak) that neighbors the detection position of an image edge where a luminance level changes or on the low-luminance region side (black bottom) that neighbors the detection position of the image edge where the luminance level changes. When it is detected that the subtitle part remains unchanged by comparing two continuous video frames along the time axis, the still subtitle detection module detects the subtitle part as a still subtitle.
US08144251B2 Overlaid images on TV
An ambient, beautiful, entertaining visual experience that can be displayed on a TV requiring little or no user interaction beyond initiation. Multiple image layers that may be still or moving video, photos, etc, or a combination thereof can be overlaid on each other.
US08144250B2 Microcontroller-based multi-format video AGC/sync loop regulator
A microcontroller-based video AGC/sync regulator in which the parameters of various synchronizing signals of several different video formats are incorporated into a user program to generate signals to be processed by other sub circuits that correct and reinforce the AGC levels and sync signals of an incoming video signal is disclosed. The microcontroller-based video AGC/sync regulator is synchronized by the selection and isolation of a reference point of particular qualities that distinguishes itself from any other portion of the video signal. The reference points may be singular or plural in nature and are extracted from the video signal by means of a hybrid and specialized circuit or circuits, an auxiliary microcontroller and/or the system microcontroller. The microcontroller-based AGC/sync regulator is readily adapted for use as a decoder/encoder by altering the user program.
US08144249B2 Multi-slicing horizontal synchronization signal generating apparatus and method
A multi-slicing horizontal synchronization signal generating apparatus and method is provided. The apparatus includes a slicer, a numerically controlled oscillator (NCO), a first phase detector, a second phase detector and a calibration circuit. The slicer performs edge detection on a video signal having a first horizontal synchronization, and generates a first detection signal and a second detection signal according to a first voltage level and a second voltage level, respectively. The NCO generates a second horizontal synchronization signal. The first phase detector detects a first phase difference between the first detection signal and the second horizontal synchronization signal, and the second detector detects the second phase difference between the second detection signal and a reference time point. The calibration circuit generates a calibration signal according to the first phase difference and the second phase difference. The NCO adaptively adjusts the phase of the second horizontal synchronization signal according to the calibration signal.
US08144248B2 Scan conversion apparatus
In a scan conversion apparatus, a first interpolation pixel generation unit generates an interpolation pixel of a nonexistent line for one of images of two fields based on a motion vector detected between the images of the same parity. A second interpolation pixel generation unit generates an intra-field interpolation pixel of a nonexistent line by using a pixel for the image of the field for which the interpolation pixel has been generated by the first interpolation pixel generation unit, among the images of the two fields. An erroneous-interpolation detection unit detects an erroneous interpolation for the interpolation pixel generated by the first interpolation pixel generation unit by comparing with pixels existing in the upper and lower lines. A signal blending output unit outputs a video signal using interpolation pixels generated by the first and second interpolation pixel generation units based on the detection by the erroneous-interpolation detection unit.
US08144246B2 Video signal processing apparatus, method, and computer program product for converting interlaced video signals into progressive video signals
There is provided a video signal processing apparatus that includes: a video signal input unit that receives an input of interlaced video signals for displaying several screens including at least two screens adjacent to each other in the vertical direction; and a converting unit that converts the input interlaced video signals into progressive video signals, the lowermost line of a valid image region in which an image is displayed through the interlaced video signals being converted with the use of the interlaced video signal corresponding to the uppermost line of the valid image region of a screen located below the subject screen if any, the uppermost line of the valid image region of the subject screen being converted with the use of the interlaced video signal corresponding to the lowermost line of the valid image region of a screen located above the subject screen if any.
US08144245B2 Method of determining a machine operation using virtual imaging
A method of determining a machine for operating at an actual site includes establishing a three-dimensional geographical model representing the actual site, determining at least one operation characteristic relating to the operation of each of a set of machines in relation to the model, and predicting at least one performance characteristic for each machine based on the at least one operation characteristic and at least one respective characteristic of the different machines. The method further includes comparing the predicted performance characteristics for the different machines, and determining a target machine based on the comparison.
US08144243B2 Camera module
The present invention relates to a camera module assembled by using a connector. The present invention provides a camera module including: a main substrate having an image sensor mounted on an upper surface and a connector insertion groove formed at one side of the image sensor; a plurality of connectors mounted in a row in the connector insertion groove; a housing mounted on the main substrate and having a lens barrel vertically movably coupled therein; a flexible printed circuit board mounted to surround an outer peripheral surface of the housing while being electrically connected to a lens transfer device coupled to one side of the housing; and a shield case coupled to the outer peripheral surface of the housing. Since it is possible to minimize a distance between pads which are connectable through the connector, there is an advantage of miniaturizing the camera module as a whole by size reduction of the main substrate.
US08144242B2 Image sensor holder
An image sensor holder includes a frame, first and second slidable holders, first and second driving devices, first and second driving arms, and at least two elastic members. The first slidable holder is slidably mounted on the frame. The second slidable holder is slidably mounted on the first slidable holder. The first and second driving devices are separately mounted on the frame. The first driving arm is mounted on the frame and contacts to the first slidable holder and the first driving device by opposite ends thereof. The second driving arm is slidably mounted on the frame extending from the second slidable holder, and contacts the second driving device by an end thereof. The two elastic members are separately positioned between the first holder and the frame and between the first holder and the second holder.
US08144241B2 Imaging apparatus, image processing apparatus, and exposure control method
An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to capture an image of an object to obtain an image signal, a detection unit configured to set a detection area in a captured image based on the image signal obtained by the imaging unit and calculate a detection value from an image signal in the detection area, an exposure adjustment unit configured to perform exposure adjustment, a control unit configured to control the exposure adjustment unit so that the detection value becomes equal to a predetermined value, and a presentation-image detecting unit configured to detect a presentation image presented by an image presentation device from the captured image on the basis of a difference in luminance in the captured image. When the presentation-image detecting unit detects the presentation image, the detection unit sets the detection area in a location different from a location of the detected presentation image.
US08144240B2 Digital photographing apparatuses, methods of controlling the same, and recording medium storing computer readable instructions for executing the methods
A digital photographing apparatus capable of automatically determining whether a macro mode is an appropriate mode, a methods of controlling the same, and a computer readable recording medium storing instructions for executing the method(s) is disclosed A lens position determining unit is disclosed that determines whether an auto-focusing lens position is within the lens position range corresponding to a macro mode, according to the position relationship between a lens position point corresponding to a maximum value of the plurality of auto-focus values obtained by an auto-focus value obtaining unit and other lens position points corresponding to other auto-focus lens values.
US08144236B2 Photography device and photography method
A photography device that includes an imaging component, a focusing component, a magnification alteration component, a display component, an acquisition component and a control component is provided. The focusing component focuses a subject image on an imaging surface of the imaging component. The magnification alteration component alters a magnification of the subject image focused by the focusing component. The acquisition component acquires a focusing evaluation value representing a degree of focusing of the subject image by the focusing component. The control component performs focusing control by controlling the focusing component such that the focusing evaluation value acquired by the acquisition component is at a maximum, and controls the magnification alteration component so as to lower a display magnification of the subject image by the display component if the focusing evaluation value is at or below a pre-specified threshold value.
US08144231B2 Method and device for displaying images simulated based on different shooting conditions
During framing, an image sensor captures an image of a subject and produces an image signal. The image signal is chronologically retrieved and sent to plural signal processing sections. The signal processing sections concurrently produce frames simulated based on different shooting conditions or different shooting modes. Images of frames are displayed on a screen of a display side by side. When a shutter button is pressed after selecting a desired image, an image is captured for recording under the shooting condition or the shooting mode corresponding to the selected image.
US08144224B2 Binning circuit and method for an image sensor
A binning circuit and method for an image sensor is disclosed. A column amplifier (CA) is first reset, and thus generates a CA reset signal. A capacitor and a switch network are coupled between an output of the image sensor and an input of the column amplifier. A correlated double sampling (CDS) circuit controllably receives the output of the column amplifier. The switch network is controlled in a way such that an image signal of a first group of the image sensor is transmitted and stored in the CDS circuit, and an image signal of a second group is then added to the stored image signal of the first group.
US08144223B2 Imaging device
The present invention relates to improved imaging devices having high dynamic range and to monitoring and automatic control systems incorporating the improved imaging devices.
US08144222B2 Image processing device, image processing method, and imaging device
A pixel-interpolation processing unit generates a sensitivity level value of an insufficient color component according to interpolation processing of image signals. A sensitivity level value of an insufficient color component in a pixel of attention is calculated, according to an arithmetic operation corresponding to an acquired color component of the pixel of attention, by assuming a geometric figure including sensitivity level values of acquired color components as vertexes. As the geometric figure, the same figure is used irrespectively of which color component the acquired color component is.
US08144219B2 Pixel processing method and image processing system thereof
A pixel processing method includes: determining a first difference magnitude according to a difference between a predetermined color component value of a target pixel and a predetermined color component of a surrounding pixel positioned on a first direction, determining a second difference magnitude according to a difference between the predetermined color component value of the target pixel and a predetermined color component of a surrounding pixel positioned on a second direction, generating a first determining value according to the predetermined color component values of a plurality of pixels positioned on the first direction and the first difference magnitude, generating a second determining value according to the predetermined color component values of a plurality of pixels positioned on the second direction and the second difference magnitude, and selecting a plurality of specific pixels to compute for a target color component value according to the first and second determining values.
US08144218B2 Image signal processing apparatus, image signal processing program, and image signal processing method
An image signal processing apparatus including a first corrected tone processing section for performing such a corrected tone process which extends a tone width of a high luminance region or a low luminance region in an image signal, a tone processing section for performing a space-variant tone process for all luminance regions in the image signal, and a second corrected tone processing section for performing a corrected tone process depending on a displaying apparatus.
US08144216B2 Imaging apparatus and imaging method
An imaging apparatus includes: an image sensor; a pixel output judging processor which judges that at least one of a pixel output of a pixel of a specific color and a pixel output of a pixel of a color other than the specific color in the vicinity of the pixel of the specific color reaches a predetermined judging level; a pixel output compensation processor which compensates the pixel output of the pixel of the specific color; and a bit compression convertor which performs a bit compression such that pixel output data which is once converted from a first bit number to a second bit number is converted into the first bit number, wherein the bit compression convertor performs the bit compression on the pixel output data per segment based on a bit compression characteristic respectively set in accordance with the calculated pixel output distribution per segment.
US08144213B2 Imaging device, integrated circuit, and imaging method for encoding image frames based on detected flicker of a light source
A frame brightness detecting unit 15 detects a frame brightness value of each of a plurality of image frames. A flicker spectrum detecting unit 16 detects, from the frame brightness values of 512 frames, spectrum values at frequencies, such as 100 Hz, 200 Hz, and 300 Hz. A brightness estimating unit 17 estimates a brightens value of a light source from the spectrum values. An encoding unit 18 uses a reciprocal of the estimated brightens value to determine a reference frame. The encoding unit 18 also uses the reciprocal in an evaluation function for motion vector estimation. The image frame is encoded using the motion vector.
US08144212B2 White balance adjustment apparatus and white balance coefficient calculation method
A white balance adjustment apparatus which is input image data acquired by an imager element to adjust a balance among color signals of the image data of a present frame includes an evaluation acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of groups of color signal data at each pixel position, as evaluation values, from the image data of the present frame and image data of at least one previous frame which is acquired before the present frame. The evaluation value acquisition unit includes an overlap area detection unit configured to detect image areas overlapping with each other between the image data of the at least one previous frame and the image data of the present frame. The evaluation values to be acquired from the image data of the at least one previous frame are selectively acquired in response to a detection result from the overlap area detection unit.
US08144210B2 White balance adjustment device and white balance adjustment method
To determine white balance convergence in a reliable manner, a white balance adjustment device for adjusting white balance of an input image supplied sequentially in time is provided. The white balance adjustment device comprises first and second integrating units. Each of the integrating units corrects a color component of a preceding input image based on mutually different correction parameter values. The integrating units respectively compute first and second integration values by integrating corrected color components. The first and second values to be used to correct the color component of a subsequent input image are determined by a correction parameter determining unit. The correction parameter determining unit changes the first and second values according to magnitude relationship between the first and second integration values and a benchmark value of the integration value. An image which has undergone the white balance adjustment is generated by correcting the color component of the image with a third value established between the first and second values.
US08144200B2 Testing apparatus of liquid crystal display module
Disclosed is a technique for testing liquid crystal display modules which are driven in various image formats or drive frequencies by using one scanning converter, a testing apparatus of a liquid crystal display module, including: a scan box controller configured to provide a menu setting screen for setting a resolution and a drive frequency of a liquid crystal display module; a scanning converter configured to adjust and output a resolution and a drive frequency of an input image signal supplied to the liquid crystal display module according to a setting set by a user on the menu setting screen; and the liquid crystal display module configured to display an image signal of a resolution supplied from the scanning converter.
US08144195B2 Vehicle zone monitoring apparatus
A vehicle zone monitoring apparatus that detects physical bodies present in the vicinity of the vehicle from infrared images photographed by infrared cameras provided on the vehicle includes an object extracting device that extracts object images that emit infrared radiation from the infrared image and an artificial structure identifying device that identifies whether or not an object is an artificial structure by comparing an image of a search zone in proximity to the object extracted by the object extraction device, to a reference image of a pre-registered artificial structure which serves as an element that defines an artificial structure, and that identifies the object as an artificial structure if: within the search zone in proximity to the object, a section having a high correlation with the reference image exists; and a distance between the vehicle and the object is equal to a distance between the vehicle and the section having the high correlation with said reference image.
