| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08254520B2 |
Image processing method, image display method, image processing program, storage medium, image processing apparatus and X-ray imaging apparatus
An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing method, etc. capable of producing a panorama tomogram with a simple operation whenever required by the operator. The present invention relates to an image processing method for producing a panorama tomogram of the dental arch using the X-ray projection data on the dentomaxillofacial region obtained by the X-ray computer tomography. The image processing method according to the present invention includes the steps of retrieving the dental arch projection data corresponding to the dental arch from the X-ray projection data based on the preset position and shape information to specify the position and shape of the dental arch from the X-ray projection data (S3) and generating a panorama tomogram by executing a predetermined process using the dental arch projection data (S4). |
| US08254518B2 |
Acquisition of projection images for tomosynthesis
Some aspects include acquisition of a first plurality of projection images of a volume using a megavoltage x-ray source, each of the first plurality of projection images associated with a respective one of a first plurality of locations of the megavoltage x-ray source, acquisition of a second plurality of projection images of the volume using a kilovoltage x-ray source, each of the second plurality of projection images associated with a respective one of a second plurality of locations of the kilovoltage x-ray source, and performance of digital tomosynthesis reconstruction to generate a three-dimensional image of the volume based on the first plurality of projection images and the second plurality of projection images. The first axis may be perpendicular to the second axis. |
| US08254512B2 |
Method and apparatus for increasing coherent integration length while receiving a positioning signal
A receiving method and apparatus for increasing coherent integration length while receiving a positioning signal from transmitters such as GPS satellites. In order to compensate for frequency drifts that may occur in the positioning signal, a hypothesis is made as to the frequency drift, which is inserted into the receiving algorithm. Advantageously, the length of coherent integration can be increased at the expense of reducing the length of incoherent integration while keeping the total integration length the same, the net effect of which is an increase in signal detection sensitivity. The frequency drift hypothesis has any appropriate waveform; for example, approximately linear or exponential. The hypothesized frequency drift can be inserted into the receiver algorithm in any suitable place; for example, the data block may be adjusted for the hypothesized frequency drift, alternatively the reference signal may be adjusted, or the frequency samples of either the data block or the reference signal may be adjusted. |
| US08254509B2 |
Receiver
A receiver receives a reception signal subjected to orthogonal frequency division multiplexing modulation or orthogonal frequency division multiple access modulation. The receiver has: an array antenna for receiving the reception signal; adaptive equalizers provided in each of the plurality of antennas, and reducing advanced or delayed waves having a delay time to a main wave in the reception signal; a spatial diversity combining portion which multiplies output signals of the adaptive equalizers by a weighting coefficient and adds the multiplied signals; a weight control portion generating the weighting coefficient; and an equalizer setting unit which estimates an arrival angle and a delay time for each path of the reception signal, and based on the estimation, decides an interference wave to be eliminated by the adaptive equalizers among interference waves, and sets in the adaptive equalizers the delay time of the decided interference wave. |
| US08254507B2 |
Method and system for SFBC/STBC in a communication diversity system using angle feedback
Aspects of a system for STBC/SFBC in a communication system using angle feedback may include a receiver, which enables reception of signals via a plurality of receiving antennas. The receiver may enable computation of a rotation factor value based on the received signals and utilization of the computed rotation factor value to receive subsequent signals via the plurality of receiving antennas. The received signals may comprise preamble data. The receiver may enable computation of channel estimate values based on the received preamble data. A rotation angle value may be computed based on the computed channel estimate values. The rotation factor value may be computed based on the computed rotation angle value. The receiver may enable transmission of feedback information comprising the computed rotation factor and/or the computed rotation angle. |
| US08254505B2 |
Narrow-band interference detector, signal receiver employing narrow-band interference detector and controlling demodulator parameter setting according to narrow-band interference detection result, and related methods thereof
A signal receiver includes a demodulator, a narrow-band interference detector, and a control module, where the demodulator is for performing signal demodulation upon a received communication signal, the narrow-band interference detector is for performing narrow-band interference detection and accordingly generating a detection result, and the control module is for controlling an operation of the demodulator according to the detection result. In addition, a narrow-band interference detector includes an input port and a processing circuit, where the input port is coupled to an equalizer included in a signal receiver for receiving a signal generated from the equalizer, and the processing circuit is coupled to the input port for performing a narrow-band interference detection according to the signal generated from the equalizer, and accordingly generating a detection result. |
| US08254500B2 |
Channel equalization with SCDMA modulation
The present invention relates a system and method for mitigating impairment in a communication system. In one embodiment, the system comprises a transmitter adapted to transmit at least one signal and a receiver adapted to receive the at least one signal and mitigate inter code interference in the signal using at least one inter code interference coefficient. |
| US08254498B1 |
Random orthogonal frequency division multiplexing
Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, for receiving a first modulated signal on a first sub-channel, wherein a first transmitter randomly selects the first sub-channel from a plurality of sub-channels and for receiving, at the receiver, a second modulated signal on a second sub-channel, wherein the second sub-channel is orthogonal to the first sub-channel, wherein a second transmitter randomly selects the second sub-channel from the plurality of sub-channels. At least a portion of the first signal overlaps with a portion of the second signal. For each of the plurality of sub-channels, a plurality of symbols are stored in a buffer and a plurality of potential data frames are determined based upon the symbols in the buffer. A signal detection algorithm is applied to the potential data frames to detect the first modulated signal and the second modulated signal. |
| US08254497B2 |
Method for detecting cyclostationary signals
A method for detecting a cyclostationary signal in a signal to be analyzed, received from a transmitter by a receiver or read from a recording medium by a reader device. According to this method, the value of a discrimination function J is estimated, expressed as a quadratic form of the cyclic correlation coefficients of the signal to be analyzed for a set (I*M) of non-zero time shifts and a set (IK) of cyclic frequencies, and the value 1 - γ ( v , U σ 4 J ) is compared with a wrong detection rate η in order to determine whether said cyclostationary signal is present in the signal to be analyzed, wherein γ(ν,x) is the normalized lower incomplete gamma function, ν is the product of the cardinal (M) of said set of non-zero time shifts and of the cardinal (K) of said set of cyclic frequencies, U is the width of the autocorrelation window on which the cyclic correlation coefficients are calculated, and σ4 is the square of the noise variance. |
| US08254495B2 |
Codebook based precoding methods
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for applying successive multi-rank beamforming strategies (e.g., successive precoding strategies) for the design of precoders over a set of parallel channels. Successive beamforming is applied to a narrow band channel model and is also applied for finer quantization of a single beamforming vector (e.g., recursive beamforming). A first embodiment provides the optimal approach with high complexity. An alternative embodiment provides successive beamforming for near optimal precoding selection with medium complexity. A low complexity method for precoder selection is also provided wherein a channel representative matrix for the set of parallel channels is determined and successive beamforming on the calculated channel representative is applied. |
| US08254492B2 |
Transmit diversity in a wireless communication system
A method for transmitting data via multiple antennas by modulating data to be transmitted into a plurality of modulated symbols, encoding each pair of modulated symbols from among said plurality of symbols in accordance with a transmission diversity scheme to result in a plurality of N by N matrices, with each N by N matrix corresponding to each pair of modulated symbols, generating a M by M code matrix comprised of the plurality of N by N matrices, orthogonally spreading the M by M code matrix to generate an output matrix, generating a plurality of row-permuted matrices by exchanging at least one pair of rows in the output matrix, and transmitting the symbols in the plurality of row-permuted matrices via a plurality of antennas by using either a space time transmission diversity scheme, a space frequency transmission diversity scheme, or a combination of a space time transmission diversity scheme and a space frequency transmission diversity scheme. |
| US08254488B2 |
Feedback strategies for constrained codebooks used in MIMO precoding
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for applying successive multi-rank beamforming strategies (e.g., successive precoding strategies) for the design of precoders over a set of parallel channels. Successive beamforming is applied to a narrow band channel model and is also applied for finer quantization of a single beamforming vector (e.g., recursive beamforming). A first embodiment provides the optimal approach with high complexity. An alternative embodiment provides successive beamforming for near optimal precoding selection with medium complexity. A low complexity method for precoder selection is also provided wherein a channel representative matrix for the set of parallel channels is determined and successive beamforming on the calculated channel representative is applied. |
| US08254486B2 |
Unified closed loop SU/MU-MIMO signaling and codebook design
A multi-resolution codebook is used to provide quantization for channel related information in a wireless network that supports both single-user MIMO and multi-user MIMO. The multi-resolution codebook may include a higher resolution “fine” codebook for use with MU-MIMO subscriber stations and a lower resolution “coarse” codebook for use with SU-MIMO subscriber stations. A tracking codebook may also be used to provide quantization for updates to channel related information. In at least one embodiment, the tracking codebook includes a number of unit vectors (or orthogonal matrices) disposed upon a sphere cap. |
| US08254484B2 |
Method of dirty paper coding using nested lattice codes
A method of Dirty Paper Coding DPC using nested lattices is disclosed. The complexity of DPC can be reduced by scaling nested lattices and mapping interference to a lattice point of the scaled lattice. |
| US08254478B2 |
Method for limiting local bandwidth impairment using tone reservation
The present invention relates to a method of limiting local bandwidth impairment in a telecommunications system, wherein tone reservation is used to reduce peak power of a multi-carrier signal using successive processing stages. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for limiting local bandwidth impairment and to a base station including such an apparatus. The method according to the present invention comprises the steps: generating a first peak reduction signal using reserved frequencies or tones of a first subset of frequencies or tones; generating a second peak reduction signal using reserved frequencies or tones of a second subset of frequencies or tones; extracting the In-phase components, I-components, of the first peak reduction signal and extracting the Quadrature components, Q-components, of the second peak reduction signal; and generating a third peak reduction signal by combining or adding, in the frequency domain, the I-components of the first peak reduction signal and the Q-components of the second peak reduction signal. |
| US08254474B2 |
Method for estimating the characteristcs of OFDM signals
This invention relates to a method for determining at least one characteristic of an OFDM signal within a received signal, characterized in that: a plurality of cyclic correlation coefficients (ρk/(α+β)(α)) for the received signal is calculated (420, 520) for a correlation time difference (α) and a plurality of cyclic frequencies ( k α + β ) ; a discrimination function is calculated (430, 530) as a function of the amplitude of said cyclic correlation coefficients; said OFDM signal characteristic is deduced (440, 561, 562) as a function of at least one value of said discrimination function. |
| US08254473B2 |
Bit interleaver and method of bit interleaving using the same
A bit interleaver and a bit interleaving method are provided. The bit interleaver includes delay devices which are applied with symbol interleaving and tone interleaving, and delay a bit stream output from a memory, to generate a delayed bit stream; a first multiplexer (MUX) unit which selects any one of a bit of the bit stream output from the memory and a bit of the delayed bit stream, to generate a selection bit stream; and a second MUX unit which changes an order of the selection bit stream to generate an output bit stream. Accordingly, it is possible to easily and effectively perform bit interleaving including a cyclic shift. |
| US08254472B2 |
Communication device and communication system
A communication device includes a storage unit that stores a predetermined eye mask pattern indicating a receivable range, a receiving unit that receives data from the other communication device, a waveform comparing unit for comparing a waveform of the received data with the eye mask pattern to generate comparison result data and a transmission unit for transmitting the comparison result data to the other communication device. |
| US08254461B2 |
Method and apparatus for variable accuracy inter-picture timing specification for digital video encoding with reduced requirements for division operations
A method and apparatus for performing motion estimation in a digital video system is disclosed. Specifically, the present invention discloses a system that quickly calculates estimated motion vectors in a very efficient manner. In one embodiment, a first multiplicand is determined by multiplying a first display time difference between a first video picture and a second video picture by a power of two scale value. This step scales up a numerator for a ratio. Next, the system determines a scaled ratio by dividing that scaled numerator by a second first display time difference between said second video picture and a third video picture. The scaled ratio is then stored calculating motion vector estimations. By storing the scaled ratio, all the estimated motion vectors can be calculated quickly with good precision since the scaled ratio saves significant bits and reducing the scale is performed by simple shifts. |
| US08254457B2 |
Video signal processing method and apparatus thereof
A method of processing an interleaved video including a plurality of fields includes receiving a top field and a bottom field successively; selecting one of the top field and the bottom field as a selected field; and generating an interpolated field for replacing an unselected field of the top field and the bottom field, wherein a field motion between the selected field and the interpolated field is less than a field motion between the top field and the bottom field. |
| US08254456B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding video and method and apparatus for decoding video
A method of and apparatus for encoding and decoding an image are provided. According to the method and apparatus, a virtual motion vector is assigned to a block which is encoded in intra prediction mode, and when a motion vector of a block which is encoded in inter prediction mode after the intra block is decoded, the virtual motion vector assigned to the intra block is used. |
| US08254450B2 |
System and method for providing improved intra-prediction in video coding
A system and method for improving the efficiency of decoding intra-coded blocks in video decoding, even in the event that neighboring pixels of the block are unavailable. According to various embodiments, in addition to information that is used to describe how a prediction is formed using a specified process, other “side” information is also transmitted for use in the decoding process. For example, after the intra-prediction direction of a block is decoded, it is determined whether the intra-prediction requires pixels that are unavailable for the block. If such pixels are needed, than side information may be parsed from the bitstream in a predetermined manner. The prediction signal may then be reconstructed for the block using various pieces of information. |
| US08254447B2 |
Moving picture stream generation apparatus, moving picture coding apparatus, moving picture multiplexing apparatus and moving picture decoding apparatus
To provide a moving picture stream generation apparatus and the like that generates a moving picture stream that can be played back in trick-play such as variable-speed playback and reverse playback even in a coding format such as the MPEG-4 AVC in which flexible prediction structures are allowed.A moving picture stream generation apparatus includes: a trick-play information generation unit TricPlay for generating supplemental information on a random access unit basis, the supplemental information being referred to at the time of playback of each random access unit and each random access unit including one or more pictures; and a variable length coding unit VLC for generating a stream including the generated supplemental information and the one or more pictures by adding the supplemental information to each corresponding random access unit. At the top of each random access unit, an intra coded picture that can be decoded without depending on any picture is placed, and the supplemental information includes information for specifying pictures to be decoded at the time when pictures included in each random access unit are played back in trick-play. |
| US08254446B2 |
Moving picture stream generation apparatus, moving picture coding apparatus, moving picture multiplexing apparatus and moving picture decoding apparatus
To provide a moving picture stream generation apparatus and the like that generates a moving picture stream that can be played back in trick-play such as variable-speed playback and reverse playback even in a coding format such as the MPEG-4 AVC in which flexible prediction structures are allowed.A moving picture stream generation apparatus includes: a trick-play information generation unit TricPlay for generating supplemental information on a random access unit basis, the supplemental information being referred to at the time of playback of each random access unit and each random access unit including one or more pictures; and a variable length coding unit VLC for generating a stream including the generated supplemental information and the one or more pictures by adding the supplemental information to each corresponding random access unit. At the top of each random access unit, an intra coded picture that can be decoded without depending on any picture is placed, and the supplemental information includes information for specifying pictures to be decoded at the time when pictures included in each random access unit are played back in trick-play. |
| US08254441B2 |
Video streaming based upon wireless quality
What is disclosed is a method of operating a video system. The method includes, in a video server, monitoring a quality indicator for wireless communications between a wireless communication system and a wireless communication device, transferring reference frames of a video for delivery to the wireless communication device over the wireless communication system if the quality indicator indicates a particular quality level and stopping the transfer of the reference frames if the quality indicator does not indicate the particular quality level, and transferring update frames of the video for delivery to the wireless communication device over the wireless communication system without regard to whether the quality indicator indicates the particular quality level. The method also includes, in the wireless communication device, receiving the reference frames and the update frames of the video over the wireless communication system, and displaying the video. |
| US08254440B2 |
Real time scene change detection in video sequences
An apparatus configured to process a digital video signal comprising an input circuit, a processing circuit and an encoder circuit. The input circuit may be configured to present a digital video signal comprising a plurality of frames. The processing circuit may be configured to detect scene changes in the digital video signal by analyzing (i) a current one of the plurality of frames and (ii) two or more other frames. The encoder circuit may be configured to generate an encoded signal in response to the digital video signal and the scene changes. The two or more other frames may comprise (i) a first window of frames that are processed before the current frame and (ii) a second window of frames that are processed after the current frame. The processing circuit may also detect the scene changes by analyzing changes between the first window and the second window. |
| US08254439B2 |
Apparatus and methods for motion vector correction
A motion vector correction apparatus for correcting an estimated motion vector for a pixel located at a position of an interpolated frame between a first and a second frame is provided, including a three-frame motion estimation unit estimating a previous and a following motion vector fields; a motion vector selection unit determining a set of reference motion vectors associated with the first and second frame for the position of the pixel, wherein the reference motion vectors include a first motion vector set as the estimated motion vector and a pair of corresponding motion vectors from the previous and following motion vector fields; and a motion vector correction unit obtaining a measure of consistency between the corresponding motion vectors, adapting a plurality of weighted factors according to the measure of consistency and correcting the estimated motion vector according to the adapted weighted factors and the set of reference motion vectors. |
| US08254435B2 |
Modulation method and modulator using pulse edge shift
A variable delay circuit delays a carrier signal having a predetermined frequency, and outputs a modulated signal. A delay setting unit sets a delay period for the variable delay circuit according to a data signal to be modulated. The delay setting unit assigns each symbol in the data signal to any one of positive edges and negative edges in the carrier signal, and sets a delay period for the variable delay circuit at the timing at which a positive edge in the carrier signal passes through the variable delay circuit, according to the symbol value in the data signal assigned to the positive edge. Furthermore, the delay setting unit sets a delay period for the variable delay circuit at the timing at which a negative edge in the carrier signal passes through the variable delay circuit, according to the symbol value in the data signal assigned to the negative edge. |
| US08254433B2 |
Non-federated multi-function Ka-band exciter system and method
Provided is a non-federated multi-function exciter. The non-federated multi-function exciter includes a waveform generator subsystem operable to provide waveforms programmable in time, duration, slope and frequency. A transmission subsystem is coupled to the waveform generator, the transmission subsystem having a first upconverter and a second upconverter coupled to the first upconverter. A communication modulation subsystem is coupled to the second upconverter of the transmission subsystem. A reference clock subsystem coupled to the waveform generator subsystem, the transmit subsystem and the communication modulation subsystem. The non-federated multi-function exciter is operable to generate interleaved radar and communication signals. |
| US08254429B1 |
Communication systems and methods
In accordance with embodiments, a communication system includes a first device and a second device in communication with the first device. The second device has at least a first pair and a second pair of antennas. The second device spreads a communication bit by a predetermined spreading factor and forms a first set of spatial block codes in frequency domain based on the spread communication bit. The first set of spatial block codes being consecutively transmitted on one of the first and second pairs of antennas. |
| US08254427B2 |
Device for controlling an arc furnace installation
A device for controlling an arc furnace installation has an automatic controller (3) wherein a functional unit (6) for furnace control, a functional unit (7) for electrode control and a functional unit (8) for melting control are integrated in the controller (3). |
| US08254424B2 |
Semiconductor having enhanced carbon doping
Methods for fabricating semiconductors with enhanced strain. One embodiment includes fabrication of a semiconductor device with an epitaxial structure. The epitaxial structure is formed with one or more semiconductor layers. One or more of the layers includes a dopant including small quantities of Al and repeated delta doping during expitaxial growth to form periods where surfaces are group III rich. |
| US08254423B2 |
(Al,Ga,In)N diode laser fabricated at reduced temperature
A method of fabricating an (Al,Ga,In)N laser diode, comprising depositing one or more III-N layers upon a growth substrate at a first temperature, depositing an indium containing laser core at a second temperature upon layers deposited at a first temperature, and performing all subsequent fabrication steps under conditions that inhibit degradation of the laser core, wherein the conditions are a substantially lower temperature than the second temperature. |
| US08254422B2 |
Microheat exchanger for laser diode cooling
A microheat exchanging assembly is configured to cool one or more heat generating devices, such as integrated circuits or laser diodes. The microheat exchanging assembly includes a first ceramic assembly thermally coupled to a first surface, and in cases, a second ceramic assembly thermally coupled to a second surface. The ceramic assembly includes one or more electrically and thermally conductive pads to be thermally coupled to a heat generating device, each conductive pad is electrically isolated from each other. The ceramic assembly includes a ceramic layer to provide this electrical isolation. A top surface and a bottom surface of the ceramic layer are each bonded to a conductive layer, such as copper, using an intermediate joining material. A brazing process is performed to bond the ceramic layer to the conductive layer via a joining layer. The joining layer is a composite of the joining material, the ceramic layer, and the conductive layer. |
| US08254421B1 |
Wavelength conversion laser light source, and laser light source device and two-dimensional image display device adopting the same
A wavelength conversion laser light source includes a fundamental wave laser light source; a wavelength conversion element for converting a fundamental wave emitted from the fundamental wave laser light source into a harmonic wave; and an element temperature holding section for holding the wavelength conversion element at a temperature as set, wherein the element temperature holding section includes a magnetic metal formed on at least a part of the surface of the wavelength conversion element via an insulating material, and a magnetic flux application section for heating the magnetic metal with an application of a magnetic flux to the magnetic metal. |
| US08254418B2 |
Method for finding and tracking single-mode operation point of external cavity diode lasers
An apparatus comprising: a processor for determining if a laser is operating in a single-mode state and for determining the degree to which one of one or more tunable parameters for the laser must be adjusted so that laser operates in a single-mode state if not operating in a single-mode state, wherein the one or more tunable parameters include the following parameters: the laser current and the wavelength of the output light. The apparatus may include a laser and/or a holographic storage medium. Also provided is a method for determining if a laser is operating in a single-mode state and for determining the degree to which one of one or more tunable parameters for the laser must be adjusted so that laser operates in a single-mode state if not operating in a single-mode state. |
| US08254415B2 |
Short wavelength light source and optical device
A GaN-based semiconductor laser (1) emits first laser light of a single polarization and having a first wavelength. An optical resonator (30) includes a solid-state laser medium which is excited by incidence of the laser light and which oscillates second laser light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. A polarization switch (6) switches over at least one of polarization directions of the first laser light and the second laser light to thereby change the wavelength of laser light to be emitted from the optical resonator (30) or the intensity ratio between a plurality of laser light to be emitted from the optical resonator (30). With the above arrangement, a plurality of laser light can be used effectively. |
| US08254412B2 |
Implementing priority based dynamic bandwidth adjustments
A method that includes receiving a reservation request from a first endpoint that comprises a bandwidth list identifying a plurality of bandwidth levels associated with the first endpoint. At least two of the bandwidth levels have a unique priority level associated therewith. The method also includes establishing a communication session between the first endpoint and at least one additional endpoint using a first bandwidth based on a first priority level. The first bandwidth and the first priority level are each associated with a first bandwidth level of the plurality of bandwidth levels. The method further includes detecting a bandwidth event that impacts a bandwidth used by the first endpoint for the communication session. The method additionally includes adjusting the bandwidth used by the first endpoint to a second bandwidth that is different than the first bandwidth based on a second priority level that is different than the first priority level. |
| US08254408B2 |
Modular implementation of a protocol in a network device
A system includes a gateway node that contains modular cards that separately implement control and data planes of a network protocol. The separate data and control cards provide for improved system reliability and improved flexibility in managing bandwidth. Control or data cards can be added to the gateway node as needed based on system load. |
| US08254407B2 |
Asymmetrical MIMO wireless communications
A method for asymmetrical MIMO wireless communication begins by determining a number of transmission antennas for the asymmetrical MIMO wireless communication. The method continues by determining a number of reception antennas for the asymmetrical MIMO wireless communication. The method continues by, when the number of transmission antennas exceeds the number of reception antennas, using spatial time block coding for the asymmetrical MIMO wireless communication. The method continues by, when the number of transmission antennas does not exceed the number of reception antennas, using spatial multiplexing for the asymmetrical MIMO wireless communication. |
| US08254406B1 |
Early termination in wireless communication overhead cycles
What is disclosed is a method of operating a wireless access node which exchanges overhead information with user devices in a series of repeating overhead time cycles each comprising a multi-user message and single-user messages. The method includes transmitting the multi-user messages for receipt and use by all of the user devices and transmitting the single-user messages for receipt and use by individual ones of the user devices. The method includes, in response to the single-user messages, receiving acknowledge messages comprising RF condition indicators for the single-user messages. The method includes, if any of the RF condition indicators are below a performance threshold, then suspending further transmission of the multi-user messages in the series of repeating overhead time cycles, and if none of the RF condition indicators are below the performance threshold, then continuing further transmission of the multi-user messages in the series of repeating overhead time cycles. |
| US08254402B2 |
Programmable high-speed cable with printed circuit board and boost device
An HDMI cable carries high speed encoded data which are transmitted differentially over data channels, along with a clock. High-frequency loss and differential skew within a differential signal may be compensated by analog circuits embedded in the cable. These embedded circuits are tuned at production for best performance by observing the quality of the recovered analog signal. The embedded circuits are powered by a combination of power sources, both carried within the cable, and harvested from the high-speed signals themselves. Methods are provided for deskewing, equalizing, and boosting the differential signals in the embedded circuits that are mounted on a PCB. |
| US08254395B2 |
Computer-implemented method, system, and program product for tracking a location of a user of a wireless device in a private network environment
The present invention provides a computer-implemented method, system, and program product for tracking a location of a user of a wireless device in a private network environment. Specifically, under the present invention, a wireless device user will form a data connection with a private network through a public network such as the Internet. At such a time “location” information will be communicated from the wireless device to the provider of the private network, which will use the information to track the location of the wireless device user. In addition, the provider of the private network can query the wireless device when updates to the information are desired. At this or any other time, the wireless device can be queried for any such updates. |
| US08254391B2 |
Method and system for performing blocking of messages on errors in message stream
Described is an improved method, system, and computer program product for implementing an improved resequencer, along with related mechanisms and processes. An improved error handling method and system for messages is also described. |
| US08254389B2 |
Apparatus and method for inter-office compression
An exemplary apparatus includes a processor configured to compress an A11 message into a compressed message. The processor assigns a first value to a first portion of a first octet of the compressed message based on a message type field of the A11 message. The first portion may be three bits in length. The processor may also assign a second value to a second portion of the first octet of the compressed message based on a code field, a flags field and a status field of the A11 message. The second value may correspond to a set of values for the code, flags and status fields and may be five bits long. Third and fourth values are assigned to portions of a second octet of the compressed message based on an information element identifier and other field/s respectively of the A11 message so as to uniquely identify an information element. |
| US08254388B2 |
Management device to investigate path states of network and network system
A packet reception portion receives packets of user traffic transferred on the network. The received packets are transferred to an address extraction portion via a distribution portion, and the transmission source address and destination address are extracted. Based on these addresses, a packet generation portion generates probe packets the transfer destination of which is the address destination. A packet transmission portion transmits the probe packets to the network. The transmitted probe packets are received as probe response packets by the packet reception portion. The probe response packets received by the packet reception portion are transferred to a result storage portion via the distribution portion. The result storage portion stores transmission source addresses included in the probe packets in a result storage DB. |
| US08254386B2 |
Internet protocol multicast on passive optical networks
A method for implementing multicast via a passive optical network (PON) may include receiving Internet group multicast protocol (IGMP) messages from a customer device. Multicast information associated with the IGMP messages is identified, wherein the multicast information includes at least multicast group information and customer identification information. The multicast information is stored in a multicast state table. Downstream layer 2 traffic is received and multicast addressing information is extracted from the layer 2 traffic. It is then determined whether the multicast addressing information matches the multicast group information stored in the multicast state table. The layer 2 traffic is forwarded on at least one PON interface corresponding to the customer identification information that is associated with the stored multicast group information when the multicast addressing information matches the multicast group information stored in the multicast state table. |
| US08254384B2 |
Packet transmission system, packet transmission method, packet update method, host apparatus, and computer program product thereof for the packet transmission system
A packet transmission system, a packet transmission method, a packet update method, a host apparatus, and a computer program product thereof for the packet transmission system are provided. The packet transmission method comprises the following steps: transmitting a first positioning packet that has a first message serial number; receiving the first positioning packet; generating a temporary packet that has a second message serial number; determining that the first message serial number is smaller than the second message serial number; transmitting the temporary packet; receiving the temporary packet and updating the first message serial as the second message serial number; and transmitting a second positioning packet that has the second message serial number. Thereby, the system not only prevents repeat transmission, but also enhances positioning reliability by using two-way transmission. |
| US08254383B2 |
Method and system for routing using multi-stage route entry lookup
The invention relates to a method for routing packets. The method includes receiving a first packet to route, obtaining a first route entry using a first IP address associated with the first packet, where the first route entry includes a first prefix, a first route nexthop generation (RNG) and a first route nexthop pointer (RNP) to a second route entry. The method further includes comparing a route generation (RG) for the second route entry with the first RNG where the RG for the second route entry and the first RNG are equal, obtaining a first neighbor cache entry (NCE) from a first NCE pointer (NP) stored in the first route entry, and routing the first packet using the ARP information in the first NCE, where a route dependency list pointer (RDLP) in the second route entry points to the first route entry. |
| US08254380B2 |
Managing messages transmitted in an interconnect network
The system for managing messages transmitted in an interconnect network connecting blocks on a chip comprises agents linked by point-to-point links able to transmit, by static routing, messages comprising a priority information item quantified on N levels. The system comprises at least one agent initiating request messages to at least one recipient agent. A request message comprises a header and, where appropriate, content data. The system comprises means of generating a priority message, to a recipient agent, to which at least on request message has previously been transmitted with no response message received in return. |
| US08254379B1 |
Method and system for application based compression profile selection
In establishing a data connection with a wireless wide area network, a wireless device may evaluate one or more factors in order to select between IP header compression methods to be used for traffic in the data connection between the wireless device and an access point for the wireless wide area network. For example, the wireless device may select the IP header compression method based on a remaining battery level of the wireless device, a type of application on the wireless device initiating the data connection or another factor. In one embodiment, the selection of the IP header compression method may also be based on an amount of available bandwidth for the access point to allocate to wireless devices. |
| US08254378B2 |
Strict-sense minimal spanning switch non-blocking architecture
The present invention discloses an apparatus to implement a m=n Non-Blocking Minimal Spanning Switch, where n=the total number of data input signals and m=the total number of data output signals and m=the number of crossbar connections in each switch. Data is input to the switch as a plurality of frames, whereby each crossbar connection contains a framer which detects framing patterns in the data. Skewed data is re-aligned and buffered so that the data output by each crossbar connection is equal and identical, thus any crossbar connection may be used to ensure a connection, eliminating the possibility of data interrupts. |
| US08254373B2 |
Method of conducting secure transactions over a telecommunications system and session initiation protocol (SIP) based input echo display control for conducting secure transactions
A method of managing a communications network, managing secure transactions conducted by digital communications devices over a communications network and computer program product therefore. A Back to Back User Agent (B2BUA), for example, receives numerical input from a networked digital communications device, e.g., a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) device, and determines when and whether the SIP device displays digits entered at the devices. The B2BUA analyzes received digits for an identification (ID) code and selectively couples the SIP devices with a media server capable of providing prompting the SIP devices. In cooperation with the media server, the B2BUA directs replacing sensitive codes (e.g., passwords or Personal Identification Number (PIN)) with placekeepers or suppressing display altogether. After sensitive code input is complete, digit entry display resumes. |
| US08254371B2 |
Method and system for routing and security for telephone calls over a packet-switched network
A server, upon receiving a request to complete a call over a packet-switched network, looks up an address on the packet-switched network on a local table. If the local table does not contain a matching address, the server asks a routing server to identify a receiving server address. The routing server identifies a suitable address and sends a message to the originating server containing the address. The routing server may consider such factors as the volume of calls currently being handled by various potential receiving servers in selecting a receiving server. The receiving server then receives, via the packet-switched network, a message requesting a telephone connection to a second telephone device. Before completing the connection to the second telephone device, information in the message representing the address of the device on the packet-switched network that originated the message is identified. The address information is compared to selected predetermined addresses for permitted origins of the message. The permitted origins may be other servers or clients of the receiving server. If the address in the message corresponds to a predetermined permitted address, the server will proceed with completion of the call. If the address in the message does not correspond to a predetermined permitted address, the server will refuse to complete the call. |
| US08254370B2 |
Method for redirecting network communication ports and network communication system thereof
A method for redirecting network communication port and a network communication system thereof are disclosed. When a receiving end determines that a communication port needs to be redirected, the receiving end sends a redirected address to a transmitting end via a communication port. The redirected address includes redirected address information of a transport layer. According to the present invention, when the gatekeeper is not able to receive, via a well-known port, some of signaling sent from a node, the gatekeeper can inform the transmitting end to switch the port automatically, allowing thereby the node to continue the previous service. The present invention further allows the node to perform protocol switching automatically. |
| US08254365B2 |
Method for maintaining timing across discontinuous activity gaps for a non-real time data interface
A method for maintaining timing across discontinuous activity gaps for a non-real time data interface, in a radio frequency (RF) IC is disclosed. The method comprises starting a first receive mode in the RF IC to receive analog RF signals 210 in response to receiving a first command from a base band (BB) IC, converting the analog RF signals 215 into a first stream of digital data samples, and transmitting 225 the samples to the BB IC. Next, the RF IC stops the first receive mode 235 in response to receiving a second command from the BB IC and transmits 245 dummy data samples to the BB IC. Then the RF IC re-starts the first receive mode 275 in response to receiving a third command from the BB IC 270, converts analog RF signals received by the first receive mode into a second stream of digital data samples 285, and transmits the samples to the BB IC 298. |
| US08254362B2 |
Method and device of generating time-varying preamble sequence and pseudorandom noise (PN) binary sequence in direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) communications
Embodiments of the disclosure provide methods, apparatus, and articles allowing two nodes to communicate in a slot-based direct sequencing spreading communication system. Both a preamble sequence and a payload data spreading PN sequence are generated from the Time of Day and a given user code. Generated sequences are synchronized between two communicating nodes to allow slot-based DSSS communication to take place. Generated sequences also change dynamically from slot to slot to provide waveform security. |
| US08254360B2 |
OFDMA control channel interlacing
Apparatus and methods for interlacing communications in random access control channels of an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) wireless communication system are described. A wireless communication device communicating over distinct OFDMA control channels to multiple serving sectors may operate under link limited conditions. The wireless communication device can interlace the communications between the multiple serving sectors. The wireless communication device can interlace the control channel communications in a number of interlaces equal to the number of distinct control channels over which communications are scheduled. In another embodiment, the wireless communication device divide the multiple scheduled control channel communications into two or more sets and can interlace the sets. In another embodiment, the wireless communication device can reserve a first interlace for control channel communications with the serving sector and can time multiplex the remaining control channel communications on a second interlace. |
| US08254356B2 |
Methods, systems and computer program products for suspending packet-switched sessions to a wireless terminal
Methods, systems and computer program products are provided through which a wireless terminal participating in a packet-switched communications session may temporarily suspend the session, for example, upon receipt of an incoming circuit-switched call. The wireless terminal may notify a server associated with the packet-switched session of receipt of the incoming circuit-switched call, and may also notify the server when the packet-switched session may be resumed. In embodiments of the present invention implemented in GSM networks, one or more of the notification messages may be transmitted to the server over the SMS data bearer. |
