| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08582772B2 |
Aggregate signature schemes
An authenticated RFID system is provided that uses elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) to reduce the signature size and read/write times when compared to traditional public key implementations such as RSA. Either ECDSA or ECPVS can be used to reduce the signature size and ECPVS can be used to hide a portion of the RFID tag that contains sensitive product identifying information. As a result, smaller tags can be used or multiple signatures can be written at different stages in a manufacturing or supply chain. A key management system is used to distribute the verification keys and aggregate signature schemes are also provided for adding multiple signatures to the RFID tags, for example in a supply chain. |
| US08582771B2 |
Method for selectively encrypting control signal
Various methods and apparatus for encrypting signals in a wireless access system are disclosed. A method for selectively encrypting a management message in an MS includes steps of generating a Medium Access Control Protocol Data Unit (MAC PDU) including the selectively encrypted management message and an Fragmentation Extended Header (FEH) and transmitting the MAC PDU to the BS. The FEH includes indication information indicating whether the management message was encrypted. |
| US08582760B2 |
Method and system of managing and filtering electronic messages using cryptographic techniques
Undesirable electronic messages, such as the unsolicited broadcast e-mail known as spam, is not only a nuisance, but wastes both computer and user resources. Conversely, desirable electronic messages with sensitive content is important to secure, so that it is not forged, tampered or revealed. Accordingly, the present invention provides cryptographic methods that simultaneously secures electronic communication and helps fight spam. |
| US08582759B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing content service
There is provided a method and apparatus for providing a content service. A method of providing a content service includes generating a plurality of pieces of decryption information according to a continuous period of using a broadcasting service with respect to predetermined contents, encrypting the contents, and decrypting the encrypted contents using the decryption information. |
| US08582755B2 |
Headset with a retractable speaker portion
An earbud headset, a handset including the same, and methods of operating the headset and handset are provided. In one embodiment, an earbud headset includes a speaker portion that is retractable into and extendable from a base portion, thereby allowing for a thin profile form factor. Advantageously, the earbud headset allows for more convenient storage and/or integration with a handset such that a user may carry the handset and headset much like a single item. |
| US08582749B2 |
Method and apparatus for connecting packet telephony calls between secure and non-secure networks
Described herein is a method and apparatus for connecting packet telephony calls between secure networks and non-secure networks. A first telephony stream having information content for delivery to a first address may be received wherein the first telephony stream is formatted according to a first communication protocol used by a first network. The first telephony stream may be terminated at a secure boundary between the first network and a second network. A second address associated with the first address may be identified. A second telephony stream having the information content and formatted according to the second communication protocol may be delivered to the second address. |
| US08582746B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing incoming and outgoing call information in a mobile communication terminal
An apparatus and method for providing incoming and outgoing call information in a mobile communication terminal. A display unit displays detailed incoming/outgoing call information integrated for a particular phone number. A memory stores an incoming/outgoing call list according to an incoming/outgoing event. A controller controls an operation for adding the detailed incoming/outgoing call information to an associated phone number item of the incoming/outgoing call list when the incoming/outgoing call event occurs, and controls an operation for displaying the detailed incoming/outgoing call information integrated for the particular phone number selected from among phone numbers of the incoming/outgoing call list. The detailed incoming/outgoing call information mapped to the same phone number can be viewed at one time by integrating and providing the incoming/outgoing call information. |
| US08582739B1 |
Providing access to communication plans via multiple access methods
One computer-implemented method includes identifying a plurality of communication plans, identifying a first communication associated with a first access method and associated with a first attribute, determining a first communication plan associated with the first communication from the plurality of communication plans, the determination based at least in part on the first attribute associated with the first communication, identifying a second communication different than the first communication and associated with the first access method, the second communication associated with a second attribute different than the first attribute, and determining a second communication plan associated with the second communication from the plurality of communication plans, the determination based at least in part on the second attribute associated with the second communication, wherein the first and second communication plans are associated with a prepaid pay-as-you-go or subscription monetary values. |
| US08582738B1 |
Person-to-person calling accounts
Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for providing call connections between a calling party and a verified called party. A person-to-person account is identified for the called party. An answering party is prompted to provide identification information. The identification information is compared to data in the person-to-person account. The call connection is not completed unless the called party's identity is verified. |
| US08582737B2 |
System and method for running a multi-module telephony application
A method for running an accountable multi-module telephony application including receiving an application request to a number associated with an account of a telephony platform; directing application control to a first module of an application of the account; passing application control from the first module to a second module of the account through a linking system; and metering use of the first module and the at least second module independently. |
| US08582736B2 |
Communication device and communication system
A communication system includes a data processing device that communicates with a communication device via a first transmission link. The communication device includes a first communication controller that controls communication with the data processing device via the first transmission link, and a second communication controller that controls communication via a second transmission link which is different from the first transmission link. The communication device also includes a transmitter that transmits transmission data sent via the first transmission link through the second transmission link, a canceller that cancels transmission of the transmission data through the second transmission link upon receiving a canceling command via the first transmission link, and an observer that observes whether the communication via the first transmission link, which transmits the transmission data to the communication device, is enabled, in response to receiving the transmission data via the first transmission link. |
| US08582734B2 |
Account administration system and method with security function
An account administration system and method with security function are provided. The system comprises an identification unit, an issue unit, a portable communication device, and a identification device, wherein after the issue unit receiving the request massage from the portable communication device, a user password will be generated from the issue unit, and the user password will be sent to the portable communication device and the identification unit, thus, user can input the user password to the identification device received from the portable communication device, furthermore, according to the user account used, the identification procedure of the identification unit will exam to be passed for the identification device, such that the online access with the identification unit will be achieved. |
| US08582733B1 |
Phone system with methodology for call parking
A phone system with a methodology for call parking is described. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a user of a communications endpoint device can use a user interface at the communications endpoint device to select persons to notify of a parked call. Upon successfully parking the call, the phone system notifies the selected persons in the manner specified in their account profiles. Such manner can include sending an e-mail to the selected person or sending a text message to the selected person. Advantageously, the manner for notifying the selected persons of the parked call is determined by the selected persons themselves through configuration of their account profiles thereby alleviating the user parking the call from having to determine the manner for notifying the selected persons. |
| US08582730B2 |
Limited contact telephonic journaling
Systems and methods of the present invention provide for recording, accessing, responding to and archiving an audio journal stored in a dedicated voice mailbox via telephonic communication. A first user may dial a number and record a journal entry each week from a telephone or cell phone into a provided dedicated voice mailbox. A second user may access the dedicated voice mailbox where no direct phone connection with the first user is possible and respond with an appropriate reply message. |
| US08582729B2 |
System and method of controlling a graphical user interface at a wireless device
A method of controlling a graphical user interface (GUI) at a wireless device is disclosed and includes storing a set of audio GUI controls at an interactive voice response server and creating an audio GUI control string that is to be communicated to the wireless device within a voice stream. The audio GUI control string corresponds to a text string that is selectably presentable at the wireless device. Further, the method can include embedding the audio GUI control string within the voice stream. Additionally, the method can include transmitting the voice stream with the embedded audio GUI control string to the wireless device. |
| US08582725B2 |
Testing and quality assurance of interactive voice response (IVR) applications
A system receives a condition for an interactive voice response (IVR) application, automatically tests the IVR application based on the received condition, and generates a test result based on the automatic testing of the IVR application. |
| US08582724B2 |
E911 location server
A system including a location server configured to receive registration data from an IP device and a location database configured to store location information of the IP device, wherein the location server queries the location database to determine whether the registration data matches the location information stored at the location database. |
| US08582722B2 |
Rotary anode X-ray tube
