| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08488875B2 |
Color selection and/or matching in a color image
A method or computer program product for color selection in a color image, including operations or instructions for selecting a base color in a base color portion of a color image; computing a perceptual color difference between the base color and a respective second color in the color image; comparing the perceptual color difference to a tolerance; and, identifying whether the color difference satisfies the tolerance. |
| US08488873B2 |
Method of computing global-to-local metrics for recognition
A method of computing global-to-local metrics for recognition. Based on training examples with feature representations, the method automatically computes a local metric that varies over the space of feature representations to optimize discrimination and the performance of recognition systems.Given a set of points in an arbitrary features space, local metrics are learned in a hierarchical manner that give low distances between points of same class and high distances between points of different classes. Rather than considering a global metric, a class-based metric or a point-based metric, the proposed invention applies successive clustering to the data and associates a metric to each one of the clusters. |
| US08488869B2 |
Image processing method and apparatus
An image processing method including: obtaining points on left-eye and right-eye images to be generated from a two-dimensional (2D) image, to which a predetermined pixel of the 2D image is to be mapped, by using the sizes of holes to be generated in the left-eye and right-eye images; and generating the left-eye and right-eye images respectively having the obtained points to which the predetermined pixel of the 2D image is mapped. |
| US08488866B2 |
Method of inspecting mask pattern and mask pattern inspection apparatus
A inspection image data of the chip A is captured and the data representing the amount of correction of flare corresponded to the chip A is appropriately loaded from the map storage block. Next, a inspection image of the chip A′ is captured, and the data representing the amount of correction of flare corresponded to the chip A′ is loaded from the flare map storage block as the amount of shifting of the edge of the contour of the pattern. The amount of correction is converted, by a correction data generation block which is a correction data generator, into the amount of geometrical correction of pattern which provides correction data. In the comparison block, the images of the geometry of two chips are compared and corrected on the amount of correction of flare generated by a correction data generation block, to thereby judge whether defect is found or not. |
| US08488860B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus
MRI signal data is received individually by multiple element coils. For each channel assigned to each element coil at a positioning image taking time, the collected magnetic resonance signal data is entered into a storage unit. An image is reconstructed from the magnetic resonance signal data stored in the storage unit, by referring the storage unit regarding the channel selected at the positioning image taking time. The reconstructed image is displayed. When a channel selection change command is received, an image is reconstructed using the magnetic resonance signal data stored in the storage unit, by referring to the storage unit regarding the changed channel. The after-change corrected image is displayed. |
| US08488857B2 |
Automated diagnosis and alignment supplemented with positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance (MR) flow estimation
A scanner (10) is used to provide images for automated diagnoses of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimers disease. The images are registered (90) to a template (78). The aligned image is analyzed (60) in relation to reference image data (76, 80) which has been registered to the template which is contained in a knowledge maintenance engine (70) for similar patterns of hypo-intensity that would indicate (in the case of an FDG tracer) reduced glucose uptake in the brain. The most appropriate reference images for the analysis of the present study are chosen by a filter (74). The present study is then given a dementia score (84) as a diagnostic feature vector that indicates to a clinician the type and severity of the ailment based on the analysis. The scanner (10) can produce PET or other metabolic and MR images for diagnosis. The MR can be used to measure blood flow rate into the brain. From the blood flow rate and the metabolic image, tracer, e.g. FDG, uptake maps can be generated for use in the automated diagnoses. |
| US08488854B2 |
System and apparatus for classifying x-ray energy into discrete levels
A system and apparatus for classifying x-ray energy into discrete levels include an imaging system comprising an x-ray source, a detector, and a DAS having a discriminator assembly configured to count photon hits in the detector. A computer causes the discriminator assembly to count photon hits in the detector having an energy level greater than or equal to first and second threshold levels during an imaging scan, wherein the second threshold level is distinct from the first threshold level. The computer further modifies the counted photon hits having an energy level greater than or equal to the first threshold level based on the counted photon hits having an energy level greater than or equal to the second threshold level and reconstructs an image based on the modified photon hits and based on the counted photon hits having an energy level greater than or equal to a second threshold level. |
| US08488853B2 |
X-ray imaging apparatus
An X-ray imaging apparatus is configured to subtract a first X-ray image from a second X-ray image to generate a first subtraction image showing information on a blood vessel, calculate an amount of pixel shift between the first X-ray image and the third X-ray image, subtract the first X-ray image from the third X-ray image to generate a second subtraction image showing information on an insertion instrument, and combine the first subtraction image with the second subtraction image to generate a synthetic image by performing a pixel shift correction based on the amount of pixel shift. |
| US08488852B2 |
Medical imaging system for segementing blood vessel
A medical imaging system to segment an original blood vessel of a body part represented by an original medical image is provided. The system includes an image analyzer for receiving and the original medical image to analyze the original medical image to provide a Hessian Eigen analysis comprising a first data and a second data mapped to each pixel of the medical image, and an image identifier for receiving the Hessian Eigen analysis and for identifying seed points from the pixels by processing the first data and the second data along with a vesselness property, wherein the seed points are used for segmenting the original blood vessel to provide a corrected medical image representing a corrected blood vessel. |
| US08488846B2 |
Expedient encoding system
An encoding system for an iris recognition system. In particular, it presents a robust encoding method of the iris textures to compress the iris pixel information into few bits that constitute the iris barcode to be stored or matched against database templates of same form. The iris encoding system is relied on to extract key bits of information under various conditions of capture, such as illumination, obscuration or eye illuminations variations. |
| US08488844B2 |
Device and a method for providing information about animals when walking through an animal passage
The invention relates to a device and method for providing information about animals walking through an animal passage (I), the information comprising at least the number of animals walking through the animal passage, using a detection device having a sensor device connected to a processor for capturing animal data about animals walking through the animal passage, and an analysis device for recognizing animals in the data/signals captured by the sensor device for the purpose of outputting counter impulses when animals are detected in said signals, the sensor device being designed for producing 3D images, and the analysis device being designed for detecting animals in the 3D data of the 3D images and for counting the animals using said detection. |
| US08488843B2 |
Method for automatically following hand movements in an image sequence
A method for following hand movements in an image flow, includes receiving an image flow in real time, locating in each image in the received image flow a hand contour delimiting an image zone of the hand, extracting the postural characteristics from the image zone of the hand located in each image, and determining the hand movements in the image flow from the postural characteristics extracted from each image. The extraction of the postural characteristics of the hand in each image includes locating in the image zone of the hand the center of the palm of the hand by searching for a pixel of the image zone of the hand the furthest from the hand contour. |
| US08488842B2 |
Systems and methods for tracking and authenticating goods
Systems and methods for identifying, tracking, tracing and determining the authenticity of a good include an imaging system, a database, and an authentication center. The imaging system is configured to capture an image of a unique signature associated with a good. The unique signature can be, for example, a random structure or pattern unique to the particular good. The imaging system is configured to process the image to identify at least one metric that distinguishes the unique signature from unique signatures of other goods. The database is configured to receive information related to the good and its unique signature from the imaging system, and to store the information therein. The authentication center is configured to analyze the field image with respect to the information stored in the database to determine whether the unique signature in the field image is a match to the captured image stored in the database. |
| US08488836B2 |
Methods, apparatus and programs for generating and utilizing content signatures
The presently claimed invention generally relates to deriving and/or utilizing content signatures (e.g., so-called “fingerprints”). One claim recites a method comprising: obtaining a sequence of content identifiers, the sequence of content identifiers corresponding to one or more segments of a media signal; and utilizing at least a processor or electronic processing circuitry, carrying out a convolution operation based on the sequence of content identifiers and content signatures housed or stored in a database to identify the media signal. Of course, other claims and combination are provided as well. |
| US08488835B2 |
System for extracting a fingerprint data from video/audio signals
A system for extracting a fingerprint data from video/audio signals, comprising a frame buffer for storing the video frame images, which accepts a new video frame image and discards the oldest video frame image in a first in first out (FIFO) fashion; a sub-sampler for sampling the video images, which operates on one video frame image at a time, so that the output of the sub-sampler contains data samples obtained from multiple video frame images while the video image content itself is discarded, and after each video frame image is sampled at the head of the frame buffer, it is discarded after the sampling; a divider through which the data samples go, in order to divide the data samples into groups of video frames so as to be organized as one fingerprint segment after another one; a formatter which incorporates optional information to the fingerprint segment so as to form the fingerprint data, and at the output of the formatter, the video image content is discarded, only the fingerprint data and the associated optional information remain; and a transfer buffer which transfers the fingerprint data and the associated optional information by to the fingerprint database. According to the present invention, the system for extracting a fingerprint data from video/audio signals facilitates the automatic identification, archiving and search of video content without the need for human visual inspections. |
| US08488833B2 |
Electronic apparatus
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a housing including a top wall, a keyboard supported on the top wall, and a speaker contained in the housing. A region of the top wall positioned on the front side of the keyboard comprises a palm-rest surface on which a user's hand is to be placed, and a speaker exposure surface including an opening part exposing the speaker to an outside of the housing. The speaker exposure surface is depressed and lower than the palm-rest surface. |
| US08488831B2 |
In-ear monitor with concentric sound bore configuration
A in-ear monitor is provided that is coupleable to an external audio source and that may be configured as a custom fit IEM or configured to accept a removable eartip, the in-ear monitor including at least two drivers and at least two concentric sound delivery tubes that acoustically couple the audio output from each of the drivers to the acoustic output surface of the in-ear monitor. |
| US08488828B2 |
Unidirectional condenser microphone unit
A unidirectional condenser microphone unit includes a unit casing formed of a metallic cylindrical body and having a front acoustic terminal on a front surface thereof and a rear acoustic terminal on a side surface thereof, an electrostatic acousto-electric converter disposed inside the unit casing, and a shield member put on the rear acoustic terminal from an inside of the unit casing in a cylindrical shape. The shield member has a length approximately equal to an inner periphery length of the unit casing and a width covering the rear acoustic terminal. Also, the shield member is formed of a metal plate having spring elasticity, and includes a large number of holes for electromagnetic shield substantially throughout the entire surface thereof. |
| US08488825B2 |
Hearing aid and hearing aid system
A hearing aid includes: a first microphone configured to generate a first input signal from an input sound; a second microphone configured to generate a second input signal from the input sound; a signal processing unit configured to generate an output signal from the first input signal and the second input signal; and a receiver configured to play an output sound from the output signal. The signal processing unit determines time responses of the first input signal and the second input signal based on a contact sound generated when the hearing aid is contacted in a predetermined time period, and distinguishes a plurality of settings of the hearing aid and changes the setting based on the time responses. |
| US08488821B2 |
Snap-on fastening device for hearing device
With housing elements of a hearing device which are fastened to a frame for accommodating internal components of the hearing device, the use of a large number of additional parts is problematic because of the risk of losing parts. In accordance with the invention a snap-on fastening means is used to fasten a housing element to the frame of the hearing device, with an opening being provided in the housing element and the frame for accommodating the snap-on fastening means. |
| US08488816B2 |
Electro-acoustic transducer with multi-faced diaphragm assembly
One mode of the present invention provides an electroacoustic transducer composed of a multifaced diaphragm assembly and a multifaced speaker housing assembly that is housed inside the multifaced diaphragm assembly. The multifaced speaker housing is configured by combining the outer peripheral surface of a plurality of individual speaker drive units into a nearly spherical shell. The multifaced diaphragm assembly, which has thereinside the multifaced speaker housing assembly, is configured to have a plurality of regular pentagonal diaphragm segments that are combined together into a nearly spherical shape shell, and a plurality of speaker drive units opposing the diaphragm segments from inside in one-to-one relation. Each speaker drive unit has a bobbin, the one end portion of which is adhered to the center portion of the inner surface of each diaphragm segment. |
| US08488814B2 |
Acoustic headset
This acoustic headset (2) comprises: two lateral acoustic modules (4, 6) comprising a mechanical bone excitation transducer (20, 22) which is capable of transmitting the sound signal to the auditory nerve by bone conduction, a flexible upper curved member (8) and a rigid rear curved member (10) for connecting the acoustic modules (4, 6). Each acoustic module (4, 6) comprises: a plate (16, 18) for lateral abutment against the sides of the skull, an articulation (24, 26) between the abutment plate (16, 18) and the transducer (20, 22), a spring for return movement, in terms of rotation about the axis of articulation (24, 26), of the transducer (20, 22) relative to the plate (16, 18) towards a rest position. |
| US08488813B2 |
Reconfigurable acoustic transducer device
A device comprises: a first acoustic transducer; a second acoustic transducer; one or more transducer drivers; one or more signal receivers; and a transducer configuration device for selectively configuring connections between: (1) at least one of the first and second acoustic transducers; and (2) the one or more transducer drivers and the one or more signal receivers, according to a selected operating mode for the device among a plurality of possible operating modes. |
| US08488812B2 |
Biasing circuit for a microelectromechanical acoustic transducer and related biasing method
A biasing circuit for an acoustic transducer is provided with: a voltage-booster stage, which supplies, on a biasing terminal, a boosted voltage for biasing a first terminal of the acoustic transducer; and filtering elements, set between the biasing terminal and the acoustic transducer, for filtering disturbances on the boosted voltage. The biasing circuit is further provided with switches, which can be actuated so as to connect the first terminal to the biasing terminal of the voltage-booster stage, directly during a start-up step of the biasing circuit, and through the filtering elements at the end of the start-up step. |
| US08488810B2 |
Audio processing chip and audio signal processing method thereof
An audio processing chip includes a connecting port, an audio amplifier module and a pulse width modulation (PWM) control circuit. The connecting port receives a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal; the audio amplifier module amplifies an audio signal according to a control signal to thereby output an audio output signal; and the pulse width modulation (PWM) control circuit is coupled between the connecting port and the audio amplifier module, and outputs the control signal to the audio amplifier module according to the PWM signal to thereby control an operation of the audio amplifier module. |
| US08488808B2 |
Method of powering down an audio amplifier with timing circuit to power down bias control and amplifying circuits in sequence
An audio amplifier includes a timing control circuit, an amplifying circuit, and a bias control circuit. The timing control circuit generates a first power down signal and a second power down signal, in which the first power down signal is asserted before the second power down signal is asserted. The amplifying circuit receives a bias voltage to amplify an audio signal and is deactivated when the first power down signal is asserted. The bias control circuit provides the bias voltage for the amplifying circuit and is deactivated when the second power down signal is asserted. |
| US08488804B2 |
System and method for a headset combining a microphone and an antenna
A headset comprises an audio output device, an audio input device, and a wire. The audio output device plays outgoing audio data. The audio input device receives incoming audio data. The wire connects the audio input device to a sound device that interprets the incoming audio data. The wire is further configured to be an antenna to one of transmit and receive radio frequency signals. The wire is further connected to a transceiver. |
| US08488803B2 |
Wind suppression/replacement component for use with electronic systems
Systems and methods to reduce the negative impact of wind on an electronic system include use of a first detector that receives a first signal and a second detector that receives a second signal. A voice activity detector (VAD) coupled to the first detector generates a VAD signal when the first signal corresponds to voiced speech. A wind detector coupled to the second detector correlates signals received at the second detector and derives from the correlation wind metrics that characterize wind noise that is acoustic disturbance corresponding to at least one of air flow and air pressure in the second detector. The wind detector controls a configuration of the second detector according to the wind metrics. The wind detector uses the wind metrics to dynamically control mixing of the first signal and the second signal to generate an output signal for transmission. |
| US08488801B2 |
Audio compensation unit and compensating method and audio processing device thereof
An audio compensation unit includes a detection subunit and a compensation subunit. The detection subunit is for detecting an audio signal to obtain an original frequency. The detection subunit defines a predetermined low frequency band and a predetermined high frequency band. The detection subunit is also for generating a first control signal when the original frequency is within the low frequency band, and a second control signal when the original frequency is within the high frequency band. The compensation subunit includes an electronic switch, a first compensation circuit, and a second compensation circuit. The electronic switch enables the first compensation circuit according to the first control signal, for compensating the audio signal. The electronic switch is further enables the second compensation circuit according to the second control signal, for compensating the audio signal. |
| US08488798B2 |
Matrix decoder
This audio matrix surround decoder requires minimal digital processing, useful in portable applications, particularly in playback from a portable player using a headphone or loudspeaker virtualizer. In one embodiment it pans inputs Lt and Rt to outputs associated with front directions in response to a measure of the sum of Lt and Rt being greater than a measure of the difference between Lt and Rt, and pans Lt and Rt to outputs associated with rear directions in response to a measure of the sum of Lt and Rt being less than a measure of the difference between Lt and Rt. Lt and Rt are modified to shift the direction of reproduced signals. |
| US08488797B2 |
Method and an apparatus for decoding an audio signal
A method for processing an audio signal, comprising: receiving a downmix signal and a downmix processing information; and, processing the downmix signal using a downmix processing information, comprising: de-correlating the downmix signal; and, mixing the downmix signal and the de-correlated signal in order to output the processed downmix signal, wherein the downmix processing information is estimated based on an object information and a mix information is disclosed. |
| US08488795B2 |
Method for providing a symmetric key for protecting a key management protocol
Cryptographic material is generated for a protocol for the encrypted transmission of media data between a subscriber device and a provider device. A first symmetric key of the subscriber device and the provider device is inserted in a symmetric key protection mechanism of a network protocol of a control layer to establish a communication session between the subscriber device and the provider device. A first time-variable parameter is transmitted from the provider device to the subscriber device. A second symmetric key for protecting the key management protocol is calculated by both the provider device and the subscriber device using a defined function depending at least on the first symmetric key and the first time-variable parameter. |
| US08488790B2 |
Quantum key distribution system
A first signal is received from an initial quantum key generating transmitter via a single combined channel that includes a first quantum signal and a public data signal alternating in a time shared manner. The first signal is split into first and second split signals. A low attenuation is applied to the first split signal when the first split signal includes the first quantum signal. A high attenuation is applied to the first split signal when the second split signal includes the public data signal. The first split signal is received at an intermediate quantum key generating receiver (QKGR) when the low attenuation is applied and a first quantum key is generated. A second quantum signal is transmitted to a recipient QKGR and a second quantum key is generated. The first quantum key is encoded using the second quantum key and transmitted to the recipient QKGR. |
| US08488784B2 |
Organic keyed encryption
An encryption technique that creates a unique encryption key or fingerprint based on unique physical and electrical characteristics of a target electronic assembly to be protected. The encryption key can be constructed by exploiting the manufacturing variances present in all electronic elements including active elements and passive elements. Active elements include, for example: oscillators/clocks, internal I/O controllers, external I/O controllers, memory, processors, and digital power converters. Passive elements include, for example: internal I/O interconnects, external I/O interconnects, memory buses, and power buses. The encryption key can also include one or more environmental condition thresholds. |
| US08488779B2 |
Method and system for conducting high speed, symmetric stream cipher encryption
A method is provided for processing a digital information set having a plurality of information bytes. The method comprises receiving the information set, determining a set of initialization parameters, initializing a set of state variables using the set of initialization parameters, and generating a plurality of cryptors, each cryptor being a virtual dynamic array containing a monoalphabetic cipher. The method further comprises modifying the state variables and one or more of the cryptors, setting the index value for each cryptor in the plurality of cryptors; and selecting an ordered cryptor subset to be applied to an information byte. The information byte is processed using the ordered cryptor subset to produce a processed information byte. If the information byte is a plaintext byte, the processed byte is an encrypted byte, and vice versa. The actions of modifying, setting, selecting, and processing are then repeated for each remaining information byte. |
| US08488775B2 |
Method and system for recording automatic call distributor calls
A method for recording automatic call distributor calls includes receiving from a caller a call for distribution to one of a plurality of agents and distributing the call to a first agent of the plurality of agents for handling. The method includes creating a call signature associated with the call for recording verification and recording communications of the call to a recording file. The method also includes embedding the call signature in the recording file. |
| US08488773B1 |
System for geographic agent routing
A call center system in which agents are geographically dispersed based on agent skill-set, agent location and caller location that results in a call being delivered to the best available agent. The call center system is comprised of a call center application module coupled to a database module with a communications network being used to couple incoming calls from customers, as well as various call center agents, to the system. The database contains a ranking of available agents, based on a dataset including information regarding skill-set, previous interaction with the customer, proximity to the customer, language capability, current availability, and so forth. The system then chooses the best available agent to service a customer call based on the agent rankings. In the case where the customer has a preference for proximity of the agent to the customer, the system adjusts the agent rankings according to the agent's distance from the customer prior to making a selection. |
| US08488771B2 |
System and method for prompt modification based on caller hang ups in IVRS
In a method for use in Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems, an IVR is configured such that voice prompts provided to a caller vary systematically and caller hang-up activity is attributed to the particular version of a prompt played to the caller. Voice prompt modifications are chosen based on how long the caller willingly listens to the voice prompt. A relatively short time listening to a prompt before hang-up, indicates dissatisfaction with that prompt. The system compares caller hang-up rates for each of the phrases in a prompt and chooses the optimum solution, which is the variant of the prompt with the longest caller listening time. Optionally, the system compares hang up rates to a threshold and contingent on that comparison chooses an alternative version of the prompt. |
| US08488769B1 |
Non-scheduled training for an agent in a call center
Call center agent training is provided on a non-scheduled basis and is characterized as having a duration that is less than a scheduling interval used to schedule the agent for their work shift, as well as schedule other activities in the work shift. The delivery of snippet training content may be triggered by various conditions, including in response to: a request for training originating from the agent, a period of continuous call processing activity of the agent, various agent performance metrics, or probabilistically assigned to an agent in a group. Various parameters may selectively limit provision of a snippet training session. The agents provided with training are placed in an unavailable state prior to the snippet training session, and placed back into an available state afterwards. The snippet training content may be variously structured and can be grouped together to form an e-learning course delivered to the agent. |
| US08488766B2 |
Methods and systems for multiuser selective notification
Methods and systems are provided for managing a communications line associated with two or more users. These methods and systems include receiving first user line management information regarding handling of calls to the communications line from one or more contacts in a first address book, the first address book associated with the first user. Further, these methods and systems include receiving second user line management information regarding handling of calls to the communications line from one or more contacts in a second address book, the second address book associated with the second user. Additionally, the methods and systems are capable of receiving from the communications network information regarding a call received on the communications line associated with the two or more users, determining handling of the call based on the received first user and second user line management information, and forwarding to the communications network instructions regarding the handling of the call, such that the communications network handles the call in accordance with the determined handling. |
| US08488763B2 |
Method and system for conference call scheduling via e-mail
A method and system for conference call scheduling using e-mail. The method and system can receive and parse an e-mail received from a conference moderator, containing scheduling and participant information and schedule a conference call with minimal further user intervention. In essence, the method and system can operate as a virtual administrative assistant to identify and collect telephone contact information for each of the proposed conference call participants, using a customizable hierarchy of internal and external sources of contact information. In this manner, the conference moderator does not need know telephone contact information for each conference call participant. |
| US08488761B2 |
Methods and systems for a call log
A call log associated with outgoing calls originating from calling devices may be established and maintained. Filter parameters may be set to specify which outgoing calls to log. Outgoing call information associated with calls originating from a user's calling devices may be obtained and transmitted to a service center. A server in the service center may determine whether or not to log the outgoing call information based on the filter settings. The outgoing call information may be stored in the call log, which may reside in a database in the service center. The user may access the call log from a user terminal and/or the calling devices. The call log may be used to add contacts to a contact list and facilitate data analyses. |
| US08488758B1 |
Method and system for documenting interactions with professional service providers
The present invention is a graphical interface for predetermining the means by which incoming telephone calls are directed. Buttons on a telephone keypad are assigned to particular professionals who determine the method by which they wish to receive the incoming call. The incoming calls can be tagged to be automatically billed, recorded, or both. |
| US08488754B1 |
IP-enabled information delivery
A method, system, and computer readable medium comprising instructions for providing Internet protocol enabled information delivery are provided. Information from a calling party is received at an Internet protocol enabled device. A lookup of information relating to the calling party is performed in a database via an Internet protocol connection. A message is received from the database comprising information relating to the calling party. |
| US08488753B2 |
Location based format selection for information services
In a communication system, a wireless transceiver receives a request message from a caller system for an information service. The information service is associated with an Internet address and an image format. A control system determines a location of the caller system. The control system selects a text message format for the information service based on the location of the caller system. The control system transmits a setup message to the information service indicating the selected text message format. In some examples, the control system receives a text message from the information service responsive to the set-up message, and the wireless transceiver transfers the text message to the caller system. |
| US08488752B1 |
System and method for recording voicemail
A system and method for recording voicemail. The system includes a first phone, a second phone, and a server. A call is placed from the first phone to the second phone. The server is configured to transmit a notification to the first phone to initiate recording of a voicemail at a location local to the first phone, receive a file of the voicemail recorded by the first phone, store the recorded voicemail, and establish a session between the server and the second phone to access the recorded voicemail. |
| US08488750B2 |
Method and system of providing interactive speech recognition based on call routing
A speech recognition process and system are used for interactive telecommunication. A caller is prompted for input. Each of the phrases represents a destination for routing the call. The response utterance is matched by the system to one of the phrases and the call is routed to the corresponding destination. If the call thereafter has been redirected to a destination representing another of the phrases, speech recognition training data are generated for mapping the utterance to the redirected destination. |
| US08488747B1 |
Modified protector module with an integrated splitter
The disclosed embodiments include a surge protection module that includes an integrated signal splitter configured to combine a signal from a DSL tip wire with a signal from the POTS tip pin to generate a DSL/POTS tip output signal, and combine a signal from a DSL ring wire with a signal from the POTS ring pin to generate a DSL/POTS ring output signal. The integrated signal splitter is configured to be in electrical communication with an overvoltage protection component and to output the DSL/POTS tip output signal and the DSL/POTS ring output signal to the overvoltage protection component. |
| US08488746B1 |
Method and system for silent trunk failure detection
A system and method for performing a first diagnostic test on a first class of service on a network link during a current measurement period, performing at least one further diagnostic test on a second class of service on the network link during the current measurement period, determining whether an alert was present during a previous measurement period and generating a current failure alert based on results of the first and the at least one further diagnostic tests if an alert was present during the previous measurement period. |
| US08488745B2 |
Endpoint echo detection
Architecture that employs a signal (e.g., audible or inaudible sounds) to detect if endpoints of a communications session are sufficiently close to each other to induce echo, and then control (e.g., muting) is applied to one or more of the endpoints to prevent echo. The signals can be played and detected from the endpoints or a central conferencing component such as a multiple control unit (MCU). The MCU can provide support for legacy endpoints as well. When echo is detected, the offending endpoint(s) can be controlled to mute one or more onboard devices such as a speaker or microphone. The device(s) can be muted from a remote component or for a local component or locally by the endpoint user. A notification can be sent that notifies the endpoint user that the mute operation has been applied or should be applied to one or more of the local devices. |
| US08488744B2 |
X-ray measurement apparatus
An X-ray measurement apparatus includes an X-ray source configured to emit an X-ray to irradiate a specimen with the X-ray, a collimator configured to shape a beam of the X-ray emitted from the X-ray source into a sliced fan-shaped beam x-ray, a flux shield configured to block a part of a flux of the fan-shaped beam X-ray so as to suppress beam hardening while adjusting an energy intensity distribution of the flux, the flux shield being placed between the collimator and the specimen, and an X-ray detector configured to detect a dose transmitted through the specimen. |
| US08488740B2 |
Diffractometer
A compact powder diffractometer has one or more detectors arranged no more than 300 mm, in an example 55 mm, from a sample stage for mounting a powder sample. High resolution is nevertheless obtained in spite of the small dimensions using a geometry that achieves a suitable divergence of X-rays incident on the sample and a small spot size using a grazing exit condition on a monochromator crystal. |
| US08488739B2 |
Linear kinematics system with rotatable treatment head
A radiotherapy installation is described, with a treatment head which is arranged on a treatment head support and which has an exit port for a beam generated in a beam generator, and with a patient table. The treatment head support is guided on a first rectilinear guide, which is guided on a second rectilinear guide arranged perpendicular to the first rectilinear guide, in order to move the treatment head relative to the patient table during the radiotherapy. |
| US08488738B2 |
Radiographic apparatus
A radiographic apparatus includes a radiation source for emitting radiation, a radiation source control unit for instructing the radiation source to emit the radiation, and a radiation detector for detecting the radiation. The radiation detector outputs real-time detection data when the radiation source emits the radiation intermittently or continuously, and outputs quiescence detection data when the radiation source emits still radiation. The quiescence detection data is acquired by the radiation source control unit controlling the radiation source to start emitting the radiation at a time earlier than a predicted point of time by a predetermined time calculated based on an estimated irradiation time. |
| US08488736B2 |
Stacked flat panel x-ray detector assembly and method of making same
An x-ray detector assembly includes a first flat panel digital projection detector and a second flat panel digital projection detector. The x-ray detector assembly further includes a first detector mounting structure configured to align the first flat panel digital projection detector in a first position to block the second flat panel digital projection detector from receiving x-rays emitting from an x-ray source toward the second flat panel digital projection detector in an x-ray penetration direction. |
| US08488733B2 |
Irradiation target retention assemblies for isotope delivery systems
Example embodiments are directed to methods of producing desired isotopes in commercial nuclear reactors and associated apparatuses using instrumentation tubes conventionally found in nuclear reactor vessels to expose irradiation targets to neutron flux found in the operating nuclear reactor. Example embodiments include assemblies for retention and producing radioisotopes in nuclear reactors and instrumentation tubes thereof. Example embodiments include one or more retention assemblies that contain one or more irradiation targets and are useable with example delivery systems that permit delivery of irradiation targets. Example embodiments may be sized, shaped, fabricated, and otherwise configured to successfully move through example delivery systems and conventional instrumentation tubes while containing irradiation targets and desired isotopes produced therefrom. |
| US08488732B2 |
Communication receiver and a receiving method
A communication receiver and a receiving method are disclosed. An analog front-end device samples a receiving signal and generates a sampled signal. A signal detector detects presence of the receiving signal according to the sampled signal. A symbol timing recovery (STR) unit determines an optimal symbol sampling point according to a zero-crossing point of the sampled signal when the receiving signal is present, and then generates a recovered symbol based on an optimally chosen sampled value according to the optimal symbol sampling point. |
| US08488729B1 |
Deskew across high speed data lanes
Methods and structures are disclosed for aligning high speed data across a plurality of lanes. In one embodiment, a method and integrated circuit (“IC”) is provided for receiving and aligning scrambled training data across a plurality of data lanes before the data is descrambled. In some implementations, a known scrambled training pattern is different in each lane and alignment includes comparing incoming training data in each lane to different known scrambled training patterns in each lane. In some implementations, after scrambled data is aligned and then descrambled, it is checked against a known unscrambled training pattern to make sure that alignment of the scrambled training data was correct. In an alternative embodiment, data is descrambled before being aligned, but deskew circuitry output is monitored to determine if a training pattern ends at the same time across the plurality of lanes being aligned. If not, then data in a lane for which the training pattern ends earliest is delayed by an amount corresponding to the length of one or more cycles of the training pattern. |
| US08488727B1 |
System and method of selecting antennas based on signal-to-noise ratios and signal quality values
A system includes a receiver, a processor and a decision device. The receiver receives a first signal via a first antenna, and one of the first signal and a second signal via a second antenna. The processor determines: based on the first signal as received at the first antenna, a first signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and a first signal quality value; and based on the one of the first and second signals as received at the second antenna, a second SNR and a second signal quality value. The decision device selects one of the first and second antennas based on (i) a difference between the first SNR and the second SNR if the first SNR is greater than the second SNR, or (ii) the first signal quality value and the second signal quality value if the difference between the first SNR and the second SNR is less than a predetermined threshold. |
| US08488715B2 |
Destuff circuit and transmission device
In a destuff circuit, after invalid data included in each data signal assigned to a plurality of lanes in a stuff shifter is collected to one side within the same column, then in a data rotator the number of stuffs of the respective data signals of each column is detected, and the data of the respective columns are operated to rotate in one direction, according to the detection results. Then, effective data included in the data signal of each lane that has been rotated is stored in FIFO, to thereby output signals for which ineffective data has been removed and only effective data has been extracted. As a result, it becomes possible to perform destuffing processing for parallel data signals with simple logical circuits at high speed. |
| US08488703B2 |
Method for determining MIMO transmission techniques, base station and mobile terminal
The present invention relates to a method for determining the appropriate combination of at least two MIMO transmission techniques for a radio link in between a transmitter (10) and a receiver (20). The MIMO transmission techniques use at least two antennas (12, 14, 16, 18) with at least two polarizations. According to the invention the appropriate combination is the combination of beamforming and at least one of polarization time coding, closed loop coherent combination of polarization beams and polarization multiplexing. The appropriate combination is chosen dependent on at least one of radio conditions of the radio link (20) and relative velocity in between the transmitter (10) and the receiver (30). The invention further relates to a method for receiving a transmission of a radio link (20) in between a transmitter (10) and a receiver (30). The invention also relates to a base station comprising a transmitter, a mobile terminal comprising a receiver and a communication network. |
| US08488701B2 |
Wireless communication method, wireless transmitter and wireless receiver
A wireless communication method by which unnecessary retransmission request is suppressed and feedback information is reduced at the same time in a MIMO communication system. The wireless communication method is provided for transmitting signals by using a plurality of antennas, and has a step of applicably selecting the group configuration of the antennas, and a step of adding data to be used for error detection to a signal to be transmitted by using the antennas, by following the results of the selection. |
| US08488700B2 |
Discrete digital receiver with sample memory
A receiver includes a sample and hold module, sample memory, a discrete time filter module, and a conversion module. The sample and hold module is operable to sample and hold an inbound wireless signal to produce a frequency domain sample pulse train. The sample memory is operable to store sample pulses of the frequency domain sample pulse train to produce a stored sample pulse train. The discrete time filter module is operable to filter the stored sample pulse train to produce a filtered sample pulse. The conversion module is operable to convert the filtered sample pulse into an inbound baseband signal. |
| US08488699B2 |
Synchronous network device
A physical layer device including a plurality of ports and a clock synchronization module. Each port of the plurality of ports is programmable to receive a grandmaster clock. The clock synchronization module is configured to i) receive the grandmaster clock from a first port of the plurality of ports (wherein the first port has been programmed to receive the grandmaster clock), and ii) clean up the grandmaster clock, wherein cleaning up the grandmaster clock includes one or more of removing jitter from the grandmaster clock, controlling a voltage swing or the grandmaster clock, or establishing fixed edge rates of the grandmaster clock. Other ones of the plurality of ports, not including the first port, are programmed to receive the cleaned up grandmaster clock for use when transmitting data. |
| US08488693B2 |
Wireless communication systems and methods using reference signals
A method used in a wireless communication apparatus based on reference signals is provided. The method may include obtaining a plurality of pilot rules and obtaining radio channel information of a radio channel between the wireless communication apparatus and another wireless communication apparatus. The wireless communication apparatus may be in an area including at least one cell and using one or more data streams. Further, the method may include selecting applicable pilot rules from the plurality of pilot rules based on the radio channel information, creating at least one pilot structure to be used in the radio channel; and using the created at least one pilot structure to transmit data over the radio channel. |
| US08488692B2 |
Radio transmission device and radio transmission method
Provided are a radio transmission device and a radio transmission method capable of improving downlink and uplink throughput even when performing dynamic symbol allocation. In the device and the method, BS and MS share a table correlating a basic TF as a combination of parameters such as TB size used for transmitting only user data, an allocation RB quantity, a modulation method, and an encoding ratio, with a derived TF having user data of different TB size by combining L1/L2 control information. Even when multiplexing L1/L2 control information, Index corresponding to the basic TF is reported from BS to MS. |