| US08254355B2 |
Method and apparatus for utilizing a second receiver to establish time and frequency
Apparatus and methods for synchronizing a network element (e.g. access points, femtocells, etc.) to a master network (such as a cellular network) to provide accurate frequency and/or time references for their internal systems. In one embodiment, the network element utilizes a dedicated receiver (or transceiver) to receive timing information from the master network. The implementation of the dedicated receiver is advantageous for cost and simplicity reasons. Furthermore, the timing or frequency information, as received from the master network, is used to correct the network element's internal timing. In addition, the network element's internal timing can operate in open-loop mode, if no master network can be found, thereby allowing for the device to continue providing service to network users. Additionally, a dedicated receiver can also receive information (e.g. location, SID, NID, SSID, etc.) local to the network element, such information may be useful or required for seamless operation within the master network. |
| US08254352B2 |
System and method for configuration of network-capable appliances
A controlling device is used to configure an appliance for wireless network communications through use of a setup wizard installed on a computing device. The setup wizard is used to obtain from a user information required to perform communications on a wireless network via a wireless network router and a digital representation of the information obtained from the user through use of the setup wizard is provided to the controlling device. The controlling device is then used to transfer the digital representation of the information to the appliance whereupon the appliance will use the digital representation of the information to configure itself for wireless network communications. |
| US08254350B2 |
Routing packets in an ad hoc wireless network
A system for routing packets in an ad hoc wireless network. In response to entering the ad hoc wireless network, location data is broadcast to other nodes within the ad hoc wireless network. Location data is received from the other nodes within the ad hoc wireless network. The received location data is recorded in a routing table. In response to determining that one or more packets need to be transmitted, a best route is calculated to transmit the one or more packets within the ad hoc wireless network using data in the routing table. Then, the one or more packets are transmitted to a node within the ad hoc wireless network based on the calculated best route. |
| US08254349B2 |
Routing data in a cluster
Various techniques for routing data through a cluster are disclosed. The cluster includes a number of nodes that support communications by an access terminal. A node may be configured to use an identifier assigned to an access terminal to route data associated with the access terminal to another node in the cluster. The identifier is assigned by any node in the cluster. |
| US08254344B2 |
Reference sequence construction for fast cell search
A method and apparatus for fast cell search based on a chirp reference signal transmission is disclosed herein. A primary synchronization channel (P-SCH) and two secondary synchronization channels (S-SCH1 and S-SCH2) will be utilized. S-SCH1 will comprise a reference sequence having a first index value and S-SCH2 will comprise a reference sequence having a second index value. S-SCH1 and S-SCH2 will be scrambled with a first and a second scrambling code, respectively. The second scrambling code will be based on the first index value. |
| US08254341B2 |
Control channel transmitting method, base station and terminal
A control channel transmitting method includes selecting one control channel format from among a plurality of control channel formats having different numbers of control points, according to whether to carry out multiple input multiple output transmission; and transmitting a control channel with the use of the selected control channel format. |
| US08254338B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing advertising and/or information services over mobile ad hoc cooperative networks using electronic billboards and related devices
A method of operating an electronic billboard includes detecting a mobile electronic device within a predetermined distance of the electronic billboard, establishing an ad hoc wireless connection with the mobile electronic device, and transmitting location-specific data to the mobile electronic device over the ad hoc wireless connection. The location-specific data is associated with a geographic location of the electronic billboard. For example, the location-specific data may include advertising content, traffic and/or construction conditions, emergency information, and/or tourism information associated with the geographic location of the electronic billboard. Related methods, devices, and computer program products are also discussed. |
| US08254332B2 |
Method and system for radio access technology monitoring in a wireless communications system
A method and apparatus are provided for radio access technology (RAT) monitoring, in a wireless system environment having wireless communications equipment and at least two different RATs that coexist for providing to the equipment access to one or more communications networks. The equipment has at least two subsystems, each adapted for establishing and maintaining an active communications connection with a certain one of the different RATs. The equipment selects at least a first RAT, among all the RATs available in a certain geographical area, for establishing the active communications connection, according to a monitored characteristic of the first RAT. The method includes scanning a characteristic of a second RAT available for communication in the geographical area while the equipment maintains an active communications connection with the first RAT, and performing the scanning step when the equipment does not transmit signals through the active communications connection maintained with the first RAT. |
| US08254330B1 |
Transitioning to previous coverage area to expedite call setup
Methods and systems are provided for expediting call setup in a wireless communication system. A mobile station operating in idle mode and under coverage of a first and second wireless coverage area receives overhead channel data for the first coverage area. The mobile station then detects a trigger to initiate connectivity with the wireless communication system. Responsive to detecting this trigger, the mobile station determines an amount of time until it will receive overhead channel data for the second coverage area and makes a determination of whether this determined amount of time is greater than a threshold. If the determined amount of time is greater than a threshold, the mobile station seeks connectivity via the first coverage area. However, if the determined amount of time is less than a threshold, the mobile station seeks connectivity via the second coverage area. |
| US08254326B2 |
Method for transmitting power headroom report and buffer status report in a wireless communication system and related communication device
A method for transmitting a power headroom report (PHR) and a buffer status report (BSR) for a user equipment in a wireless communication system includes triggering a BSR when a triggering event for the BSR occurs, for reporting a status of an uplink transmission buffer of the user equipment to a network of the wireless communication system, checking whether the BSR is triggered for reporting that the uplink transmission buffer is empty, when the BSR is triggered for reporting that the uplink transmission buffer is empty, checking whether a PHR is triggered and whether there is room for the PHR in an uplink resource according to a priority order, and generating the PHR and transmitting the PHR instead of the BSR to the network when the PHR is triggered and there is not enough room for the PHR in the uplink resource. |
| US08254321B2 |
Method and apparatus for serving high speed downlink shared channel cell change
A method and apparatus for serving high speed downlink shared channel (HS-DSCH) cell change are disclosed. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) sends a measurement report to a radio network controller (RNC) when a signal strength of a target cell approaches a signal strength of a source cell. The RNC adds the target cell in an active set and sends pre-loaded HS-DSCH configuration information for the target cell to the WTRU. The WTRU sends another measurement report when a signal strength of the target cell exceeds that of the source cell. The WTRU monitors a high speed shared control channel (HS-SCCH) on the target cell based on the pre-loaded HS-DSCH configuration information and decodes an HS-SCCH transmission. The WTRU determines whether a MAC-hs/ehs reset is required and if so resets a MAC-hs/ehs entity prior to receiving an HS-DSCH transmission from the target cell. |
| US08254320B2 |
Mobility management using address pools in mobility label based MPLS networks
A routing system coupled to a label switching network receives a pool of network addresses allocated to a mobility region in the network, where the pool of network addresses includes a sequence of contiguous network addresses. The routing system stores the pool of network addresses, and allocates a range of mobility labels to the network address pool for use in communicating with mobile nodes in the mobility region. |
| US08254317B2 |
Method for processing dynamic service flows and network-side service flows and a communication apparatus
A method for processing dynamic service flows includes a SFM entity that sends a resource processing request to a H-PF server through an anchor SFA entity according to the received dynamic service flow processing request, with the request carrying the parameters related to the resource processing request. The H-PF server sends the result of the resource processing performed by each node in the network according to the resource requirements to the SFM through a resource processing response. The SFM returns a service flow processing response to the UE. After receiving the response, the UE saves the relevant parameters, and returns an acknowledgement to the SFM. |
| US08254316B2 |
QOS-based multi-protocol uplink access
A method and apparatus for multi-protocol uplink access defines two protocols and maps each to one of a user's access service class (ASC) and quality of service (QoS). A first uplink access protocol type is defined in which a random access channel (RACH) burst is sent and an acquisition indicator channel (AICH) burst is sent, and a channel assignment grant is sent on another downlink channel. A second uplink access protocol type is defined in which a RACH preamble is sent and an AICH burst is sent. |
| US08254309B2 |
Wireless communication equipment system for wireless local area network communication, and wireless communication sequence for the system
A wireless communication equipment system which performs wireless communication among one master station and more than one slave station is configured so that each of the slave stations requests the master station to reply acknowledgement frames so as to perform transmission acknowledgement to broadcast frames or multicast frames transmitted from the master station. The master station is configured to decide order of replies of the acknowledgement frames of the slave stations which have requested the replies of the acknowledgement frames and to notify the order of the replies of the acknowledgement frames. |
| US08254307B2 |
Method and apparatus for improving utilization efficiency of wireless links for web-based applications
An improved data communication network including a wireless link for accessing, from an end user machine, objects in a selected web page retrievable from an Internet server by means of suitable request messages is described. The wireless link includes a subscriber unit coupled to the end user machine and a base station coupled to the server. Web page data packets retrieved from the server with the use of the request messages are intercepted and locally stored in a gateway unit on the base station side of the wireless link. The gateway unit generates, from the retrieved web page data packets, additional request messages suitable for retrieving, from the server, object data packets corresponding to the objects on the selected web page. Such retrieved object data packets are also stored in the gateway unit. At least a portion of the stored object data packets, together with the stored web page data packets, are selectively released for transmission in bundled form over a single assigned channel on the wireless link. Such transmitted object data packets are locally stored in an additional gateway unit on the subscriber unit side of the wireless link, while the transmitted web page data packets are forwarded to the end user machine. The end user machine re-generates the object retrieval request messages, which in turn are used to directly retrieve the object data packets locally stored in the additional gateway without the necessity of again traversing the wireless link. |
| US08254302B2 |
Data communication control apparatus, data communication system, data communication method, and computer-readable storage medium recording data communication program
A user location monitoring unit of a data communication control apparatus monitors a message sent from a wireless device via a repeater. Upon detection of a change in the location of the wireless device, the user location monitoring unit updates the location information in the database and notifies via the Internet a management server of the location change. Upon receipt of the message via the Internet, a destination address confirming and correcting unit of the data communication control apparatus uses the user ID of a destination wireless device as a search keyword to search the database. In turn, the destination address confirming and correcting unit corrects the destination address of the message to the latest address of the pertinent user ID and outputs the corrected message to a received message forwarding unit. |
| US08254301B2 |
Group-header based method to organize local peer group of vehicles for inter-vehicle communication
A method for establishing and maintaining the network and a corresponding ad-hoc moving-device to moving-device network having a plurality of moving-devices grouped into a Local Peer Group (LPG) is disclosed. A group header node (GH) is selected from the plurality of moving wireless devices in the LPG. The GH controls and manages the LPG by broadcasting a plurality of control messages, including a heartbeat message at a fixed interval. The LPG also includes at least one group node (GN). The at least one GN can communicate with the GH via a network link created between the at least one GN and the GH. The GNs join the LPG via the GH. If there is more then one GH in an LPG, header resolution occurs to select only one GH. |
| US08254296B1 |
Peer-to-peer frequency band negotiation
The present specification describes techniques and apparatuses for peer-to-peer frequency band negotiation. In some embodiments, techniques are described using a bit vector that are fast and/or require low data throughput. |
| US08254294B2 |
System and method for providing local IP breakout services employing access point names
A method, apparatus and system are provided for acquiring an access point name for an application employing a local Internet protocol breakout service. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a user management subsystem (820) configured to initiate an Internet protocol application. The apparatus also includes a local breakout service monitoring subsystem (810) configured to monitor availability of a local Internet protocol local breakout service and to obtain an access point name from the local Internet protocol local breakout service when the local Internet protocol local breakout service is available. The apparatus also includes an access point name selection control subsystem (830) configured to bind the access point name to the Internet protocol application. |
| US08254283B2 |
Method and system for identifying degradation of a media service
A method and device for identifying degradation in service quality for a wireless media service. The wireless media service has a known expected packet generation rate, which may be determined by the device based upon the codec and payload size selected on initiating the media service. At a receiving device, the packets actually received by the device from the other termination point are counted over a time period, and this number is compared with the number of packets that were expected based upon the known packet generation rate. From this comparison a packet loss rate may be determined. If the packet loss rate exceeds a threshold level, then the device may issue a user alert, terminate the service, or take other action. The threshold level may be established based upon a packet loss rate corresponding to a significant degree of service quality degradation. |
| US08254282B2 |
System and method for hierarchical visualization of data
A system and method for monitoring IP flows in a network is disclosed. A plurality of monitor probes are coupled to links in the network, the monitor probes capture data packets from the links and determine protocols in OSI Layers 3, 4, and 5/7 of the packets. A user interface receives user inputs selecting the links and protocols for analysis. A display is coupled to the monitor probes and the user interface. The display and user interface receiving a user selection of links for analysis and display a first protocol analysis to the user, the first protocol analysis display comprising a pie chart representing all OSI Layer 3 protocols captured on the selected links, a pie chart representing all OSI Layer 4 protocols captured on the selected links, and a pie chart representing all OSI Layer 5/7 protocols captured on the selected links. |
| US08254279B2 |
Estimation of thermal noise and rise-over-thermal in a wireless communication system
Techniques for estimating thermal noise and rise-over-thermal (RoT) in a communication system are described. In an aspect, thermal noise in a sideband may be measured and used to estimate thermal noise in a signal band. In one design, received power in the sideband may be measured, e.g., by computing total power of FFT transform coefficients within the sideband. Thermal noise may be estimated based on (e.g., by filtering) the measured received power in the sideband. Received power in the signal band may also be measured. Total received power may be estimated based on (e.g., by filtering) the measured received power in the signal band. RoT may then be estimated based on the estimated thermal noise and the estimated total received power. The estimated RoT may be used to estimate an available load for a cell, which may be used to admit and/or schedule users in the cell. |
| US08254278B2 |
Efficient address caching for packet telephony services
A method for telephony includes receiving at a facility of a telephone service provider a first subscriber request to place a first call to a specified telephone number. A provider request is sent to a remote server (26), which maintains a database (28) of records associating telephone numbers with respective packet network addresses, for a record (72) indicating a packet network address to which calls to the specified telephone number should be placed. Upon receiving the record from the remote server, the record is stored in a local cache (42) at the facility of the telephone service provider. After storing the record, upon receiving at the facility of the telephone service provider a second subscriber request to place a second call to the specified telephone number, the record is read from the local cache and is used in placing the second call to the packet network address. |
| US08254269B2 |
Method and apparatus for inspection of compressed data packages
A method for inspection of compressed data packages, which are transported over a data network, is provided. The data packages comprise a data package header containing control data for securing the correct delivery and interpretation of the package and a payload part containing data to be transferred over the data network. The method comprises the steps of: a) extracting payload data from the payload part of the package, b) appending the extracted payload data to a stream of data, c) probing the data package header so as to determine the compression scheme that is applied to the payload data, d) applying the determined compression scheme to at least one search pattern, which has previously been stored in a search key register, and e) comparing the compressed search pattern to the stream of data. The method can be carried out by dedicated hardware. |
| US08254265B2 |
Methods and apparatus for routing IP media data based on cost
A session controller configured to receive a data packet from a packet-switched network having multiple communication links is disclosed. The disclosed session controller is further configured to define a call-routing policy based on layer-five information, layer-two information, layer-three information and layer-seven information from the data packet. The call-routing policy is configured to define a least-cost routing (LCR) call route for an ingress call over at least one of the plurality of communication links. The LCR call route is associated with an operational cost that is lower than an operational cost associated with at least one other call route over at least one communication link from the plurality of communication links. The session controller is also configured to associate the ingress call to an egress-call peer based on the call routing policy. |
| US08254262B1 |
Passive recording and load balancing
Included are embodiments of a method for routing communication data to a plurality of recorders. At least one embodiment of a method includes passively receiving communication data related to a communication and determining to which recorder the received communication data is to be routed in order to achieve a substantially balanced utilization of the plurality recorders. Other embodiments include routing the communication data to the determined recorder. |
| US08254257B2 |
System and method for location, time-of-day, and quality-of-service based prioritized access control
A priority server for a provider network includes a traffic volume detection module, a traffic analyzer module, and a rules module. The traffic volume detection module receives operational information from the provider network and determines that a host is experiencing a flash event based upon the operational information. The traffic analyzer module determines that the flash event is not a distributed denial of service attack on the host. When it is determined that the flash event is not a distributed denial of service attack, the rules module provides a priority rule to an access router that is coupled to the host. The priority rule is based upon a characteristic of packets routed in the provider network that are associated with the flash event, and the characteristic is determined not solely by information included in the packets. |
| US08254253B2 |
Conditional utilization of private short-range wireless networks for service provision and mobility
A system for managing the integration of a private short-range wireless network into a service/mobility domain. The private short-range wireless network may be converted into a semi-private short range wireless network by managing access to the network in accordance with rules defined by a home user. These rules allow a home user to define how visitors will be granted access to the semi-private short-range network when the user is at home or away. Restricted access may be enforced when the home user is present, and security measures may force the semi-private short-range wireless network to enter a safe mode when a condition is met. |
| US08254241B2 |
Adaptive communications methods for multiple user packet radio wireless networks
An exemplary wireless communication network that includes a base that communicates with remote units located in a cell of the network. A base concatenates information symbols with a preamble corresponding to a destination remote unit. One or more remote units communicating with a base each concatenates information symbols with a preamble corresponding to that remote unit. An adaptive receiver system for a base unit rapidly adapts optimal despreading weights for reproducing information symbols transmitted from multiple remote units. A transmitter system for a base unit concatenates information symbols with a preamble associated with a remote unit in the cell. An adaptive receiver system for a remote unit in a communication network rapidly adapts optimal weights for reproducing a signal transmitted to it by a specific base unit in the network. A transmitter system for a remote unit in a cell of a communication network which concatenates information symbols with preamble associated with the remote unit. A base initiates communication with a desired remote unit by transmitting an initiation codeword in a selected entry slot. One or more remote units each initiates communication with a base by transmitting an initiation codeword associated with the remote unit in a selected entry slot. A remote unit synchronizes in time and frequency to the base using a sequence of synchronization signals transmitted by the base in a number of entry slots. |
| US08254239B2 |
Complex objective lens including saw-tooth diffractive element for using on blue, red and infrared lights
In an optical head device which performs recording or reading of data in/from a high-density optical disc using an objective lens with a large NA, a saw-tooth shape diffraction element is used for also performing recording or reading of data in/from a conventional optical disc, such as DVD, CD, or the like. A step difference that produces an optical path length for blue light which is equal to or longer than the wavelength of the blue light and optical path lengths for red and infrared light which are shorter than the wavelengths of the red and infrared light is utilized so as to exert an inverse action on the blue light to those exerted on the red and infrared light. The effect of increasing the working distances for CD and DVD enables multiple compatibility. The above optical element is integrally combined with the objective lens to perform a tracking servo following operation. |
| US08254234B2 |
Information recording medium evaluation method, information recording medium, method for manufacturing information recording medium, signal processing method and access control apparatus
A method for rating an information recording medium according to the present invention includes the steps of: receiving a digital read signal, which has been generated based on an analog read signal representing information that has been read from the information recording medium, and shaping the waveform of the digital read signal; subjecting the shaped digital read signal to maximum likelihood decoding, thereby generating a binarized signal showing a result of the maximum likelihood decoding; and calculating the quality of the digital read signal based on the shaped digital read signal and the binarized signal. If the quality of the read signal is calculated by a PRML method in which a number of zero-cross portions are included in a merging path of a minimum difference metric, the quality is calculated by using only a state transition pattern in which only one zero-cross portion is included in a merging path of a non-minimum difference metric. |
| US08254232B2 |
Indication of optically writable optical disc surface incident to laser
A mass-storage device according to an embodiment of the invention is disclosed that includes a laser and an indication mechanism. The laser at least optically writes to an optically writable surface of an optical disc incident to the laser. The indication mechanism indicates whether the optically writable surface incident to the laser is an optically writable label surface or an optically writable data surface of the optical disc. |
| US08254228B2 |
Optical disc drive and hibernation recovery method for an optical disc drive
Provided is a technology in which a controller for controlling read/write performed to/from an optical disc includes a processor for controlling an interface, a temporary memory unit, a rotation control unit, and an optical control unit. The controller causes the processor to shift to a hibernate state when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and causes the processor to recover from the hibernate state into an active state when the interface receives a first command. The processor receives the first command from the interface, instructs the rotation control unit to drive the optical disc at a predetermined target rotational speed, instructs the optical control unit to perform a processing specified by the first command, transmits a completion notification of the first command to the interface with a delay, receives a second command after transmitting the completion notification of the first command, and executes the processing of the second command. |
| US08254227B2 |
Frequency-modulated coding and data recording and storage using plasmonic nanostructures
A frequency-modulated coding and data recording and storage device that uses plasmonic-dielectric nanostructures of concentric two-layer core-shell design to store data includes a flat transparent substrate having a top surface divided into cells with side dimension d on the order of tens of nanometers and a core-shell plasmonic-dielectric nanostructure disposed in each cell. Each plasmonic nanostructure of concentric core-shell has a predetermined ratio of radii and a predetermined aspect ratio such that when an infrared or visible wavelength signal is applied to each said core-shell plasmonic-dielectric nanostructure a peak scattering amplitude of the applied signal is at different plasmonic resonance frequencies for core-shell plasmonic-dielectric nanostructures with different ratio of radii and different aspect ratios. The sampled values of a signal to be recorded are assigned to each cell and the ratio of radii and/or aspect ratios of the core-shell plasmonic-dielectric nanostructures in the assigned cells are selected to provide a corresponding plasmonic resonant frequency. |
| US08254226B2 |
Disc-shaped recording medium, cutting apparatus for same, and disc drive
There is provided an optical disc having preformed thereon a spiral wobbled track as a grove and/or land along with data is to be recorded. The track is wobbled for a series of predetermined signal units each composed of an FSK information bit part based on a waveform resulted from FSK modulation of information bit and a singe-frequency part based on a waveform of a single frequency. The FSK modulation uses two different frequencies of which the one is the same as the single frequency and the other is different from the single frequency. These different frequencies are in such a relation that each of them has an even number of wobbles and an odd number of wobbles alternately in a predetermined cycle. |
| US08254223B2 |
Optical drive device and tilt detection method
An optical drive device for performing information recording or reproduction of recorded information by formation of a mark by focusing a first light at a necessary position in a recording layer of an optical recording medium by an objective lens includes a position control unit configured to focus a second light on a reflection film, in which a position guide element of the optical recording medium is formed, through the objective lens and to enable the spot position of the second light to follow the position guide element based on the reflected light of the second light focused on the reflection film so as to control the position of the objective lens. The optical drive device further includes a first focusing unit, a first light-sensing portion, and a surface reflection light deviation amount detection unit. |
| US08254221B2 |
Circuit for generating tracking error signal
A circuit for generating a tracking error signal is provided. The circuit includes a digitizing circuit, a short signal removing circuit and phase comparator. The digitizing circuit receives first and second pick-up signals outputted from a pick-up head, and respectively compares the first and the second pick-up signals with a reference signal to obtain a first digital signal and a second digital signal. The short signal removing circuit is used for removing pulses in the first and the second digital signals, wherein the pulse width of the removed pulses are shorter than a preset time, and the first and second digital without the removed pulses are respectively served as a first determining signal and a second determining signal. The phase comparator receives the first determining signal and the second determining signal for outputting the tracking error signal according to a phase difference between the first and the second determining signals. |
| US08254220B2 |
Objective lens actuator
In an objective lens actuator of an optical disk drive and the like, variations in the fixed end positions of wires serving as suspensions are reduced and tilt characteristics are improved. Terminal plates 20 fixed to a lens holder are tilted relative to wires 13 for supporting the lens holder with elasticity, and are soldered at the edges of the terminal plates 20, so that variations in the fixed end positions of the wires 13 are reduced. |
| US08254215B1 |
Thermally-assisted magnetic recording head
A thermally-assisted magnetic recording head includes a main pole, a waveguide, and a plasmon generator. The main pole has a front end face including first and second ends that are opposite in a track width direction. An arbitrary cross section of the main pole that passes through an arbitrary point on the front end face and is perpendicular to a medium facing surface and to the track width direction has a length in a direction perpendicular to the medium facing surface. When the arbitrary point on the front end face is located at a center of the front end face in the track width direction, the length of the arbitrary cross section is smaller than that when the arbitrary point is located at the first end and that when the arbitrary point is located at the second end. |
| US08254208B2 |
Multi-state beamforming array
A sonar system and method of operating a sonar system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the sonar system comprises an array of transducers and a multiplexer configurable into a plurality of states. In one embodiment, the multiplexer, when in a first state, electrically couples a plurality of connections with the plurality of transducers via a first mapping and, in a second state, electrically couples the plurality of connections with the plurality of transducers via a second mapping. |
| US08254207B2 |
System and method for seismic data acquisition
In various embodiments, seismic receivers may detect seismic energy and transmit digital signals representative of the seismic energy to an S-line interface module (SLIM) and/or a smart antenna module (SAM) for collection. A SLIM may be used to connect two or more seismic receivers together. A SAM may include a memory medium for storing digital signals from seismic receivers (e.g., received directly from the seismic receivers or received through a connection to a SLIM) and a wireless transmitter to transmit data stored on the memory medium. The SAM may further include a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver for receiving and storing timestamps, clock data, and/or positional data relative to the seismic receivers. The timestamps, clock data, and/or positional data may be transmitted along with the digital signal data to an external source (e.g., a laptop) for analysis to detect characteristics of subterranean formations. |
| US08254203B2 |
Addressing circuit of semiconductor memory device and addressing method therefor
The addressing circuit of a semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of register units coupled to an input unit and a plurality of memory cell arrays, wherein the plurality of register units are configured to store inputted data in response to register control signals, and a control unit configured to generate the register control signals, using defect information of respective memory cell arrays, to control whether or not the register units store the inputted. |
| US08254202B2 |
Internal command generation circuit
The internal command generation circuit includes a burst pulse generation unit and a pulse shifting unit. The burst pulse generation unit is configured to receive a command for a read or write operation, and generate a first burst pulse. The pulse shifting unit is configured to shift the first burst pulse and generate an internal command. |
| US08254200B2 |
System and method to compensate for process and environmental variations in semiconductor devices
An integrated circuit (IC) including a controller integrally formed on a shared die with the IC and method of operating the same to compensate for process and environmental variations in the IC are provided. In one embodiment the IC is comprised of device and sub-circuits, and the method includes: receiving in the IC electrical power and information on at least one of one or more operational parameters of the IC; and adjusting one or more operating characteristics of at least one of the devices and sub-circuits in the IC based on the received information using a controller integrally formed on a shared die with the IC. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US08254191B2 |
Switched interface stacked-die memory architecture
Systems and methods disclosed herein include those that may receive a memory request including a requested memory address and may send the memory request directly to an address decoder associated with a stacked-die memory vault without knowing whether a repair address is required. If a subsequent analysis of the memory request shows that a repair address is required, an in-process decode of the requested memory address can be halted and decoding of the repair address initiated. |
| US08254190B1 |
System and method for driving a memory circuit utilizing a pull-up resistance when strobing the memory circuit and driving the memory circuit devoid of the pull-up resistance when reading or writing data
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for driving a memory circuit. In one embodiment, the memory circuit is driven utilizing a first resistance value in a first mode of operation. Further, in a second mode of operation, the memory circuit is driven utilizing a second resistance value. In another embodiment, a device is provided for driving a memory circuit without active termination utilizing a resistor. |
| US08254189B2 |
Method for tuning control signal associated with at least one memory device
Disclosed is a method for tuning control signals associated with one or more memory devices. The method includes performing a number of memory access operations on at least one memory device and recording results of the memory access operations. Specifically, the memory access operations are performed with different time delays for a first edge of a control signal. The control signal used for capturing data is provided by the at least one memory device. The method further includes selecting a time delay from the time delays used in the memory access operations. Moreover, the method includes utilizing the selected time delay in performing subsequent memory access operations on the at least one memory device. Also disclosed is a system including at least one memory device and an integrated circuit operatively coupled to the at least one memory device. The system incorporates the method for tuning control signals. |
| US08254187B2 |
Data transfer apparatus, and method, and semiconductor circuit
Provided is a data transfer apparatus and method that enables fast data transfer, and has a simple circuit configuration and a small area; and a semiconductor circuit. The data transfer apparatus includes: a data pair generation circuit (301) that transfers a generated data pair during one cycle of a handshake signal communication; a multiplexer (302) that outputs one of the data pair in accordance with a handshake signal; a memory (305) that stores the data output from the multiplexer (302) in response to bi-directional transition of the memory control input signal; a memory control circuit (303) that performs a handshake signal communication and outputs the memory control signal; a request signal waiting circuit (306) that waits until one of the data pair is stored in the memory (305) and the other data is output from the multiplexer (302); and a data pair receiving circuit (307) that receives the data pair in response to a signal from the request signal waiting circuit (306) and outputs the data pair to the transfer destination. |
| US08254185B2 |
Semiconductor device for generating internal voltage and memory system including the semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a comparator, an internal voltage generator, a control signal generator, and a selector. The comparator may compare a reference voltage to an internal voltage and output a comparison signal. The internal voltage generator may generate and output the internal voltage in response to the comparison signal. The control signal generator may generate a control signal. The selector may receive first and second target voltages, and select and output one of the first and second target voltages as the reference voltage in response to the control signal. |
| US08254180B2 |
Methods of operating memories including characterizing memory cell signal lines
Methods of operating memories facilitate compensating for memory cell signal line propagation delays, such as to increase the overall threshold voltage range and non-volatile memory cell states available. Methods include selecting a memory cell signal line of a memory and characterizing the memory cell signal line by determining an RC time constant of the memory cell signal line. |
| US08254176B2 |
Eeprom device
A stable and reliable EEPROM device includes an EEPROM cell having first, second and third control voltage terminals for performing operations for programming, reading and erasing data, respectively, a first transistor configured to supply a programming operation voltage to the first control voltage terminal during the programming operation, a second transistor configured to supply a ground voltage to the first control voltage terminal, the data of which will not be programmed during the programming operation, and a third transistor connected to the second control voltage terminal and turned on by an address selected for reading the data of the EEPROM cell during the reading operation. |
| US08254172B1 |
Wear leveling non-volatile semiconductor memory based on erase times and program times
A non-volatile semiconductor memory is disclosed comprising a memory device including a plurality of memory segments. A program command is issued to the memory device to program a memory segment, and a program time required to execute the program command is saved. An erase command is issued to the memory device to erase the memory segment, and an erase time required to execute the erase command is saved. A wear leveling algorithm is executed for the memory segment in response to the program time and the erase time. |
| US08254167B2 |
Joint encoding of logical pages in multi-page memory architecture
Multiple logical pages are jointly encoded into a single code word and are stored in the same physical page of a solid state non-volatile memory (NVM) device having multi-level memory cells. A first logical page of the multiple logical pages is stored in the memory device as first bits of the multi-level memory cells while a second logical page of the multiple logical pages is temporarily cached. After the first logical page is stored as the first bits of the memory cell, the second logical page is stored as second bits of the memory cells. |
| US08254165B2 |
Organic electronic memory component, memory component arrangement and method for operating an organic electronic memory component
The invention relates to an organic electronic memory component having an electrode and a counterelectrode and an organic layer arrangement formed between said electrode and counterelectrode and in electrical contact herewith, wherein the organic layer arrangement comprises the following organic layers: an electrode-specific charge carrier transport layer and a counterelectrode-specific charge carrier-blocking layer and disposed between said electrode-specific charge carrier transport layer and counterelectrode-specific charge carrier-blocking layer a memory layer region having a charge carrier-storing layer and a further charge carrier-storing layer between which charge carrier-storing layer and a further charge carrier-storing layer is disposed a charge carrier barrier layer. Furthermore the invention relates to a method for the operating of an organic electronic memory component. |
| US08254162B2 |
Method and system for providing magnetic tunneling junctions usable in spin transfer torque magnetic memories
A method and system for providing a magnetic junction are described. The method and system include providing a free layer, a symmetry filter, and a pinned layer. The free layer has a first magnetic moment switchable between stable states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction. The symmetry filter transmits charge carriers having a first symmetry with higher probability than charge carriers having another symmetry. The pinned layer has a second magnetic moment pinned in a direction. The symmetry filter resides between the free layer and the pinned layer. At least one of the free layer and the pinned layer lies in a plane, has the charge carriers of the first symmetry in a spin channel at a Fermi level, lacks the charge carriers of the first symmetry at the Fermi level in another spin channel, and has a nonzero magnetic moment component perpendicular to the plane. |
| US08254157B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes: an oxide resistance change element, a constant current source circuit supplying a write current to the oxide resistance change element, and a voltage clamper clamping a voltage in a path in which a write current flows. The voltage clamper is arranged in parallel with the path between the constant current source circuit and the oxide resistance change element. |
| US08254154B2 |
NAND flash memory having bit line with smaller width than width of peripheral interconnect line
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of dummy line patterns arranged at a first pitch on an underlying region, forming first mask patterns having predetermined mask portions formed on long sides of the dummy line patterns, each of the first mask patterns having a closed-loop shape and surrounding each of the dummy line patterns, removing the dummy line patterns, forming a second mask pattern having a first pattern portion which covers end portions of the first mask patterns and inter-end portions each located between adjacent ones of the end portions, etching the underlying region using the first mask patterns and the second mask pattern as a mask to form trenches each located between adjacent ones of the predetermined mask portions, and filling the trenches with a predetermined material. |
| US08254151B2 |
Power supply
In a switched mode power supply, and in accordance with a method for operating a switched mode power supply, the magnitude of each occurrence of a current flowing during operation of a power output switch is sensed for negative feedback control. A sense voltage is generated proportional to the primary supply voltage. Whenever the sense voltage exceeds a threshold, output power of the power supply is limited by increasing the sensed magnitude of each occurrence of the flowing currents by adding to each sensed magnitude a voltage proportional to the sense voltage. Threshold voltages can be selected by using Zener diodes having different breakdown voltages. Respective ranges within the overall range of the primary supply voltage in which supplemental power limiting occurs and does not occur can thus be controlled. |
| US08254147B2 |
Box for an electronics module for controlling a machine
A box for an electronics module for controlling a machine, in particular an engine, wherein the box comprises: a portion co-operating with at least one harness for connecting the box mechanically and electrically to the machine; and a bottom, two lateral sides, and a transverse side defining a housing for receiving the electronics module, and connector means of the electronics module. |
| US08254146B2 |
Detachable capacitor device
A capacitor seat and two conductors are utilized to install a capacitor seat on a PCB by soldering the two conductors on electrical contacts of the PCB. The capacitor is installed on the capacitor seat in a fastening way such as by pressing downward, rotating the capacitor or in other feasible fastening ways to be electrically connected with the electrical contacts on the PCB. If the detachable capacitor device has errors or is damaged in use, or a user wants to replace it with a different type of the capacitors to test or adjust the characteristic of the circuit, it is easy to replace the capacitor. |