A rotary anode X-ray tube apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a stationary shaft, a cooling bath that is provided in the stationary shaft, a rotary cylinder that is rotatably supported to the stationary shaft, a target that is provided in the rotary cylinder, a cathode that is disposed to face the target, and a vacuum enclosure that stores these components. The stationary shaft has a large-diameter portion provided in a portion thereof and is provided with a flow passage through which a cooling fluid flows. The cooling bath is provided by thinning the wall thickness of the large-diameter portion to increase the flow passage diameter of a portion of the flow passage. The rotary cylinder covers an area of the stationary shaft including the large-diameter portion through a liquid metal and is rotatably supported to the stationary shaft. The target has a hollow circular plate shape that is provided on an outer circumferential surface of the rotary cylinder. The vacuum enclosure stores the stationary shaft, the rotary cylinder, the target, and the cathode and supports the stationary shaft. |
| US08582721B2 |
Control apparatus and control method
A control apparatus for controlling an X-ray irradiation area, in which an acquisition circuit acquires information relating to an effective area of a sensor, and a control circuit controls the X-ray irradiation area based on the information relating to the effective area. |
| US08582717B2 |
Concentration measuring method and fluorescent X-ray spectrometer
In the present invention, a fluorescent X-ray analysis is made for a sample such as a liquid fuel including an object component such as sulfur. A background related to scattered X-rays and a system peak is subtracted from a fluorescent X-ray intensity of the object component, which is obtained from a spectrum acquired by the fluorescent X-ray analysis. A correction corresponding to the composition of the sample is performed for the fluorescent X-ray intensity obtained by subtracting the background. A calibration curve representing the relation between a value, which is obtained after performing the correction for the fluorescent X-ray intensity obtained by subtracting the background, and a concentration of the object component is preset. The concentration of the object component in the sample is calculated on the basis of the calibration curve. |
| US08582716B2 |
Driver circuit, display device including the driver circuit, and electronic appliance including the display device
An object of the present invention is to provide a driver circuit including a normally-on thin film transistor, which driver circuit ensures a small malfunction and highly reliable operation. The driver circuit includes a static shift register including an inverter circuit having a first transistor and a second transistor, and a switch including a third transistor. The first to third transistors each include a semiconductor layer of an oxide semiconductor and are depletion-mode transistors. An amplitude voltage of clock signals for driving the third transistor is higher than a power supply voltage for driving the inverter circuit. |
| US08582715B2 |
Stage circuit and scan driver using the same
A stage circuit is capable of concurrently or progressively supplying scan signals. The stage circuit includes a progressive driver including a first transistor and a second transistor, and a concurrent driver including an 11th transistor and a 12th transistor. When the first transistor, the second transistor, the 11th transistor, and the 12th transistor are turned off, lower voltages than voltages applied to source electrodes are applied to gate electrodes such that the transistors can be stably turned off. |
| US08582713B2 |
Method for improving energy output of a nuclear reactor, method for determining natural uranium blanket layer for a fuel bundle, and a fuel bundle having a variable blanket layer
In a method for improving the energy generating output of a nuclear reactor containing one or more fuel rods in one or more fuel rod bundles while satisfying a maximum subcritical banked withdrawal position (MSBWP) reactivity limit, enrichments of individual fuel rods in an axial cross-section of a lattice being evaluated at the top of the fuel bundle are ranked, and the fuel pins of the highest ranked rod location in the lattice are replaced with pins containing natural uranium. A core simulation is then performed to determine whether there is any margin to a MSBWP reactivity limit. For each lower ranked candidate rod position, the pin replacing and core simulation functions are repeated until no rod location violates the MSBWP reactivity limit, so as to achieve a desired lattice design for the top of the fuel bundle. |
| US08582711B2 |
Clock change device and clock change method
A clock change method includes: converting the serial data synchronized to a first clock into parallel data; latching the serial-to-parallel converted data into a designated data storing circuit with a latch timing that occurs once in every a number of clock cycles of a second clock; and converting the latched parallel data into the serial data synchronized to the second clock, and wherein: each time a packet of serial data synchronized to the first clock is received, a timing adjustment is performed to adjust the latch timing so that the latch timing occurs a predetermined time after occurrence of a conversion timing for converting the serial data synchronized to the first clock into the parallel data. |
| US08582710B2 |
Recovery and synchronization for spread spectrum modulated clock
Embodiments allow for the use of the SS modulation technique (and thus for significant reduction of EMI due to clock transmission) in scenarios involving tight synchronization requirements between two devices. In particular, embodiments can be used in high-speed communication networks (e.g., high-speed Ethernet) where a clock signal embedded in the data stream at the transmitter and recovered from the data stream at the receiver is the only source for synchronization between the transmitter and the receiver (i.e., no other synchronization channel available). Embodiments are also especially useful in communication systems utilizing echo cancellers. |
| US08582706B2 |
Training a data path for parallel data transfer