| US08488688B2 |
Communication method and radio transmitter
Radio transmission is performed even to a communication party whose bandwidth that can be used for transmission and reception is limited without having an influence of an offset of a DC component. A radio transmitter applied to an OFDMA communication system in which a plurality of different terminals performs communication using OFDM signals at the same time that includes a mapping part that allocates transmission power to each subcarrier, and also selects a subcarrier to which minimum power of the transmission power to be allocated is allocated and modulates transmission data in units of communication slots to output the modulated data; and a transmission part for transmitting radio signals including the modulated data using each of the subcarriers. |
| US08488687B2 |
Weighting circuit for a multi-carrier signal receiver
The invention relates to a weighting circuit for a receiver (1), which is designed to receive a multi-carrier signal consisting of carrier signals. According to the invention, the carrier signals are weighted by the weighting circuit (18) in such a way that the parasitic signal energy has the same intensity in all weighted carrier signals. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the weighting circuit comprises at least one multiplier that multiplies an assigned a carrier signal by a stored weighting co-efficient. The stored weighting coefficients constitute reliability information for the various carrier signals. |
| US08488685B2 |
Active bidirectional splitter for single ended media
An active bidirectional splitter (212) for transmission and reception of data signals over a single ended transmission medium (105) comprises an input port (150), an output port (152) and a differential combined input/output port (151), a first differential output driver (115) for receiving an input signal (144) from the input port (150) and transmitting this signal to the differential input/output port (151), a second differential output driver (116) for receiving the input signal (144) from the input port (150), a first averaging circuit (121) for averaging the differential signal (146, 147) at the differential input/output port (151), a second averaging circuit (120) for averaging the differential signal (144, 145) at the output of the second differential output driver (116), and a receiver (117) for receiving both averaged signals (118, 119) from the first averaging circuit (121) and the second averaging circuit (120) and for generating therefrom an output signal on the output port (152). |
| US08488680B2 |
Encoding and decoding methods and apparatus, signal and computer program product therefor
A video sequence including images in the form of digital samples is encoded by: subsampling the video sequence to produce: a number N of multiple descriptions of the video sequence, each multiple description including 1/N samples of the video sequence, and a subsampled version of the sequence, the subsampled version having a resolution lower or equal to the resolution of the N multiple descriptions. The N multiple descriptions and the subsampled version are subjected to scalable video coding (SVC) to produce an SVC encoded signal having a base layer and N enhancement layers predicted from said base layer. The subsampled version of the sequence and the N multiple descriptions of the video sequence constitute the base layer and the enhancement layers, respectively, of the SVC encoded signal. |
| US08488672B2 |
Mode uniformity signaling for intra-coding
Techniques for efficiently signaling one or more prediction modes for blocks in a macroblock. A mode uniformity indicator is provided for each macroblock to indicate whether all blocks in the macroblock are to be predicted using the same prediction mode. In an embodiment, an encoder signals a mode uniformity indicator and a prediction mode. In another embodiment, a decoder receives a mode uniformity indicator and a prediction mode, and predicts at least two blocks of the macroblock using the prediction mode if the mode uniformity indicator is true. |
| US08488670B2 |
High precision encoding and decoding of video images
Methods, systems, and computer programs for improved quality video compression. Image quality from MPEG-style video coding may be improved by preserving a higher number of bits during intermediate encoding and decoding processing steps. Problems of inverse discrete cosine transform (IDCT) mismatch can be eliminated by exactly matching the IDCT function numerical algorithm of the decoder to the IDCT function numerical algorithm used for the decoding portion of the encoder. Also included is an application of high precision compression to wide dynamic range images by extending the range of the “quantization parameter” or “QP”. The extension of QP may be accomplished either by increasing the range of QP directly, or indirectly through a non-linear transformation. Also included is an application of extended intermediate processing precision and an extended QP range to reduced contrast regions of an image to extend the precision with which the low-contrast portions are compression coded. |
| US08488665B2 |
Delta frame buffers
Presented herein is a system and method for reducing the total size of the frame buffer portion of a decoding circuit. The reduction in size is possible because first portions of B-pictures are displayed while second portions occurring later in the raster order are decoded. The foregoing allows the second portions occurring later in the raster order to overwrite third portions of the picture that have already been displayed. As a result, the frame buffer for providing the frame from a decoder to the display engine need only store the portion that is being displayed and the portion that is being decoded. |
| US08488660B2 |
Signal analyzing apparatus for LTE system
A signal analysis apparatus of an LTE system includes a radio frequency reception unit for receiving a radio frequency signal of the LTE system and converting it into a signal of an intermediate frequency, a digital signal conversion unit for converting an analog signal, processed by the radio frequency reception unit, into a digital signal, a baseband conversion unit for converting the signal of the intermediate frequency into a baseband signal, a baseband signal simple analysis unit for decoding the baseband signal in real time in accordance with an LTE standard, a signal depository for storing the baseband signal, a baseband signal precision analysis unit for decoding and analyzing the baseband signal in accordance with the LTE standard and analyzing various items derived in the decoding process, two switching units for alternatively connecting the baseband conversion unit or the signal depository to the baseband signal simple analysis unit or the baseband signal precision analysis unit, and a control unit for controlling the switching units. |
| US08488659B2 |
Remote transmission system
A transmission apparatus includes a plurality of modems, which are configured to communicate via respective wireless communication channels and includes at least first and second modems configured to communicate respectively over separate first and second wireless communication networks. The transmission apparatus also includes a stream processor, which is configured to receive and process an incoming media stream so as to provide multiple upload streams for transmission by different ones of the modems, including first and second upload streams for transmission by the first and second modems, respectively. |
| US08488656B2 |
Oversampled synthesizer systems and methods
Systems and methods for combining digital input signals in an oversampled synthesizer system are provided. An inverse Fourier transform component is configured to receive a plurality of digital input signals, having a first sampled rate, and produce a corresponding representation of a wideband signal as a plurality of parallel outputs. A plurality of digital filters are each configured to apply a transfer function to an associated one of the parallel outputs to produce a filtered output. A number of filters in the plurality of digital filters is less than a number of parallel outputs of the inverse Fourier transform component, such that at least one of the parallel outputs is not provided to any filter of the plurality of digital filters. An interpolation component combines the plurality of filtered outputs into a wideband digital output signal having a second sampled rate. |
| US08488651B1 |
Encoding scheme for data transfer
A spread spectrum slip time encoding scheme encodes data values with one or more Pseudo Noise (PN) codes and generates a corresponding PN encoded data stream. Other data values are encoded into the PN encoded data stream by varying a slip time between the 10 encoded data values. |
| US08488650B2 |
Pre-phase error correction
A CDMA communication system includes a signal processor which encodes voice and nonvoice signals into data at various rates, e.g. data rates of 8 kbps, 16 kbps, 32 kbps, or 64 kbps as I and Q signals. The signal processor selects a specific data rate depending upon the type of signal, or in response to a set data rate. When the signal is received and demodulated, the baseband signal is at the chip level. Both the I and Q components of the signal are despread using the conjugate of the pn sequence used during spreading, returning the signal to the symbol level. Carrier offset correction is performed at the symbol level. A lower overall processing speed is therefore required. |
| US08488649B2 |
Code converting apparatus, receiver, and code converting method
A code converting apparatus is designed to estimate the incoming time and the like of a signal modulated by a spreading sequence composed of m elements in a set A having n kinds of symbols as elements accurately. A symbol sequence memory section 102 stores a converted sequence of symbols obtained by concatenating consecutive 2d symbols at the center of each sequence pattern pi composed of 4d elements in the set A. The converted sequence of symbols is structured so that d symbol immediately preceding the 2d symbols and d symbol immediately following the 2d symbols are identical to d symbol immediately preceding corresponding 2d symbols and d symbol immediately following the corresponding 2d symbols of a corresponding sequence pattern. A symbol sequence specifying section 103 specifies a matching sequence pattern for every consecutive 2d symbols in a symbol sequence obtained by assigning a symbol to the signal in a coding cycle of the spreading sequence. A signal generating section 104 adds a portion to which the 2d symbols are assigned of the signal. A signal converting section 105 concatenates each pattern signal added for each sequence pattern, in an order equivalent to an order of the 2d symbols at the center of each sequence pattern concatenated in the converted sequence of symbols. |
| US08488648B2 |
Apparatus and method for symbol error correctable modulation and demodulation using frequency selective baseband
Provided are a method and apparatus using a frequency selective baseband. Symbol-error correction modulation and demodulation is performed by generating a plurality of subgroups by dividing 2N spread codes or orthogonal codes used for frequency spreading into 2M (M |
| US08488638B2 |
Method of forming a single common laser resonator cavity and an optically segmented composite gain medium
A compact solid state laser that generates multiple wavelengths and multiple beams that are parallel, i.e., bore-sighted relative to each other, is disclosed. Each of the multiple laser beams can be at a different wavelength, pulse energy, pulse length, repetition rate and average power. Each of the laser beams can be turned on or off independently. The laser is comprised of an optically segmented gain section, common laser resonator with common surface segmented cavity mirrors, optically segmented pump laser, and different intra-cavity elements in each laser segment. |
| US08488635B2 |
UV illumination for mitigation of cold temperature pyroelectric effects in lithium niobate
An actively Q-switched laser based on UV illumination mitigates pyroelectric effects in lithium niobate. An exemplary embodiment comprises a pump source; a dichroic mirror having one end optically facing said pump source; a gain medium optically facing another end of said dichroic mirror; a polarizer having one end optically facing another end of said gain medium; a quarter wave plate having one end optically facing another end of said polarizer; and a electro-optic crystal having one end optically facing said quarter wave plate, at least one side of said electro-optic crystal being electrically connected to Q-switch driver to have the crystal function as a Q-switch. A UV illumination source illuminates a side surface of said electrical-optic crystal with UV light. An output mirror receives an output from said Q-switch and produces a laser emission. |
| US08488634B2 |
Use of first and second preambles in wireless communication signals
A method and system for a method of transmitting data within a signal frame. The method comprises inserting a first synchronization preamble into a first location within the signal frame and inserting a second synchronization preamble into a second location within the signal frame, wherein the first synchronization preamble conveys information indicative of the second location. The method further comprises issuing the signal frame towards a receiving device in a wireless communication environment. |
| US08488632B2 |
Optimizing VoIP for satellite connection
A method and system for reducing the total bandwidth and number of packets utilized to transmit a voice transmission over a satellite connection is provided. RTP allows packets to store different sizes of an audio signal, including 40 and 60 millisecond. By increasing the amount of an audio signal that is stored in packets from 20 ms to 60 ms, the actual network bandwidth utilized by a compression algorithm, such as G.729, is decreased from over 25 Kbits to fewer than 17 Kbits and the amount of packets utilized to transmit the audio signal is reduced. |
| US08488631B2 |
Differential delay compensation
In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a plurality of data frames representing at least one virtually concatenated data stream, storing the plurality of data frames in a memory; and recording, for each of a plurality of data frames, a physical write address that indicates a position in the memory and a virtual write address that includes a multiframe indicator and a byte number indicator. |
| US08488630B2 |
Transmission device and transmitting method
A transmission device which capsules and decapsules data of a frame and/or a packet includes a decapsuling circuit, wherein the decapsuling circuit includes a bit de-stuff processor configured to perform bit de-stuffing processing on an input data; a byte de-stuff processor configured to perform byte de-stuffing processing on duplicated data of the input data; a check processor configured to perform frame check sequence (FCS) processing on output from the bit de-stuff processor and the byte de-stuff processor; and a mode determination circuit configured to determine a stuffing mode of an opposite transmission device, based on a code conversion result from the bit de-stuff processor and the byte de-stuff processor and the stuffing mode in which the check processor detects the input data with a normal FCS. |
| US08488627B2 |
Multi-communications-media network device
A network device may include a processor executing higher layer processes including layers of a protocol stack higher than a media access layer, a first physical interface (PHY) coupled to a first communications medium, a second PHY coupled to a second communications medium, and a media access controller (MAC) to execute the media access layer of the protocol stack, the MAC coupled to the higher layer processes, the first PHY, and the second PHY. Media selection logic may select one of the first PHY and the second PHY for communication with a target device designated by a target MAC address provided by the higher layer processes. |
| US08488625B2 |
QoS control system and method of VoIP media packet received from broadband port in router/gateway-integrated VoIP system
A Quality-of-Service (QoS) control system and method of a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) packet received from a broadband port in a router/gateway integrated VoIP system, which can process an incoming VoIP call by detecting in real-time an available bandwidth of the VoIP packet through interaction with a QoS module, determining whether to allow the VoIP call based on the result of the detection, and responding to the VoIP call based on the result of the determination. The QoS can be ensured according to the size of a VoIP media packet received through a broadband port. |
| US08488624B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing an area network middleware interface
A method and apparatus for implementing a protocol-neutral middleware interface in a home area network. The method comprises receiving one or more data packets from a client device using a first communication protocol, and decoding the data packets into a set of platform independent data objects. The data packets are decoded into the platform independent data objects by utilizing a metadata mapping located within one or more field classes. The apparatus comprises a frame engine, and one or more field classes. The frame engine receives a data packet in a first communication protocol. The frame engine decodes the data packet into a set of platform independent data objects. The frame engine uses a metadata map contained within the one or more field classes to decode the data packet into the set of platform independent data objects. |
| US08488622B2 |
Jitter control apparatus
A jitter control apparatus used in a multiplexing apparatus multiplexing a plurality of signals by asynchronous mapping, includes: a detection unit configured to detect a frequency of timing compensation processes in the asynchronous mapping for each of the plurality of signals; and a selection unit configured to select, on basis of a detection result by the detection unit, a clock signal to be used as a carrier clock for the plurality of signals, from a plurality of clock signals including clock signals extracted from at least one of the plurality of signals. |
| US08488621B2 |
Communication network system and error verification method
At least one node on a network acquires boundary violation information and frame state information concerning a reception slot and adjacent slots. Based on the boundary violation information and frame state information concerning the slots, the node verifies an error factor in the reception slot. Based on verification of the error factor, the node determines that data of a frame received in the reception slot can be used. When determining that the data of the received frame can be used, the node uses the received frame for control. |
| US08488620B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving RACH
A method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving a Random Access Channel (RACH) signal in a communication system. A User Equipment (UE) selects one of Contention Resolution (CR) channels allocated for collision detection, and transmits the selected CR channel and a connection request message to an Evolved Node B (E-NB), and receives a response signal from the E-NB. The UE transmits the RACH signal, if a collision indicator is included in the response signal. The E-NB receives from each of UEs a connection request message and a CR channel, decodes the connection request message, and detects a collision between the UEs using the CR channel. The E-NB generates a response signal to the connection request message according to the decoding result, generates a collision indicator according to the collision detection result, and transmits to the UEs at least one of the generated response signal, the generated collision indicator, and a unique ID of a corresponding UE. |
| US08488619B2 |
Allocating interlace multiplex pairs for multicast services
The present invention provides a method implemented in a control entity within a wireless communication system. The method includes selecting, at the control entity, a plurality of sectors in response to receiving requests for a multicast service from mobile units located within the plurality of sectors. The method also includes allocating, at the control entity, one or more interlace-multiplex pairs for providing the multicast service to the mobile units within the plurality of sectors. One or more of the interlace-multiplex pairs are allocated based on a priority list that ranks priorities of the plurality of interlace-multiplex pairs according to how many of the plurality of sectors provide the multicast service using the corresponding interlace-multiplex pair. The method also includes establishing a call flow over an air interface to the mobile units using the allocated interlace-multiplex pair(s). |
| US08488618B1 |
Dual-connect service box with router bypass
A system and method provide both inline services and in-network services for a dual-connect service box interposed between a modem and a router. The method transceives communications between a service box wide area network (WAN) port and a local area network (LAN) port of a WAN-connected broadband modem, and between a service box WAN-proxy port and a WAN port of a router. The method also selectively transceives communications between the service box WAN port and a LAN port. A service box binding module monitors messages transceived between the router and the modem to determine the service box WAN IP address, and registers at least one service box WAN IP addresses with a WAN network-connected account server. The method selectively transceives communications in response to an authentification means, which may be identifying an authorized port number in the communications, or identifying an authorized command in the communications. |
| US08488617B2 |
Railway-train communication apparatus
A railway-train communication apparatus transmits a first transmission signal flowing through an inter-car network between cars of a railway train and a second transmission signal flowing through an in-car network in each of the cars. A node device includes a first signal converter and a second signal converter that perform a signal conversion between the first transmission signal and the second transmission signal and a layer 2 switch arranged between the first signal converter and the second signal converter for connecting the first signal converter and the second signal converter. A first controller is connected to the layer 2 switch. |
| US08488613B2 |
Systems and methods for low complexity user scheduling
Systems and methods for scheduling multiple user equipments such as mobiles for transmission in the downlink of a cellular communications system. At each scheduling instant the systems and methods return a set of users who should be scheduled based on the past scheduling history of the users, the current individual link gains of the users to the base station, and how the simultaneous scheduling of multiple users affect each other's performance. Since optimal scheduling for communication systems require high computational complexity, low complexity systems and methods are utilized with a performance that is close to the theoretical optimal solution. |
| US08488608B2 |
System and method for traffic distribution in a multi-chassis link aggregation
A pair of aggregation switches is connected to an edge node by a multi-chassis link aggregation group, wherein the aggregation switches are connected by a virtual fabric link (VFL) for exchange of information between the Aggregation Switches. The VFL includes a plurality of subsets of VFL physical links, wherein each subset is connected to a different pair of network interface modules on the Aggregation Switches. Traffic distribution across the plurality of subsets of VFL physical links is based on destination hardware device information in a pre-pended header of packets and/or based on a load balancing identifier in the pre-pended header. |
| US08488607B2 |
Method for WLAN link aggregation and system for using the same
A system with WLAN link aggregation comprises an access point, a station and a remote host. The station is equipped with a first network interface unit and a second network interface unit. The first network interface unit and the second network interface unit are configured to forward packets to or receive packets from the access point. After receiving packets from the first network interface unit, the second network interface unit or the remote host, the access point modifies headers of the packets and forwards the packets to the first network interface unit, the second network interface unit or the remote host. |
| US08488599B2 |
Auto-switching method and device for dual mode analog-VoIP device
The embodiments of the present invention provide for methods, systems, and devices adapted to configure a dual-mode device to the appropriate mode(s). The dual-mode device is adapted to provide analog/POTS service, digital/VoIP service, and multimedia terminal adapter (MTA) service, typically based on the enabled mode(s). A device is also provided providing MTA service to an analog or legacy phone connected to an on-premises phone wiring system via an inactive POTS line. |
| US08488598B2 |
Call flow system and method for use in a VoIP telecommunication system
A method of establishing a communication link between a mobile terminal of a wireless network and a subscriber of a network, such as an enterprise network, and/or a residential network. |
| US08488597B2 |
Apparatus for collecting charging information of a data service and charging method thereof
The present invention discloses an apparatus for collecting charging information of data service and charging method thereof. The apparatus comprises: a protocol distribution processing module, for classifying service data received from a gateway service node in the wireless network by the protocol type, and sending the classified service data to a protocol processing module of the corresponding protocol type; receiving service data from said one or more than one protocol processing module and sending the service data to the gateway service node; at least one protocol processing module, for receiving the classified service data from the protocol distribution processing module, obtaining charging information of the service data and sending the charging information to a charging system, and transparently transmitting the service data to a packet switched domain network; receiving the service data from a packet switched domain network, obtaining the charging information of the service data and sending the charging information to the charging system, and transparently transmitting the service data to the protocol distribution processing module. This invention can accurately collect the charging information of service data of various classes. |
| US08488595B2 |
System for dialing from internet extension to conventional extension
A system for dialing from Internet extension to conventional extension is disclosed. A VoIP gateway or an IP auto attendant is used for dialing from Internet extension to conventional extension. The phone number of the Private Branch Exchange and the voice guidance are not needed. The calling number of SIP message is interpreted directly and converted into DTMF (Dual-tone multi-frequency) messages for dialing into a conventional extension. |
| US08488593B2 |
Apparatus and system for controlling signal filtering
According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus and system for controlling signal filtering. According to some non-limiting embodiments, a selective filtering apparatus is provided. The selective filtering apparatus comprises an input interface connectable to a source of a composite signal within a first frequency range and a filtering device, coupled to the input interface. The filtering device comprises a filter and an output interface, the filter being operable to filter the composite signal and output an output signal within a second frequency range, the second frequency range being a subset of the first frequency range; the output interface being connectable to at least a portion of an in-premises telephone wiring. The selective filtering apparatus further comprises a triggering module being operable to cause the output interface to selectively output one of the output signal and the composite signal responsive to detection of a triggering event. |
| US08488590B2 |
Method and device using data objects and their replications for carrying out communications in a distributed system
A method and device are provided for conducting a real-time, voice over IP media type of communication session between at least two peer users, each associated with a platform comprised in a distributed communication network. The method and device comprise providing at least one replication of at least one data object to all other platforms associated with that distributed communication network. |
| US08488588B1 |
Methods and apparatus for indexing set bit values in a long vector associated with a switch fabric
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a loopback module configured to receive a first copy of a target vector during a clock cycle. The target vector can include a quantity of set bit values and can be defined based on a portion of data. The loopback module can be configured to define a loopback vector that has a quantity of set bit values that is less than a quantity of set bit values included in the first copy of the target vector. The apparatus also can include an index module configured to receive a second copy of the target vector during the clock cycle. The index module can be configured to define, during the clock cycle, an index vector based on the second copy of the target vector. The index vector can be configured to trigger an element associated with a switch fabric to process the data. |
| US08488587B1 |
Method and apparatus performing automatic resource distribution
A method, apparatus and computer program product for providing automatic resource distribution is presented. A number of ports of a resource to hold (H) as needed for each Multi Media Platform (MPP) is determined. Further, the maximum number of ports of a resource that can be acquired (M)—M−H of which are borrowed from other MPPs—for each MPP is also determined. The ports are then allocated for an MPP from at least one server in accordance with the number of ports to hold as needed and the number of ports that can be borrowed. |
| US08488582B2 |
Minimal GAN RTP packet length via multi-level header compression
The present invention involves a method for IP header compression for Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP) packets that includes header compression for the outer IP layer that carries IPsec ESP tunnel traffic. The preferred embodiment of the invention involves a method of producing minimal VoIP packet size in a GAN user plane by defining an ESP/UDP/IP profile for ROHC; using the ESP/UDP/IP profile to compress the outer layers carrying IPsec ESP tunnel traffic in the GAN user plane; and using a ROHC RTP/UDP/IP profile between IPsec ESP tunnel endpoints for additional compression. |
| US08488578B1 |
Identifying a CDMA scrambling code
An apparatus for identifying a scrambling code used in the received CDMA-based signal. The apparatus includes a frame timing estimation unit configured to estimate a frame timing of the received CDMA-based signal, a searching unit configured to search for and select a scrambling code seed based on at least the estimated frame timing, and a seed evaluation unit configured to determine if the selected scrambling code seed is the correct seed used in the received CDMA-based signal. The searching unit is further configured to provide an identified scrambling code seed based on an indication from the seed evaluation unit that the selected scrambling code seed is the correct seed. The apparatus may also include a scrambling code generator configured to generate the scrambling code from the identified seed. |
| US08488577B1 |
Apparatus for controlling the availability of internet access to applications
Embodiments relate to systems and methods for controlling network access that includes receiving, at a network layer of a protocol stack of a mobile computing device comprising two or more communications interfaces, one or more data packets from an application executing on the mobile computing device, wherein the two or more communication interfaces comprise a cellular communication interface and a wireless network interface; identifying, at the network layer upon receiving the data packet, one or more rules that specify at least one of a plurality of networks to utilize to transmit the data packet, based on the one or more rules, selecting, in the network layer, a communication interface from the two or more communications interfaces associated with the at least one of the plurality of networks for transmitting the one or more data packets. |
| US08488574B2 |
Wireless network system and association control method thereof
Provided is an association control method for maximizing a message in message (MIM) function in a WLAN environment. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when all SINR values of transmission links to two or more first clients associated with the first access point are equal to or more than a predetermined capture threshold, SINR value of a transmission link to a second client associated with the second access point is less than the capture threshold, and at least one of the first clients, referred to as a third client group, can be associated with the second access point, associations are modified so that the third client group is associated with the second access point to enable concurrent transmission. |
| US08488570B2 |
Communication method, communication apparatus, and computer program
A method and apparatus for communicating between devices by selectively using a plurality of communication methods including a centralized control method, in which each communication apparatus sends and receives data under control of a control apparatus, and a distributed control method, in which each communication apparatus sends and receives data in an autonomous and distributing manner. The method and apparatus include detecting radio frequency interference, and switching between the centralized control method and the distributed control method according to a result of detecting the radio frequency interference. |
| US08488566B2 |
Control channel assignment in a wireless communication network
The disclosed embodiments provide for methods and systems for allocating a plurality of users on a control channel in a wireless communication network. In one aspect, a method for allocating a plurality of users on a control channel includes assigning a first number of modulation symbols to a hop region for a control channel, and allocating a second number of users to the first number of modulation symbols. |
| US08488565B2 |
Acquisition of timing information in wireless communication systems
A method for identifying a reference point in time in a wireless communication system includes: receiving a first repeated sequence of symbols; receiving a second repeated sequence of symbols; performing an autocorrelation between the first and second sequences of symbols; and identifying as the reference point in time an autocorrelation null between the first and second repeated sequences of symbols. Apparatus for identifying a reference point in time in a wireless communication system includes: means for receiving a first repeated sequence of symbols; means for receiving a second repeated sequence of symbols; means for performing an autocorrelation between the first and second sequences of symbols; and means for identifying as the reference point in time an autocorrelation null between the first and second repeated sequences of symbols. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described. |
| US08488563B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing information indicative of traffic delay of a wireless link
Embodiments of methods and apparatus for providing information indicative of traffic delay of a wireless link are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08488561B2 |
Mobile communication system, base station apparatus, and method to reduce inter-cell interference for same
To improve throughput of the whole system while reducing power consumption, in a mobile communication system comprising a mobile station apparatus and a base station apparatus, the base station apparatus creates an interference information table based on channel quality of an uplink channel, and transmits the interference information indicator table to the mobile station apparatus. The mobile station apparatus determines a state of interference in an uplink frequency band based on the interference information indicator table, determines a frequency band of a measurement pilot channel used to determine received quality, and makes a request to the base station apparatus for a transmission resource. For example, the mobile station apparatus determines a frequency band with lowest interference among the uplink frequency bands as a frequency band of the measurement pilot channel. |
| US08488558B2 |
PCP/STA capability handover in a wireless network
Handover of the role of a personal basic service set coordination point (PCP) in a personal wireless area network occurs with the issuance of a PCP handover request by the existing PCP station. A response from a PCP handover capable station within the BSS includes attributes of the responding station pertinent to its ability to carry out the role of a PCP. Once a new PCP station has been identified, handover steps are undertaken to modify beacon filtering and beam-forming in other non-PCP stations within the BSS to facilitate interruption free transition from the old PCP to the new PCP. |
| US08488556B2 |
System for voice and/or data communication
The invention relates to a system for speech and/or data communication between a mobile telephone on board an aircraft and terminals in communication networks outside the aircraft. The invention allows communication with third parties on the ground during a flight, with calls handled in a manner that is largely or completely automatic for the user of the mobile telephone, such that the user can use his mobile telephone just as well as if he were in the area of his home network on the ground. The communication is handled directly via the satellite communication path between the aircraft and the ground, bypassing the mobile radio operator with whom the user of the mobile telephone has completed a contract. |
| US08488552B2 |
Downlink solution for seamless and lossless cell change in a cellular system
The present invention relates to a UE, base station network node and methods thereof in a cellular mobile communication system. One method concerns handover from a first radio base station to a second radio base station wherein, it comprises the steps receiving a notification from the first radio base station that currently serves said UE, said notification indicating the last packet to be transmitted to this user equipment from said first radio base station on a first connection; and informing the second radio base station by a request to commence transmission from this second radio base station when the notified last packet is received at the UE. |
| US08488548B2 |
Hybrid scheme for DL link adaptation
A system and method of a hybrid scheme of DL link adaptation in a network having mobile stations (MSs) in communication with a base station (BS). The system may include a mode decision module associated with the base station. The mode decision module may include one or more processors configured to select a first mode configuration for use during transmission of a first communication from the base station. The BS may receive first feedback information associated with the first communication, where the first feedback information includes a first mode recommendation and first channel information. Based on the first feedback information, the BS may generate a BS-derived mode configuration based on the first channel information and compare the first mode recommendation and the BS-derived mode configuration. Based on the comparison, the BS may determine a second mode configuration to use to configure a second communication. |
| US08488546B2 |
Method for detecting a downlink control structure for carrier aggregation
This invention relates with a method for detecting a downlink control structure for carrier aggregation in communication network in which data transmission is scheduled by a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). An UE receives higher layer signaling enabling carrier aggregation for the UE. The UE reads the PDCCHs of component carriers (CCs), wherein the downlink control information (DCI) in the PDCCHs of each CC is read according to one of a plurality of predefined formats derived from the higher layer signaling. |
| US08488545B2 |
Region-based clustering mechanism for channel access in vehicular Ad Hoc networks
In a Vehicular Ad Hoc Network (VANET) a hybrid method combines SDMA (Space Division Multiple Access) and dynamic TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) that divides the roadway into regions (whose size is larger than the SDMA unit) where each region is allocated a pool of radio channels based on SDMA and may contain a limited number of vehicles. Vehicles within the same region compete for and access the channels using dynamic TDMA. A channel allocation scheme that maps the pool of channels to the regions such that when a vehicle acquires multiple channels (time slots) in a region, the intervals among the channels are as uniform as possible, thus minimizing the waiting time of the messages to be broadcast by the vehicle, which is critical for safety related applications. This solution is referred to as R-SDMA (Region based SDMA). |
| US08488537B2 |
Method of transmitting channel information in multiple antenna system
A method of transmitting channel information in a multiple antenna system includes receiving the channel information comprising rank information, and transmitting a confirm message through a downlink control channel as a confirmation for the channel information, wherein the confirm message comprises overriding rank information which overrides the received rank information in an open loop scheme and also comprises information indicating whether the received channel information is used without alteration in a closed loop scheme. A rank indicator (RI) and a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) can be carried on a dedicated control channel (DCCH) and be specified through a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). |
| US08488536B2 |
Mode selection for MIMO in wireless communication
A method for transmission mode selection in a MIMO radio system between a spatial diversity (A-matrix) mode and a spatial multiplexing (B-matrix) mode comprises: obtaining a channel condition number; if the channel condition number is above a selected threshold, and a signal to interference plus noise ratio exceeds a predetermined threshold then selecting spatial multiplexing; and otherwise selecting spatial diversity. |
| US08488535B2 |
Apparatus and method to allocate communication resources for an aperiodic data packet in a communication system
Apparatus and methods for allocating communication resources for an aperiodic data packet in a communication system. A transmission time interval for an aperiodic data packet including a channel quality indicator report is allocated during at least one of a first transmission time interval and a second transmission time interval in an uplink scheduling window in accordance with an uplink scheduling grant by a network entity, and a message is assembled including said aperiodic data packet for transmission to said network entity during said at least one of said first transmission time interval and said second transmission time interval. |
| US08488529B2 |
Efficient information mapping for transmission grants
Methods and apparatus for signaling an implicit signaling bit in a scheduling grant message are disclosed, including the implicit signaling of parameters related to the configuration of sounding reference signals. In various embodiments, implicit signaling is achieved by observing that certain codepoints in downlink control information formats are unused for certain scheduling assignments. The information content of certain information fields in the DCI format are redesigned to exploit this unused bandwidth, allowing the implicit signaling of one or more bits that can be used to extend the number of SRS configurations that can be specified in the DCI. In alternative embodiments, the implicit signaling concept is exploited in order to reduce the signaling payload while maintaining flexibility in dynamically assigning different SRS configurations by way of scheduling grant messages. |
| US08488527B2 |
Apparatus and method for facilitating radio resource dimensioning for communication services
An example apparatus is provided that receives at least one parameter value, for each of one or more communication bearers, where the at least one parameter value, for a communication bearer, describes a data rate probability distribution, for the same bearer, associated with time intervals with a fixed time duration. The apparatus estimates an amount of radio resources to allocate to at least one communication bearer of the one or more communication bearers, based at least in part on the received parameter values and the fixed time duration. The apparatus then allocates the estimated amount of radio resources to the at least one communication bearer of the one or more communication bearers. |
| US08488524B2 |
Method and system for dynamically assigning channels across multiple radios in a wireless LAN
In a fixed channel wireless network system with a limited number of channels, assignment of the fixed channels between remote client elements and access elements is made systematically according to a set of criteria accounting for network loading and interference, then channel assignments are dynamically updated according to a priority to maintain optimal network performance with changing conditions of load and interference. The channel utilization problem is address at a system level rather than at a local level by treating the system as a three dimensional color mapping problem. All noise is treated as having a source in virtual access elements with an appropriate performance metric. The performance metric is used to select a channel set that minimize chances of interference and maximize user performance. Specifically, there are several parameter matrices which are managed and updated by a central resource management element, namely signal strength between elements, interference, and load. These matrices are used to find the optimal channel assignments for a predetermined limited set of assignable channels. In one implementation, the channel assignment methodology takes into account the interference associated with access elements operating on a selected channel, as well as the interference or energy that spills over (or is otherwise observable) on physical channels adjacent to the selected channel. |
| US08488523B2 |
Method of transmitting and processing data block of specific protocol layer in wireless communication system
A method of transmitting a data block at a transmitting side in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The present invention generates a data block including polling information but no upper layer data, the polling information requesting a transmission of acknowledgement information (status report) on at least one data block transmitted to a receiving side and then transmits the data block to the receiving side, thereby it is possible to raise efficiency in wireless transmission. |
| US08488522B2 |
Method and system to manage wireless communications of high-occupancy vehicles
A system and method for managing wireless communications for a plurality of devices in a high occupancy vehicle is presented. The method comprises steps of creating a global bandwidth usage map across all vehicles, routes, and passengers, transmitting the global bandwidth usage map to a vehicle controller, interpreting the global bandwidth usage map and creating a local usage map, and commanding a wireless concentrator to manage the wireless communications for the devices in accordance with the local usage map. Further, the global map can be created by gathering ticket and route information, obtaining customer productivity data from a network, and parsing obtained data into canonical form. A step of inputting the ticketing information by one of the user, and a ticketing agent can be included. A step of displaying messages using a wireless access application residing on the device can be included. |
| US08488521B2 |
Behavior for wireless transmit/receive unit and MAC control elements for LTE DRX operations
A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) stops discontinuous reception (DRX) timers that are running and that are related to uplink and/or downlink transmissions during a DRX time period. The WTRU stops the DRX timers in response to receiving a medium access control (MAC) control element signal from an eNode-B. |
| US08488517B2 |
Digital repeater module and method for relaying digital data