| US08254144B2 |
Circuit board laminated module and electronic equipment
A circuit board laminated module includes: a first circuit board having a multi-layer structure in which ground layers are provided in a plurality of layers; a second circuit board mounted on the first circuit board; and a semiconductor chip mounted on the second circuit board, wherein in the first circuit board, a noise guiding through via which guides an electromagnetic noise generated in the semiconductor chip to a lower layer side is provided on a side different from a circuit portion or a circuit element desired to be protected against influence of the electromagnetic noise in a surrounding direction of an occurrence place of the electromagnetic noise. |
| US08254143B2 |
Backplane and communication apparatus
The present invention discloses a communication apparatus. The communication apparatus includes one or more board and a backplane. The board includes a connector and a function processing unit circuit connected to the connector. The backplane includes at least one group of board connectors. Each group of the board connectors includes two board connectors that receive signals from different boards. The board connector includes connection terminals connected to the connector on boards. The two board connectors are distributed up and down, and the connection terminals of the two board connectors are distributed symmetrically around a center. The foregoing communication apparatus and backplane are cost-efficient. |
| US08254139B2 |
Communication device and motherboard thereof
A motherboard of a communication device includes a baseboard, an antenna, a wireless communication module, a first connecting component, a second connecting component, and a main microstrip line. The base board includes a circuit area provided with the wireless communication module and the first connecting component, an antenna area provided with the antenna, and a protecting area disposed between the circuit area and the antenna area to separate the circuit area and the antenna area from each other. The antenna includes a feed-in end for signal feed-in. The second connecting component is disposed at the wireless communication module, and is separably connected to the first connecting component. The main microstrip line is disposed on the base board, and electrically connects the first connecting component and the feed-in end. The main microstrip line is electrically connected to the wireless communication module through the first and second connecting components. |
| US08254138B2 |
Electronic device with protective cover
An electronic device having an external interface is disclosed including a housing having a positioning board, a protective cover having a cover portion, and a securing assembly secured to the positioning board. The cover portion is for covering or exposing the external interface. The securing assembly and the positioning board cooperatively prevent a portion of the protective cover from separating from the housing. |
| US08254135B2 |
Surface contact card holder for electronic device
A holder for a surface contact card includes a first housing, a second housing, and a tray. The first housing defines a receiving hole. The second housing includes a cover portion. A tray is configured for carrying a surface contact card therein. The cover portion covers one part of the tray. The tray slidably engages in the receiving hole allowing insertion and removal of the surface contact card from inside the first housing and the second housing. |
| US08254132B2 |
Flash drive and housing assembly thereof
A flash drive and a housing assembly thereof is provided. The housing assembly comprises a housing, a base and a rotating mechanism. The housing has a first opening, a second opening, and a space, the first opening is situated at a side surface of the housing, and the second opening is situated on a top surface of the housing. The base is used for accommodating a storage device which has a connecting member, the base is movably disposed in the space and has a slot facing the second opening. The rotating mechanism is disposed at the second opening and mounted to the housing, the rotating mechanism has a protrusion portion movably engaged in the slot. When the rotating mechanism rotates relative to the housing, the protrusion portion moves along the slot and drives the base to reciprocate between a first position and a second position. |
| US08254129B2 |
Electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus includes: a housing; a circuit board accommodated in the housing; a face mounting component mounted on the circuit board; a heating component mounted on the circuit board; a reinforcing member having a thermal conductivity and configured to reinforce a region on the circuit board on which the face mounting component is mounted; and a radiation unit extended from the reinforcing member and connected thermally to the heating component. |
| US08254121B2 |
Cooler and display device having the same
A cooler and a display device including the cooler. The cooler includes: a housing; an air blowing unit disposed inside the housing and sucking external air and blowing the external air in the housing, wherein the air blowing unit includes a plurality of groups each including two air blowers; a guide vane disposed above the air blowing unit and to guide air flowed out from the air blowing unit to flow in different directions; and a plurality of auxiliary guide vanes disposed between the air blowing unit and the guide vane, and each disposed in each of the groups each including two air blowers, so as to guide air flowing below the air blowing unit to flow toward the guide vane. |
| US08254118B2 |
Electronic device with latching assembly
An electronic device with a latching assembly includes a housing, a battery cover, a circuit board, and a latching assembly. The battery cover includes a pair of hook portions. The circuit board is mounted in the housing. The latching assembly includes a touch element, a magnetic element, and a pair of latching elements. The touch element and the magnetic element are electrically connected to the circuit board. The latching elements are connected with two opposite ends of the magnetic element, respectively. The latching elements cooperate with the hook portions to secure the battery cover to the housing. When the touch element is touched, a touch signal is generated and transmitted to the circuit board, the circuit board charges the magnetic element in response to the touch signal, and when the magnetic element is charged, the magnetic element contract to cause the latching elements to disengage from the hook portions. |
| US08254116B2 |
Tilting portable electronic device
A tilting portable electronic device includes a housing, a cover, at least one rod, and at least one elastic member. The rod and the elastic member respectively rotatably connect the housing and the cover. When the cover is opened relative to the housing, the elastic member expands and causes the rod to rotate until the elastic member and the rod intercross to support an end of the cover in a slanted position relative to the housing. |
| US08254113B2 |
Circuit board assembly
A circuit board assembly includes a motherboard defining a number of plug slots, and a fixing mechanism for securing a heat sink. The fixing mechanism is positioned between two adjacent plug slots, and includes a support member mounted on the motherboard, two fixing brackets mounted on opposite ends of the support member, two bars rotatably connected to the fixing brackets, and a connection member detachably connected to the support member by the bars. The opposite borders of the support member extend in the same direction substantially parallel to the plug slots, and the support member forms four connecting portions for securing the heat sink on opposite sides thereof, and the connecting portions are located between the opposite borders. |
| US08254109B2 |
Disk drive mounting device and disk drive assembly
A disk drive mounting device for use in an electronic apparatus includes a mounting frame, fasteners, and a cover member. The mounting frame includes a mounting plate, a flange formed at a side of the mounting plate, and a plurality of mounting ears extending outwardly from the mounting plate. Each of the mounting ears defines at least one receiving cutout therein. In use, one end of each of the fasteners is mounted on the disk drive and the other end is received in the receiving cutout of a corresponding mounting ear. The cover member is secured on the flange of the mounting frame and abuts the at least one disk drive to prevent the fasteners from disengaging from the receiving cutouts of the mounting ears. A disk drive assembly is also provided. |
| US08254107B2 |
Disk drive mounting apparatus
A disk drive mounting apparatus, for a computer case comprising a base plate and a side plate formed at one side of the base plate, includes a supporting bracket and a mounting frame. The side plate defines an L-shaped guiding slot therein. The supporting bracket defines a hooking hole therein. The mounting frame is configured for mounting a disk drive therein. The mounting frame is provided with a guiding post at one side thereof and an L-shaped hook at an opposite side thereof. The guiding post is slidable along and engagable in the guiding slot, and the hook is slidable along the hooking hole and engagable in the supporting bracket in the hooking hole. |
| US08254103B2 |
Hinge unit and portable computer having the same
Disclosed are a hinge unit which couples a first member and a second member, the hinge unit including: a conic shaft which is coupled to the first member, and comprises a hinge pivot, a conic unit of a truncated cone shape, the radius of which is extended in an end area of the hinge pivot, and a first rocking unit formed to an outer surface of the conic unit; and a conic sleeve which is coupled to the second member, and comprises a sleeve main body formed with a conic accommodating unit having a shape corresponding to the conic unit in an inner part of the conic accommodating unit, and a second rocking unit formed to an inner surface of the conic accommodating unit to be coupled with the first rocking unit. |
| US08254101B2 |
Desktop computer with monitor mount
A desktop computer includes a monitor defining a number of screw holes in the backside and a chassis defining a number of fixing holes. A number of screws extending through the fixing holes of the chassis and mounts into the corresponding screw holes of the monitor, to mount the monitor to the chassis. |
| US08254097B2 |
Mounting apparatus for peripheral component interconnect card
A mounting apparatus for a PCI card includes a mounting bracket, a securing piece adapted to attach the PCI card to the mounting bracket and a securing member. The mounting bracket has a base and a blocking plate perpendicular to the base. The securing member includes a pressing piece and a securing piece rotatably attached to the pressing piece. The mounting piece includes a mounting end. The securing piece includes a securing portion. The securing piece is capable of engaging with an inside surface of the mounting bracket by rotating the securing piece relative to the pressing piece, thereby sandwiching the mounting end of the securing piece between the blocking plate and the pressing piece. |
| US08254096B2 |
All-in-one computer
An all-in-one computer includes a hard disk drive (HDD), a main body, a cover, and a fasten member. The main body defines a receiving space to receive the HDD, and a fasten hole. The receiving space is bounded by a number of walls. A first raised edge protrudes from the number of walls in the receiving space. The cover includes a board, a first hook, and a mounting piece defining a through hole. The board includes opposite first and second ends. The first hook extends from the first end. The mounting piece extends from the second end. When the cover is mounted to the main body, the first hook snappingly hooks an inner side of the first raised edge, the board is stopped by the first raised edge, and the fasten member can extend through the through hole and engage in the fasten hole. |
| US08254095B2 |
Audio visual alarm housing
An audio visual alarm device that can adapt to a familial look is provided. The audio visual alarm device can include an alarm housing having a footprint of a first shape, and a cover housing having a footprint of a second shape. The alarm housing can include circuitry for operating the audio visual alarm device, and the second shape can be different from the first shape. The cover housing can be configured to accommodate the alarm housing and affix to the alarm housing to give the alarm housing an appearance corresponding to the second shape. At least one portion of the alarm housing can protrude through the cover housing. |
| US08254094B2 |
Protection mechanism and electronic device employing the same
A protection mechanism used for in an electronic device includes a main body and two pivoting members. The main body is capable of receiving and protecting the electronic device, and the pivoting members are rotatably positioned on the main body. The pivoting members are capable of locking and protecting the electronic device. An electronic device employing the protection mechanism is also described. The protection mechanism can simply secure and unlock the electronic device through the pivoting members, which is easy to operate. Moreover, the electronic device can not fall from the protection mechanism because of the cooperation between the pivoting members and the holding member. |
| US08254092B2 |
Mount and electronic display system
A mounting system for a flat panel display includes a wall interface assembly, a pair of arm assemblies, and a mounting assembly. The wall interface assembly can include a slide plate connected to arm assemblies which enable the arm assemblies and mount assembly to be horizontally shifted without the need to remove the mount from the wall and reattach it. The arm assemblies may be substantially hollow arms having removable covers for storing wires connected to display therein. The mounting assembly can also include a pair of brace arms each having two generally D-shaped members placed back-to-back and slidable relative to each other to enable the mount assembly to be expanded to mount various sized displays without extending beyond the width of the display. |
| US08254085B2 |
Stacked electric double layer capacitor
A stacked electric double layer capacitor includes a capacitor unit, an aluminum laminate film, and a current collector terminal. The capacitor unit includes a pressure plate, and a current collector plate arranged inside the pressure plate. The aluminum laminate film wraps the capacitor unit, and includes a periphery that defines and surrounds a hole at a side surface of the capacitor unit. The current collector terminal is L-shaped, and includes a contact portion in contact with the current collector plate, and a terminal portion arranged perpendicular to the contact portion, wherein at least a part of the terminal portion is exposed through the hole of the aluminum laminate film, and connected to an external circuit, and the terminal portion is heat-welded to the aluminum laminate film. |
| US08254077B2 |
Solenoid valve driving circuit, solenoid valve, and solenoid valve driving method
A solenoid valve driving circuit for a solenoid valve includes a current detector for detecting a current that flows in a solenoid coil, a rate of change over time calculating unit for calculating a rate of change over time of the detected current, and a maintaining state transition determining unit for determining a timing at which transition from a first period to a second period occurs based on the calculated rate of change over time. |
| US08254076B2 |
Providing modular power conversion
In one embodiment, a medium voltage drive system includes at least one transformer and multiple power cell chambers each coupled to a transformer. The power cell chambers each may include a rectifier, a DC-link, and an inverter. Each power cell chamber can be separated into fixed and moveable portions, where the moveable portion includes the rectifier and the inverter and the fixed portion includes the DC-link. A power service bus can couple the fixed and moveable portions of each power cell chamber and couple in series groups of the plurality of power cell chambers. |
| US08254067B2 |
Tunnel junction type magneto-resistive head
As recording density of sensors is increased, it is desired to lower the areal resistivity (RA) of TMR sensors. Decreasing RA to 1.0 Ωμm2 or below badly influences the read signal since the interlayer coupling magnetic field (Hint) between the pinned layer and the free layer increases sharply and impedes the free rotation of magnetization of the free layer. According to one embodiment, a tunnel junction type magneto-resistive head solves this problem by having a layered film comprising an underlying layer, a crystalline orientation control layer, an antiferromagnetic layer, a first ferromagnetic layer, an antiparallel coupling layer, a second ferromagnetic layer, an insulation barrier layer, and a third ferromagnetic layer between a lower magnetic shield layer and an upper magnetic shield layer, wherein a crystallographic plane of the antiferromagnetic layer is directed parallel to a film surface by growing the antiferromagnetic layer substantially conformably on the crystalline orientation control layer. |
| US08254066B2 |
Technique for measuring process induced magnetic anisotropy in a magnetoresistive sensor
A method for determining a magnetic anisotropy of a free layer of a magnetoresistive sensor. The method includes forming a functional magnetoresistive sensor and also a test sensor on a wafer. The test sensor has a sensor stack that is identical to that of the functional sensor, however the test head does not have a magnetic bias structure for biasing the free layer. A series of tests can be performed to construct a transfer curve for the test sensor. This can then be used to determine a magnetic anisotropy of the test head, which also corresponds to a magnetic anisotropy of the functional head. |
| US08254063B2 |
Slider for a head gimbal assembly with an inverted dimple
Apparatus and method for forming a head gimbal assembly (HGA). In accordance with various embodiments, a slider is formed with opposing first and second side surfaces, an air bearing feature on said first side surface and a dimple extending from said second side surface adapted to facilitate multi-axial rotation of the slider. |
| US08254060B1 |
Straight top main pole for PMR bevel writer
A magnetic recording head includes a write pole comprising a throat region. The throat region includes a lower portion having a substantially trapezoidal cross-section, and an upper portion having a substantially rectangular cross-section. In a beveled region of the write pole, the substantially rectangular cross-section of the upper portion decreases in height towards an air bearing surface of the magnetic recording head. |
| US08254058B2 |
Flat profile tape head
A magnetic head according to one embodiment includes a first module having a tape bearing surface; a second module having a tape bearing surface; and a third module having a tape bearing surface, the third module being positioned on an opposite side of the second module than the first module, wherein the tape bearing surface of the first module is substantially parallel to a tape oriented at a desired wrap angle relative to the tape bearing surface of the second module at an edge of the tape bearing surface of the second module closest to the first module, wherein writing and reading functions are performed by different modules at a given time. |
| US08254056B2 |
Air breather with waterproof fiber material for magnetic disk drive
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a magnetic disk drive that reliably prevents entry of water or other form of liquid through a breathing hole for the enhanced performance, reliability, and the like. In one embodiment, a box body forming part of a hard disk drive (HDD) has a top cover. The top cover includes a breathing hole drilled therein. The breathing hole serves to eliminate any pressure difference between an inside and an outside of the HDD. A fiber waterproof body, which includes a waterproof fiber material or the like, is fitted in a large-diameter hole of the breathing hole. A pore waterproof body, formed by bundling up a large number of slender pores, is mounted in a small-diameter hole of the breathing hole. |
| US08254055B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for controlling out-gassing and humidity in a closed space-constrained environment
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for controlling out-gassing and humidity in a closed space-constrained environment. In particular, an environment control device is disclosed which is made using thermoforming techniques such that the walls of the device are much thinner than other conventional devices. This allows for the device to be used in space-constrained environment while still providing a sufficient amount of absorber material such as a desiccant. The apparatus includes a base made up of a thin flexible plastic film thermoformed to create a cavity having at least one wall, the cavity having an opening on one side. An absorber material, such as a desiccant, is placed inside the cavity, and a cover made up of a permeable layer sealed to the base opening to complete an enclosure for holding the absorber material. |
| US08254052B2 |
Method of making a multi-channel time based servo tape media
A thin film magnetic recording head is fabricated by forming a substrate from opposing ferrite blocks which have a ceramic member bonded between them. This structure is then diced to form a plurality of columns, wherein each column has a ferrite/ceramic combination. Each column represents a single channel in the completed head. A block of ceramic is then cut to match the columned structure and the two are bonded together. The bonded structure is then cut or ground until a head is formed, having ceramic disposed between each channel. A ferrite back-gap is then added to each channel, minimizing the reluctance of the flux path. The thin film is patterned on the head to optimize various channel configurations. |
| US08254050B2 |
System and method for determining vibration of at least one hard disk drive
A system for determining vibration of at least one hard disk drive includes one or more computers configured to command a plurality of reads from the at least one hard disk drive such that, for each of the plurality of reads, data stored on the at least one hard disk drive is retrieved directly from the at least one hard disk drive. The one or more computers are also configured to obtain read rate information related to the plurality of reads and to determine a vibration level experienced by the at least one hard disk drive based on the read rate information. |
| US08254047B2 |
Voice coil motor
A voice coil motor includes a stationary member and a moveable member. The stationary member defines a central axis. The stationary member includes a first receiving room, four sidewalls surrounding the first receiving room and four guide rails formed on the respective sidewalls and located in the receiving room. The moveable member is received in the stationary frame. The moveable member includes a moveable frame. The moveable frame includes four side surfaces. A plurality of restricting posts extend from each side surface and are aligned in a line parallel to the corresponding guide rail. The restricting posts slidably engage in the corresponding guide rails. |
| US08254046B2 |
Camera module with autofocus function
Provided is a camera module that includes a lens section comprising at least one lens, a coil section fixed to the lens section and comprising wiring terminals, a magnet section comprising a permanent magnet, an inner yoke, and an outer yoke, wherein the inner yoke and the outer yoke induce a magnetic force line to pass through the coil section, and a terminal extension section comprising a first terminal and a second terminal that electrically extend from the wiring terminals of the coil section to the outside of the camera module and surround the magnet section so that the first terminal and the second terminal are externally exposed. |
| US08254044B2 |
Driving apparatus, lens driving apparatus, and mechanical apparatus
The size of a driving apparatus to be mounted in a mobile terminal is desired to be reduced. In a driving apparatus according to the present invention, an arm member supports a member to be driven in a slidable manner. A first biasing member has a predetermined spring constant and biases the member to be driven via the arm member. A second biasing member has a spring constant that is smaller than the spring constant of the first biasing member and, by biasing the member to be driven in a direction that goes against the first biasing member, supports the member to be driven along with the arm member. A shape-memory alloy swings the arm member against the first biasing member by contracting when a drive current is supplied. The member to be driven is slid, when the arm member swings, by the second biasing member while keeping contact with the arm member. |
| US08254041B2 |
Lens system
A lens system, in order from the object, includes positive first lens, negative second lens, positive third lens, positive fourth lens, and an aperture stop positioned between the third and fourth lens. The second lens includes a first optical portion, a first support portion surrounding the first optical portion with a first surface and second surface. The third lens includes a second optical portion and a second support portion surrounding the second optical portion with a third surface and fourth surface. The fourth lens includes a light stop surface facing the object side of the lens system. The lens system satisfies the formulas: d23<1.1×d34, where the d23 is a distance along the optical axis of the lens system from the second surface to the third surface, and the d34 is a distance along the optical axis from the fourth surface to the light stop surface. |
| US08254033B2 |
Projection lens system with high resolution and compact size
A projection lens system includes, from the magnified side to the reduced side thereof, a first lens group having negative refractive power, a second lens group having positive refractive power, a third lens group having positive refractive power, and a field lens. The projection lens system satisfies the following conditions: 2.9 |
| US08254024B2 |
Inflatable display screen
An inflatable display screen has a front wall incorporating a rectangular display screen area, and a plurality of inflatable struts surrounding the screen area and extending rearwardly from the front wall to support the screen in an upright condition. A lower horizontal strut extends across the lower end of the front wall and projects forwards from the display screen area. Lower side struts extend rearwards to a lower horizontal strut extending across the rear end of the structure. A pair of rearwardly arched support struts extends from the upper corners of the front wall rearwards and downwards to the rear corners of the structure at corner junctions between the arched struts, lower side struts and the lower horizontal strut. |
| US08254019B2 |
Confocal microscope apparatus
The present application generates an image suitable for collectively observing a whole area or all wavelength components in a viewing field. A confocal microscope apparatus includes a detecting unit being disposed on a collecting location of the collecting optical system, separating incident light into a light from a vicinity of a collecting point on the sample and a light from a peripheral of the vicinity, and detecting each of the lights; and an image generating unit generating an image of the sample by a light signal from the vicinity and a light signal from the peripheral of the vicinity, and setting a ratio of the signal of the light from the vicinity of the collecting point to the signal of the light from the peripheral of the vicinity for each of areas on the image. |
| US08254017B2 |
Optical fiber amplifier and methods of making the same
A method is provided for forming an optical fiber amplifier. The method comprises providing a composite preform having a gain material core that includes one or more acoustic velocity varying dopants to provide a longitudinally varying acoustic velocity profile along the gain material core to suppress Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) effects by raising the SBS threshold and drawing the composite preform to form the optical fiber amplifier. |
| US08254012B2 |
Display element
A display element in which reduced variation in color in the midtone has been achieved even when repeatedly driven is disclosed, comprising opposing electrodes and an electrolyte containing silver or a compound including silver in the chemical structure between the opposing electrodes, wherein the opposing electrodes are driven so that the silver is dissolved or deposited and the following requirement is satisfied: A1/A2>4 in which A1 (mA/cm2) is a maximum value of absolute values of an electric current applied between the opposed electrodes when driven in the direction of from a state of no silver being deposited on the side of the display electrode to that of the silver being deposited and A2 (mA/cm2) is a maximum of absolute values of an electric current applied between the opposing electrodes when driven in the direction of from a state of no silver being deposited on the side of the display electrode to that of the silver being dissolved. |
| US08254011B2 |
Driver attitude detection system
A driver attitude detection system for a vehicle includes a forward facing imaging sensor for capturing image data of a scene occurring forwardly of and in the direction of forward travel of an equipped vehicle. An image processor is operable to process image data captured by the forward facing imaging sensor. A control, responsive at least in part to image processing by the image processor of the captured image data, is operable to determine driver performance and generate a control output indicative of driver performance. The driver attitude detection system may include at least one monitoring device for monitoring a vehicle characteristic of the equipped vehicle, and the control may, responsive at least in part to the at least one monitoring device, be operable to determine driver performance and generate the control output. |
| US08254009B2 |
Optically powered electro-optical component
An optically powered optical modulator comprises an optical modulation component, such as an electro-optical modulator, acousto-optic modulator or magneto-optic modulator, in combination with one or two lens assemblies positioned at one or both apertures of the optical modulation component, so that the optical modulator formed by the combination of the lens assembly or assemblies and the optical modulation component has optical focus power. |
| US08254008B2 |
Blade drive device and optical device
A blade drive device includes: a board including an optical path opening; first and second blades cooperatively defining an amount of light passing through the optical path opening to a given amount of light. The first blade includes a first opening. The second blade includes: a first cutout portion defining the amount of light in cooperation with the first opening; and a second cutout portion defining the amount of light in cooperation with the first opening. The second cutout portion overlaps the first blade when the first cutout portion and the first opening cooperatively define the amount of light. |
| US08254004B2 |
Oscillator and optical deflector having oscillator
An oscillating device includes an oscillator, an elastic supporting member for movably supporting the oscillator, a first supporting frame for supporting the elastic supporting member, and a second supporting frame extending along the elastic supporting member with a spacing maintained therebetween, the second supporting member extending from the first supporting frame, wherein the second supporting frame is provided in a cantilever shape relative to the first supporting frame. |
| US08253996B2 |
System, color image producing device, color measurement device and color measurement method
A system is disclosed comprising a color image producing device for providing a test pattern on a medium, said test pattern comprising a plurality of color patches, said test pattern having a principal orientation axis under a non-perpendicular angle α with the propagation direction of the medium through said color image producing device; and a color measurement device coupled to receive the medium from the color image producing device and arranged to propagate the medium in said propagation direction, the color measurement device being further arranged to measure the colors of the respective patches of the medium during said propagation, the color measurement device comprising a color sensor mounted on the carriage oriented substantially perpendicularly to the propagation direction. The present application further discloses a color image producing device and a color measurement device that can be used in such a system, and a method for measuring colors with such a system. |
| US08253994B2 |
Optical scanner and image forming apparatus
An image forming optical equipment is disposed between a polygon mirror and the surface of a photoreceptor drum to form an image on the surface of the photoreceptor drum with scanning light, while at the same time, keeping its scanning speed nearly-constant, comprises a first scanning light lens, which has a positive power in the main scanning direction and a negative power in the sub-scanning direction, a second scanning light lens, which has a negative power in the main scanning direction and a positive power in the sub-scanning direction and is disposed in the side closer to the photoreceptor drum than the first scanning light lens, and a diffraction optical element, which is provided on the surface of the cylindrical lens in the beam light advancing path between a light source and a polygon mirror. |
| US08253993B2 |
Dual mirror illumination system for book copier
A scanner comprising a platen positioned along a first plane and configured to support an article to be scanned; one or more illuminators positioned below the platen along a second plane parallel to the first plane, and configured to emit light beams; one or more mirrors positioned between the platen and the one or more illuminators, each of the mirrors being configured to direct a light beam having a directional component parallel to the first and second planes emitted by the illuminators onto the article on the platen at the imaging point; one or more sensors configured to detect the light reflecting off the article at the imaging point along a sensor optical path; and a carriage mechanism constructed to affect relative movement parallel to the first and second planes between platen, and the one or more illuminators and the one or more mirrors in a scanning direction. |
| US08253988B2 |
Reading method, image forming method, computer program product
An image reading apparatus is configured to stop a scanning unit and a feeding unit when reading is interrupted, move a reading position of the scanning unit from a home position in a sub-scanning direction and stop it, read an original for a predetermined area including an acceleration distance while the reading position of the scanning unit is moved in a direction opposite to the sub-scanning direction, move the reading position of the scanning unit in the sub-scanning direction and return the scanning unit to the home position after the reading is finished, and activate the feeding unit to start reading the original when the reading is restarted. |
| US08253981B2 |
Formation of a color image by using a plurality of color component materials
A reference area around a pixel of interest is set in an image to be processed. It is determined whether a pixel not to be referred exists in the reference area. If the pixel not to be referred exists, the shape of the reference area is transformed based on the pixel. A trapping color for the pixel of interest is decided based on, a first peripheral pixel having a color component that is not included in the pixel of interest among peripheral pixels around the pixel of interest included in the reference area with the transformed shape. The density of the trapping color is calculated based on the peripheral pixels. The pixel value of the pixel of interest is corrected using the pixel of the trapping color having the calculated density in the image to be processed. The image forming unit forms an image having pixels corrected by said correction unit. |
| US08253980B2 |
Data processing device, ink jet printing system and data processing method
To enable the printing in which it is difficult for the dot to stand out and it is difficult for the gradation sequence properties to be degraded. Therefore, among plural dots each having a different size, the binary processing is carried out by using the same first dot arrangement pattern in regard to the large and medium-sized dots and the binary processing is carried out by using a dot arrangement pattern different from the first dot arrangement pattern in regard to the small-sized dots. |
| US08253978B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image forming apparatus
An image processing apparatus includes an image forming instructing section that notifies an image forming section, whether to perform a first printing processing with a plurality of colors including at least one chromatic color or a second printing processing with only black. A data obtaining section obtains pixel data from a plurality of pixels constituting an image; and an operating section inputs designated color data. A pixel data extracting section extracts pixel data of colors, except for a designated color indicated by the designated color data inputted through the operating section, from pixel data obtained by the data obtaining section. A printing type selecting section selects the first or second printing processing based on each pixel data extracted by the pixel data extracting section. The image forming instructing section notifies the printing type selected by the printing type selecting section as the type of printing processing to be performed. |
| US08253976B2 |
Apply conversion formula to functional filters executed in sequence for modifying print job
A print control device has a group of filters including at least two functional filters which execute a modifying process for modifying print job, a filter configuration storage that stores configuration information of the functional filter group, a filter execution unit which retrieves functional filters based on the filter configuration information and causes the retrieved functional filters to execute a modifying process of the print job data. The functional filter group includes a specific functional filter for modifying the print job data by adding additional information. The specific functional filter includes a conversion formula acquiring unit which acquires a conversion formula for converting the additional information corresponding to the modifying process executed by the other functional filters, and an additional information arranging unit for determining an arrangement of the additional information with respect to the print job modified by the other filters based on the conversion formula. |
| US08253974B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image processing apparatus, and control method therefor
In performing multi-pass printing by using a printhead having a plurality of nozzles, a print data setting unit sets a printing amount for each nozzle for each main scan of the printhead based on a print data setting LUT. This print data setting LUT reflects the information of the number of passes and the number of nozzles to be used which are arbitrarily set. A halftoning unit generates a dot pattern as a formation target by performing binarization processing for the print amounts set in this manner. |
| US08253971B2 |
Automated production control method
In a method for operating at least one machine with a computer, it is possible for at least one task for the production of a printed product to be stored in the computer, which task is processed on the machine. Parameters for setting the machine are stored as parameter sets in templates and relate to one or more production steps. For the purpose of job-specific adaptation, the settings in the templates must be modified. On account of settings which have not been tried and tested and not proven worthwhile, costs arise in terms of quality; in addition the settings can be made only by specialized personnel. To increase quality and to allow less qualified personnel to operate the machines, a parameter set based on rough entered data is compared with templates and that a most similar template be used to set the production step or steps. |
| US08253970B2 |
Method and apparatus for gaming promotional printer
A method and apparatus for a promotional printer for use within a cashless enabled gaming machine or vending machine are disclosed. A promotional printer includes a coupon database describing a stack of coupons that are specified using a template based couponing printer language. A coupon is selected for creation and issued to a user or player based on a matrix of event-based triggers involving factors or parameters known to the promotional printer directly or supplied by a master promotional controller. Triggers may include the time of day, the date or amount of a cash-out voucher to be issued to the user or player, the duration of play on a gaming machine, a player classification, the amount of money or credits added to a game, or a random frequency of coupon issuance having satisfied any or all of the aforementioned factors. The promotional printer may further include the ability to store all of the coupons, trigger conditions, and related information resident in the promotional printer in a non-volatile fashion thus enabling a host system to download a promotional environment into the promotional printer which will run promotional campaigns on behalf of the hosting system. |
| US08253968B2 |
Image forming apparatus, control method, and program for preventing image omission cause by registration error correction
This invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of preventing image omission caused by registration error correction, a control method therefor, and a program. Error amount information is acquired which is stored in a storage medium and represents the error amount of the scanning line of exposure light in the exposure scanning direction on an image carrier. The image data is modified on the basis of the acquired error amount information. A masked area for restricting the output position of an image visualized on the printing medium is modified on the basis of the modification amount of the modified image data. |
| US08253962B2 |
Image forming apparatus, computer readable storage medium and image formation processing method
An image forming apparatus that executes an image forming process based on print data including an execution command of transparency processes to be executed, comprises: a first storage unit to be used when the transparency process is executed; and a control unit for controlling the first number of transparency processes to be executed when a storage capacity of the first storage unit is insufficient to execute the transparency processes to be executed, and causing a display unit to display a preview image to which the second number of executable transparency processes different from the first number has been executed to determine an image being an object for print output based on an instruction by an operator relating to which transparency process is executed. |
| US08253959B2 |
Image forming apparatus with reduced start-up time
A disclosed image forming apparatus forming a visible image on a recording medium includes: a functional element required for an image forming operation; a first control unit controlling the functional element; an input unit inputting an external instruction; and a second control unit communicating with the first control unit about information on the image, performing a process in accordance with the instruction input via the input unit, and outputting a return signal for starting the functional element required for performing the process in accordance with the instruction. |
| US08253951B2 |
Systems and methods for determining when to download a resource to a printing device as part of a print job
Systems and methods for determining when to download a resource to a printing device as part of a print job are disclosed. An exemplary system includes a computing device. The computing device includes a processor and memory in electronic communication with the processor. Instructions are stored in the memory. The instructions are executable to implement a method that involves generating a print job for a printing device. The method also involves generating a resource index. The resource index includes a list of at least one resource referenced in the print job. The method also involves associating the resource index with the print job. The method also involves spooling the print job. |
| US08253947B2 |
Device and method for measuring lithography masks
A device for measuring lithography masks is provided, comprising a reticle carrier for the lithography mask to be measured, a measurement objective for reproducing on a detector a section of said lithography mask held by said reticle carrier, a measurement module for measuring the position of said reticle carrier relative to said measurement objective, and a correction module by means of which said reticle carrier can be moved in order to bring it into a predetermined position relative to said measurement objective, wherein said measurement objective and said measurement module are fastened directly to an instrument carrier in a locally fixed manner. |
| US08253946B2 |
Sensor apparatus and method using optical interferometry
A sensor includes a sensor head with at least two surfaces separated by a gap. One surface is mechanically fixed, a second surface is free to move and deflections of the second surface relative to the first surface are monitored by optical interferometry. An optical fiber could be used to direct light from a light source to the sensor and collect light reflected by the sensor. Interaction of molecules or other objects in the sample with the second surface is detected as a change in amplitude and/or phase of deflection the second surface in response to an applied driving signal. A layer of binding molecules may be immobilized on the second surface and this surface exposed to a sample. |
| US08253944B2 |
Alternate modulation scheme for an interferometric fiber optic gyroscope
An Interferometric Fiber Optic Gyro (IFOG) device for high accuracy sensing. An example IFOG includes an integrated optics chip (IOC) and a modulation component that modulates one or more light signals passing thru the IOC according to a bias-modulation waveform. A glitch pattern experienced at front-end components of the IFOG includes frequency content that has approximately zero amplitude at predefined sense harmonics. Frequency content of the bias-modulation waveform is below a predefined threshold value at the predefined sense harmonics. |
| US08253942B2 |
Optical gas detector
A gas detector is provided. The gas detector includes a measurement source of optical radiation, a reference source of optical radiation, a measurement detector configured to provide an output signal indicative of a gas of interest, a reference detector configured to provide an output signal at least partially independent of the gas of interest, a measurement optical path extending from the measurement source to the reference and measurement detectors, and a sample region for receiving a gaseous sample. The sample region is located along the measurement optical path. A window is positioned in the measurement optical path downstream from the measurement source and upstream from the reference and measurement detectors. The window is partially transparent to optical radiation and partially reflective to optical radiation. The window is positioned to either reflect a portion of the optical radiation emitted by the reference source into the measurement optical path or to allow a portion of the optical radiation emitted by the reference source to pass through the window into the measurement optical path. |
| US08253941B2 |
Apparatus for manufacturing display panel and method for manufacturing the same
An apparatus for manufacturing a display panel includes an arriving part in which an unfinished display panel is disposed. The apparatus has at least one light transmitting part, a mold which is positioned on the arriving part and which includes at least one alignment key and a pattern forming part, a mold driver which drives the mold, and an alignment sensor which is positioned under the arriving part and which determines whether the display panel and the mold are erroneously aligned through the light transmitting part. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently and accurately pattern a specific material onto the display panel through an imprint lithography process using a pressing mold. |
| US08253940B1 |
UV-IR range variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometer
An ellipsometer, polarimeter, reflectometer, spectrophotometer or scatterometer system for use in the UV and infrared range of wavelengths, characterized by the combination of a fiber optic capable of transmitting wavelengths from below 2.2 micron up to at least 3.5 microns, and a beam collimator formed from a combination of two off-axis concave astigmatism reducing spherical mirrors capable of operating between about 190 nm up to 5.5 microns. |
| US08253938B2 |
Method and apparatus for rapidly counting and identifying biological particles in a flow stream
A method for increasing the throughput, or the precision, or both the precision and the throughput, of a flow cytometer, or of a hematology analyzer employing a flow cytometer, by utilizing the technique of laser rastering. Laser rastering involves sweeping a laser beam across a flowing sample stream in a hematology analyzer. An apparatus suitable for carrying out the method of this invention comprises an optical module comprising a source of light, a scanning device, a lens or system of lenses, a flow cell, detectors, and filters; and an electronic module comprising preamplifiers, analog signal conditioning elements, analog-to-digital converters, field-programmable gate arrays, digital signal processing elements, and data storage elements. |
| US08253935B2 |
Disk surface inspection apparatus, inspection system thereof, and inspection method thereof
The invention has a function of preparing a data base for a relation between a defect shape and an arrangement for the optical system capable of detecting the shape at high sensitivity and automatically adjusting the arrangement for the optical system. As the method of preparing the data base, a method of using optical simulation or an experimental method of using a sample having an optical shape is applied. A pinhole position and a beam size are adjusted automatically so as to attain the optimal arrangement for the optical system to an inputted defect shape based on the data base. |
| US08253932B1 |
Laser and corner cube refractive-index structure parameter system
A near-IR laser laser-and-corner cube system for determining the refractive-index structure parameter by providing the return power of the retroreflected laser beam from the corner cube, which return power correlates to the refractive-index structure parameter. The system is economical, physically containing only (1) the laser which emits a near-IR wavelength output beam, (2) a 50/50 splitter, to receive back the retroreflected return beam from the corner cube along the same optical axis as the output beam, in a monostatic configuration; (3) the target corner cube; (4) a receiving focus lens; (5) a spectral filter and (6) a power meter to provide the monostatic measurement of the return power. Critically the ratio of the area of the corner cube to that of the receiving focus lens is at least 1:2, to obtain meaningful power measurements—to correlate to pre-calculated refractive-index structure parameters. |
| US08253931B2 |
Exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method
An apparatus includes an optical system for illuminating an original, a measurement device which includes an image sensor arranged on a substrate stage, and is configured to measure a characteristic of the optical system based on a light intensity distribution that is formed on an image sensing plane of the image sensor via the optical system and a measurement pattern, a calibration pattern arranged to form a light intensity distribution having a known shape on the image sensing plane, and a controller configured to calibrate the measurement device based on the light intensity distribution by the calibration pattern, and a theoretical light intensity distribution that is expected to be formed on the image sensing plane by the calibration pattern, wherein the calibration pattern is arranged around a region where the measurement pattern is arranged. |
| US08253930B2 |
Absorption spectrometric apparatus for semiconductor production process
This absorption spectrometric apparatus for semiconductor production process includes a flow passageway switching mechanism connected to a discharging flow passageway of a processing chamber for a semiconductor production process and a multiple reflection type moisture concentration measuring absorption spectrometric analyzer that allows a laser beam from a laser light source to undergo multiple reflection within a cell, detects a light absorbancy change by a gas within the cell, and measures a moisture concentration within the gas. The flow passageway switching mechanism connects the discharging flow passageway by switching between a measuring flow passageway through which the gas is discharged by passing through the cell and a bypass flow passageway through which the gas is discharged without passing through the cell. |
| US08253929B2 |
Stage apparatus, fixation method, exposure apparatus, exposure method, and device-producing method
A stage apparatus including: a movement member movable with a plate member placed on a placement surface; and a fixing apparatus that fixes said plate member to said placement surface in parallel with said movement member passing through a prescribed first region. |
| US08253927B2 |
Optical element with multiple primary light sources
The disclosure relates to an illumination system, such as an illumination system for use in microlithography. The illumination system can include an optical element with multiple primary light sources. The illumination system can illuminate a field in a field plane having a field contour. The illumination system can be configured so that each primary light source illuminates an area in the field plane that is smaller than a size of an area encircled by the field contour. |
| US08253926B2 |
Exposure device
An exposure device for producing semiconductors and liquid crystals has an optical system capable of effectively using light generated without making a hole in a lamp discharge vessel when high energy laser light is supplied to it for emitting light, such as ultraviolet light. The exposure device has a light source for emitting ultraviolet light, a laser device for emitting laser light, an elliptical reflector for reflecting ultraviolet light emitted from the light source, and an optical system for directing light reflected by the elliptical reflector to an article to be treated via optical elements including a collimator lens and an integrator lens, and a beam splitter having a wavelength selecting ability provided in the optical path for light reflected by the elliptical reflector to allow laser light to be incident on the light source from and opening side of the elliptical reflector. |
| US08253924B2 |
Exposure method, exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method
An exposure apparatus is provided with an optical system including a liquid, a sensor system for acquiring energy information of an energy beam which is incident on the liquid, and a controller which predicts variation of optical properties of the optical system including the liquid due to energy absorption of the liquid based on the energy information acquired using the sensor system and controls exposure operation with respect to an object based on the prediction results. According to the exposure apparatus, exposure operation without being influenced by the variation of the optical properties of the optical system including the liquid due to the energy absorption of the liquid becomes possible. |
| US08253922B2 |
Immersion lithography system using a sealed wafer bath
Immersion lithography system and method using a sealed wafer bottom are described. One embodiment is an immersion lithography apparatus comprising a lens assembly comprising an imaging lens and a wafer stage for retaining a wafer beneath the lens assembly, the wafer stage comprising a seal ring disposed on a seal ring frame along a top edge of the wafer retained on the wafer stage, the seal ring for sealing a gap between an edge of the wafer and the wafer stage. The embodiment further includes a fluid tank for retaining immersion fluid, the fluid tank situated with respect to the wafer stage for enabling full immersion of the wafer retained on the wafer stage in the immersion fluid and a cover disposed over at least a portion of the fluid tank for providing a temperature-controlled, fluid-rich environment within the fluid tank. |
| US08253909B2 |
Electro-optical device substrate, electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus
An electro-optical device substrate includes a substrate, a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scanning lines crossing each other on the substrate, and a plurality of pixels defined by the plurality of data lines and the plurality of scanning lines so as to correspond to intersections thereof. Each pixel includes a pixel electrode, a conducting layer formed in a non-opening region separating an opening region of the pixel from that of another pixel, the conducting layer having a protruding portion protruding into the opening region from a part of one of a plurality of region edges defining the opening region, and a first contact portion electrically connecting the pixel electrode and the protruding portion. |
| US08253908B2 |
Liquid crystal display
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display including a pixel electrode including a first subpixel electrode and a second subpixel electrode spaced apart with a gap therebetween, a common electrode facing the pixel electrode, and a liquid crystal layer formed between the pixel electrode and the common electrode and including a plurality of liquid crystal molecules. The first and second subpixel electrodes include a plurality of branches, and each of the first and second subpixel electrodes includes a plurality of subregions. The branches extend in different directions in different subregions. |
| US08253898B2 |
Transfer material, and process for producing liquid crystal cell substrate and liquid crystal display device using the same
A novel transfer material is disclosed. The transfer material comprises, at least, a support, and, thereon, an optically uniaxial or biaxial anisotropic layer and a photosensitive polymer layer. A novel process for producing a liquid crystal cell substrate is also disclosed. The process comprises, at least, [1] laminating a transfer material as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 11 on a substrate; [2] removing the support from the transfer material laminated on the substrate; and [3] exposing the photosensitive polymer layer disposed on the substrate to light. |
| US08253896B2 |
Photonic sensor, method of manufacturing same, color filter substrate having same, and display device having the color filter substrate
A photonic sensor includes a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, a third electrode layer, a first photon absorption layer, a second photon absorption layer, a third photon absorption layer and a charge blocking layer. The first photon absorption layer includes a dispersion of first nanoparticles, and is configured to transduce a first colored light into corresponding electric charge. The second photon absorption layer includes a dispersion of second nanoparticles, and is configured to transduce a second colored light into corresponding electric charge according to light intensity. The third photon absorption layer includes a dispersion of third nanoparticles, and is configured to transduce a third colored light into corresponding electric charge according to light intensity. The charge blocking layer is formed between the first and second photon absorption layers to block flow of electric charge between the first and second photon absorption layers. |
| US08253887B2 |
Backlight unit and liquid crystal display device having the same
A backlight unit preventing the lift-off of an FPC is disclosed. The backlight unit includes a plurality of light emitting diodes configured to emit light, a flexible printed circuit board on which the plurality of light emitting diodes are mounted, a light guide plate configured to be parallel to the plurality of light emitting diodes, a support main formed of a mold having a rectangular frame shape and configured to accommodate the plurality of light emitting diodes and the light guide plate, and a fixing tape configured to fix the flexible printed circuit board, the support main, and the light guide plate, wherein one side of the fixing tape is attached to the flexible printed circuit board, the other side of the fixing tape is attached to the support main and the light guide plate, and a “T” shape structure is formed between the plurality of light emitting diodes. |
| US08253883B2 |
Display panel and display device
Each of a display panel and a display device includes a display region in which an image with uniform display quality is displayed and a curved line can be displayed in the contour. The display panel includes a shielding member and a plurality of pixels arrayed in a display region, wherein the shielding member includes a shielding curved portion having a curved planar shape, and the shielding curved portion shields the plurality of pixels to form a curved contour of the display region. |
| US08253882B2 |
Display device
A display device (1) having a curved display surface (2) sandwiches a display panel (5) by means of a pair of curved covers (10, 11). The display device (1) has a plurality of engaging sections (12), which are formed on each of the two side surfaces arranged to face each other with the display panel (5) therebetween and fix the pair of covers (10, 11) so that the covers are not removed. An intermediate position (C1) in the curving direction of the covers (10, 11) and an intermediate position (C2) in the curving direction of the display surface (2) are shifted from each other. The engaging sections (12) on each of the two side surfaces are substantially symmetrically arranged with the display panel (5) therebetween, and the positions where the engaging sections (12) are arranged include at least the both end sections (E1, E2) in the curving direction, and a display surface intermediate section (CB) which includes the intermediate position (C2) of the display surface (2) in the curving direction. |
| US08253878B2 |
Adjustable support apparatus for an LCD monitor
An adjustable support apparatus for an LCD monitor is provided. The support apparatus includes a receiving bracket, a cover secured to the receiving bracket, and a sliding member received between the receiving bracket and the cover. The sliding member is capable of sliding relative to the receiving bracket and the cover. A securing member is slidably attached to the cover. An elastic positioning member is secured to the cover. A plurality of positioning grooves is defined in the sliding member, and the securing member biases the positioning members to engage in one of the positioning grooves. |
| US08253870B2 |
Liquid crystal display screen
A liquid crystal display screen is provided. The liquid crystal display screen includes a capacitance type touch panel, an upper board, a liquid crystal layer, and a lower board. The capacitance type touch panel includes a substrate and a transparent conductive layer located on the substrate. The upper board includes an upper substrate, an upper electrode, and an upper alignment layer. The transparent conductive layer is configured to be an upper optical polarizer. The transparent conductive layer is a carbon nanotube layer having an anisotropic conductivity. The upper substrate is the substrate of the capacitance type touch panel. |
| US08253867B2 |
Remote control and method of using same for controlling entertainment equipment
A universal smart remote control includes intelligence software and algorithms that have been programmed into the remote control's microprocessor memory, and a large display which is used to prompt the user to take certain actions. The remote control provides guidance to the user in setting up and operating the various components of his or her entertainment system, and asks the user non-technical questions that are understandable to the user. |
| US08253861B2 |
Display device, method of adjusting the image quality of the display device, device for adjusting the image quality and device for adjusting the contrast
A display device having a multi-view display panel (45) for displaying, on the common screen, individual images for more than one viewing direction and having image quality adjustment circuits (41, 42) for individually adjusting the quality of an image corresponding to each of the individual images. |
| US08253860B2 |
System, method and devices for HDMI transmission using a commonly supported media format
A High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) system is provided. The HDMI system comprises a media channel, an HDMI source device and at least two HDMI sink devices. The HDMI source device comprises a communication module and a DDC controller. The communication module connects to the HDMI sink devices directly via the media channel for transmission of media contents. The DDC controller is used to process Extended Display Interface Data (EDID) of the HDMI sink devices. In an embodiment, the DDC controller determines a media format commonly supported by the HDMI sink devices based on the EDID of the HDMI sink devices, and the communication module uses the media format to provide the media contents. |
| US08253854B2 |
Image processing method and system with repetitive pattern detection
An image processing engine, comprising: a frame rate conversion entity configured to: (a) generate output pictures from input pictures, the output pictures comprising a set of first output pictures and a plurality of sets of second output pictures, each set of second output pictures being associated with one of the first output pictures, each of the first output pictures being derived from a respective one of the input pictures; and (b) control generation of the set of second output pictures associated with a particular first output picture based upon repetitive pattern presence detection within a related picture that is either (i) the particular first output picture or (ii) the input picture from which the particular first output picture was derived. |
| US08253853B2 |
Vibrating device and image equipment having the same
A vibrating device includes a dust-screening member which is shaped like a plate as a whole and has at least one side that is symmetric with respect to a symmetry axis, and a vibrating member secured to the dust-screening member and configured to produce, at the dust-screening member, vibration having a vibrational amplitude perpendicular to a surface of the dust-screening member. The vibrating device further includes a drive unit configured to drive the vibrating member to produce vibration Z(x, y) at the dust-screening member, the vibration being expressed as follows: Z(x,y)=Wmn(x,y)·cos(γ)+Wnm(x,y)·sin(γ) where Z(x, y) is vibration at a given point P(x, y) on the dust-screening member, m and n are positive integers including 0, indicating the order of natural vibration corresponding to a vibrational mode, W mn ( x , y ) = sin ( n π · x + π 2 ) · sin ( m π · y + π 2 ) , W nm ( x , y ) = sin ( m π · x + π 2 ) · sin ( n π · y + π 2 ) , and γ is +π/4 or ranges from −π/8 to −π/4. |
| US08253848B2 |
Imaging apparatus, imaging apparatus control method, and computer program product, with eye blink detection features
An imaging apparatus includes a focus control unit that sets an image area including eyes, which is included in an input image inputted in the imaging apparatus, as a range finding area for calculation of a subject distance and acquires an evaluation value based on contrast of the range finding area to detect a focus position and a blink detecting unit that detects presence or absence of a blink on the basis of image analysis in the range finding area. The focus control unit inputs blink detection information in the blink detection unit, identifies evaluation value data in a blink period and a non-blink period, and executes processing for detecting a focus position on the basis of only an evaluation value in a period judged as the non-blink period. |
| US08253845B2 |
Zoom lens and imaging apparatus
First lens-group is composed of a negative lens and a positive lens. When magnification is changed from wide end to tele end, a distance between first lens-group and second lens-group increases, and a distance between second lens-group and third lens-group decreases. Specifically, first lens-group moves toward the object side, second lens-group moves along a path convex toward the image side, third lens-group monotonously moves only toward the object side, and fourth lens-group moves along a path convex toward the object side. Further, the following formulas are satisfied: 0.3 |
| US08253844B2 |
System and method for varying exposure time for different parts of a field of view while acquiring an image
A system and method for exposing different parts of a single field of view for various and differing lengths of time while capturing an image is provided. For astrophotography, unwanted light pollution or over-saturation bleeding from nearby or obtrusive stars may be greatly reduced or eliminated while still capturing the image of the nearby brighter star in the same field of view. Also, a system and method for real-time contrast control while capturing an image to optimize signal-to-noise ratio for various parts of the captured image, is provided. An embodiment of the present invention provides such techniques by using spatial light modulator devices, such as a digital micro-mirror device, to controllably mask different portions of light from an image that expose film or a charge-coupled device. A system and method for a way to use a spatial light modulator device as an active and controllable mask for photolithography, is provided. |
| US08253841B2 |
Portable electronic device
A portable electronic device includes a cover, a printed circuit board, and a lens module mounted on the printed circuit board and covered by the cover. The cover and the lens module both define a light transmitting hole. The cover includes a retaining portion, the lens module includes a latching portion engaged with the retaining portion of the cover, thus ensuring the coaxiality of the light transmitting holes of the cover and the lens module. |
| US08253836B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, imaging device and driving method of solid-state imaging device
A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array section having unit pixels arranged two-dimensionally in a matrix form. Each of the unit pixels includes a charge generation section configured to generate a signal charge, charge transfer sections configured to transfer the signal charge generated by the charge generation section, and a signal output section configured to generate and output a target signal commensurate with the charge of the signal generated by the charge generation section. The plurality of charge transfer sections are provided for each of the charge generation sections. The plurality of charge transfer sections are connected, on the side opposite to the charge generation section, to the signal output sections in different rows. |
| US08253834B2 |
Image pickup apparatus and reference position detection method
An image pickup apparatus includes: a photoelectric transduction portion to transduce an optical image of a subject formed on an image plane through a lens to output an image signal; a movement portion provided between the photoelectric transduction portion and a base to move the photoelectric transduction portion relative to the base; an illumination portion placed at a predetermined position from the base to emit light onto the image plane of the photoelectric transduction portion in a state in which a shutter is closed to block light entering from the lens; a light-blocking portion placed at a predetermined position from the base to interrupt part of light from the illumination portion at between the illumination portion and the image plane; an adjustment image obtaining portion to obtain an image signal output by the photoelectric transduction portion as a result of photoelectric transduction, in a state in which the illumination portion emits light; and a relative position detection portion to detect a relative position of the photoelectric transduction portion with respect to the base, based on an image of the light-blocking portion that is included in an image based on the obtained image signal. |
| US08253831B2 |
Location-aware event detection
Techniques for detecting one or more events are provided. The techniques include using one or more regions of interest on a video sequence to cover a location for one or more events, wherein each event is associated with at least one of the one or more regions of interest, applying multiple-instance learning to the video sequence to construct one or more location-aware event models, and applying the models to the video sequence to determine the one or more regions of interest that are associated with the one or more events. |
| US08253826B2 |
Photographing apparatus and method, and program
A photographing apparatus is provided, which includes: a correction data acquiring section that acquires correction data for image correction; a recording section that records the correction data acquired by the correction data acquiring section; a photographing condition acquiring section that acquires image photographing conditions; a retrieving section that retrieves the correction data, corresponding to the photographing conditions acquired by the photographing condition acquiring section, from the correction data recorded in the recording section; and a photographing section that photographs an image on the basis of the correction data retrieved by the retrieving section. |
| US08253824B2 |
Multi-spectral imaging
Multi-spectral imaging technique embodiments are presented which involve an active imaging approach that uses wide band illumination of known spectral distributions to obtain multi-spectral reflectance information in the presence of unknown ambient illumination. In general, a reflectance spectral distribution of a captured scene is computed by selecting a number of different illumination spectra and capturing multiple images of the scene. Each of these images is captured when the scene is illuminated by a different one of the selected illumination spectra in addition to the ambient light. The reflectance spectral distribution of the scene is computed for each pixel location based on the relative response between pairs of the radiometric responses of the corresponding pixels in the captured images, given a set of parameters including the added illumination spectra used to capture each of the images and the response function and spectral sensitivity of the camera used to capture the images. |
| US08253823B2 |
Camera body, interchangeable lens, and imaging apparatus
There are provided a camera body capable of operating a drive unit of an interchangeable lens at a low drive sound level, an interchangeable lens, and an imaging apparatus including such a camera body and an interchangeable lens. The camera body to which an interchangeable lens is mountable, the interchangeable lens including an optical member operable to change an optical condition and a drive unit operable to drive the optical member at a drive speed within a predetermined range, the camera body have: a receiving unit operable to receive silent speed information from the interchangeable lens, the silent speed information indicating a setting value related to a silent operation of the drive unit, the setting value being a value of a drive speed within the predetermined range; and a control unit operable to generate a control signal for driving the drive unit based on the received silent speed information, when attempting to drive the drive unit of the interchangeable lens with a suppressed drive sound of the interchangeable lens, and send the generated control signal to the interchangeable lens. |
| US08253819B2 |
Electronic camera and image processing method
A tracking processing unit (137) performs a search in a frame using a color feature amount of an object and determines a target area estimated to include the image of the object based on the first evaluation value indicating a degree of matching between a search result and the object. An update detection circuit (139) performs a search in the frame using a shape feature amount of the object, calculates a second evaluation value, and determines an update area for updating a first feature amount based on the second evaluation value indicating a degree of matching between the search result and the object. An update determination circuit (140) determines whether or not to update the first feature amount. A tracking result drawing circuit (144) draws an outer frame of the target area when determined not to update, and draws that of the update area when determined to update. |
| US08253814B2 |
Ocular motor controller using principle of vestibulo-ocular reflex
An ocular motor controller for preventing an image blur by using the principle of vestibulo-ocular reflex in response to translational movement. The ocular motor controller comprises an image pickup section (20) used as an ocular device, an ocular drive section (30) for rotating the image pickup section, a distance information acquisition section (40) for acquiring information concerning the distance from the image pickup section (20) to a visual target (1), a translational movement sensor (50) for measuring the variation due to the translational movement of a moving object, and a correction section (60) for utilizing the rotational movement driven by the ocular drive section. The correction section (60) cancels the variation due to the translational movement measured by the translational movement sensor (50) and corrects the rotation by the ocular drive section (30) by using the acquired distance information on the distance to the visual target (1) and variation information on the variation due to the translational movement so as to fix the image pickup position of the visual target (1). |
| US08253813B2 |
Image capturing device with shake compensation
An image capturing device includes a housing, a camera module, a motion detector and a driving module. The housing defines a receiving cavity therein. The camera module is flexibly received in the receiving cavity. The motion detector is fixedly positioned on the camera module and is configured for detecting a rotational movement of the camera module. The driving module includes a first magnetic member and a second magnetic member. The first magnetic member is positioned on the camera module. The second magnetic member is positioned on the housing. The driving module is configured for driving the camera module to rotate through interaction of the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member to counteract the detected rotational movement of the camera module. |
| US08253810B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for image stabilization using a single pixel array
An imaging pixel array and associated method and system are disclosed in which the array contains first pixels each having a first photo-conversion device, and second pixels each having a first photo-conversion device and a second photo-conversion device. The first photo-conversion devices are configured to acquire an image during a first integration period. The second photo-conversion devices are configured to acquire a plurality of images during the first integration period. A circuit uses the plurality of image signals and determines from them relative motion between the array and an image during a portion of the first integration period and provides a signal representing the motion which is used for image stabilization. |
| US08253806B2 |
Image sharing system, image managing server, and control method and program thereof
An image processing apparatus determines categories for classifying image data based on shooting information of the image data, generates an update information file for each category, and uploads the update information file along with the image data to an image managing server. A client terminal registers, in advance, the address of a desired update information file, and periodically checks the update information file in the image managing server. If the update information file indicates that new image data has been added to the image managing server, the image data is downloaded in accordance with the file path described in the update information file. |
| US08253805B2 |
Horizontal synchronization detection device
Pulse detection portion detects pulses in a horizontal synchronization signal and acquires the occurrence period and the pulse width of the detected pulses. Synchronization pulse decision portion determines pulses, for which the differences between the occurrence period and the reference period and between the pulse width and the reference pulse width are within their respective error tolerance ranges, as synchronization pulses. Mean period acquisition portion obtains the mean period by averaging occurrence periods of the synchronization pulses. Reference period correction portion carries out either or both of correcting the reference period so as to get closer to the mean period and correcting the error tolerance range of the reference period so as to get narrower, under the condition that the occurrence frequency of the synchronization pulses for which the difference between the occurrence period and the mean period is outside of a predetermined tolerance range exceeds a predetermined threshold. |
| US08253797B1 |
Camera image georeferencing systems
A method for constructing a georeferencing-enabled camera model and its deployment in georeferencing targets located in video sequences due to a single video camera. A video surveillance camera is modeled by a collection of rays converging at a virtual camera point and the retina resolution cell coordinates associated with those rays wherein the ray equations are first established, in the course of a calibration process, for a given camera view, with the aid of other views of the same video surveillance camera, as necessary, and using such a model for mapping image coordinates to terrain coordinates and vice versa in the intended view or its adaptation for use in other views of the same video surveillance camera. |
| US08253796B2 |
Wireless video surveillance system and method with rapid installation
A surveillance system and method for rapid set up and activating communication between at least one wireless input capture device ICD(s) and a corresponding digital input recorder (DIR) and/or another ICD, including the steps of providing base system; at least one user accessing the DIR via user interface either directly or remotely; the DIR and/or ICD searching for signal from the ICD(s) and establishing communication with them, thereby providing a secure surveillance system having wireless communication for monitoring a target environment. |
| US08253795B2 |
Egomotion speed estimation on a mobile device
Linear and rotational speeds of a mobile device are calculated using distance estimates between imaging sensors in the device and objects or scenes in front of the sensors. The distance estimates are used to modify optical flow vectors from the sensors. Shifting and rotational speeds of the mobile device may then be calculated using the modified optical flow vector values. For example, given a configuration where the first imaging sensor and the second imaging sensor face opposite directions on a single axis, a shifting speed is calculated in the following way: multiplying a first optical flow vector and a first distance estimate, thereby deriving a first modified optical flow vector value; multiplying a second optical flow vector and a second distance estimate, thereby deriving a second modified optical flow vector value; the second modified optical flow vector value may then be subtracted from the first modified optical flow vector value, resulting in a measurement of the shifting speed. |
| US08253789B2 |
Microscopic image capturing apparatus, microscopic image capturing method, and storage medium having a microscope image capturing program stored thereon
In a correction data storing unit of a digital camera which captures a microscopic image, image data of a light image without a sample, image data obtained by using a filter for removing a defective portion for the light image without a sample, image data where a region without being corrected (or a region being corrected) is set in the light image without the sample, and shading correction data calculated from image data obtained by setting a mask region where data after being corrected is set to 0 are stored. An operator obtains, captures, records, and stores an observation image satisfactory for great-looking by using arbitrary shading correction data. In this way, a captured image satisfactory for great-looking is obtained by making a suitable shading correction according to a shading characteristic, which is caused by an optical system. |
| US08253787B2 |
Magnifying attachment for a camera
The object of this invention is to provide a magnifying attachment to be attached to a camera by which a high magnification image can be obtained without appearing a part having no image in the image. The magnifying attachment has a magnifying objective lens (21A), a field lens (21B) for converting a light passed through the objective lens (21A) into collimated light, and a converging lens (21C) for focusing the collimated light on a camera lens (42). Light passed through the converging lens (21C) is converged on a pupil (42X) of the camera lens (42) with a solid angle exceeding the view angle of the camera lens (42). |
| US08253780B2 |
3D display system using a lenticular lens array variably spaced apart from a display screen
An image display system for displaying interlaced images to achieve three dimensional effects. The system includes a user electronic device, such as a computer or television, with a display with a faceplate. The electronic device operates the display to generate an image that includes an interlaced portion at an inner display surface or location at an internal offset distance from an outer surface of the faceplate. The image display system includes a lens array with lenticules configured to focus through the lens array material, through an air gap, and into the faceplate the internal offset distance rather than simply on the back of the lens array. The display system may also include a mounting mechanism for selectively positioning the lens array relative to the faceplate to adjust the size of the air gap so as to focus the lens array onto the image being displayed within the display device. |
| US08253777B2 |
Panoramic camera with a plurality of camera modules
An exemplary panoramic camera includes a housing, camera modules received in the housing, viewfinders, and an image processor. Each camera module includes a lens, a reflective mirror, and an image sensor in an order written from an object side to an image side. The camera modules cooperatively form a 360 degrees view image of the surrounding scene. An angle is defined between the plane of the reflective mirror and a light sensing surface of the image sensor. Each reflective mirror is rotatable between a first position where the angle is an acute angle, light is reflected by the reflective mirror to the corresponding viewfinder, and a second position where the angle is about 90 degrees, light is incident upon the light sensing surface of the image sensor. The image processor stitches together the images captured by the camera modules into a single panoramic image of the surrounding scene. |
| US08253772B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for incorporating voice or video communication into a television or compatible audio capable visual display
Voice or video communication is incorporated into a television or compatible audio capable visual display by routing a television signal through a communication interface apparatus connected to a voice or video communication network and switching between a call and at least the audio portion of the television signal when a call is detected and the user chooses to answer the call in response to an on-screen menu superimposed on the video portion of the television signal. The communication interface apparatus includes a controller that is configured to allow speed dialing using a wireless remote, as well as making calls from a user-defined contact list or a regional phone directory that is updatable from a remote source via the Internet. |
| US08253767B2 |
Line head and image forming apparatus
A line head includes first to third light-emitting elements arranged in a first direction; and an optical system that forms images by light emitted from the first to third light-emitting elements on an imaging surface to form images of the light-emitting elements, in which the first light-emitting element is arranged between the second light-emitting element and the third light-emitting element in the first direction; the optical system has a first lens surface that has refractive power and is arranged so as to satisfy a relation of H>0.5D, where H is a distance in the first direction between the geometrical centers of the images of the second and third light-emitting elements, and D is the maximum width in the first direction of a light passing region of the first lens surface through which light emitted from the second and third light-emitting elements passes; and, light emitted from the first and second light-emitting elements do not overlap with each other on a cross section of the first lens surface taken along the first direction so as to include an optical axis of the optical system. |
| US08253766B2 |
Thermal printer, thermal printer control method, and printing system
A thermal printer 1 and control method for controlling print speed to prevent variation in printing pitch due to frequent slight changes in the print speed following a significant change in print speed. The print speed, which is the speed at which the print medium i.e., paper is conveyed when printing, is controlled based on known print speed control factors. The thermal printer comprises a paper feed mechanism for conveying the print medium at a controlled print speed passed a thermal print head, a print speed control unit 9 for controlling the print speed of the paper feed mechanism based on the print speed control factors, a print speed change acquisition unit 3 for determining the change in the print speed over a predetermined time, and a comparison unit 7 for determining if the change in print speed exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The print speed control unit 9 limits change in the print speed based on the print speed control factors for a predetermined time after the comparison unit 7 determines that the change in print speed exceeds the threshold value. |
| US08253764B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a main body frame; an image formation section contained in the main body frame that forms an image on a recording medium; an ejection mechanism contained in the main body frame that ejects the recording medium on which an image has been formed to an ejection section on the upper surface of the main body frame; an image scanning device mounted on the ejection section that scans the image of a document; and an operation section provided on the upstream side in the ejection direction of the recording medium in the ejection section that operates the image scanning device; wherein sides and the backside of the ejection section being opened viewed from the operation section side. |
| US08253761B2 |
Apparatus and method of controlling three-dimensional motion of graphic object
An apparatus and method are provided for controlling a movement and rotation of a displayed three-dimensional graphic object using a user input, such as a click or slide on a touch pad. The apparatus for controlling a three-dimensional motion of a graphic object includes a touch pad which receives a user input by a touch, a position determining unit which determines a touch position of the user input on the touch pad, a path detecting unit which detects a slide path and a direction of the slide path based on the determined touch position, and a graphic object control unit which controls a three-dimensional motion of a graphic object according to the detected slide path. |
| US08253758B2 |
Dynamically configurable bilinear filtering system
Apparatus and methods for a bilinear filter system comprising a pre-formatter module, a bilinear module, an accumulator module, and a format module. The pre-formatter module is configured to receive texel data and convert it to a normalized fixed point format. The bilinear module is dynamically reconfigurable to perform an interpolation or an extended precision interpolation on the normalized fixed point texel data from the pre-formatter module and generate re-normalized floating point texel data. The interpolator analyzes the exponent range of fixed point texel data from the pre-formatter module to determine if an extended precision calculation is appropriate. The accumulator module is configured to accumulate floating point texel data from the bilinear module to achieve the desired level of bilinear, trilinear, and anisotropic filtering. The format module is configured to convert texel data from the accumulator module into a standard floating point representation. |
| US08253747B2 |
User interface for controlling animation of an object
A user can control the animation of an object via an interface that includes a control area and a user-manipulable control element. In one embodiment, the control area includes an ellipse, and the user-manipulable control element includes an arrow. In yet another embodiment, the control area includes an ellipse, and the user-manipulable control element includes two points on the circumference of the ellipse. In yet another embodiment, the control area includes a first rectangle, and the user-manipulable control element includes a second rectangle. In yet another embodiment, the user-manipulable control element includes two triangular regions, and the control area includes an area separating the two regions. |
| US08253746B2 |
Determine intended motions
It may be desirable to apply corrective data to aspects of captured image or the user-performed gesture for display of a visual representation that corresponds to the corrective data. The captured motion may be any motion in the physical space that is captured by the capture device, such as a camera. Aspects of a skeletal or mesh model of a person, that is generated based on the image data captured by the capture device, may be modified prior to animation. The modification may be made to the model generated from image data that represents a target or a target's motion, including user gestures, in the physical space. For example, certain joints of a skeletal model may be readjusted or realigned. A model of a target may be modified by applying differential correction, magnetism principles, binary snapping, confining virtual movement to defined spaces, or the like. |
| US08253741B2 |
System and method for creation of perspective images generated by a negative exponential algorithm
A system for creation of perspective images of the present invention includes: A new method for transforming three-dimensional (3D) world coordinates into two-dimensional (2D) screen coordinates using a negative exponential algorithm, instead of the classical projection algorithms that have the distance ‘z’ to the observer in the denominator (division algorithms); A new method for generating realistic perspective images of objects located at any distance from the observer (positive, negative or zero distances) that does not need any correction for zero or negative distances; The demonstration of practical use of the invention by computer graphics programs that generates and displays perspective images based on this exponential algorithm. |
| US08253740B2 |
Method of rendering an output image on basis of an input image and a corresponding depth map
A method of rendering an output image (202) on basis of an input image (200) and a corresponding matrix of depth related data (204), the input image (200) corresponding to a first viewpoint and the output image (202) corresponding to a second viewpoint being different from the first viewpoint comprises computing edges (212,312) in the matrix of depth related data (204), computing a measure of variation in pixel values in regions of the input image (200) corresponding to neighborhoods of the edges (212,312), and computing the output image (202) by shifting respective pixel values of the input image (200) in the predetermined direction (X) on basis of scaled depth related data. Scaling, via the scaled depth related data, is such that a relative large measure of variation results in a relative large reduction of depth for the scaled depth related data. |
| US08253739B2 |
Method for interpolating an intermediate polygon p from two polygons p1 and p2
A method for interpolating an intermediate polygon P from two polygons P1 and P2. The method includes, in at least one embodiment, defining a similarity measure based on a geometrical reference object, the geometrical reference object being associated with the two polygons P1 and P2; and based on the similarity measure, determining an initial pair of corresponding points. Based on this initial pair of corresponding points, in at least one embodiment of the method, a sequence of pairs of corresponding points is determined from which sequence the intermediate polygon is interpolated. |
| US08253737B1 |
System, method, and computer program product for generating a disparity map
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for generating a disparity map. In use, a z-buffering operation is performed. In addition to such z-buffering operation, a plurality of disparity values are calculated, such that a disparity map may be generated utilizing the disparity values. To this end, such disparity map may be used for displaying stereoscopic content. |