A system and method for training a data path for parallel data transfer are presented. A first part of the method includes determining a delay setting for each coupling of a plurality of parallel couplings between a first device and a second device. The delay setting for each coupling may substantially align reception of signals transmitted from the first device to the second device on each coupling with a system clock. A second part of the method includes determining the alignment of the plurality of parallel couplings relative to each other. A timing adjustment for one or more of the plurality of parallel couplings may then be determined, whereby after the timing adjustment, signals transmitted from the first device to the second device on the plurality of couplings are received by the second device in alignment with each other. |
| US08582703B2 |
Estimation of signal and interference power
Wireless receiver and method of operating a wireless receiver in a wireless communication network for: receiving a signal, the received signal comprising data containing at least one symbol from a symbol alphabet, the symbol alphabet consisting of complex values that define a direction in the complex plane, the received signal further comprising interference; measuring the variance of a first component of the received signal that is perpendicular to the defined direction in the complex plane; estimating the interference power of the received signal using the measured variance of the first component of the received signal; estimating a total power of the received signal; estimating the power of the at least one symbol of the received signal by subtracting the estimated interference power from the estimated total power of the received signal; and based on the estimated interference power and the estimated power of the at least one symbol of the received signal, performing at least one of the steps of: processing the received signal, and generating control information related to the transmission of a further signal from the wireless receiver. |
| US08582702B2 |
Electronic device for receiving a radio-frequency signal
An electronic device includes an analog-to-digital converter adapted to receive a radio-frequency signal and adapted to provide therefrom a digital signal, wherein the radio-frequency signal may include an interference signal. The electronic device has a controller adapted to perform a digital measure on the digital signal and adapted to generate therefrom a selection signal having a first value indicating a non-interference condition in the radio-frequency signal and having a second value indicating an interference-condition in the radio-frequency signal. A selector is adapted to transmit the digital signal in case the selection signal has the first value and to transmit a signal replacing the digital signal in case the selection signal has the second value. |
| US08582700B2 |
Reducing switching noise
The present solution relates to a method in a first communication node (501) for suppressing noise in a communication system (500) utilizing an automatic gain control. The first communication node (501) receives (1301) a signal from a second communication node (503). Then, the first communication node (501) determines (1302) if a gain level is changed. The signal gain is changed (1303). The next step is for the first communication node (501) to determine (1305) if an inband interferer is present, and then to suppress (1306) transient noise in the signal. |
| US08582699B2 |
Maintaining ADC input magnitude from digital par and peak value
Automatic gain control in a receiver. A method for controlling operating range of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) by an automatic gain control circuit includes estimating a peak-to-average ratio corresponding to an analog signal from digital samples of the analog signal. The method includes determining a peak value corresponding to the analog signal based on the peak-to-average ratio. Further, the method includes maintaining magnitude of the analog signal at an input of the ADC and gain of the receiver based on the peak value. |
| US08582688B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for channel estimation
In the field of communications technologies, a method, an apparatus, and a system for channel estimation are provided. The method for channel estimation includes the following steps. An error signal returned by a terminal is received, where the error signal is an error signal of at least two tones in a downlink frequency band. Channels of the at least two tones are obtained according to the error signal. The channels of the at least two tones are interpolated, and channels of remaining tones in the downlink frequency band are obtained. In the method, the apparatus, and the system for channel estimation, a convergence speed of the channel estimation is improved by reducing data of error signals returned by the terminal. |
| US08582687B2 |
System and method for controlling combined radio signals
A method for controlling a combined waveform, representing a combination of at least two signals having orthogonal frequency multiplexed signal components, comprising: receiving information defining the at least two signals; transforming the information defining each signal to a representation having orthogonal frequency multiplexed signal components, such that at least one signal has at least two alternate representations of the same information, and combining the transformed information using the at least two alternate representations, in at least two different ways, to define respectively different combinations; analyzing the respectively different combinations with respect to at least one criterion; and outputting a respective combined waveform or information defining the waveform, representing a selected combination of the transformed information from each of the at least two signals selected based on the analysis. |
| US08582686B2 |
Transmitter and method for transmitting data block in wireless communication system