US08144188B2 Projector arrangement
A projector arrangement includes a first image generation and projection unit and a second image generation and projection unit. A first or two-dimensional projection/display mode and a second stereoscopic or projection/display mode can be realized by the cooperating first and second image generation and projection units. The second image generation and projection unit is configured to receive waste light from the first image generation and projection unit and to base the generation of its respective second image on the waste light.
US08144186B2 Appearance matching for videoconferencing
Methods and systems for presenting video images generated by multiple endpoints in a videoconference such that the displayed images have consistent appearance, for example consistent brightness levels are disclosed. Sampling methods and algorithms are used to calculate an appropriate amount of correction for each video image and the images are adjusted accordingly. Brightness correction may implement one or more brightness sampling and analyzing logical modules (BSAM) and one or more transforming logical module (TLM). The brightness matching methods may be implemented in centralized architecture, for example, as part of a multipoint control unit (MCU). Alternatively, the methods may be implemented using a distributed architecture.
US08144184B2 Detection and viewing system
An audio-video communication system comprises a wireless exterior module located proximate an entrance, a computerized controller running a software application, and a remote peripheral device. The wireless exterior module includes a proximity sensor for detecting a person at the entrance, a video camera for recording an image of the person at the entrance, a microphone for recording the person at the entrance, a speaker for playing audio to the person at the entrance, a transmitter for communicating sounds and images of the person at the entrance, and a receiver for receiving communications at the wireless exterior module. The computerized controller is disposed in wireless electronic communication with the wireless exterior module via the transmitter and the receiver of the wireless exterior module. The remote peripheral device is configured to electronically communicate with the computerized controller for viewing an image from the video camera communicated from the wireless exterior module.
US08144183B2 Two-way audio-video communication method for receiving person at entrance
A method for two-way audio-video communications between a first person at an entrance and a second person comprises the steps of detecting, with a proximity sensor located proximate an entrance, the presence of a first person at the entrance and providing real time audio-video communications between the first person at the entrance and a second person using a wireless handheld device. The method includes transmitting video of the first person to the wireless handheld device of the second person, transmitting audio of the first person to the wireless handheld device of the second person, and transmitting audio of the second person to the first person at the entrance.
US08144182B2 Real time video communications system
Novel tools and techniques for providing video calling solutions. In some such solutions, a video calling device resides functionally inline between a set-top box and a television set. Such solutions can provide, in some cases, high performance video calling, high video quality, simplified installation, configuration and/or use, and/or the ability to enjoy video calling in an inclusive, comfortable environment, such as a family room, den, or media room.
US08144181B2 Ad hoc telepresence manager
In one embodiment, a method for managing ad hoc telepresence sessions is described. The method includes sensing a presence of a user in an ad hoc telepresence zone. The method also includes managing a list of contacts associated with the user. The method also includes determining an availability of a remote user at a remote telepresence zone. The remote user is selected from the list of contacts associated with the user. The method also includes displaying a list of available remote users. The method also includes initiating a telepresence session between the user and the remote user according to an input from the user to select the remote user from the list of available users.
US08144180B2 Optical scanning apparatus and image forming apparatus including the same
An optical scanning apparatus includes a light source configured to emit a light beam, a rotational polygonal mirror configured to deflect and scan the light beam emitted from the light source, a drive unit configured to drive the rotational polygonal mirror to rotate, an optical member configured to guide the light beam with the scanning rotational polygonal mirror to a member to be scanned, a storage member configured to accommodate the rotational polygonal mirror and the optical member therewithin, and a wall configured to partition a space inside the storage member into a first space in which the rotational polygonal mirror is installed and a second space in which the optical member is installed, wherein the wall has an opening through which air can pass, and the opening is configured to pass the light beam reflected by the scanning rotational polygonal mirror, and the wall has a vent which is different from the opening and configured to send at least a part of the air that has passed through the opening, to the first space while the rotational polygonal mirror is rotating, and a width of the vent in a scanning direction of the light beam is smaller than a width of the opening.
US08144179B2 Image forming apparatus and control method thereof
An image forming apparatus that includes: a laser beam source; plural photoconductive members corresponding to plural colors; a modulation drive unit for performing pulse width modulation for each of colors by an image clock having a cycle of a pixel length,; a single piece of polygon mirror whose reflection surfaces are disposed in a rotation direction thereof with a plurality of different inclination angles with colors; a beam detector that is disposed adjacent to the photoconductive member; and an image clock/data switching unit configured to generate the image clock of a frequency varying with the colors for making the same a color-based image magnification, and switch the image clocks generated for each of the colors in synchronization with a detection signal coming from the beam detector.
US08144176B2 Exposure apparatus, method for correcting emission quantity of exposure apparatus, and image forming apparatus
An exposure apparatus has a plurality of light emitting elements and a light quantity measuring circuit, sets a reference light quantity based on a plurality of emission quantities when the plurality of light emitting elements emit light in accordance with a specific gradation signal for a predetermined emission time, generates a plurality of corrected gradation signals by correcting the gradation signal based on the differences between the reference light quantity and the plurality of emission quantities so that the plurality of emission quantities of the plurality of light emitting elements become close to the reference light quantity, and corrects the emission time of the plurality of light emitting elements so that the plurality of emission quantities of the plurality of light emitting elements become close to the target reference light quantity set in accordance with image data.
US08144175B2 Heating resistor element, manufacturing method for the same, thermal head, and printer
Provided is a heating resistor element (1), including: an insulating substrate (9); a heat accumulating layer (10) bonded to a surface of the insulating substrate (9); and a heating resistor (11) provided on the heat accumulating layer (10), in which: on at least one of bonded surfaces (9a) between the insulating substrate (9) and the heat accumulating layer (10), at least one of the insulating substrate (9) and the heat accumulating layer (10) is provided with a concave portion (16) in a region opposed to the heating resistor (11) to form a hollow portion (17); and the hollow portion (17) includes an inner surface on a side of the insulating substrate (9), the inner surface being processed to have surface roughness (Ra) of 0.2 μm or more. Accordingly, heat accumulation in a gas of the hollow portion (17) can be suppressed to improve printing quality.
US08144173B2 Image processing apparatus and image display apparatus
According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes following units. The image display unit includes a light source unit provided with light sources, each source being controlled respectively, and a liquid crystal panel displaying on a display area. The luminance calculation unit calculates a light source luminance of the light source based on a signal level of a divided area into which the display area virtually divided. The luminance distribution calculation unit calculates an entire luminance distribution of the light source unit. The transform unit transforms a signal level of the input image into a transformed image based on the entire luminance distribution. The luminance correction unit calculates a correction coefficient based on an average value or a sum of the light source luminance, and collects each of the light source luminance by the correction coefficient. The controller unit controls the liquid crystal panel and the light source unit.
US08144172B2 Color temperature correction device and display device
A color temperature correction device corrects, in a display device that represents brightness of RGB of a video signal by a plurality of levels of gray scales, a color temperature of the video signal. The color temperature correction device includes: a recording means of storing a gray scale value conversion table for an input gray scale value of a video signal to set gray scale values for respective RGB, so that a consistent color temperature is maintained; and a gray scale value converting unit that converts the input gray scale value to set gray scale values, based on the gray scale value conversion table.
US08144170B2 Apparatus for scaling image and line buffer thereof
An apparatus for outputting an image by scaling an original image to a different size is disclosed. The apparatus includes an interpolator and at least one line buffer. The interpolator generates lines of the output image, at least one of which is derived by interpolation of lines of the original image, and the line buffer temporally stores pixels on a same one of the lines of the original image for the interpolation, in which the line buffer has single-port memories and each of the single-port memories is accessed for reading and writing values of the pixels which are non-adjacent to one another. A line buffer is also disclosed herein.
US08144158B2 Display system having floating point rasterization and floating point framebuffering
A floating point rasterization and frame buffer in a computer system graphics program. The rasterization, fog, lighting, texturing, blending, and antialiasing processes operate on floating point values. In one embodiment, a 16-bit floating point format consisting of one sign bit, ten mantissa bits, and five exponent bits (s10e5), is used to optimize the range and precision afforded by the 16 available bits of information. In other embodiments, the floating point format can be defined in the manner preferred in order to achieve a desired range and precision of the data stored in the frame buffer. The final floating point values corresponding to pixel attributes are stored in a frame buffer and eventually read and drawn for display. The graphics program can operate directly on the data in the frame buffer without losing any of the desired range and precision of the data.
US08144155B2 Example-based motion detail enrichment in real-time
An approach to enrich skeleton-driven animations with physically-based secondary deformation in real time is described. To achieve this goal, the technique described employs a surface-based deformable model that can interactively emulate the dynamics of both low- and high-frequency volumetric effects. Given a surface mesh and a few sample sequences of its physical behavior, a set of motion parameters of the material are learned during an off-line preprocessing step. The deformable model is then applicable to any given skeleton-driven animation of the surface mesh. Additionally, the described dynamic skinning technique can be entirely implemented on GPUs and executed with great efficiency. Thus, with minimal changes to the conventional graphics pipeline, the technique can drastically enhance the visual experience of skeleton-driven animations by adding secondary deformation in real time.
US08144153B1 Model production for animation libraries
A computer-implemented method includes selecting a subset of images from a set of captured images. A surface feature of one object is represented in the content of each selected subset image. The method also includes decomposing the surface feature content of each selected image to produce a model of representations of the object.
US08144150B2 Scripted graphics in a process environment
Graphic elements and graphic displays are provided for use in a process environment to display information to one or more users about the process environment, such as the current state of devices within a process plant. The graphic elements and displays include one or more objects, each of which includes a visualization, which depicts an entity within the process environment, a property associated with the depicted process entity and a routine that operates in conjunction with the visualization and the property to cause a change in the-visualization based on a change in the property, or to cause a change in the process environment based on user input through the visualization. In this manner, the graphic objects can be used to create displays that graphically illustrate, through animations and other visual operations, the changing state of the process or detected events within the process. These same graphic elements may be used to enable users to interact with a visualization on a user interface screen, such as through a mouse or a keyboard device, to cause a change in the object property, which may then provide an input to a device within the process plant.
US08144147B2 Hierarchical bounding of displaced parametric surfaces
Hierarchical bounding of displaced parametric surfaces may be a very common use case for tessellation in interactive and real-time rendering. An efficient normal bounding technique may be used, together with min-max mipmap hierarchies and oriented bounding boxes. This provides substantially faster convergence for the bounding volumes of the displaced surface, without tessellating and displacing the surface in some embodiments. This bounding technique can be used for different types of culling, ray tracing, and to sort higher order primitives in tiling architectures.
US08144146B2 Display device and electronic device
The display device of the invention includes a light emitting element, a monitoring light emitting element, a constant current source which supplies a constant current to the monitoring light emitting element, a time-based measurement circuit which measures time to supply a power source to the light emitting element, a memory circuit which stores V-I characteristics with time of the light emitting element, a correction data forming circuit which forms correction data based on an output of the monitoring light emitting element, an output of the time-based measurement circuit, and the characteristics with time, and a power source circuit which corrects a power source potential based on the correction data and supplies the corrected power source potential to the light emitting element.
US08144142B2 Drive circuit and display device
A first impedance control circuit includes a plurality of capacitors connected in parallel with a first transistor, and a second impedance control circuit includes a plurality of capacitors connected in parallel with a second transistor. Capacitors in the first impedance control circuit respectively have different capacitance values, and capacitors in the second impedance control circuit respectively have different capacitance values. The respective self-resonance frequencies of the capacitors in the first impedance control circuit differ, and the respective self-resonance frequencies of the capacitors in the second impedance control circuit differ. Switching noises each having a plurality of frequencies generated from first and second transistors are respectively absorbed in a power supply terminal and a ground terminal through the first and second impedance control circuits.
US08144140B2 Display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
A display apparatus has a driving panel including a circuit part, a coating layer, and a display part, provided sequentially over a driving substrate. The driving panel includes: an adhesion region which includes the circuit part, the coating layer and the display part and to which a seal panel is adhered through an adhesive layer therebetween; and a terminal region protruding from the seal panel and the adhesive layer. A plurality of metallic wires electrically connected to the circuit part in the adhesion region are extended into the terminal region, and the coating layer is provided in the adhesion region with at least one separated region between the plurality of metallic wires. The separated region of the coating layer is so formed that an end edge thereof lies beyond the adhesion region to reach the terminal region but not to reach an end edge of the terminal region.
US08144139B2 Display panel module
In a display panel module, a first group and a second group of data driver chips are separately cascaded on a first side of a display panel. A scan driver chip is disposed on a second side of the display panel. A first flexible printed circuit (FPC) is connected between a printed circuit board (PCB) and the display panel for transmitting signals to the first group of data driver chips, the second group of data driver chips and the scan driver chip, respectively.
US08144137B2 Display panel driver for reducing heat generation therein
A display panel drive circuit is provided with a first display output terminal to be connected with a data line of a display panel, first and second output stages, and a control circuit. The first output stage is directly connected with the first display output terminal and configured to output a data signal with the positive polarity with respect to a standard voltage level. The second output stage is also directly connected with the first display output terminal and configured to output a data signal with the negative polarity with respect to the standard voltage level. The control circuit controls the first and second output stages so that one of the first and second output stages is selectively activated while the other of the first and second output stages is deactivated.
US08144132B2 Multipoint sensing method for capacitive touch panel
A multi-point sensing method used in a capacitive touch panel is disclosed to detect the voltage variation of every electrode patterned on two parallel electrode layers by means of a capacitive sensing circuit, and measure the vertical capacitance at the intersection crossed by the electrodes of the two electrode layers where the voltage variation is detected, and then compare the vertical capacitance thus measured with the initial vertical capacitance at the same intersection before touch, as a result, the intersection corresponding to the measured vertical capacitance can be determined as the touch point when the comparison result shows different.