| US08253735B2 |
Multi-user animation coupled to bulletin board
A multi-user animation process receives input from multiple remote clients to manipulate avatars through a modeled 3-D environment. Each user is represented by an avatar. The 3-D environment and avatar position/location data is provided to client workstations, which display a simulated environment visible to all participants. A text or speech-based bulletin board application is coupled to the animation process. The bulletin board application receives text or speech input from the multiple remote users and publishes the input in a public forum. The bulletin board application maintains multiple forums organized by topic. Access or participation to particular forums is coordinated with the animation process, such that each user may be permitted access to a forum only when the user's avatar is located within a designated room or region of the modeled 3-D environment. |
| US08253732B2 |
Method and system for remote visualization client acceleration
A method, system, and program product is disclosed for remote visualization in which a server window contents is displayed remotely at a client. The client creates a 3D rendering surface on a client graphics card to display a server window contents and receives update data from the server relating to the server window contents. The update data is uploaded to the client graphics card and the graphics processing unit (GPU) is used to decode the update data and render the update data to the 3D rendering surface. The graphical processing unit includes general purpose computing on graphics processing unit functionality to provide the decoding processing. |
| US08253729B1 |
Trimming depth buffer during 2D to 3D conversion
Techniques for improving the conversion of 2D images to 3D stereoscopic images, including trimming of portions of depth information to achieve improved processing at object boundaries. |
| US08253728B1 |
Reconstituting 3D scenes for retakes
In general, one or more aspects of the subject matter described in this specification can include associating with each clip in a sequence of one or more clips a copy of a three dimensional (3D) scene that was used to create the clip, where the clip is a sequence of one or more images that depict the clip's respective 3D scene from the perspective of one or more virtual cameras. Input identifying a clip in the sequence is received. In response to the receiving, a copy of the identified clip's associated copy of the 3D scene is presented in an editor. |
| US08253721B2 |
Liquid crystal display device including source voltage generator and method of driving liquid crystal display device
A display device, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) includes a driving circuit coupled with a display panel. The driving circuit may have a buildup of static electricity that could degrade the image quality of the display panel. A reset unit may be a part of the driving circuit. The reset unit may power off and power on the display device to dissipate the static electricity without affecting the image quality of the display panel. |
| US08253718B2 |
Power consumption reduction device, visibility improvement device, self-luminous display apparatus, image processing device, electronic equipment, power consumption reduction method, visibility improvement method, and computer program
A power consumption reduction device includes a region-adaptive gray level conversion unit wherein the gray level conversion unit is operable to convert n1 bits of gray level information for a low gray level region into m1 ( |
| US08253716B2 |
Method and apparatus for billboard with advertisement including electroluminescent lighting
Method and apparatus provide for attaching a planar electroluminescent lamp unit to the side of a billboard, and providing a media adhered to the surface of the lamp unit and to the side of the billboard adjacent the lamp unit, wherein the media has advertising indicia printed thereon. The lamp unit is connected to a source of power on the billboard. |
| US08253712B2 |
Methods of operating electronic devices including touch sensitive interfaces using force/deflection sensing and related devices and computer program products
An electronic device may include a touch sensitive user interface and a contact detector configured to detect a location of contact on a surface of the touch sensitive user interface. A force detector may be configured to detect a force/deflection on/of the surface of the touch sensitive user interface using electromagnetic radiation. A controller may be coupled to the touch sensitive user interface. The controller may be configured to provide a first response to the contact on the surface of the touch sensitive user interface when the detected force/deflection is less than a threshold. The controller may be further configured to provide a second response to the contact on the surface of the touch sensitive user interface when the detected force/deflection is greater that the threshold with the first and second responses being different. Related methods are also discussed. |
| US08253709B2 |
Electronic device and method for predicting word input
An electronic device and a method for predicting word input include generating a virtual keyboard comprising a plurality of virtual keys and receiving input letters and searching an English word database according to the input letters. The electronic device and the method further include retrieving the one or more possible words that begin with the input letters, confirming one or more virtual keys corresponding to the retrieved one or more possible words, and displaying the confirmed one or more virtual keys different from other virtual keys. |
| US08253707B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method
In instances where a plurality of objects is aligned by an operation using a pointing device having only a single point for pointing, the procedure is a troublesome one. To solve this problem, an information processing apparatus according to the invention includes a display unit configured to display objects; a recognition unit configured to recognize that a plurality of positions on the display unit have been designated; and an alignment unit. In a state in which a first position contained in an area in which a plurality of objects are displayed has been recognized by the recognition unit and a second position on the display unit has been recognized by the recognition unit, the alignment unit aligns the plurality of objects on the display unit in accordance with path of movement when movement of the first position or second position has been detected. |
| US08253705B2 |
Target zones for menu items on a touch-sensitive display
A portable electronic device is disclosed that includes a user interface with improved menu or list controls. Each of the items of the menu or list include a target zone that is spatially arranged in such a manner as to differentiate the menu items from one another and provide an easy target for contact by a user. |
| US08253700B2 |
Touch panel and display device using the same
An exemplary touch panel includes a flexible substrate, a transparent conductive layer, and four electrodes. The flexible substrate includes a surface. The transparent conductive layer is disposed on the surface of the substrate. The transparent conductive layer includes a carbon nanotube layer. The carbon nanotube layer includes carbon nanotubes. The electrodes are separately disposed, and electrically connected with the transparent conductive layer. A display device using the above-described touch panel is also provided. |
| US08253692B2 |
Top-emitting OLED display having transparent touch panel
A top-emitting OLED display having a transparent touch panel includes a substrate, an upper cover plate, an OLED display device, a capacitive touch device and a sealant layer. The OLED device is stacked on the substrate, the capacitive touch device is stacked on the upper cover plate, and the sealant layer combines the substrate and the upper cover plate such that the OLED device and the capacitive touch device are enclosed between the substrate and the upper cover plate. The capacitive touch device includes a first transparent conductive layer, an isolating layer, a second transparent conductive layer and an electromagnetic shielding layer sequentially formed on the upper cover plate. The electromagnetic shielding layer can effectively reduce the electromagnetic interfering between the OLED device and the capacitive touch device. |
| US08253683B2 |
Liquid crystal display drive and control device, mobile terminal system, and data processing system
It is intended to reduce the number of exclusive signal interconnections for connecting a host module to a liquid crystal display driver for a sub-display, and peripheral devices, respectively.A liquid crystal display drive and control device comprises, over one semiconductor substrate, a host interface circuit, a drive circuit, and an output port. The host interface circuit is used for connection with the host module. The drive circuit generates a drive signal for driving a liquid crystal display on the basis of information inputted to the host interface circuit before outputting. The output port is capable of controlling a logic level of an output signal on the basis of the information inputted to the host interface circuit. The liquid crystal display drive and control device is capable of performing the function of distributing signals to circuits subjected to control by level signals with determined logic levels, respectively, such as strobe control of a liquid crystal display driver for a sub-display, control of peripheral devices including a camera flashlight, and so forth. |
| US08253682B2 |
Backlight driving circuit capable of adjusting brightness of a lamp not only according to an adjustment of user, but also according to gray level voltages of a display image
A backlight driving circuit includes a brightness controller, a timing controller, and a logic calculation circuit. The brightness controller is configured to provide a first control signal to the logic calculation circuit, the timing controller is configured to provide a second control signal to the logic calculation circuit, and the logic calculation circuit is configured to select the first or second control signal to adjust a brightness of a lamp. |
| US08253681B2 |
Light source device, a display device and a television receiver
A light source device and a display device are disclosed of which high display quality can be maintained by correcting luminance or a color tone without making a user feel strangeness or inconvenience. A light source device is disclosed in at least one embodiment, including light source blocks each of which has red-color light-emitting diodes, green-color light-emitting diodes and blue-color light-emitting diodes and is capable of independently adjusting luminance of the three color diodes, a photo-receiving mechanism arranged to photo-receive light, and a correcting operation control mechanism arranged to calculate correction amounts of the luminance of the light sources in each of the blocks based on photo-receiving amounts of the photo-received light in order to maintain uniform luminance or a uniform color tone among the blocks, wherein the mechanism controls the mechanism to photo-receive the light when a termination operation of the light source device is performed. |
| US08253676B2 |
Method for driving an active matrix liquid crystal display device
A method for driving an active matrix liquid crystal display device of the invention is provided to drive a common voltage applied on a common electrode facing a pixel electrode by inversion for displaying a part of the display area, wherein the common voltage is controlled by synchronizing the polarity inversion timing of the common electrode with the scan timing of the pixel electrode in an initial position of the displayed area. |
| US08253671B2 |
Liquid crystal display for improving dynamic contrast and a method for generating gamma voltages for the liquid crystal display
An LCD for improving dynamic contrast by adjusting gamma voltages according to the brightness of an image is provided. The LCD includes: a liquid crystal display panel assembly having a plurality of pixels provided on crossing areas of a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines; a gate driver applying voltage signals for sequentially scanning the gate lines; a source driver applying voltage signals for image display to the data lines; a timing controller providing image data and a control signal for the source driver, providing a gate line on/off control signal for the gate driver, and outputting digital gamma data to a digital/analogue (D/A) converter; and the D/A converter connected to the timing controller for converting the digital gamma data from the timing controller into analog signals to generate a plurality of gamma voltages and outputting the gamma voltages to the source driver. The LCD generates the gamma voltages by the D/A converter in place of using serially-connected resistors, and thus, the gamma voltages may vary depending on the brightness of the image. |
| US08253667B2 |
Display control device and method of controlling same
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a display control device includes a driving circuit driving pixels based on successively inputted display data; and a drive mode control circuit determining an operation mode of the driving circuit based on the difference value between first display data among the display data and second display data among the display data, the first display data being the (N+1)th display data, and the second display data being the Nth display data. |
| US08253662B2 |
Display system and electrical appliance
A display system in which the luminance of light-emitting elements in a light-emitting device is adjusted based on information on an environment. A sensor obtains information on an environment as an electrical signal. A CPU converts, based on comparison data set in advance, the information signal into a correction signal for correcting the luminance of EL elements. Upon receiving this correction signal, a voltage changer applies a predetermined corrected potential to the EL elements. Thus, this display system enables control of the luminance of the EL elements. |
| US08253657B2 |
Plasma display and multi-current path driving apparatus thereof
A driving apparatus of a plasma display is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first switch connected between a first power source for supplying a first voltage and a scan electrode, and a first diode and a second switch connected in series between a second power source for supplying a second voltage that is higher than the first voltage and the scan electrode. Further, the driving apparatus includes a third switch connected between a power recovery power source and a contact point between the first diode and the second switch, and a second diode connected in parallel the first diode and the third switch. |
| US08253656B2 |
Plasma display apparatus and method of driving the same
A plasma display apparatus and a method of driving the same are disclosed. The plasma display apparatus includes a plasma display panel including scan electrodes and sustain electrodes, a sensor unit for detecting a temperature or a peripheral temperature of the panel, and a scan driver for supplying reset signals to the scan electrodes in a reset period of at least one subfield among a plurality of subfields at a predetermined reference temperature so that a first period in which a lowest voltage of the reset signal is supplied is different from a supply period of a lowest voltage when the temperature or the peripheral temperature of the PDP deviates the predetermined reference temperature. |
| US08253652B2 |
Volumetric three-dimensional display panel and system using multi-layered organic light emitting devices
A volumetric three-dimensional display panel and a volumetric three-dimensional display system employing the volumetric three-dimensional display panel are provided, wherein the volumetric three-dimensional display panel is formed by stacking a plurality of transparent flat display panels, such as, organic light-emitting devices. In the volumetric three-dimensional display panel, two-dimensional images are displayed on the transparent three-dimensional display panels, respectively, to form a single three-dimensional image. |
| US08253648B2 |
Portable terminal
A portable terminal comprises a first body 104 on which the first display surface 102 is formed, a second body 108 on which the second display surface 106 is formed, and hinge units which combine the first body 104 and the second body 108 in a foldable way. The first display surface 102 and the second display surface 106 form a combined display 112 continuously at a time of opening the first body 104 and the second body 108, and it further comprises a display control unit which displays one information on the whole combined display 112. Two display screens respectively formed in the individual bodies are used effectively. |
| US08253646B2 |
Antenna
An antenna including first and second printed wiring boards and a plurality of linking conductors. The first and second printed wiring boards each has a respective plurality of rectilinear printed wiring patterns arranged in parallel at a specified interval, and respective through holes formed on both ends of each of the respective rectilinear printed wiring patterns. The plurality of linking conductors are configured so that both ends of the conductors are linked to the through holes that are formed in the first and second printed wiring boards so that the first printed wiring board and the second printed wiring board are disposed opposite each other, and so that the plurality of rectilinear printed wiring patterns formed on the first printed wiring board and the plurality of rectilinear printed wiring patterns formed on the second printed wiring board are conductively connected to each other in a helix. |
| US08253642B2 |
Leaky-wave antenna capable of multi-plane scanning
A leaky-wave antenna capable of multi-plane scanning is provided. The leaky-wave antenna includes a substrate, a first antenna series, a second antenna series and a plurality of control units. The first antenna series intersects with the second antenna series to share a predetermined antenna unit among many antenna units. A part of the antenna units is connected in series to extend from a first and a second transmission lines of the predetermined antenna unit to compose the first antenna series, and the other antenna units are connected in series to extend from a third and a fourth transmission lines of the predetermined antenna unit to compose the second antenna series. The control units control the transmission paths between the first to the fourth transmission lines and the antenna units, and switch a leaky beam to different scanning planes, wherein the leaky beam scans with frequency variation through the antenna units. |
| US08253638B2 |
Portable pop-up direction finding antenna
An easily transportable multiband antenna array. The antenna array is fabricated on a multi-sided structure, such as a four-sided cube, made from a wire frame and fabric. The multi-sided structure is constructed so that it may be folded by first folding the faces against each other, and then twisting them to form a stack of loops. The antenna elements are fabricated on the faces, and comprise at least a loop antenna around the perimeter of each face, and a bow-tie antenna attached to each face. The antenna elements are fabricated and attached so that they do not inhibit the folding of the structure. |
| US08253637B2 |
Antenna array for a motor vehicle
An antenna array for a motor vehicle includes at least one AM antenna for receiving long wave, medium wave and/or short wave signals as well as at least one additional electrically conductive structural part that is arranged so as to be adjacent to the AM antenna. The additional structural part is connected to a ground potential and/or supply potential of the motor vehicle by at least one filter element, by which the signal frequencies in at least one frequency range that is to be received by the AM antenna are suppressed. |
| US08253636B2 |
Improvements relating to antenna arrays
An improved antenna array (100) comprises a set of array elements (102 a-p) electromagnetically coupled to a transmission line. The transmission line comprises a live conductor (122) and a return conductor, and the live conductor (122) is terminated by a direct connection to the return conductor. An input signal fed to the live conductor (122) is radiated by the array elements (102 a-p) and the antenna array (100) is arranged such that any portion of the input signal reaching the termination is reflected at the termination so as to form a reflected signal that superimposes with the input signal to produce a predetermined farfield radiation pattern. |
| US08253635B2 |
Mobile wireless communications device including a ground patch providing specific absorption rate (SAR) reduction and related methods
A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing, a dielectric substrate carried by the portable housing having a front side facing toward a user and a back side opposite the front side, and a ground plane carried by the dielectric substrate. The device may further include at least one circuit carried by the dielectric substrate, and an antenna carried by the dielectric substrate adjacent an end thereof and electrically connected to the at least one circuit. A ground patch may be adjacent the front side of the dielectric substrate that is electrically connected to the ground plane and spaced apart from and at least partially overlapping the antenna. |
| US08253631B2 |
Antenna device and wireless communication equipment using the same
An object of the present invention is to obtain high radiation efficiency by strengthening electromagnetic coupling in an antenna device that supplies a radiation current by the electromagnetic coupling. An antenna device includes a substrate 110 and a conductor pattern that includes a radiation conductor 121, a feed conductor 122, and a coupling conductor 123 formed on the substrate 110. Both the feed conductor 122 and the coupling conductor 123 are formed on a side surface 115 of the substrate 110. One end 122a of the feed conductor 122 is connected to a feed line, and other end 122b is connected to a ground pattern. A coupling portion 122b of the feed conductor 122 is substantially U-shaped, and the coupling conductor 123 is electromagnetically coupled to the coupling portion 122b of the feed conductor 122. Because the feed conductor 122 is gently curved, an electric filed concentration can hardly occur. The length of the feed conductor 122 can be increased, and thus it is possible to obtain a strong electromagnetic coupling with the coupling conductor 123. |
| US08253629B2 |
Dielectric rod antenna and method for operating the antenna
A rod antenna and a method for operating the rod antenna. The rod antenna includes a two-dimensional patch for radiating and/or receiving an electromagnetic wave, the patch extending along a plane defined by two coordinate axes orthogonal to each other. A feeding line is coupled to the patch for transferring signal energy to and/or from the patch, and a dielectric rod radiates and/or receives the electromagnetic wave, the rod extending longitudinally from the patch in direction of a third coordinate axis outside of the plane defined by the first two coordinate axes. A metal holder is coupled to the patch and to the rod for transferring the electromagnetic wave between the patch and the rod. |
| US08253628B2 |
Transfer of calibrated time information in a mobile terminal
A method of and system for calibrating un-calibrated time information within a mobile terminal 101 is disclosed. The terminal has a receiver 203 capable of receiving signals from which calibrated time information carried by a calibrated system (a satellite positioning system) can be extracted, and a receiver 200 capable of receiving signals from which un-calibrated time information carried by an un-calibrated stable system (a cellular communications system) may be extracted. The time offset between calibrated time information extracted from the calibrated system and un-calibrated time information extracted from the un-calibrated stable system is determined at a first terminal position where the signals from the un-calibrated stable system are available, the travel times of the signals from the un-calibrated stable system are known or determined, and the signals from the calibrated system are available. The un-calibrated time information extracted from signals of the un-calibrated stable system received at a second terminal position, is calibrated from known or determined travel times of the signals from the un-calibrated stable system at the second terminal position and the time offset which has been determined. |
| US08253625B2 |
Array antenna system in base station
An array antenna system in a BS has a horizontal-beam-radiation-pattern-forming module for receiving/outputting a plurality of transmission/reception signals from/to a BTS via the input/output ports at the one end of the horizontal-beam-radiation-pattern-former, and receiving/outputting a plurality of transmission/reception signals from/to a plurality of antennas via the input/output ports at the other end of the horizontal-beam-radiation-pattern-former, and a plurality of vertical-beam-radiation-pattern-forming modules installed on the plurality of antennas, respectively, to form a vertical beam radiation pattern for the transmission/reception signals, each for receiving a transmission signal from the horizontal-beam-radiation-pattern-forming module, dividing the transmission signal, providing the divided signal to antenna elements, filtering and amplifying signals received from the antenna elements according to a predetermined reception band, combining the amplified signals, and providing the combined signal to the horizontal-beam-radiation-pattern-forming module. |
| US08253621B1 |
Method for scanning a radar search volume and correcting for rotation of covariance ellipse
A radar volume in a cued direction is searched with sequential pencil beams. The cued direction is subject to uncertainty in the form of covariance. The covariance defines an ellipse rotated relative to the azimuth axis. Before determining the extent of the acquisition face, the ellipse is projected onto a viewplane normal to the radar range axis, and rotated so the principal axes are parallel with the traverse and elevation directions. The acquisition face is then found. The number of beams required to scan the search volume is determined. In one embodiment, the search volume is sent to the radar, and the radar rotates the beams to their correct positions. The beams are then scheduled. |
| US08253620B2 |
Synthesized aperture three-dimensional radar imaging
A synthesized aperture radar imaging system is disclosed. The system includes an antenna reflector and a radar signal transceiver configured to generate a plurality of radar transmission signals and to receive a respective plurality of reflected radar signals. The system also includes a wave reflection device configured to sequentially reflect each of the plurality of radar transmission signals onto separate respective spot-portions of the antenna reflector. The plurality of radar transmission signals can be transmitted from the antenna reflector to a target and reflected from the target as the respective plurality of reflected radar signals. The system further includes a synthesized aperture radar controller configured to integrate the plurality of reflected radar signals and to generate a high-resolution, three-dimensional image of the target from the integrated plurality of reflected radar signals. |
| US08253619B2 |
Electromagnetic scanning imager
In one aspect, the present invention provides an imager, preferably portable, that includes a source of electromagnetic radiation capable of generating radiation with one or more frequencies in a range of about 1 GHz to about 2000 GHz. An optical system that is optically coupled to the source focuses radiation received therefrom onto an object plane, and directs at least a portion of the focused radiation propagating back from the object plane onto an image plane. The imager further includes a scan mechanism coupled to the optical system for controlling thereof so as to move the focused radiation over the object plane. A detector optically coupled to the lens at the image plane detects at least a portion of the radiation propagating back from a plurality of scanned locations in the object plane, thereby generating a detection signal. A processor that is in communication with the detector generates an image of at least a portion of the object plane based on the detection signal. |
| US08253618B2 |
Remote controller
A remote controller is provided with: at least one first input unit that macro-controls predetermined remotely controlled devices including signal source devices; a plurality of second input units that select the signal source devices; a memory unit that stores a plurality of remote control codes for remotely controlling the remotely controlled devices; a transmitting unit that externally transmits the remote control codes; and a control unit that, when the first input unit is operated, outputs the remote control codes for remotely controlling the plurality of remotely controlled devices to the transmitting unit, and causes the transmitting unit to externally transmit the codes, wherein when the first input unit and one of the second input units are operated in a predetermined manner, a signal source device to be remotely controlled by the first input unit is changed to a signal source device that has been selected by the operated one of the second input units. |
| US08253617B2 |
Analog-to-digital conversion in pixel arrays
An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) generates an output digital value equivalent to the difference between two analog signal values. The ADC receives a first analog signal level, a second analog signal level and a ramp signal. A counter is operable to count in a single direction. A control stage is arranged to enable the counter based on a comparison of the ramp signal with the first analog signal and the second analog signal. A digital value accumulated by the counter during a period when it is enabled forms the output. The ADC can perform the conversion during a single cycle of the ramp signal. The counter can be loaded with a starting digital value representing an exposure level accumulated during a previous exposure period. Techniques are described for reducing the conversion time. |
| US08253613B2 |
Second-order delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter
In one embodiment, a second-order delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter (ADC) includes a second-order integrator adapted to second-order integrate a value at a first node, where the first node is coupled to an input of the ADC. The ADC also includes a comparator coupled to an output of the second-order integrator. The ADC further includes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) coupled between an output of the comparator and the first node. The DAC is adapted to receive a digital output of the comparator and to generate a first charge or a second charge. The DAC includes a first charge pump adapted to produce the first charge and a second charge pump adapted to produce the second charge. The first and second charges are asymmetric. |
| US08253611B2 |
Method for calibrating a pipelined continuous-time sigma delta modulator
Traditionally, pipelined continuous-time (CT) sigma-delta modulators (SDM) have been difficult to build due at least in part to the difficulties in calibrating the pipeline. Here, however, a pipelined CT SDM is provided that has an architecture that is conducing to being calibrated. Namely, the system includes a digital filter and other features that can be adjusted to account for input imbalance errors and well as quantization leakage noise. |
| US08253610B2 |
Systems and methods for variable rate conversion
Poly-phase filters are used to offer an efficient and low complexity solution to rate conversion. However, they suffer from inflexibility and are not easily reconfigured. A novel design for rate converters employ poly-phase filters but utilize interpolation between filter coefficients to add flexibility to rate conversion. This interpolation can be implemented as an interpolation of the poly-phase filter results. Additional approximations can be made to further reduce the amount of calculations required to implement a flexible rate converter. |
| US08253605B2 |
Decorrelation of data by using this data
A device for processing data adapted for being converted between an analog format and a digital format, the device having a scrambling unit adapted for scrambling the data based on at least a part of the data to thereby decorrelate the data in the analog format with respect to the data in the digital format. |
| US08253604B2 |
Keyboard scanning circuit
A keyboard scanning circuit, comprising N wires, and [(2N−1)+(2N−1−1)N] switches divided into two switch groups, therein N is a natural number. Each switch includes a first contact and a second contact. The first contacts of the (2N−1) switches in the first switch group are connected to ground, the second contacts of the (2N−1) switches in the first switch group are connected to the wires in (2N−1) connectors. The first contacts of the (2N−1−1)N switches in the second switch group are connected to one of the wires, the second contacts of the (2N−1−1)N switches in the second switch group are connected to the nodes between the switch in the first switch group and the wires. |
| US08253601B2 |
Miniature electronic device
A miniature electronic device includes a main body, a cover, two sliding boards and a functional component. The main body includes two rotation members and two connection members. Each rotation member includes a first annular groove, a second annular groove and a geared portion. Each connection member includes a first connection portion and a second connection portion having an equal length with the first connection portion. The cover includes two rotation shafts each including a first annular groove and a second annular groove. Each sliding board includes a rack. The functional component is below the two sliding boards. When the cover is opened or closed, the two rotation shafts are driven to rotate to drive the two geared portions to rotate in the two racks to cause the two sliding boards to slide relative to the main body, thereby exposing or covering the functional component. |
| US08253599B2 |
Portable electronic device and movement sensor thereof
The disclosure provides a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device includes a movement sensor and a processing module. The movement sensor is configured for sensing a movement of the portable electronic device and generating electrical signals in response to the movement. The movement sensor further includes a metal assembly and a magnetic assembly. When the portable electronic device has a movement, the metal assembly moves relative to the magnetic assembly to cut lines of magnetic force, therefore the metal assembly generates the electrical signals. The processing module performs predetermined operations according to the electrical signals. |
| US08253597B2 |
Keyboard providing power control
A keyboard includes a plug communicating with an external input device, a printed circuit board (PCB), and a base. The PCB includes a first power pad and a second power pad electrically connected to the plug via a cable. The PCB outputs a control signal to the plug via the cable in response to the first power pad and the second power pad being electrically connected. The base includes a control and at least one positioning element for positioning the control on the base. The control includes a pushbutton, a first pin electrically connected to the first power pad, and a second pin electrically connected to the second power pad. The first pin and the second pin are electrically connected in response to the pushbutton being pressed. |
| US08253595B2 |
Portable electronic device with protective cover for keypad
A portable electronic device includes a main body, a housing and a protective cover. The main body includes a keypad. The housing is attached to the main body. The housing defines a receiving space and two guiding grooves. The two guiding grooves are positioned at two opposite sides of the receiving space and communicating with the receiving space. The protective cover includes two rails respectively engaged in the two guiding grooves. The protective cover is slidable in the receiving space along the guiding grooves to cover or expose the keypad. |
| US08253592B1 |
External adaptive control systems and methods
An external adaptive control system and method control a traffic signal controller assembly. The external adaptive control system determines a non-linear schedule with one or more states corresponding to one or more individual phases with each state having a start time and a duration. The external adaptive control system generates presence data for reception by the controller assembly for each state and its associated duration. |
| US08253591B2 |
Vehicle traffic flow data acquisition and distribution
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for vehicle traffic flow data acquisition and reporting for onboard vehicle navigation. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for vehicle traffic flow data acquisition and reporting for onboard vehicle navigation can include acquiring imagery of multiple vehicles traveling on a roadway between two locations and individually identifying the different vehicles in the imagery. An elapsed time of travel can be determined for the individually identified vehicles between the two locations and a rate of travel can be computed for each of the individually identified different vehicles based upon the elapsed time of travel. Thereafter, the rate of travel for at least one of the individually identified different vehicles can be broadcast to a subscriber for at least one of the two locations. |
| US08253590B2 |
Vehicle-mounted receiver apparatus
An in-vehicle receiving apparatus to receive transmitted data from an on-road device having a reference position setting device to set a position satisfying a predetermined reception condition, as a reference position; a real receiving situation acquiring device to acquire a receiving situation of the transmitted data in a zone from the reference position set by the reference position setting device, to a predetermined position; a designed receiving situation estimating device to estimate a receiving situation of the transmitted data in a zone from a design position to the predetermined position when the predetermined reception condition is satisfied at the design position; and an error calculating device to calculate a distance error of the reference position from the design position, based on the receiving situation acquired by the real receiving situation acquiring device and the receiving situation estimated by the designed receiving situation estimating device. |
| US08253589B2 |
Vehicle to entity communication
A vehicle to pedestrian communication system includes a vehicle-based device having a transmitter and receiver for communicating global positioning of the vehicle. The transmitter broadcasts a global position of the vehicle as part of a vehicle periodic beacon message. A pedestrian-based device is carried by a pedestrian. The pedestrian-based device has a transmitter and receiver for communicating a global position of the pedestrian as part of a pedestrian periodic beacon message. A positional awareness of the vehicle in relation to the pedestrian is assessed by at least one of the vehicle-based device or the pedestrian-based device based on the positioning of the vehicle in relation to the pedestrian. An alert is provided to at least one of the vehicle or the pedestrian indicating a presence of the vehicle or pedestrian based on the respective global positions of the pedestrian and the vehicle. |
| US08253586B1 |
Athletic-wear having integral measuring sensors
A performance measuring system integrated with an article of clothing, the system has a computing unit for coordinating, processing and transmission of sensor data connected to a bus and an antenna. A sensor for measuring performance characteristics is connected to the bus; the bus facilitates transmission and reception of control and data values between the computing unit and the sensor. Also, an antenna is connected to the computing unit for communicating with other computing devices and transmission of sensor data. The other computing devices display the sensor data to a user or forward the sensor data onto another communication media such as the internet or interactive television. A social networking system sharing athletic statistics using a webservice, a personal processing unit connectible to the webservice, and a computing unit having an activity program for at least one sensor. This system has an activity update service integrally associated with the webservice. |
| US08253579B2 |
Portable system and power adapter thereof
A portable system includes a portable device and a power adapter to supply power to the portable device. The portable device includes a rechargeable battery and a measurement chip to measure charge remaining in the rechargeable battery. The power adapter includes a transmission line, a microprocessor, and a display unit. The microprocessor receives the readout of the amount of charge remaining in the rechargeable battery from the measurement chip via the transmission line, and generates a display signal according to the charge remaining. The display unit displays the charging progress of the rechargeable battery according to the display signal received from the microprocessor. |
| US08253575B2 |
Spindle device
A spindle device is provided with a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of an antifriction bearing or the temperature of a part of either one of a housing and a spindle which part is influenced by a temperature change of the antifriction bearing, and an abnormality detection section for detecting the abnormality of the antifriction bearing based on the change speed of the temperature of the antifriction bearing detected by the temperature sensor, so that the abnormality of the antifriction bearing can be detected more precisely. |
| US08253574B2 |
Systems and methods to predict fire and smoke propagation
Systems and methods are provided for establishing smoke flow paths and times of flow between a plurality of ambient condition detectors. Such information can be used in establishing, in real time, dynamically changing evacuation flow routes. |
| US08253573B2 |
Alarm unit for monitoring or detection of an analyte
An alarm unit for monitoring or detecting presence of an analyte on a separate sensor portion. The present invention comprises only the alarm unit and its means for attachment to a user's clothing. A square plastic casing protects the alarm electronics portion including a signal processing means. A large clip attachment means is included that is easily separated and attached from the casing and is used to attach the unit to clothing and which has enough clearance to be used with thick articles of clothing including diapers and which has a set of teeth frictionally held against a rubber strip portion located on the casing back so as to also enable secure attachment to very thin articles of clothing. A three-way switch is located externally for easy alarm chime and alarm volume selection. Interdependent modes of operation enable the signal processing means to control the alarm unit operation and features including low power indication, improper cable plug installment, three-way switch deactivation during Monitor mode, and a snooze/reset feature by which the alarm is easily disabled temporarily so that, as an example, a user can focus on running to the bathroom where the device is used to treat enuresis. |
| US08253571B2 |
Apparatus for sensing impact of a body on a trip located on a support
An apparatus for sensing impact of a body on a strip located on a support, characterized by comprising: a strip (2) of material presenting piezoelectric characteristics, applicable to a support in the region to be monitored; at least one continuous tape (4) made of conductive material and associated with said strip (2) in a manner parallel to it; a device (6) connected to said tape to condition the electric signal generated by the impact of said body on said strip (2); a device (12) for sensing said signal; a device (18) for indicating the sensed signal. |
| US08253570B1 |
RFID-based person location device
A device that allows soldiers to find lost or captured comrades uses standard RFID technology wherein the missing soldier has an RFID tag on his person. The searcher uses a reader that uses a directional antenna in order to increase system range. The reader also has a digital compass thereon so that once the reader determines the direction to the missing soldier, the compass outputs the direction. An RFID radar on the reader determines the distance between the reader and the tag. A GPS chip on the reader gives the GPS coordinates of the reader while appropriate circuitry calculates the GPS coordinates for the tag based on the GPS coordinates for the reader, and the direction and distance to the tag. The reader and the tag communicate using spread spectrum technology in order to prevent system corruption. |
| US08253564B2 |
Predicting a future location of a moving object observed by a surveillance device
A system and method for predictive abnormal behavior detection is disclosed. The system receives surveillance data such as video data and can create and update a plurality of prediction models. The system may also receive video data relating to a moving object and may generate a prediction of the future locations of the moving object based on the generated prediction models. The predicted motion may be scored by a scoring engine to determine if the predicted motion is unsafe or otherwise undesirable. |
| US08253562B2 |
Electronic fuel tank, and notifying system for engine powered model craft
My invention's new fuel tank with built in sensor, and analytical software is new to the present world of Radio Control Modeling. So is the 5-wire independently programmable annunciating, light emitting diode arrays. This invention will allow modelers in the Academy of Model Aviation (AMA) to enjoy the sport in a more relaxed, safe, and enjoyable manner by not having to worry about running out of fuel up in the air, or model boaters running out of fuel in the middle of a lake, or model car racers running out of fuel far from the pit stop. This invention is novel to the above-mentioned sport/s. |
| US08253559B2 |
System and wireless device for locating a remote object
A wireless device includes a user interface that generates a first location request signal in response to an indication from a user to locate a handheld wireless communication device. A short-range wireless transmitter transmits a first RF paging signal in response to the location request signal. An adjunct device is coupled to the handheld wireless communication device via a communication port of the handheld wireless communication device. The adjunct device emits a first detectable alert signal in response to the first RF paging signal to assist the user in locating the handheld wireless communication device. |
| US08253556B2 |
Portable communication terminal with GPS function
This invention aims to provide a Mobile Communications Terminal (MCT) equipped with a GPS function that automatically transmits the information on the current position of the MCT after the power of the MCT is turned off. The MCT comprises a GPS Receiver Unit 105 for receiving signal data from a GPS satellite, a Position Determining Unit 107 for determining a current position of the MCT based on the aforesaid signal data, a Positional Information Transmitter Unit 108 for automatically transmitting information on the position obtained by the Position Determining Unit 107 and other information, a Controller Unit 104 for sending a request command to the Positional Information Transmitter Unit 108, and a Timer Circuit Unit 102 for turning on the MCT at a predetermined time interval, after power of the MCT is turned off.This invention enables the MCT to automatically transmit the information on the position information and other information of the MCT at a predetermined time interval while the power of the MCT is on, and automatically transmit the information on the position information and other information of the MCT at the a predetermined time interval after the power of the MCT is turned off. |
| US08253554B2 |
Multi-purpose attachable alarm
A multi-purpose alarm operates in a motion-detected alarm mode and a motion-expected alarm mode. In the motion-detected alarm mode, when the multi-purpose alarm is touched or moved, an alarm is issued. In the motion-expected alarm mode, when the multi-purpose alarm has not been touched or moved for a period of time, an alarm is issued. The multi-purpose alarm employs an accelerometer to sense the presence or absence of movement and is attachable to an object being monitored through various attachment means including a spring clamp, an adhesive, and a magnet. |
| US08253550B2 |