Provided are a transmitter and a method for transmitting a data block in a wireless communication system. The method comprises the following steps: encoding an information bit and generating a block coded with an NCBPSS bit; generating two sub-blocks by parsing the coded block; and transmitting the two sub-blocks to the transmitter. By preventing the bits that are contiguous to the encoding block from having continuous identical reliabilities on a signal constellation, the deterioration of the decoding performance of the transmitter can be prevented. |
| US08582684B2 |
Interference alignment for channel-adaptive waveform modulation
Embodiments provide an apparatus and method for interference alignment for channel-adaptive waveform modulation. The method includes obtaining at least a part of a first matrix and a part of a second matrix for the impulse response function of a communication channel. The method further includes designing a set of one or more linearly independent waveforms based on at least the obtained parts of the first and second matrices such that a first subspace spanned by the linearly independent waveforms when multiplied by the obtained part of the first matrix at least partially overlaps a second subspace spanned by the linearly independent waveforms when multiplied by the obtained part of the second matrix. |
| US08582683B2 |
Wireless communication device and wireless communication method
To realize prompt and efficient data communication by dynamically changing the optimum MCS and PC. A base station (120) serving as a wireless communication device according to the present invention includes an obtaining unit (220) for obtaining an RSSI and an SINR of a receive signal upon generation of transmission data to be sent to a PHS terminal (110) serving as a wireless communication device to communicate with; a modulation and coding scheme determining unit (224) for determining an MCS, based on the volume of the transmission data; a transmission power determining unit (226) for determining a transmission power, based on the volume of the transmission data, the RSSI, the SINR, and the MCS determined; and a wireless communication unit (214) for sending the transmission data, using the MCS determined and the transmission power determined. |
| US08582682B2 |
Digital broadcasting transmission/reception devices capable of improving a receiving performance and signal processing method thereof
Disclosed is a digital broadcasting transmission/reception system having an improved reception performance and a signal-processing method thereof. A digital broadcasting transmitter comprises a TS stream generator for inputting robust and normal packets having stuff bytes in predetermined positions and generating dual TS stream by inserting the robust packets between the normal packets; a randomizer for randomizing the dual TS stream; a stuff byte exchanger for replacing the stuff bytes of a randomized data streams from the randomizer to a predetermined known data; and an encoder for encoding a data streams to which the known data is inserted. Accordingly, the present invention detects the known data from a signal received from a reception side and uses the detected known data for synchronization and equalization, so that the digital broadcasting reception performance can be improved at poor multipath channels. |
| US08582677B2 |
Communication apparatus, communication method and computer program
There is provided a communication apparatus, including a transmission pattern generation unit that generates a transmission pattern according to a modulation method, a metric calculation unit that calculates an inter-signal distance between a received signal vector of received signals and an estimation vector, which is a product of channel information and the transmission pattern, a maximum likelihood pattern determination unit that determines a maximum likelihood signal pattern from the inter-signal distance calculated by the metric calculation unit, and an error estimation unit that estimates a phase error component and an amplitude error component contained in the received signal vector. The metric calculation unit calculates the inter-signal distance between the received signal vector and the estimation vector by using the phase error component and/or the amplitude error component estimated by the error estimation unit. |
| US08582672B2 |
System and method for wireless communications using spatial multiplexing with incomplete channel information
A system and method for wireless communications using spatial multiplexing with incomplete channel information is provided. A method for wireless communications includes receiving a reference signal from a communications device, computing at least one first beamforming vector from the received reference signal, selecting at least one second beamforming vector from channel statistics, and transmitting information to the communications device. The reference signal is transmitted using a subset of antennas used for data reception at the communications device, and the transmitting uses the at least one first beamforming vector and the at least one second beamforming vector. |
| US08582671B2 |
Multicarrier communication apparatus
A multicarrier communication apparatus includes: a scheduler operable to schedule transmission opportunities of the plurality of series of transmission data in accordance with predetermined scheduling information; a peak evaluator to evaluate whether or not the peak of the multicarrier signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value; and a peak suppressing unit operable to halt transmission of at least some of the plurality of series of transmission data based on the scheduling information upon decision by said peak evaluator that the result of the evaluation exceeds the threshold value. This construction makes it possible to accomplish peak suppression with ease without increasing the arithmetic scale, like in the previous art, while maintaining communication of users high in scheduling precedence. |