There is provided a digital repeater module and method for relaying digital data. The digital repeater module comprises a data reception unit configured to receive digital data from several broadcast devices concurrently, a data transmission unit configured to transmit digital data using a multiple transmission protocols concurrently, and a routing application. The routing application can receive digital data through the data reception unit, identify available data paths for relaying the digital data to desired destinations, and determine transmission metrics for each of the available data paths for relaying the digital data to the desired destinations. The routing application can also select data paths for transmission based on the determined transmission metrics, and transmit the digital data using the selected data paths through the data transmission unit. There is also provided a method for resolving assignment of limited broadcast frequencies using the digital repeater module. |
| US08488512B2 |
Resource scheduling method for multi-hop relay wireless network
The present invention discloses a resource scheduling method for multi-hop relay wireless network comprising: for each of a base station and relay stations, acquiring the minimal resource requirement of each of connections to all MSSs which are covered by said station and have direct signal transmission with said station, and then summing up the acquired resource requirement to obtain the minimal resource requirement of said station; and acquiring interference status between the relay stations, using different partition strategies to classify the relay stations into different independent sets, each of which can occupy the same resource, according to the minimal resource requirement of the base station and the relay stations as well as the interference status between the relay stations, and determining and comparing the total resource requirement under each of the partition strategies to obtain an optimized partition strategy for resource reuse scheduling. This resource scheduling method can meet the QoS requirement on each connection better and is applicable to dynamic and asymmetric multi-hop network. |
| US08488510B2 |
Stochastic communication protocol method and system for radio frequency identification (RFID) tags based on coalition formation, such as for tag-to-tag communication
Data carriers (such as RFID tags) are formed into clusters of data carriers. Each cluster has at least one bridge data carrier that can communicate with a bridge data carrier of another cluster, thereby allowing data carriers in each cluster to communicate directly or indirectly with each other using a stochastic communication protocol method. Direct tag-to-tag communication capability is provided between data carriers in each cluster and/or between clusters. The data carriers can backscatter and modulate a carrier wave from a source, thereby using the backscattered and modulated carrier wave to convey data to each other. |
| US08488509B2 |
Method of minimizing an unnecessary scheduling information reception in a wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system and a user equipment (UE) providing wireless communication services, and more particularly, a method of minimizing an unnecessary MSI (MCH Scheduling Information) reception by a terminal (UE) during a reception of a MBMS (Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service) service in an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (E-UMTS), a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, and a LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) system that have evolved from a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), thereby preventing an unnecessary battery consumption of the terminal. |
| US08488507B2 |
Apparatus and methods for managing access and update requests in a wireless network
Methods and apparatus that enable a wireless network to detect and manage impending congestion events caused by a plurality of mobile devices attempting to access the network in a brief space of time. In one embodiment, the network comprises a 3g (UMTS) cellular network, and includes a congestion management and avoidance entity that preemptively triggers a collision mode upon detecting an impending congestion event. This mode advantageously reduces processing burden on the base station by causing the mobile devices (UEs) to halt current access attempts, and invoke a multiple access scheme (e.g., wait a random amount of time before attempting further access attempts). The comparatively early detection and avoidance of collisions reduces the mobile device's power consumption, while addressing congestion events early in the wireless communication process so as to maintain optimal network conditions. |
| US08488496B2 |
Wireless local area network (LAN) system
A situation is circumvented where wireless communication becomes impossible in a wireless LAN system under the influence of a blocking object, noise caused by an electromagnetic wave, or the like. A wireless LAN system comprises: a relay which can communicate with an external system; a master which can communicate with the relay; and a plurality of slaves which can wirelessly communicate with the master, the plurality of slaves including a first group and a second group, the first group comprising an alternative slave having a function of transmitting, when a portion of the slaves cannot receive a synchronization signal from the master, an information signal received from the master to the portion of slaves, and the second group comprising non-alternative slaves and not having the function of transmitting the information signal to the portion of slaves. |
| US08488493B2 |
Apparatus and method for automatic access in a wireless communication system
An apparatus and a method for automatic access in a wireless communication system are provided. The apparatus includes a scanner for scanning surrounding Access Points (APs) by receiving beacon messages from the APs, a determiner for detecting an AP, a WPS button of which has been pressed, from one or more scanned APs and for determining if there are two or more detected APs, and a configurator for, when there are two or more detected APs, transmitting a message including a Medium Access Control (MAC) address of an AP, which has been selected among the detected APs by an input of a user, to the AP and for performing a Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) with the selected AP, thereby accessing a wireless Local Area Network (LAN). |
| US08488489B2 |
Scalable packet-switch
A scalable packet switch possessing a multiport memory, a multiport memory manager, two or more input/output (I/O) ports, and two or more switch engines. Each switch engine is associated with one or more I/O ports, and is adapted to receive inbound packets and transmit outbound packets via the associated I/O ports. Inbound packets are stored in a shared packet buffer. Each switch engine is further adapted to (i) determine (i.e., bridge) the outbound I/O port(s) for received inbound packets by consulting a shared bridging table and (ii) schedule outbound packets for transmission, independently and in parallel with other switch engines. The shared packet buffer and shared bridging table are stored in the multiport memory and shared by all switch engines. The multiport memory manager allocates/de-allocates memory blocks within the multiport memory. |
| US08488487B2 |
Method and apparatus for fast other sector interference (OSI) adjustment
Systems and methods that facilitate management of interference and communication resources are provided. A differential approach is devised in which other-sector interference (OSI) and communication resources are managed by adjusting an offset (delta) value associated with the resources in response to receiving an indication of other-sector interference. An OSI indication can be issued based on a short and a long time scale, and effective interference metrics over time-frequency resources. The adjusted delta value is communicated to a serving access point, which reassigns communication resources in order to mitigate other-sector interference. |
| US08488483B2 |
Method for a radio base station and a radio base station in a communication network system for assisting in or obtaining assistance in the UL reception of signals
In cellular radio systems it is a problem to provide service to UE (user equipment) on the cell border. In systems that apply a frequency re-use of one, and OFDM access technology, the uplink direction need be improved. One embodiment of this application relates to a radio base station that is equipped with one or more FFT processor/s in addition to the FFT-processor that is adapted for being adjusted to the timed aligned arrival of signals from UE served by the radio base station. The additional FFT processor/s is adapted for being adjusted to the arrival of one or more signals from UE that are served by other radio base station/s. The radio base station is further adapted to send Fourier processed signal information relating to the UE of the other radio base station/s and thereby assist the other radio base station in signal reception. The application also relates to a method for assisting another radio base station in signal reception, and to a method for receiving assistance from another radio base station in signal reception. |
| US08488481B2 |
System reliability evaluation method for transmission by two minimal paths in time restriction
A system reliability evaluation method for transmission by two minimal paths in time restriction is disclosed. The minimal path includes plural arcs between a start node and a terminal node in a flow network. The method includes the steps of providing a virtual network in a computer for simulating the flow network; inputting a transmission requirement and a time restriction; distributing the transmission requirement in a first minimal path and a second minimal path to make the first minimal path have a first throughput and the second minimal path have a second throughput; finding a plurality of feasible solutions satisfying the relation that the first throughput plus the second throughput equals the demand in the time restriction; finding a lower boundary vector by applying the comparative method; and computing a system reliability by applying set theory. |
| US08488477B2 |
Encoding information in beacon signals
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate transmitting at least two different types of information in a single signal, whereby the different types of information can be encoded and decoded independently. Thus, changes to one type of information does not affect a second type of information. |
| US08488474B2 |
Feed line monitor apparatus
A power reception apparatus receives feed information from a predetermined line of a communication cable and judges a state of the power reception apparatus. If the state is normal, it transmits the feed information by returning it to a line which is a pair with the predetermined line. |
| US08488472B2 |
Automated cable identification and verification system
A method for configuring components in a networked computer system comprising providing a configuration map that includes installation locations and sequences for network components. The configuration map is used to indicate component installation locations and sequences through a series of indicators. The component installation locations and sequences are confirmed after the components are configured according to the configuration map by an electrical connectivity test of each affected component. |
| US08488470B2 |
Withdrawing multiple advertised routes based on a single tag which may be of particular use in border gateway protocol
Advertised routes are associated with a particular tag in a routing database in a second router. A first router subsequently sends one or more messages associated with a route withdraw operation that specifies the particular tag, such that second router can identify, based on the particular tag, a set including multiple routes, and remove those multiple routes from its routing database. For example, the tag may be a Border Gateway Protocol attribute, a Border Gateway Protocol communities attribute, or some other indication, numeric quantity, or opaque value. |
| US08488467B2 |
Method and system for a gigabit ethernet IP telephone chip with 802.1p and 802.1Q quality of service (QoS) functionalities
A method for processing data may include receiving packetized data via at least one of a plurality of input ports in an Ethernet switch. Each of the plurality of input ports may be partitioned into a plurality of virtual local area network (VLAN) port domains with an assigned port domain identification (ID) for processing 802.1 Class of Service (CoS) priority and Quality of Service (QoS) packetized data. The Ethernet switch may be integrated within a single gigabit Ethernet IP telephone chip, the received packetized data having assigned at least one priority class. One or more bits in at least one of a plurality of registers in the Ethernet switch may be used to filter at least one ingress frame in the packetized data, based on at least one packet header attribute of the at least one ingress frame. |
| US08488465B2 |
Intercept flow distribution and intercept load balancer
A system and method for intercepting and load-balancing information including one or more mediation devices configured to receive intercept instructions for intercepting information for a predetermined period of time, an intercept access device configured to receive the intercept instructions from the one or more mediation devices, wherein the intercept access device may identify and intercept information based on the intercept instructions and may encapsulate the intercepted information, and an intercept load balancer configured to receive the intercepted information and transmit the intercepted information to the one or more mediation devices for distribution to one or more law enforcement device. |
| US08488464B2 |
HSDPA flow control data frame, frame sequence number
A radio base station (RBS) is described herein that detects when a high-speed downlink shared channel (HS-DSCH) data frame (110) is lost after it was transmitted by a radio network controller (RNC) over a transport link (Iub) towards the RBS (104). To accomplish this, the RBS (104) upon receiving a HS-DSCH data frame (110) inspects a frame sequence number (302) located within the received HS-DSCH data frame (110) to determine if the frame sequence number (302) is in sequence with a frame sequence number (302) located within a previously received HS-DSCH data frame (110). If the two frame sequence numbers (302) are not in sequence, then one or more HS-DSCH data frames (110) that were previously transmitted towards the radio base station (104) have been lost. If the radio base station (104) detects to many lost HS-DSCH data frames (110a), then it can correct the problem by reducing the bit rate of a certain HS user flow or by reducing the maximum bit rate for all of the HS traffic which is going to be sent by the radio network controller (102) over the transport link (106) to the radio base station (104). |
| US08488463B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus, method for controlling the same, and program therefor
A method for controlling a wireless communication apparatus includes request processing for requesting information regarding traffic to an access point, measurement processing for performing data transmission and reception wirelessly on the basis of the information regarding traffic requested by the request processing and measuring traffic during the data transmission and reception, and re-request processing for updating the information regarding traffic to be requested to the access point so as to correspond to the traffic measured by the measurement processing and re-requesting the updated information. |
| US08488455B2 |
Method and apparatus for fair scheduling of broadcast services
A method for fair scheduling of broadcasting services includes receiving, at a base station from a core network entity, data packets scheduled for transmission during a scheduling period and synchronization information for service bearers. It is determined whether there is an overflow condition based on the received synchronization information and transmission resources reserved for the plurality of service bearers for the scheduling period in a single-frequency network. Upon determining that the overflow condition is present, among the service bearers, at least one service bearer is selected based on a bearer selection function. The bearer selection function results in selecting the service bearer with a highest value or a lowest value of a ratio of two quantities each with a specific value for each service bearer. The bearer selection function does not directly compute any ratio. A data packet is then dropped from the selected at least one service bearer. |
| US08488451B2 |
System and method for allocating processing bandwith in a residential gateway utilizing transmission rules and data mapping
A system and method of networking with configurable data mapping is disclosed. Data mapping can be utilized to match data transmission types with devices that can efficiently utilize the data transmission type. In one configuration, the data mapping teachings disclosed herein may be utilized to increase the processing efficiency of a home network and insure correct programming is allowed to pass to the correct device by applying a set of data transmission rules to data transmissions between a residential gateway and it's clients. An exemplary method may include receiving a communication at a residential gateway from a client and identifying the client or the source of the transmission. The client may be identified by recognizing one or more of a data transmission type, a client identifier embedded in the transmission, and an identification of a network device hosting the client. The identification may, in some cases, be made automatically upon reception of a data transmission. The transmission type is then compared to the contents of a look-up table and the transmission can be modified according to a predetermined configuration. In one embodiment a bandwidth allocation of a client request is utilized to either allow the data stream or block the data stream from being passed to a particular network client. |
| US08488447B2 |
System and method for adjusting code speed in a transmission path during call set-up due to reduced transmission performance
A system and method for establishing a phone call over a packet network. The process may receive a call request from an originating call device to a termination call device. A determination may be made to determine whether the terminating call device is available. If the terminating call device is determined to be available, transmission path status information between the originating and terminating call devices may be retrieved. Status of the transmission path on the packet network between the originating and terminating call devices may be determined. If the status of the transmission path is determined to be within a first range, a call may be established between the originating and terminating call devices via an encoder/decoder (CODEC) having a first data rate. Otherwise, the call may be established between the originating and terminating call devices via a CODEC having a second, lower data rate. |
| US08488446B1 |
Managing failure behavior for computing nodes of provided computer networks
Techniques are described for providing managed computer networks. In some situations, the techniques include managing communications for computing nodes of a managed computer network by using one or more particular computing nodes of the managed computer network that are configured to operate as intermediate destinations to handle at least some communications that are sent by and/or directed to one or more other computing nodes of the managed computer network. In addition, the techniques may include managing the communications in accordance with configured failure behavior specified for one or more computing nodes of the computer network, such as specified failure behavior for a computing node configured to operate as an intermediate destination that indicates how communications that would otherwise be routed via the intermediate destination computing node are to be handled if the intermediate destination computing node fails or is otherwise unavailable (e.g., to block or allow such communications). |
| US08488443B2 |
Method for handling radio line failure in multiple carrier system
A method of handling a radio link failure in a multiple-carrier system performed by a user equipment (UE) is provided. The method includes transmitting, to a base station (BS), a first message indicating a first radio link problem (RLP) in a first carrier when the first RLP is detected, transmitting, to the BS, a second message indicating a second RLP in a second carrier when the second RLP is detected, and transmitting, to the BS, a final message requesting a connection re-establishment with the BS. By using a plurality of different timers on CCs configured for one UE, the meaning of RLF in a multiple-carrier system for triggering radio connection re-establishment procedure is clarified and defined in detail. |
| US08488442B1 |
Compensation for residual frequency offset, phase noise and I/Q imbalance in OFDM modulated communications
A method including downconverting an analog radio frequency signal into an analog baseband signal; recovering an analog in-phase signal and an analog quadrature signal from the analog baseband signal; converting the analog in-phase signal into a corresponding digital in-phase signal; converting the analog quadrature signal into a corresponding digital quadrature signal; compensating the digital in-phase signal and the digital quadrature signal; converting the compensated digital in-phase signal and the compensated digital quadrature signal into a frequency domain digital Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol; generating a plurality of channel estimates, wherein each channel estimate corresponds to an estimate of the channel for a corresponding sub-carrier of the frequency domain digital OFDM symbol; and generating (i) a most likely estimate of the imbalance between the digital in-phase signal and the digital quadrature signal and (ii) a most likely estimate of a common phase error in the plurality of channel estimates. |
| US08488440B2 |
Coordinated linear beamforming in downlink multi-cell wireless networks
System and methods are disclosed for optimizing wireless communication for a plurality of mobile wireless devices. The system uses beamforming vectors or precoders having a structure optimal with respect to the weighted sum rate in a multi-cell orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) downlink. A plurality of base stations communicate with the mobile devices and all base stations perform a distributed non-convex optimization exploiting the determined structure. |
| US08488437B2 |
Information recording medium, address generation and detection method, and reproducing and recording apparatuses
In a recording medium, an extension address is obtained without changing the number of bits of the address embedded in the wobble. The wobble address is partially or wholly encoded to embed the address information. At the time of reproducing the address information, the original address information is obtained by restoring the embedded information by the decoding process. |
| US08488434B2 |
Objective lens, optical pickup apparatus using the same, and method for manufacturing objective lens
Provided is an objective lens manufactured well by using a mold and an optical pickup apparatus including the same. The objective lens of the present invention includes a first region that focuses laser beams of a BD, DVD, and CD standards, a second region that focuses the laser beams of the DVD and CD standards, and a third region that focuses the laser beams of the BD and the DVD standards are provided in this order from a center portion of the objective lens. A first annular zone step provided in the first region has a step amount larger than step amounts of annular zone steps provided in other regions. |
| US08488433B2 |
Modulated signal detecting apparatus and modulated signal detecting method
When ld0 denotes an initial optical path length that is a length of an optical path, along which the signal light travels, as converted using a refractive index in vacuum, lm0 denotes an initial optical path length that is a length of an optical path, along which the reference light travels, as converted using a refractive index in vacuum, Δl denotes a fluctuation width of a difference in optical path lengths between the signal light and the reference light as converted using a refractive index in vacuum, λ0 denotes a central oscillation wavelength of the wavelength-variable laser, and Δλ denotes an oscillation wavelength variable range of the wavelength-variable laser, then an initial optical path difference |ld0−lm0| satisfies |ld0−lm0|>(Δl/Δλ)λ0. |
| US08488430B2 |
Recording medium and reproducing apparatus
A recording medium includes a photosensitive layer, a nonphotosensitive layer, and a recording layer formation region in which the photosensitive layer and the nonphotosensitive layer are laminated. The photosensitive layer includes a recording layer in which interference fringes formed in parallel with a recording medium surface are deleted or changed within a portion irradiated with focused light to record information or light reflected during irradiation of focused light is used to reproduce information. |
| US08488428B2 |
Enhanced security of optical article
An optical article comprising a first file encoded on the optical article comprising data structure information; a second file encoded on the optical article comprising a backup of the first file; wherein at least one of the first file or the second file must be fully readable for the player to read the data on the optical article; and a mark disposed on at least a portion of the optical article where the first file is encoded and at least a portion of the optical article where the second file is encoded; wherein the mark comprises an optical state change material; wherein the optical state change material undergoes a change in its optical state when exposed to an activation signal selected from one or more of a laser, thermal energy, infrared rays, X-rays, gamma rays, microwaves, visible light, ultraviolet light, ultrasound waves, radio frequency waves, electrical energy, chemical energy, magnetic energy, and mechanical energy; wherein the optical article is transformed from a pre-activated state to an activated state when an authorized activation method is used; and wherein the optical article is transformed from a pre-activated state to an incorrectly activated state when an unauthorized activation method is used. |
| US08488425B2 |
Optical pickup device and optical disc apparatus
An optical pickup device including: a laser diode for emitting laser light; an objective lens which irradiates an optical beam emitted from the laser diode; an actuator which displaces the objective lens in a radius direction of the optical disc; a grating for branches an optical beam reflected by an information recording layer into plural regions; and one photodetector having plural light receiving parts for receiving the branched optical beams, wherein the photodetector has a first light receiving part which detects zero-th order grating diffracted light and plural second light receiving parts which detecting grating diffracted light having an order not less than that of ±first order grating diffracted light; a detected signal of the zero-th order grating diffracted light is defined as a reproduction signal; and a detected signal of the grating diffracted light is defined as a signal for servo controlling. |
| US08488424B1 |
Write strategy calibration for optical drives
Laser write parameters in an optical drive are calibrated. A parameter range for the write parameters is set based on a recordable medium, and a number of test runs are recorded on the recordable medium while varying the write parameters. Write performance characteristics over the test runs are measured. Based on the measured performance characteristics, actual write parameters are selected for use in writing actual data. |
| US08488417B2 |
Time adjustment device, timekeeping device with a time adjustment device, and a time adjustment method
A time adjustment device having a time information generating unit that generates and outputs time information containing internal time data; a reception unit that receives satellite signals transmitted from a positioning information satellite in subframe information units; an external input unit that generates, through manual operation thereof, command information that instructs the reception unit to enter a reception mode; a reception timing start setup unit that, when in the reception mode, sets the start time of reception so that the subframe information units are acquired at the time determined by the internal time data; and a corrected time information storage unit that stores the satellite-time-related information as corrected time information. A determination unit determines whether the satellite-time-related information received in a particular segment of subframe information unit(s) is correct or erroneous, and if correct, is used as time adjustment information to correct the generated time information. |
| US08488412B2 |
Underwater detection device
An underwater detection device includes a transceiver module for transmitting underwater an ultrasonic pulse signal that is frequency-modulated and receiving an echo signal corresponding to the transmitted signal, a pulse compression module for pulse-compressing the signal received by the transceiver module and outputting a signal pulse-compressed, a suppression range determining module for determining a suppression range where a range side lobe suppression process is performed for the pulse-compressed signal, an echo determining module for determining whether the data of the pulse-compressed signal at each depth corresponding to a range side lobe, a suppression value determining module for determining a suppression value for the data of the pulse-compressed signal at each depth, a suppression conducting module for performing a calculation to suppress the range side lobe based on the suppression value for the data determined to be data of the pulse-compressed signal corresponding to the range side lobe by the echo determining module among a plurality of data of the pulse-compressed signals that fall into the suppression range, and a display processing module for generating a signal for display based on the signal outputted from the suppression conducting module to display a generated signal as detected information. |
| US08488410B2 |
Underwater detection device
An underwater detection device for detecting underwater by transmission and reception of an ultrasonic signal is provided. The device includes a transmission module for transmitting the ultrasonic signal underwater, a reception module for receiving an echo signal of the transmitted ultrasonic signal, a bottom detection module for detecting a bottom based on the echo signal from the bottom, a bottom-sediment determination module for calculating probabilities of the bottom sediment on how much the bottom sediment contains each of predetermined bottom sediment types based on the echo signal and a bottom-sediment display module for displaying a texture representing each of the bottom sediment types below the bottom being displayed based on the probabilities. |
| US08488409B2 |
Acquiring azimuth rich seismic data in the marine environment using a regular sparse pattern of continuously curved sail lines
A method for determining a sail plan for a towed-array marine seismic survey, includes: dividing a survey area into a regular grid of tiles; and identifying a subset of the tiles as nodes around which continuously curved sail lines are defined. The nodes define regular pattern further including: a first subpattern of nodes; and a second subpattern of nodes offset from the first subpattern. In alternative aspects, a computer-readable program storage medium may be encoded with instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform the method, or a computing apparatus may be programmed to perform the method. A method for conducting a towed array marine survey includes: traversing a plurality of continuously curved sail lines across a survey area, each sail line being relative to a node; and acquiring seismic data while traversing the continuously curved sail lines. The set of nodes defining a regular pattern further including: a first subpattern of nodes; and a second subpattern of nodes offset from the first subpattern. |
| US08488408B1 |
Systems and methods including clock features such as minimization of simultaneous switching outputs (SSO) effects involving echo clocks
Systems and methods are disclosed relating to semiconductor memory devices. According to some exemplary implementations, there are provided innovations associated with power and ground pads in devices such as static random access memory (“SRAM”) devices and dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”) devices. Moreover, the systems and/or methods may include features such as minimization of simultaneous switching outputs (SSO) effects relating to echo clock circuitry. |
| US08488406B2 |
Semiconductor device and control method thereof
A semiconductor device in accordance with an aspect of the present invention includes first and second power-supply circuits each of which generates an internal power-supply voltage by converting a voltage value of a power-supply voltage into a different voltage value, a first internal circuit that receives a supply of the internal power-supply voltage from the first power-supply circuit through a first line, a second internal circuit that receives a supply of the internal power-supply voltage from the second power-supply circuit through a second line, an inter-block line that connects the first and second lines to each other, and a control circuit that operates the first and second internal circuits in a predetermined operating cycle, and controls a length of a period during which the first and second internal circuits operate simultaneously. |
| US08488405B2 |
Process variability tolerant programmable memory controller for a pipelined memory system
In an embodiment of the invention, an integrated circuit includes a pipelined memory array and a memory control circuit. The pipelined memory array contains a plurality of memory banks. Based partially on the read access time information of a memory bank, the memory control circuit is configured to select the number of clock cycles used during read latency. |
| US08488404B2 |
Counter control signal generator and refresh circuit
A counter control signal generator comprises a first pulse signal generator configured to generate a first pulse signal including a pulse generated when a self-refresh period is terminated, a second pulse signal generator configured to generate a second pulse signal including a pulse generated in sync with a cyclic signal generated during a refresh period, and a signal generator configured to generate a counter control signal counting an address of a memory cell, corresponding to a memory cell on which a refresh operation is conducted, in response to the first and second pulse signals. |
| US08488403B2 |
Sense-amplification with offset cancellation for static random access memories
An offset cancellation scheme for sense amplification is described. The scheme consists of group of transistors which are selectively coupled to high and low voltage levels via multi-phase timing. This results in a voltage level on sensing nodes of interest which are a function of transistor mismatch. The resulting voltage levels act to compensates for the transistor mismatch, thereby improving the reliability of the sense amplifier in the presence of process non-idealities. The offset cancellation scheme is applicable to numerous types of sense amplifiers, amplifiers, and comparators. |
| US08488401B2 |
Semiconductor storage device
According to one embodiment, a memory cell stores therein data. In a bit line, a potential changes according to write data to be written in the memory cell. A precharge circuit precharges the bit line. A precharge control circuit controls precharge of the bit line based on the potential of the bit line and the write data. |
| US08488400B2 |
Multi-port memory device
A multi-port memory device includes: a bank having a plurality of matrices; a plurality of test data input/output units where data is input/output using a test mode for detecting a defective memory cell; a plurality of ports converted into a decoding device for decoding a command/address at the test mode; a plurality of data transfer lines for transferring data between the matrices and the test data I/O units, wherein the data transfer lines is grouped into the number of matrices; and a plurality of temporary storing units included between the data transfer lines and the matrices for temporarily storing data. |
| US08488397B2 |
Increased capacity heterogeneous storage elements
Providing increased capacity in heterogeneous storage elements including a method for reading from memory. The method includes receiving a read word from a block of memory cells, where physical characteristics of the memory cells support different sets of data levels. The read word is separated into two or more virtual read vectors. For each of the virtual read vectors, the codebook that was utilized to generate the virtual read vector is identified and a partial read data vector is generated. The generating includes multiplying the virtual read vector by a matrix that represents the codebook. The partial read data vectors are combined into a read message and the read message is output. |
| US08488396B2 |
Dual rail static random access memory
A static random access memory (SRAM) macro includes a first power supply voltage and a second power supply voltage that is different from the first power supply voltage. A precharge control is connected to the second power supply voltage. The precharge control is coupled to a bit line through a bit line precharge. At least one level shifter receives a level shifter input. The level shifter converts the level shifter input having a voltage level closer to the first power supply voltage than the second power supply voltage to a level shifter output having a voltage level closer to the second power supply voltage than the first power supply voltage. The level shifter output is provided to the precharge control. |
| US08488394B2 |
Semiconductor device
An object is to provide a semiconductor device with a novel structure, which can hold stored data even when power is not supplied and which has an unlimited number of write cycles. The semiconductor device is formed using a memory cell including a wide band gap semiconductor such as an oxide semiconductor. The semiconductor device includes a potential change circuit having a function of outputting a potential lower than a reference potential for reading data from the memory cell. When the wide band gap semiconductor which allows a sufficient reduction in off-state current of a transistor included in the memory cell is used, a semiconductor device which can hold data for a long period can be provided. |
| US08488392B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method of operating the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells, circuits configured to receive program data when a program operation is performed and output a random signal in response to the program data, and a page buffer configured to logically combine the program data and the random signal and to store the logically combined data in the memory cells. |
| US08488387B2 |
Thermally assisted dielectric charge trapping flash
A memory device includes an array of dielectric charge trapping structures memory cells including word lines and bit lines. Control circuitry is coupled to the array arranged to control read, program and erase operations. A controller is arranged with supporting circuitry thermally annealing charge trapping structures in the memory cells in the array. Word line drivers and word line termination circuits can be used to induce current flow on the word lines to induce heat for the annealing. The thermal annealing can be applied interleaved with normal operations for recover from cycling damage. Also, the thermally annealing can be applied during mission functions like erase, to improve performance of the function. |
| US08488385B2 |
Reducing noise in semiconductor devices
The present disclosure includes methods, devices, modules, and systems for reducing noise in semiconductor devices. One method embodiment includes applying a reset voltage to a control gate of a semiconductor device for a period of time. The method further includes sensing the state of the semiconductor device after applying the reset voltage. |
| US08488382B1 |
Erase inhibit for 3D non-volatile memory
An erase process for a 3D stacked memory device performs a two-sided erase of NAND strings until one of more of the NAND strings passes an erase-verify test, then a one-sided erase of the remaining NAND strings is performed. The two-sided erase charges up the body of a NAND string from the source-side and drain-side ends, while the one-sided erase charges up the body of the NAND string from the drain-side end. The NAND strings associated with one bit line form a set. The switch to the one-sided erase can occur when the set meets a set erase-verify condition, such as one, all, or some specified portion of the NAND strings of the set passing the erase-verify test. The erase operation can end when no more than a specified number of NAND strings have not met the erase-verify test. As a result, erase degradation of the memory cells is reduced. |
| US08488381B2 |
Non-volatile memory device having vertical structure and method of operating the same
Provided is a method of operating a non-volatile memory device. The method includes applying a turn-on voltage to each of first and second string select transistors of a first NAND string, applying first and second voltages to third and fourth string select transistors of a second NAND string, respectively, and applying a high voltage to word lines connected with memory cells of the first and second NAND strings. |
| US08488378B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to one aspect includes a semiconductor substrate, a memory string, a plurality of first conductive layers, a second conductive layer, and a third conductive layer. The memory string has a plurality of memory cells, a dummy transistor and a back gate transistor connected in series in a direction perpendicular to the semiconductor substrate. The plurality of first conductive layers are electrically connected to gates of the memory cells. The second conductive layer is electrically connected to a gate of the dummy transistor. The third conductive layer is electrically connected to a gate of the back gate transistor. The second conductive layer is short-circuited with the third conductive layer. |
| US08488374B2 |
Memory arrays
Some embodiments include memory arrays. The memory arrays can have global bitlines extending along a first horizontal direction, vertical local bitlines extending perpendicularly from the global bitlines, and wordlines extending along a second horizontal direction which is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. The global bitlines may be subdivided into a first series at a first elevational level, and a second series at a second elevational level which is different from the first elevational level. The global bitlines of the first series can alternate with the global bitlines of the second series. There can be memory cell material directly between the wordlines and the vertical local bitlines. The memory cell material may form a plurality of memory cells uniquely addressed by wordline/global bitline combinations. Some embodiments include cross-point memory cell units that have areas of about 2F2. |
| US08488370B2 |
Differential threshold voltage non-volatile memory and related methods
Embodiments and examples of differential threshold voltage non-volatile memories and related methods are described herein. Other embodiments, examples thereof, and related methods are also disclosed herein. |
| US08488366B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device in accordance with an embodiment includes: a memory cell array having memory cells disposed at respective intersections of first lines and second lines; and a control circuit configured to apply a first pulse voltage multiple times to selected one of the first lines and selected one of the second lines, such that a certain potential difference is applied to a selected memory cell thereby causing transition of a resistance state. The control circuit is configured to, when the selected memory cell is not caused to undergo transition of the resistance state even after application of the first pulse voltage a certain number of times, execute a rescue operation where a second pulse voltage is applied to the selected memory cell subsequent to application of the first pulse voltage, the second pulse voltage having a pulse width longer than that of the first pulse voltage. |
| US08488365B2 |
Memory cells
Some embodiments include methods in which a memory cell is formed to have programmable material between first and second access lines, with the programmable material having two compositionally different regions. A concentration of ions and/or ion-vacancies may be altered in at least one of the regions to change a memory state of the memory cell and to simultaneously form a pn diode. Some embodiments include memory cells having programmable material with two compositionally different regions, and having ions and/or ion-vacancies diffusible into at least one of the regions. The memory cell has a memory state in which the first and second regions are of opposite conductivity type relative to one another. |
| US08488360B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit including a logic circuit module with a plurality of photodetectors
A semiconductor integrated circuit capable of protection from card hacking, by which erroneous actions are actively induced by irradiation with light and protected secret information is illegitimately acquired, is to be provided. Photodetectors, configured by a standard logic process, hardly distinguishable from other circuits and consumes very little standby power, are mounted on a semiconductor integrated circuit, such as an IC card microcomputer. Each of the photodetectors, for instance, has a configuration in which a first state is held in a static latch by its initializing action and reversal to a second state takes place when semiconductor elements in a state of non-conduction, constituting the static latch of the first state, is irradiated with light. A plurality of photodetectors are arranged in a memory cell array. By incorporating the static latch type photodetector into the memory array, they can be arranged inconspicuously. Reverse engineering by irradiation with light can be effectively prevented. |
| US08488358B2 |
Semiconductor storage device
In a semiconductor storage device, either two memory cell gates TG or a memory cell gate TG and a bit-line connecting gate SW are formed in every set of n-type doped regions OD at the intersections with word lines WL or bit-line selecting lines KS. A portion near the center of the set of n-type doped regions OD serves as a source/drain region shared by two gates, whereas portions near both ends thereof serve as source/drain regions for respective gates. Each of the source/drain regions is connected to a storage electrode SN of a memory cell capacitor via a storage contact CA or is connected to a sub bit line or a main bit line via a sub-bit-line contact CH and/or a via of a metal interconnection. A pattern formed of four memory cell gates TG and four bit-line connecting gates SW is repeated. |
| US08488357B2 |
Reference cell architectures for small memory array block activation
Systems and methods for realizing reference currents to improve reliability of sensing operations of segmented semiconductor memory arrays have been achieved. Preferred embodiments of the invention comprise MRAM arrays but the invention could be applied to any other memories requiring access on small, segmented arrays. All embodiments of the invention comprise a folded bit lines scheme, either in adjacent bit lines or in segment-to-segment folded bit lines. In two embodiments alternate strapping of Poly-Si Word Lines in every second segment is achieved by metal layer of Read Word Line and Write Select Line. An embodiment has stored 1 and 0 cells on both sides of a selected segment to be read. |
| US08488356B2 |
Memory system with multi-level status signaling and method for operating the same
A memory system includes a status circuit having a common status node electrically connected to a respective status pad of each of a plurality of memory chips. The memory system also includes a plurality of resistors disposed within the status circuit to define a voltage divider network for generating different voltage levels at the common status node. Each of the different voltage levels indicates a particular operational state combination of the plurality of memory chips. Also, each of the plurality of memory chips is either in a first operational state or a second operational state. Additionally, the different voltage levels are distributed within a voltage range extending from a power supply voltage level to a reference ground voltage level. |
| US08488355B2 |
Driver for a synchronous rectifier and power converter employing the same
A driver for a switch, method of driving a switch, and a power converter employing the same. The driver for the switch includes a first driver switch coupled to a terminal of the switch. The driver also includes a second driver switch inverted with respect to the first driver switch and coupled to another terminal of the switch, wherein the first and second driver switches are configured to provide a drive signal to a control terminal of the switch. |