US08144129B2 Flexible touch sensing circuits
One or more multi-touch skins can placed along three dimensions of an object. The one or more multi-touch skins enable multi-touch inputs during the operation of the object. The multi-touch inputs can be tracked to monitor the operation of the object and provide feedback to the operator of the object. The one or more multi-touch skins can further enable gestures for configuring and operating the object. The one or more multi-touch skins can also be used to implement any number of GUI interface objects and actions. A multi-touch skin that measures the force of a touch in one or more directions is also provided.
US08144128B2 Touch panel and coordinates detecting method using touch panel
A touch panel includes a lower conductive film, four electrodes disposed in edge portions of four sides of the lower conductive film, and an upper conductive film disposed over the lower conductive film so that the upper and lower conductive films are opposed to each other, to detect an electric potential in the lower conductive film when the upper conductive film is in contact with the lower conductive film. The upper conductive film includes split portions containing no transparent conductive material and split conductive portions divided by the split portions. The touch panel is arranged to detect an electric potential of each of contact points in the split conductive portions when the upper and lower conductive films are brought in contact with each other at the contact points, and detect respective coordinates of the contact points based on the electrical potentials.
US08144127B2 Input/output integrated display apparatus
An input/output integrated display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a capture device for capturing an image of a user, an information register device for relating users' image information to pen settings information for each scheduled user and registers it, a user identification device for comparing image information of a user captured by the capture device with the users' image information and identifying a user in real time, and a display device for displaying text and lines entered by the user in a display format based on the pen settings information of the user identified by the user identification device on a display screen in real time. With this configuration, a user can be automatically identified, and text and lines are displayed based on the pen settings information of the user.
US08144125B2 Apparatus and method for reducing average scan rate to detect a conductive object on a sensing device
An apparatus and method to reduce an average scan rate to detect a conductive object on a sensing device. The method may include detecting a presence of a conductive object in a first area of a sensing device using a first scan of the sensing device, and detecting the presence of the conductive object to determine a position of the conductive object within the first area using a second scan of the first area of the sensing device. The apparatus may include a plurality of sensor elements coupled to a switch circuit. The switch circuit may include two settings for first and second scans.
US08144118B2 Motion-based tracking
In one implementation, a first captured image is accessed. The first captured image includes (1) a first display produced at a first point in time, and (2) a user interacting with the first display and not part of the first display. A second captured image is accessed. The second captured image includes (1) a second display produced at a second point in time, and (2) the user interacting with the second display and not part of the second display. The first captured image and the second captured image are compared. The motion of the user is determined based on a result of the comparing of the first captured image and the second captured image. The determined motion of the user is related to a portion of one or more of the first and second captured images.
US08144117B2 Image display device and control method thereof
When not receiving the next display-switch starting signal even after a specified time elapses from the application of a previous display driving voltage, a driving unit applies another preparatory driving voltage for generating a preparatory electric field capable of improving the response of colored particles to a driving electric field to an extent so as not to change the arrangement of the colored particles between pixel electrodes and a transparent electrode for a preparatory driving time.
US08144112B2 Backlight modulation circuit having rough and fine illumination signal processing circuit
An exemplary backlight modulation circuit includes a backlight source, a backlight driving circuit, a rough modulation key, a fine modulation key, a scaler, and an illumination modulation signal processing circuit. The backlight driving circuit is configured for driving the backlight source. The rough modulation key and the fine modulation key are configured for generating a rough triggering signal and a fine triggering signal. The scaler is configured for receiving the rough triggering signal and the fine triggering signal, and generating an illumination modulation signal. The illumination modulation signal processing circuit is configured for receiving the illumination modulation signal, and processing the illumination modulation signal to generate one of a rough modulation controlling signal to modulate illumination of the backlight source in a large range and a fine modulation controlling signal to modulate the illumination of the backlight source in a small range.
US08144111B2 Light emitting diode driving circuit having voltage detection
There is provided a driving circuit of a light emitting device. The driving circuit of a light emitting may include: a DC/DC converter converting an input DC voltage into an output DC voltage; a light emitting device block including a plurality of LED groups connected to an output terminal of the DC/DC converter; a current source circuit unit including a plurality of current sources; a voltage detection unit detecting the output DC voltage of the DC/DC converter; a minimum voltage detection unit detecting a minimum voltage among a plurality of voltages between the plurality of LED groups and the plurality of current sources, respectively; and a single comparator including a first non-inverting input terminal receiving the voltage detected by the voltage detection unit, a second non-inverting input terminal receiving the minimum voltage detected by the minimum voltage detection unit, and an inverting input terminal receiving a predetermined reference voltage.
US08144110B2 Liquid crystal display and backlight system with detection circuit for detecting connection state of power input
An exemplary backlight system includes a power input circuit (21), a detection circuit (27), a control circuit (28), a light emitting diode driving circuit (25), and a light emitting diode array (26). The detection circuit is configured to detect a connection state of the power input circuit with respect to an external power source, and send a corresponding connection states signal to the control circuit. The control circuit is configured to output a control signal to the light emitting diode driving circuit according to the connection state signal. The light emitting diode driving circuit is configured to drive or shut down the light emitting diode array according to the control signal.
US08144107B2 Method and/or apparatus to improve the visual perception of an image displayed on a screen
The invention relates to a method and/or apparatus to improve the visual perception of an image displayed on a liquid crystal (LCD) panel, said method comprising steps for generating an adjusting signal (PE,i+1) of a rear-lighting lamp of said panel depending on an target power value (PT) and for generating a control signal (CE,i+1) of the image contrast depending on said adjusting signal (PE,i+1) of the rear-lighting lamp so as to increase/decrease the contrast of the displayed image when said adjusting signal (PE,i+1) of the rear-lighting lamp decreases/increases.
US08144103B2 Driving circuit of display device, method of driving display device, and display device for enabling partial screen and widescreen display modes
A driving circuit of a display device is disclosed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention creates a non-display area on a display section of the display device so that a partial-screen display becomes available. The driving circuit includes a shift register and a signal processing circuit that processes a signal tapped off from the shift register. In partial-screen display, the signal processing circuit interrupts a signal tapped off from a predetermined stage of the shift register. This makes it possible to realize a driving circuit of a display device by which a high-quality display is possible with a small circuit area.
US08144101B2 Liquid-crystal matrix display
A liquid crystal matrix display includes a matrix driver delivering at least a first frame section signal and a second frame selection signal and a first write device and a second write device associated with each pixel element of the matrix, wherein one of the write devices is connected to the associated selection line of the pixel element, and the other is connected to another selection line of the matrix. The write devices have crossed sample and transfer commands, the first frame selection signal causing sampling in the first write device, and contacting of information already sampled in the second write device with the pixel element, the second frame selection signal causing sampling in the second write device, and contacting of information already sampled in the first write device with the pixel element.
US08144100B2 Shared buffer display panel drive methods and systems
Methods of driving source lines and/or circuits/systems for driving source lines are provided. Source lines of a display device are driven by comparing first data for driving a first buffer associated with a first source line of the display device and second data for driving a second buffer associated with a second source line of the display device and selectively disabling the second buffer and driving the second source line of the display device with the first buffer based on the comparison of the first and second data.
US08144097B2 Display device, liquid crystal display device, and method for manufacturing display device
A display device displays images with a plurality of signal lines and includes spare lines, each being arranged to be connectable to the signal lines so as to be used for recovery of the signal lines from disconnection. Each of the spare lines has constricted sections for cutting. With this arrangement, it is possible to easily and properly recover the signal lines from disconnection.
US08144096B2 Liquid crystal display device
Provided is a drive circuit low in power consumption and high in display quality for a liquid crystal display device that is used in a small-sized portable device. The liquid crystal display device includes liquid crystal display elements and a liquid crystal driving circuit. The liquid crystal driving circuit is mounted to one of the four sides of a liquid crystal display panel, and is capable of outputting two-system counter electrode voltages. A variable resistor circuit having a resistance value which is variably adjusted by a register is used to correct and output a gray scale voltage according to a position of a relevant scanning signal line. Equalization is also performed by short-circuiting two counter electrode signal lines.
US08144094B2 Liquid crystal display backplane layouts and addressing for non-standard subpixel arrangements
Liquid crystal display backplane layouts and addressing for non-standard subpixel arrangements are disclosed. A liquid crystal display comprises a panel and a plurality of transistors. The panel substantially comprises a subpixel repeating group having an even number of subpixels in a first direction. Each thin film transistor connects one subpixel to a row and a column line at an intersection in one of a group of quadrants. The group comprises a first quadrant, a second quadrant, a third quadrant and a fourth quadrant, wherein the thin film transistors are formed in a backplane structure adjacent to intersections of the row and column lines. The thin film transistors are also substantially formed in more than one quadrant in the backplane structure.
US08144093B2 Display device and liquid crystal display panel
A display device is provided that comprises a liquid crystal display panel for displaying an image by spatial light modulation, and circuitry for switching liquid crystal in the panel between having a first configuration in a first mode to cause an image displayed using the panel to be discernible from a wide range of viewing angles, and having a second configuration in a second mode to cause an image displayed using the panel to be discernible substantially only from within a narrow range of viewing angles. Several types of display panel to achieve such in-panel switching between public and private viewing modes are disclosed.
US08144090B2 Driver circuit, electro-optical device, and electronic instrument
A driver circuit for driving source lines of an electro-optical device includes first and second source short-circuit circuits that respectively short-circuit first and second source lines and a source short-circuit node, a source charge storage short-circuit circuit that short-circuits a source charge storage node connected with one end of a source capacitor and the source short-circuit node, a voltage setting circuit that supplies a given voltage to the source charge storage node, and a node short-circuit circuit that short-circuits a common electrode voltage output node and the source short-circuit node, a voltage output to a common electrode of the electro-optical device provided opposite to a pixel electrode through an electro-optical element being applied to the common electrode voltage output node.
US08144089B2 Liquid crystal display device and driving method thereof
A liquid crystal display device is divided into a display region and a non-display region. A first thin film transistor is formed in each pixel region of the display region, and a second thin film transistor is formed in the non-display region. The first thin film transistor is a switch for controlling the supply of a data voltage to the pixel region, and the second thin film transistor is a switch for controlling the supply of a common voltage to the pixel region. The first thin film transistor has the same parasitic capacitance as that of the second thin film transistor. Accordingly, the flicker or image-sticking can be prevented. Also, the aperture ratio of each pixel region can be improved.
US08144085B2 Display device, control method and computer program for display device
A display device includes: a light emission amount detecting section which inputs video signals having linear property and detects an amount of light emission from the video signals; a light emitting time calculating section which calculates light emitting time of the light emitting elements based on the amount of light emission detected by the light emission amount detecting section; a light emitting time recording section which records the calculated light emitting time; a luminance acquiring section which, acquires luminance information of the light emitting elements using the light emitting time recorded in the light emitting time recording section; a coefficient calculating section which calculates coefficients by which the video signals are multiplied based on the luminance information acquired by the luminance acquiring section; and a coefficient multiplying section which multiplies the video signals by the coefficients calculated by the coefficient calculating section.
US08144084B2 Electro-luminescent display device
An electro-luminescent display includes a first array of light-emitting elements. Each of these light-emitting elements has an optical element. A second array of light-emitting elements also includes a second optical element different from the first. One or more row lines are electrically connected to either light-emitting elements in the first array of light-emitting elements or light-emitting elements in the second array of light-emitting elements. One or more column lines provide a data signal to the first and second array of light-emitting elements. A driver circuit delivers common information to the light-emitting elements in both the first and second arrays in response to a select signal for activating light-emitting elements in the first or second arrays.
US08144080B2 Face panel for color image display apparatus, panel for color image display apparatus, and color image display apparatus
A face panel for a color image display apparatus includes a transparent substrate, a plurality of phosphor layers disposed on the transparent substrate for emitting different color lights, and a plurality of transmittance adjustment layers interposed between the transparent substrate and the plurality of phosphor layers in correspondence to the plurality of phosphor layers, respectively, for adjusting the transmittances of the lights emitted from the plurality of phosphor layers. The transmittance adjustment layer has a filtering function having an approximately constant transmittance in the visible light wavelength region, and the transmittances of the plurality of transmittance adjustment layers are set to different values to the respective colors of the phosphor layers corresponding thereto.
US08144075B2 Display system for outputting analog and digital signals to a plurality of display apparatuses, system and method
There are provided a display apparatus, a display system and a display method. The display apparatus includes: a first input unit through which a first image signal having a first type is inputted; an image processing unit which processes the first image signal for display; a converting unit which converts the type of the first image signal into a second type different from the first type; and an output unit which outputs the first image signal converted into the second type to a next connected display apparatus.
US08144074B2 Display element, electronic paper including the same, electronic terminal apparatus including the same, display system including the same, and method of processing image in display element
A liquid crystal display element includes a G display unit, serving as a first display unit, R and B display units and, serving as second and third display units, that are laminated on the G display unit and have display regions arranged so as to correspond to a display region of the G display unit, and a display control unit that performs a reset process of changing the display region to the same display state on the G display unit and then starts the reset process of the R and B display units.