Road traffic mirror with active indicating module
An exemplary road traffic mirror includes a casing, a mirror, a monitor, a processor, and an indicating module. The mirror and the hollow casing define a chamber therein, and the mirror includes a transparent glass and a reflection film formed on the transparent glass, wherein the reflection film is a narrow band pass film. The monitor is configured to automatically monitor road conditions and generate corresponding road condition signals. The processor is configured to analyze the road condition signals, and to generate switching signals. The indicating module is received in the chamber and facing the mirror, wherein the indicating module is configured to be activated by the switching signal and emit corresponding light rays, the light rays of the indicating module passing through the reflection film and forming an indication sign on the outside of the road traffic mirror. |
| US08253549B2 |
Method and system for interacting with a vehicle over a mobile radiotelephone network
A telemetry system coupled to a vehicle can communicate with a remote site using the overhead control channels of a wireless network, such as a cellular mobile radiotelephone network. The telemetry system can monitor or control aspects of the vehicle's operations based on remote user input. The telemetry system can receive a command from a data processing center and, based on the command, perform an action at the vehicle such that a user can remotely interact with the vehicle. |
| US08253548B2 |
Elevator system with wireless hall call buttons
An elevator system (10) includes a wireless batteryless hall call switch module (22) that transmits a unique wireless code when a person presses a hall call button (32, 34) requesting elevator service. A hall indicator module (24) includes an RF transceiver (64) that receives the wireless code from the switch module (22), activates a display to indicate that a button has been pushed, and transmits the hall call information to the elevator control system (14). When the elevator controller (14) informs the transceiver (64) of car arrival, the hall indicator module (24) causes the display to indicate car arrival. |
| US08253545B2 |
Electronic device with key for generating a locking signal
An electronic device includes a remote control and a host. The remote control is for generating different wireless signals. The host communicates with the remote control. The host includes a processor, a control panel, and a receiving unit. The control panel is for generating different key signals. The control panel includes a key for generating a locking signal and an unlocking signal. The receiving unit is for transferring the different key signals from the control panel to control the processor, and further for transferring the different wireless signals from the remote control to control the processor. The processor disables the receiving unit according to the locking signal and enables the receiving unit according to the unlocking signal. |
| US08253541B2 |
Method and apparatus for varying signals transmitted by a tag
An apparatus (10, 240, 300) includes a signpost (11, 241-256, 322, 612, 623, 626-628, 652, 661, 682, 686, 703) which transmits signpost signals (24) that are received by a tag (12, 271-275, 301-316, 395-397, 616-618, 641-643, 653, 656-657, 662-664, 679, 708, 711). The tag in turn transmits radio frequency beacon signals (72) which are received by a reader (13, 261, 319, 521-530). The tag can vary the duration of the beacon signals, for example in dependence on whether it is currently receiving a signpost signal. Further, the tag can dynamically vary the transmission rate and/or transmission power of the beacon signals, for example following receipt of a signpost signal. Varying these parameters can facilitate compliance with governmental regulations. |
| US08253538B1 |
Asset management using mobile radio-frequency identification (RFID) readers
Apparatus having corresponding methods and computer programs comprise: a mobile RFID reader adapted to receive radio-frequency (RF) signals from a plurality of RFID tags, wherein each RF signal represents a tag identifier associated with the respective RFID tag, and wherein the RFID tags include a plurality of asset tags and a plurality of location tags, wherein each of the asset tags is associated with a respective one of a plurality of assets, and wherein each of the location tags is associated with a respective one of a plurality of first locations; and an association module adapted to generate first associations between each of the assets and one or more of the first locations based on the tag identifiers. |
| US08253537B2 |
Apparatus for communicating with RFID tag and article management system
A reader obtains tag identification information of an RFID tag circuit element for article via radio communication using an apparatus antenna, stores the obtained tag identification information in a memory, gets area identification information of each room relating to a plurality of rooms storing the articles and a corresponding number of articles in association with each other from a database, calculates the number of the RFID tag circuit elements for article on the basis of a remaining memory capacity of the memory, the tag identification information capable of newly stored, compares the number of articles obtained as above with the number of RFID tag circuit elements for article calculated as above and determines the room with a corresponding number of articles not more than the number of RFID tag circuit elements for article as an inventory-manageable area. |
| US08253535B2 |
Electronic device and access controlling method thereof
An electronic device and method for controlling access to an electronic device includes acquiring a login iris image of a user, and computing iris characteristic values according to iris characteristic points in the login iris image. The electronic device and method further includes obtaining original iris characteristic values of one or more authorized users of the electronic device, and determining an identification of the user by determining if the computed iris characteristic values match the original iris characteristic values of the one or more authorized users. |
| US08253534B2 |
Vehicle door control system and method
In a vehicle door control system, a portable unit stores registration of an instruction of automatic door-opening to a vehicle unit, when predetermined registration processing is made on the portable unit. In response to a request signal from the vehicle unit, the portable unit transmits a response signal including an ID code and the instruction of the registered automatic door-opening operation. The vehicle unit unlocks a vehicle door without any manual door-unlocking operation by a user and automatically opens the vehicle door, when the response signal includes the instruction and the ID code matches a predetermined ID code. |
| US08253533B2 |
Locker system and method
The present disclosure describes a system for managing a plurality of lockers proximate a theme park attraction, the system having an electronically actuated lock disposed on the plurality of lockers, a guest identifier carriable on the guests person, the identifier usable as an electronic key configured to lock and unlock the lock, an egress sensor positioned at an exit of the theme park attraction and a processor in communication with the lock and the egress sensor and configured to unlock the lock subsequent to being signaled by the egress sensor. A method for using and managing a plurality of lockers is also described. |
| US08253531B2 |
On chip verification and consequent enablement of card OS operation in smart cards
On Chip Smart Card verification of a cardholder using biometrics such as a fingerprint and consequent enablement of a card operating system, having an additional software layer boot prior to the commercial card operating system booting. This software layer, or boot loader, provides the drivers and functionality for the finger print sensor and on-card matching. If the cardholder is successfully authenticated, the unmodified commercial OS is then allowed to boot. If the cardholder does not authenticate with the boot loader then the card does not boot the card operating system and thus cannot be used for financial transactions. |
| US08253530B2 |
Keyboard for powering on or off computer
A keyboard can power a computer on or off. A switch arranged on the keyboard receives power on or off operations. A control chip in the keyboard outputs control signals to a microcontroller according to the power on or off operations. The microcontroller actuates a switch circuit to make a control terminal of a motherboard of the computer power on and off the computer. |
| US08253525B2 |
Smart link coupled to power line
A smart link in a power delivery system includes an insulator, which electrically isolates a power line, and a switchable conductance placed in parallel with the insulator. The switchable conductance includes switchgear for sourcing, sinking, and/or dispatching real and/or reactive power on the power line to dynamically in response to dynamic loading, transient voltages and/or currents, and phase conditions or other conditions on the power line. |
| US08253523B2 |
Spiral inductor device
A spiral inductor device is provided. The spiral inductor device includes a first spiral conductive trace with multiple turns and a second spiral conductive trace with multiple turns adjacent thereto, disposed on an insulating layer over a substrate, wherein the outermost turn and the innermost turn of the first spiral conductive trace have a first end and a second end, respectively, the outermost turn and the innermost turn of the second spiral conductive trace have a third end and a fourth end, respectively, and the second and fourth ends are connected to ground. A non-continuous spiral conductive trace with a single turn is disposed on the insulating layer, parallel and adjacent to the outermost turn of the first spiral conductive trace, wherein the non-continuous spiral conductive trace is connected to the ground and at least a portion thereof is disposed between the first and the second spiral conductive traces. |
| US08253522B2 |
Coil component having wire-support member
A coil component includes a bobbin having a core part and a flange. The flange has a first surface on a first side and a second surface on a second side. The first surface of the flange is attached to an axial end of the core part. An end of a wire is electrically connected to a metallic terminal of a terminal-mounting member disposed on the flange. The flange is formed with a notch at a position near the terminal-mounting member, and the notch extends from a peripheral edge of the flange toward the core part. A segment of the wire near the end thereof extends from the second side to the first side of the flange through the notch and further to the core part, and this segment of the wire is hooked around the wire-supporting member in the notch. |
| US08253511B2 |
Triple plate feeder—waveguide converter having a square resonance patch pattern
A planar antenna module according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises an antenna portion (101), a feeder portion (102), and a connection plate (18). The antenna portion (101) includes a first ground plate (11) having a first slot (21), a second ground plate (12) having dielectrics, an antenna substrate having a radiation element (41), a third ground plate (13) having dielectrics, a fourth ground plate (14). The feeder portion (102) includes the fourth ground plate (14), a fifth ground plate (15), a feed substrate (50), a sixth ground plate (16), a seventh ground plate (17). The connection plate (18) has a second waveguide opening portion (64). The connection plate (18) to be connected with a high frequency circuit, the seventh ground plate (17), the sixth ground plate (16), the feed substrate (50), the fifth ground plate (15), the fourth ground plate (14), the third ground plate (13) including the third dielectric (33) and the fourth dielectric (34), the antenna substrate (40), the second ground plate (12) including the first dielectric (31) and the second dielectric (32), and the first ground plate (11) are stacked in this order. |
| US08253509B2 |
Printed circuit board
A printed circuit board includes a signal layer and a ground layer adjacent to the signal layer. The signal layer includes a pair of differential transmission lines. The ground layer includes a first void, a second void, a third void, and a common mode filter. The first void and the second void are respectively arranged at opposite sides of a projection of the pair of differential transmission lines on the ground layer, and are bridged with the third void. The common mode filter includes a first filter portion positioned in the first void, and a second filter portion positioned in the second void. Each of the first and second filter portions includes a number of coils arranged side by side along a direction parallel to the projection of the pair of differential transmission lines. |
| US08253507B2 |
Fixed-frequency control circuit and method for pulse width modulation
A fixed-frequency control circuit and method detect the difference between the frequency of a pulse width modulation signal and a target frequency to adjust a current used to determine the on-time or off-time of the pulse width modulation signal, such that the frequency of the pulse width modulation signal is stable at the target frequency. |
| US08253506B2 |
Wideband temperature compensated resonator and wideband VCO
A resonator of a VCO includes a fine tuning main varactor circuit, an auxiliary varactor circuit, and a coarse tuning capacitor bank circuit coupled in parallel with an inductance. The main varactor circuit includes a plurality of circuit portions that can be separately disabled. Within each circuit portion is a multiplexing circuit that supplies a selectable one of either a fine tuning control signal (FTAVCS) or a temperature compensation control signal (TCAVCS) onto a varactor control node within the circuit portion. If the circuit portion is enabled then the FTAVCS is supplied onto the control node so that the circuit portion is used for fine tuning. If the circuit portion is disabled then the TCAVCS is supplied onto the control node so that the circuit portion is used to combat VCO frequency drift as a function of temperature. How the voltage of the TCAVCS varies with temperature is digitally programmable. |
| US08253501B2 |
Device with two differential oscillators with pulsed power supply coupled to and in quadrature-phase with each other
The present invention concerns a device having a first and a second differential oscillators (1, 2; 1′2′) coupled to and in quadrature-phase with each other, comprising first and second resonant electronic means (L1, C1, C2; L2, C3, C4) respectively, which are apt to provide, respectively on first two and second two terminals (NODE—1, NODE—2; NODE—3, NODE 4), first two and second two oscillating signals (VNODE—1, VNODE—2; VNODE—3, VNODE—4), said first two oscillating signals (VNODE—1, VNODE—2) being in phase opposition to each other and in quadrature-phase with said second two oscillating signals (VNODE—3, VNODE—4), the device being characterised in that it comprises first generator electronic means (M13-M24) apt to detect first instants of passage through a first reference value of each one of said first oscillating signals (VNODE—1, VNODE—2) and to generate first power supply pulses for said second resonant electronic means (L2, C3, C4) in second instants, and in that it comprises second generator electronic means (M1-M12) apt to detect third instants of passage through a second reference value of each one of said second oscillating signals (VNODE3, VNODE—4) and to generate second power supply pulses for said first resonant electronic means (L1, C1, C2) in fourth instants. |
| US08253498B2 |
Phase locked loop with divider bias control
A phase-locked loop circuit includes: a phase and frequency comparing section configured to compare a phase of an external reference clock signal with a phase of a comparison clock signal, and generate an error signal corresponding to a result of comparison; an oscillating section configured to generate an internal clock signal of an oscillation frequency corresponding to the error signal; a frequency dividing section configured to generate the comparison clock signal by frequency-dividing the internal clock signal by a predetermined frequency dividing ratio; an oscillator control section configured to generate an oscillation control signal for controlling frequency of the internal clock signal output from the oscillating section on a basis of the error signal; and a frequency divider control section configured to generate a frequency division control signal for controlling a bias current of the frequency dividing section on a basis of the error signal. |
| US08253495B2 |
Wireless communication device and semiconductor package device having a power amplifier therefor
A semiconductor package device comprises a first amplifier block, at least one further amplifier block operably coupled in parallel with the first amplifier block between a common input and a common output, and at least one stabilization network operably coupled between a node of the first amplifier block and a corresponding node of the at least one further amplifier block. The at least one stabilization network comprises an inductance operably coupled between the corresponding nodes of the first and at least one further amplifier blocks, and a capacitance operably coupling a mid-point of the inductance to a ground plane. |
| US08253486B2 |
Wireless apparatus having shielding function
There is provided a wireless apparatus having a shielding function for shielding signal interference between driving power from a power amplifier and a conductive wire of a coupler. The wireless apparatus having a shielding function, includes an amplifying unit receiving preset driving power and amplifying a radio frequency (RF) input signal according to a preset gain, an impedance matching unit including at least one coil, receiving the driving power from the amplifying unit, and matching the impedance of a path of a signal, amplified from the amplifying unit, through the coil, and a shielding unit eliminating signal interference between the coil and a transmission path of the driving power from the amplifying unit. |
| US08253482B2 |
Method and device for controlling a common-mode voltage of a switched-capacitor system, in particular an analog-to-digital converter
The common-mode voltage of a switched-capacitor system is controlled by determining a current common-mode voltage of the switched-capacitor system, converting (in a flow-through conduction cell) the difference between the current common-mode voltage and a desired common-mode voltage into a resultant current, and reinjecting this resultant current into the switched-capacitor system via a resistive path. |
| US08253479B2 |
Output driver circuits for voltage regulators
An output driver circuit having an input stage and an output stage, wherein the output stage and the input stage are configured to function as (1) a low-frequency voltage follower and (2) a high-frequency feedback loop for the output driver circuit. In operation, the low-frequency follower and the high-frequency feedback loop may precisely regulate the output voltage of the output driver circuit when large load transients occur. A compact charge pump may be used to supply additional voltage required to operate a current mirror of the output driver circuit. |
| US08253478B2 |
Internal voltage generating circuit for semiconductor device
An internal voltage generating circuit is provided. The internal voltage generating circuit of a semiconductor device includes a control signal generating circuit for generating a control signal according to a number of data bits, a comparator for comparing a reference voltage to an internal voltage to generate a driving signal when the control signal is inactivated, a driving signal control circuit for inactivating the driving signal when the control signal is activated, and an internal voltage driving circuit for receiving an external power voltage and generating the internal voltage in response to the driving signal. Therefore, an internal voltage can be turned to a reference voltage level or to an external power voltage level according to the number of data input and/or output bits of a semiconductor device, and even when the number of data input and/or output bits is increased, a data access speed can be improved. |
| US08253472B2 |
Level shift circuit with noise blocking transmission circuit
In a level shift circuit in a high electric potential side driving circuit, a latch circuit and a transmission circuit located at the front stage of the latch circuit are provided. The transmission circuit makes its output impedance high when two inputs V1 and V2 are detected as low level signals by which erroneous signals due to dv/dt noises can be effectively blocked. In the transmission circuit, since there is no necessity of deliberately increasing delay in part of the circuit for achieving complete blocking, error signals due to dv/dt noises can be blocked with the minimum delay time. |
| US08253469B2 |
Semiconductor device
It is an object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor device that has a simple circuit structure, a small scale, and low power consumption, and can generate a desired clock signal. The semiconductor device has a clock generation circuit which generates a clock signal by dividing a modulated carrier wave, a divider circuit which generates a first divided signal by dividing a carrier wave, and a correction circuit which generates a second divided signal by further dividing the first divided signal, and has a function of performing correction for inverting the second divided signal in a period corresponding to a half period of the clock signal during modulation of the carrier wave and selecting whether the correction is performed or not. |
| US08253468B2 |
Clock generating circuit
According to one embodiment, a clock generating circuit includes first and second current generating circuits, first and second voltage generating circuits, first and second comparing circuits, a clock output circuit, a control circuit. The first current generating circuit is configured to generate a first current. The first voltage generating circuit is configured to generate a first voltage which increases or decreases according to a phase of a clock signal as time advances by the first current. The first comparing circuit is configured to compare the first voltage with a first threshold voltage to generate a first comparison result. The second current generating circuit is configured to generate a second current. The second comparing circuit is configured to compare the second voltage with a second threshold voltage to generate a second comparison result. The clock output circuit is configured to generate the clock signal whose phase inverts in synchronization with timing when the first and the second comparison results change. The control circuit is configured to generate a random number and configured to variably control at least one of the first current, the second current, the first threshold voltage and the second threshold voltage according to the random number. |
| US08253466B2 |
Clock generators for generation of in-phase and quadrature clock signals
Clock generator embodiments are provided to generate half-rate I and Q clock signals. The generators are configured to insure fan-out limitations, to insure correct phasing at startup, to reduce the number of signal inverters in a critical path, and to reduce the total number of inverter structures to thereby substantially extend generator operational frequency. An exemplary generator embodiment requires only two tri-state inverters and four inverters. These clock generators are particularly suited for variety of electronic systems such as high speed data serializers. |
| US08253465B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method for operating the same
A semiconductor memory device includes an edge detector configured to receive two pairs of complementary clocks to detect edges of the clocks, a comparator configured to compare output signals of the edge detector to detect whether clocks of the same pair have a phase difference of 180 degrees and detect whether clocks of different pairs have a phase difference of 90 degrees, a control signal generator configured to generate a control signal for controlling phases of the clocks according to an output signal of the comparator, and a phase corrector configured to correct phases of the clocks in response to the control signal. |
| US08253464B2 |
Multi-threshold complementary metal-oxide semiconductor master slave flip-flop
A multi-threshold complementary metal-oxide semiconductor technology (MTCMOS technology) master slave flip-flop with a single clock signal includes a master storage element configured to store an input data in response to a clock signal transition and a slave storage element configured to receive data from the master storage element and to output the received data in response to an opposite clock signal transition. The master storage element includes low threshold voltage transistors, the slave storage element includes high threshold voltage transistors, and the master and the slave storage elements are provided with a single clock signal. |
| US08253461B2 |
Waveform equalization circuit with pulse width modulation
There is provided a waveform equalization circuit with pulse width modulation that includes pulse-width adjust-level generation circuits PWCLC1a, PWCLC2a, for generating a pulse-width adjust-level VCNT on the basis of preceding input data units Din_P, Din_N, respectively, pulse-width adjustment circuits PWCC1a, PWCC2a, for adjusting a pulse-width according to VCNT, respectively, and a waveform shaping circuit WAC for shaping a waveform of an output signal from each of the pulse-width adjustment circuits. The pulse-width adjustment circuit has a driving power to be controlled according to a consecutive bits count of each of the preceding input data units, and varies transition time of each of output data units Do1_P, Do1_N, thereby adjusting the pulse width. With the use of such a waveform equalization scheme as above, it is possible to attain reduction in power consumption due to simplification in circuit configuration, and further, use of CMOS circuits will enable power consumption to be held back to a low level. |
| US08253460B2 |
Oscillation circuit, timing device, and electronic system utilizing the same
An oscillation circuit including a first transistor, a second transistor, a current source, a first inverter, and an impedance unit is disclosed. The first transistor has a first source receiving a first operation voltage, a first drain, and a first gate coupled to the first drain. The second transistor has a second source receiving the first operation voltage, a second drain, and a second gate coupled to the first gate. The current source is coupled between the first drain and a grounding voltage. The first inverter generates an oscillation signal and has a first input terminal, a first output terminal, and a first power terminal coupled to the second drain. The impedance unit is coupled between the first input terminal and the first output terminal. |
| US08253458B2 |
Digital phase locked loop with reduced switching noise
A method to operate a digital phase locked loop (DPLL) in which the DPLL includes a phase-frequency detector that compares the frequency of a reference signal with a feedback signal to generate an error signal. The error signal is used to generate first and second control words. Binary current control word bits and thermometric current control word bits are generated using the first and second control words, respectively. A binary controller switches a first set of binary current sources prior to a frequency lock being achieved using the binary current control word bits and the thermometric current control word bits are held at a predetermined value. After achieving the frequency lock, the binary current sources are fixed and then a thermometric controller switches a second set of thermometric current sources using the thermometric current control word bits. Operating the DPLL using the binary controller before the frequency lock and the thermometric controller after the frequency lock reduces switching noise and achieves stable loop dynamics. |
| US08253454B2 |
Phase lock loop with phase interpolation by reference clock and method for the same
The present invention relates to a PLL that utilizes a phase interpolation by a reference clock. The PLL includes a phase-interpolated controller for generating a phase-interpolation control signal; a phase/frequency detector for detecting a phase difference between a second reference clock and a feedback clock and outputting a phase error signal to represent the phase difference; a loop filter for filtering the phase error signal to generate a first control signal; a phase-interpolated oscillator for generating an output clock under a control by the phase-interpolation control signal and the first control signal; and a divide-by-N circuit for dividing down the output clock by a factor of N to generate the feedback clock, where N is an integer. |
| US08253453B2 |
Brown-out detection circuit
A data processing system (100), such as a System-on-Chip, includes a processor (120), a memory (140) that has an expected minimum data retention voltage, and a brown-out detector (160), which includes a brown-out detection circuit (201) that has an analog output, and an output circuit (248 and 252) that converts the analog output of the brown-out detection circuit to a digital brown-out flag. The brown-out detection circuit includes a self-biased current reference, current mirrors, and a current comparator. The brown-out detector monitors voltage of a power supply of the memory, and the brown-out detector asserts the digital brown-out flag to the processor when the voltage of the power supply is at, or slightly above, a highest expected minimum data retention voltage. |
| US08253451B1 |
Clock data recovery using phase accumulation over a time period defined by a number of cycles of a clock signal
A clock data recovery module and a method of operation thereof are described. In an embodiment, a data stream is received. Transitions in the data stream are detected to provide phase signaling for indicating phase relationships to the transitions detected. A lock detector receives the phase signaling. The lock detector accumulates phase information from the phase signaling and temporarily stores an accumulated total of the phase information representative of a code change, and the lock detector determines whether the code change is within a set range over a time period and resets the accumulated total at a conclusion of the time period. |
| US08253446B2 |
Semiconductor device and electronic apparatus using the same
The transistor suffers the variation caused in threshold voltage or mobility due to gathering of the factors of the variation in gate insulator film resulting from a difference in manufacture process or substrate used and of the variation in channel-region crystal state. The present invention provides an electric circuit having an arrangement such that both electrodes of a capacitance element can hold a gate-to-source voltage of a particular transistor. The invention provides an electric circuit having a function capable of setting a potential difference at between the both electrodes of the capacitance element by the use of a constant-current source. |
| US08253443B2 |
Interconnection architectures for multilayer crossbar circuits
An interconnection architecture for multilayer circuits includes metal-insulator transition channels interposed between address leads and each bar in the multilayer circuit. An extrinsic variable transducer selectively transitions the metal-insulator channels between insulating and conducting states to selectively connect and disconnect the bars and the address leads. A method for accessing a programmable crosspoint device within a multilayer crossbar circuit is also provided. |
| US08253435B2 |
Methods and apparatus to detect voltage conditions of power supplies
Methods and apparatus to detect voltage conditions of power supplies are disclosed. An example power supply monitor to detect fault conditions in a power supply includes a capacitive element communicatively coupled to the power supply, the capacitive element being configured to change state between a collapsed state and an open state in response to the power supply having a first voltage associated with a first fault condition of the power supply; a detector communicatively coupled to the capacitive element to detect a voltage spike generated from the state change of the capacitive element; and a signal generator to generate a fault signal in response to the voltage spike to indicate the power supply being in the first fault condition. |
| US08253434B2 |
Closed loop feedback control of integrated circuits
Systems and methods for closed loop feedback control of integrated circuits. In one embodiment, a plurality of controllable inputs to an integrated circuit is adjusted to achieve a predetermined value of a dynamic operating indicator of the integrated circuit. An operating condition of an integrated circuit is controlled via closed loop feedback based on dynamic operating indicators of the integrated circuit's behavior. |
| US08253432B2 |
Fork assembly for protection circuit of test system
A fork assembly includes a fixed board, a ground portion, a trigger portion, a switch and a resilient element. The ground portion includes a first arm and a second arm located opposite to the first arm, one end of each of the first arm and the second arm is connected to the fixed board, and the other end is free. The trigger portion includes a third arm and a fourth arm located opposite to the third arm, one end of each of the third arm and the fourth arm is connected to the fixed board. The switch is fixed on the other end of the third arm, and includes a normally open contact. The resilient element is configured on the other end of the fourth arm and corresponding to the normally open contact of the switch. The first, second, third and forth arms are conductively and resiliently connected together. |
| US08253431B2 |
Apparatus and method for testing non-contact pads of a semiconductor device to be tested
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for testing non-contact pads of a semiconductor device to be tested. The apparatus includes an insulating body, at least one testing module and a plurality of probes. The insulating body includes an accommodating cavity, a lower opening and at least one side opening. The side opening communicates with the accommodating cavity and the lower opening. The testing module is disposed in the side opening, and each testing module includes a circuit board and an active chip. The active chip is disposed on and electrically connected to the circuit board. The active chip has a plurality of testing pads exposed to the accommodating cavity. The probes are disposed in the lower opening. Whereby, the non-contact pads of the semiconductor device to be tested face but not in physically contact with the testing pads of the active chip, so as to test the proximity communication between the non-contact pads of the semiconductor device and the testing pads of the active chip. |
| US08253430B2 |
Circuit board testing using a probe
A test point of a circuit board is probed using an edge probe provided in a fixed orientation when the edge of the probe contacts a solder mound of the test point. The solder mound has an elongated shape. A length of the edge is substantially perpendicular to a length of the solder mound when the edge contacts the solder mound and is maintained in the fixed orientation. |
| US08253429B2 |
Probe card having a plurality of space transformers
A probe card of a semiconductor test apparatus having a plurality of space transformers supporting probe units of the probe card is provided. A probe card of the present invention includes a plurality of probe units, each comprising a guide member and at least one probe secured by the guide member and contacting a chip pad to be tested; a plurality of space transformers arranged below the respective probe units, each space transformer having wires electrically connected to lower terminals of the probes; a frame having a plurality of guide holes for fixedly positioning the respective probe units; an interposer array arranged below the space transformers for supporting the space transformers, interposer array comprising electrical connection means for supplying test signals to the wires of the space transformers; and a printed circuit board arranged below the interposer array for supporting the interposer array and electrically connected to the electrical connection means for supplying the test signals. In the probe card of the present invention, the probe units are independently supported by respective space transformers such that it is possible to reduce thermal distortion of the probe card and simplifying the manufacturing and repairing processes. |
| US08253426B2 |
Capacitance detector
A capaciatance detector is provided, which outputs an electric signal dependent on the capacitance present on an object to be measured. The capaciatance detector includes a measurement terminal to be disposed in contact with or in proximity to the object being measured; an impedance conversion circuit connected to the measurement terminal to form a resonant circuit; a reference phase oscillator for supplying a reference phase signal at a constant frequency to the resonant circuit; phase comparison means for outputting, as a capacitance detected signal, a phase difference signal indicative of the phase difference between a resonant signal, which is extracted from the resonant circuit in response to the reference phase signal being applied to the resonant circuit, and the reference phase signal; and resonance frequency regulation means for regulating the resonance frequency of the resonant circuit based on the phase difference signal. |
| US08253423B2 |
Multiple line width electromigration test structure and method
Apparatus and methods pertaining to examining electromigration lifespan are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of manufacturing is provided that includes forming a test structure on a semiconductor substrate. The test structure includes a first conductor structure that has a first cross-sectional area and a second conductor structure that has a second cross-sectional area larger than the first cross-sectional area. Current is flowed through the first and second conductor structures at current densities sufficient to cause electromigration in the first and second conductor structures. The current is monitored for drops indicative of electromigration failure of one or both of the first and second conductor structures. The time elapsed before the failure of the one or both of the conductor structures is recorded. |
| US08253421B2 |
Impedance measurement method and impedance measurement device
An impedance measurement method for circuits that has multiple power supply ports and a common ground shared by the multiple power supply ports, that includes finding multiple mutual impedances; finding approximate values for the ground impedance from the multiple mutual impedances; calculating multiple power supply port impedances from the approximate ground impedance values; and generating an equivalent circuit for the applicable circuit based on the ground impedances. |
| US08253418B2 |
Method and system for detecting and mapping hydrocarbon reservoirs using electromagnetic fields
The system and method provided modify a conventional seafloor long-wire electromagnetic (LEM) receiver by increasing the number of discrete antennae placed on the long wire. Two dipoles of electric field data are positioned exactly adjacent to each other, providing input to the same data logger system located within a seafloor survey unit to which the long wire is connected. Highly precise electric field gradients can be obtained by taking the difference of the measurements of the two electrodes, both for amplitude and phase. Any common-mode source of noise, such as magnetotelluric signals and receiver instrument noise will be rejected when the signals from the two electrodes are differenced. An acoustic navigation system utilizes a plurality of transponders to permit triangulation for accurate source-receiver ranging. |
| US08253417B2 |
Electrolocation apparatus and methods for mapping from a subterranean well
In some embodiments, apparatus useful for determining at least one dimension of at least one geological feature of an earthen formation from a subterranean well bore includes at least two electric current transmitting electrodes and at least two sensing electrodes disposed in the well bore. The electric current transmitting electrodes are configured to create an electric field and the sensing electrodes are configured to detect perturbations in the electric field created by at least one target object. |
| US08253416B2 |
Superconductor magnetic resonance imaging system and method (super-MRI)
Methods and apparatuses for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or magnetic resonance spectroscopy comprising a superconducting main magnet operable to generate a uniform magnetic field in an examination region, at least one superconducting gradient field coil operable to apply a respective at least one magnetic field gradient within the examination region, and at least one RF coil that is operable to transmit and receive radio frequency signals to and from the examination region, and that is configured for cooling and comprises at least one of (i) a non-superconducting material that when cooled to a temperature below room temperature has a conductivity higher than that of copper at that temperature and (ii) a superconducting material. The main magnet, the gradient coils, and each of the at least one RF coil of a given system may each be implemented as high temperature superconductor materials. |
| US08253406B2 |
Switching voltage regulator
A switching regulator comprises a sensing module for sensing an input current of the switching regulator to generate a sensing current, a switch module for determining whether an input end is electrically connected to an output end, a first comparator for comparing a feedback signal and a reference voltage to generate a first comparison result, a compensation module for providing a compensation signal, a sawtooth wave generator for generating a sawtooth wave signal according to the sensing current, a second comparator for comparing the sawtooth wave signal and the compensation signal to generate a second comparison result, a third comparator for comparing the sawtooth wave signal and the first comparison result to generate a third comparison result, and a logic module for generating a switching signal according to the second and the third comparison results. |
| US08253405B2 |
High speed voltage regulator with integrated loseless current sensing
In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes a high-speed multi-phase voltage regulator (VR) capable of sensing load current. For each phase leg, the VR includes a current mirror to mirror current in switching elements, a current sense to sense high side current in the current mirror, and a I-V converter to convert the sensed high side current to a voltage. The high side sensed current for each phase leg is averaged and the duty cycle for the VR is extracted. The average high side sensed current and the duty cycle are converted to digital by an A-D converter. Digital circuitry corrects the sensed current by adjusting for the gain and offset voltage of the VR. The adjusted sensed value is divided by the duty cycle to convert to load current and the average load current is multiplied by the number of phases operating to determine overall load current. |
| US08253404B2 |
Constant voltage circuit
A disclosed constant voltage circuit is configured to become active or inactive and convert an input voltage applied to an input terminal into a predetermined constant voltage for output from an output terminal. The circuit includes an output transistor for supplying, from the input terminal to the output terminal, an output current, an error amplifier circuit unit for controlling operations of the output transistor to make a first proportional voltage, which is proportional to the output voltage from the output terminal, equal to a predetermined reference voltage, a ramp voltage generating circuit unit for generating and outputting a ramp voltage whose voltage level increases at a predetermined speed from start-up, and an amplifier circuit unit for amplifying the voltage difference between the ramp voltage and a second proportional voltage, which is proportional to the output voltage, and outputting the amplified voltage difference to a control electrode of the output transistor. |
| US08253402B2 |
Methods and systems for component value estimation in power supplies/converters
In one embodiment, the method of these teachings includes decomposing the output ripple voltage into its constituent components and utilizing the scale factor necessary for this decomposition to obtain the measure capacitance and ESR for a power supply/converter. |
| US08253394B2 |
Snubber circuit
A snubber circuit comprises a first energy storage device and circuitry coupled to the first energy storage device to facilitate capturing, by the first energy storage device, energy of a switching circuit. The snubber circuit also comprises a second energy storage device coupled to the first energy storage device to store the captured energy. The circuitry additionally facilitates resetting of the first energy storage device. |
| US08253393B2 |
Method and a controlling arrangement for controlling an AC generator
The present disclosure related to a method and a controller for controlling an AC generator which is used in connection with a wind turbine having a variable speed. The multi-phase generator is connected to a controllable converter and is controlled to provide a desired power or a desired torque. An AC reference signal is generated, which would provide the desired power or torque. A P+Resonant converter may be used to control an electrical characteristic of the generator in view of the reference, by applying control signals to the controllable converter. Thereby, the need to transform the electrical characteristic into a rotating frame may be eliminated which provides for a less complex controller. |
| US08253391B2 |
Capacitor charging apparatus
A capacitor charging apparatus includes a transformer and an output capacitor which is to be charged using the current that flows through the secondary coil of the transformer. A control circuit charges the output capacitor by controlling the switching operation of a switching transistor provided on a path of the primary coil of the transformer. A voltage monitoring terminal is connected to a tap provided to the secondary coil of the transformer. A switching control unit receives a monitoring voltage that occurs at the voltage monitoring terminal, and controls the switching operation of the switching transistor according to the monitoring voltage. A protection circuit monitors the monitoring voltage. In a case in which continues to be satisfied with respect to the monitoring voltage, the switching control operation of the switching control unit for the switching transistor is stopped. |
| US08253388B2 |
System and method for charging a battery
Described is a system and method for charging a battery. The system includes a processor powered by a battery; and a controller determining a remaining battery charge of the battery. The controller sets a first charge current to recharge the battery when the remaining battery charge is insufficient to operate the processor. The controller wakes the processor when the battery has been recharged so that the remaining battery capacity is sufficient to operate the processor. The processor negotiates for a second charge current to recharge the battery. The controller sets the second charge current when the processor successfully negotiated. |
| US08253385B2 |
Power supply
This invention discloses a power supply and a dual-chargeable battery pack therein, wherein the dual-chargeable battery pack comprises a main body provided with an electrical energy storage device, a first connecting device and a second connecting device. The first connecting device comprises a first charging terminal set and a first power output terminal set, wherein the first charging terminal set is configured to receive an input of a first power for outputting to the electrical energy storage device. The second connecting device comprises a second charging terminal set which is configured to receive an input of a second power for outputting to the electrical energy storage device. The electrical energy storage device is configured to output the electrical energy accumulated therein as a third power through the first power output terminal set. The second power is different than the first power. |
| US08253383B2 |
Circuits and methods for monitoring multi-cell battery packs
A voltage detection circuit can include a status sensing network and a comparing network. The status sensing network can simultaneously detect a cell voltage for each battery cell of a plurality of battery cells. The comparing network can simultaneously compare the detected cell voltages with a predetermined voltage threshold by comparing the maximum of the cell voltages with a first (high-voltage) threshold, and by comparing the minimum of the cell voltages with a second (low-voltage) threshold. The comparing network can also generate an indication signal when a cell voltage does not satisfy the respective voltage threshold. |