| US08488354B2 |
Eighteen pulse rectification scheme for use with variable frequency drives
An AC/DC converter system comprises an input circuit for connection to a three phase AC source. An isolation transformer comprises a set of primary windings and first and second sets of secondary windings magnetically coupled to the set of primary windings. The first and second sets of secondary windings are phase shifted by select amounts from the set of primary windings. The set of primary windings is connected to the input circuit. An AC/DC converter comprises first, second and third three phase rectifiers, the first three phase rectifier being powered by the first set of secondary windings, the second three phase rectifier being powered by the second set of secondary windings, and the third three phase rectifier being powered by the input circuit. An impedance matching inductor is electrically connected between the input circuit and the third three phase rectifier. An output circuit is connected between the AC/DC converter and a DC load. |
| US08488353B2 |
Control integrated circuit with combined output and input
A control circuit for a voltage converter including a power switch for providing power to a load in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a driver circuit operable to provide a first control signal to the power switch to turn the power switch on and off such that a desired voltage is provided to the load, an output terminal connected to the driver circuit and operable to connect the driver circuit to the power switch; and a controller operable to control the driver circuit. The output terminal operates as an input terminal to receive external data under predetermined conditions, and the controller controls the driver circuit based on the external data. |
| US08488348B2 |
Switch mode power supply apparatus having active clamping circuit
A switch mode power supply apparatus includes a transformer, a main switching device to adjust a power supply supplied to a primary coil of the transformer, an active clamping circuit to suppress a voltage stress of the main switching device, and a control circuit to control a clamping operation of the active clamping circuit when the switch mode power supply apparatus is in a standby mode. Therewith, it is possible to significantly reduce power consumption of the switch mode power supply apparatus in the standby mode and improve efficiency of the switch mode power supply apparatus. |
| US08488347B2 |
Semiconductor device using DC/DC converter
It is an object to provide a DC/DC converter that can stabilize power supply potential in use. It is another object to provide a semiconductor device in which circuit operation is stabilized. In addition to a power supply that supplies potential to be reference potential of boosting in a DC/DC converter, a power supply for charging a capacitor in the DC/DC converter is provided. Accordingly, loads to the power supply that supplies the reference potential of boosting can be reduced. Further, as power for charging the capacitor in the DC/DC converter, power supplied from not an antenna but a secondary battery is used. More specifically, a secondary battery is used as a power supply that supplies power to a buffer circuit or an inverter circuit. Thus, power supplied from the antenna can be stabilized. In other words, operation of a logic circuit and an analog circuit can be stabilized. |
| US08488342B2 |
Systems and methods for constant voltage mode and constant current mode in flyback power converters with primary-side sensing and regulation
System and method for regulating a power converter. The system includes a first signal generator configured to receive a first sensed signal and generate an output signal associated with demagnetization. The first sensed signal is related to a first winding coupled to a secondary winding for a power converter, and the secondary winding is associated with at least an output current for the power converter. Additionally, the system includes a ramping signal generator configured to receive the output signal and generate a ramping signal, and a first comparator configured to receive the ramping signal and a first threshold signal and generate a first comparison signal based on at least information associated with the ramping signal and the first threshold signal. Moreover, the system includes a second comparator configured to receive a second sensed signal and a second threshold signal and generate a second comparison signal. |
| US08488341B2 |
Switching mode power supply for reducing power consumption in a waiting mode
A switching mode power supply (SNIPS) includes a rectifying unit transforming AC power input from outside to DC power, a main transformer transforming and outputting the rectified DC power, a pulse width modulation control unit controlling output voltage by applying a pulse signal to a primary winding of the main transformer, and a feedback control unit controlling an output signal of the pulse width modulation control unit by detecting output voltage of the main transformer, including: a first state transform unit, including: a second photo diode; and a second photo transistor included between an AC power input unit and the pulse width modulation control unit to form a photo coupler with the second photo diode, and a second state transform unit, including: a comparator connected to a secondary winding of the main transformer to apply the output voltage and reference voltage to an inverting terminal and a noninverting terminal, and compare the output voltage with the reference voltage and output the voltage through an output terminal. |
| US08488337B2 |
Offline AC-DC controller circuit and a converter comprising the same
An offline AC-DC converter circuits including an overvoltage detection module, a current limiting module, a PWM module and a switch control module coupled to the above modules. The overvoltage detection module, the current limiting module and the PWM module share a common input terminal. The sampled current signal and the sampled voltage signal are provided at the common input terminal by way of time-division multiplexing. With the time-multiplexed terminal, overvoltage detection for the output voltage is performed during the period when the power transistor is cut off and a current through the power transistor is detected during the period when the power transistor conducts. The two signals are input by way of time-division multiplexing, which are not affected by each other. Accordingly, overvoltage in the output voltage can be precisely detected without additional terminals, and thus the overvoltage can be controlled. |
| US08488336B2 |
Converter device comprising at least five DC voltage levels and uninterruptible power supply provided with said device
A multi-level converter to at least convert an AC switched voltage available on a switched voltage point into at least five DC voltage levels available on positive and negative DC voltage lines, said converter comprising two separate switching units to convert respectively positive and negative half-waves of said switched voltage, connected to the DC voltage lines respectively presenting positive and negative DC voltage levels, and wherein each switching unit comprises a switching point connected to said switched voltage point by means of change-over means.An uninterruptible power supply comprising said converter. |
| US08488335B2 |
Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus
An electro-optical device includes: a frame that has a conductive portion; an electro-optical panel that is housed in the frame; and an electronic component that is mounted in a mounting area of the electro-optical panel, wherein a shield member having a conductive layer that covers at least a part of the mounting area is brought into contact with the electronic component through an insulating layer, and wherein the conductive layer of the shield member is electrically connected to the conductive portion of the frame. |
| US08488332B2 |
Function expansion device, manufacturing method thereof and electronic apparatus system
A function expansion device is electrically connected to an electronic apparatus by being inserted in a socket included in the electronic apparatus and expands a function of the electronic apparatus. The function expansion device includes a substrate on which a component is mounted, a first connecting terminal that is formed at an end portion of the substrate and is electrically connected to a first signal line that connects the electronic apparatus and the component in a one-to-one fashion, a second connecting terminal that is formed at the end portion of the substrate and is electrically connected to a second signal line that connects the electronic apparatus and the component redundantly, and a protection member that is formed to cover only the second connecting terminal. |
| US08488330B2 |
Circuit module
In a circuit module, a chip element is mounted on a mount electrode, with an outer electrode interposed therebetween. The chip element is arranged such that a cut surface thereof is oriented toward a side of a circuit module that is adjacent to the mount electrode. A gap that is observable from outside of the circuit module is provided between a bottom surface of a base of the chip element and a top surface of a circuit board. |
| US08488329B2 |
Power and ground vias for power distribution systems
A system for providing power and ground vias for power distributions systems includes first and second conductive layers on a microelectronic package. The conductive layers may include one or more conductive components such as, but not limited to, power planes, ground planes, pads, traces, and the like for electrically connecting to electronic components. A via may electrically connect the first and second conductive layers. The via may have a cross-section of at least three partially-overlapping shapes. Each of the shapes partially overlaps at least two of the other shapes. The shapes may be, for example, circular, triangular, rectangular, square, polygonal, rhomboidal shape, or any other shape. |
| US08488328B2 |
Electronic device comprising a flexible area with a specific bending region
The invention relates to an arrangement 10 comprising a flexible carrier 6 having a front surface and a back surface; a component 2 adhered to the front surface of the flexible carrier, and a stiffener 8 extending at least partially over said front surface or said back surface for protecting at least a portion of the front surface or the back surface of the flexible carrier 6, wherein the stiffener 8 comprises a first region 8c extending over an area covered by the component 2 and a second region 8a, 8b extending over an area not covered by the component 2, the second region being more flexible than the first region. |
| US08488324B2 |
Electric control unit having a housing part and a cooling part
An electrical control unit has a printed circuit board substrate, on which an electronic circuit is situated, which circuit includes multiple electrical components which are interconnected via printed conductors of the printed circuit board substrate, as well as housing parts for covering the electrical components on the printed circuit board substrate, and at least one device plug connector part situated on the printed circuit board substrate outside the section of the printed circuit board substrate covered by the housing parts. Outside the section covered by the at least one housing part and outside the section of the printed circuit board substrate provided with the device plug connector part, at least one contact point for an additional electrical component is situated on the printed circuit board substrate. |
| US08488321B2 |
Assembly for liquid cooling electronics by direct submersion into circulated engine coolant
An assembly for liquid cooling electronics by direct submersion into circulated engine coolant that includes an epoxy material dispensed around leads of electronics devices in a manner effective to mechanically secure the electronics devices to the assembly and prevent engine coolant leakage around the leads, and a Parylene™ coating layer deposited in a manner effective to protect the electronic device from electrically conductive engine coolant such as ethylene glycol. Such an assembly is useful in hybrid electric vehicles that have engine coolant available from the vehicle's internal combustion engine. |
| US08488319B2 |
Modularly constructed power converter arrangement
A modularly constructed power converter arrangement has two end-side elements and at least one power converter module arranged therebetween. One end-side element has, a fan of an air cooling device, while the other end-side element has, aligned with the fan, cutouts acting as air passages. At least one end-side element has an electrical connection device. The at least one power converter module has, as part of the cooling device, a heat sink, through which air can flow from one end-side element to the other and on which is arranged at least one power semiconductor module connected to a control device and to a capacitor device. For this purpose, the at least one power converter module has a housing, which is open at the end sides and which can be connected in each case at the end sides to an end-side element or a further power converter module. |
| US08488318B2 |
Cooling system for computer, cooling apparatus and cooling method
A cooling system for computer, a cooling apparatus and a cooling method are described. The cooling system includes a computer casing, a fan and the fan-less cooling apparatus. The fan-less cooling apparatus has an air passage with two open ends and a closed circumference. The air passage passes a heat dissipating part of the apparatus, one end of the air passage communicates with air outside the computer casing and the other end communicates with air inside the computer casing. a plurality of blowholes for the fan and the air passage are formed in the computer casing. There is at least one fan. Air is blown inside or outside through the blowholes, which causes a pressure difference between the interior and the exterior of the computer casing. The pressure difference leads an air flow to flow through the blowholes to dissipate heat. |
| US08488317B2 |
Image pickup apparatus and electronic device
An image pickup apparatus that does not give a user, who grips an apparatus body with his/her hand when he/she uses the imaging apparatus or the electronic device, a sense of discomfort due to a heat, and that can efficiently diffuse heat generated from a heat source inside the apparatus body to suppress a local temperature rise inside the apparatus body. An image pickup apparatus comprises an outer cover that forms an exterior of a device body, the device body having a grip at one end thereof and having a heat source therein. A first thermal conductive path from a first circuit unit to a first heat storage member via a first heat conductive member and a second thermal conductive path from a second circuit unit to a second heat storage member via the second heat conductive member are separated from each other. |
| US08488314B1 |
Vacuum latch assembly
An example of an electronic device is disclosed herein that includes a housing and a lid joined to the housing and movable between a closed position adjacent the housing to define an enclosed space and an open position. The electronic device additionally includes a vacuum latch assembly to exhaust air in the enclosed space to create a substantially fluid-tight environment within the enclosed space and to help retain the lid in the closed position. Additional features and components of the electronic device and vacuum latch assembly are disclosed herein, as are other examples thereof. |
| US08488313B2 |
Container data center having high heat dissipating efficiency
A container data center includes a container, servers, a monitoring device, a cooling system, and a controller. The container is divided into first regions and a second region which are separated from each other. The servers are received in the respective first regions. The monitoring device is for monitoring the servers and received in the second region. The cooling system includes a first generator for generating a first cool airflow, a second generator for generating a second cool airflow for the second region, an air pipe connecting the first regions and directing the first cool airflow to the first regions, and valves arranged in the air pipe. Each valve is positioned between each two adjacent first regions. The controller controls the first generator, the valves and the second generator. |
| US08488312B2 |
Systems and methods for thermal management for telecommunications enclosures using heat pipes
Systems and methods for thermal management for telecommunications enclosures are provided. In one embodiment, a method for thermal management for modular radio frequency (RF) electronics housed within an electronics enclosure comprises: distributing heat generated from an RF electronics component installed on a first thermal region of an electronics module base plate across the first thermal region using at least one primary heat pipe that laterally traverses the first thermal region; distributing heat generated from the RF electronics component to a second thermal region using at least one secondary heat pipe not parallel with the at least one primary heat pipe; conductively transferring heat across a thermal interface between the electronics module back-plate and a backplane of an electronics enclosure that houses the electronics module, wherein the backplane comprises a plurality heat sink fins aligned with the at least one primary heat pipe and the at least one secondary heat pipe. |
| US08488310B2 |
Thin data storage device
The present invention is to provide a thin data storage device with a support pad's length positioned at a USB port's height in a way for a supporting segment securely supported and a USB metal contact effectively and electrically connected to a female connector of the USB port without problems such as invalid electrical connection or poor contact between a USB metal contact and a female connector of a computer's USB port affected by the integrated circuit module's thinned thickness. Relying on the lowered thickness of the integrated circuit module, the present invention is effective in extensive applications to other products. |
| US08488306B2 |
Secondary computing device display system
A secondary computing device display system includes a removable attachment mechanism operable to removably attach a secondary computing device display to a primary computing device display. The removable attachment mechanism comprises a first attachment member, operable to slideably attach to the secondary computing device display, and a second attachment member, comprising a clamping trench and a clamp locking lever. The second attachment member is operable to removably clamp the primary computing device display by inserting a clamping ridge of the primary computing device display in the clamping trench and engaging a notched surface of the clamping ridge with the clamp locking lever. The first and second attachment member are frictionally rotatable with respect to each other along a first axis and a second axis. |
| US08488296B2 |
Multilayer capacitor
A multilayer capacitor which can control ESR in a wide frequency band is provided. In a multilayer capacitor 1, inner electrodes 8a, 8b oppose each other as different polarities through a dielectric layer 7 in a capacitance unit 10, inner electrodes 8c to 8f oppose each other as different polarities through dielectric layers 7 in ESR control units 11A, 11B, and the inner electrodes 8a, 8b of the capacitance unit 10 connected to the outer electrodes 3, 4 and the inner electrodes 8c, 8f of the ESR control units 11A, 11B connected to the outer electrodes 3, 4 are kept from opposing each other as different polarities through the dielectric layer 7 at boundaries between the capacitance unit 10 and the ESR control units 11A, 11B. |
| US08488295B2 |
Selectively rigidizable and actively steerable articulatable device
A selectively rigidizable and actively steerable device is described. In one aspect, an articulatable device is described that includes a flexible inner tube having a first lumen, a flexible outer tube that receives the inner tube, and a multiplicity of overlapping, rigidizable scale-like strips. Each scale-like strip is coupled with the inner tube and positioned between the inner and outer tubes. Of particular note, the overlapping strips are actuatable between a non-rigidized state in which overlapping strips are slideable relative to one another and a rigidized state in which overlapping strips are not slideable relative to one another. |
| US08488290B2 |
Protective device
A device for protecting a radio frequency transmission line from transient voltages includes an inner conductor for transmitting communication signals of a desired frequency band and a grounded, coaxial outer conductor electrically insulated from the inner conductor by a pair of annular insulators. As one feature of the invention, a tap conductor for discharging transient voltages carried by the inner conductor that fall outside the desired frequency band is coupled at one end to the inner conductor through a press-fit connection. As another feature of the invention, a pair of high-quality contacts are mounted onto opposite ends of the outer conductor and serve, together with the inner conductor, as the only electrical contact surfaces for the protective device that transmit the desired communication signals. As another feature of the invention, each insulator has a constant outer diameter along the entirety of its length and a variable inner diameter. |
| US08488287B2 |
Overcurrent protection circuit and method of protecting power supply circuit
In some embodiments, an overcurrent protection circuit is configured to operate in accordance with operation modes including a first operation mode in which when the power supply circuit is activated, the capacitor is charged until the terminal voltage reaches a first voltage, a second operation mode in which depending on a time period in which a current flowing through an output transistor of the power supply circuit exceeds a predetermined value, the capacitor is charged so that the terminal voltage increases from the first voltage toward a second voltage, and the power supply circuit is shut down when the terminal voltage reaches the second voltage, and a third operation mode in which when the power supply circuit is shut down, the capacitor is discharged until the terminal voltage reaches a third voltage, and the shutdown of the power supply circuit is released when the terminal voltage reaches the third voltage. |
| US08488283B2 |
Load drive device
The load drive device of the present invention comprises a load drive unit for switching on/off output current that flows to an inductive load; and an overcurrent protection circuit for detecting whether the output current is in an overcurrent state, wherein the load drive unit has an output transistor connected to one end of the inductive load; and a pre-driver for generating a control signal of the output transistor in accordance with an input signal, and the pre-driver has a first drive unit for switching on/off the output transistor during normal operation; and a second drive unit for switching off the output transistor more slowly than the first drive unit during overcurrent protection operation. |
| US08488282B2 |
Magnetic sensor, magnetic detector, and magnetic head
A magnetic sensor comprises a channel, a ferromagnetic body and first and second reference electrodes on the channel, a magnetic shield covering a part of the channel opposing the ferromagnetic body, and an insulating film disposed between the channel and the magnetic shield, while the magnetic shield has a through-hole extending toward the part of the channel opposing the ferromagnetic body. |
| US08488273B2 |
Magnetic recording/reproduction device for metal-thin-film magnetic tape
There is provided a magnetic recording/reproduction device which can appropriately supply lubricant to a metal-thin-film magnetic tape (1) containing no binder in a recording/reproduction surface even when the magnetic recording/reproduction device needs to be continuously performing recording/reproduction by using the magnetic tape (1) for a long time. The magnetic recording/reproduction device includes a lubricant supplier (10) which can supply lubricant to the magnetic tape (1) while the magnetic head (2) performing recording/reproduction on the magnetic tape (1). With this configuration, the lubricant supplier (10) can appropriately supply lubricant during recording/reproduction even to the magnetic tape (1) used in a magnetic recording/reproduction device that needs to keep continuously operating for a long time. |
| US08488270B2 |
Disk drive having a sheet metal clamp with a stamped annular protruding disk contact feature
A disk drive includes a spindle motor attached to a disk drive base. The spindle motor includes a hub that rotates about a spindle rotation axis. An annular disk is mounted on the hub. A clamp is attached to the hub. The clamp has a body portion that is stamped from a metal sheet. The clamp also includes an annular rib that protrudes from the stamped sheet metal body portion towards the annular disk. The annular rib includes an annular contact surface that may be lapped to enhance flatness and that contacts the annular disk. The annular rib also includes inner and outer side walls that are each normal to the annular contact surface. |
| US08488268B2 |
Disk device
In a positioning control system for a head of a magnetic disk device etc, a frequency of a disturbance oscillation having a specific oscillation component whose amplitude changes with a head position, is selected as a target frequency. Next, a resonance filter is so designed that it has a resonance characteristic at the target frequency and a variable gain device A having the gain changing with head position and a variable gain device B having inverse characteristics to the device A are connected to input and output terminals of the resonance filter, respectively. Input to the filter is made 0 during seek operation and an error signal is used as the input to the filter through the device A after the end of the seek operation. The variable gain devices A and B are controlled so that their product becomes 1. |
| US08488261B2 |
Replacement apparatus for an optical element
A replacement apparatus for an optical element mounted between two adjacent optical elements in a lithography objective has a holder for the optical element to be replaced, which holder can be moved into the lithography objective through a lateral opening in a housing of the same. |
| US08488256B2 |
Indirect vision system enabling blind spots to be minimized without distorting the formed image
A rear-view system for a motor vehicle including a catadioptric assembly of at least one external or internal rearview mirror including a non-planar mirror and at least one diopter forming part of a side window of the vehicle or integrated thereto. The mirror and the diopter are configured and designed such that the image of the object restored by the mirror-diopter assembly is not substantially deformed and such that the blind spot or zone not covered by the system is minimized. |
| US08488255B2 |
Image pickup optical system
An image pickup optical system, sequentially arranged from an object side to an image side, comprises the first lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface, the second lens element with negative refractive power having a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface, the third lens element with refractive power, the fourth lens element with refractive power having a concave image-side surface, at least one of the surfaces being aspheric, the fifth lens element with refractive power having a concave image-side surface, at least one of the surfaces being aspheric and having at least one inflection point. Each of the five lens elements may be made of plastic with aspherical surfaces. The image pickup optical system satisfies conditions related to the reduction of the total length and the system sensitivity for use in compact cameras and mobile phone cameras functionalities. |
| US08488251B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus including the zoom lens
A zoom lens includes, in order from the object side to the image side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a rear lens group including one or more lens units. During zooming, the first lens unit moves along a locus convex towards the image side, and the second lens unit and the third lens unit move such that an interval between the first lens unit and the second lens unit becomes larger at a telephoto end than at a wide-angle end and an interval between the second lens unit and the third lens unit becomes smaller at the telephoto end than at the wide-angle end. The third lens unit includes a positive lens and a negative lens. Image forming magnifications β2W and β2T of the second lens unit at the wide-angle end and at the telephoto end, image forming magnifications β3W and β3T of the third lens unit at the wide-angle end and at the telephoto end, a focal length f2 of the second lens unit, and a focal length fT of the entire zoom lens at the telephoto end are appropriately set. |
| US08488249B2 |
Optical element, imaging device, and method of driving the optical element
An optical element includes a first liquid having polarity or electrical conductivity, a second liquid that is immiscible with the first liquid, a first substrate portion, a second substrate portion, a sidewall portion connecting the first substrate portion to the second substrate portion, and an accommodating portion constituted by the first substrate portion, the second substrate portion, and the sidewall portion and sealing the first liquid and the second liquid therein. The first substrate portion includes a first electrode, the second substrate portion includes a second electrode, and the sidewall portion includes a third electrode. |
| US08488248B2 |
Immersion microscope objective
An immersion microscope objective includes, in order from the object side, a first lens group having positive refractive power for converting the luminous flux from an object into convergent luminous flux, a second lens group having the refractive power lower than that of the first lens group, and a third lens group, and satisfies the following conditional expression where NA indicates the numerical aperture on the object side, and d0 indicates a working distance: 3 mm |
| US08488245B1 |
Kilowatt-class diode laser system
A system and method for producing a kilowatt laser system having a post resonator including a polarization multi-plexer, optical reconfiguration element, anamorphic element and fiber-optic module configured to arrange a multi-wavelength profile for coupling into an optical fiber. |
| US08488243B2 |
Head-tracking enhanced stereo glasses
Stereoscopic display systems including a position-tracking system that determine the position of the stereoscopic eyewear worn by a viewer. An exemplary embodiment of the eyewear includes retro-reflective reflectors that are illuminated by an infrared illuminator proximate to or optically co-axial with a capturing camera. Suppression reflections from other reflective features in the vicinity may be achieved by control of the polarization of the infrared light. |
| US08488242B2 |
Optically variable device with diffraction-based micro-optics, method of creating the same, and article employing the same
A security device includes an optically variable device (OVD) having diffraction-based micro-optics including at least one moiré magnified visual representation of a micro-object. A diffractive structure provides micro-objects with unique optical effects when the OVD is viewed through the micro-object structure from a predetermined relative observation point. In addition to magnifying the micro-objects, the diffractive structure can impart optical effects such as change in observed color, enhanced contrast, animation of the observed visual representation, and change in size or shape of the observed visual representation. The micro-objects and the diffractive structure can be disposed on the same or different portions of a substrate. A method of making OVDs, and an article employing such OVDs are also disclosed. |
| US08488240B2 |
Polarization preserving projection screen with engineered pigment and method for making same
Polarization preserving projection screens provide optimum polarization preservation for 3D viewing. The projection screens additionally provide improved light control for enhanced brightness, uniformity, and contrast for both 2D and 3D systems. Generally, the disclosed method for providing a projection screen comprises stripping an optically functional material from a carrier substrate, thus creating engineered particles from the optically functional material. The engineered particles may then be deposited on a second substrate to create a substantially homogeneous optical appearance of the projection screen. |
| US08488235B2 |
Multi-channel fiber laser amplifier combining apparatus including a tapered fiber bundle having multiple fiber outputs
An optical system including a plurality of fibers each providing a fiber beam and at least one tapered fiber bundle. The tapered fiber bundle includes a plurality of input end fibers, a plurality of output end fibers and a center bundle portion, where each input end fiber is coupled to a separate one of the fibers, and where the bundle portion combines all of the fiber beams received by the input end fibers into a single combined beam and each output end fiber is capable of receiving the combined beam separately from the other output end fibers. The optical system also includes a plurality of optical output channels where each optical output channel is coupled to a separate one of the output end fibers. |
| US08488232B2 |
Operating method for stimulated Raman adiabatic passage and operating method for phase gate
An operating method for stimulated Raman adiabatic passage to change probability amplitude in a three-level system including states of |0>, |1> and |e>, includes the following two steps. One is to direct a first laser beam and a second laser beam which have frequencies in the vicinity of resonance frequencies corresponding to energy differences between |0> and |e> and between |1> and |e>, respectively. The other is to change temporally two-photon detuning to be a difference between first detuning and second detuning. The first detuning is a difference between a first energy difference and a frequency of the first laser beam. The first energy difference is a difference between energy of |0> and energy of |e>. The second detuning is a difference between a second energy difference and a frequency of the second laser beam. The second energy difference is a difference between energy of |1> and energy of |e>. |
| US08488231B2 |
Generator of polarization entangled photon pairs and method of generating the same
A wavelength-multiplexed polarization entangled photon pair generator (1) includes: a pump light source (2); a polarization entangled photon pair generating body (4) on which pump light (3) outputted from the pump light source (2) falls; and a spectrometer (7) on which a wavelength-multiplexed parametric photon pair (5) outputted from the polarization entangled photon pair generating body 4 falls. The polarization entangled photon pair generating body (4) made of a nonlinear optical crystal (11) generates wavelength-multiplexed photon pairs by subjecting the pump light 3 to type II phase matching. As a nonlinear optical crystal 11, lithium tantalate of periodically poled structure (11A) can be used, and as a spectrometer (7), an arrayed-waveguide grating can be used. Wavelength-multiplexed polarization entangled photon pairs (5) can thus be generated with simple equipment. |
| US08488229B2 |
Method for calibration of optically variable filter array apparatus
In a wavelength selection element employed in an optically variable filter array apparatus, pixels in a line form are placed into a light reflection state so that wavelength-scanned light can be incident on the optically variable filter array apparatus. On the basis of the wavelength of scanned reflection light and the location of the pixel in a light reflection state at a timing of acquisition of output, the relationship between the x coordinate of the wavelength selection element and wavelength is determined. This makes it possible to achieve calibration of the optically variable filter array apparatus capable of selection of a desired wavelength with respect to a desired channel from multi-channel WDM light. |
| US08488227B2 |
Light modulating device
To include a light modulator having an anode electrode, a matching resistor, a first wire that is connected to the anode electrode and transmits to the anode electrode an input electric signal to the light modulator, a first conductor pad having a capacitor connected to the first wire, a second wire that connects the anode electrode and the matching resistor, and a second conductor pad having a capacitor connected to the second wire. |
| US08488226B2 |
Optical apparatus
The optical apparatus includes plural stop blades, an opening/closing mechanism moving the stop blades in opening and closing directions, an actuator driving the opening/closing mechanism, and a controller controlling drive of the actuator. The controller calculates, when moving the stop blades from a first position to a second position in video capturing, a control driving amount of the actuator that is a sum of a target driving amount corresponding to a moving amount of the stop blades from the first position to the second position and a driving correction amount that varies depending on a position and a moving direction of the aperture blades, the position being at least one of the first and second positions. The controller controls the drive of the actuator based on the control driving amount. |
| US08488223B2 |
Optical security marking component, method of manufacturing such a component, system comprising such a component, and reader for checking such a component
The present invention relates to an optical security marking component producing a first visible configuration when observed through a polarizer oriented in a first orientation, and a second configuration, separate from the first, visible when observed through the polarizer oriented in a second orientation, the optical component comprising a stamped film for forming at least two diffraction gratings having different orientations, characterized in that each of said gratings has a period of less than 550 nm and a modulation between 0.25 and 0.5 relative to a reference plane. |
| US08488220B1 |
Method and apparatus for calibrating imaging equipment
Disclosed herein, among other things, are method and apparatus for calibrating imaging equipment. According to one embodiment of a method, a calibration deck of timing sheets is prepared. The calibration deck includes a sheet with a series of reference marks that help determine the amount of skew, a sheet with objective scoring bubbles that are all filled in with black ink, a grey scale bubble sheet having a predetermined number of shades between black and white, and a sheet with objective scoring bubbles that are all unfilled, or white. The timing sheets are scanned on a scanner, and results from scanning the calibration deck are compared to an industry standard baseline. |
| US08488214B2 |
Image reading apparatus and optical module using the same
An image reading apparatus includes: a light irradiating means for irradiating light to a subject having images to be read; an image forming means for making the light from the subject incident on an image plane so as to form images as erected images; and a photoelectric conversion means for converting the incident light of the erected images into image signals, wherein the image forming means is constituted of a plurality of lens arrays that have a mutually identical shape and property and are sequentially disposed, sharing common light axes, between the subject and the photoelectric conversion means, and the respective lens arrays are formed by integral molding of a plurality of lenses, and an aperture provided with light passing holes with the light axes as the center is interposed at least between the plurality of lens arrays, and areas other than the light passing holes in the aperture form light shielding areas. |
| US08488211B2 |
Device, system and method for portable data scanning and transmission
A device, system and method for portable data scanning and transmission are provided. The device is a portable appliance including resources for interoperating with a scanner to scan images of paper based documents, and a memory for storing the images without the need for a personal computer. The portable appliance is also interoperable with a mobile communication means to transfer the images to a remote computer. The portable appliance may include a computer program operable to enable processing of the images, including control routines for enabling data collection, storage and transfer to the remote computer. The invention can be implemented as an in-cab scanning system operable with existing in-cab communication systems. |
| US08488210B2 |
Imaging scanner with multiple image fields
Disclosed are embodiments of methods, systems, and apparatus for providing multiple image fields or regions on an imaging array. In certain preferred embodiments, a high density imaging array may be partitioned into two or more regions, each of which may be used to render a separate view of the scan volume. This arrangement may provide an increase in the effective scan volume beyond the volume available with a single imager having a single point of view and may allow for reading of encoded symbols at a variety of orientations that would otherwise preclude accurate imaging with a single imager. |
| US08488205B2 |
Method of embedding a plurality of different two-dimensional codes in an image
The purpose of the present invention is to prevent a two-dimensional code to be additionally embedded from corrupting a two-dimensional code which has been embedded when a document in which the two-dimensional code has been embedded is copied or when a document in which the two-dimensional code has been embedded is overlaid on form data in which the two-dimensional code has been embedded. In the present invention, when it is detected that a second two-dimensional code is embedded in an input image, the input image is printed without overlay of a first two-dimensional code thereon. Furthermore, when form data for overlaying is stored, when it is detected that a third two-dimensional code is embedded in the form data or when it is detected that a second two-dimensional code is embedded in an input image, the input image is output without overlay of a first two-dimensional code thereon. |
| US08488204B2 |
Data encryption method implemented on a pattern displaying medium with at least two types of ink
Various types of ink corresponding to non-overlapping wavelength domains in absorbing lights are utilized on a pattern displaying medium for marking coordinate dots and data dots of a plurality of data blocks. While a scanning device is utilized for scanning the pattern-displaying medium, the marked coordinate dots and data dots are precisely recognized and read. While the pattern displaying medium is to be marked, the coordinate dots are marked in advance, and then the data dots are marked according to the marked coordinate dots for preventing positioning errors. Besides, at least one locality dot is used in each data block. While the scanning device is utilized for scanning the pattern displaying medium, a reading direction of each data block is indicated by the at least one locality dot so as to precisely read dots of each data block. |
| US08488202B2 |
Computer readable medium including digital image print support program, digital image print support apparatus, and digital image print system
A computer readable medium including a digital image print support program that is executable in a computer is used for determining which one of plural printers is suitable for printing an image to be printed. The program has: a first step of dividing an area of the image to be printed into a first image area where a defect is conspicuous, and a second image area where a defect is inconspicuous, and obtaining an area rate of the first image area or the second image area; and a second step of outputting a result of comparison of the area rate with a threshold. A printer is selected in accordance with an output result, and then a less-defective print image can be obtained. |
| US08488201B2 |
Image forming apparatus, correction control method and computer readable information recording medium
An image forming apparatus for which a first mode using toners of plural colors including a black toner and a second mode using only the black toner can be set, includes a first printing cumulatively counting part that cumulatively counts a first number of pages for which image forming has been executed by using the toners of plural colors; a first printing determining part that determines whether the first number of pages counted by the first printing cumulatively counting part has exceeded a threshold; and a correction control part that controls not to execute a correcting process for image forming that uses the toners of plural colors but to execute a correcting process for image forming that uses only the black toner, when the second mode has been set in a case where the first printing determining part has determined that the first number of pages has exceeded the threshold. |
| US08488199B2 |
Image output inspection system, image inspection apparatus, and computer program product
An image-output inspection system includes a printer controller that generates output image data subjected to halftone processing in accordance with an input image forming condition specified in a printer language, an image output device that forms an image on an image output medium on the basis of the output image data, and transmits the output image data, an image reader that reads the image output medium, and generates read image data, and an image inspection apparatus that is connected to the image output device, and generates correct image data by restoring image data before subjected to the halftone processing from the output image data, and determines whether a print state of the image output medium is good or not by comparing the correct image data with the read image data. |
| US08488197B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for printing three dimensional images
Systems and methods for printing a 3D object on a three-dimensional (3D) printer are described. The methods semi-automatically or automatically delineate an item in an image, receive a 3D model of the item, matches said item to said 3D model, and send the matched 3D model to a 3D printer. |
| US08488193B2 |
Method for storing and reading data
A method for storing data is described, wherein the data to be stored is printed in the form of a dot pattern comprising a plurality of dots onto the surface of an imprintable medium using a printing device, wherein the dot pattern comprises at least one dot pattern block covering a defined area on the imprintable medium, and wherein the area, which is covered by the at least one dot pattern block on the medium to be imprinted, comprises a plurality of partial surfaces of equal size disposed next to and/or on top of each other, a dot pattern each representing a portion of the data to be stored being printed in said partial area. The method described is characterized in that each partial area comprises one of several different base dot patterns, or a reference dot pattern, that each of the several base dot patterns includes of two dots, which with respect to a virtual reference point are disposed in a point-symmetrical manner inside the respective partial area, and that the base dot patterns differ with respect to the angle of the virtual connecting line between the two dots of the respective base dot pattern with respect to a virtual reference line. The invention further relates to a method for reading the data stored in this manner. |
| US08488190B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing apparatus control method, and storage medium storing program
An image processing apparatus for processing input image data selects, as a comparative cluster to be compared with a pixel of interest in the input image data, a cluster for which an absolute value of a difference between a component sum of the pixel of interest and a component sum of a representative value of the cluster is not more than a first threshold value.And the apparatus calculates a color distance between the pixel of interest and the representative value of each of the comparative clusters. The apparatus classifies the pixel of interest to a cluster corresponding to a minimum value of the color distances, if the minimum value of the color distances is not more than a second threshold value and generates a new cluster to which the pixel of interest is to be classified, if all the color distances are larger than the second threshold value. |
| US08488187B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method for forming image
Data concerning a transfer pattern of a lamination transparent film is not externally sent and stored in a memory but is generated by a random pattern generating module of a color controlling DSP. A random number generating section generates a pseudorandom number for each dot of one line; a tone data obtaining section obtains tone data corresponding to the pseudorandom number; and a transferring section transfers the tone data to a head signal converting ASIC. Tone data for each dot of one line is alternately written in line buffers. Using the tone data written in the line buffers, a thermal head transfers transparent film. |