US08144072B2 Multi-band antenna for notebook computer
A multi-band antenna includes an insulative carrier board arranged on the top side of the display screen of a notebook computer, a main antenna which has the top metal strip thereof disposed at the top edge of the insulative carrier board and the grounding metal strip thereon arranged on the insulative carrier board, an inverted L antenna arranged on the insulative carrier board, a first capacitor, a second capacitor, an antenna feed-in terminal and/or an inductor set between the inverted L antenna and the main antenna to achieve optimal matching subject to adjustment of the capacitance values of the first and second capacitors and the inductance value and position of the inductor.
US08144070B2 Portable yagi antenna kit for being frequency/wavelength adjustable by virtue of being knockdownable
A portable Yagi antenna kit for being frequency/wavelength adjustable by virtue of being knockdownable, wherein the Yagi antenna is for mounting to a mast. The antenna includes a boom, a reflector element, a driven element, and a director element. The reflector element, the driven element, and the director element each extend outwardly from the boom, respectively. The boom, the reflector element, the driven element, and the director element are each knockdownable so as to be portable and form the kit, and as such, are length adjustable, and as such, are frequency/wavelength adjustable.
US08144068B2 To planar antennas comprising at least one radiating element of the longitudinal radiation slot type
The present invention relates to a planar antenna structure comprising at least one radiating element constituted by a longitudinal radiation slot etched onto a substrate. This structure comprises at least one modification element of the radiation pattern positioned in the radiation zone of the radiating element.
US08144066B2 Wireless communications including an antenna for wireless power transmission and data communication and associated methods
The wireless communication system includes a first device, e.g. a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, having a wireless power transmitter, a first wireless data communications unit, and a first dual polarized loop antenna having isolated signal feedpoints along a first loop electrical conductor. The wireless power transmitter transmits a power signal having a first polarization, and the first wireless data communications unit communicates using a data signal having a second polarization. A second device, e.g. an RFID tag, includes a second dual polarized loop antenna. A second wireless data communications unit communicates with the first wireless data communications unit of the first device using the data signal having the second polarization. A wireless power receiver receives the power signal having the first polarization from the wireless power transmitter of the first device, and provides power for the second device.
US08144062B2 Multi-band antenna
A multi-band antenna includes a grounding portion (300), a number of radiating members and a short-circuit portion (200). The short-circuit portion comprises a first short-circuit piece (210) connecting with the grounding portion and located in a first plane, a third short-circuit piece (230) located in a third plane and connecting with the radiating members, and a second short-circuit piece (220) connecting the first short-circuit piece with the third short-circuit piece and located in a second plane, with the first and third short-circuit pieces disposed on the same side of the second short-circuit piece. The radiating members comprises a first radiating member (110, 140) in the third plane and a second radiating member (120, 140) extending towards the first plane.
US08144054B2 Satellite receiver and method for navigation using merged satellite system signals
Embodiments of a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver and method for navigation are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the GNSS receiver includes signal processing circuitry to systematically identify clear channels from channels with persistent interference by performing two or more signal measurements within each of a plurality of channel bands. The channel bands include at least channel bands of at least two or more different global positioning satellite systems such as GPS satellites, GALILEO system satellites or GLONASS system satellites. In some embodiments, the GNSS receiver provides for self-adapting jamming avoidance in satellite navigation systems.
US08144048B2 Systems and methods for gaussian decomposition of weather radar data for communication
Exemplary methods and systems provide for processing weather data received from a weather radar system. An exemplary embodiment receives radar reflectivity data, decomposes the received radar reflectivity data into multiple adaptive Gaussian component functions, selects at least one parameter from the decomposed Gaussian component functions, generates the compressed weather radar display data based on the at least one selected parameter, and communicates the weather radar display data from the craft.
US08144046B2 Linearity enhancement circuit, ΣΔ A/D converter, and reception apparatus
A linearity enhancement circuit is disclosed which includes: a first shift amount creation block creating a first shift amount in keeping with the immediately preceding output code of an n-bit A/D converter; a first shifter circuit bit-shifting input code data by the first shift amount that has been supplied, the first shifter circuit further outputting the bit-shifted input code data; a register storing the output of the first shifter circuit in order to output the stored data as the input code data to the first shifter circuit thereby forming a loop circuit in conjunction with the first shifter circuit, the register further outputting the stored code data as a second shift amount; and a second shifter circuit bit-shifting the output code of the A/D converter by the second shift amount that has been supplied, the second shifter circuit further outputting the bit-shifted output code to an n-bit D/A converter.
US08144045B2 Timing signal generator circuit for use in signal waveform measurement system for measuring multi-channel on-chip signals flowing on VLSI
A timing signal generator circuit includes a DA converter converting an input digital value into an analog voltage, and a VT converter converting the analog voltage into a corresponding delay time. The DA converter includes a current source circuit, which supplies a current (n×Is) (“n” is a number corresponding to the input digital value) selected from a total supply current (N×Is) as a current Iout to the resistors, and supplies the remaining current (N−n)×Is as a current Idump to the resistors, outputs a voltage across the resistors as an analog voltage Vdac, and outputs a voltage across the resistor as a reset voltage Vreset. The VT converter charges the integration capacitor with a constant current from the constant current source by using the reset voltage as an initial voltage, and outputs a timing signal when the integral voltage exceeds the analog voltage.
US08144037B2 Blocking for combinatorial coding/decoding for electrical computers and digital data processing systems
Embodiments described herein may include example embodiments of a method, article and apparatus for compressing data utilizing combinatorial coding which may be used for communicating between two or more components connected to an interconnection medium (e.g., a bus) within a single computer or digital data processing system, and/or for communication between computing platforms via a network or other interconnection medium.
US08144034B2 Method and apparatus reporting time-synchronized vehicular sensor waveforms from wireless vehicular sensor nodes
This application discloses using multiple wireless vehicular sensor nodes to wirelessly receive multiple, time-synchronized vehicular waveform reports from the nodes to create a time synchronized system report, and preferably a time synchronized vehicular report. Each vehicular waveform report approximates a raw vehicular sensor waveform observed by a magnetic sensor at the node based upon the presence of a vehicle. The vehicular waveform reports, the time-synchronized system report, and the time synchronized vehicular report are products of this wirelessly receiving process. Also disclosed are apparatus supporting the above outlined process. Reception of the vehicular waveform reports may be time interleaved.
US08144033B2 Vehicle periphery monitoring apparatus and image displaying method
A vehicle periphery monitoring apparatus includes an image capturing device, a display device and an image processing device. The image capturing device is configured and arranged to capture a first original image of a region rearward of a vehicle and a second original image of a region laterally rearward of the vehicle. The display device includes a first display area and a second display area disposed on a lateral side of the first display area. The image processing device is configured to display a first displayed image from the first original image in the first display area and to display a second displayed image from the second original image in the second display area to form a combined image on the display device with the second displayed image being horizontally compressed from the second original image to at least a greater degree than the first displayed image.
US08144027B2 Remote meter reader using a network sensor system and protocol
A system and method is provided for automatically reading meters, such as utility meters. A camera unit is attached to or otherwise associated with an existing meter. From time to time, either automatically, or upon wireless command, the camera unit takes an image of the meter's readings, and communicates wirelessly the image or image data, to a local area receiver. The images can be transmitted immediately, or stored for later transmission, depending on the network protocol. The camera unit is battery powered, and operates communication protocols that enable extended operational life. These protocols allow for the camera's radio and processor to be turned on only when necessary, and then for only brief periods of time. At most times, the camera is in a power-conserving sleep mode. Multiple camera units may be arranged to communicate meter image data to the local area receiver, either using asynchronous or synchronous processes. In this way, star, point-to-point, MESH and ring networking topologies are enabled. The meter image data is communicated from the receiver to a central office using a wide area connection, where the image data is used for determining the meter reading. In one example, the image may be included with a utility bill as confirmed evidence of the current meter reading.
US08144020B2 Water alarm devices, systems and related methods
A water alarm device for releaseable attachment to a user in a body of water includes a buoyant alarm unit having a water sensor. The water sensor is configured to sense if a sensing portion of the alarm unit is in contact with water. A timer is in communication with the water sensor and is configured to determine a duration of water contact with the sensing portion of the alarm unit. The alarm unit is configured to travel to a surface of the body of water and activate an alarm when the duration of water contact is greater than a predetermined time.
US08144019B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus is supplied capable of improving distance precision and relative position precision of a RFID tag and RFID unit so as to heighten communication quality of image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus comprises attachable and removable image forming unit which has a RFID tag, and a RFID unit which is located in a LED head installing section and communicates with the RFID tag through radio communication, wherein the RFID tag is located on a side wall of the image forming unit and faces the RFID unit.
US08144012B2 Cable installation support system, terminal block plate and cable installation support method
A cable installation support system capable of saving the labor of, and speeding up, work and check work while eliminating human error has terminals with a fixed pitch, and a terminal block cover having RFIDs with the same pitch as the pitch of the terminals of the terminal block. A terminal is provided with an R FID reader that reads identification information stored in the RFIDs. Also, in the terminal, identification information in RFID tags attached to core wires of a cable and terminals to which the core wires are attached are associated with each other, and predetermined RFIDs attached to the terminal block cover and the respective terminals of the terminal block are associated with each other. When an RFID tag and an RFID in the terminal block cover are read by the RFID reader, the terminal determines whether or not the core wire is connected to a correct terminal.
US08144009B2 Remote monitor system with radio dispatch
The present invention is directed toward systems and methods for providing a remote monitoring system with radio dispatch. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a central monitoring unit for receiving a first event signal from a first remote monitoring device, identifying the first remote monitoring device as the originator of the first event signal, accessing a first prerecorded dispatch message associated with the first event signal, and transmitting the first prerecorded dispatch message. The present invention may also include multiple remote monitoring units for detecting events at a plurality of remote monitoring locations. Upon detection, the remote monitoring units transmit an event signal to the central monitoring unit.
US08144007B2 Relationship prediction system using external databases
A Relationship Prediction System Using External Databases for providing a relationship prediction based on the correlation of personal characteristics and the analysis of genetic characteristics is disclosed. In one embodiment, a first person supplies descriptions of their own personal characteristics, as well as descriptions of the personal characteristics of their ideal match, to a website. The first person also furnishes an odor, tissue or fluid sample to a test facility, where genetic characteristics are analyzed and determined. A relationship match is then generated based on both a combination of both a positive correlation of the personal characteristics of the first person and second person, and a measured dissimilarity between the sequence of genetic characteristics of the first person and second person. In one embodiment, personal characteristics are obtained from one or more external webpages.
US08144001B1 Vibrational awakening apparatus
The vibrational awakening apparatus provides a pad of resilient material for selective placement and securement atop an existing mattress. The pad contains a plurality of equidistantly spaced apart vibrators and sensors dispersed throughout the resilient material. The controller for the pad is in communication with the vibrators and the sensors. The components of controller in communication are the clock with clock controls, the vibrator control, the buzzer control, the off control, the combined vibrator/buzzer control, and the speaker in communication with the buzzer control. A user can choose vibration only or a combination of vibration and buzzer for awakening. The awakening functions do not turn off until the sensors sense an absence of the user atop the pad.
US08144000B2 Collision avoidance
In a method for avoiding a collision on a job site, information is received regarding a plurality of selected entities on the job site. The information is received at a location independent from the entities. The information is evaluated to determine whether a trigger has occurred. The trigger is associated with a potential collision situation involving an entity of the entities. A collision alert message is issued for the entity if the trigger has occurred.
US08143999B2 Data carrier with sensor
In a circuit (3) for a data carrier (1), which data carrier (1) comprise a sensor (2) that is designed for providing a sensor signal (SS) that represents an environment parameter and a communication element (CM) that is designed for the contact-less communication with an interrogator station, first connection elements for connecting the circuit (3) to the communication element (CM) and second connection elements for establishing an electronic connection of the circuit (3) to the sensor (2) are provided, wherein the second connection elements are realized by the first connection elements and wherein the circuit (3) comprises a sensor signal processing stage (11A) designed for receiving said sensor signal (SS) via the first connection element and for processing said received sensor signal (SS).
US08143991B2 Current and temperature overloading protection device
A current and temperature overload protection device has a brace, a thermal sensing contact, a solder layer, two ports and two resilient elements. The thermal sensing contact, the solder layer, the two ports and the two resilient elements are mounted on the brace, where each resilient element is bent to connect between respective ports and the thermal solder layer. The current and temperature overload protection device is mounted on a circuit board connected in a circuit loop of the circuit board, and the thermal sensing contact is connected to a heat-generating device. Therefore, the current and temperature overload protection device provides protection to the circuit loop from thermal and current overload issues.
US08143984B2 Linear solenoid
A linear solenoid has a first magnetic pulling portion for attracting a forward end of a plunger in a forward direction. The linear solenoid further has a second magnetic pulling portion at a rear end of the solenoid. A magnetic path portion is formed at the rear end of the solenoid and composed of a constant overlapping area and a temporal overlapping area. A plunger side-gap portion is formed at a rear end of the plunger so as to face to the overlapping areas in a radial direction. A first radial gap, which is formed between the constant overlapping area and the plunger side-gap portion, is made larger than a second radial gap, which is formed between the temporal overlapping area and the plunger side-gap portion.
US08143983B1 Electronic device with magnetic attachment
A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
US08143982B1 Foldable accessory device
A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
US08143981B2 Input device and electronic apparatus using same
An input device has a housing having an operation hole formed therein, an operation member supported in a slidably moving manner in multi-directions within the operation hole, and at least two magnetic sensors, arranged at a periphery of the operation member, for detecting change in magnetic property by displacement of the operation member. The operation member includes a holder having a circular ring-shaped magnet incorporated in a fit-in hole and a central push button having a disc plate made of magnetic material integrated at a lower surface. The central push button is fitted in the circular ring-shaped magnet to adsorb, in a separable manner, the disc plate to the circular ring-shaped magnet and position-regulate the central push button.