| US08253379B2 |
Charge circuit for battery cells
A device for charging a battery system having a number of individual voltage sources situated in a series circuit is provided, which device uses a voltage source and a respective bypass associated with each of the individual voltage sources. A charge current IL is supplied from the voltage source via the bypasses to the individual voltage sources as a function of their charge condition. |
| US08253378B2 |
Battery management system with integration of voltage sensor and charge equalizer
A battery management system according to the present invention comprises a battery module consisted of a plurality of batteries connected in series; a switch module connected in parallel to the battery module; a voltage sensor measuring a voltage of each battery composing the battery module; a charge equalizer causing each battery composing the battery module to be charged, discharged or charged/discharged; and a microprocessor controlling the switch module to determine whether to charge or discharge each battery composing the battery module according to the voltage values measured by the voltage sensor and; wherein the voltage sensor and the charge equalizer are connected in parallel to each battery composing the battery module by the switch module. |
| US08253376B2 |
Reactive power battery charging apparatus and method of operating same
A battery charger may be capable of receiving power from a power distribution circuit. The charger may be configured to receive a request for reactive power and, in response, cause the requested reactive power to be present on the power distribution circuit. |
| US08253373B2 |
Battery powered charger
A charger for recharging the batteries of a portable electronic device even when no external power source is available. A battery or cell is installed within the charger, and when no access is available to a fixed power source into which the charger can be plugged, the internal battery or cell can be used to recharge the electronic device. The internal battery can be a primary battery or a secondary battery. In the latter case, the internal battery can be maintained in a charged state by means of circuitry which, when the charger is plugged into the external power source, charges the internal battery as well as the battery of the electronic device. The external power source can be either an AC power wall socket, in which case the charger includes AC/DC voltage conversion circuits, or a car lighter socket, or the DC output of a conventional wall charger. |
| US08253371B2 |
Electronic device including handheld electronic device with dual battery configuration, and associated method
An improved handheld electronic device in conjunction with an improved holder for the handheld electronic device together form an improved electronic device. The handheld electronic device includes a first battery, and the holder includes a second battery and a charging apparatus. When the handheld electronic device and the holder are electrically connected together, such as when the handheld electronic device is received in a cavity formed in the holder and a plurality of first contacts on the handheld electronic device and a plurality of second contacts on the holder are electrically connected together, the charging apparatus charges the first battery on the handheld electronic device from the second battery on the holder. |
| US08253367B2 |
Control apparatus, control method, and control program for elastic actuator drive mechanism
An abnormality determination unit that determines whether or not an output measurement unit is abnormal is provided, and whether or not the output measurement unit is abnormal is determined. When the output measurement unit is abnormal, an elastic actuator is controlled based on a desired internal state decision unit and an internal state error compensation unit. Accordingly, it becomes possible to control the elastic actuator to continuously operate to a predetermined position without instantaneously stopping even when the output measurement unit is abnormal. |
| US08253366B2 |
Signal status diagnosing device for control actuator as driven object
A device for diagnosing signal status of a driven object includes an insulation transformer, a signal generating device, a current measuring device, a feedback device, and a voltage measuring device. The insulation transformer has an intermediate tap at a midpoint of its primary winding. The signal generating device generates periodically vibrating voltage and includes a rectangular wave pulse voltage and alternating voltage. The current measuring device is connected to the intermediate tap of the primary winding to measure a current. The feedback device converts the current flowing from the intermediate tap of the primary side to a voltage corresponding to the drive voltage and feeds back the converted voltage to the input drive voltage signal. The voltage measuring device measures the voltage added with the feedback voltage. Diagnosis of the signal state is performed based on measurement results of the current measuring device and voltage measuring device. |
| US08253365B2 |
Methods and systems for performing fault diagnostics for rotors of electric motors
A method for fault diagnosis for a rotor of an electric motor, the electric motor also having a stator, includes the steps of generating, via a processor, a measured motor current for the stator, determining, via the processor, a resolver angle of the rotor, determining, via the processor, a flux angle of the rotor, calculating, via the processor, a transformation angle using the resolver angle and the flux angle, conducting, via the processor, a transformation of the motor current using the transformation angle, and identifying, via the processor, a fault condition based on the transformation. |
| US08253363B2 |
Automatic opening-and-closing lid for garbage bin
An automatic opening-and-closing lid for a garbage bin includes a base member including an opening for a user throwing trash into the bin therefrom and first and second annular flanges. A lid is installed to the opening of the base member and is able to pivot with respect to the base member. A control is installed to the base member and includes a power source for power supply, a control panel, a driving member electrically connected to the control panel, a driven member and first and second sensor wires electrically connected to the power source. The first and second sensor wires are respectively disposed in the first and second annular flanges. A sensing region is formed proximal to the first and second sensor wires. |
| US08253353B2 |
Driving a light source
A method for driving a light source (11, 12, 13) is described, wherein the light source is alternately switched ON and OFF in an ON/OFF pattern, wherein the duty cycle of the ON/OFF pattern is varied to vary the average light intensity of the light source, and wherein the shape of the ON/OFF pattern is varied to transmit data. Thus, a control signal for the light source comprises data information as well as duty cycle information. The duty cycle is varied within a range from almost zero to almost 100%, and data is varied and transmitted without affecting the duty cycle. |
| US08253352B2 |
Circuits and methods for powering light sources
A driving circuit for powering a plurality of light-emitting diode (LED) light sources includes a power converter and a plurality of current balance controllers. The power converter receives an input voltage and provides a regulated voltage to the LED light sources. The current balance controllers coupled to the power converter control a plurality of currents through the LED light sources respectively. The current balance controllers receive a first reference signal indicative of a target average level and a second reference signal indicative of a maximum transient level, and regulate an average current of each of the currents to the target average level and a transient level of each of the currents within the maximum transient level. |
| US08253347B2 |
Emergency egress lighting system
An egress lighting system which utilizes an efficient primary and emergency light source and complies with the NEC standards for emergency egress lighting. This invention combines two sets of LEDs onto a single circuit board to provide primary lighting and secondary emergency egress lighting while keeping the circuits of the primary and secondary lighting electrically separate or isolated. |
| US08253344B2 |
Light emitting diode lighting device
A lighting device comprises a mounting head having multiple facets each configured to retain an associated Light Emitting Diode (LED). The LEDs are mounted to the facets with a thermally conductive metal pad and thermally conductive adhesive. A connector for the lighting device inserts into a light socket and receives power for operating the LEDs. A heat transfer body is coupled between the mounting head and the connector and transfer heat generated by the LEDs downward from the mounting head and then radially outward. The mounting head, adhesive, metal pad, and heat transfer body form a heat transfer structure that more effectively removes heat generated by the LEDs. In one embodiment, a dimmer circuit is also provided that allows the LED lighting device to operate with conventional dimmer switches. |
| US08253343B2 |
Drive circuit to adjust a luminance of a light emitting element based on a PWM signal, and a portable information terminal including the drive circuit
A drive circuit (100) includes an operational amplifier (OP1) that compares a voltage applied to an inverting input terminal with a reference voltage applied to a non-inverting input terminal, a MOS transistor (M1) that has an output connected to the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier (OP1) and supplies a current to a load (3) depending on a comparison result of the operational amplifier (OP1), and a switch (SW1) that switches, based on a control signal, between outputting the comparison result of the operational amplifier (OP1) to the MOS transistor (M1) and outputting a predetermined voltage to the MOS transistor (M1) to turn off the MOS transistor (M1). |
| US08253342B2 |
Light emitting diode illumination system
An LED illumination system includes an LED lamp, a voltage stabilizing circuit and a control circuit. The LED lamp includes an LED string which has a plurality of LEDs connected in series. The voltage stabilizing circuit connects the LED lamp for supplying an electric current to the LED string. The control circuit includes an MCU and a MOSFET connected between the MCU and the LED string. The MCU detects the electric current flowing through the LED string and outputs a PWM signal which has a frequency within a range from 60 Hz to 500 Hz to the MOSFET. The MOSFET receives the PWM signal from the MCU and turns on and off repeatedly under a control of the PWM signal, to make a flicker frequency of the LEDs of the LED string be within a predetermined range. |
| US08253341B2 |
Light emitting diode lamp and control circuit thereof
A control circuit for controlling current through LEDs of an LED lamp includes a voltage regulator, a feedback circuit with an amplifier and a photo-resistor. The voltage regulator includes an output terminal connecting with the LEDs and a feedback terminal. The amplifier includes an in-phase input end coupling with an output end of the LEDs, an out-phase input end and an output end connected to the feedback terminal of the voltage regulator. The photo-resistor is connected between the out-phase input end of the amplifier and the ground. The photo-resistor has a resistance increasing along with a decrease of the light intensity of the LEDs. The increase of resistance of the photo-resistor is fed back to the voltage regulator via the amplifier, to thereby increase the electric current through the LEDs to maintain the light intensity of the LED lamp within an acceptable range. |
| US08253339B1 |
Lighting element failure detection devices and methods for power switching based systems
A circuit may include a switch mode power converter that intermittently enables a current path in response to a switch control signal; a duty cycle measurement circuit that generates a duty cycle value corresponding to a duty cycle of the switch control signal; and an evaluation circuit that activates a failure indication in response to the duty cycle value being outside of at least one limit. |
| US08253336B2 |
LED lamp for producing biologically-corrected light
A light-emitting diode (LED) lamp for producing a biologically-corrected light. In one embodiment, the LED lamp includes a color filter, which modifies the light produced by the lamp's LED chips, to increase spectral opponency and minimize melatonin suppression. In doing so, the lamp minimizes the biological effects that the lamp may have on a user. The LED lamp is appropriately designed to produce such biologically-correct light, while still maintaining a commercially acceptable color temperature and commercially acceptable color rending properties. Methods of manufacturing such a lamp are provided, as well as equivalent lamps and equivalent methods of manufacture. |
| US08253335B2 |
Arc shaped discharge chamber for high intensity discharge automotive lamp
A method of forming a discharge lamp and the resultant discharge lamp include providing an arc tube having first and second ends offset from a central arcuate or curvilinear portion of the discharge chamber formed between the arc tube ends. Electrodes extend from the first and second ends and at least partially into the discharge chamber which is locally substantially rotationally symmetric, i.e., substantially circular cross-section over a length thereof. Preferably, the arc tube and discharge chamber have a curvilinear conformation where the first and second ends are located below the central portion of the arc tube and associated discharge chamber in horizontal orientation during operation. Terminal ends of the electrodes preferably follow a local axis of the curvilinear conformation. The wall thickness of the discharge chamber may be alternatively constant or non-constant along a longitudinal extent thereof. |
| US08253332B2 |
Excimer lamp
An excimer lamp has a single tubular discharge chamber configured to enclose a discharge gas that is a noble gas or a mixing gas consisting of a noble gas and a halogen gas; a pair of electrodes configured to be arranged along opposite sides of the exterior surface of the discharge chamber; and an outer tube configured to cover the discharge chamber and the electrodes. Excimer molecules are produced by either dielectric barrier discharge or capacitive-coupled high-frequency discharge. An interior of a space formed between the outer tube and the discharge chamber is either in a vacuum state that is necessary and sufficient for preventing discharge, or is filled with an arc-suppression gas. |
| US08253328B2 |
Organic electroluminescence device, process of producing organic electroluminescence device, and electronic apparatus
An organic electroluminescence device includes a substrate, a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged on the substrate, each including a pair of electrodes and an organic light-emitting layer disposed between the electrodes, an organic buffer layer covering the plurality of light-emitting elements, and a gas barrier layer covering the organic buffer layer. The gas barrier layer has a structure wherein first inorganic films and second inorganic films are alternately stacked. The first inorganic films contain a silicon compound containing nitrogen, the second inorganic films contain an oxide of the formation material of the first inorganic films and each have a thickness smaller than that of each first inorganic film. The numbers of the first inorganic films and the second inorganic films are each at least two. |
| US08253326B2 |
Light-emitting device and manufacturing method thereof
A light-emitting device of the present invention includes: a light-emitting element; and a phosphor layer containing phosphors that absorb light from the light-emitting element and wavelength-convert the absorbed light to emit light. The phosphor layer has a structure in which the phosphors are disposed on an applied adhesive with a thickness equal to or less than an average particle size of the phosphors. A thickness of the phosphor layer is equal to or less than five times the average particle size of the phosphors, and an occupancy ratio of the phosphors in the phosphor layer is 50% or more. Further, the phosphors disposed on the adhesive has an adjusted particle size. |
| US08253322B2 |
Organic light emitting display device including light absorption pattern unit
An organic light emitting display device includes a substrate, a display unit that is formed on the substrate, and includes a plurality of organic light emitting regions that emit light, a sealing member disposed above the display unit, and one or more light absorption pattern units formed on a plurality of non-light emitting regions of the display unit. |
| US08253320B2 |
Method of manufacturing an electric optical device in which external connection terminals are formed
An electro-optical device includes an effective display region including a pixel, the pixel including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light-emitting layer between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a wiring line connected to the second electrode at a position to the periphery of the effective display region, the wiring line including a first wiring layer and a second wiring layer that are electrically connected to each other and that overlap each other, the first wiring layer and the second wiring layer both extending in a direction in which an edge of the effective display region extends, the first wiring layer and the second wiring layer extending in the direction a distance that is longer than a distance in which the edge of the effective display region extends in the direction. |
| US08253318B2 |
Method of manufacturing thin film, substrate having thin film, electron emission material, method of manufacturing electron emission material, and electron emission device
A method of manufacturing a thin film, including: mixing carbon nanofibers into an elastomer including an unsaturated bond or a group having affinity to the carbon nanofibers, and dispersing the carbon nanofibers by applying a shear force to obtain a carbon fiber composite material; mixing the carbon fiber composite material and a solvent to obtain a coating liquid; and applying the coating liquid to a substrate to form a thin film. |
| US08253314B2 |
Ion source having secondary electron enhancing electrode
An ion source using a field emission device is provided. The field emission device includes an insulative substrate, an electron pulling electrode, a secondary electron emission layer, a first dielectric layer, a cathode electrode, and an electron emission layer. The electron pulling electrode is located on a surface of the insulative substrate. The secondary electron emission layer is located on a surface of the electron pulling electrode. The cathode electrode is located apart from the electron pulling electrode by the first dielectric layer. The cathode electrode has a surface oriented to the electron pulling electrode and defines a first opening as an electron output portion. The electron emission layer is located on the surface of the cathode electrode and oriented to the electron pulling electrode. |
| US08253313B2 |
Spark plug and manufacturing method thereof
A spark plug having improved durability having a ground electrode comprised of a ground electrode base member and a noble metal tip. A center axis of the noble metal tip slants in relation to the center axis of the ground electrode base member at angle θ which satisfies a relation 2°≦θ≦25°. |
| US08253311B2 |
Spark plug
A spark plug capable of preventing breakage of a ground electrode. The spark plug is comprised of a ground electrode having a base end portion fixed to a metal shell, a bend portion integrally formed with the base end portion and being bent and a front end portion integrally formed with the bend portion and forming a spark discharge gap “g” with a center electrode. The ground electrode is comprised of a core extending from the base end portion towards the front end portion through the bend portion; and an outer layer disposed outside the core and extending from the base end portion up to the front end portion through the bend portion. The core is made of Hastelloy C serving as a first metal, and the outer layer is made of Inconel 601 serving as a second metal. Hardness of Hastelloy C is higher than that of Inconel 601. |
| US08253307B2 |
Circuits for harvesting energy from piezoelectric devices
Circuits (20, 220, 320, 420) are provided for applying electrical charge collected from a piezoelectric device (22) to a charge storage device (24, 224, 424). The circuits comprise a peak detector (32, 232) and a switch(es) (34, 134, 234, 434) which is/are operated to initiate transfer of the electrical charge from the piezoelectric device to the charge storage device upon detection by the peak detector (32, 232) of a peak voltage across the piezoelectric device (22). In an example embodiment, the peak detector (32, 232) comprises a peak-detection capacitance (C4); a gain element (42, 242); and a non-linear PN junction circuit (40). The circuits can also comprise charge multiplier circuit (300) configured to continue application of the electrical charge to the charge storage device (224) after the switch (262) has been turned off and/or after a point in time when magnitude of the voltage across the charge storage device (224) equals the magnitude of the voltage across the piezoelectric device (22). |
| US08253304B2 |
Ultrasonic linear drive unit comprising a hollow cylindrical oscillator
The invention relates to an ultrasonic linear drive unit comprising a driving element as an ultrasonic oscillator with two generators for ultrasonic vibrations and a driven element that forms a frictional contact with the driving element, and an electrical excitation source for the driving element. According to the invention, the ultrasonic oscillator is designed as a hollow thin-walled piezoelectric cylinder, the height H of which is identical to or smaller than the mean diameter D thereof. The generators for ultrasonic vibrations are symmetrically disposed on both sides relative to the sectional plane S that extends through the center of the height of the ultrasonic oscillator, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L thereof. The cylinder surface of the driving element is in contact with the driven element, and the electrical excitation source is connected to the ultrasonic linear drive unit in such a way that the drive unit excites only the first or the second generator for ultrasonic vibrations. |
| US08253302B2 |
Surface acoustic wave element, method of producing the same, and method of changing resonation frequency of the same
A surface acoustic wave element includes a piezoelectric member, a comb-teeth electrode, and a reflector. The comb-teeth electrode is arranged on the piezoelectric member. The reflector is arranged on the piezoelectric member. The reflector reflects a surface acoustic wave transmitted from the comb-teeth electrode. The reflector has a plurality of areas, and each of the areas has a frequency to make a reflection efficiency the largest. At least two of the frequencies of the areas are made different from each other. |
| US08253301B2 |
Electronic component and method for manufacturing electronic component
A method for manufacturing an electronic component includes a first step of preparing a piezoelectric body with a flat surface, a second step of implanting ions into the piezoelectric body such that an ion-implanted layer is formed in the piezoelectric body, a third step of forming sacrificial layers on the flat surface of the piezoelectric body, a fourth step of forming an insulating body over the flat surface of the piezoelectric body and the sacrificial layers to form a piezoelectric structure, a fifth step of dividing the piezoelectric body at the ion-implanted layer to form a piezoelectric laminar structure in which a piezoelectric film separated from the piezoelectric body is bonded to the insulating body, a sixth step of forming electrodes on portions of a division surface of the piezoelectric film, and a seventh step of removing the sacrificial layers from the piezoelectric laminar structure. |
| US08253298B2 |
Slot configuration of an electric machine
A stator includes an elongate core defining an inner volume to receive a rotor of an electric machine. The core includes a yoke and an array of teeth extending from the yoke toward the inner volume. The array of teeth defines slots between each pair of adjacent teeth in the array. Each slot includes a first slot region adapted to hold at least a portion of a conductive winding and a second slot region adapted to hold at least a portion of a conductive winding. The first slot region is defined by two non-parallel opposing slot side portions, and the second slot region is defined by two parallel opposing slot side portions. |
| US08253297B2 |
Winding body for an electric motor and method for producing a winding body for an electric motor
The invention relates to a winding body for an electric motor and, in particular a brushless direct current electric motor (200) with an air gap winding. At least two bobbins (12, 14; 22, 24; 32, 34) per stand (10, 20, 30) are provided. The invention also relates to a method for the production of said winding body. According to the invention, the bobbins (12, 14; 22, 24; 32, 34) of a strand (10; 20; 30) of the winding body (100) are wound immediately behind each other. |
| US08253295B2 |
Schemes of interchangeable windings of electrical machines
Winding diagrams, in which there is no intersection of endwindings in space and which are suitable for interchangeable windings of electrical machines, are considered in the proposed invention. Winding diagrams of a three-phase, two-layer concentric winding with a 120° phase zone and a three-phase, three-layer concentric winding with a 180° phase zone are considered. The scheme of a three-phase two-layer concentric winding with 120° phase with a linear distribution of turns in phase coils is offered for improvement of MMF distribution. The scheme of a three-phase, three-layer concentric winding with 180° phase zone with trapezoidal distribution of turns in phase coils is also proposed for improvement of MMF distribution. |
| US08253289B2 |
Overload protection device for motor
An overload protection device using a rotatable arm rotatably connected to a driving wheel and a resilient member connecting the rotatable arm with the driving wheel for transmitting the torque outputted by a motor to the driving wheel, the resilient member is obviously deformed when the motor is operated in a overload condition to detach the rotatable arm from the motor for protecting the motor from the overload condition. |
| US08253285B2 |
Power tool
A power tool includes a housing, a brushless motor, and a cover member. The housing has an air intake hole and an air exhaust hole formed therein, the housing having an inner surface. The brushless motor has an outer surface disposed in the housing, a first endface near the air intake hole, and a second endface near the air exhaust hole. The cover member covers at least one of the first endface and the second endface for preventing dust from entering the brushless motor. The inner surface of the housing and outer surface of the brushless motor define a circulation path providing communication between the air intake hole and the air exhaust hole. |
| US08253279B2 |
Inductive power switching with digital control for active implantable devices
An Inductive power switching supply with a digital control for active implantable medical devices is disclosed. A switching power supply (14) receives as input (12) an input voltage (Vi) from a battery (10) and delivers as output (16) an output voltage (VO). The switching power supply comprises an inductor having an inductance value (L) and a switching network (S1 . . . S5, D1 . . . D4), providing, according to a predefined topology, at least two alternative configurations including a charge phase and a discharge phase. The switching network is controlled at the end of the charging and discharging phases and the output voltage is regulated as a function of the input voltage from the nominal voltage. The switching network control does not measure current through the inductor. An analog-to-digital converter (20) is used to deliver a digital value representative of the input voltage (Vi). A predictor tool calculates a priori, a duration of the charging phase and a duration of the discharging phase according to a plurality of parameters comprising: the input voltage, the output voltage, the nominal voltage, the inductance value and a predetermined peak current (IK) through the inductor during the charging phase. |
| US08253278B2 |
Ferrite antennas for wireless power transfer
Ferrite core antenna used for transmitting or receiving wireless power. The antenna can move relative to the core. |
| US08253277B2 |
Electronic assembly provided with a parallel circuit for connecting electrically to two battery units
An electronic assembly with two battery units includes a system module provided with a preset threshold value and a parallel circuit. The parallel circuit is coupled electrically to the system module, and includes first and second power diverter circuits. Each of first and second power diverter circuit consists of a diode member coupled electrically to a respective battery unit and the system module and an operation switch that is coupled electrically to the diode member in parallel manner and that is coupled electrically to the respective battery unit and the system module in such a manner that a normal bias voltage is existed between the respective battery unit and the system module. |
| US08253274B2 |
Power supply system for electrical appliance
A power supply system is disclosed. The system comprises an AC power source from a power grid and a DC power source from an alternative energy source. The alternative energy source is a solar system in the preferred embodiment. The system provides a means of supplying the electrical appliance the DC power from the solar system with the higher priority. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a switch controlled by a controller provides a means of switching the power supply in between the two power sources without disrupting the operation of the appliance. According to another embodiment, a voltage regulator combines power generated from both sources to supply the power for the appliance with consuming the DC power from the solar system as the priority source. |
| US08253271B2 |
Home power supply system
A power supply system is disclosed. The system comprises an AC power source from a power grid and a DC power source from an alternative power generation system. The alternative power generation system may comprise one or a plurality of solar systems. The system may also comprise one or a plurality of wind turbines. The AC power generated by a generator of the turbine is converted into the DC power by a device comprising a rectifier. There are two groups of electrical appliances connected to the system. The first group receives the AC power only and the second group receives the AC and/or the DC power supplies. The power supply system provides a means of supplying the electrical appliances the DC power with the higher priority and therefore minimizes power consumption from the power grid. |
| US08253269B2 |
Economizer for vehicle battery disconnect
An economizer configured to connected coils in series and in parallel with a voltage source in order to facilitate pulling relays to a closed position, and thereafter, holding the relays in the closed position while reducing a voltage applied across the coils. |
| US08253267B2 |
Energy recovery system and method for exhaust energy capture and electrical generation
An exhaust energy recovery and electrical generation system includes a conduit having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the conduit is configured to receive a gas flow transmitted by a gas flow channel of a gas flow source and wherein the conduit is configured to transmit the received gas flow from the first end thereof toward the second end thereof. A first blade assembly is coupled to the conduit, wherein the first blade assembly is configured to be moved when the received gas flow is transmitted from the first end of the conduit; and an electrical generator coupled to the first blade assembly to generate electricity when the first blade assembly moves. A cross-sectional area of the first end of the conduit may be less than a cross-sectional area of the gas flow channel. |
| US08253266B2 |
Skyscraper with integrated wind turbines
A building with an integrated wind-powered electricity generation system includes a plurality of floors, wherein each of the plurality of floors includes inhabitable space. The building further includes a plenum space between adjacent ones of the plurality of floors and a plurality of vertical axis wind turbines, wherein each of the plurality of vertical axis wind turbines is positioned within a separate plenum space. The building further includes at least one electricity generator operably coupled to the plurality of vertical axis wind turbines. At least one of the vertical axis wind turbines includes a wind screen extending around a portion of the outer circumference of the vertical axis wind turbine. |
| US08253264B2 |
Orbiting drum wind turbine and method for the generation of electrical power from wind energy
A wind turbine captures energy from a flowing fluid medium using drum-shaped drive elements that spin while traveling along a continuous orbiting course around a base. Attached roller bearings engaging stationary raceways can guide the drive elements. Means for spinning the drive elements can include toothed belts engaging drive element cog wheels. Spinning can provide Magnus effect enhancement. Wind energy is captured by the drive element motion, then transferred to the base cog wheels by a toothed belt and finally fed to an output shaft. The invention includes locating drive elements in a moving fluid medium, spinning the drive elements as they are urged by the wind along a continuous orbiting course and capturing energy by linking the motion of the drive elements to an external device. The method includes adjusting the base's azimuth and the angle of incidence of the wind in response to wind direction and speed. |
| US08253263B2 |
Wave-power system for extracting simultaneously both potential and kinetic energy at variable significant wave heights and periods
A wave energy conversion system or device includes a float and base on top of which there is a power take-off system. The float, its base and the machine room are inserted in a main column supported by legs and corresponding leg supports on the bottom floor in shallow waters (seas or lakes). In deeper waters, the main column may be supported by column supports attached to an underwater float. The machine room is separated of the float frame through a rotary joint which allows the float and base to rotate in any horizontal direction while maintaining the machine room fixed in the same horizontal direction. The rotary joint separating the float frame and the machine room also allows for the vertical up and down movement when interacting with incoming waves. The distance between the machine room and the float frame is always the same. The device includes flaps or blades for the absorption of kinetic energy derived from the back and forth movement of water generated by waves. The device extracts potential energy of the wave from the up and down movement of the floating structure through a power take-off system in the machine room. |
| US08253260B2 |
Exhaust turbine generator system and method of controlling the same
An exhaust gas turbine generator system for a vehicle that has an internal combustion engine with an exhaust system is provided. The exhaust system comprises a turbine, an electrical generator, a waste gate, and an electronic control module. The turbine is disposed in fluid communication with an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine to allow fluid flow between the turbine and the exhaust gas system. The electrical generator connects to the turbine. The waste gate is disposed in fluid communication with the exhaust gas system of the internal combustion engine. The waste gate is positionable between an open position and a closed position in response to an output signal from the electronic control module. The fluid flow in the exhaust gas system to the turbine is reduced when the waste gate is positioned to the open position. |
| US08253251B2 |
Method for producing low-k film, semiconductor device, and method for manufacturing the same
Hydrophobicity of a low dielectric constant film comprising a porous silica film is improved by applying a raw material for forming a porous silica film onto a substrate, and performing vapor-phase transport treatment to expose the substrate to an atmosphere of organic amine vapor to which no water is added. Simultaneously, reduction in a dielectric constant, reduction in leakage current, and improvement in mechanical strength are attained by controlling a pore diameter in a predetermined range. |
| US08253246B2 |
Wiring structure and electronic device designed on basis of electron wave-particle duality
According to a simultaneous duel model that a de Broglie wave accompanies an electron drift-moving in an electron circuit, wiring is considered as a waveguide of the average de Broglie wave and design was performed by reducing the resistance value at bending portion of the wiring. Furthermore, by providing a micro-structure having a wave suppressing function of average de Broglie wave on the boundary between the metal electrode and the semiconductor electrode, so that electron transmitting probability at the boundary is increased. This improves electric feature of a macro structure portion which may cause a local heating such as a bending corner of wiring contained in the electronic circuit such as an IC and an LSI or a boundary between the metal electrode and the semiconductor electrode. |
| US08253241B2 |
Electronic module
An electronic module. One embodiment includes a carrier. A first transistor is attached to the carrier. A second transistor is attached to the carrier. A first connection element includes a first planar region. The first connection element electrically connects the first transistor to the carrier. A second connection element includes a second planar region. The second connection element electrically connects the second transistor to the carrier. In one embodiment, a distance between the first planar region and the second planar region is smaller than 100 μm. |
| US08253238B2 |
Resin-sealed semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
In a resin-sealed semiconductor device, an inner lead including a bend portion formed by lifting has a protruding shape located on one side and an inclined vertical surface shape located on the other side (inside) in an external connection terminal direction. A cutaway portion is provided along the bend portion and an external connection terminal. A height of an upper surface portion of the inner lead is higher than a height of an upper surface of a semiconductor element. The inner lead is provided in a substantially central portion of a die pad so that the inclined vertical surface shape is parallel to a side of a die pad which includes a thin portion located in a side surface portion and an exposure portion located on a bottom surface. |
| US08253237B2 |
Semiconductor module arrangement and method
A power semiconductor arrangement and method is disclosed. One embodiment provides a power semiconductor module. An insulator is arranged between the module and a cooling element, increasing clearances between the power semiconductor module and the cooling element. |
| US08253231B2 |
Stacked integrated circuit package using a window substrate
An integrated circuit (IC) package including a first substrate, a first IC, and a second IC. The first substrate includes a first surface having first substrate bond pads, a second surface, and an opening that extends from the first surface to the second surface. The first IC has a first IC surface that includes first bond pads and that is directly attached to the second surface of the first substrate, and a second IC surface. The second IC has a third IC surface that is directly attached to the second IC surface, and a fourth IC surface. At least one of the first bond pads is connected to at least one of the first substrate bond pads using one or more bond wires. The opening has a first side and a second side. The first substrate bond pads are located adjacent to only the first side of the opening. |
| US08253229B2 |
Semiconductor package and stacked layer type semiconductor package
In a stacked layer type semiconductor package constructed by stacking a plurality of packages with each other, the plurality of packages include a semiconductor package including: a semiconductor chip; a substrate in which a concave portion has been formed, the semiconductor chip being mounted in the concave portion; and a wiring line structure constructed in such a manner that the wiring line structure can be externally connected to the semiconductor chip at least just above and just under the semiconductor chip. |
| US08253223B2 |
Diode for adjusting pin resistance of a semiconductor device
A diode comprises a P-type well formed in a semiconductor substrate, at least one N-type impurity doping area formed in the P-type well, an isolation area formed to surround the N-type impurity doping area, a P-type impurity doping area formed to surround the isolation area, first contacts formed in the N-type impurity doping area in a single row or a plurality of rows, and second contacts formed in the P-type impurity doping area in a single row or a plurality of rows, wherein pin resistance can be adjusted through changing any one of a distance between the N-type impurity doping area and the P-type impurity doping area, a contact pitch between the first contacts, and a contact pitch between the second contacts. |
| US08253217B2 |
Seal ring structure in semiconductor devices
The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device that includes a substrate having a seal ring region and a circuit region, a plurality of dummy gates disposed over the seal ring region of the substrate, and a seal ring structure disposed over the plurality of dummy gates in the seal ring region. A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is also provided, the method including providing a substrate having a seal ring region and a circuit region, forming a plurality of dummy gates over the seal ring region of the substrate, and forming a seal ring structure over the plurality of dummy gates over the seal ring region. |
| US08253216B2 |
Gallium nitride semiconductor device with improved forward conduction
A gallium nitride based semiconductor diode includes a substrate, a semiconductor body including a first heavily doped GaN layer and a second lightly doped GaN layer. The semiconductor body includes mesas projecting upwardly from a lower surface where each of the mesas includes the second GaN layer and a portion of the first GaN layer. Schottky contacts are formed on the upper surface of the mesas and ohmic contacts are formed on the lower surface of the semiconductor body. An insulating layer is formed over the Schottky and ohmic contacts. Vias are formed in the insulating layer to the Schottky contacts and vias are formed in the semiconductor body to the Ohmic contacts. An anode electrode is formed in a first metal pad in electrical contact with the Schottky contacts. A cathode electrode is formed in a second metal pad in electrical contact with the ohmic contacts. |
| US08253215B2 |
Mesa heterojunction phototransistor and method for making same
A two-terminal mesa phototransistor and a method for making it are disclosed. The photo transistor has a mesa structure having a substantially planar semiconductor surface. In the mesa structure is a first semiconductor region of a first doping type, and a second semiconductor region of a second doping type opposite to that of the first semiconductor region, forming a first semiconductor junction with the first region. In addition, a third semiconductor region of the first doping type forms a second semiconductor junction with the second region. The structure also includes a dielectric layer. The second semiconductor region, first semiconductor junction, and second semiconductor junction each has an intersection with the substantially planar semiconductor surface. The dielectric covers, and is in physical contact with, all of the intersections. |
| US08253214B2 |
CMOS shared amplifier pixels with output signal wire below floating diffusion interconnect for reduced floating diffusion capacitance
An image sensor includes a unit cell having a plurality of pixels; the unit cell comprising an amplifier input transistor that is shared by the plurality of pixels; a plurality of floating diffusions that are joined by a floating diffusion interconnect layer and are connected to the amplifier input transistor; and an interconnect layer which forms an output signal wire which shields the floating diffusion interconnect layer. |
| US08253213B2 |
Photoelectric conversion element, photoelectric conversion element assembly and photoelectric conversion module
A photoelectric conversion element of the present invention comprises: a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type; a first electrode arranged on the back side of the first semiconductor layer a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type, the second semiconductor layer on the light-receiving side of the first semiconductor layer; a light-receiving face-side electrode provided on the light-receiving side of the second semiconductor layer; a second electrode arranged on the back side of the first semiconductor layer, and electrically separated from the first semiconductor layer, but connected to the second semiconductor layer; and a penetrating-connecting section penetrating the first semiconductor layer, and connecting the light-receiving face-side electrode with the second electrode, wherein the photoelectric conversion element is characterized in that the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged equidistantly apart from a central axis passing through a center of the photoelectric conversion element. |
| US08253207B2 |
Insulated gate semiconductor device
By integrating a diode and a resistor connected in parallel into the same chip as an IGBT and connecting a cathode of the diode to a gate of the IGBT, the value of dv/dt can be limited to a predetermined range inside the chip of the IGBT without a deterioration in turn-on characteristics. Since the chip includes a resistor having such a resistance that a dv/dt breakdown of the IGBT can be prevented, the IGBT can be prevented from being broken by an increase in dv/dt at a site (user site) to which the chip is supplied. |
| US08253203B2 |
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit
An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit that includes a parallel connection of parasitic vertical and lateral bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) each with a floating base and a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) field transistor with a floating body is disclosed. The three transistors may be connected in parallel between a bond (input or output) pad and a substantially fixed voltage level (e.g., a ground (or zero potential) or Vcc, depending on the transistor configuration) in a semiconductor electronic device so as to protect transistor gates or other circuit portions from damage from electrostatic voltages. The parasitic BJTs and the field transistor may be configured to remain cut off so long as an input voltage at the pad is between a negative V1 voltage (−V1) (V1>0) and a +V2 voltage (V2>Vcc), thereby allowing a greater input voltage swing without signal clamping. |
| US08253196B2 |
Integrated circuit with a laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor device and method of forming the same
An integrated circuit with a transistor advantageously embodied in a laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor device having a gate located over a channel region recessed into a semiconductor substrate and a method of forming the same. In one embodiment, the transistor includes a source/drain including a lightly or heavily doped region adjacent the channel region, and an oppositely doped well extending under the channel region and a portion of the lightly or heavily doped region of the source/drain. The transistor also includes a channel extension, within the oppositely doped well, under the channel region and extending under a portion of the lightly or heavily doped region of the source/drain. |
| US08253194B2 |
Structures for reducing dopant out-diffusion from implant regions in power devices
A semiconductor structure comprises a drift region of a first conductivity type in a semiconductor region. A well region of a second conductivity type is over the drift region. A source region of the first conductivity type is in an upper portion of the well region. A heavy body region of the second conductivity type extends in the well region. The heavy body region has a higher doping concentration than the well region. A first diffusion barrier region at least partially surrounds the heavy body region. A gate electrode is insulated from the semiconductor region by a gate dielectric. |