| US08488185B2 |
Image writing apparatus and image recording apparatus having a positioning unit
According to an aspect of the invention, an image writing apparatus includes an image writing unit, a moving unit, a positioning unit. The image writing unit faces an image carrier or a support member supporting a recording medium and writes an image on the image carrier or the recording medium. The moving unit moves the image writing unit between a first position and a second position apart from the first position. A positioning unit sets the image writing unit in the first position and includes a first restriction member, a second restriction member, a third restriction member, and a restriction releasing portion. The first restriction member restricts a first movement of the image writing unit along a first direction from the image carrier to the image writing unit or from the support member to the image writing unit. |
| US08488182B2 |
Scanner driver for an information processing apparatus and copy system
The information processing apparatus, which transmits/receives information to/from a scanner and a printer, is operated by an application program for instructing the printer to print an image read by the scanner in alignment with at least one end of a printable range belonging to a print paper size to be printed. A scanner driver program allows the apparatus to implement: a determination function of determining a readable range of a read paper size to be read by the scanner; an acquisition function of executing a printer driver program for the printer to acquire a printable range belonging to a print paper size as large as the read paper size; and a control function of making control to print an image within an overlapping range between the readable range and the printable range according to an instruction of the instruction function when the determined readable range includes the acquired printable range. |
| US08488181B2 |
Preserving user applied markings made to a hardcopy original document
What is disclosed is a novel system and method for identifying and removing print defects from an original document such that user markings applied to the hardcopy originally can be more readily identified and extracted. In one embodiment, an image of an original document and a marked document are received. The original document was printed using a print device which caused a print defect in the hardcopy print. Methods for identifying the print defect in the difference image are provided herein. The identified print defect is removed from the difference image. The difference image retains the user-applied markings once the print defects have been identified and removed. The user markings can then be provided to a storage device for subsequent retrieval and added into the image of the original document to generate an image of a new marked document containing the user markings without the defect. Various embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08488179B2 |
Input device having touch panel and image processing apparatus equipped with the same
When a quantity of light of a liquid crystal back light falls below a predetermined value, a detecting section of an input device outputs to a first control section a failure-detected signal indicating that a failure occurred in the liquid crystal back light of an operation panel. When a touched area is inputted from a touch panel after the failure-detected signal was inputted, the first control section, referring to a failure time table, transmits setting information corresponding to a display area that includes the touched area to a second control section of an image forming apparatus. |
| US08488177B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming apparatus controller and image forming system
An image forming apparatus, which is connected to an image forming apparatus controller via a network and is capable of performing image forming in response to an image forming request received from the image forming apparatus controller. The image forming apparatus includes a storage unit that stores limitation information, which defines an image forming limitation, in association with the image forming apparatus controller, a determination unit that, when inquiry information concerning limitation is received from the image forming apparatus controller, employs the limitation information to determine whether the image forming limitation for the image forming apparatus controller has been applied, and a limitation information output unit that, when the determination unit determines that the limitation for the image forming apparatus controller has been applied, outputs to the image forming apparatus controller usage limitation information in order to limit usage of the image forming apparatus. |
| US08488168B2 |
Image forming apparatus for printing a plurality of logical pages, image forming apparatus control method, and storage medium
A first processor converts print data of a predetermined logical page to be printed on a first print sheet into an intermediate code, and a second processor converts print data of a logical page other than the predetermined logical page to be printed on the first print sheet into an intermediate code. |
| US08488165B2 |
System and method for correlating attempted rendering job with actual rendering job
An automated system and method for correlating an attempted rendering job with an actual rendering job. A print governance application can be configured with a set of predefined rendering rules in order to manage a rendering job behavior. A rendering policy log data and a rendering job tracking data can be retrieved from a database associated with the print governance application. The policy log data and the job tracking data can be correlated in order to retrieve matched records based on a predefined criterion utilizing a correlation algorithm. A report can be visually generated by analyzing the matched records in order to determine impact of print governance in an enterprise environment. |
| US08488156B2 |
Image processing apparatus and communicating method for dynamically assigning a transmission destination based on the type of job
An image processing apparatus according to the invention prevents communication with computers connected via a network from being uniformly restricted, and restricts the communication with the computers in accordance with a kind of received data or a kind of data process. |
| US08488153B2 |
Image processing apparatus for resuming job execution after interruption of wireless communication, job execution method thereof and recording medium
If a job executed on the data to be processed is stopped due to interruption of a wireless communication with an image processing apparatus and a portable terminal, which happens to occur while the image processing apparatus is receiving the data to be processed, which is transmitted by the portable terminal, the image processing apparatus examines if the portable terminals connected before and after stop of the job execution are one and the same, and requests the portable terminal to retransmit the data to be processed. And then the image processing apparatus resumes executing the job on the data to be processed, which is retransmitted in response to the request. |
| US08488152B2 |
Print control apparatus and printing apparatus
In the case that a control section takes out a print job from an output queue, the control section notifies a terminal device being a transmitting source of the print job of a termination notice that a period to permit to change a print condition related to the print job has been terminated. However, when the control section receives a change request to change the printing condition for the print job before notifying the termination notice, the control section replaces the print job registered in the output queue with a print job having a changed printing condition in accordance with the change request. |
| US08488150B2 |
Method and apparatus for analyzing usage of printers
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for analyzing usage of printers. A method in accordance with an embodiment includes: obtaining from at least one printer information about a plurality of print tasks performed by each printer, wherein the information about print tasks at least contains information of print requesters, print document attributes, and print time of each of the print tasks; and transforming the information about print tasks into an organizational representation based on information of organizational structure containing the print requesters. In the present invention, entities having a costly pattern are identified by mining historical usage data of the printers, thus driving the redesign of business process associated with the entities, performing print policies optimization on each entity associated with the printers based on the mined historical usage data, thereby reducing unnecessary paper consumption. |
| US08488148B2 |
Printing system for notifying data processing apparatus of information regarding a location of printing apparatus
A printing system includes a data processing apparatus and a printing apparatus. When a user issues an instruction for performing a print job to the printing apparatus via the data processing apparatus to perform the print job with the printing apparatus, if it is determined that an installation location of the data processing apparatus or the printing apparatus has been changed from a previous print job, the data processing apparatus or the printing apparatus notifies the user of the change in the print environment. |
| US08488144B2 |
Print job management method and apparatus using virtual queues for handling print jobs using pre-defined job parameters
Print management apparatus and method for managing a print shop system are described. A server defines one or more virtual queues as a virtual printing device to which print jobs may be submitted. Each virtual queue designates a physical printer and has a set of pre-defined job parameters (parameters that define how a print job will be printed) associated with it. Each print job managed by the server also has a set of job parameters associated with it to define how the print job is to be printed. When a print job is submitted to a virtual queue for printing, the server overrides the job parameters of the submitted print job, and prints the job on the printer designated by the virtual queue using the job parameters associated with the virtual queue. A warning message may be displayed before the server proceeds with the printing to alert the operator. |
| US08488143B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting printer internet protocol addresses
An automated method of detecting the internet protocol (IP) address of a network printer that is in communication with a computer having a registry permits the printer to be tested in a way that bypasses any print driver software. The test thus determines whether the printer is operative and communicating with the computer, and the test is unaffected by possible defects in the print driver software. A list of printers which the registry indicates have been installed on the computer is first generated, this list including the network printer. One or more vectors are then generated which contain any IP or URL addresses, port names, or printer names that the registry associates with the network printer, its port, its port monitor, or its server. The internet protocol (IP) address of the network printer is then retrieved either directly from these vectors, if it can be found there; or it is retrieved from a domain name server or its equivalent in response to submitting to the server all or a part of the printer's name, its port name, or its URL. |
| US08488141B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image formation controlling method, and computer readable medium storing instructions for performing the image formation controlling method
An image forming apparatus including a controller generating image data and a print control signal and outputs the image data and the print control signal together with a print request; and an engine driving print process devices to perform print processing according to the image data. Upon receipt of the print request, the engine initiates the print process devices to print an image according to the image data. When receiving no next print request within a predetermined waiting time, the engine inquires the controller whether there is a next page image to be printed. When receiving a response from the controller such that there are next page image data, the engine sets a predetermined second waiting time while stopping termination of the print process devices for the predetermined second waiting time. |
| US08488137B2 |
Image forming apparatus provided with post-processing device
An image forming apparatus comprises a main body, a post-processing device, an objective working section, a light source and a shade member. The post-processing device is disposed freely displaceable between a retracted position at which it is received by an intra-body paper discharge section of the main body and a protruded position at which it is drawn to one side face side. The objective working section is disposed on an upstream side face of the post-processing device in the drawing direction of the post-processing device.The light source is disposed on the upstream side face of the post-processing device, and lights up the objective working section at the protruded position. The shade member is disposed on the upstream side face of the post-processing device and in the front face side from the light source, and blocks direct projection light of the light source to the front face side. |
| US08488136B2 |
Printing system and method, and recording medium
A printing system and method and recording medium are provided. In the printing system that directly prints file data described in PDL (Page-Description Language), a client generates an additional pattern, selects a print pattern, analyzes a PDL file to be processed and appends the additional pattern to the print layout to re-make a PDL file, and sends the generated PDL file to a printer that directly prints file data described in PDL in the PDL file including the additional pattern sent from the client along with the additional pattern adjusted to the print layout. |
| US08488132B2 |
Optoelectronic position measurement device and position measurement method
Optoelectronic position measurement device comprises a code carrier, a radiation source and a detection unit. The code carrier can be moved relative to said sensor unit by one degree of freedom. A refractive optical element having a focusing segment and at least one neighboring segment are arranged between the code carrier and the first sensor unit. Optical radiation shining in on the focusing segment parallel or at an angle of incidence below a threshold angle α to the optical axis of the focusing segment can be guided by the focusing segment on the receiving region of the first sensor unit within the optical axis, and radiation that is shining into a deflection angle region above the threshold angle α to the optical axis of the focusing segment can be deflected by the focusing segment and the neighboring segment to a point outside of the optical axis of the focusing segment. |
| US08488131B2 |
Scale, displacement detection apparatus provided with the same, and imaging apparatus provided with the same
A scale for a displacement detection apparatus includes a base, and reflection layers formed on the base in a lattice structure, wherein the scale is used as a member displaceable relative to a light-emitting element whose emission wavelength is approximately 1000 nm or less and a light-receiving element receiving the light that is emitted from the light-emitting element and is reflected by the reflection layers, and wherein the base is made of silicon. |
| US08488130B2 |
Method and system to sense relative partial-pose information using a shape sensor
A shape-sensing segment traverses through at least a portion of a kinematic chain of a tele-operated slave surgical instrument in a tele-operated minimally-invasive surgical system. The shape-sensing segment includes a pre-set perturbation. Shape information from the pre-set perturbation allows determination of relative partial-pose information for at least one link in the kinematic chain. |
| US08488129B2 |
Combined object capturing system and display device and associated method
An combined object capturing system and display device and associated method are provided for capturing and measuring an object near a display device. The object capturing system may include at least one projection device for projecting a structured light pattern onto a surface of the object, at least one detection device for capturing at least one image of the structured light pattern acting on the surface of the object, and a computing device for determining a measurement relating to the captured image. The display device may provide a position for the object to assume with respect to the object capturing system. The object capturing system may be combined with, attached to or otherwise positioned alongside the display device. The measurement may be processed constantly and may determine a level of use of the display device, a computer connected to the display device or any device connected to the display device. |
| US08488127B2 |
System for measuring the image quality of an optical imaging system
A measuring system for the optical measurement of an optical imaging system, which is provided to image a pattern arranged in an object surface of the imaging system in an image surface of the imaging system, comprises an object-side structure carrier having an object-side measuring structure, to be arranged on the object side of the imaging system; an image-side structure carrier having an image-side measuring structure, to be arranged on the image side of the imaging system; the object-side measuring structure and the image-side measuring structure being matched to each other in such a way that, when the object-side measuring structure is imaged onto the image-side measuring structure with the aid of the imaging system, a superposition pattern is produced; and a detector for the locally resolving acquisition of the superposition pattern. The imaging system is designed as an immersion system for imaging with the aid of an immersion liquid. A structure carrier to be arranged in the region of the immersion liquid is assigned a protective system in order to increase the resistance of the measuring structure to degradation caused by the immersion liquid. A measurement of immersion systems under immersion conditions is thereby possible without detrimental influence of the immersion liquid on the measuring accuracy. |
| US08488122B2 |
Turbidity sensors and probes
Turbidity heads for a turbidity sensor or probe and the resulting sensor are disclosed that include a light source providing an outgoing light ray, a photodetector capable of detecting an incoming light ray; an isolator separating the light source from the detector portion; and a first reflector in the path of either the outgoing light ray or the incoming light ray. The first reflector is positioned to reflect either the outgoing light ray or the incoming light ray to achieve a measurement angle defined between the outgoing light ray and the incoming light ray of ninety degrees plus-or-minus two and a half degrees to comply with the standard ISO 7027 for turbidity measurement. |
| US08488118B2 |
Apparatus and method for multi-modal imaging in nonlinear raman microscopy
An apparatus for the microscopic examination of an object has an illumination system which generates a first illumination light beam and a second illumination light beam. A first polarization filter (28) circularly polarizes the first illumination light beam. A second polarization filter (32) linearly polarizes the second illumination light beam. A modulator (34) allows a modulation of the polarized second illumination light beam. An excitation optical system directs the two illumination light beams onto an object. A detection optical system directs detection light beams emanating from the object onto at least two detector units, a first detector unit detecting a first nonlinear Raman effect and a second detector unit detecting a second nonlinear Raman effect. |
| US08488113B2 |
Device and method for optical 3D measurement and for color measurement
The invention relates to a device and a method for optical 3D measurement, wherein said device can be switched between a first mode for optical 3D measurement using a chromatic confocal measurement method or the triangulation measurement method and a second mode for colorimetric measurement. In the first mode, a broad-band illuminating beam is focused onto a first plane and in the second mode the broad-band illuminating beam is focused onto a second plane other than the first plane at a distance d from the surface of the object to be measured. |
| US08488107B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method involving a level sensor having multiple projection units and detection units
The invention provides a level sensor configured to determine a height level of a surface of a substrate supported on a movable substrate support, the level sensor including multiple projection units, multiple detection units, and a processing unit to calculate a height level for each of a plurality of measurement locations on the basis of the measurement beams from the projection units, wherein the level sensor is configured to measure height levels simultaneously at multiple measurement locations on the substrate, wherein the substrate support is configured to move the substrate in a first direction substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate to measure a height level at different locations on the substrate, and wherein at least part of the multiple measurement locations are at least spaced in a second direction that is substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate and perpendicular to the first direction. |
| US08488101B2 |
Immersion exposure apparatus and method that detects residual liquid on substrate held by substrate table on way from exposure position to unload position
A lithographic apparatus includes a substrate table which holds a substrate, a projection optical system which projects a patterned beam of radiation onto the substrate, a liquid supply member which supplies a liquid to a space between the projection optical system and the substrate, and a liquid detector which detects a liquid remaining on a surface of an exposed substrate before the exposed substrate is unloaded from the substrate table. |
| US08488096B2 |
Liquid crystal display device with heater
A liquid crystal display device includes a panel, a heater, and a temperature detector. The panel includes substrates, electrodes and liquid crystal. The electrodes and the liquid crystal are disposed between the substrates. The heater has a transparent heating member, and the heating member emits heat by being supplied with electricity. At least a part of the heating member of the heater is located to overlap with a display area of the panel in a thickness direction of the substrates. A temperature detecting portion of the temperature detector and the heating member of the heater are located adjacent to each other. |
| US08488094B2 |
Electro-optical device substrate, electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus
An electro-optical device substrate includes, upon a substrate: multiple pixel units; multiple first electrodes, provided in a peripheral region located in the periphery of a pixel region in which the multiple pixel units are arranged, that are configured containing a first conductive material; multiple second electrodes, provided in the peripheral region, that are configured containing a second conductive material that differs from the first conductive material; multiple first lines that are formed in the peripheral region, are configured containing the first conductive material, and that electrically connect first electrodes that are adjacent to each other of the multiple first electrodes; and a second line that is formed in the peripheral region and that electrically connects at least one of the multiple first electrodes and at least one of the multiple second electrodes. The electrical resistance of the second line is higher than the electrical resistance of the multiple first lines. |
| US08488093B2 |
Array substrate for liquid crystal display and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention relates to an array substrate for a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a manufacturing method thereof. The array substrate comprises gate lines crossing data lines on a transparent substrate to define pixel areas; thin film transistors connected to a gate line and a data line; pixel electrodes overlapping the gate and data lines, the pixel electrodes being connected to one of the thin film transistors through a contact hole, and stretched over two adjacent pixel areas to form an electric field; and storage electrodes overlapping with the gate lines, connected to a pixel electrode through a contact hole, wherein the storage electrodes maintain an intensity of the electric field formed by the pixel electrodes at a level equal to or higher than a predetermined level. |
| US08488088B2 |
Transflective pixel structure
A transflective pixel structure including a reflective region and a transmittance region is provided. The pixel structure includes an active device, a covering layer, a reflective electrode layer, a reflective electrode pattern and a transparent electrode layer. The covering layer is disposed in the reflective region and the transmittance region and covers the active device, where the covering layer has a contact opening at least disposed in the transmittance region. The reflective electrode layer is disposed in the reflective region. The reflective electrode pattern is disposed within the contact opening and extends onto a top surface of the covering layer surrounding the contact opening. The transparent electrode layer is disposed on a surface of the covering layer in the transmittance region. The transparent electrode layer is electrically connected to the reflective electrode layer and the transparent electrode layer is electrically connected to the active device through the contact opening. |
| US08488077B2 |
Display device and method for manufacturing the same
An object is to provide a display device with excellent display characteristics, where a pixel circuit and a driver circuit provided over one substrate are formed using transistors which have different structures corresponding to characteristics of the respective circuits. The driver circuit portion includes a driver circuit transistor in which a gate electrode layer, a source electrode layer, and a drain electrode layer are formed using a metal film, and a channel layer is formed using an oxide semiconductor. The pixel portion includes a pixel transistor in which a gate electrode layer, a source electrode layer, and a drain electrode layer are formed using an oxide conductor, and a semiconductor layer is formed using an oxide semiconductor. The pixel transistor is formed using a light-transmitting material, and thus, a display device with higher aperture ratio can be manufactured. |
| US08488075B2 |
Active matrix substrate, display panel, display device, and electronic apparatus
The TFT substrate includes (i) gate lines and data lines which are provided in a matrix manner, (ii) a plurality of pixel electrodes each of which has a side which extends in parallel with the gate lines and a side which extends in parallel with the data lines and is shorter than the side, (iii) storage capacitor lines extending in parallel with the gate lines, and (iv) connection lines which are electrically connected to the respective pixel electrodes. In at least one embodiment, the number of the storage capacitor lines is smaller than that of the gate lines. A single one of the storage capacitor lines overlap a plurality of connection lines which are electrically connected to respective of the plurality of pixel electrodes which are arranged in a direction in parallel with the data lines. The single one of the storage capacitor lines and the plurality of connection lines overlap each other via the insulating film so as to form storage capacitor elements. |
| US08488071B2 |
Display device having a touch screen panel
A display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, pads, and first and second flexible circuit boards. The first substrate includes a first insulating substrate, a first resistance layer formed on the first insulating substrate, and first and second signal lines formed on the first insulating substrate. The second substrate faces the first substrate and includes a second insulating substrate, a second resistance layer formed on the second insulating substrate, and third and fourth signal lines formed on the second insulating substrate. The pads comprise a first pad connected to the first signal line, a second pad connected to the second signal line, a third pad connected to the third signal line, and a fourth pad connected to the fourth signal line. The first flexible circuit board is connected to two of the pads and the second flexible circuit board is connected to the other two pads. |
| US08488070B2 |
Polarizing element and method for manufacturing the same, projection type display, liquid crystal device, and electronic apparatus
A polarizing element includes a substrate with protruded threads, and metal thin wires provided on the protruded threads. Each metal thin wire includes a first thin wire provided to a first side surface of the protruded thread and a second thin wire provided to a second side surface of the protruded thread. Each first thin wire has a first volume. Each second thin wire has a second volume. Each metal thin wire has a third volume which is the sum of the first and second volumes. As a distance from one end of the substrate increases, the volume of each first thin wire decreases and the volume of each second thin wire increases so that the third volume is maintained within a predetermined range. |
| US08488069B2 |
Electronic display with push buttons
One or more buttons are associated with an electronic display screen. The display screen is configured to display various information, such as button labels. The buttons are configured, such as by being at least partially transparent, so that the display is visible there through. Input to or activation of the buttons is determined passively, such as by a RF board located at an opposing side of the display screen from the button(s), the board configured to transmit and receive radio frequency signals, and an interface configured to provide a data connection to an electronic device. In this embodiment, the one or more buttons comprise one or more RF transponders. |
| US08488060B2 |
Image signal processing apparatus for converting an interlace signal to a progressive signal
An image signal processing apparatus for converting an interlace signal which creates a frame image by alternately displaying an odd field and an even field on a single screen into a progressive signal, includes a line memory for storing the interlace signal, a writing/reading portion for writing/reading the interlace signal into/from the line memory, a signal generation portion for generating a prescribed signal, a selector for selectively outputting the interlace signal from the line memory or the prescribed signal from the signal generation portion, and a controller for controlling signal selection by the selector. |
| US08488058B2 |
Method for setting frame rate conversion (FRC) and display apparatus using the same
A method for setting a frame rate conversion (FRC) and a display apparatus using the same are provided. According to a method for setting FRC, an FRC level is received from a user; and a motion estimation and motion compensation level when performing FRC is set according to the input FRC level. Therefore, a user may set the FRC level according to the user's preference. |
| US08488051B2 |
Image pickup apparatus and control method therefor
An image pickup apparatus capable of performing favorable focusing operation when image signals are read out from an image pickup device at a high speed while flickers are occurring. Flickers are detected from image signals outputted from the image pickup device, while the image signals outputted from the image pickup device is stored. The image signals outputted from the image pickup device and the image signals stored in a first memory are synthesized depending on the flicker detection result. A position of a focus lens is adjusted by selectively using any one of the image signals outputted from the image pickup device and the synthesized image signal. When the image pickup device performs reading images in a cycle shorter than a flicker cycle, image synthesis is performed depending on the brightness of the image signals outputted from the image pickup device. |
| US08488048B2 |
Image pickup apparatus for finding in-focus direction based on focus signal and control method for the image pickup apparatus
An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup unit including two-dimensionally arranged photoelectric conversion elements, the image pickup unit being configured to perform an photoelectric conversion of an object image formed on an image pickup plane and to output an image signal, a detector configured to detect a focus signal based on the image signal obtained by moving a focus lens, and a controller configured to find an in-focus direction based on the focus signal and to provide a control so that the focus lens can be moved in the in-focus direction. The controller selects one of a plurality of interruption timings that occur in a synchronization signal in moving the focus lens, and starts moving the focus lens with a selected interruption timing. |
| US08488046B2 |
Configurable tele wide module
A tele wide module includes a first optics group, a fixed position for the first optics group, a second optics group, a set of predetermined positions for the second optics group, a selector for selecting a first position from the set of predetermined positions, and an image sensor. The first optics group is configured to provide a focus to the image sensor. The focus is based on the selected first position. A method of adjusting a lens configuration selects a first position from a set of positions. Based on the selected position, the method deposes a second lens group in relation to a first lens group. Typically, the position of the first lens group is fixed. Through the first and second lens groups, the method provides an image to an image sensor. The method of some embodiments provides a focused image to the image sensor by using a hyper focal setting. |
| US08488045B2 |
Stereoscopic camera for recording the surroundings
A stereoscopic camera for recording the surroundings is provided with a right and a left image sensor having one lens each to display the surroundings on the image sensors, with the image sensors and the lenses being held by a carrier side-by-side and at a distance in reference to each other. The stereoscopic camera is additionally provided with a circuit board arranged on the carrier and comprising at least the signal and the supply lines of both image sensors. The image sensors are each mounted on a carrier substrate, which similar to the lenses, are arranged on the carrier and are distanced in reference to the circuit board, and have a flexible electric connection to the circuit board. |
| US08488044B2 |
Single-lens extended depth-of-field imaging systems
An extended depth of field (EDOF) imaging system that has a corresponding extended depth of focus (EDOF′). The imaging system has an optical system consisting of a single lens element and an objectwise aperture stop arrange substantially at a zero-coma axial position. The single lens element is configured so that the optical system has a select amount of spherical aberration (SA) in the range 0.2λ≦SA≦2λ, where λ is an imaging wavelength. The single lens element generates an amount of axial chromatic aberration that increases the EDOF while decreasing the average MTF of the optical system relative to the optical system having no chromatic aberration. The imaging system has an image sensor for forming a digitized raw image of an object. |
| US08488042B2 |
Systems for capturing images through a display
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a visual-collaborative system enabling geographically distributed groups to engage in face-to-face, interactive collaborative video conferences. In one aspect, a visual-collaborative system comprises a display screen, a camera system, and a projector. The display screen has a first surface and a second surface, and the camera system is positioned to capture images of objects through the display screen. The projector is positioned to project images onto a projection surface of the display screen, wherein the projected images can be observed by viewing the second surface. The system includes a first filter disposed between the camera and the first surface, where the first filter passes light receives by the camera but substantially blocks the light that is produced by the projector. |
| US08488038B2 |
Image display apparatus, imaging apparatus, image display method, and program
This image display apparatus includes a display unit 5 that displays at least an image, an operation input unit 3 that is divided into a plurality of areas, predetermined operations being assigned to the respective areas, and a control unit 1 that displays an operation manual screen 101 on the display unit 5 for a predetermined time when a full-screen display process starts, that presents content of the operations assigned to the respective areas 101a to 101c of the operation input unit 3 by the screen 101, and that performs control to perform, when one of the areas is pressed, the operation assigned to the area. |
| US08488037B2 |
Photoelectric conversion apparatus and photoelectric conversion system having the apparatus
In order to provide a photoelectric conversion apparatus, which is an apparatus excellent in reading speed, high S/N, high tone level, and low cost, the photoelectric conversion apparatus has a photoelectric conversion circuit section comprising a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, switching elements, matrix signal wires, and gate drive wires arranged on a same substrate in order to output parallel signals, a driving circuit section for applying a driving signal to the gate drive wire, and a reading circuit section for converting the parallel signals transferred through the matrix signal wires to serial signals to output them, wherein the reading circuit section comprises at least one analog operational amplifier connected with each of the matrix signal wires, transfer switches for transferring output signals from the respective matrix signal wires, output through each amplifier, reading capacitors, and reading switches for successively reading the signals out of the reading capacitors in the form of serial signals. |
| US08488036B2 |
Method and apparatus providing pixel storage gate charge sensing for electronic stabilization in imagers
An imaging device that stores charge from a photosensor under at least one storage gate. A driver used to operate the at least one storage gate, senses how much charge was transferred to the storage gate. The sensed charge is used to obtain at least one signature of the image scene. The at least one signature may then be used for processing such as e.g., motion detection, auto-exposure, and auto-white balancing. |
| US08488034B2 |
Imaging device and camera system including sense circuits to make binary decision
An imaging device includes: a pixel array section having an array of pixels each of which has a photoelectric converting device and outputs an electric signal according to an input photon; a sense circuit section having a plurality of sensor circuits each of which makes binary decision on whether there is a photon input to a pixel in a predetermined period upon reception of the electric signal therefrom; and a decision result IC section which integrates decision results from the sense circuits, pixel by pixel or for each group of pixels, multiple times to generate imaged data with a gradation, the decision result IC section including a count circuit which performs a count process to integrate the decision results from the sense circuits, and a memory for storing a counting result for each pixel from the count circuit, the plurality of sense circuits sharing the count circuit for integrating the decision results. |
| US08488033B2 |
Photographing apparatus and photographing method
Photographing having a wide dynamic range is performed by adjusting a discharging time for discharging charges accumulated in an image pickup device. A photographing apparatus comprises an image pickup device having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form and photographs a subject by exposing the image pickup device to light, and also includes: a detector that detects a photographing state of the subject; an operation controller that controls an operation of a curtain body traveling to block light to the image pickup device; and a scan controller that controls an exposure start scanning of the image pickup device by discharging charges accumulated in the image pickup device before the traveling of the curtain body, wherein the scan controller adjusts a discharging time for discharging the charges accumulated in the image pickup device according to the photographing state of the subject. |
| US08488032B2 |
Image sensors, interfaces and methods capable of suppressing effects of parasitic capacitances
An interface capable of suppressing parasitic capacitance effects includes an array of switches switched in response to a switching signal. The interface suppresses effects of parasitic capacitance included in a bus, which transmits a reset signal and an image signal output from an image sensor. The suppressed parasitic capacitance effects suppress distortion of a digital image signal. |
| US08488028B2 |
Solid state imaging device including a pixel region, a black reference region, and a dummy region
According to one embodiment, a solid state imaging device includes a pixel region to be used for generating pixels, a black reference region provided outside the pixel region, and a dummy region provided between the black reference region and the pixel region, and including a light shielding pattern configured to shield the black reference against light coming from the pixel region. |
| US08488024B2 |
Image capture device
The image capture device of this invention includes: an optical system for producing a subject image; an imager, which receives the subject image and outputs an image signal representing the subject image; and an image processing section for zooming in on, or out, a given image based on the image signal and in accordance with information about a zoom power specified, to generate a new image signal with the zoom power changed. Until the zoom power specified reaches a predetermined value, the processing section zooms in on the image by interpolating pixels so that degree of sharpness given to the image increases. If a value representing illuminance of the image is a predefined value or more and if the zoom power is the predetermined value or more, the processing section fixes the degree of sharpness given to the image. And if the value representing the illuminance of the image is less than the predefined value and if the zoom power specified is the predetermined value or more, the processing section decreases the degree of sharpness given to the image. |
| US08488022B2 |
Electronic camera
The present invention relates to an electronic camera which images an object image and records image data. Particularly, the present invention relates to technology to record image data in a good shooting state, such as with little blurring due to hand shaking. The invention has an image pick-up means which continuously images an object, a temporary memory means which temporarily stores a plurality of frames of image data which are continuously imaged by the image pick-up means, a shooting evaluation means which evaluates a good or bad shooting state of the image data imaged by the image pick-up means, a still image selection means which selects the image data with the highest evaluation of the shooting evaluation means among the image data which are stored in the temporary memory means, and an image saving means which saves the image data which is selected by the still image selection means. |
| US08488020B2 |
Imaging device, method for controlling the imaging device, and recording medium recording the method
An imaging device includes a photographing device configured to photograph an object and generate an image signal, a gain storage register configured to store a gain determined for the photographing device, a gain adjustment unit configured to adjust the image signal using the gain, and a noise reduction unit configured to reduce noise of the image signal using a noise filter selected based on the gain. |
| US08488016B2 |
Imaging processing apparatus, camera system, image processing method, and program
An image processing apparatus includes: an image sensor outputting at least long and short accumulation images with longer and shorter exposure times, respectively, in one field; first and second long accumulation evaluation value computation units computing first and second long accumulation evaluation values from the long accumulation image; a short accumulation evaluation value computation unit computing a short accumulation evaluation value from the short accumulation image; a short accumulation exposure control unit acquiring a short accumulation target exposure time and short accumulation exposure control information from the short accumulation evaluation value and a first target level; a long accumulation evaluation value synthesis unit acquiring a long accumulation evaluation value by synthesizing the first long accumulation evaluation value and the second long accumulation evaluation value; a long accumulation exposure control unit acquiring long accumulation exposure control information from the long accumulation evaluation value and a second target level; and a synthesis unit generating one image from the long accumulation image and the short accumulation image. |
| US08488015B2 |
Camera using preview image to select exposure
A digital camera comprises an image sensor for providing initial sensor image data and final sensor image data; a lens for exposing the image of a scene onto the image sensor; an exposure control system for adjusting an exposure level of a final image on the image sensor in response to a scene type; and a processor for processing the initial sensor image data to select one of a plurality of scene types, and to process the final sensor image data in response to the scene type. |
| US08488013B2 |
System for remote control of a medical imaging system
A system enables secure, safe remote access and control of stand-alone medical imaging systems whilst maintaining physical separation and independence from the medical imaging systems, to prevent medical system infection by a software virus and data corruption. A system provides remote control and interaction with a medical imaging system and includes a transmitter. The transmitter wirelessly transmits command signals via a first secure communication link to a receiver unit coupled to a medical imaging system. The command signals enable control of the medical imaging system from a remote location. At least one computer receives video data from a camera located near the medical imaging system and monitors medical images and associated data presented on a display of the medical imaging system in response to command signals wirelessly communicated to the receiver unit. A monitor presents the received video data to a user. Also a user interface enables a user to provide commands for controlling the medical imaging system via the command signals from the remote location. |
| US08488012B2 |
Automatic image-capturing apparatus, automatic image-capturing control method, image display system, image display method, display control apparatus, and display control method
An automatic image-capturing apparatus including an image-capturing unit configured to capture an image of a subject so as to obtain captured image data; an automatic captured-image obtaining unit configured to automatically obtain the captured image data obtained by the image-capturing unit without being based on an operation of a user; an inclination detection unit configured to detect an inclination in at least one of a pan direction and a tilt direction; and a control unit configured to control the obtaining operation performed by the automatic captured-image obtaining unit on the basis of information on the inclination in the pan direction or in the tilt direction, the inclination being detected by the inclination detection unit. |
| US08488011B2 |
System to augment a visual data stream based on a combination of geographical and visual information
An mobile computing device includes a video capturing module to capture a video stream, a global positioning system (GPS) module to generate geographical information associated with frames of the video stream to be captured by the video capturing device, and a video processing module to analyze the frames of the video stream and extract features of points of interest included in the frames. The video processing is configured to transmit the features of the points of interest and the geographical information to a server and to receive augment information from the server computer using wireless communication. The video processing module uses the augment information to overlay the frames of the video stream to generate an augmented video stream. |