| US08582666B2 |
Image compression and decompression
Clusters of pixels are defined for use in image compression and decompression. The image information used to define the clusters may include pixel values at predetermined positions relative to a pixel or related motion vectors, gradients, texture etc. During compression of images the image information relative to pixels is examined to determine the cluster to which it belongs. Thus pixels can be classified according to the cluster for their image information. In an embodiment the definitions of the clusters are selected dynamically, dependent on image content. For each cluster a control parameter set is computed for a post-processing operation, such as filter coefficients for filtering or statistical data for locally generating texture. The control parameter set is selected dependent on the image content so that, when the post-processing operation is applied to the image after decompression it will improve image quality for the pixels that are classified as belonging to the cluster. The compressed image and the control parameter sets are transmitted to a decompression apparatus. Upon decompression, the image information that represents the decompressed image is examined to classify pixels according to the clusters and the different control parameter sets for the selected clusters are used to control post-processing at the locations of the pixels. |
| US08582663B2 |
Method, device, and system for multiplexing of video streams
There is disclosed a method and device of statistical interleaving of at least two digital video sequences each comprising a plurality of coded pictures to be reproduced by a decoder, wherein the two digital video sequences form a single video stream and are destined for being successively reproduced in time, comprising statistical multiplexing a first digital video sequence with a second digital video sequence, wherein the pictures of the second digital video sequence are associated with timing information, which prevents a decoder from reproducing the pictures; transmitting the digital video sequences in an interleaved manner in accordance with a result of the statistical multiplexing to the decoder; and once the second digital video sequence is to be reproduced by decoder receiving the stream: transmitting dummy pictures, which are coded to refer to one or more pictures of the second video sequence transmitted in advance to the decoder. |
| US08582660B2 |
Selective video frame rate upconversion
This disclosure is directed to techniques for selective video frame rate upconversion (FRUC) in a video decoder. A video decoder selectively enables or disables FRUC based on one or more adaptive criteria. The adaptive criteria may be selected to indicate whether FRUC is likely to introduce spatial artifacts. Adaptive criteria may include a motion activity threshold, a mode decision threshold, or both. The criteria are adaptive, rather than fixed. When the criteria indicate that a frame includes excessive motion or new content, the decoder disables FRUC. |
| US08582658B2 |
Methods for adaptive video quality enhancement
A method for improving video quality of a video stream. The method decodes the video stream and generates subblocks of video data from the video stream. The method then removes effects of subblock boundaries from previous deblocking. Each subblock is then smoothed to create pixel values and optionally, subblocks are merged if a predetermined quality is not achieved from the smoothing analysis. The pixels values are filled into each pixel position in the subblock. The subblocks are deblocked and then at least one subblock is outputted to a rendering device. |
| US08582657B2 |
Multi-dimensional and multi-stage transforming apparatus and method
Provided are an apparatus for multi-stage transforming a plurality of unit blocks in multi-dimension that can improve compression efficiency of video data by collecting Discrete Cosine Transforming (DCT) coefficients of neighboring blocks and performing an additional transformation based on the DCT coefficients of an original picture and a differential picture. The method includes the steps of: performing a Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) on inputted picture data and selecting R blocks of a predetermined size from DCT picture data, where R is a natural number equal to or greater than 2; arranging DCT coefficients of each of the selected R blocks according to each frequency in one-dimension; and performing one-dimensional transformation again on the DCT coefficients arranged in one-dimension. |
| US08582650B1 |
Manipulation of media streams in the compressed domain
An integrated circuit receives a compressed input stream having a first compression format. A media processing module converts the compressed input stream to an intermediary compression format for processing without fully decompressing the compressed input stream. After processing, a compressed output stream having a second compression format is generated from the intermediary compression format. Processing is dynamically adjusted responsive to changing network conditions. Optionally, the integrated circuit can receive live, raw video, partially encode it into the intermediary compression format, process it with the media process module as well as take the intermediary compression format, decode and output the live, raw video. |
| US08582648B2 |
System and method for selective image capture, transmission and reconstruction
A video processing method and system for generating a foveated video display with sections having different resolutions uses a network channel for communicating video images having video sections of different resolutions, and includes a video transmission system for processing and transmitting the received video images over the network channel. The system assigns a larger portion of the network channel's bandwidth to a video section with higher resolution. Further, the system includes a video receiving system for receiving and seamlessly combining the first and second video sections of different resolutions to form an output video image on a display device, and a control unit for sending one or more video control parameters to the video transmission system to control capturing, transmitting and processing of the video images. |