| US08253193B2 |
MOS transistor with gate trench adjacent to drain extension field insulation
An integrated circuit containing an MOS transistor with a trenched gate abutting an isolation dielectric layer over a drift region. The body well and source diffused region overlap the bottom surface of the gate trench. An integrated circuit containing an MOS transistor with a first trenched gate abutting an isolation dielectric layer over a drift region, and a second trenched gate located over a heavily doped buried layer. The buried layer is the same conductivity type as the drift region. A process of forming an integrated circuit containing an MOS transistor, which includes an isolation dielectric layer over a drift region of a drain of the transistor, and a gate formed in a gate trench which abuts the isolation dielectric layer. The gate trench is formed by removing substrate material adjacent to the isolation dielectric layer. |
| US08253192B2 |
MOS device with varying trench depth
A semiconductor device includes a drain region comprising an epitaxial layer, a body disposed in the epitaxial layer, a source embedded in the body, a gate trench extending into the epitaxial layer, a gate disposed in the gate trench, an active region contact trench extending through the source, and an active region contact electrode disposed within the active region contact trench. The active region contact trench has a first width associated with a first region that is in proximity to a bottom portion of the body and a second width associated with a second region that is in proximity to a bottom portion of the source. The first width is substantially different from the second width. |
| US08253189B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor region, a tunnel insulating film formed on a surface of the semiconductor region, a charge-storage insulating film formed on a surface of the tunnel insulating film and containing silicon and nitrogen, a block insulating film formed on a surface of the charge-storage insulating film, and a control gate electrode formed on a surface of the block insulating film, wherein the tunnel insulating film has a first insulating film formed on the surface of the semiconductor region and containing silicon and oxygen, a second insulating film formed on a surface of the first insulating film, and a third insulating film formed on a surface of the second insulating film and containing silicon and oxygen, and a charge trap state in the second insulating film has a lower density than that in the charge-storage insulating film. |
| US08253178B1 |
CMOS image sensor with peripheral trench capacitor
An example complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor includes an epitaxial layer, an array of pixels, and a trench capacitor. The array of pixels are formed on a front side of the epitaxial layer in an pixel array area of the image sensor. The array of pixels includes one or more shallow trench isolation structures disposed between adjacent pixels for isolating the pixels in the pixel array area. The trench capacitor is formed on the front side of the epitaxial layer in a peripheral circuitry area of the image sensor. |
| US08253177B2 |
Strained channel transistor
A semiconductor device, such as a PMOS or an NMOS transistor, having a stressed channel region is provided. The semiconductor device is formed by recessing the source/drain regions after forming a gate stack. The substrate is removed under the gate stack. Thereafter, an epitaxial layer is formed under the gate stack and in the source/drain regions. The epitaxial layer may be doped in the source/drain regions. In an embodiment, a lower portion of the epitaxial layer and the epitaxial layer under the gate stack may be doped with a conductivity type opposite of the conductivity type of the source/drain regions. In another embodiment of the present invention, a lower portion of the epitaxial layer is left undoped. |
| US08253176B2 |
Photodiode device and method of manufacturing the same
A photodiode device and methods of manufacturing the same are provided. The photodiode device comprises a light absorption layer defining a light-facing side and a back-light side; a via passing through the absorption layer, the via defining a side wall and a bottom surface; a conformal isolation layer covering the side wall and the bottom surface; a first patterned conductive layer disposed on the back-light side, the first patterned conductive layer having a first portion covering a first portion of the conformation isolation layer; a second patterned conductive layer disposed on the light-facing side of the absorption layer; and an opening through the conformal isolation layer, wherein the opening is filled with the second patterned conductive layer such that the second patterned conductive layer is connected with the first portion of the first patterned conductive layer. |
| US08253174B2 |
Electronic circuit structure and method for forming same
A thin film transistor (TFT) structure is implemented. This embodiment is much less sensitive than conventional TFTs to alignment errors and substrate distortion. In such a configuration, there is no need to define gate features, so the layout is simplified. Moreover, the gate layer may be patterned by several inexpensive printing or non-printing methods. |
| US08253173B2 |
Semiconductor device with gate level including four transistors of first type and four transistors of second type separated by non-diffusion region and having at least two gate contacts positioned outside separating non-diffusion region
A cell of a semiconductor device includes a substrate portion formed to include a plurality of diffusion regions, including at least one p-type diffusion region and at least one n-type diffusion region separated from each other by non-active regions. The cell includes a gate electrode level including a number of conductive features defined to extend in only a first parallel direction. Each of the conductive features within the gate electrode level is fabricated from a respective originating rectangular-shaped layout feature. A width size of the conductive features within a five wavelength photolithographic interaction radius within the gate electrode level is less than a wavelength of light of 193 nanometers. Some of the conductive features form respective PMOS and/or NMOS transistor devices. The cell includes an equal number of PMOS and NMOS transistor devices. The cell also includes a number of interconnect levels formed above the gate electrode level. |
| US08253170B2 |
Electronic devices with improved OHMIC contact
In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to an electronic device successively comprising from its base to its surface: (a) a support layer, (b) a channel layer adapted to contain an electron gas, (c) a barrier layer and (d) at least one ohmic contact electrode formed by a superposition of metallic layers, a first layer of which is in contact with the barrier layer. The device is remarkable in that the barrier layer includes a contact region under the ohmic contact electrode(s). The contact region includes at least one metal selected from the metals forming the superposition of metallic layers. Furthermore, a local alloying binds the contact region and the first layer of the electrode(s). |
| US08253169B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method for semiconductor device
There is provided a semiconductor device including: a SiC substrate; an AlGaN layer formed on the SiC substrate; a source electrode and a drain electrode formed on the AlGaN layer so as to be spaced from each other; a first insulation film formed between the source electrode and the drain electrode and having a band-like opening parallel to the drain electrode and the source electrode; a gate electrode formed at the opening in the first insulation film; a second insulation film formed on the first insulation film in such a manner as to cover a surface of the gate electrode; and a source field plate electrode which is formed on the second insulation film and the source electrode and an end portion of which on the drain electrode side is spaced from the second insulation film, thereby suppressing degradation in device performance. |
| US08253168B2 |
Transistors for replacing metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors in nanoelectronics
Junction field effect transistors (JFETs) are shown to be a viable replacement for metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) for gate lengths of less than about 40 nm, providing an alternative to the gate leakage problems presented by scaled down MOSFETs. Integrated circuit designs can have complementary JFET (CJFET) logic cells substituted for existing MOSFET-based logic cells to produce revised integrated circuit designs. Integrated circuits can include JFETS where the channel comprises a wide bandgap semiconductor material and the gate comprises a narrow bandgap semiconductor material. Mixtures of JFET and MOSFET transistors can be included on an integrated circuit design. |
| US08253166B2 |
Band offset in AlInGaP based light emitters to improve temperature performance
Systems and methods for improving the temperature performance of AlInGaP based light emitters. Nitrogen is added to the quantum wells in small quantities. Nitrogen is added in a range of about 0.5 percent to 2 percent. The addition of nitrogen increases the conduction band offset and increases the separation of the indirect conduction band. To keep the emission wavelength in a particular range, the concentration of In in the quantum wells may be decreased or the concentration of Al in the quantum wells may be increased. Because the depth of the quantum wells in the valence band is more than is required although the addition of nitrogen reduces the depth of the quantum wells in the valence band. The net result is an increase in the conduction band offset and an increase in the separation of the indirect conduction band. |
| US08253165B2 |
Structures for lowering trigger voltage in an electrostatic discharge protection device
A semiconductor device includes a first well region of a first conductivity, a second well region of a second conductivity type, a source region of the second conductivity type within the first well region, and a drain region of the second conductivity type at least partially within the second well region. A well contact to the first well region is coupled to the source. A third doped region of the first conductivity type and a fourth doped region of the second conductivity type are located in the second well region. A first transistor includes the third doped region, the second well region, and the first well region. The first transistor is coupled to a switch device. A second transistor includes the second well region, the first well region, and the source region. The first and the second transistors are configured to provide a current path during an ESD event. |
| US08253163B2 |
High voltage semiconductor device including a free wheel diode
A high voltage semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a p type base region in a first main surface, an n+ type emitter region in the p type base region, an n+ type cathode region adjacent to an end surface of the semiconductor substrate and not penetrating the semiconductor substrate, a p+ type collector region in a second main surface, a first main electrode, a second main electrode, a third main electrode, and a connection portion connecting the second main electrode and the third main electrode. A resistance between the p type base region and the n+ type cathode region is greater than a resistance between the p type base region and the p+ type collector region. In the high voltage semiconductor device in which an IGBT and a free wheel diode are formed in a single semiconductor substrate, occurrence of a snap-back phenomenon is suppressed. |
| US08253161B2 |
Light-emitting element with improved light extraction efficiency, light-emitting device including the same, and methods of fabricating light-emitting element and light-emitting device
Provided are a light-emitting element, a light-emitting device including the same, and methods of fabricating the light-emitting element and the light-emitting device. The light-emitting element includes a substrate on which a dome pattern is formed and a light-emitting structure conformally formed on the dome pattern. The light-emitting structure includes a first conductive layer of a first conductivity type, a light-emitting layer, and a second conductive layer of a second conductivity type sequentially stacked on the substrate. The light-emitting element also includes a first electrode formed on the first conductive layer and a second electrode formed on the second conductive layer. |
| US08253158B2 |
Organic electroluminescence display and method for manufacturing the same
One embodiment of the present invention is an organic electroluminescence display, including: a substrate with a partition wall between adjacent organic electroluminescence elements; a first electrode layer formed on the substrate; a hole transport layer formed on both the first electrode layer and the partition wall; an underlayer formed on the hole transport layer; a first light emitting layer formed on the underlayer, emitted light from the first light emitting layer having a first wavelength; a second light emitting layer formed so as to partially overlap the first light emitting layer, emitted light from the second light emitting layer having a second wavelength, and the second wavelength being longer than the first wavelength; and a second electrode layer, wherein overlapping point of the first light emitting layer and the second light emitting layer is above the partition wall. |
| US08253157B2 |
III-nitride light-emitting devices with reflective engineered growth templates and methods of manufacture
A light emitter includes a first mirror that is an epitaxially grown metal mirror, a second mirror, and an active region that is epitaxially grown such that the active region is positioned at or close to, at least, one antinode between the first mirror and the second mirror. |
| US08253153B2 |
Transparent polarized light-emitting device
A transparent directional polarized light-emitting device includes a transparent anode and a transparent cathode, a radiation-emitting layer between the anode and the cathode, an optically active reflective layer with a reflection band that matches a chirality and at least partially encompasses a wavelength band of radiation emitted from the radiation-emitting layer, the optically active light blocking layer located on a side of the radiation-emitting layer, and a transparent substrate adjacent to the optically active reflective layer. |
| US08253151B2 |
Nitride semiconductor light-emitting device
A semiconductor light emitting device is provided. The semiconductor light emitting device includes a first nitride layer, an active layer, and a second nitride layer. The first nitride layer includes an irregular, uneven surface, and the active layer is formed on the irregular, uneven surface. The second nitride layer is formed on the active layer. A plurality of quantum dots are formed at the active layer. |
| US08253150B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device and method of manufacturing it
A semiconductor light emitting device capable of precisely detecting a cleavage position is provided. A second light emitting device is layered on a first light emitting device. The second light emitting device has stripe-shaped opposed electrodes that are respectively arranged oppositely to respective p-side electrodes of the first light emitting device and electrically connected to the p-side electrodes of the first light emitting device, connection pads respectively and electrically connected to the respective opposed electrodes, a connection pad electrically connected to a p-side electrode, and marks arranged with one end in the plain face of cleavage face S3 or cleavage face S4 on an insulating layer formed on the side of a second substrate facing to a first substrate. |
| US08253147B2 |
Light emitting chip and method for manufacturing the same
A light emitting chip includes a substrate, a buffer layer formed on the substrate and including a number of horizontally grown nitride nanostructures, a cap layer grows from a top of the nitride nanostructures, and a light emitting structure formed on the cap layer. The light emitting structure sequentially comprises a first semiconductor layer connected to the cap layer, a light emitting layer, and a second semiconductor layer. |
| US08253145B2 |
Semiconductor device having strong excitonic binding
Semiconductor devices having strong excitonic binding are disclosed. In some embodiments, a semiconductor device includes at least one active layer composed of a first compound, and at least one barrier layer composed of a second compound and disposed on at least one surface of the at least one active layer. An energy band gap of the at least one barrier layer is wider than energy band gap of the at least one active layer, and the first and/or second compounds are selected to strengthen an excitonic binding between an electron and a hole in the at least one active layer. |
| US08253136B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and manufacturing method thereof
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device of the present invention includes a substrate (1), first wires (2), memory cells each including a resistance variable element (5) and a portion of a diode element (6), second wires (11) which respectively cross the first wires (2) to be perpendicular to the first wires (2) and each of which contains a remaining portion of the diode element (6), and upper wires (13) formed via an interlayer insulating layer (12), respectively, and the first wires (2) are connected to the upper wires (13) via first contacts (14), respectively, and the second wires (11) are connected to the upper wires (13) via second contacts (15), respectively. |
| US08253135B2 |
Semiconductor device, display device, and electronic appliance
To reduce adverse effects on actual operation and to reduce adverse effects of noise. A structure including an electrode, a wiring electrically connected to the electrode, an oxide semiconductor layer overlapping with the electrode in a plane view, an insulating layer provided between the electrode and the oxide semiconductor layer in a cross-sectional view, and a functional circuit to which a signal is inputted from the electrode through the wiring and in which operation is controlled in accordance with the signal inputted. A capacitor is formed using an oxide semiconductor layer, an insulating layer, and a wiring or an electrode. |
| US08253133B2 |
Thin film transistor and method for producing the same
The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a thin film transistor of a top-contact structure with suppressed deterioration by a process which is easy and suitable for increase in area without damaging an organic semiconductor pattern. The organic semiconductor pattern is formed on a substrate. An electrode material film is formed on the substrate so as to cover the organic semiconductor pattern. A resist pattern is formed on the electrode material film. By wet etching using the resist pattern as a mask, the electrode material film is patterned. By the process, a source electrode and a drain electrode are formed. |
| US08253131B2 |
Organic EL display panel and manufacturing method thereof
An organic EL display panel includes pixels and an interlayer insulation film on a thin film transistor layer. The interlayer insulation film includes contact holes which each correspond to one of the pixels. A bank is a grid that defines apertures. One of the contact holes is beneath each of the apertures. A first organic light-emitting layer is disposed in each of the apertures that corresponds to one of the pixels of a first color. A second organic light-emitting layer is disposed in each of the apertures that corresponds to one of the pixels of a second color. In each of the apertures in which one of the first and second organic light-emitting layers is disposed, a contact hole region is above the contact hole. A first-material layer comprising a same material as the first organic light-emitting layer and a second-material layer comprising a same material as the second organic light-emitting layer are superimposed in each contact hole region. |
| US08253124B2 |
Semiconductor element
This invention provides a semiconductor element which uses a plurality of carbon nanotubes as a current path, can reduce contact resistance of its electrode contact part, and has excellent electrical characteristics. This semiconductor element is characterized in that the semiconductor element includes a current path (16) comprised of a plurality of carbon nanotubes (18) and not less than two electrodes (14, 15) connected with the current path, wherein at least one or more of the electrodes is made of a mixture of a metal and a carbon material (17) having SP2 hybridized orbital, such as a multi-walled carbon nanotube, a glassy carbon, and graphite particles. |
| US08253110B2 |
Radiation image processing apparatus
On control charge information, which is obtained from an on-controlled detection element, is acquired with respect to each of the detection elements of a radiation detector, and off control charge information, which corresponds to the on-controlled detection element, is acquired with respect to each of predetermined detection element intervals. Element interpolated off control charge information representing the off control charge information having not been acquired is formed by performing an interpolating operation in accordance with the off control charge information having been acquired with respect to each of the predetermined detection element intervals. The on control charge information is corrected with the corresponding off control charge information or the corresponding element interpolated off control charge information. |
| US08253107B2 |
Neutron image detecting method and neutron image detector using its method
A neutron image detection method is disclosed, which collects a fluorescent light generated by a neutron incident at a designated position interval in one-dimensional geometry and determines an incident position of the neutron by detecting the collected fluorescent light, in which the fluorescent light is detected by a photon counting method; a pulse signal generated by an individual output photon is extracted on the basis of a clock signal generated with the same time interval as the time width of the pulse signal generated by a single photon; a count-value distribution is obtained in terms of incident position as variable determined by a single neutron incident by counting the pulse signal output; and a neutron incident position is determined by calculating a median point on the basis of the obtained count-value distribution. |
| US08253106B2 |
Device and method for detecting flames
A device for detecting flames in which at least two identical detectors are disposed next to one another. Each detector has an identical signal processing circuit having an amplifier and an A/D converter, and a symmetrical and similar layout, i.e., conductor track placement. Each of the detectors covers a different wavelength range, by way of a preceding filter, and the signal detection takes place at the same time and synchronously, so that a precise analysis of the received radiation occurs using simple algorithms, independent of disruptive influence variables. By using the same detectors and the same signal processing systems, as well as the symmetrical and similar configuration of the conductor track placement, as well as the synchronous control of the signal recording, interference variables occur uniformly on all optical reception channels. This uniform interference can be compensated without complicated algorithms. |
| US08253102B1 |
Gaseous focal plane thermal imager
A thermal imager including a cell containing a fluid whose refractive index varies with temperature and, optical components for focusing the infrared image of a scene to be viewed onto the cell to produce local temperature differences across the fluid. The local temperature differences give rise to local refractive index differences. The thermal imager also includes a Schlieren optical system for reading out the local refractive index differences to reproduce the scene. |
| US08253100B2 |
Electron microscope
An electron microscope has an electron beam source generating an accelerated electron beam, electromagnetic lenses for converging the electron beam, alignment coils for adjusting the optical axis of the beam transmitted through the lenses, a control unit for controlling the ambient around a specimen, at least one vacuum pump mounted in a given location of the electron optical column, a gas inlet device mounted near the specimen, an imager for creating an image based on a signal arising from the region of the specimen illuminated with the beam, an image output device for recording and displaying the image, and a computer for controlling these components. The computer finds the orifices to be used and diameters of orifices at which the pressure is maintained without electrical discharge in an electron beam source from the selected gas species and the pressure around the specimen. |
| US08253099B2 |
Methods and devices for high throughput crystal structure analysis by electron diffraction
A method and device for electron diffraction tomography of a crystal sample, which employs scanning of the electron beam over a plurality of discrete locations of the sample, in combination with a beam scanning protocol as the beam converges at every discrete location (42, 43) of the sample (38) to obtain a series of electron diffraction patterns, use of template matching to determine crystal orientations and thickness maps to obtain a common intensity scaling factor. |
| US08253098B2 |
Ionization analysis method and apparatus
An ionization apparatus comprises a first electrode provided on the outer periphery of a dielectric cylindrical body and a second cylindrical electrode placed inside at a center of the cylindrical body. When an AC high voltage is impressed across the first electrode and the second cylindrical electrode, a barrier discharge occurs within the cylindrical body. A distal end portion of the second cylindrical electrode projects outwardly from the distal end of the cylindrical body, a thermal equilibrium plasma P having a low electron temperature is generated outwardly from the distal end of the cylindrical body without a plasma jet ascribable to the barrier discharge emerging outwardly from the distal end of the cylindrical body. By exposing a sample S to the thermal equilibrium plasma P, particles (atoms, molecules) desorbed from the sample S undergo soft ionization without being decomposed or polymerized. |
| US08253096B2 |
Time-of-flight mass spectrometer
There is provided a time-of-flight mass spectrometer of a simple configuration and low cost that prevents temperature drift and provides stable mass spectrum without the use of expensive Invar material for the flight tube which nevertheless is not easily affected by external vibrations and does not deflect under its own weight when held as a cantilever. The flight-tube is made of a CFRP pipe 17a whose inner and outer surfaces are provided with an electroless nickel-plated layer 17b as an electroconductive treatment. Electroconductive adhesive 21 is used for joining to flight-tube holding member 18. Unlike previous flight-tubes made of metal, flight-tubes made of CFRP pipe 17a do not deform even when no temperature adjustment and control system is used. Also, since the specific gravity of CFRP is only about one-fifth of that of stainless steel, the flight-tube does not easily deflect even when it is held as a cantilever. Furthermore, since CFRP has good vibration damping property, it is not easily affected by vibrations. |
| US08253094B2 |
Aperture unit controlled by magnetic field and a heater embeded in a cylindrical member and imaging system using same
An aperture unit includes a transparent cylindrical member, a magnetic fluid, and a magnetic field generator. The cylindrical member includes a cylindrical chamber. A light input end portion of the cylindrical member is transparent, and an opposite light output end portion of the cylindrical member is transparent. The magnetic fluid is received in the cylindrical chamber. The magnetic fluid includes a transparent solvent, a surfactant, and nano-magnetic particles dispersed substantially evenly in the solvent. Each of the magnetic nano-particles is enveloped by a surfactant. The magnetic field generator is positioned outside the cylindrical chamber. The magnetic field generator is configured for generating a magnetic field applied to the chamber and attracting and clustering the nano-particles, such that an annular nano-particle opaque layer is formed on an inner surface of the cylindrical member. |
| US08253091B2 |
Data interface for an optical device having a controller receiving image pixel state data over an optical link from a source of control-modulated light
An optical device includes an array of optical elements located over a package substrate. A controller is also located over the package substrate. The controller is operable to control an operational state of the array in response to an optical signal detected by an optical receiver. |
| US08253090B2 |
Image sensor with multiple integration periods
A method of reading voltages from an image sensor having an array of pixels, each pixel having at least one photodiode connectable to a storage node, the method having: controlling each pixel in a row of pixels to transfer charge accumulated in the photodiode above a first threshold to the storage node at the start and end of a first integration period and reading a first voltage at the storage node of each pixel in the row at the end of the first integration period; controlling of the pixels in the row to transfer charge accumulated in the photodiode above a second threshold to the storage node at the start and end of a second integration period longer than the first integration period, and reading a second voltage value at the storage node of each pixel in the row at the end of the second integration period; controlling each pixel in a row of pixels to transfer charge accumulated in the photodiode to the storage node at the end of a third integration period longer than the first and second integration periods; comparing for each pixel in the row, the first voltage values with a reference voltage; and based on the comparison, for each pixel in the row, performing one of: determining a pixel output value based on the first and/or second voltage values; and reading a third voltage value at the end of the third integration period, and determining a pixel output value based on the second and/or third voltage values. |
| US08253087B2 |
Optical characteristic mapping instrument
A system for measuring the wavefront characteristics of a powerful laser close to an emitting or transmitting surface of the laser. The system includes a beam sampler that has a sampling aperture for sampling radiation from a sampled area along the emitting or transmitting surface. The beam sampler includes a reflector for directing un-sampled radiation onto an absorber, which absorbs un-sampled radiation. Radiation sampled by the beam sampler is sensed using a sensor. |
| US08253085B1 |
Fin deployment apparatus for projectile
A projectile may include a body and a base fixed to a rear end of the body. The base may include a gas cavity and an opening extending from a rear end of the base to the gas cavity. A retention plug may be disposed in the opening wherein a fit between the retention plug and the opening is such that propellant gas pressure in the gas cavity forces the retention plug out of the opening. The retention plug may include at least one gas conduit between an outer surface of the retention plug and the gas cavity. A plurality of fins may be rotatably fixed to the base. The fins may have a folded position and a deployed position. |
| US08253082B2 |
Magnetron driving power source
A magnetron driving power source can detect the abnormal condition during no-load running with low cost and space saving. The magnetron driving power source includes a high voltage transformer (12) for supplying a high voltage to a magnetron (11), a switching part (13) for driving the high voltage transformer at a high frequency, a first control part (14) for giving a drive signal to the switching part, a second control part (16) for issuing an output command to the first control part, and a third control part (19) for correcting the output command in accordance with a decrease in the oscillation threshold value of the magnetron, wherein the first control part (14) performs a power down control in accordance with a signal from the third control part. Accordingly, the magnetron driving power source of the invention can treat the signal on the control side of the inverter and detect the abnormal condition during no-load running with low cost and space saving. |
| US08253080B2 |
Heating apparatus
The heating apparatus comprises a stratified and flattened body, said body comprising, from the centre outwards, two first layers of laminar electricity conducting elements coupled together by interposing one centre layer of first laminar insulating means; two second layers of second laminar insulating means covering said two first layers; at least one third layer of laminar means covering said second layers, said second layers comprising sheets of adhesive material that can be removed by pulling them from said first layers. |
| US08253077B2 |
Substrate processing method, computer-readable storage medium and substrate processing system
A processing temperature of thermal processing is corrected based on measurement of a first dimension of a resist pattern on a substrate from a previously obtained relation between a dimension of a resist pattern and a temperature of thermal processing, a second dimension of the resist pattern after thermal processing is performed at the corrected processing temperature is measured, a distribution within the substrate of the second dimension is classified into a linear component expressed by an approximated curved surface and a nonlinear component, a processing condition of exposure processing is corrected based on the linear component from a previously obtained relation between a dimension of a resist pattern and a processing condition of exposure processing, and thermal processing at the processing temperature corrected in a temperature correcting step and exposure processing under the processing condition corrected in an exposure condition correcting step are performed to form a predetermined pattern. |
| US08253075B2 |
Heat treatment apparatus, heater, and method for manufacturing the heater
A heat treatment apparatus with a process chamber, a tubular heater, a heat exhaust system and a cooling section. The heater surrounds an outer circumference of the process chamber. The heat exhaust system exhausts an atmosphere in a space between the heater and the process chamber. The cooling section blows a cooling fluid into the space to cool the atmosphere. The heater includes a tubular heat insulator, a heat generating resistor on an inner circumference of the heat insulator, and an outer shell provided on an outer circumference of the heat insulator. The cooling section includes at least one annular flow path between the heat insulator and the outer shell, and an outlet in the heat insulator. The outlet blows cooling fluid toward a vertical central axis of the heat insulator, or in a direction oblique to the direction toward vertical central axis of the heat insulator. |
| US08253071B2 |
Flat heating element
This invention relates to a flat heating element (20), in particular for heating surfaces in contact with the user in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, comprising at least one electrical conductor (25).According to the invention, the electrical conductivity of at least one of these electrical conductors (25) is at least temporarily reduced if the temperature thereof at least locally exceeds a permissible maximum temperature. |
| US08253070B1 |
Heated lock devices
A heated lock device featuring a standard padlock housing with a curved lock and a key sleeve; heating elements coiled around the first end of the curved lock, the second end of the curved lock, and the key sleeve; a power source housed in a battery compartment; a heat transformer operatively connected to the power source, the heat transformer comprises a button wherein when the button is pressed the heat transformer is activated to allow current to be transferred to the heating elements via wires; a spring-mediated mechanism of pressing the button of the heat transfer via the key sleeve; and at least one drain hole disposed in the housing for draining moisture from the curved lock or the key sleeve. |
| US08253069B2 |
Slideable welding power source housing assembly
An electric arc welder power supply housing assembly is described in which it is possible to clean internal component parts is achieved by positioning cooling components on a rail system. The rail system may include at least one telescoping track assembly. When the telescoping track assembly is engaged, the housing assembly is in an open position, thus providing access for the maintenance of internal components therein without having to disassemble unnecessary components or parts of the welding power supply. |
| US08253068B2 |
Method of cutting bulk amorphous alloy
A method of cutting bulk amorphous alloy includes: positioning a target cutting path of the bulk amorphous alloy in an atmosphere of an inert gas; cutting the target cutting path to form a cut surface using a pulsed laser; and removing a plurality of burrs located on the cut surface produced during the cut. |
| US08253067B2 |
Method of machining a roller
A method of machining a roller utilizes a laser machining system is disclosed. The roller includes a main body and two spindles extending from opposite end surfaces of the main body. The laser machining system includes a laser device, an adjustment device, and a controller. The laser device scans the position of the roller and sends a scanned signal to the controller. The controller analyzes the scanned signal, and if the roller is positioned at the exact position, the controller will send a signal to the laser device, and then the laser device begins to machine the roller. If not, the controller will send a signal to the adjustment device, the adjustment device adjusts the roller to the exact position, then the controller sends a signal to the laser device, and the laser device begins to machine the roller. |
| US08253056B2 |
Resistance welding method and resistance welding apparatus
A resistance welding apparatus includes a welding gun having a first electrode tip serving as a first welding electrode, a second electrode tip serving as a second welding electrode, and a current branching electrode. The current branching electrode has an annular shape and is disposed in surrounding relation to the first electrode tip. The first electrode tip and the current branching electrode abut against a thinnest workpiece disposed on an outermost side of a stacked assembly that is resistance-welded by the resistance welding apparatus, and have opposite polarities to each other. When an electric current is passed from the first electrode tip to the second electrode tip and through the stacked assembly, a branched electric current flows from the first electrode tip to the current branching electrode. |
| US08253053B2 |
Push button switch with locking mechanism
A push button switch includes a base, a locking member received in the base, a push button switch penetrating the base to engage with the locking member, and a lock body. The base defines a receiving chamber and includes first magnetic members. The push button switch defines a hole. The lock body includes second magnetic members, and penetrates the hole and the receiving chamber to engage with the base by the first magnetic members attracting the second magnetic member. The push button is limited to slide by the lock body and is slideable along the base when the lock body is driven to rotate relative to the push button by an external force. |
| US08253051B2 |
Power switch module and electronic device using the same
A power switch module includes a printed circuit board having a switch, a support plate engaging the printed circuit board, a control to activate the switch, and an elastic member fixed to the support plate and positioned between the printed circuit board and the control. The elastic member has a plurality of resisting portions thereon to elastically resist the control. One of the elastic member and the control has a plurality of hook portions, and the other has a plurality of latching portions engaging with the hook portions. |
| US08253047B2 |
Keyboard with replaceable keys
A keyboard includes a plurality of keys. Each key includes a base, a key cap detachably connected to the base and includes at least two conductors, a flexible element connected between the key cap and the base, and a plurality of conduct lines mounted on the base. The conduct lines are not contacting each other. One end of each conduct line is connected to a processing unit. Each conduct line is assigned a code. If the key cap of one key is pressed, the conductors of the key contacts the conduct lines, thereby creating an electrical connection between the two conduct lines, and generating an electrical signal. The processing unit determines the function of the key according to the codes of the connected conduct lines. |
| US08253046B2 |
Keypad assembly for electronic devices
A keypad assembly includes a pressing cover, a keypad and a shading plate. The button cover includes a plurality of buttons. The keypad includes a plurality of key bodies respectively corresponding to the buttons. A plurality of posts are arranged on the keypad. The shading plate is positioned on the keypad and is supported by the posts. The shading plate is positioned under the buttons for preventing light leakage. |
| US08253040B2 |
Bracket for mounting electrical junction boxes
A mounting bracket for spacing an electrical junction box at a distance away from a portion of a frame wall, the frame wall having a top plate, a bottom plate and one or more wall studs extending the top plate and the bottom plate, the electrical junction box having a back plate and one or more sidewalls extending from the back plate, the one or more sidewalls adapted to receive one or more electrical conduits, the mounting bracket having a back plate and an securement plate. |
| US08253028B2 |
Microwave chip supporting structure
The present invention relates to a microwave chip supporting structure comprising a first microwave laminate layer, with a first side and a second side, and an outer limit. At least one conductor is formed on said first side extending towards said outer limit. The microwave chip supporting structure further comprises a second microwave laminate layer, with a first side and a second side, the second side of the second laminate layer being fixed to at least a part of the first side of the first laminate layer. The first laminate layer and/or the second laminate layer comprises at least one recess arranged for receiving a microwave chip intended to be connected to said conductor. The second laminate layer extends outside the outer limit of the first laminate layer, said conductors continuing on the second side of the second laminate layer without contacting the first laminate layer. |
| US08253025B2 |
Printed circuit board having electromagnetic bandgap structure
Disclosed is a printed circuit board including an electromagnetic bandgap structure. The electromagnetic bandgap structure for blocking a noise is inserted into the printed circuit board. The electromagnetic bandgap structure can include a first conductive plate; a second conductive plate arranged on a planar surface that is different from that of the first conductive plate; a third conductive plate arranged on a planar surface that is different from that of the second conductive plate; and a stitching via unit configured to connect the first conductive plate and the third conductive plate by bypassing the planar surface on which the second conductive plate is arranged and including a first inductor element. |
| US08253020B2 |
Bus-bar connection structure and inverter-integrated electric compressor
An object of the present invention is to facilitate welding connection of an enameled wire to a busbar to increase accuracy and reliability of the welding, and inverter-integrated electric compressor by reducing processes of welding operation. In a busbar connection structure for closely contacting, welding and connecting an enameled wire end portion (27A, 28A) of a coil onto an external connection bent surface (35) formed on a busbar (33), a through hole (36, 46) through which the end portion (27A, 28A) of the enameled wire (27, 28) passes is formed on the inside of a base portion of the bent surface (35) of the busbar (33), and the end portion (27A, 28A) of the enameled wire (27, 28) is passed through the through hole (36, 46), positioned onto a welding point (35A) of the bent surface (35), and welded and connected onto the bent surface (35). |
| US08253017B1 |
Stackable and collapsible electrical box
An electrical box includes a back portion including a back wall and various side walls. Coupled to the back portion is an sliding ring portion including various side walls. The sliding ring portion is slidably mounted on the back portion such that there is an extended position with a first depth and a collapsed position with a second depth where the first depth is greater than the second depth. Prior to installation, the electrical box would be in the collapsed position in order to minimize the space occupied by the electrical box. When installed, the electrical box would be used in the extended position, such that the full depth of the electrical box can be used. |
| US08253015B2 |
Electronic device enclosure
An electronic device enclosure includes a fixing frame, a chassis, and two panels. The chassis and the panels are correspondingly mounted to different sides of the fixing frame. The fixing frame is sealed by the chassis and the panels. A plurality of rubber gaskets is correspondingly mounted between the fixing frame and each of the panels and the chassis, to prevent moisture and dust from entering. |
| US08253014B2 |
Solar cell with upper and lower conductor layers stacked together
A solar cell includes a substrate, a lower conductor layer, an anti-reflection coating (ARC) layer and an upper conductor layer. The substrate has a front side, a back side and a doped region adjacent to the front side. The lower conductor layer has a first portion embedded into the doped region and a second portion other than the first portion. The ARC layer is disposed on the front side of the substrate and covers the lower conductor layer such that the second portion of the lower conductor layer is disposed in the ARC layer. The upper conductor layer has a first portion embedded into the ARC layer and a second portion other than the first portion of the upper conductor layer. The second portion of the upper conductor layer is exposed out of the ARC layer, and the upper conductor layer is electrically connected to the lower conductor layer. |
| US08253012B2 |
High quality transparent conducting oxide thin films
A transparent conducting oxide (TCO) film comprising: a TCO layer, and dopants selected from the elements consisting of Vanadium, Molybdenum, Tantalum, Niobium, Antimony, Titanium, Zirconium, and Hafnium, wherein the elements are n-type dopants; and wherein the transparent conducting oxide is characterized by an improved electron mobility of about 42 cm2/V-sec while simultaneously maintaining a high carrier density of ˜4.4e×1020 cm−3. |
| US08253010B2 |
Solar cell with two exposed surfaces of ARC layer disposed at different levels
A solar cell includes a substrate, a conductor layer and an anti-reflection coating (ARC) layer. The substrate has a front side, a back side and a doped region adjacent to the front side. The conductor layer has a first portion embedded into the doped region and a second portion other than the first portion. The ARC layer has first and second exposed surfaces, first and second side surfaces and a bottom surface. The first side surface is connected to the first and second exposed surfaces. The second side surface is connected to the second exposed surface and the bottom surface disposed on the front side. The second portion is disposed in the ARC layer. The conductor layer has an exposed surface, which is exposed out of the ARC layer, and higher than the second exposed surface and substantially flush with an exposed surface of the ARC layer. |
| US08253006B2 |
Method and apparatus to automatically match keys between music being reproduced and music being performed and audio reproduction system employing the same
A method to automatically match keys between music being reproduced and music being performed includes detecting a key from an audio signal being reproduced from a storage medium or audio source, detecting a key from a sound signal representing music being played by a user, and performing a transposition by adjusting the key of the audio signal to match the key of the sound signal. |