| US08488009B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program
An image processing apparatus includes a motion-blur adding mechanism performing filter processing on moving image data to be subjected to coding processing in accordance with motion information indicating motion of an image between unit images included in the moving image data as pre-processing of the coding processing so that motion-blur addition processing is performed. |
| US08488008B2 |
Image pickup apparatus and camera shake correcting apparatus applied to image pickup apparatus
An image pickup apparatus includes a lens barrel unit having a photographing optical system, an image pickup unit that is displaced two-dimensionally to correct camera shake, a FPC that has a first extending section connected to the image pickup device and extending on a surface of the lens barrel unit and a second extending section that is bent at an end of the first extending section and fixed to the surface of the lens barrel unit, and a guide plate that guides the first extending section on the surface of the lens barrel unit, wherein when the image pickup unit moves in an X direction, a bent section is bent to absorb an amount of movement in the X direction, and when the image pickup unit moves in a Y direction, the first extending section bends to absorb an amount of movement in the Y direction. |
| US08488007B2 |
Method to estimate segmented motion
A method to estimate segmented motion uses phase correlation to identify local motion candidates and a region-growing algorithm to group small picture units into few distinct regions, each of which has its own motion according to optimal matching and grouping criteria. Phase correlation and region growing are combined which allows sharing of information. Using phase correlation to identify a small number of motion candidates allows the space of possible motions to be narrowed. The region growing uses efficient management of lists of matching criteria to avoid repetitively evaluating matching criteria. |
| US08488006B2 |
Imaging apparatus capable of detecting motion amount of an object and control method thereof
An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to capture an image of an object to acquire image data; a display unit configured to display the image captured by the imaging unit; a motion detection unit configured to detect information about motion of the object and the background in a display image based on image data acquired by the imaging unit; a determination unit configured to determine whether the imaging apparatus is taking a panning shot from a result detected by the motion detection unit; and an exposure control unit configured to execute exposure control to decrease the amount of motion of the object and the background in the display image based on a result detected by the motion detection unit, wherein the exposure control unit executes exposure control based on a result detected by the motion detection unit when the imaging apparatus is determined not to be taking a panning shot by the determination unit and, when the imaging apparatus is determined to be taking a panning shot by the determination unit, executes different exposure control compared to a case when the imaging apparatus is determined not to be taking a panning shot. |
| US08488001B2 |
Semi-automatic relative calibration method for master slave camera control
A method for capturing surveillance images includes of a secured area has a first camera with a first field of view and a second camera with a second field of view. An optical center is determined for the second field of view. A magnification ratio is determined between a target located in the first field of view relative to the second field of view. A pan and tilt model is determined that provides a relationship between a first camera coordinates and pan and tilt values to position the second camera at the optical center. A target is captured in the first field of view and the second camera is controlled to record the target in the second field of view with the second field of view being an enhanced view relative to the first field of view. |
| US08487999B2 |
Apparatus for measurement of surface profile
The present invention relates to an apparatus for measurement of the surface profile detecting 2D-image of the surface of the object. The apparatus for measurement of the surface profile according to the present invention comprises a first light source illuminating a first one-color light to the surface of the object; a second light source illuminating a second one-color light of which color is different from the first one-color light to the surface of the object; a black-and-white camera capturing the first one-color light and the second one-color light reflected from the surface of the object, which are illuminated from the first light source and the second light source; and a controller controlling the first light source, the second light source and the black-and-white camera to obtain a first black-and-white image data and a second black-and-white image data corresponding to the first one-color light and the second one-color light respectively in the state that the first one-color light and the second one-color light are illuminated to the surface of the object, and generating a synthesized color image of the surface of the object using the first black-and-white image data and the second black-and-white image data. Thus, it is possible to obtain the color 2D-image using the low-priced black-and-white camera, and it is also possible to improve processing speed by means of using the black-and-white camera of which processing speed is faster than that of a color camera. |
| US08487998B2 |
Digital peephole viewer device
The present invention discloses a digital peephole viewer device, which integrates with a door lens assembly on a door board to acquire optical images captured by the door lens assembly, converts the optical images into digital images, and then presents the digital images. The digital peephole viewer device of the present invention comprises a housing, an image capture unit, a signal processing unit, a display unit and a connection means. The image capture unit has a first lens to receive the optical images captured by the door lens assembly. The signal processing unit converts the optical images into continuous dynamic digital images. The display unit presents the continuous dynamic digital images. The connection means integrates the housing with the door lens assembly. |
| US08487996B2 |
Systems and methods for overhead imaging and video
Examples of an imaging sensor include a two-dimensional staring sensor with spectral filter strips for multispectral overhead imaging. The sensor may also include a panchromatic sensor with block or strip filters. The sensor may be used to collect multispectral color image data at a sampling resolution from overhead imaging platforms such as airplanes or satellites. The sensor can be used to provide video images. If a panchromatic sensor is included, the sensor may be used to collect panchromatic image data. Examples of methods for processing the image date include using the panchromatic image data to perform multi-frame enhancement or panchromatic sharpening on spectral images to improve their quality and resolution. |
| US08487993B2 |
Estimating vehicle height using homographic projections
Multiple homography transformations corresponding to different heights are generated in the field of view. A group of salient points within a common estimated height range is identified in a time series of video images of a moving object. Inter-salient point distances are measured for the group of salient points under the multiple homography transformations corresponding to the different heights. Variations in the inter-salient point distances under the multiple homography transformations are compared. The height of the group of salient points is estimated to be the height corresponding to the homography transformation that minimizes the variations. |
| US08487991B2 |
Clear path detection using a vanishing point
A method for estimating a vanishing point in a roadway using a current image generated by a camera on a vehicle includes defining an exemplary vanishing point for each of a plurality of sample images, identifying features within each of the plurality of sample images, monitoring the current image generated by the camera, identifying features within the current image, matching the current image to at least one of the sample images based upon the identified features within the current image and the identified features within the plurality of sample images, determining a vanishing point based upon the matching and the exemplary vanishing points for each of the matched sample images, and utilizing the vanishing point to navigate the vehicle. |
| US08487988B2 |
Fingerprint authentication apparatus and fingerprint authentication method
A fingerprint authentication apparatus and a fingerprint authentication method are provided. The fingerprint authentication apparatus is configured to prevent infection from viruses or bacteria and quickly and accurately perform fingerprint authentication. The fingerprint authentication apparatus includes an irradiation section that irradiates a mounting section when a finger is not detected to prevent infection. |
| US08487987B2 |
Camera adaptor for a medical-optical observation instrument and camera-adaptor combination
A camera adaptor (19) is provided for connecting a camera (21) to an interface (13) of a medical-optical observation instrument (1) with a parallel beam path. The interface (13) is situated in the parallel beam path (9a, 9b) of the medical-optical observation instrument (1). The camera adaptor (19) has an instrument connector part (41) for connection to the interface (13) of the medical-optical observation instrument (1) and a camera connector part (43, 143) for connection to a camera (21). The beam path (43) runs through the camera adaptor (19) along a linear optical axis. The camera adaptor (19) has an objective-lenses combination (47) with a total focal length between 40 mm and 120 mm. A lens with a positive partial focal length leading on the instrument side in the objective-lenses combination (47) and is followed, on the side toward the camera, by a lens with a negative partial focal length. |
| US08487974B2 |
Optical scanning apparatus and color image forming apparatus using the same
To provide high flexibility in the arrangement of optical paths toward a plurality of photosensitive members and not to cause an increase in size of an image forming apparatus even when a cartridge capacity is increased, provided is an image forming apparatus including: light source units; a deflecting unit for deflecting a plurality of light beams for scanning; a plurality of photosensitive members; an imaging optical system for imaging the light beams deflected for scanning; and a plurality of toner containers, in which the toner containers are different in capacity, and an optical path length from the photosensitive member for the same color as the toner container having a large capacity to the deflecting surface of the deflecting unit is longer than an optical path length from the photosensitive member for the same color as the toner container having a small capacity to the deflecting surface of the deflecting unit. |
| US08487973B2 |
Light source control circuit, image forming apparatus, and method of controlling the light source control circuit
An optical writing device forms an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive element by a connected light source controlled by a light source control circuit that includes: a pixel data output unit; a pixel data correcting unit that corrects a skew between main scanning line of electrostatic latent image and photosensitive element and a local deviation of the electrostatic latent image on the main scanning line, and outputs pixel data; a pattern generating unit that outputs pixel data for forming a predetermined pattern in an electrostatic latent image; a first light source control unit for causing a first light source, that needs correction of the local deviation, to emit light; a second light source control unit for causing a second light source, that does not need correction of the local deviation, to emit light; and a switch that switches between a first transmission status and a second transmission status. |
| US08487970B2 |
Digital imaging of marking materials by thermally induced pattern-wise transfer
An imaging system including an image receiving structure including a material layer having a tunable energy transfer characteristic; and an energy source to emit an energy beam at the material having the tunable energy transfer characteristic such that marking material is pattern-wise transferred to the image receiving structure.An imaging system includes an image receiving structure disposed to be in direct contact with marking material; and an energy source to emit a pattern-wise modulated energy beam at a region of the image receiving structure contacting the marking material to pattern-wise transfer marking material to the image receiving structure. |
| US08487965B2 |
Display device and driving method thereof
The display device includes a display panel which includes a plurality of pixels, a gate driver which sequentially applies gate-on voltages to the plurality of pixels for a first period and a data driver which generates data voltages for at least two pixels of the plurality of pixels for the first period, and supplies the data voltages to the two pixels of the plurality of pixels, respectively, wherein an application order of the data voltages applied to the at least two pixels of the plurality of pixels is reversed in two adjacent frames. |
| US08487964B2 |
Method and apparatus for image acquisition, organization, manipulation, and publication
To better realize the great potential of amateur digital photography, the present invention introduces an integrated system for the acquisition, organization, manipulation, and publication of digital images by amateur digital photography enthusiasts. The system of the present invention first acquires images from a number of different image sources. Images acquired in the same image importing session are marked as coming from the same conceptual film roll. Next, a user is empowered to organize and manipulate the acquired images. The images may be organized by tagging the images with informative keywords and grouping images together into conceptual photo albums. Furthermore, the images may be manipulated by rotating, cropping, and removing red-eye. Finally, the system of the present invention provides simple intuitive image publish systems. A selected group of images may be published in a photobook, published onto the World Wide Web, or published as individual image prints with minimal computer knowledge on the part of the user. |
| US08487961B2 |
Image processing apparatus, computer program product, and preview image displaying method
An image processing apparatus includes a system control unit, and a display control unit. The system control unit judges whether a setting item that is newly selected on a preview image is mutually exclusive with a setting item that has already been selected on the preview image. The display control unit displays, when the setting items are mutually exclusive with each other, an area corresponding to the setting item newly selected differently from other areas. The display control unit also displays, when the area is selected, why the setting item newly selected cannot be set. |
| US08487960B2 |
Auto stacking of related images
Digital images may be grouped based on attributes of the images. To represent this grouping, the representations of the digital images are arranged into stacks. |
| US08487958B2 |
Method and system for changing image density and contrast
At least one of two enhancement methods for changing contrast and/or density are applied to an image. According to a first enhancement method the window width/level settings of the image are modified and according to a second enhancement method density and contrast of the image are modified by modifying a multi-scale representation of the image whereby modification is derived from at least two gradient functions determined at different scales, a gradient function at a specific scale specifying the dependency of contrast amplification at said scale as a function of density. The amount of modification obtained by applying either of said first and second enhancement methods is determined by the amount of movement of at least one indicium. |
| US08487957B1 |
Displaying and navigating within photo placemarks in a geographic information system, and applications thereof
Embodiments of the present invention relate to displaying and navigating within photo placemarks in a geographic information system. In one embodiment, a computer implemented method displays a photographic image within geographic information in a geographic information system. The photographic image is displayed at a location within the geographic information when the photographic image is located within a field of view of a virtual camera of the geographic information system. In response to a computer input event, the photographic image is displayed in greater detail. |
| US08487952B2 |
Methods and systems for marking pixels for image monitoring
A method and a computer readable medium containing instructions for devices marking pixel data as being critical symbology pixel data for verification prior to being displayed a pixel on a display device is presented. The method comprises determining by a computing device whether the pixel data is critical symbology pixel data and assigning an intensity threshold level to the pixel data. The threshold is based at least in part on the status of the pixel data as being critical symbology pixel data. Further, the method includes determining whether an intensity of the pixel data is less than or equal to the assigned intensity threshold level and then marking the pixel data as critical symbology pixel data when the intensity of the pixel data is greater than the intensity threshold. |
| US08487951B2 |
Devices and methods of user interfaces to generate a high current drain impact user notification relating to a wallpaper image
Disclosed are methods of user interfaces of electronic devices having a displays configured to annunciate wallpaper images wherein a wallpaper image includes image data. Image data can be characterized, for example, by the luminance levels of pixels of the image and/or the power needed to display the image. An image characteristic threshold is related to current drain impact, for example, in terms of luminance and/or power needed to display an image. A disclosed method can include receiving the image data of the wallpaper image and determining whether the image characteristic of the image data (such as luminance level at a given percentile) exceeds the image characteristic threshold. A disclosed method can further provide generating a user interface notification relating to the image characteristic exceeding the image characteristic threshold and relating to the current drain impact of displaying the image as wallpaper. |
| US08487949B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
The RGB values of each pixel in every frame are converted into ideal tristimulus values X, Y, and Z. Based on a chromaticity-histogram based on the tristimulus values X, Y, and Z and a color gamut for each Y value corrected in accordance with a backlight-brightness, an xy error count generation unit obtains the number of chromaticity errors for each of a plurality of backlight-brightnesses. A lightness-histogram is created based on the RGB signals for each frame. Based on the histogram and a lightness higher than a maximum tone after correction according to the backlight-brightness, a lightness error count generation unit obtains the number of lightness errors for each of the plurality of backlight-brightnesses. An error minimum BL-brightness detection unit decides an optimum backlight-brightness based on the number of chromaticity errors and the number of lightness errors. A tone conversion unit performs tone conversion in accordance with the backlight-brightness. |
| US08487946B2 |
Methods and systems for processing objects in memory
Methods and apparatuses to create and manage volatile graphics objects in a video memory are disclosed. An object is created and marked as volatile. The volatile object is stored in a video memory of a graphics subsystem. A volatile marking indicates that data for an object is not to be paged out from the video memory to make room for other data. The video memory space occupied by the volatile object is indicated as a volatile storage, in a data structure. Another object is written into at least a portion of the video memory space, which is occupied by the volatile object, without paging out data for the volatile object. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the volatile object is referenced or used while another object is formed. The volatile object may be discarded after being referenced or used to form another object. |
| US08487944B2 |
System and method for processing of image data in the medical field
An image processing system in the medical field is provided. The system for processing image data includes at lest two graphics processors, at least one renderer module for rendering image data and at least one reconstruction module for volume reconstruction. In a first operating mode of the system in which at least one reconstruction module is inactive, the instructions of at least one renderer module is able to be executed by at least two of the graphics processors. In a second operating mode of the system in which at least one reconstruction module is active, the instructions of at least one renderer module and the instructions of at least one reconstruction module is able to be executed separately on different graphics processors of the said graphics processors. During operation in one of the two operating modes, a switch can be made to the other operating mode in each case. |
| US08487941B2 |
Media action script acceleration apparatus
Exemplary apparatus, method, and system embodiments provide for accelerated hardware processing of an action script for a graphical image for visual display. An exemplary apparatus comprises: a first memory to store corresponding data; a first processor to separate the action script from other data; and a second processor to convert a plurality of descriptive elements of the action script into a plurality of operational codes, and to perform an operation corresponding to an operational code of the plurality of operational codes using the corresponding data to generate pixel data for the graphical image. In exemplary embodiments the second processor further is to parse the action script into the plurality of descriptive elements and the corresponding data, and to extract data from the action script and to store the extracted data in the first memory as a plurality of control words having the corresponding data in predetermined fields. |
| US08487940B2 |
Display device, television receiver, display device control method, programme, and recording medium
A display device (10) includes: a display section (23) which displays a picture; a user specifying section (130) which specifies a user viewing the display device; an image quality specifying section (170) which, in a case where the user specifying section (130) has specified a plurality of users, (i) obtains, from a recording section which records a plurality of setting values that correspond to user information for discriminating the plurality of users and are used to adjust an image quality, the plurality of setting values that correspond to the respective plurality of users thus specified and (ii) specifies, in accordance with the plurality of setting values thus obtained, a plurality of image qualities of a respective plurality of pictures to be displayed in the display section (23); and an image quality adjustment instructing section (150) which instructs an image quality adjusting section (22) to cause the display section (23) to display the plurality of pictures at the respective plurality of image qualities thus specified. |
| US08487939B2 |
Embedding animation in electronic mail, text messages and websites
Provided are techniques for providing animation in electronic communications. An image is generated by capturing multiple photographs from a camera or video camera. The first photograph is called the “naked photo.” Using a graphics program, photos subsequent to the naked photo are edited to cut an element common to the subsequent photos. The cut images are pasted into the naked photo as layers. The modified naked photo, including the layers, is stored as a web-enabled graphics file, which is then transmitted in conjunction with electronic communication. When the electronic communication is received, the naked photo is displayed and each of the layers is displayed and removed in the order that each was taken with a short delay between photos. In this manner, a movie is generated with much smaller files than is currently possible. |
| US08487938B2 |
Standard Gestures
Systems, methods and computer readable media are disclosed for grouping complementary sets of standard gestures into gesture libraries. The gestures may be complementary in that they are frequently used together in a context or in that their parameters are interrelated. Where a parameter of a gesture is set with a first value, all other parameters of the gesture and of other gestures in the gesture package that depend on the first value may be set with their own value which is determined using the first value. |
| US08487935B2 |
Measuring apparatus and measuring method
There is provided a technique for smoothly performing position (movement) adjustment of a waveform marker by making switching between rough adjustment and fine adjustment in a series of marker operations possible with a single means and continuously. A display control section displays a measured waveform on the two-dimensional coordinates, which have a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, on the display section. A waveform marker is movable by a marker operation corresponding to a direction parallel to the first axis. The display control section has a detecting section, which detects the marker operation corresponding to a direction parallel to the second axis, and changes either setting of the waveform marker or the display range of the measured waveform according to the detection result of the detecting section. |
| US08487934B2 |
Display apparatus and computer readable medium
Disclosed is a display apparatus comprising: a display section including a first and a second display areas, which can set a first and a second coordinate systems; a memory storing an image file including image data, coordinate range data, and coordinate value table data; and a processor which performs: image file specifying processing specifying the image file; display processing which (i) reads out the specified data, (ii) controls a display of an image part among an image of the specified image data, (iii) sets the first coordinate system within a range overlapping the image part, and (iv) controls a display of plotted points of the first coordinate system, wherein the coordinate value table data correlates a coordinate value of the third coordinate axis with those in the first coordinate system, and the display processing sets the second coordinate system in the second display area, and controls a display of plotted points. |
| US08487932B1 |
Drawing figures in computer-based drawing applications
Techniques for associating a graphics object with one of a plurality of target regions of a graphical object template are disclosed. The graphics object is associated with one of the target regions based on the distance between the center of mass of the graphics object and the center of mass of the target region and the overlap amount of the graphics object with the target region. A pre-generated graphics object (stamp object) may also be automatically incorporated into one of the target regions based on the alignment of the minimum bounding box of the stamp object and the minimum bounding box of the target region. |
| US08487931B2 |
Dynamic feedback and interaction for parametric curves
Methods, program products and systems for accepting user input selecting a parameter for a parametric curve, the parametric curve being displayed in a graph. A range of curves for the parametric curve is determined based on a range of values for the parameter. And the range of curves for the parameter is displayed in the graph of the curve. |
| US08487929B2 |
Resolution enhancement of video stream based on spatial and temporal correlation
A method and computer program product are provided for resolution enhancement of a video stream based on spatial and temporal correlation. For instance, the method can include predicting interpolated pixels for an image frame of the video stream based on a spatial correlation of pixels in the image frame. The method can also include generating one or more motion vectors for the image frame. Based on the spatially-correlated pixels and the one or more motion vectors, an enhanced image can be reconstructed. Further, the method can include providing a correction factor to one or more pixels in the enhanced image frame. |
| US08487928B2 |
Game program, game apparatus, and game control method
A virtual camera for displaying characters to be imaged on a monitor can be readily set. In the present program, a virtual camera and imaging space are set in a virtual game space. A plurality of characters are arranged in the virtual game space. A controller determines whether or not the plurality of characters are positioned inside the imaging space. At least one option among the viewing angle of the virtual camera and the position of the virtual camera is modified. Therefore, when any single character among a plurality of characters is positioned outside the imaging space, the character positioned outside the imaging space is positioned inside the imaging space. The plurality of characters are displayed on the image display unit. |
| US08487921B2 |
Display panel driver and display apparatus using the same
In a display panel driver an output amplifier circuit includes a first output stage to receive a power supply voltage and a first voltage lower thereto and to output a drive voltage in a first voltage range defined between the power supply voltage and a middle power supply voltage; and a second output stage to receive the power supply and ground voltages and to output a drive voltage between the power supply and ground voltages. In a first mode that the first voltage is set as the middle power supply voltage, the first output stage outputs a first drive voltage in the first voltage range to one of first and second output terminals. In a second mode that the first voltage is set as the ground voltage, the second output stage outputs a first drive voltage in the first voltage range to one of the first and second output terminals. |
| US08487920B2 |
Voltage generators implementing boosting schemes for generating boosting voltages and related methods
A voltage generators is provided including a boosting circuit and a boosting control circuit. The boosting circuit is configured to boost a power voltage to generate first through fourth voltages. The boosting control circuit is configured to control the boosting circuit to enable the first through fourth voltages to be generated in sequence, such that when a current voltage of the first through fourth voltages is boosted to a predetermined level, a voltage next to the current voltage is generated. Related liquid crystal displays and methods are also provided. |
| US08487916B2 |
Inputting apparatus, inputting method and fabrication method for inputting apparatus
An inputting apparatus, inputting method and fabrication method for inputting apparatus are provided. The inputting apparatus for inputting information making use of light, including, a body member having an end portion, a substantially spherical lens member retained at the end portion of the body member, and a reflecting member disposed between the end portion of the body member and the lens member and configured to reflect at least part of light incoming from the outside of the inputting apparatus. |
| US08487915B1 |
Mobile device incorporating projector and pen-location transcription system
A mobile device providing a mobile processing function such as a mobile telephone and/or a personal digital assistant. The mobile device includes a mobile device body, a processing system within the body, the processing system programmed to be part of providing the mobile processing function, a projector coupled to the body to project an image onto a substantially planar surface when the mobile device body is on the surface at a predetermined angle relative to the surface, and a pen-location transcription system coupled to the processing system to record the positions of a writing implement at a plurality of instants of time by transmitting energy between the writing implement and a device mechanically coupled to the mobile device body. In one version, the device mechanically coupled to the mobile device body is a sensor array including at least two sensors of the transmitted energy. The writing implement includes a transmitter of the transmitted energy. In another embodiment, the device mechanically coupled to the mobile device body includes one or more transmitters transmitting the energy, and the writing implement includes at one or more sensors of the transmitted energy. |
| US08487914B2 |
Optical fingerprint navigation device with light guide film
An optical finger navigation device. Embodiments of the optical finger navigation device include a light guide film (LGF) including a finger interface surface, a light source in optical communication with the LGF to provide light from the light source to the finger interface surface, a sensor, and a navigation engine. At least a portion of the LGF exhibits total internal reflection (TIR). The sensor detects light from the LGF in response to contact between a finger and the finger interface surface which modifies reflection of light out of the LGF to the sensor. The light detected by the sensor is changed over at least a portion of the sensor in response to the contact between the finger and the finger interface surface. The navigation engine is configured to generate lateral movement information indicative of lateral movement of the finger relative to the sensor, in response to the detected light. |
| US08487911B2 |
Image display apparatus with image entry function
An image display apparatus with image entry function capable of high-speed and high-accuracy direct screen entry without increasing the peripheral circuit scale or the number of circuit elements for each pixel that lower the pixel aperture ratio. A first pixel circuit and a second pixel circuit are alternately arrayed horizontally. First and second data lines are connected to a data driver and a sensor signal processor circuit. Selector switches are connected to the input terminal of the data driver. Gray scale voltages are sent from the data driver to the first and second data lines, and first and second photo sensor signals are sent to the sensor signal processor circuit. |
| US08487906B2 |
Method for detecting a touched position on a touch device
A method for detecting a touched position on a touch device including a first conductive layer and sensing electrodes disposed on one side of the first conductive layer and separated from each other is disclosed. The method includes providing a first voltage to the first conductive layer; receiving a touch signal in response to a touched position of the touch device to change the first voltage at an area of the first conductive layer; measuring the sensing electrodes detecting the variation of the first voltage to obtain voltage signals; obtaining a first sensing position according to the voltage signals and a position computing mode; obtaining a second sensing position according to the first sensing position and a correction mode. The area corresponds to the touched position, the second sensing position is equal to the touched position, and the correction mode has a first curve relation. |
| US08487904B2 |
Dual-substrate capacitive touch panel
A capacitive touch panel sequentially has a first glass substrate, a lower touch sensitive layer, a lower insulation ink layer, a lower conductor layer, a lower insulation layer, a lower conductive adhesive layer, a flexible circuit board, a transparent insulation adhesive layer, an upper insulation layer, an upper conductive adhesive layer, an upper conductor layer, an upper insulation ink layer, an upper touch sensitive layer and a second glass substrate. The aforementioned structure allows fabrication of the capacitive touch panel to be separated into a lower panel fabrication process and an upper panel fabrication process. The two independent fabrication processes prevent the capacitive touch panel from being damaged in one of the processes when the process is completed so as to increase the yield in production and further facilitate producing large-size touch panel. |
| US08487902B2 |
Image input device and image input method
An image input device is provided with: a display unit for displaying an image, the display unit including a transparent flat plate; an image sensing unit for sensing an image on a contact surface of a document placed on the flat plate, the contact surface being in contact with the display unit; a contact sensing unit for sensing a contact of the document with the flat plate; and a display control unit for controlling to display an image in an even and specific color when the contact of the document has been sensed by the contact sensing unit. |
| US08487899B2 |
Capacitive-type touch panel and touch-point detecting method thereof
A capacitive-type touch panel and a touch-point detecting method thereof are provided. The capacitive-type touch panel includes a plurality of first-dimension sensing lines and a plurality of second-dimension sensing lines arranged crossing over one another and in a matrix. When detecting a first touch point and a second touch point existed on the capacitive-type touch panel at the same time by scanning the capacitive-type touch panel, locations of the first touch point and the second touch point are determined according to detected currents in the first-dimension sensing lines and the second-dimension sensing lines. Capacitances of each of the first-dimension sensing lines are gradually decreased along a first direction, and capacitances of each of the second-dimension sensing lines are gradually decreased along a second direction. |
| US08487898B2 |
Ground guard for capacitive sensing
A touch sensor panel is disclosed including the use of ground guards or ground isolation bars to improve the touch event detection capabilities of the touch sensor panel. Ground isolation bars can be formed between connecting traces and adjacent sense lines to shunt near-field lines to ground and reduce unwanted capacitive coupling between the connecting traces and the sense lines. Ground guards can be formed between the drive and sense lines to partially or fully surround a sense line and shunt near-field lines to ground and improve the touch event detection capabilities of the sensor. |
| US08487895B1 |
Systems and methods for enhancing touch event processing performance
Certain embodiments of the disclosed technology may include systems and methods for enhancing touch event processing performance. According to an example embodiment of the disclosed technology, a method is provided for receiving, at an input dispatcher, touch events from one or more input devices. The method also includes batching the received touch events. Batching can include accumulating the received touch events for a predetermined duration corresponding to a screen refresh rate. The method also includes directing the batched touch events to event receivers associated with one or more applications. The one or more applications asynchronously control receipt of the batch touch events. |
| US08487892B2 |
Touch screen panel and display device having the same
A touch screen panel includes first and second substrates disposed to face each other, conductive sensing cells in a touch active area on a first surface of the first substrate that faces the second substrate, a black matrix in a non-touch active area on a first surface of the second substrate that faces the first substrate, the non-touch active area being positioned outside the touch active area, an adhesive layer between the first and second substrates, the adhesive layer joining the first and second substrates together, and an insulating layer in the touch active area on the first substrate, the insulating layer covering the conductive sensing cells and overlapping a concave portion formed on the first surface of the second substrate by the black matrix. |
| US08487888B2 |
Multi-modal interaction on multi-touch display
Embodiments are disclosed herein that relate to multi-modal interaction on a computing device comprising a multi-touch display. One disclosed embodiment comprises a method of multi-modal interaction including recognizing a hand posture of a user's first hand directed at the display and displaying a modal region based on the hand posture, wherein the modal region defines an area on the display. The method further includes receiving an input selecting a mode to be applied to the modal region, wherein the mode indicates functionalities to be associated with the modal region and defines a mapping of touch gestures to actions associated with the mode. The method further includes, while the modal region remains displayed, recognizing a touch gesture from a user's second hand directed at the display within the modal region and performing an action on the display based upon a mapping of the touch gesture. |
| US08487886B2 |
Information input device, information input method, information input/output device, and information input program
An information input device is provided, which may perform highly-convenient processing in response to input of information with an external proximity object. The information input device includes: an input panel having a detection function of detecting an external proximity object, to be used in a state of being placed on a display panel; a position detection section detecting position and area value of the external proximity object based on a detection signal of the external proximity object obtained by the input panel; and an image generation section generating display data to be utilized to display an image including a display object, in such a manner that size of the display object displayed on the display panel at the detected position of the external proximity object is allowed to vary in accordance with the detected area value of the external proximity object. |
| US08487885B2 |
Selectable options for graphic objects displayed on a touch-screen interface
Graphic objects may be displayed on the touch-screen display as part of a graphical interface presented to the user. Options relating to the graphic objects may be displayed near or around the object. The options may be displayed as one or more icons that are displayed on the graphical interface and are visually associated with the selected object. |
| US08487880B2 |
Placement for interactive display tables
A display table includes a location determination system that determines the location and orientation of each privacy overlay on the display table, and controls the display of private information accordingly. The overlays are portable sheets, akin to placemats, that can be positioned relatively arbitrarily about the display surface. |
| US08487876B2 |
Ergonomic hand-held text input device
A hand-held text input device includes a game controller and a keyboard. The device comfortably accommodates the hands of a user while the thumbs and fingers are associated with actuators of the game controller and keys of the keyboard. The overall configuration of the device and the arrangement of the actuators and keys permit the user to operate all of the functions provided by the device while the forearms are in a neutral posture zone between pronation and supination of the forearm, while the wrists are minimally extended, and while the fingers are comfortably flexed. |
| US08487871B2 |
Virtual desktop coordinate transformation
A computing system includes a depth image analysis module to track a world-space pose of a human in a fixed, world-space coordinate system. The computing system further includes an interaction module to establish a virtual interaction zone with a moveable, interface-space coordinate system that tracks the human and moves relative to the fixed, world-space coordinate system. The computing system also includes a transformation module to transform a position defined in the fixed, world-space coordinate system to a position defined in the moveable, interface-space coordinate system. |
| US08487865B2 |
Computer system with digital micromirror device
Algorithms stored on one or more computer readable medium for interfacing an imaging display with an electronic-ink generating system are described. The algorithms includes instructions for capturing an electronic-ink image, instructions for converting the electronic ink image into control instructions for controlling an electromechanical aspect of the imaging display, and, instructions for providing the control instructions to control circuitry of the imaging display. Interfacing projection systems and methods of interfacing electronic-ink images are also described. |
| US08487864B2 |
Display device, control device of display device, driving method of display device, liquid crystal display device, and television receiver
In one embodiment of the present invention, a display device includes: a display section in which a plurality of data signal lines and a plurality of scan signal lines are provided, the display section including (i) a first region including some of the plurality of scan signal lines to which a first scan signal is sequentially supplied and (ii) a second region including the others of the plurality of scan signal lines to which a second scan signal is sequentially supplied; and waveform adjusting sections for causing the first scan signal to have a waveform, during an active period, which is different from a waveform which the second scan signal has during an active period. This allows a display device, which drives a display section divided into a plurality of regions, to reduce a difference in luminance between the regions. |
| US08487856B2 |
Addressing method for a bistable nematic liquid crystal matrix screen with regulated average quadratic voltage
A method for addressing a bistable nematic matrix LCD having two stable textures without any applied electric field. Pixel addressing is of the passive multiplex type. The method includes selecting the value of the electrical voltage applied between the substrates so that an average value of the voltage, preferably the average quadratic value, since the initial command for image display up to the time immediately preceding switching, has a predetermined value independent of the information to be displayed, which is the same for all the pixels of the image. |
| US08487855B2 |
System and method to drive display matrix
A system and method to drive display matrix, comprising: a voltage level generator to provide predetermined voltages, a row voltage selector to select a group of voltages from the voltage level generator depending on select vector to drive row drivers, a column voltage selector to select a group of voltages from the voltage level generator depending on data vector to drive column drivers, and a controller to generate control signals to scan the display as dictated by addressing technique. |
| US08487852B2 |
Active array substrate, liquid crystal display panel and method for driving the same
An active array substrate, a liquid crystal display panel and method for driving the same are provided. The active array substrate includes a plurality of first strip electrodes and second strip electrodes. The sum of one width of the first stripe electrode and one pitch between two adjacent first stripe electrodes is greater than that of one width of the second strip electrode and one pitch between two adjacent second strip electrodes. |
| US08487849B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes an array of pixels. Each pixel is divided into a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel, and different data voltages are separately applied to (or evolved at) the two sub-pixels, thereby enhancing the lateral side visibility. Each sub-pixel includes a sub-pixel electrode (connected to the drain electrode of a sub-pixel's switching element) overlapped with the sub-pixel's storage electrode. A first predetermined voltage is applied to the first sub-pixel and second predetermined voltage is applied the second sub-pixel, and thus the first sub-pixel electrode may receive a voltage lower than the voltage of the second sub-pixel electrode. The first sub-pixel electrode may be larger in area than the second sub-pixel electrode. The overlapping area between the first drain electrode and the storage electrode of a first sub-pixel may be larger than the overlapping area between the drain electrode and the storage electrode of a second sub-pixel. Thus the kickback voltage of the first sub-pixel may be substantially the same as the kickback voltage of the second sub-pixel. |
| US08487845B2 |
Semiconductor device and driving method thereof