| US08582647B2 |
Methods and systems for quality controlled encoding
This disclosure describes techniques for controlling a perceived quality of multimedia sequences to try to achieve a desired constant perceptual quality regardless of the content of the sequences. In particular, an encoding device may implement quality control techniques to associate a sequence segment with a content “class” based on the content of the segment, determine a perceptual quality metric of the sequence segment, and adjust at least one encoding parameter used to encode the segment is encoded such that for the perceptual quality of the sequence segment converges to the desired quality. |
| US08582644B2 |
Real-time transport protocol (RTP) packetization method for fast channel change applications using scalable video coding (SVC)
An apparatus encodes a video signal for providing a scalable video coded (SVC) signal comprising a base layer video coded signal and an enhancement layer video coded signal, wherein the base layer video coded signal has more random access points, e.g., Instantaneous Decoder Refresh (IDR) slices, than the enhancement layer and in those access units where the enhancement layer has an IDR slice, the base layer has a non-IDR slice. Transmission of the SVC occurs in packet form using the Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) such that non-random access point slices are conveyed in Simple Time Aggregation Packets (STAP), each Simple Time Aggregation Packet comprising a Payload Content Scalability Information (PACSI) Network Abstraction Layer (NAL) Unit. |
| US08582643B2 |
Integrated circuit with conversion capability for portable medial player
Presented herein are system(s), method(s), and apparatus for an integrated circuit with conversion capabilities for transferring data to a portable media player. In one embodiment, there is presented an integrated circuit for providing video data. The integrated circuit comprises at least one input, at least one output, an encoder, and at least another output. At least one input receives video data. At least one output provides the video data to a display screen. The encoder encodes the video data into a particular compressed format. The at least another output for provides the video data in the particular compressed format to an interface. |
| US08582641B2 |
Satellite distribution apparatus, control means for use in satellite distribution apparatus and method of use thereof
Satellite distribution apparatus is provided for distributing digital broadcast signals in a pre-determined locality or building. The apparatus includes satellite receiving means for receiving broadcast signals from at least one satellite and communication means for transmitting the received signals to a control unit in the locality or building. The control unit allows a plurality of received digital broadcast signals to be selected and output onto a single cable for distribution around said locality or building. The control unit includes means for allowing the bandwidth of the selected signals to be compressed and rearranged for transmitting onto a single cable outlet. At least part of the means for compressing said selected digital broadcast signals includes signal symbol stacking means. |
| US08582636B2 |
High performance equalizer having reduced complexity
An apparatus and method for implementing an equalizer which combines the benefits of a decision feedback equalizer (DFE) with a maximum-a-posterori (MAP) equalizer (or a maximum likelihood sequence estimator, MLSE) to provide an equalization device with significantly lower complexity than a full-state MAP device, but which still provides improved performance over a conventional DFE. The equalizer architecture includes two DFE-like structures, followed by a MAP equalizer. The first DFE forms tentative symbol decisions. The second DFE is used thereafter to truncate the channel response to a desired memory of L1 symbols, which is less than the total delay spread of L symbols of the channel. The MAP equalizer operates over a channel with memory of L1 symbols (where L1<=L), and therefore the overall complexity of the equalizer is significantly reduced. |
| US08582629B1 |
Wireless signal transceiving apparatus
A wireless signal transceiving apparatus is provided. The wireless signal transceiving apparatus includes a signal transceiving-end circuit, a transceiving amplify module, an output amplify module, a mixer, a frequency selecting filter, switch modules a first base-band signal transceiver and a second base-band signal transceiver. The transceiving amplify module receives and amplifies a signal from an antenna or the mixer. The output amplify module amplifies the signal from the mixer. The frequency selecting filter filters the signal from the mixer, the first base-band signal transceiver or the second base-band signal transceiver according to the mode selecting signal. The first base-band signal transceiver and the second base-band signal transceiver receive the signal generated by the frequency selecting filter and/or respectively transmit the first and the second base-band output signal. The switch modules turn on or turn off transmission paths for the signal according to the mode selecting signal. |
| US08582619B2 |
Methods, systems, and devices for timing control in electromagnetic radiation sources
In one embodiment, the invention relates to systems, methods and devices for improving the operation of an electromagnetic radiation source or component thereof. In one embodiment, the source is a laser source. A Fourier domain mode locked laser can be used in various embodiments. The sources described herein can be used in an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system such as a frequency domain OCT system. In one embodiment, laser coherence length is increased by compensating for dispersion. A frequency shifter can also be used in one embodiment to compensate for a tunable filter induced Doppler shift. |