US08143978B2 Electromechanical relay and method of operating same
An electromechanical relay employing a movable first magnet and a nearby switching electromagnet is disclosed. The movable first magnet is permanently magnetized with a magnetic moment and has at least a first end. The switching electromagnet, when energized, produces a switching magnetic field which is primarily perpendicular to the magnetization direction of the first movable magnet and exerts a magnetic torque on the first magnet to force the first magnet to rotate and closes an electrical conduction path at the first end. Changing the direction of the electrical current in the switching electromagnet changes the direction of the switching magnetic field and thus the direction of the magnetic torque on the first magnet, and causes the first magnet to rotate in an opposite direction and opens the electrical conduction path at the first end. Multiple magnetic layers can be arranged to form closed magnetic circuits to facilitate switching and maintaining switched states. Latching and non-latching types of relays can be formed by appropriately adjusting various force magnitudes.
US08143976B2 High impedance electrical connection via
Vias for differential signals are typically of a lower impedance than the signal lines connected to them. The noise and reflected signals resulting in impedance mismatch may require circuits to be operated at a frequency far lower than desired. One or more embodiments of the present invention avoid impedance mismatch in circuits and achieve an advance in the art by providing a via with higher impedance through the addition of split ring resonators (SSRs) to each end of the via.
US08143969B2 Multiple tap attenuator microchip device
A multiple tap attenuator microchip device is disclosed. The device includes a substrate having two or more attenuator taps formed on a surface of the substrate. One or more ground contacts are also formed on the substrate surface and operatively connected to the attenuator taps. The attenuator taps each include a resistive network that is configured to provide a level of attenuation of an rf signal applied to the attenuator tap that is different from the attenuation level provided by the other attenuator tap(s).
US08143968B2 Thin film balun
A thin film balun includes: an unbalanced transmission line which includes two coils; a balanced transmission line which includes two coils and is electromagnetically coupled to the unbalanced transmission line; a first electrode which is connected to the balanced transmission line and constitutes a capacitor; and a second electrode which is connected to a ground terminal and disposed to be opposed to the first electrode and constitutes the capacitor. The second electrode has a section opposed to the coils configuring the unbalanced transmission line or the balanced transmission line, the section being integrally formed with a section opposed to the first electrode.
US08143966B2 Coupling cancellation scheme
Methods and apparatus are disclosed, such as those involving an interconnection layout for an integrated circuit (IC). One such layout includes a plurality of differential pairs of lines. Each differential pair has two lines including one or more parallel portions extending substantially parallel to each other. Each pair also includes a shield line. Each of the shield lines includes one or more parallel portions interposed between the parallel portions of one of the pairs of differential lines. One or more of the shield lines are electrically connected to a voltage reference, such as ground. This layout is believed to reduce or eliminate intra-pair coupling as well as inter-pair coupling.
US08143965B2 Enhanced polar modulator for transmitter
Enhanced polar modulator for transmitter. Within a phase locked loop (PLL), a two point modulation topology is employed in which phase information passes through a limiter (e.g., a ±90° or ±π/2) in which the phase information dynamic range is divide by a factor (e.g., by 2) and a maximum frequency deviation is also divided by a factor (e.g., by 2). Then, a double balanced up-converter mixer/modulator is implemented to perform gain adjustment (e.g., magnitude and/or amplitude adjustment) and phase changes of 0° and +180° or 0 and +π (e.g., negative gains values may be employed). Phase adjustment in such an architecture is split and provided to both the PLL and to the mixer/modulator of such a polar modulator within a transmitter module such as may be implemented within a communication device (e.g., which may be a wireless communication device). This architecture that includes a PLL with a double balanced up-converter mixer/modulator suppresses even harmonics.
US08143964B2 Method for generating a PWM signal
The PWM control circuit is provided. The PWM control circuit includes: a PWM control signal generator that generates a PWM period signal defining a period of a PWM signal and a PWM resolution signal specifying a resolution in one period of the PWM period signal; and a PWM unit that generates the PWM signal based on the PWM period signal and the PWM resolution signal, wherein the PWM control signal generator changes a frequency of the PWM resolution signal while keeping a frequency of the PWM period signal unchanged.
US08143961B2 Technique for detecting crystals
In at least one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus includes an integrated circuit, which includes a first oscillator terminal and an oscillator discrimination circuit. The oscillator discrimination circuit is operative to generate an indicator of a capacitance value of a load capacitance external to the integrated circuit and coupled to one of the first and second oscillator terminals. The indicator is generated according to a charge time of a reference node coupled to a reference capacitor and a charge time of a node coupled to the first oscillator terminal. The node and the reference node are charged using substantially matched currents.
US08143956B2 Atomic beam optical frequency atomic clock and a producing method thereof
An atomic clock at optical frequency based on atomic beam and a method for generating the atomic clock comprises: The atomic beam (8) is ejected from a pile mouth after heating an atomic pile (1) in a vacuum chamber (2); A laser (4) corresponding to frequency of a clock transition transfers the atomic beam (8) from a ground state of the clock transition to an excited state of the clock transition in a adiabatic passing mode; After interaction with the laser corresponding to the frequency of a clock transition, the atomic beam (8) passes a signal detection region with a detection laser (5), and after the interaction with the detection laser (5), each of the atoms gives off a photon of spontaneous emission; An emitted fluorescence photon signal from atoms which is excited by the detection laser (5) is explored; A clock laser (4) for exploring transition frequency of an atomic clock is modulated. The signal which is detected performs frequency locking for the frequency of the clock laser which is locked on the clock transition spectrum of the atoms so as to implement the atomic clock.
US08143953B2 Self-trim and self-test of on-chip values
A self-trim circuit provides a technique to trim a CUT (circuit under trim) using a LSB offset to determine the best digital value to trim the CUT. The self-trim circuit is also used to self-test the digital and analog portions of the self-trim circuitry, whereby the existence of a digital stuck at fault condition is detected. A state machine controls a digital stack to couple digital trim data to the CUT and read the output of a comparator circuit that signifies when a proper digital trim value has been used. Thereafter the proper digital trim value is stored into a nonvolatile memory.
US08143951B2 Broadband transistor bias network
An amplifying circuit for use in, for example, broadband transceivers is described. A bias filter is connected between an amplifying transistor and a power supply to block a wide range of frequencies associated with amplified RF input signals from reaching the power supply, while permitting DC power to reach the transistor.
US08143947B2 Semiconductor differential amplifier
There is provided a circuit to make a bias for adjusting a threshold voltage of MOS devices available in a wide range, to extend the amplitude range of the input voltage range of a semiconductor differential amplifier from a power supply potential to a ground potential, and automatically to ensure an operation of a differential pair in the saturation region as rejecting the common-mode signal in the entire voltage range. The semiconductor differential amplifier is configured by the first gates of two four-terminal fin type FETs serving as an input terminal of differential pair, and in that the second gates of the four-terminal fin type FETs interconnected with each other, wherein a signal decreasing monotonously along with the increase in the input common-mode component is input.
US08143946B2 Current to voltage converter
A current to voltage converter which includes a common gate transconductance element having at least one input and one output. The current to voltage converter further includes a common source transconductance element having at least one input and one output, where the common source transconductance element is connected to the common gate transconductance element. The current to voltage converter further includes a feedback circuit including a resistor, where the feedback circuit connects any input having a polarity to any output having an opposite polarity.
US08143944B2 Method and apparatus for sensing a current for varying impedance loads
Recently, there has been an increased desire to measure load currents of class-D amplifiers to improve performance. The traditional solution has been to include one or more discrete components in series with the load, but this degrades performance. Here, however, circuit is provided (which includes sample-and-hold circuit) that accurately measures load currents without inhibiting performance and that is not inhibited by the phase differences between the load voltage and load current.
US08143942B2 Integrated channel filter using multiple resonant filters and method of operation
A circuit includes a first filter comprising a first inductor coupled to a first variable capacitor, wherein the first filter is associated with a first resonant frequency. The circuit further comprises an amplifier coupled to the first filter and a second filter coupled to the amplifier. The second filter comprises a second inductor coupled to a second variable capacitor, wherein the second filter is associated with a second resonant frequency that is substantially the same as the first resonant frequency. At least a portion of the first filter and at least a portion of the second filter are formed on an integrated circuit.
US08143930B2 Method and apparatus for amplifying a time difference
Various methods and apparatus can be used for amplifying a time interval in a variety of applications. In an embodiment, a feedback device is implemented in a time amplifier in conjunction with an output device of the time amplifier.
US08143920B1 Current sensor
A system includes a current sensor to receive an input signal based on a sense current provided to load circuitry. The current sensor is configurable to generate an output signal from the input signal based, at least in part, on one or more configurable characteristics of the current sensor. The system also includes a processing element to compare the output signal from the current sensor to one or more programmable parameters. The processing element is configurable to direct a current controller to regulate the sense current provided to the load circuitry according to the comparison, and is further configurable to set a configurable parameter associated with the current sense amplifier.
US08143918B2 Apparatus for driving a display device, display device including the same, and method thereof
An apparatus for driving a display device includes a plurality of stage connected to each other, wherein each stage includes first to seventh transistors and first and second capacitors, the seventh transistor is connected to one terminal of the first capacitor, and a ratio of an area of the first capacitor to a channel width of the seventh transistor is less than 40. Accordingly, since the ratio of the area of the capacitor to the channel width of the transistor is less than 40, deterioration may be remarkably reduced in a low temperature test.
US08143915B2 IC with deskewing circuits
Some embodiments provide a configurable integrated circuit (IC) comprising multiple deskew circuits for delaying data passage. Each of the deskew circuits comprises a stepwise delay circuit with multiple outputs and an input selection circuit with multiple inputs. Multiple outputs connect to multiple inputs.
US08143914B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit including: a circuit block having an internal voltage line; an annular rail line forming a closed annular line around the circuit block and supplied with one of a power supply voltage and a reference voltage; and a plurality of switch blocks arranged around the circuit block along the annular rail line, the plurality of switch blocks each including a voltage line segment forming a part of the annular rail line and a switch for controlling connection and disconnection between the voltage line segment and the internal voltage line.
US08143905B2 In-mould molding touch module and method for manufacturing the same
An in-mold molding touch module includes a plastic film, a touch circuit and a molding rind. The plastic film includes an inner surface and an outer surface for handling and touching. At least one region of the inner surface and a corresponding region of the outer surface define a touch area. The touch circuit is arranged on the inner surface in the touch area. The molding rind is integrated on the inner surface by an in-mold injecting mode to contain the touch circuit for forming a one-piece body. In addition, the invention also provides a method for manufacturing an in-mold molding touch module.
US08143901B2 Test apparatus, test method, and integrated circuit
A test apparatus includes an up counter, a down counter, a selector that selects either an up counter output from the up counter or a down counter output from the down counter, an inversion circuit that inverts either the counter output selected by the selector or the counter output nonselected by the selector, and a comparison circuit that compares the counter output inverted by the inversion circuit and the other counter output.
US08143900B2 Communication system fault location using signal ingress detection
Detecting ingress of a transmitted signal into a cable communication system due to a radio frequency signal transmitted from a moving vehicle and interrogation of transmitter location over a separate wireless link provides monitoring of shielding integrity or flaws there in a cable communication system. The location of a shielding flaw may then be precisely located in a closed loop fashion without risking overload of the cable communication system or interference with upstream signaling therein by detecting ingress signal strength and controlling transmitted signal strength while providing a user-perceptible indication of ingress signal strength which is compensated for the control of transmitted signal strength and thus indicates proximity of a hand-held instrument or transmitter to said shielding flaw.
US08143898B1 Systems and methods for reconfiguring an ultrasound device
Systems and methods (the “utility”) presented herein provide for the assessment of acousto-electrical probes, such as their connections (e.g., transducer leads) and their response characteristics. For example, the utility may provide for readily evaluating transducer leads that have been broken and/or detached from transducers within an ultrasound probe. Due to the increasing complexity of ultrasound probes, identification of broken and/or detached transducer leads also becomes increasingly complex. Being able to identify such disconnected transducer leads may enable a person to repair, or “reterminate”, these transducer leads leading to a potentially substantial cost savings, the least of which being incurred by avoiding total replacement of an ultrasound probe.
US08143893B2 Thin extended-cavity RF coil for MRI
Systems and methods for reducing an amount of space occupied by a radio frequency coil assembly in a magnetic resonance imaging system are provided. In one embodiment, a radio frequency coil assembly for a magnetic resonance imaging system includes a radio frequency coil disposed cylindrically around a patient space and a radio frequency shield disposed cylindrically around the patient space and electrically coupled to the axial ends of the radio frequency coil. The radio frequency shield may be configured to extend behind the radio frequency coil, and the axial length of the radio frequency shield may be at least two times the axial length of the radio frequency coil.
US08143892B2 System and methods for active suppression of superior tagging in flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for suppression of venous artifacts from superior tagging in flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery. The systems may include an image capture device and a controller. The controller may be configured to cause the image capture device to perform a labeling experiment, capture a first image of a slice of body tissue, perform a control experiment, and capture a second image of the slice of body tissue. The systems may be configured to perform a ninety (90) degree RF saturation pulse directed to a portion of body tissue that is superior to the first slice of body tissue imaged during at least one of the labeling experiment and/or the control experiment, and to apply a spoiler gradient subsequent to the saturation pulse during at least one of the labeling experiment and/or the control experiment.