A semiconductor device in which a signal current can be written quickly in a current source circuit of a current input type. A signal current is written after performing a pre-charge operation, thus the writing is performed quickly. In the pre-charge operation, a current is supplied to a plurality of circuits. The current size is set according to the number of the circuits to be supplied the current, which means the steady state can be obtained quickly. Note that a current may be supplied to a circuit other than the one to be input a signal in the pre-charge operation. |
| US08487841B2 |
Semiconductor device and driving method thereof
Brightness irregularities that develop in a light emitting device due to is persion among pixels in the threshold values of TFTs used for supplying electric current to light emitting devices become obstacles to improved image quality of the light emitting device. As an image signal input to a pixel from a source signal line, a desired electric potential is applied to a gate electrode of a TFT for supplying electric current to an EL device, through a TFT having its gate and drain connected to each other. A voltage equal to the TFT threshold value is produced between the source and the drain of the TFT 105. An electric potential in which the image signal is offset by the amount of the threshold value is therefore applied to the gate electrode of the TFT. Further, TFTs are disposed in close proximity to each other within the pixel, so that dispersions in the TFT characteristics do not easily develop. A desired drain current can thus be supplied to the EL device even if there is dispersion in the threshold values of the TFTs among pixels, because this is offset by the threshold value of the TFT. |
| US08487839B2 |
Plasma display panel and method of manufacturing the same
A plasma display panel (PDP) and a method of manufacturing the same, the PDP including scan electrodes extending parallel to one another, sustain electrodes extending parallel to the scan electrodes, and address electrodes extending across the sustain electrodes and the scan electrodes. The address electrodes are divided into a first address electrode group extending from a first side of the panel, and a second address electrode group extending from an opposing second side of the panel, such that the first and second groups are disposed on different sides of the PDP. |
| US08487838B2 |
Gaze detection in a see-through, near-eye, mixed reality display
The technology provides various embodiments for gaze determination within a see-through, near-eye, mixed reality display device. In some embodiments, the boundaries of a gaze detection coordinate system can be determined from a spatial relationship between a user eye and gaze detection elements such as illuminators and at least one light sensor positioned on a support structure such as an eyeglasses frame. The gaze detection coordinate system allows for determination of a gaze vector from each eye based on data representing glints on the user eye, or a combination of image and glint data. A point of gaze may be determined in a three-dimensional user field of view including real and virtual objects. The spatial relationship between the gaze detection elements and the eye may be checked and may trigger a re-calibration of training data sets if the boundaries of the gaze detection coordinate system have changed. |
| US08487836B1 |
Multi-dimensional image rendering device
A multi-dimensional image rendering device for displaying multi-dimensional images by layering 2D physical pixel configurations featuring a plurality of tubes in a tank, the inner cavities of the tubes are each filled with a liquid medium such that an air pocket is disposed at the first end of each tube; displacement components slidably disposed in the inner cavity of each tube that can slide between a down position and an up position; a tube aperture disposed in each tube; and a moving means operatively connected to each displacement component functioning to systematically move the respective displacement component a fixed distance creating uniform air bubbles. |
| US08487832B2 |
Steering radio frequency beams using negative index metamaterial lenses
A method and apparatus are present for steering a radio frequency beam. The radio frequency beam is emitted from an array of antenna elements at a first angle into a lens at a location for the lens. The first angle of the radio frequency beam is changed to a second angle when the radio frequency beam exits the lens. The second angle changes when the location at which the radio frequency beam enters the lens changes. The second angle of the radio frequency beam is changed to a third angle when the radio frequency beam with the second angle passes through a negative index metamaterial lens located over the lens. |
| US08487831B2 |
Wireless communication-improving sheet member, wireless IC tag, antenna, and wireless communication system using the same
In one embodiment of the present invention, an object of the invention is to provide a wireless communication-improving sheet member capable of increasing a possible communication distance of an IC tag for wireless communication, a wireless IC tag, an antenna, and a wireless communication system. A first spacer includes an arrangement face on which on which the wireless IC tag is disposed without a wired connection, and an auxiliary antenna is disposed on the first spacer on an opposite side to the arrangement face, the auxiliary antenna resonating with electromagnetic waves used in the wireless communication. The auxiliary antenna includes a first conductor layer as a resonant layer and a second spacer. The second spacer is disposed on an opposite side to the first spacer with the first conductor layer interposed therebetween. A discontinuous area is disposed in the first conductor layer of the auxiliary antenna. Thus, it is possible to not only eliminate influence of a communication-jamming member, but also increase received electrical power of a wireless IC tag (antenna), and ensure a long communication distance. |
| US08487830B2 |
Antenna with long focal length that is compact, robust and can be tested on the ground, mounted on a satellite
The invention proposes a solution to the problem of installing an antenna with long focal length on a satellite, and, as a non-limiting example, on satellites at a height that is less than the required focal length. It is based, on the one hand, on a reflector stored “inverted and head down”, and, on the other hand, on a deployment movement sequence employing a long arm taken up in the top portion of the reflector via an articulation (1 axis) and a conventional deployment mechanism (1 or 2 axes). |
| US08487824B1 |
Zero degree grid antenna
A vertically polarized dipole or bicone antenna is positioned cylindrically with in many cylindrical layers of polarizing grids that slowly rotate the incident field to cross 0 degrees, i.e., 90 degrees to the horizon, and to attenuate or minimize the effects of gain nulls from reflections off of the innermost grid layer. Such an antenna is used for detecting both horizontal and vertical polarized signals over a broad bandwidth whereby the response to both polarizations is equal. |
| US08487823B2 |
Switchable microwave fluidic polarizer
A switchable microwave fluidic polarizer is provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a switchable polarizer for polarizing radio frequency (RF) signals associated with an antenna, the switchable polarizer including a plurality of radiating elements, an RF feed coupled to the plurality of radiating elements, an antenna input coupled to the RF feed, and an antenna cover disposed in proximity to the plurality of radiating elements, the antenna cover including a dielectric substrate including a plurality of channels for enclosing a liquid metal. |
| US08487818B2 |
Internal antenna and portable communication terminal using the same
An internal antenna is provided that includes a first antenna having a first antenna pattern formed on a first dielectric layer, and a second antenna having a second antenna pattern formed on a second dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer has a higher dielectric constant than the first dielectric layer. The first and second antenna patterns are electrically connected to each other. |
| US08487810B2 |
Integrated and configurable radar system
An integrated radar system includes a processing module and a radar device. The radar device includes an antenna module, a configurable shaping module, and a configurable transceiver module. The processing module generates an outbound signal and a control signal to configure the integrated radar system. The configured transceiver module converts the outbound signal into an outbound wireless signal. The configured shaping module shapes the outbound wireless signal into a shaped signal. The antenna module transmits the shaped signal and then receives an inbound radar signal. The configured shaping module shapes the inbound radar signal into an inbound wireless signal. The configured transceiver module converts the inbound wireless signal into an inbound symbol stream. The processing module determines location information regarding an object based on the inbound symbol stream. |
| US08487808B2 |
High resolution SAR imaging using non-uniform pulse timing
A synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system includes a non-uniform pulse generator, and an echo receiver. A SAR image is reconstructed from samples of received echoes, wherein transmitted pulses and reflected echoes overlap in time. |
| US08487806B2 |
Voltage-time converters and time-domain voltage comparators including the same
Provided is a time-domain voltage comparator including a voltage-time converter. The voltage-time converter includes a conversion unit and an output unit. The conversion unit includes a first MOS transistor which shifts a voltage level of the first detection node according to an external first voltage signal, and a second MOS transistor which shifts a voltage level of the second detection node according to an external second voltage signal. The output unit generates first and second output signals in response to voltages of the first and second detection nodes. The output unit determines a shifted time of the first output signal according to a voltage level of the first detection node and determines a shifted time of the second output signal according to a voltage level of the second detection node. |
| US08487804B2 |
Successive approximation AD conversion circuit
A successive approximation AD conversion circuit has improved conversion accuracy without prolonging the time necessary for conversion. The successive approximation AD conversion circuit includes a plurality of amplifier stages cascaded together through coupling capacitances, and a comparator circuit which determines whether an input analog voltage is greater or less than comparison voltages. The comparator circuit includes a first comparator unit and a second comparator unit having a common initial amplifier stage among a plurality of amplifier stages, and, respectively, a first amplifier stage and second amplifier stage connected after the common stage through respective coupling capacitances; and first and second comparison point shift circuits connected respectively to input terminals of the first and second amplifier stages. The first and second comparison point shift circuits are configured to shift the comparison voltages by a specified amount in opposite directions, when amplifying the potential difference between the input analog voltage and the comparison voltages. |
| US08487803B1 |
Pipelined analog-to-digital converter having reduced power consumption
A pipelined analog-to-digital converter is provided that has advantages of both a high input sample rate as well as low power consumption due to having all but the first pipeline stage operate at a frequency that is a fraction of the input sample rate. The first stage of the pipelined ADC has an internal operating frequency that is the full ADC sample rate, and samples the input signal on the same clock edge for each sample. Subsequent pipeline stages have parallel input sampling circuitry that samples provided input signals at a reduced rate. Since the input sampling circuitry operates at a reduced frequency, power consumption is reduced by those stages. Further, by virtue of sampling the input signal on the same clock edge for each sample, frequency response image generation issues associated with ADC architectures that sample the input signal on more than one clock edge are avoided. |
| US08487799B1 |
Calibration for RFDAC
The RFDAC includes: a multi-phase radio-frequency signal generator configured to generate radio-frequency signals that are different in phase; a vector selector configured to select two radio-frequency signals therefrom, cause each of the two radio-frequency signals to pass through at least one transmission path, combine the two radio-frequency signals; a test signal generator configured to output a test signal; a multiplexer configured to select either the test signal or the baseband signal; a vector controller configured to control the vector selector based on the selected signal and a predetermined selection pattern such that the two radio-frequency signals, and transmission paths thereof are selected; a detector configured to detect an output signal from the vector selector; and a calibrator configured to calibrate a phase error between the selected two radio-frequency signals, based on an envelope of the output signal. |
| US08487798B2 |
Synthesis method of sigma-delta modulator capable of relaxing circuit specification and reducing power
A synthesis method of Sigma-Delta modulator capable of relaxing circuit specification and reducing power consumption, comprising the following steps: firstly, set a target bandwidth and a target performance; upon obtaining a Noise Transfer Function (NTF), perform coefficient synthesis a first time, to ascertain a plurality sets of first performance results corresponding to said NTF, and obtain a plurality sets of first circuit specifications fulfilling said target performance, through analyzing circuit non-ideal effect of said first performance results. Next, increase an oversampling ratio of parameters, to obtain a plurality sets of second performance results, and a plurality sets of second circuit specifications. Then, increase quantizer bit number, and increase attenuation quantity, to obtain a plurality sets of third circuit specifications. Finally, compare said first, second and third circuit specifications, to select one of greatest variation to perform calibrations. |
| US08487796B2 |
Method and apparatus for automatic gain control for nonzero saturation rates
A method for automatic gain control comprising the steps of measuring a signal using compressed sensing to produce a sequence of blocks of measurements, applying a gain to one of the blocks of measurements, adjusting the gain based upon a deviation of a saturation rate of the one of the blocks of measurements from a predetermined nonzero saturation rate and applying the adjusted gain to a second of the blocks of measurements. Alternatively, a method for automatic gain control comprising the steps of applying a gain to a signal, computing a saturation rate of the signal and adjusting the gain based upon a difference between the saturation rate of the signal and a predetermined nonzero saturation rate. |
| US08487792B2 |
Method of gain calibration of an ADC stage and an ADC stage
A method of gain calibration of an ADC stage is provided. The method includes steps of receiving an input analog signal, converting the input analog signal into an m-bit digital signal by means of an analog to digital converter, generating a calibration signal by means of a random number generator, adding the calibration signal to the m-bit digital signal to produce an adjusted m-bit digital signal, converting the adjusted m-bit digital signal into an adjusted partial analog signal by means of a digital to analogue converter, subtracting the partial analog signal from the input analog signal, to produce a residual analog signal, amplifying the residual analog signal. The the calibration signal may take any one of three values and may be constrained to one of only two of these three values. An ADC stage adapted to operate according to the method is also provided. |
| US08487789B2 |
Method and apparatus for lossless encoding and decoding based on context
Provided are a method and apparatus of a lossless encoding and decoding based on a context. According to an embodiment, by aligning and coding symbols of a MSB, a coding efficiency may be enhanced. According to an embodiment, by estimating initial scaling information using a symbol located proximate to a symbol of the MSB, the coding efficiency may be enhanced. |
| US08487781B2 |
Sensor nodes acting as inductive loops for traffic sensing
Sensor nodes are disclosed that act like inductive loops to detect the presence and/or movement of vehicles on at least one roadway. Processors are disclosed using at least one sensor node to communicate vehicle detection that is statistically compatible with the inductive loop response to the vehicles. Installation may configure at least one of the sensor nodes to implement the inductive loop compatibility. Sensor clusters of sensor nodes installed in a roadway may act as inductive loops. Computer readable memories, installation devices and/or servers may deliver a program system and/or a Finite State Machine (FSM) configuration to implement the compatibility and/or an installation package to install the program system and/or the FSM configuration. |
| US08487779B2 |
Subsea electronic module
An electronic module for use as a subsea electronic module for an underwater fluid extraction well, wherein a local area network enables communication within the module, the local area network including a plurality of interfaces with components of the network, and wherein the interfaces comprise capacitive coupling interfaces. |
| US08487778B2 |
Method and apparatus for charge control of a portable terminal having a solar battery
Provided is an apparatus for controlling charging of a portable terminal equipped with a solar battery that converts solar energy into an electrical energy, the apparatus including a thermistor in which a resistance value changes according to a temperature change; a comparator which outputs a first signal when a temperature surrounding the thermistor is less than a preset reference temperature as determined by the resistance value change of the thermistor according to the temperature change and outputs a second signal when the temperature is at least the preset reference temperature or more; and a charging unit which is activated and receives the electrical energy from the solar battery to charge a battery when the first signal is inputted from the comparator, and is deactivated and blocks the charge of battery in case the second signal is inputted. |
| US08487774B2 |
System for monitoring caregivers and equipment
A hospital monitoring system for monitoring hospital personnel, a plurality of patient locations for patients, and associated devices is configured to control the associated devices based on the presence of hospital personnel or alarms. |
| US08487771B2 |
Personal health management device
A personal health management device is described. The device is part of a system comprising at least one console, one or more devices in wireless communication with the console wherein the console acts as an intelligent gateway through which the one or more devices may communicate to external data and voice networks, and an alert system wherein an alert is triggered by one or more of a user's action and pre-set alarm criteria and wherein the triggering of an alert causes the console to take an action. The device may be a wearable device or it may be implemented in software and reside on third-party hardware. |
| US08487767B2 |
Information access system, information device, reader/writer and recording medium
An information access system including an information device that is adapted for radio communication with a reader/writer, the information device having a detection data acquisition unit acquiring detection data from a sensor, a detection data storage unit holding the most recent detection data, a first receiving unit detecting the reception of an RF signal, and a first transmission unit transmitting a response signal. The reader/writer is adapted for radio communication with the information device and includes a second transmission unit transmitting the information request signal, a second receiving unit receiving the response signal, an accumulation recording unit recording the received detection data, and a detection data accumulation unit accumulating, in the accumulation recording unit, the most recent detection data, and if other detection data has not been accumulated in the accumulation recording unit, accumulating the other detection data in the accumulation recording unit. |
| US08487766B2 |
Radio frequency identification devices, remote communication devices, identification systems, communication methods, and identification methods
The present invention provides radio frequency identification devices, remote communication devices, identification systems, communication methods, and identification methods. A radio frequency identification device according to one aspect includes a substrate; communication circuitry coupled with the substrate and configured to receive a wireless signal including an identifier, to process the identifier of the wireless signal and to output a control signal responsive to the processing of the identifier; and indication circuitry coupled with the communication circuitry and configured to receive the control signal and to indicate presence of the radio frequency identification device responsive to the control signal. A communication method according to another aspect includes providing a radio frequency identification device; receiving a wireless signal including an identifier within the radio frequency identification device; processing the identifier; generating a control signal after the processing; and indicating presence of the radio frequency identification device using indication circuitry of the radio frequency identification device responsive to the control signal. |
| US08487765B1 |
Method and system for a power strip with automatic equipment disconnect
A power strip may automatically disconnect a wired connection in response to received weather alert data based on a configuration file including one or more user preference settings. The power strip may include a receiver for a National Weather Service Specific Area Message Encoding system message including an alert type. The power strip may process the message and disconnect a wired connection based on the preference settings. A timer function may also define a time period that the power strip monitors its receiver for weather alert data and automatically disconnects and reconnects the wired connections. |
| US08487760B2 |
Providing a user alert
A method, apparatus and computer program are provided. The method comprises: determining that an event has occurred; obtaining, from at least one detector, a detection of one or more bio-signals from a user; and processing the detection of the one or more bio-signals to decide whether to control at least one user output device to initiate a user alert, contemporaneously with the occurrence of the event, indicating that the event has occurred. |
| US08487758B2 |
Medical device having an intelligent alerting scheme, and related operating methods
A portable medical device and related operating methods are provided. One operating method involves a portable medical device that includes a situational awareness sensor. The method begins by detecting an alert condition associated with operation of the portable medical device. In response to the alert condition, the situational awareness sensor performs a scanning operation to obtain sensor data indicative of a current environmental status of the portable medical device. The device can then select a preferred alerting scheme from a plurality of different available alerting schemes, where the preferred alerting scheme is influenced by the sensor data. The device then generates an alert for the alert condition in accordance with the preferred alerting scheme. |
| US08487757B2 |
Method and system for providing tracking services to locate an asset
The present invention is directed to a method of asset location. Location data is received from a cellular transmitter associated with a selected asset, which location data includes data representative of a cellular receiver with which direct communication with the cellular transmitter is made. The location data is then communicated to a tracking service system, which tracking service system includes a database representative of geographic locations associated with a plurality of cellular receivers. The database is then queried with received location data so as to generate geographic tracking data associated with a location of the cellular receiver, the geographic tracking data including display data adapted to generate a map image including a representative of a location of the selected asset. The geographic tracking data is then communicated to an associated security agency so as to allow for viewing of an image generated in accordance with the display data and at least one of tracking and interception of the selected asset. |
| US08487756B2 |
Locator inventory system
A transmission sequence is broadcast from a locator to a group of transponder devices. Each transponder identified with the group is arranged to receive and capture at least a portion of the transmission, correlate the captured information with an internally stored reference sequence for the identified group, and identify a correlation when the captured information correlates with the internally stored reference sequence. Each transponder that finds a correlation is arranged to broadcast a transmission reply sequence at a precisely determined time interval so that the transponders in a group transmit at different times. A series of locators receive the transmission reply sequence(s), each at a precisely logged time of arrival, and the locators forward the received results to a central processing unit for time synchronization, location tracking, and inventory logging. |
| US08487752B2 |
External status indicator for an electric vehicle
An indicator system for a vehicle having an electric motor and a rechargeable battery can include an indicator having a body with a first end and a second opposite end. The body can include an indicator area defining a plurality of contiguous indicator segments therebetween. Each indicator segment can be configured to provide a separate status indication of at least one of a state of charge of the rechargeable battery, a state of a user specified vehicle feature condition, and a fault condition associated with charging of the rechargeable battery. The indicator can be mounted to a vehicle structure about the first end such that the second end extends away from the vehicle structure and the indicator area is externally visible relative to the vehicle from multiple viewpoints beyond a periphery of the vehicle. |
| US08487750B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring user activity at a computer screen to stimulate motility
A system and method for stimulating user motility is provided. According to the invention a monitoring system receives information associated with a user of a computer, and a display associated with the computer having the display coupled to the monitoring system. The computer generates a feedback to the user based upon the received information. |
| US08487743B2 |
Valet keyfob system
A system for activating a predetermined set of vehicle features on a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a valet keyfob in wireless communication with the vehicle and configured to activate the predetermined set of vehicle features when enabled, and a first processor coupled to the vehicle and configured to enable the valet keyfob to activate the predetermined set of vehicle features. |
| US08487742B1 |
Electronic token and lock
A lock system is provided including a plurality of locksets and at least one token. The token is configured to communicate information between locksets. |
| US08487735B2 |
Varistor ceramic, multilayer component comprising the varistor ceramic, and production method for the varistor ceramic
A varistor ceramic includes the following materials: Zn as the main component, Pr in a proportion of 0.1 to 3 atom %, and a metal M selected from Y, Ho, Er, Yb and Lu in a proportion of 0.1 to 5 atom %. |
| US08487732B2 |
Coil transformer composed of unit configuration
There are many varieties of windings. Coils adopting an edgewise winding wire in which winding wires are wound around in the radial direction of the coil have a wide flux linkage area orthogonal to the electric wire, so that stray loss within the wire is increased, winding wire loss is increased and temperature is raised thereby. The present invention provides an arrangement in which a plurality of coil units are prepared and connected via external coupling terminals. At this time, winding is performed so that the contact faces of the coil units have equal potentials, so that there is no need to ensure an insulation distance between coils, and the coils can be downsized. Therefore, the mass of the respective coils can be reduced. Taps disposed on the respective coils are arranged to have equal potentials, according to which the external coupling terminals can double as tap switch terminals, so that there is no need to provide a dedicated tap switch. |
| US08487731B2 |
Magnetic element, and antenna device using the magnetic element
Provided is a magnetic element capable of enhancing fixing strength of a base with respect to a core even if the base is fixed to the core by insert molding. A magnetic element (1) includes a core (2) made of a magnetic material, and resin bases (3 and 4) formed by insert molding so as to be fixed to end portions of the core (2), in which the core (2) is provided with a recess (2b) recessed from an end face (2a). In the magnetic element (1), it is possible to enhance the fixing strength of the bases (3 and 4) with respect to the core (2). |
| US08487730B2 |
Magnetic field generating device
A magnetic field generating device includes a housing and a cryogenically coolable superconducting magnetic coil that is accommodated in the housing. The housing includes a deep-drilled hole, through which coolant flows. |
| US08487728B2 |
Safety apparatus
A safety apparatus for avoiding a possible fire risk in an operating magnet supplied with electric current has at least one coil former (14) arranged in a housing (76, 82). A coil winding (16) is fitted on the coil former and has an operating part (20, 36) at least partially guided in the coil former (14). At least parts of the operating magnet are equipped with active and/or passive safety mechanisms of the apparatus to effectively counteract the risk of fire. The safety mechanisms are no longer arranged remote from the actual event, for example in the form of a fuse in the electrical supply circuit, but rather are directly at the location of the event where the possible fire or scorching situation can directly occur. |
| US08487725B2 |
Electromagnetic contact device
An extinction cover (5) is mounted on a case (4) thereby sealing an extinction chamber (S). This extinction cover has an engaging-force-increased portion (5c1) which strengthens the force of engagement with the case, and an engaging-force-decreased portion (5c2) which weakens the force of engagement with the case. In response to an increase in internal pressure in the extinction chamber due to arc gas generation, the engaging-force-decreased portion establishes disengagement of the case and provides a gap (27) with the case, for linking the extinction chamber to external air, and the engaging-force-increased portion maintains engagement with the case. |
| US08487723B2 |
Contact assembly for a relay and relay with contact assembly
The present invention relates to a contact assembly for a relay for switching high load currents having at least one switch contact and a braid having at least one braid end, which are electrically conductively connected to each other by a connection element. Further, the invention relates to a relay for switching high load currents with a contact assembly. Finally, the invention relates to a method for mounting a relay for switching high load currents. For the simple, electrically conductive connection of the braid and the switch contact without the contact assembly produced requiring much space within the relay, it is provided in accordance with the invention that the connection element is equipped with a contact portion directly connected to the switch contact and with a connection strap connected to the braid end, wherein the connection strap is inclined relative to the contact portion. |
| US08487719B2 |
Bulk acoustic wave resonator
A resonator comprises a bottom electrode layer (12), a top electrode layer (10) which defines a resonator body; and a piezoelectric layer (14) sandwiched between the top and bottom electrode layers. An external region (152) is provided around the outside of the periphery of the resonator body. The cutoff frequency of a first resonance mode of the external region (152) is matched to the cutoff frequency of a second, different, resonance mode of the resonator body. The invention provides a deliberate change (typically increase) in the cutoff frequency the resonance modes in the external region, so that one of the modes has a cutoff frequency close to the cutoff frequency of the fundamental mode of the resonator body. |
| US08487715B2 |
Nano electromechanical integrated-circuit bank and switch
A bank of nano electromechanical integrated circuit filters. The bank of integrated circuit filters comprising a silicon substrate; a sacrificial layer; a device layer including at least two resonators, wherein the at least two resonators include sub-micro excitable elements and wherein the at least two resonators posses a fundamental mode frequency as well as a collective mode frequency and wherein the collective mode frequency of the at least two resonators is determined by the fundamental frequency of the sub-micron elements. At least one switch connects to the bank of integrated circuit filters. |
| US08487705B2 |
Protection circuit for radio frequency power amplifier
Embodiments of circuits, apparatuses, and systems for a protection circuit to protect against overdrive or overvoltage conditions. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08487701B2 |
Circuit for amplifying a signal representing a variation in resistance of a variable resistance and corresponding sensor
A circuit for amplifying a signal representing a variation in resistance of a variable resistance comprising at least one first load linked to an output terminal of a first transistor whose other terminal is associated with a variable resistance, in such a way as to allow the recovery of the amplified signal at the terminals of the first load. |
| US08487698B2 |
Amplifier with pass-through mode
In an amplifier with pass-through mode of the present invention, in a pass-through mode, a signal transmission transistor and a bias control transistor are turned ON and a voltage of an output terminal is maintained in a ground potential via the bias control transistor and a resistor. Thus, a power supply voltage is applied to a control terminal of the signal transmission transistor and one main terminal of the signal transmission transistor is maintained in a ground potential. Therefore, an ON-resistance of the signal transmission transistor is decreased to a minimum level. |
| US08487694B2 |
Charge domain filter apparatus
A charge domain filter (CDF) apparatus having a bandwidth compensation circuit is provided. The bandwidth compensation circuit includes a configurable power-reference cell (CPC) and/or a programmable-delay cell (PDC). The CPC receives and adjusts an output of the CDF to obtain a sensing power, and outputs the sensing power to the CDF. The PDC receives and delay an output of the CDF, and outputs a delay result to the CDF. The bandwidth compensation circuit having a flexible structure, so as to implement X-axis (frequency) compensation and/or Y-axis (power or gain) compensation of a frequency response diagram according to a design requirement. |
| US08487691B1 |
AC noise suppression from a bias signal in high voltage supply/low voltage device
An apparatus comprising a first circuit, a second circuit, and a third circuit. The first circuit may be configured to generate a first control voltage and a second control voltage. The second circuit may be configured to generate a bias signal in response to the first control voltage and the second control voltage. The third circuit may be configured to generate a filtered signal in response to the bias signal. The filtered signal may be added to the first control voltage and the second control voltage to provide AC noise suppression when generating the bias signal. |
| US08487686B2 |
Active guarding for reduction of resistive and capacitive signal loading with adjustable control of compensation level
In various embodiments, applicants' teachings are related to an active guarding circuit and method for reducing parasitic impedance signal loading on a signal-transmission channel that is shunted by a parasitic impedance. The presence of an electrical signal on the signal-transmission channel causes a leakage current to flow through the parasitic impedance. In various embodiments, the circuit comprises an amplifier and an impedance, one terminal of the impedance is coupled to the signal-transmission channel. The input of the amplifier is coupled to the signal-transmission channel and the output is coupled to the other terminal of the impedance so as to cause a compensation current to flow through the impedance. The gain of the amplifier and the value of the impedance are selected so that the compensation current has a magnitude substantially equal to the leakage current magnitude. |
| US08487685B2 |
Enhanced complementary waveform generator
An enhanced complementary waveform generator (ECWG) generates two complementary pulse width modulation (PWM) outputs determined by rising and falling event sources. In a simple configuration of the ECWG, the rising and falling event sources are the same signal which is a PWM signal having the desired period and duty cycle. The ECWG converts this single PWM input into dual complementary PWM outputs. The frequency and duty cycle of the dual PWM outputs substantially match those of the single input PWM signal. Blanking and deadband times may be introduced between the dual complementary PWM outputs, and the dual complementary PWM outputs may also be phase delayed. |
| US08487684B2 |
Method for buffering clock skew by using a logical effort
A method buffers clock skew by using a logical effort, and is applicable to a clock tree that stays in a strong-inversion region, a moderate-inversion region, or a weak-inversion region. The method includes establishing in the clock tree a temperature sensor and a tunable-width buffer, and establishing width and temperature comparative lists according to a logical effort equation, for the tunable-width buffer to be individually applied to the strong-inversion region, the moderate-inversion region, and the weak-inversion region; selecting one from the width and temperature comparative lists that corresponds to one of the inversion regions in which the clock tree stays, enabling the temperature sensor to sense a temperature, and searching the selected width and temperature comparative list for a width that corresponds to the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor; and enabling the tunable-width buffer to perform a width modulation process according to the searched width. |
| US08487681B2 |
Dual-trigger low-energy flip-flop circuit
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for technique for capturing and storing a level of an input signal using a dual-trigger low-energy flip-flop circuit that is fully-static and insensitive to fabrication process variations. The dual-trigger low-energy flip-flop circuit presents only three transistor gate loads to the clock signal and none of the internal nodes toggle when the input signal remains constant. One of the clock signals may be a low-frequency “keeper clock” that toggles less frequently than the other two clock signal that is input to two transistor gates. The output signal Q is set or reset at the rising clock edge using separate trigger sub-circuits. Either the set or reset may be armed while the clock signal is low, and the set or reset is triggered at the rising edge of the clock. |
| US08487680B1 |
Full-digital clock correction circuit and method thereof
The present invention provides a full-digital clock duty cycle correction circuit and a method thereof. The circuit comprises a sampling unit, a duty cycle correcting module, and a phase-lock module. The duty cycle correcting module produces a first clock signal according to an input clock signal. The phase-lock module produces a second clock signal according to the first clock signal and is used for aligning the positive edges of the clock signals. The duty cycle correcting module adjusts the pulse width of the first clock signal according to the clock signals. In addition, after the pulse width is adjusted, the positive edges of the clock signals are re-aligned. When the pulse width is not equal to zero, the pulse width is re-adjusted and the positive edges are re-aligned until the pulse widths of the clock signals are identical. Finally, the second clock signal is outputted and thus producing a clock signal having 50% duty cycle. |
| US08487679B2 |
Data output control circuit
A data output control circuit includes a DLL circuit and a delay detection unit. The DLL circuit is configured to generate a second internal clock by delaying a first internal clock generated from an external clock, compare a phase of the first internal clock with a phase of the second internal clock, and generate a DLL clock. The delay detection unit is configured to generate a sense signal whose logic level is changed according to a comparison result of a set time interval and a delay time interval during which the first internal clock is delayed in order to generate the second internal clock. |
| US08487676B2 |
Device for generating clock signals for asymmetric comparison of phase errors
A device for generating a clock signal, including a phase-locked loop including: a controlled oscillator to deliver a clock signal; plural phase comparators to compare a phase of the clock signal delivered by the controlled oscillator with plural clock signal phases applied at an input of the phase-locked loop; a mechanism for weighted summation of output signals of the plural phase comparators such that one or more of the weighting coefficients applied to one of the output signals has an absolute value that overrides the absolute values of the other weighting coefficients applied to the other output signals; and a mechanism filtering the weighted sum of the output signals of the plural phase comparators, to deliver at an output a control signal to the controlled oscillator. |
| US08487675B2 |
Phase-locked loop
A phase-locked loop (PLL) including an active filter, a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), two phase detectors, a charge pump and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is provided. The VCO generates an oscillation signal according to a control signal provided at an output of the active filter. The first phase detector generates a phase difference signal according to a reference signal and a feedback signal associating with the oscillation signal. The charge pump provides a charging current to a first input of the active filter according to the phase difference. The second phase detector generates a digital reference signal according to the phase difference between the reference signal and the feedback signal. The DAC converts the digital reference signal to an analog reference voltage and provides the analog reference voltage to the second input of the active filter. |
| US08487674B1 |
Reset circuit
An exemplary reset circuit includes a first connection jack connected to a first power supply, a second connection jack connected to a second power supply, a reset IC, a voltage response module, and a control module. The voltage response module outputs a first response signal when the voltage provided by the second power supply is abnormal, and then the control module outputs a first voltage which is less than the voltage provided by the first power supply. The voltage response module outputs a second response signal when the voltage provided by the second power supply is normal, and then the control module outputs a second voltage which is equal to the voltage provided by the first power supply. When the voltage received by the reset IC is changed from the first voltage to the second voltage, the reset IC outputs a reset signal to reset the processing IC. |
| US08487670B2 |
Divide-by-two injection-locked ring oscillator circuit
A frequency divider involves a plurality of Injection-locked Ring Oscillators (ILRO). A first ILRO includes a pair of cross-coupled N-channel transistors, a pair of load resistors, an integrating capacitor, and a current injection circuit. The drain of each transistor is coupled to the gate of the other transistor. Each load resistor couples the drain of each transistor to a circuit voltage source. The integrating capacitor couples the sources of each transistor. The current injection circuit alternately opens and closes a path from the source of each transistor to circuit ground in response to an oscillatory input signal of a first frequency. In response, the voltage state at the drain of each transistor is alternately latched and toggled, generating a differential pair of oscillating signals frequency divided by two. A first and second ILRO driven in antiphase generate two differential output signals in phase quadrature. |
| US08487662B2 |
Multiplexer
A multiplexer is provided. The multiplexer includes an output coupled to a complementary driving unit and a plurality of switch circuits. Each switch circuit includes a channel unit and two switches. The two switches respectively conduct two input signals to a channel end of the channel unit during different switch conduction periods, and the channel unit conducts the channel end to an output end during a channel conduction period. The switch conduction period of the first switch in the first switch circuit equals the switch conduction period of the second switch circuit, the switch conduction period of the second switch in the second switch circuit equals the switch conduction period of the first switch circuit, and the first and second switches are coupled to the same input signal. |
| US08487657B1 |
Dynamic logic circuit
A dynamic logic circuit includes an N channel transistor stack between a dynamic node and a first power supply terminal for receiving a plurality of logic signals. A P channel clock transistor is coupled between a second power supply terminal and the dynamic node is for receiving a clock signal. An N channel clock transistor is in series with the N channel stack and is between the dynamic node and the first power supply terminal is for receiving the clock signal. A keeper transistor has a first current electrode coupled to the dynamic node, a second current electrode coupled to a second power supply terminal, and a control electrode. A static logic circuit has an output for providing an output responsive to a state of the logic signals. The output is coupled to the control electrode of the keeper transistor. |
| US08487641B2 |
Pad structure and test method
The present invention discloses a pad structure and a method for testing a integrated circuit. The structure includes the first pads and the second pads, where the first pads are distributed over a peripheral portion of the integrated circuit and connected with lead-out wires of the integrated circuit, and the second pads are connected with a metal line at a circuit portion in the integrated circuit and are sized larger than the minimum characteristic dimension of the metal line and of the integrated circuit and smaller than the size of the first pads. The pad structure and method can position a test portion with improved efficiency. Correspondingly, a probe can be used to position the test portion with improved accuracy as well. |
| US08487640B2 |
Internal node resistance testing for a tire
Methods for measuring the electrical resistance of a tire including establishing contact between a tread face portion of the omega section and a grounded conductive surface and establishing contact between a mounting portion of the omega section and a mounting rim. An embodiment further includes measuring electrical resistance between each of two or more internal nodes of the omega section and the grounded conductive surface, wherein the two or more internal nodes are each a metal component cured in the tire and measuring electrical resistance between each of the two or more internal nodes of the omega section and the mounting rim and measuring electrical resistance between each of the two or more internal nodes of the omega section. A method may further include identifying a least conductive portion of the omega section as being the portion having the highest measured electrical resistance. |
| US08487638B2 |
Electrical capacitance sensor
Disclosed is an electrical capacitance sensor comprising: a board 10 having a one main surface and an other main surface; a sensor electrode 26 formed on the one main surface of the board 10 and detecting an electrical capacitance between the sensor electrode 26 and an object; a first guard electrode 25 formed on the one main surface of the board 10 and in a vicinity of the sensor electrode 26; and a second guard electrode 27 formed on the other main surface of the board 10, wherein a first terminal connecting portion 21 for the first guard electrode 25 and a second terminal connecting portion 23 for the second guard electrode 27 are provided at positions opposing each other. |