US08143891B2 System for image acquisition with fast magnetic resonance gradient echo sequences
A system uses a three-dimensional spoiled gradient recalled echo sequence for fat suppression with reduced total acquisition time suitable for acquiring image data under breath-hold conditions using a reversed asymmetry during data acquisition on an opposed phase echo. A system reduces RF pulse repetition time in an MR imaging pulse sequence in an MR imaging device. The system includes an RF pulse generator for generating an RF excitation pulse sequence having a pulse repetition interval. A read-out gradient magnetic field generator generates an asymmetric read-out gradient magnetic field having a readout gradient mid-point occurring prior to an RF echo pulse peak. The RF echo pulse peak is received in response to a generated RF excitation pulse.
US08143889B2 Simultaneous acquisitions of spin- and stimulated-echo planar imaging
The disclosure provides echo planar imaging (EPI) based single-shot imaging techniques for acquiring spin-EPI (SEPI) and stimulated-EPI after a single RF excitation. In certain embodiments, the SEPI and STEPI acquired in a singleshot are used to compute a T1 map in realtime, which can be used for realtime monitoring of concentrations of paramagnetic-ion based contrast agent in dynamic contrast enhanced MRI. In certain embodiments, B1 field inhomogeneity correction is provided for the STEPI. In certain embodiments, a gradient-EPI (GEPI) is also acquired after the single RF excitation providing singleshot SEPI, GEPI and STEPI acquisition. In certain embodiments, the phase difference between the SEPI and GEPI is used to compute temperature-dependent chemical shift in a subject in realtime. The temperature-dependent chemical shift can be used to monitor temperature changes in the subject in realtime, for example, during a heat treatment to control the dosage of heat energy.
US08143885B2 Surface flaw detection and verification on metal bars by Eddy current testing and imaging system
An inspection system for detecting flaws on a moving metal (e.g., steel) bar coordinates the operation of an eddy current testing (ECT)-based flaw detection apparatus and an imaging-based flaw detection apparatus. The ECT-based flaw detection apparatus and the imaging-based flaw detection apparatus are disposed along a movement path in a predetermined relationship with each other, for example, as a predetermined fixed offset distance therebetween. A synchronizing mechanism synchronizes the output data streams from the two flaw detection apparatuses based on the predetermined relationship, so as to align the data streams as function of the axial position on the metal bar. A processing unit is configured to process the synchronized data streams for the detection of flaws, which are then also synchronized (axial position). The synchronization permits a variety of cross-referencing operations, such a flaw verification as to the existence of flaws, as well augmenting imaging-based flaws with flaw depth information from the ECT-based apparatus.
US08143883B2 Magnetic angular-position sensor
A magnetic angular-position sensor is mounted between two carrier elements that are movable in rotation relative to each other about an axis of rotation. The sensor has firstly a magnetic body defining a working zone in which there extends a magnetic field having field lines perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and secondly a detector member having at least one probe extending in the working zone of the magnetic member in order to provide a signal as a function of the angular orientation of the probe relative to the field lines in the working zone. The magnetic member has two parallel magnet segments and two elongate pole pieces of ferromagnetic material extending perpendicularly to the magnet segments and covering the ends thereof.
US08143881B2 Current measuring apparatus for power supply
A current measuring apparatus includes a shunt circuit, a current detecting circuit, and a signal amplifying circuit. The current measuring apparatus applies the shunt circuit to receive a current to be measured. The current measuring apparatus applies the current detecting circuit to measure the voltage between two terminals of the shunt circuit. The current measuring apparatus applies the signal amplifying circuit to amplify the measured voltage. The measured current can be calculated according an expression determined by the current detecting circuit and the signal amplifying circuit.
US08143880B2 Dual-range measurement of electrical current
An electrical current measurement system. A sense impedance and a composite amplifier are in electrical communication and together define a trans-impedance circuit that presents a frequency-compensated impedance lower than the sense impedance to an input electrical current to be measured. A sense amplifier in electrical communication with the sense impedance provides an output indicative of a magnitude of the input electrical current. A current bypass circuit may parallel the trans-impedance circuit and bypass the input electrical current around the trans-impedance circuit when the current reaches a predefined magnitude. The system may be combined with another current sensor to form a dual-range current measurement instrument.
US08143875B2 Method and apparatus to limit output power in a switching power supply
An example integrated circuit controller for a power supply includes a modulator, a drive signal generator, a comparator, and a variable current limit generator. The modulator generates an enable signal having logic states responsive to a feedback signal. The drive signal generator either enables or skips enabling a switch of the power supply during a switching period in response to the logic state of the enable signal. The comparator asserts an over current signal to disable the switch if current flowing through the switch exceeds a variable current limit. The variable current limit generator sets the variable current limit to a first current limit in response to one logic state of the enable signal during a switching period and sets the variable current limit to a second current limit if the enable signal transitions logic states and the over current signal is asserted during the switching period.
US08143866B2 Control device for power factor correction device in forced switching power supplies
Herein described is a control device of a device for the correction of the power factor in forced switching power supplies; said device for the correction of the power factor comprises a converter and said control device is coupled to the converter to obtain from an alternating input line voltage a regulated output voltage. The control device comprises generating means associated to a capacitor for generating a signal representative of the root-mean-square value of the alternating line voltage; the generating means are associated to means for discharging said capacitor. The control device comprises further means for discharging the capacitor suitable for discharging said capacitor when the signal representative of the root-mean-square value of the alternating line voltage goes below a given value.
US08143864B2 Battery charger with overvoltage protection circuitry
A battery charger with an overvoltage protection circuitry is electrically coupled to a power source and a battery. The battery charger with the overvoltage protection circuitry includes a switching circuit. The switching circuit comprises a first switching element, a second switching element, a Zener diode, and a resistor. The first switching element includes a first terminal coupled to the power source, a control terminal, and a second terminal coupled to the battery. The second switching element includes a first terminal coupled to the control terminal of the first switching element, a control terminal, and a second terminal coupled to the first terminal of the first switching element. The Zener diode includes a cathode coupled to the control terminal of the second switching element and an anode grounded. The resistor includes a first terminal coupled to the control terminal of the first switching element and a second terminal grounded.
US08143861B2 Charge control device and vehicle using the same
At the time of charging a power storage device from a commercial power supply, electric power from the commercial power supply is applied to a neutral point of each of first and second motor generators. A rotation preventing control unit (222) determines one phase to be subjected to switching control in the first inverter, based on a rotation angle (θ1) of the first motor generator. Further, rotation preventing control unit (222) calculates torque generated in the first motor generator, generates a torque control value for canceling out the torque, and outputs the value to a phase voltage operating unit (214) for motor control.
US08143855B2 Rechargeable split battery system
A battery system is split into first and second battery subsystems. When the first battery subsystem reaches a first discharge level, the first battery system is decoupled from output terminals of the battery system and the second battery subsystem is coupled to the output terminals of the battery system.
US08143854B2 Adjusting method of battery pack and adjusting method of battery pack with controller
The invention provides a method of adjusting a battery pack capable of reducing a difference in charge level between a plurality of secondary batteries constituting the battery pack and capable of restraining an increase in battery voltage difference between the secondary batteries of the battery pack in association with the adjustment of the charge level. A method of adjusting a battery pack includes a first adjusting process for discharging all secondary batteries of a first battery group so that charge levels of the secondary batteries of the first battery group fall within a charge level range determined based on a charge level of a secondary battery of a second battery group and further a second adjusting process for discharging all the secondary batteries of the first and second battery groups by the same electric quantity respectively.
US08143846B2 Siderail accessory charging system
A charging system comprises an accessory module and a charging system. The accessory module includes a housing with a coupling portion and a power source. The coupling portion includes an engagement surface and a coupler configured to removably couple the accessory module to a person-support apparatus. The power source is positioned within the housing and includes a recharging assembly. The charging station includes a docking portion configured to receive the accessory module and a charging assembly configured to communicate power to the recharging assembly.
US08143842B2 Dynamic load management for use in recharging vehicles equipped with electrically powered propulsion systems
The E-Grid Sub-Network Load Manager operates to regulate the demands presented by the vehicles to the associated Sub-Network thereby to spread the load presented to the service disconnect over time to enable the controllable charging of a large number of vehicles. The load management can be implemented by a number of methodologies, including: queuing requests and serving each request in sequence until satisfaction; queuing requests and cycling through them, partially serving each request, then proceeding to the next until the cyclic partial charging service has satisfied all requests; ordering requests pursuant to a percentage of recharge required measurement; ordering requests on an estimated connection time metric; ordering requests on a predetermined level of service basis; and the like. It is evident that a number of these methods can be concurrently employed thereby to serve all of the vehicles in the most efficient manner that can be determined.
US08143841B2 Solar powered charging shelter and system and method thereof
A solar powered charging shelter and system and method thereof. The shelter includes a metal standing seam roof and a flush mounted metal frame. The top of the roof has a plurality of solar units that provide power to at least a plurality of retractable electrical outlets or receptacles coupled to either the bottom of the roof or the metal frame. The retractable electrical outlets or receptacles are to provide power to or charge various electrical systems.
US08143837B2 Inverter control apparatus
An inverter control apparatus includes: a state estimator that calculates an estimated current vector and an estimated magnetic flux vector from a motor command voltage vector, a detected current vector, and a motor parameter; a correction voltage calculator that calculates a correction voltage vector on the basis of a current error between the detected current vector and the estimated current vector; and a correction voltage unit that adds the correction voltage vector to the motor command voltage vector.
US08143832B2 Method and unit for operating an electromechanical adjusting device
In a method for operating an electromechanical adjusting device, having an actuating part driven by a controller controlled motor, and which can be adjusted according to a manual specification for a controller operating element between a first and a second end position, the controller detects the precise position of a blockage of an adjusting movement from fed sensor signals, wherein user action performed on the operating element adjusts the actuating part by a first movement directed toward the end position to a position at which mechanical blockage occurs in order to determine a reference position, and adjusts the actuating part by a second movement into the second end position to examine the validity of the previously determined reference position by a test program which decides whether an automatic operating mode, in which an actuating process runs automatically, is activated, or blocked, as a function of the test result.
US08143829B2 Adaptive synchronous rectification of brushless DC motor back-EMF
An embodiment of a disk drive power system is described. The system is operable such that during power interruption, the system taps electric power by rectifying the back-EMF generated across each winding of a DC motor and supplying power to a voice-coil motor to park a read/write head safely away from an associated magnetic disk surface.
US08143825B2 Determining stuck conditions for electric motors using inductive sensing
A control system includes a position control module, a power control module, and a diagnostic module. The position control module applies a driving current for positioning a rotor of a motor at one of first and second positions. The power control module applies a first voltage to one of first and second phases of the motor to generate a first current after the position control module applies the driving current to position the rotor at the first position. The power control module applies a second voltage to one of the first and second phases to generate a second current after the position control module applies the driving current to position the rotor at the second position. The diagnostic module determines when the rotor is restricted from rotating based on the first and second currents.
US08143824B2 Regenerating braking system including synchronous motor with field excitation and control method thereof
A regenerating braking system is provided, which includes: a synchronous motor with field coil excitation including a cylindrical stator coil, an inverter electrically connected to the stator coil, a battery electrically connected to the inverter, a rotor coil provided in an internal space of the stator coil, a two-way switch electrically connected to the rotor coil, and a capacitor electrically connected to the two-way switch; and a controller, wherein when the first differential calculus of acceleration of a load on the synchronous motor becomes negative, the controller stores regenerative power regenerated in the rotor coil from the stator coil, in the capacitor through the two-way switch, and wherein the controller supplies the regenerative power stored in the capacitor to the rotor coil through the two-way switch.
US08143821B2 Bidirectional unequal speed electric motor driven constant directional output system
The present invention discloses that the output end of the bidirectional unequal speed electric motor being particularly used to provide bidirectional rotating input is transmitted to the input end of bidirectional same or different speed change ratio constant directional output transmission device to further provide constant directional rotating output for driving the rotating load, wherein the user can operatively control the driving input direction thereby allowing the bidirectional same or different speed change ratio output transmission device having different speed change ratio to provide constant directional different speed change ratio rotating output in different driving input direction.
US08143819B2 Optimized power demand control system for electrical motors
An energy conservation system that realizes optimized power demand control for alternating current electrical motors equipped with variable frequency drives is implemented by switching an electrical motor via bypass systems from a variable frequency and speed drive mode of operation to a constant frequency and speed drive mode of operation and from a constant frequency and speed drive mode of operation to a variable frequency and speed drive mode of operation. The switching from one mode of operation to another is automatically executed based on the comparative analysis of historical and current trends of the electrical motor actual power demand at variable and constant speed drive modes of operation at various loads. The system optimizes the electrical motor operation by selecting the mode with the lower magnitude of cumulative power demand for the motor and motor drive at a given motor load.
US08143818B2 Ultrasonic motorized stage
An ultrasonic motorized stage includes a base part, first and second tables, first and second linear ultrasonic motors which respectively drive the first and the second tables, and first and second optical linear sensors which respectively detect the amount of move of the first and the second tables. The first and the second linear ultrasonic motors and the first and the second optical linear sensors are arranged in positions, which are at sides other than the front side of the ultrasonic motorized stage and prevent wear debris generated when the first and/or the second linear ultrasonic motor is driven from affecting the first and the second optical linear sensors, so that the first and the second linear ultrasonic motors and the first and the second optical linear sensors do not protrude upward from the upper surface of the second table.