| US08487637B2 |
Test arrangement for impulse voltage testing of electrical high-voltage components
Exemplary embodiments are directed to a test arrangement for testing surge voltage in electrical high voltage components with a surge voltage generator and a voltage distributor. The surge voltage generator and voltage distributor have a tower-like structure with a first and a second structure end. A rectangular container is connected to the first and second structure and includes a first and a second container end. At least one of the surge voltage generator and the voltage distributor are movable between a first substantially horizontal position inside the container and a substantially vertical position relative to the container. Each movement between the two positions involves a pivot motion about a rotational axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the surge voltage generator. |
| US08487635B1 |
System and method for determining system charging current
A system for determining a system charging current in a three-phase power system has a first grounding circuit that joins a neutral of the power transformer with a ground through a first resistor. System charged capacitance voltage in one phase is discharged through a second resistor in a second grounding circuit joining the one phase of the power system with the ground. A magnitude of the currents in the first and second grounding circuits are measured when the one phase is short circuited to ground. The preliminary system charging current is calculated as the root of the difference between the squares of the measured currents grounding circuits. The same procedure may be repeated for different values of the first resistor and for each of the phases, and the calculated preliminary system charging currents may be averaged to arrive at a net system charging current. |
| US08487634B2 |
Smart electrical wire-devices and premises power management system
Disclosed is power management system based on a “smart” wire-device installable in an electric power line (i.e., the “drop-grid” or “micro-grid”) at a premises, such as a business or residence. The “smart” wire-device includes a management node integrated into the form of a typical electrical power outlet, circuit breaker or switch as would be found in such a premises, and is installable in the power line in a manner similar to existing wire-device. The “smart” wire-device requires no special skill to install beyond that of an ordinary skilled electrician. The present wire-device is “smart” in that the node has a detector circuit that senses the electrical characteristic(s) of the power line at the point at which it is installed. The node's communications circuit signals what it detects to a spatially separated remote controller device, and receives instructions from one or more spatially separated remote controller devices. The node's control mechanism operates a remotely controllable maker/breaker means in response to the received instructions to alter the condition of the electrical power output of the wire-device. |
| US08487633B2 |
Fault detection of electric consumers in motor vehicles
Fault detection of electric consumers in motor vehicles including at least one electric consumer switchably arranged between a first electric potential and a second electric potential. The electric consumer is switchably connected both to the first and to the second potential. A first switch is arranged between the first potential and the consumer and a second switch is arranged between the second potential and the consumer. The first and the second switch must be closed at the same time in order to operate the consumer. Fault detection is carried out when the device consuming the electricity is visibly off, in that a third electric potential is tapped at a voltage divider arranged parallel to the second switch. Fault detection is carried out by monitoring the third electric potential and the positions of the first and second switches. |
| US08487631B2 |
Battery module
It is intended to provide a battery module having a long life by designing such that deterioration proceeds evenly among battery cells. Disclosed is a battery module including a plurality of battery groups being connected in series and each comprising a plurality of battery cells connected in parallel, wherein: a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal are provided; the battery groups are connected to each other by a plurality of electrically conductive strips; and an electrical resistance value of the conductive strip arranged at a position near a virtual line drawn between the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal is high, and an electrical resistance value of the conductive strip arranged at a position other than the position near the virtual line is low, the electrical resistance value being measured in a direction of charge and discharge current flow. |
| US08487630B2 |
Battery pack and method for detecting degradation of battery
A battery pack includes: one or two or more secondary batteries; a charge control switch that turns on/off a charging current to the secondary battery; a discharge control switch that turns on/off a discharging current from the secondary battery; a current-detecting element for detecting the charging current and the discharging current; a voltage measuring part that measures the voltage of the secondary battery; a control unit that controls the charge control switch and the discharge control unit; and a storage unit that stores an initial internal resistance of the secondary battery. The control unit measures a closed circuit voltage and a charging current during charging, and a first closed circuit voltage after a first waiting time and a second closed circuit voltage after a second waiting time. The second waiting time is longer than the first waiting time. |
| US08487627B2 |
Stimulation and intensification of interfacial processes
A system and method for controlling a power storage device through the Stimulation and Intensification of Interfacial Processes (SIIP) is provided. A signal generator can provide a low voltage sinusoidal AC signal across a battery terminal, or other reactor vessel, during charging and discharging states. For example, the battery/reactor vessel can be of Li-ion and NiMH designs, a fuel cell, a Zn—O cell, or other devices that have features of rechargeable batteries. The output of the signal generator (i.e., voltage, wave type, and frequency) can be controlled based on battery parameters (e.g., internal resistance, output power, temperature). The internal resistance of the battery can be reduced, and the discharge time can be increased. Elastic waves can also be provided to a battery/reactor vessel to stimulate the interfacial processes. The signal generator can be an integrated circuit which is packaged with the battery and can be powered by the battery. |
| US08487626B2 |
Downhole sensor assembly and method of using same
A sensor assembly for sensing downhole parameters is provided. The sensor assembly is positionable in a downhole tool deployable into a subterranean formation to form a wellbore. The sensor assembly includes a carrier positionable in the downhole tool, at least one set of three accelerometers, and at least one set of three magnetometers. The carrier includes at least one set of three receptacles. The three receptacles are positioned radially about a periphery of the carrier at equal distances thereabout. The set of three accelerometers are correspondingly positionable in the at least one set of three receptacles, and the set of three magnetometers are correspondingly positionable in the at least one set of three receptacles. The set of three magnetometers includes two physical magnetometers and one virtual magnetometer. The virtual magnetometer is produced from the two physical magnetometers. |
| US08487625B2 |
Performing downhole measurement using tuned transmitters and untuned receivers
An apparatus configured to evaluate an earth formation that includes a tuned transmitter antenna and an untuned broadband receiver antenna. The transmitter antenna being configured to generate electromagnetic energy and the untuned broadband antenna configured to produce an output responsive to the generated electromagnetic energy. The untuned, broadband receiver antenna is configured reduce to reduce tool complexity, antenna coupling, and cross-talk between conductors to the antenna assemblies. The method includes using the apparatus in earth formation evaluation. |
| US08487619B2 |
Adapter to connect a local coil in a magnetic resonance system
A simple connection of a coil with a magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) is facilitated by a method and an adapter wherein a coil-connection element of at least one local coil is connected with an MRT-connection element of an MRT system. The adapter has a coil-connection element adapter designed to form a connection with at least one coil-connection element of at least one local coil. The adapter also has at least one MRT-connection element adapter designed to form a connection with an MRT-connection element of an MRT system. The adapter can be fixed mechanically to a fixing element of the MRT system. |
| US08487618B2 |
High frequency coil unit and magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus having a self-contained cooling airflow chassis
A radio frequency coil unit includes a chassis which has a tubiform inner cylinder, a plurality of flanges arranged apart from each other, each of the plurality of flanges provided in a state of protruding outwards from the inner cylinder while in contact with a whole outer circumference surface of the inner cylinder, and a tubiform external cylinder in which each of the plurality of flanges is provided in a state of contacting an inner surface thereof, wherein the chassis forms a flow path of cooling air as a space surrounded by the inner cylinder, the plurality of flanges and the external cylinder, and a radio frequency coil which is mounted on the inner cylinder or the external cylinder to be positioned in the space surrounded by the inner cylinder, the plurality flanges and the external cylinder. |
| US08487617B2 |
Magnetic resonance method and apparatus to reduce distortions in diffusion images
In a method and apparatus to reduce distortions in diffusion imaging, at least one first measurement is implemented with a first diffusion weighting for a number of slices that are spatially separated from one another and at least one second measurement is implemented with a second diffusion weighting for the number of slices that are spatially separated from one another. A deskewing function is determined as are correction parameters to deskew diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images on the basis of the measurements, so that image information and/or correction parameters of different slices are linked with one another. The diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images are distortion-corrected on the basis of the deskewing function and the correction parameters. |
| US08487616B2 |
Method for compensating for respiratory motion in magnetic resonance imaging
A method for compensating for respiratory motion of a structure imaged by a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner, such as heart, is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a sequence of navigator samples (22) representative of the progressive displacement of the structure during a first time interval (20), and adjusting a waveform (14) of predefined initial parameters to follow the sequence of navigator samples. During a second time interval (24) which follows the first time interval and during which the magnetic resonance scanner takes a number of image projection views or lines (17), the expected respiratory displacement of the structure is estimated at the times that the image projection lines are taken, by extrapolating the waveform model and estimating the displacements (26) predicted by the extrapolated waveform, so that the position at which the image projection lines are taken can be adjusted to compensate for the respiratory motion, so as to yield a sharper magnetic resonance image. |
| US08487615B2 |
Magnetic resonance signal detection using remotely positioned receive coils
The receive coil arrangement includes an inner local volume coil adjacent the part to be imaged so as to maximize the received MR signal and an outer coil, which may be the built in body coil of the magnet, connected by cable to the signal processing system. Both the coils are individually tuned to the common resonant frequency and the local volume coil include an arrangement to halt current flow therein during the transmit stage. The local volume coil has no cable and is arranged to communicate the MR signal therein to the signal processing system through the outer coil by inductive coupling to the outer coil. Despite inherent losses by interfering with the tuning of the loops and in the inductive coupling this magnifies the MR signal and makes the local volume coil wireless. |
| US08487613B2 |
System for blood flow velocity determination using MR imaging
A system improves accuracy of blood flow peak velocity measurements as well as the speed and precision of an MR data acquisition workflow. A system for blood flow velocity determination in MR imaging comprises an MR imaging system. The MR imaging system acquires a three dimensional (3D) MR imaging dataset of a patient anatomical volume of interest and a one dimensional (1D) MR imaging dataset within the volume of interest automatically aligned in response to 3D vector directional information. An image data processor derives the 3D vector directional information by, deriving velocity magnitude data using the acquired 3D MR imaging dataset, identifying maximum velocity data using the derived velocity magnitude data and transforming the identified maximum velocity data to provide the 3D vector directional information. A calculation processor uses the acquired 1D MR imaging dataset to calculate a blood flow velocity in a direction determined by the 3D vector directional information. |
| US08487609B2 |
Testing apparatus with read head holder having a gas jet pointing into a channel
A test apparatus can test a read head and/or a disk. The test apparatus includes a rotatable spindle adapted to hold the disk, and a holder oriented to hold the read head with its air bearing surface adjacent the major surface of the disk during testing. The holder includes a channel with a first side wall. The channel defines a channel longitudinal axis parallel to the first side wall. The channel also defines a lateral direction that is normal to the first side wall. A first gas jet points into the channel and impinges upon a top face of the read head. |
| US08487607B2 |
Method and device for digital triggering of a measurement signal having a superimposed noise signal
A method for digital triggering of a digital recording of a digitized measurement signal having a superimposed noise signal. The method includes generating from the digitized measurement signal a digital triggering signal for the digital triggering of the digital recording of the measurement signal, and performing band-limitation of the noise signal superimposed on the digitized measurement signal via a low-pass filtering before the digital triggering signal is generated. The bandwidth of the low-pass filtering is adjusted dependent upon edge steepness of the measurement signal, in order to reduce variance σt2 in jitter of the digital triggering signal. |
| US08487606B2 |
Sensor assembly, trip unit including the same, and method of manufacturing a sensor assembly
A sensor assembly includes an electrical conductor, at least one of a voltage sensor and a current sensor disposed about the electrical conductor, and a first insulator molded about the electrical conductor. The first insulator includes a plurality of structures structured to maintain concentricity between the electrical conductor and the at least one of the voltage sensor and the current sensor. A second insulator is molded about the first insulator and the at least one of the voltage sensor and the current sensor. |
| US08487602B2 |
Switch driving circuit and driving method thereof
The present invention relates to a switch driving circuit and a driving method thereof. The switch driving circuit according to the present invention is supplied with a first voltage and a second voltage, is driven by a voltage difference between the first and second voltages, controls a switching operation of a power switch according to a switch driving control signal, generates a sense voltage corresponding to the second voltage, compares a predetermined reference voltage with the sense voltage, and stops the switching operation of the power switch according to the comparison result. |
| US08487601B2 |
Method and apparatus to control a power factor correction circuit
An example power factor correction (PFC) converter includes an energy transfer element, a power switch, and a controller. The controller includes an integrator and on/off logic. The integrator generates an integrator output signal in response to a voltage sense signal and a current sense signal. The on/off logic drives the power switch on and off to control a transfer of energy through the energy transfer element to an output of the PFC converter and terminates an on time of the power switch when the integrator output signal reaches a threshold value. A gain of the integrator is adjusted in response to the voltage sense signal such that the threshold value is substantially constant independent of the magnitude of the ac voltage source when a load condition at the output of the PFC converter is constant. |
| US08487600B2 |
Continuous-time digital controller for high-frequency DC-DC converters
The present invention is a voltage mode digital controller for low-power high-frequency dc-dc converters that has recovery time approaching physical limitations of a given power stage. It consists of a digital controller with load transient response approaching physical limitations of a given power stage that is suitable for low-power SMPS. In one aspect the invention is a method of utilizing a continuous-time digital signal processor (CT-DSP) for regulation of the operation of switch-mode power supplies. A CT-DSP can be used to instantaneously detect changes of voltage or current during transition periods and immediately perform control action that results in the fastest possible response. The invention may include current program mode controllers for SMPS where the input current is sensed as well as power factor correction rectifiers (PFC), where often input voltage, input current and output voltage are sensed. Upon sensing a deviation in the input voltage the CT-DSP is utilized to apply a switch-mode power operation whereby the controller switches between continuous-time and digital function. |
| US08487595B2 |
Circuits and methods for current sensing
A circuit includes a first resistor, a second resistor, a voltage follower and a current mirror. The first resistor converts a current flowing through the first resistor to a voltage drop between positive and negative sides of the first resistor. The second resistor is coupled to the negative side of the first resistor. The voltage follower is coupled to the positive side of the first resistor via a non-inverting terminal, and coupled to the negative side of the first resistor through the second resistor via an inverting terminal to cause a voltage at the inverting terminal to follow a voltage at the non-inverting terminal. The current mirror is coupled to the voltage follower to provide a sensing current proportional to the current flowing through the first resistor. |
| US08487593B2 |
System and method for detection and compensation of aggressive output filters for switched mode power supplies
A controller for a switched mode power supply converting an input voltage to a regulated output voltage according to one embodiment includes a control network and a detection network. The control network develops a pulse width control signal for regulating a level of the output voltage. The detection network detects a phase lag of the output voltage and adjusts operation of the control network based on the phase lag. The phase lag may be determined from any parameter incorporating phase shift, such as the output voltage or the compensation voltage. Various alternative schemes are disclosed for adjusting the control loop, including, but not limited to, adding slope compensation, adjusting window resistance or window current, adding adjustment current to adjust ripple voltage, adjusting ripple transconductance, and adjusting ripple capacitance. Digital and analog compensation adjustment schemes are disclosed. |
| US08487591B1 |
Power control system with power drop out immunity and uncompromised startup time
A power control system provides immunity from power supply dropout for a controller without compromising a startup time of the controller. In at least one embodiment, the power control system includes separate startup and dropout immunity capacitors. In at least one embodiment, selection of the capacitance of the startup capacitor is independent of selection of the capacitance of the dropout immunity capacitance. In at least one embodiment, the startup capacitance can be minimized to provide sufficient energy for the controller to normally operate during one missed cycle of an input voltage and, thus, provide a minimum startup time for the controller. The capacitance of the dropout immunity capacitor can be maximized to provide sufficient energy for the controller to operate normally during a time period longer than one cycle of the input voltage. |
| US08487589B2 |
Method and device for determining the start of a charging process for an energy storage device in an electric vehicle
A method and a device are provided for determining the start of a charging process for an energy storage device in a vehicle, such as an electric vehicle. The method includes, but is not limited to determining at least one first parameter that indicates that a passenger is about to exit the electric vehicle. In addition, a first time t1 at which the charging process concludes at the earliest is determined, and a second time t2 at which the charging process is to have concluded at the latest is set, where t2≧t1. Further, a determination is made as to whether a third time t3 at which a lowered second energy rate relative to the first energy rate is present before the second time t2 has been reached, and the start of the charging process is set in such a way that the at least one third time t3 lies within the charging process, and the charging process concludes by the second time t2 at the latest. |
| US08487588B2 |
Battery pack
A battery pack is disclosed that includes a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of temperature sensors. Each of the temperature sensors is for sensing a temperature of a corresponding one or more of the battery cells to generate a temperature signal, and the temperature sensors are divided into groups of temperature sensors. A plurality of A/D converters is provided, and each of the A/D converters is coupled to a corresponding one of the groups of temperature sensors to convert the temperature signal into a digital signal. An identification signal module is coupled to the A/D converters for applying different identification signals to the plurality of A/D converters, respectively. A controller is coupled to the A/D converters for receiving the identification signals and the temperature signal, and for identifying a temperature of each of the battery cells through the identification signals. |
| US08487581B2 |
Battery pack burn-in test system and method
A battery pack burn-in test system comprising first and second interconnection circuits for electrically interconnecting a first and a second battery pack respectively to the system; a data communication bus for coupling to respective battery management integrated circuits (ICs) of the first and second battery packs; and a system management unit coupled to the data communication bus. The system management unit may control a charging of the first battery pack during a burn-in test from a discharging of the second battery pack. |
| US08487580B2 |
Blower motor for HVAC systems
A blower motor assembly having a variable speed motor that is suitable for direct, drop-in replacement in a residential HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system that employs a PSC motor. The blower motor assembly includes at least a neutral input and two hot AC line connections, one for connection to the heating power source and the other to the cooling power source. A sensing circuit senses which of the inputs is energized by sensing either voltage or current on the inputs. The sensing circuit delivers a corresponding signal to a motor controller to control the speed of the variable speed motor. The blower motor assembly may also be equipped with additional hot AC inputs, more than one neutral line, and several sensing circuits for sensing current or voltage in the hot inputs and/or the neutral lines for controlling various aspects of the variable speed motor. |
| US08487574B2 |
Fan rotary speed controlling device
A fan rotary speed controlling device includes a base voltage generating circuit, a first voltage generating circuit, a second voltage generating circuit and a compensation controlling circuit. The base voltage generating circuit receives a pulse width modulation signal and outputs a base voltage signal. The first voltage generating circuit receives the pulse width modulation signal and generates a first voltage signal according to the pulse width modulation signal. The second voltage generating circuit receives a fan rotary speed signal and generates a second voltage signal according to the fan rotary speed signal. The compensation controlling circuit outputs a voltage deviation compensation signal according to the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal. Hence, the fan rotary speed controlling device provides a stable rotary speed. |
| US08487571B2 |
Zero-crossing detection circuit and commutation device using the zero-crossing detection circuit
A zero-crossing detection circuit and a commutation device using the zero-crossing detection circuit are provided. The zero-crossing detection circuit is adapted into a three-phase brushless DC (direct current) motor with first to third coils. One terminal of each of the first to third coils is electrically coupled together with each other. The detection circuit comprises a first selection circuit, a second selection circuit and a comparator. The first selection circuit and the second selection circuit are both electrically coupled to another terminals of the first to third coils, to obtain first to third terminal voltages, and output one of the first to third terminal voltages according to a selection signal. The comparator is configured for comparing an output of the first selection circuit and an output of the second selection circuit, to output a comparing result. |
| US08487568B2 |
Circuit arrangement for an electric drive
A circuit arrangement is provided for supplying an electric drive, to which at least two electric energy sources can be connected. At least one of the at least two electric energy sources supplies at least intermittently the electric drive by way of at least one actuating element. At least one electric energy source can be disconnected from the electric drive by way of a switch. Furthermore, a method for operating the circuit arrangement, as well as a motor vehicle including the circuit arrangement, are provided. |
| US08487555B2 |
Bi-level lamp ballast
A bi-level lamp ballast to selectively operate two lamps is provided. The ballast includes a control circuit having an input, connected to a switching network, and an output, which provides a particular control signal based on the state of the switching network. The ballast also includes respective lamp control switches, each having respective outputs. The first switch is connected to the output and a ballast power supply. In its first state, it connects the ballast power supply to its first output, and in its second state, it connects the ballast power supply to its second output. The second switch is connected to the output and a ground. In its first state, it connects the ground to its first output, and in its second state, it connects the ground to its second output. The state of each lamp control switch depends on the control signal generated by the control circuit. |
| US08487554B2 |
Illumination device comprising multiple LEDs
A light generating device (20) comprises: —an input for receiving a DC input voltage (Vin) of varying magnitude; —a controllable current source (40); —a switch matrix (30) comprising a plurality of controllable switches (S1-SN); —a plurality of n LEDs (D1, D2, . . . Dn) connected to output terminals of the switch matrix (30); —a controller (50) controlling said switches and controlling the current generated by the current source dependent on the momentary value of the DC input voltage (Vin). The controller is capable of operating in at least three different control states. In a first control state all LEDs are connected in parallel. In a second control state all LEDs are connected in series. In a third control state at least two of said LEDs are connected in parallel while also at least two of said LEDs are connected in series. |
| US08487552B2 |
Lighting controlling method, lighting apparatus and lighting system
A lighting apparatus, a lighting system and a lighting control method are disclosed. The lighting apparatus includes an LED module, a heat sink for emitting heat generated from the LED module, a rectifier for rectifying an input commercial AC power, a transformer including a main coil and an auxiliary coil to transform the rectified power, and an electronic module for biasing a current used to drive the LED module based on the input voltage transported via the auxiliary coil. |
| US08487548B2 |
System and method for driving LED
A system drives one or a plurality of LEDs, regulating their brightness by controlling the LEDs' average current or voltage. The system includes a switching power converter and an integrated digital regulator with at least one of electrical, thermal, and optical feedbacks. The regulator is constructed as a hysteretic peak current mode controller for continuous mode of operation of the power converter. For a discontinuous mode of operation of the power converter, a pulse averaging sliding mode control is used. Average LED current is measured by integrating LED pulse current at off time and hysteretically adjusting on time of the power switch. An input battery is protected from discharging at abnormally low impedance of the output. |
| US08487547B2 |
Lighting assembly, circuits and methods
A circuit in accordance with one embodiment of the invention can include an LED drive circuit that may isolate a sense circuit from a supply voltage in a passive mode, and maintain a predetermined voltage difference between the sense circuit and the supply voltage in an operational mode. |
| US08487541B2 |
Method to ensure ballast starting regardless of half cycle input
A ballast circuit (6) comprises a rectifier circuit (8) and dual starting circuits (11, 13) that ensure ballast startup and lamp ignition regardless of input waveform half cycle. The first starting circuit comprises resonant circuit (10), and the second starting circuit includes a resistor (11). The resistor (11) comprising the second startup circuit provides a bias resistance to the second switches (72) to ensure ballast startup when an oscillating input waveform is in a negative phase. |
| US08487539B2 |
Power supply for an LED illumination device
An illumination device includes one or more LED's and a power supply configured to convert energy from a commercial AC power source and drive said LED's. The power supply includes a rectifier circuit, a phase detection circuit receiving an output voltage from the rectifier circuit and a switching element. A circuit includes the one or more LED's, an inductive element and a diode, and is coupled on a first end to the rectifier circuit and coupled on a second end to ground through the switching element. A current sensor is positioned to detect a current flowing to the light-emitting diode. A control circuit is coupled to receive the detected current and the detected phase of the rectified output voltage, and further coupled to the switching element and configured to generate a PWM signal for driving the switching element at a frequency higher than a commercial AC frequency. The PWM signal has a pulse width determined in accordance with one or more of a feedback control based on a current detected by the current sensor and a feed-forward control based on a phase of the pulsating voltage detected by the phase detection circuit. |
| US08487538B2 |
Driving power control circuit for light emitting diode and method thereof
A driving power control circuit and method for light emitting diodes (LEDs) are provided. The driving power control circuit includes a plurality of switch units and a control unit. Each switch unit is electrically coupled to one LED string whose end generates node voltage. The control unit includes a voltage selecting module, a subtractor, and an adjusting module. The voltage selecting module is electrically coupled to the node voltages and outputs one of the node voltages as a reference node voltage. The subtractor is electrically coupled to an output terminal of the voltage selecting module and generates a corresponding feedback voltage according to the reference node voltage and the node voltage. The adjusting module is electrically coupled to an output terminal of the subtractor and outputs a corresponding adjusting signal according to the feedback voltage to determine whether the corresponding switch unit is turned on. |
| US08487537B2 |
LED drive circuit
A retained and a removable circuit connect together to form a closed circuit. A switching mechanism is connected between the retained and removable circuits and to a circuit break load. Upon disconnection of the circuit break load and/or the removable circuit, the switching mechanism automatically switches from an open circuit to a closed circuit to form a closed circuit with the retained circuit. |
| US08487534B2 |
Pierce gun and method of controlling thereof
A system and method for controlling the temperature of both an electron emitter and a filament to their lowest possible operating temperature is disclosed. The apparatus includes a filament, an electron emitter heated by the filament to generate an electron beam, and a power supply configured to supply power to each of the filament and the electron emitter. The apparatus also includes a control system to control a supply of power to each of the filament and the electron emitter, with the control system being configured to receive an input indicative of a desired electron emitter operating temperature, cause a desired voltage to be applied between the electron emitter and the filament, and cause a desired voltage to be applied to the filament based on the desired emitter element operating temperature, so as to minimize an operating temperature of the electron emitter and the filament. |
| US08487531B2 |
Encapsulation sheet, flat panel display device using the same, and method of manufacturing the flat panel display device
An encapsulation sheet, a flat panel display device, and a method of manufacturing a flat panel display device are disclosed. The method includes: forming a getter on a first sheet; forming a sealant having a space corresponding to the shape of the getter on a second sheet; forming an encapsulation sheet by folding the first sheet and the second sheet to enter the getter into the space; and attaching the encapsulation sheet on a substrate on which a display unit is formed. When the flat panel display device is manufactured using the above method, the folded sealant and the getter are simultaneously mounted on the substrate, and thus, a complicated conventional process of mounting the getter in a vacuum state is unnecessary. |
| US08487530B2 |
Lighting device having plural light emitting layers which are separated
It is an object of the present invention to provide a light emitting device which is less affected by a malfunction caused in a light emitting element. It is another object of the invention to provide a light emitting device in which light emitting elements are connected in series. As to a light emitting device of the invention, groups of circuits each having a light emitting element and a limiter are connected in parallel. Here, a light emitting element and a limiter are connected in series. The number of the circuits may be at least two or more. Further, each circuit group includes at least one light emitting element. |
| US08487529B2 |
Lighting device with plural light emitting elements
It is an object of the present invention to provide a light emitting device which is less affected by a malfunction caused in a light emitting element. It is another object of the invention to provide a light emitting device in which light emitting elements are connected in series. As to a light emitting device of the invention, groups of circuits each having a light emitting element and a limiter are connected in parallel. Here, a light emitting element and a limiter are connected in series. The number of the circuits may be at least two or more. Further, each circuit group includes at least one light emitting element. |
| US08487527B2 |
Organic light emitting devices
The present invention relates to organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) comprising an electroluminescent material layer comprising a mixture of at least two materials having different electron and hole transport capacities, and an electron transport layer comprising a triazine. Display devices comprising the OLEDs are also disclosed. |
| US08487523B2 |
Reduced wattage gas discharge lamp
A reduced wattage gas discharge lamp and method of making same. The gas discharge lamp includes a light transmissive envelope with an inner surface, having a light scattering reflective layer disposed thereon. A phosphor layer is coated on an inner surface of the light scattering reflective layer. A discharge-sustaining gaseous mixture is retained inside the light-transmissive envelope. The discharge-sustaining gaseous mixture includes at least 88% argon, by volume, at a low pressure. An electrode is located within the light-transmissive envelope. The electrode is capable of providing an electric discharge to trigger a reaction within the light-transmissive envelope to cause the lamp to emit light. The remainder of the discharge-sustaining gaseous mixture is substantially neon, at a low pressure. The low pressure is about 3.6 Torr. |
| US08487521B2 |
Electron emitting element, method for producing electron emitting element, electron emitting device, charging device, image forming apparatus, electron-beam curing device, light emitting device, image display device, air blowing device, and cooling device
An electron emitting element of the present invention includes: an electrode substrate; a thin-film electrode; and an electron acceleration layer sandwiched between the electrode substrate and the thin-film electrode, the electron acceleration layer including (i) conductive fine particles, (ii) insulating fine particles having an average particle diameter greater than an average particle diameter of the conductive fine particles, and (iii) a crystalline electron transport agent. The crystalline electron transport agent is crystallized in the acceleration layer. |
| US08487520B2 |
Spark plug and method of manufacturing the same
A spark plug (1) including a noble metal tip joined to a ground electrode and forming a spark discharge gap in cooperation with a center electrode. A surface of the noble metal tip which forms the gap has an area of 0.9 mm2 or greater. The noble metal tip (32) is joined to the ground electrode (27) via a fusion zone (35) formed by irradiating at least one surface among a distal end surface and side surfaces of the ground electrode with a laser beam or an electron beam. Further, as viewed on a projection plane orthogonal to a center axis of the noble metal tip and on which the noble metal tip and the fusion zone are projected along the center axis, an overlapping region between the noble metal tip (32) and the fusion zone accounts for 70% or more of a projected region of the noble metal tip. |
| US08487518B2 |
Solid state light with optical guide and integrated thermal guide
A solid state light having a solid state light source such as LEDs, an optical guide, and a thermal guide. The optical guide is coupled to the light source for receiving and distributing light from the light source, and the thermal guide is integrated with the optical guide for providing thermal conduction from the solid state light source and dissipating heat through convection and radiation for cooling the light. The optical guide can be tapered to enhance the efficiency of light distribution. The thermal guide can have an external shell connected with internal fins, and the external shell can have a reflective coating to provide for a back reflector behind the optical guide. |
| US08487516B2 |
Scanning of wireless environment in a femto-based home macro sector
System(s) and method(s) are provided to trigger inter-carrier scanning in a mobile device based at least in part on location thereof. Femto access point (AP) that can serve the mobile device can determine location through cell or sector identifier that is extracted via scan(s) of macro wireless environment of the femto AP. Femto AP can rank extracted sector identifier(s) and establish home macro sector (HMS) identifier(s), and also can generate scanning requirements for idle-mode scan(s) by a mobile device that operates in a HMS and is authorized to access wireless coverage through the femto AP. Scanning requirement(s) can force periodic inter-carrier measurements of a HMS wireless environment, and establish HMS-specific radio link quality threshold(s). Wireless network can receive at least one of HMS identifier(s) and scanning requirement(s) and deliver same to mobile device(s) authorized to exploit wireless coverage through femto AP associated with the HMS ID(s) and the scanning requirement(s). |
| US08487513B2 |
Piezoelectric actuator
Disclosed herein is a piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric actuator includes a piezoelectric element generating vibrations by repetitively expanding and restoring according to power applied from the outside to be linearly driven; a support member contacts the piezoelectric element in order to support the piezoelectric element; and vibration control members attached to one surface of and the support member and the piezoelectric element. |
| US08487510B2 |
Driving device
Provided is a driving device having an electromechanical transducer, a driving member, a moving member and a driving circuit. The driving circuit outputs a driving voltage at a frequency lower than that where the driving speed of the moving member is at maximum, and changes the drive frequency of the driving voltage so that the drive frequency has a negative correlative relationship with the ambient temperature. The change rate of the drive frequency to a change of the ambient temperature in the negative correlative relationship is larger than a change rate of a frequency where the driving speed of the moving member is at maximum to an increase of the ambient temperature, and the change rate permits the driving speed of the moving member to increase when the ambient temperature increases. |
| US08487509B2 |
Drive circuit and physical quantity measuring device
In order for keeping the amplitude of the excitation current of a vibrator constant irrespective not only of the temperature variation but also of the manufacturing variation and the variation in frequency, a comparison control circuit for controlling the amplitude of the drive signal for exciting the vibrator includes a comparative voltage supply circuit for supplying the comparative voltage, and the comparative voltage supply circuit generates the comparative voltage with a constant current source and a second resistor made of a material the same as a material of a first resistor included in a current-voltage conversion circuit. |
| US08487505B2 |
Polymer actuator
There is provided a polymer actuator including a first electrode layer as an active member layer made of a conductive polymer, a second electrode layer opposing to the first electrode layer, and an electrolyte placed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, so that the polymer actuator is driven by a voltage applied between both the electrode layers, wherein the electrolyte is constituted by a first electrolyte layer having a sliding function and a second electrolyte layer having an insulation maintaining function. |
| US08487503B2 |
Hand power tool with brush motor
A hand power tool with an oblong motor housing, particularly used as a handle, houses an electric collector motor. The brushes of the motor are housed in a brush holder with a brush shaft in a spring loaded way. Furthermore, the brush holder is solely/individually fixed in the motor housing, to which an axis intersection is associated, particularly a longitudinal, a vertical, and a transversal axis. According to the invention, the hand power tool is arranged in the motor housing in a space-saving manner with the shaft of the brush holder arranged opposite the vertical axis of the motor housing at an angle of approximately 20° in a laterally displaced way, particularly radially, relative to the longitudinal axis. |
| US08487500B2 |
Cooling arrangement of an electrical machine
A component of an electric machine 46, the component comprising a core 10; two or more teeth 14 extending radially therefrom; at least one electromagnetic winding 12, each winding 12 around at least one of the teeth 14; wherein the core 10 having a cooling arrangement including at least one cooling insert 48 located between adjacent windings 12 and whereby in use a cooling fluid being arranged to flow through the at least one cooling insert 48 to facilitate heat transfer and dissipation from the electromagnetic windings 12. The cooling inserts providing improved cooling, structural support to the windings, and electrical insulation between the windings and the core. |
| US08487499B2 |
Electric rotating machine drivable with a single three-phase inverter
In an electric rotating machine, a stator coil is comprised of first and second winding groups. The stator coil is wound around a stator core in a concentrated winding manner so that the phase difference in electrical angle between each corresponding pair of windings of the first and second winding groups is equal to π/6. Further, the windings of the first and second winding groups are connected to form Δ-Y connections. Consequently, the sixth harmonic components of the electromagnetic forces created by the windings of the first winding group can be offset by those of the electromagnetic forces created the windings of the second winding group. As a result, the total magnetic noise and torque ripple generated in the machine can be reduced. Moreover, the machine can be driven with only a single three-phase inverter to achieve the effects of reducing the total magnetic noise and torque ripple. |
| US08487498B2 |
Multiple conductor winding in stator
An electric machine includes a stator disposed about an axis in register with the rotor. The stator has a plurality of slots parallel to the axis. A plurality of windings with generally rectangular cross sections is provided with each winding having a first portion disposed radially inward of a second portion relative to the axis. At least two of the plurality of windings are at least partially inserted into each of the plurality of slots. The plurality of generally rectangular windings in each of the plurality of slots is configured to reduce resistive loss within the stator. |
| US08487497B2 |
Motor system
In a motor system, a motor includes a rotor and a stator. The rotor includes magnet poles and consequent poles. The stator includes a stator core and a stator coil that is comprised of first and second m-phase coils. The number of slots of the stator core provided per circumferentially-adjacent pair of the magnet and consequent poles is equal to 4m. The phase windings of the first m-phase coil are alternately arranged with those of the second m-phase coil in a circumferential direction of the stator core. An inverter energizes the first and second m-phase coils to cause them to respectively create first and second spatial magnetic fluxes. Variation in a resultant spatial magnetic flux, which is the resultant of the first and second spatial magnetic fluxes, is less than variations in the first and second spatial magnetic fluxes in a circumferential direction of the rotor. |
| US08487493B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling a bearing through a pressure boundary
A rotating apparatus includes a housing, a shaft at least partially disposed within a first pressure environment defined by the housing, a first magnetic bearing supporting the shaft and being at least partially disposed within the first pressure environment, a sensor operable to sense a position of the shaft relative to the first magnetic bearing, a controller disposed in a second pressure environment independent of the first pressure environment and operable to communicate with the sensor and to generate a control signal for the first magnetic bearing based on the sensed position, and a communication device operable to communicate the control signal between the controller and the first magnetic bearing and to communicate the sensed position between the sensor and the controller without penetrating a pressure boundary defined between the first and second pressure environments. |