US08143817B2 Electromagnetic actuator driving method
An electromagnetic actuator includes a stator and a movable body. The stator includes a core provided with magnetic poles and a coil wound on at least one of the magnetic poles. The movable body includes a permanent magnet and supported in such a manner as to make reciprocating in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the permanent magnet opposes the magnetic poles. The movable body is reciprocated upon applying an alternating voltage to the coil. An electromagnetic actuator driving method for driving the electromagnetic actuator includes performing feedback control of the alternating voltage in which the alternating voltage is applied to the coil during a first half of a control period and in which an induced electromotive force generated in the coil during a second half of the control period is used as a control signal.
US08143815B2 DC/DC converter
A control circuit of a DC/DC converter is provided for supplying a driving voltage to a light emitting element. A hysteresis comparator compares a detection voltage that corresponds to the output voltage of the DC/DC converter with two threshold voltages. If the detection voltage is smaller than the lower threshold voltage, the hysteresis comparator outputs a comparison signal at the low level. Otherwise, the comparison signal is set to the high level. The switching control unit uses the comparison signal as a reference. The switching control unit instructs the switching transistor of the DC/DC converter to perform the switching operation during a period when the comparison signal is at the low level. Otherwise, the switching operation is suspended. The control circuit inhibits light emission of the light emitting element during a period when the comparison signal is at the low level. Otherwise, the control circuit permits the light emission.
US08143814B2 Method and device for driving a gas discharge lamp
A driver (1) for driving a gas discharge lamp (2) comprises:—a current source (3) generating lamp current, having a setpoint input (4) for receiving a setpoint signal;—a controller (10) generating a current setpoint signal (SM);—a controllable noise signal source (20) generating a pseudo random noise signal (SPRNS);—an adder (22) adding the current setpoint signal (SM) from the controller and the pseudo random noise signal (SPRNS) from the noise signal source, and providing the result to the setpoint input of the current source;—measuring means (40) measuring a characteristic lamp response of the lamp in response to the pseudo random noise signal (SPRNS), and providing to the controller a sense signal;—a memory (30) associated with the controller, having stored therein at least one reference signal. The controller compares the measured lamp response with said predetermined reference signal in the memory, and may switch off the lamp.
US08143813B2 Data based ambient lighting control
In controlling an ambient lighting element, a category of data being rendered by a host is identified, ambient lighting data associated with the identified category is retrieved, and the retrieved ambient lighting data is rendered in correspondence with the rendered data. The retrieved ambient lighting data may be an ambient light script arranged to determine temporal portions of ambient lighting data. The ambient lighting data may be associated with the category based on user input. A sub-category of the data may be identified and the retrieved ambient lighting data may be modified with additional ambient lighting data associated with the sub-category. An association of a category with ambient lighting data may be edited by a user. A default association of a category to ambient lighting data may be provided.
US08143811B2 Lighting control system and method
Lighting devices are configured to communicate with one another and with external systems. Sensors located at such lighting devices communicate with the external systems and with others of the lighting devices. Lighting is controlled to maintain safety, to drive customer traffic within a retail facility, or to conserve energy. An application programming interface provides a common mechanism for control of various lighting device types.
US08143795B2 Circuit arrangement for firing a discharge lamp
A circuit arrangement for starting a discharge lamp, comprising: a first and a second input terminal for connecting an input voltage; an inverter, which has an input and an output, the input being coupled to the first and the second input terminal; a first and a second output terminal for connecting the discharge lamp; a resonant inductor, which is coupled between the output of the inverter and the first output terminal; a resonant circuit, which comprises the resonant inductor; a regulating apparatus for regulating the frequency of the signal provided at the inverter output; and a current measuring apparatus, which is arranged so as to measure a current which is correlated with the current in the resonant circuit, wherein the regulating apparatus is adapted to regulate the frequency at the output of the inverter as a function of the measured current.
US08143793B2 Device and method for periodic diode actuation
An energy efficient illumination device is provided in which energy consumption is reduced by using a pulse generating circuit which provides power to LEDs in short pulses, and in which the circuit has a lifespan which is comparable to that of an LED. The illumination device includes a pulse generator circuit employing only passive circuit components and which is used to generate a desired pulsed and positively DC biased output waveform. The pulse generator circuit receives alternating current power as an input, alters the power waveform, and supplies the power to LEDs for a very short time (0.2-15 ms) during each cycle of a 50-60 Hz input signal. This paradigm of pulsed light emission provides ambient lighting that is perceived by humans to be steady and continuous, and which also provides substantial energy savings since power is used in only a fraction of the power cycle.
US08143790B2 Method for inductively-driven plasma light source
A method for producing light includes introducing an ionizable medium for generating a plasma into a chamber. The method also includes applying at least one pulse of energy to a magnetic core that surrounds a portion of a plasma discharge region within the chamber such that the magnetic core delivers power to the plasma which forms a secondary of a transformer according to Faraday's law of induction. The plasma has a localized high intensity zone.
US08143789B2 Illumination system
An illumination system includes an LED lamp, a timer, a controlling circuit, a driving circuit and a power source electrically connected together. The timer produces different signals to the controlling circuit at different periods, thereby driving the LED lamp to lighten with different brightness. A light or movement sensor is further electrically connected to the LED lamp to work together with the timer. The sensor cooperating with the timer, detects light or movement of an object to drive the LED lamp to lighten for a while with a corresponding brightness.
US08143788B2 Compact high current rare-earth emitter hollow cathode for hall effect thrusters
An apparatus and method for achieving an efficient central cathode in a Hall effect thruster is disclosed. A hollow insert disposed inside the end of a hollow conductive cathode comprises a rare-earth element and energized to emit electrons from an inner surface. The cathode employs an end opening having an area at least as large as the internal cross sectional area of the rare earth insert to enhance throughput from the cathode end. In addition, the cathode employs a high aspect ratio geometry based on the cathode length to width which mitigates heat transfer from the end. A gas flow through the cathode and insert may be impinged by the emitted electrons to yield a plasma. One or more optional auxiliary gas feeds may also be employed between the cathode and keeper wall and external to the keeper near the outlet.
US08143783B2 Display apparatus
A display apparatus for displaying indications using liquid crystal or Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that includes a 12-segment display, including a first segment horizontally disposed with an inverted trapezoidal shape, a second segment disposed under the right end of the first segment with a parallelogram shape, a third segment disposed under the second segment with an isosceles triangle shape, a fourth segment disposed under the third segment with a parallelogram shape, a fifth segment horizontally disposed beside the bottom end of the fourth segment with a trapezoidal shape, a sixth segment disposed over the left end of the fifth segment with a parallelogram shape, a seventh segment disposed over the sixth segment with an isosceles triangle shape, an eighth segment with a parallelogram shape, ninth and tenth segments horizontally disposed between the triangular segments with a square shape, and eleventh and twelfth segments respectively disposed over and under the ninth segment with a square shape.
US08143779B2 System for displaying images employing tandem electroluminescent device
A system for displaying images is provided. The system includes a tandem electroluminescent device having a first electrode. N electroluminescent units are disposed on the first electrode in sequence, wherein N is an integral and not less than 2. A second electrode is disposed on the Nth electroluminescent unit. N−1 interconnecting electrodes are provided, wherein each of the interconnecting electrodes is disposed between two adjacent electroluminescent units. The first electroluminescent unit includes a first emitting layer and a second emitting layer in sequence from the first electrode, and the first and second emitting layer have different physical quantities. The Nth electroluminescent unit includes a third emitting layer and a fourth emitting layer in sequence from the first electrode. The physical quantity of the third emitting layer is the same as that of the second emitting layer. The physical quantity of the fourth emitting layer is the same as that of the first emitting layer.
US08143777B2 LED lighting unit with LEDs and phosphor materials
An LED lighting unit can be configured to have a high color rendering for which color temperature can adjust itself to be close to a natural color. The LED lighting unit can be composed of three light sources that respectively include a blue LED and a different phosphor. A first light source can emit light having a color temperature located substantially on a blackbody locus, a second light source can emit light having a higher color temperature than that of the first light source and located substantially on the blackbody locus, and a third light source can emit a green or yellow light. A mixture of the light can be located substantially on the blackbody locus by controlling a beam ratio of the mixed light having contiguous wavelength components. Therefore, the LED lighting unit can emit a light having a high color rendering that can maintain a uniform color within a radiation range.
US08143774B2 Carbon based field emission cathode and method of manufacturing the same
According to example embodiments, a method for manufacturing a field emission cathode includes providing a liquid compound comprising a liquid phenolic resin and at least one of a metal salt and a metal oxide arranging a conductive cathode support in a vicinity of the liquid compound, and heating the liquid compound. Heating the liquid compound transforms the liquid compound into a solid compound foam.
US08143773B2 Spark plug
When an insulator of a spark plug receives an external force in a bending direction perpendicular to an axis at a rear end side body portion, a position C where the insulator is supported by a crimping portion via a packing acts as a fulcrum, and a stress is applied between the position C and a position B where the insulator is supported by a ledge portion via a packing. When an insulator is designed in which the balance of size and modulus of section is adjusted so that τA which denotes a proof strength against bending between a rear end position A of the insulator and the position C and τB which denotes a proof strength against bending between the position B and the position C satisfy 0.71≦τA/τB≦1.27, cracks can be prevented.
US08143772B2 Spark plug comprising a ground electrode support
The invention relates to a spark plug of an internal combustion engine, especially for use in Otto gas engines. Said spark plug comprises, supported by an insulating body (1), a preferably one-piece spark plug shell (2) and a center electrode (3), which is especially rod-shaped or has a plurality of electrode fingers, and at least one ground electrode (4), preferably a plurality of ground electrodes, the center electrode (3) and the at least one ground electrode (4) being surrounded by a chamber, especially a pre-chamber (5a) or a swirl chamber (5b) supported by the spark plug shell (2), or being located inside said chamber (5a, 5b). The invention is characterized in that the ground electrode(s) (4) has/have a support (6) secured to the spark plug shell (2) or arranged thereon as the base, or branch(es) off therefrom, and in that said ground electrode support (6) and every finger-type ground electrode (4) branching off therefrom is arranged at a distance (21) from the inner wall surface (7) of the chamber (5a, 5b).
US08143769B2 Light emitting diode (LED) lighting device
An LED lighting device comprises: a thermally conducting body having an at least one opening that connects with a cavity within the body and a plurality of LEDs mounted in thermal communication with a face of the body and positioned around the opening. One or more passages pass through the body from the cavity to an outer surface of the body and are configured such that in operation air moves through the cavity by thermal convection thereby to provide cooling of the body. Each passage is configured in a direction that extends in a direction at an angle of about 45° to a line that is parallel with the axis of the body toward the outer surface of the body away from the face. The body can be configured such that its outer surface has a form factor resembling an incandescent light bulb or halogen reflector lamp.
US08143768B2 Miniature mechanical resonator device
Novel configurations for a miniature vibrating beam mechanical resonator provide low energy transfer to a supporting structure and low sensitivity to mounting misalignment. A symmetric suspended portion includes two vibrating beams that vibrate normal to a quiescent plane of the resonator, 180 degrees out of phase relative to one another. The vibrating beams are attached, at least at one end, to a torsional coupling element that is joined to a mounting pad along a non-translating suspension boundary. Counterbalances are attached to the vibrating beams, and the resonator is configured such that dynamic forces and moments coupled to each torsional coupling element from the vibrating beams are balanced along each nominal non-translating suspension boundary proximate to the symmetry axis and along the symmetry axis proximate to each nominal non-translating suspension boundary. Each non-translating suspension boundary is a torsional axis for a twisting deformation of the first torsional coupling element.
US08143758B2 Winding bobbin and rotating electric machine
Provided is a winding bobbin with a simple structure, which allows, even when a number of layers formed by winding a conductor is odd, a winding start-side lead wire and a winding end-side lead wire to be led out in the same direction while ensuring a desired outer diameter size of a rotor coil without loosening a tightly wound conductor. The winding bobbin (50) includes a first flange portion (51) and a second flange portion (52) on both sides of a cylindrical winding portion (49). The second flange portion (52) is provided with a second locking portion (58) for locking a winding end portion (45) of the conductor which is wound around the winding portion (49) in an odd number of layers.
US08143751B2 Motor and recording disk drive apparatus
A rotor unit includes a substantially circular plate shaped cover portion, a rotor hub including a lower cylinder portion, and a magnetic field generating member attached on the lower cylinder portion. An annular salient portion is provided on the lower surface of the cover portion 31. The annular salient portion lies radial inwards of the lower opening of the through-hole of the cover portion and protrudes downwards in the shape of a ring whose center coincides with the central axis. The magnetic field generating member includes a rotor magnet and a back iron covering the outer surface and upper surface of the rotor magnet. When the magnetic field generating member is mounted to the rotor hub, the upper portion of the back iron comes in contact with the annular salient portion, which determines the axial position of the magnetic field generating member.
US08143750B2 Linear motor having coils surrounding an axially moving magnetic rod
A compact linear motor is provided which is able to limit a rod, which linearly moves relatively to coils, from revolving.The linear motor comprises a rod (11) equipped with magnets (13), coils (4) surrounding the rod (11), and a housing (5) covering the coils (4), and the rod (11) is made to linearly move relatively to the coils (4) by magnetic fields from the magnets (13) and current made to flow through the coils (4). And the rod (11) comprises an outer circumferential surface on which spline grooves (10a) are formed so as to run along an axial direction of the rod (11). The housing (5) comprises a spline nut (8) that fits the spline grooves (10a) and limits the rod (11) from revolving around an axis line thereof.
US08143749B2 Dual current switch detection circuit with selective activation
A dual current switch detection circuit with selective activation is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the switch detection circuit comprises an input node coupled to a switch to receive an input signal from the switch, a first current source coupled to the input node, a second current source coupled to the input node, and a detection circuit having an input coupled to the input node and an output coupled to the second current source to selectively activate the second current source.
US08143746B2 Automatic tuning for wireless power transfer
In one embodiment, a wireless power transfer system has a wireless power transmitter and receiver. The transmitter has a transmitting resonant circuit that resonates at a first frequency and a signal generator that generates a signal at a second frequency. The transmitter also has a power detector that measures reflected power at the transmitting resonant circuit, and an auto-tuner that generates transmitter tuning parameters for adjusting the first and second frequencies to reduce reflected power. The receiver has a receiving resonant circuit that resonates at a third frequency based on a receiver tuning parameter. The receiver tuning parameter is generated by a power detector that measures power generated at the receiving resonant circuit, and an auto-tuner that generates the receiver tuning parameter to increase the load power.
US08143742B2 Power distribution controller and related systems and methods
A power distribution controller includes electronic circuitry operable to receive power and distribute power, for simultaneous consumption, to a first power load and to one or more second power loads. The electronic circuitry is also operable to monitor the amount of power consumed by the one or more second power loads, and determine whether or not the received power is or substantially is the maximum amount of power available to be received. In response to the amount of power consumed by the one or more second power loads, and the amount of received power relative to the maximum amount of power available to be received, the electronic circuitry diverts power to the first power load to cause the received power to be or substantially be the maximum amount of power available to be received.
US08143740B1 Apparatus for storing and using wind energy
An apparatus for storing and using wind energy has a hub, blades extending radially outwardly from the hub, a shaft interconnected to the hub, a generator connected to the shaft, a first coupler for coupling and decoupling the shaft from the hub, a first tank having an inlet and an outlet, a second tank having an inlet and an outlet, a line connecting the first tank and the second tank, a second coupler for coupling and decoupling the shaft from the line, an elevated reservoir having a first discharge port and a second discharge port, a base reservoir having a first receiver port and a second receiver port, a pump for pumping a fluid from the base reservoir to the elevated reservoir, a transmission interconnected to the shaft between the line and the generator, and a sheave positioned on a side of the transmission opposite the shaft.
US08143737B2 Fluid driven electric power generation system
A tubular housing includes at least one fixed helical vane formed onto the inner surfaces of the tubular housing in a spiral and adapted to direct fluid into a spiraled flow and focus fluid onto a fan blade assembly associated with an alternator system and located within the tubular housing before a system exhaust. A generator cone can be mounted near the center and front of the fan blade assembly facing fluid passing through the tubular housing. As fluid passes over the generator cone it experiences compression between the generator cone and housing resulting in increased pressure and velocity of the fluid, thereby increasing rotational speed of the generator blades and generator as the compressed, spiraled fluid passes through the blades and exits the tubular housing. The system can be used for fixed or mobile applications in water, wind and manually induced fluid flow.
US08143735B2 Electric starting device for an internal combustion engine
The present invention relates to an electric starting device (1) for an internal combustion engine (5), which electric starting device (1) comprises an electric starter (4) and a starter-generator (2) which is assigned to a traction mechanism drive (3). The starting of the internal combustion engine (5) may take place by means of the electric starter (4) or the starter-generator (2) in each case individually or in a combination of the two units. Also provided is a start-stop device of the internal combustion engine (5), in which a controlled supply of power to the starter-generator (2) is provided in synchronization with a start by means of the electric starter (4).
US08143734B2 Wind plant and method of initiating braking actions in different operating modes
A method for the operation of a wind power plant 10) with a rotor (12), which has at least one angle-adjustable rotor blade (14), wherein the wind power plant (10) is operated in a first operating mode (71) and/or a second operating mode (75). In the first operating mode (71) a braking process of the rotor (12) is initiated when a rotational speed of the rotor (12) is exceeded, which lies above a first rotational speed threshold value. Also, a method for the operation of a wind power plant (10) with a rotor (12), which has at least one angle-adjustable rotor blade (14), wherein an operating parameter is monitored and a braking process of the rotor (12) is initiated when an operating parameter threshold value is reached.
US08143732B2 Stationary genset power system having turbo-compounding
A stationary genset power may have a combustion engine configured to produce a mechanical output, and a main generator driven by the combustion engine to convert a majority portion of the mechanical output to electricity directed to an external load. The stationary genset power system may also have a turbine fluidly connected to the combustion engine, a compressor operatively driven by the turbine to compress combustion air directed to the combustion engine, and a secondary generator operatively driven by the turbine to produce electricity directed to the external load. The stationary genset power system may further have a controller in communication with the primary and second generators. The controller may be configured to synchronize an electrical power output of the secondary generator with an electrical power output of the primary generator prior to connection of the secondary generator to the external load.
US08143731B2 Integrated alignment and overlay mark
An integrated alignment and overlay mark includes a pre-layer pattern for reticle-to-wafer registration implemented in an exposure tool, and a current-layer pattern incorporated with the pre-layer pattern. The pre-layer pattern and the current-layer pattern constitute an overlay mark for determining registration accuracy between two patterned layers on a semiconductor wafer.
US08143730B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
In a semiconductor device, corner portions of a inner insulating film are chamfered, and hence a damage is less likely to reach the corner portion of the inner insulating film, though the corner portion of an outer insulating film is damaged. Therefore, a hermeticity of a semiconductor element can be effectively maintained, and the yield of semiconductor pellets can be improved. Moreover, since it is not necessary to chamfer the corner portion of the outer insulating film, the structure remains simple and the productivity can be improved.
US08143729B2 Autoclave capable chip-scale package
A power semiconductor package that includes a power semiconductor device having a threshold voltage that does not vary when subjected to an autoclave test.
US08143726B2 Semiconductor device and method of making semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip, and a micro-chip which is electrically connected to the chip, and includes a thickness which is less than a thickness of the chip.
US08143725B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a first interconnect 31; a second interconnect 32 which is formed in a different interconnect layer from that of the first interconnect 31, and which has a wider line width than that of the first interconnect 31; and first and second plugs 51 and 52 which are formed in a region where the first and second interconnects 31 and 32 extend in the same direction so as to overlap one above the other, and which electrically connect the first and second interconnects 31 and 32. The first plug 51 has a larger base area than that of the second plug 52, and is formed on an end side of the first interconnect 31 with respect to the second plug 52.
US08143723B2 Highly integrated and reliable DRAM and its manufacture
A semiconductor device and its manufacture method wherein the semiconductor substrate has first and second insulating films, the first insulating film being an insulating film other than a silicon nitride film formed at least on a side wall of a conductive pattern including at least one layer of metal or metal silicide, and the second insulating film being a silicon nitride film formed to cover the first insulating film and the upper surface and side wall of the conductive pattern. The first insulating film may be formed to cover the upper surface and side wall of the conductive pattern. A semiconductor device and its manufacture method are provided which can realize high integrated DRAMs of 256 M or larger without degrading reliability and stability.
US08143721B2 Package substrate dynamic pressure structure
Devices and methods for their formation, including electronic assemblies having a shape memory material structure, are described. In one embodiment, a device includes a package substrate and an electronic component coupled to the package substrate. The device also includes a shape memory material structure coupled to the package substrate. In one aspect of certain embodiments, the shape memory material structure is formed from a material selected to have a martensite to austenite transition temperature in the range of 50-300 degrees Celsius. In another aspect of certain embodiments, the shape memory material structure is positioned to extend around a periphery of the electronic component. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08143720B2 Semiconductor module with micro-buffers
The semiconductor module includes a plurality of memory die on a first side of a substrate and a plurality of buffer die on a second side of the substrate. Each of the memory die is disposed opposite and electrically coupled to one of the buffer die.
US08143715B2 Semiconductor package transformer
The present invention relates to a semiconductor package transformer. There is provided a semiconductor package transformer including: a case where an opening into which a semiconductor package having a chip mounted on a substrate is inserted is formed on its front surface and an open part exposing is formed on its upper surface; and a plurality of holes that are formed on the bottom surface of the case.
US08143713B2 Chip-on-board package
Provided is a chip-on-board package. The chip-on-board package may include a board, a grounding pad on a first surface of the board, the grounding pad including a body portion and at least one line portion, and at least two conductive pads on the first surface, the at least two conductive pads being arranged adjacent to the body portion. The at least one line portion may extend between the at least two conductive pads and the at least one line portion may have a narrower width than the at least two conductive pads.
US08143712B2 Die package structure
A die package structure, which comprises: a first die; a second die; a core material layer, provided between the first die and the second die; at least one via, penetrating through the first die, the second die and the core material layer; a metal material, stuffing into the via, such that the first die the second die, and the core material layer can be electrically contacted with each other; at least a signal contacting unit, contacting the metal material; and a dielectric layer, enclosing the first die, including at least one breach exposing the signal contacting unit.
US08143709B2 Semiconductor package having solder ball which has double connection structure
A semiconductor package having a solder ball having a double connection structure which reduces a total height of a package on package (POP). The semiconductor package includes a first semiconductor package in which a semiconductor device is mounted on a lower surface of a first substrate, and a through hole is formed in a solder ball pad region of the first substrate, a second semiconductor package in which a semiconductor device is mounted on an upper surface of a second substrate, and a solder ball pad of the second substrate is formed to correspond to the through hole of the first substrate and is mounted on the first substrate, and a common solder ball that is disposed below the first substrate and is connected to the solder ball pad of the second substrate through the through hole.
US08143707B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a circuit base including an inner lead portion and an outer lead portion. The inner lead portion has a plurality of inner leads. At least part of the inner leads is routed inside a chip mounting area. On both upper and lower surfaces of the circuit base, a first and a second semiconductor chip are mounted. At least part of electrode pads of the first semiconductor chip are electrically connected to electrode pads of the second semiconductor chip via the inner leads.
US08143702B2 Group III-V nitride based semiconductor substrate and method of making same
A group III-V nitride-based semiconductor substrate includes a group III-V nitride-based semiconductor crystal. A surface area of the substrate is greater than or equal to 45 cm2. A thickness of the substrate is greater than or equal to 200 μm. An in-plane dislocation density of the substrate is less than or equal to 2×107 cm−2 in average. The in-plane dislocation density of the substrate is less than or equal to 150% of the average at maximum.
US08143701B2 Method of forming a high capacitance diode and structure therefor
In one embodiment, high doped semiconductor channels are formed in a semiconductor region of an opposite conductivity type to increase the capacitance of the device.
US08143700B2 Electrostatic discharge protection circuit
The present invention provides an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit with a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) having a plurality of SCR fingers (SCRs) with the advantages to couple the different fingers or SCRs to decrease the multi-triggering problem and to increase the ESD-performance of the circuit. Additionally, a boost circuit can be introduced or additionally multiple SCRs can be coupled inherent through a common base.
US08143699B2 Dual-dielectric MIM capacitors for system-on-chip applications
An integrated circuit structure includes a chip having a first region and a second region. A first metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor is formed in the first region. The first MIM capacitor has a first bottom electrode; a first top electrode over the first bottom electrode; and a first capacitor insulator between and adjoining the first bottom electrode and the first top electrode. A second MIM capacitor is in the second region and is substantially level with the first MIM capacitor. The second MIM capacitor includes a second bottom electrode; a second top electrode over the second bottom electrode; and a second capacitor insulator between and adjoining the second bottom electrode and the second top electrode. The second capacitor insulator is different from the first capacitor insulator. The first top electrode and the first bottom electrode may be formed simultaneously with the second top electrode and the second bottom electrode, respectively.
US08143695B1 Contact fuse one time programmable memory
A fuse structure for a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) can include a first node comprising a region of a metal layer of an IC manufacturing process and a second node comprising a region of a conductive layer residing on a layer of the IC manufacturing process below the metal layer of the first node. The fuse structure can include a fuse link comprising a conductive material, positioned substantially perpendicular to each of the metal and conductive layers. An upper end of the fuse link couples to the first node and a lower end of the fuse link, that is distal to the upper end, couples to the second node.
US08143688B2 Highly-depleted laser doped semiconductor volume
A device with increased photo-sensitivity using laser treated semiconductor as detection material is disclosed. In some embodiments, the laser treated semiconductor may be placed between and an n-type and a p-type contact or two Schottky metals. The field within the p-n junction or the Schottky metal junction may aid in depleting the laser treated semiconductor section and may be capable of separating electron hole pairs. Multiple device configurations are presented, including lateral and vertical configurations.
US08143687B2 Multi-band, reduced-volume radiation detectors and methods of formation
A broadband radiation detector includes a first layer having a first type of electrical conductivity type. A second layer has a second type of electrical conductivity type and an energy bandgap responsive to radiation in a first spectral region. A third layer has the second type of electrical conductivity type and an energy bandgap responsive to radiation in a second spectral region comprising longer wavelengths than the wavelengths of the first spectral region. The broadband radiation detector further includes a plurality of internal regions. Each internal region may be disposed at least partially within the third layer and each internal region may include a refractive index that is different from a refractive index of the third layer. The plurality of internal regions may be arranged according to a regularly repeating pattern.
US08143679B2 Termination structure for power devices
A semiconductor power device includes an active region configured to conduct current when the semiconductor device is biased in a conducting state, and a termination region along a periphery of the active region. The termination region includes a first silicon region of a first conductivity type extending to a first depth within a second silicon region of a second conductivity type, the first and second silicon regions forming a PN junction therebetween. The second silicon region has a recessed portion extending below the first depth and out to an edge of a die housing the semiconductor power device. The recessed portion forms a vertical wall at which the first silicon region terminates. A first conductive electrode extends into the recessed portion and is insulated from the second silicon region.
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