| US08582617B2 |
Semiconductor laser
An 830 nm broad area semiconductor laser having a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) structure. The semiconductor laser supports multiple horizontal transverse modes of oscillation extending within a plane perpendicular to a crystal growth direction of the laser, in a direction perpendicular to the length of the resonator of the laser. The resonator includes a diffraction grating in the vicinity of the emitting facet of the laser. The width of the diffraction grating in a plane perpendicular to the growth direction and perpendicular to the length of the resonator is different at first and second locations along the length of the resonator. The width of the diffraction grating along a direction which is perpendicular to the length of the resonator increases with increasing distance from the front facet of the semiconductor laser. |
| US08582614B2 |
Laser amplification system and method for generating retrievable laser pulses
The invention relates to a laser amplification system for generating retrievable laser pulses having at least one laser source, in particular with a pulse selector arranged downstream thereof for the targeted selection of amplifiable laser pulses, a laser medium for amplifying laser pulses generated by the laser source and a loss modulator, wherein the loss modulator is arranged and connected such that said modulator modulates the amplification of the laser pulses by the laser medium by loss generation so that the retrievable laser pulses are provided with a predefined pulse time and/or pulse energy. Before an amplification process for one of the laser pulses, the current amplification of the laser medium is determined and the loss generation is controlled by the loss modulator depending on the current amplification of the laser medium. |
| US08582611B2 |
Frequency-tripled fiber-MOPA
In a frequency-tripled fiber-MOPA, a pre-amplified plane-polarized seed-pulse having a fundamental frequency is divided into two pulse-components, plane-polarized in polarization-orientations at 90-degrees to each other. The fundamental-wavelength pulse-components are amplified in a common amplifier-fiber. The amplified components are separately propagated on different optical paths. One of the amplified components is frequency-doubled. The frequency-doubled component on one path and fundamental-frequency component on the other path are then combined on a common-path and sum-frequency mixed to provide a frequency-tripled pulse. |
| US08582608B2 |
High power fiber laser system with side-pumping arrangement
A twin fiber laser arrangement is configured with active and passive fibers supporting respective signal and pump lights and a reflective coating surrounding the fibers along a section of the arrangement. The passive fiber has regions covered by respective protective layer and coating-free regions alternating with the layer covered regions, wherein the reflective coating is configured to overlap the protective layer which shields the end of the reflective coating from high power pump light. |
| US08582597B2 |
Time slot interchanger
There is provided a time slot interchanger for processing channel setting data functioning as control data for interchanging time slots of multiplexed transmission data. In the time slot interchanger, processing of the channel setting data based on alarm data is performed in accordance with a preset first transmission capacity, and with respect to the channel setting data in accordance with a preset second transmission capacity, processing of the channel setting data in accordance with the first transmission capacity is dispersedly performed in a time series manner. |
| US08582593B2 |
Multicast transmission within a hybrid direct and cellular communication system
In one, non-limiting exemplary embodiment, a method includes: sending a multicast transmission from a source device to a base station in a wireless communication system, where the multicast transmission is for a plurality of receiving devices including a local receiving device, where the source device and the local receiving device are members of a local cluster that is at least partially located in a cell serviced by the base station; receiving, by the source device, a transmission of feedback information as it is transmitted from the local receiving device to the base station; and in response to the source device determining that the feedback information includes an indication that the local receiving device did not correctly receive the multicast transmission, sending a retransmission of the multicast transmission from the source device directly to the local receiving device. |
| US08582588B2 |
Use of wireless circuit-switched connections for transferring information requiring real-time operation of packet-switched multimedia services
A system includes a terminal, a wireless access network, a multimedia core network and a network device, which connects the wireless access network to the multimedia core network, expanded location updating to the registration procedure of the multimedia core network, and performs double registration of the user to the multimedia core network. The terminal performs expanded location updating relaying the registration point identity of the multimedia core network, the user's phone number and the private user identity to the network device in connection with normal location updating signaling. In the double registration performed by the network device, two addresses are registered for the user of the terminal, one of which is associated with the domain name of the terminal in question or a numeric IP address, and the other to a domain name of the network device or a numeric IP address. |
| US08582585B2 |
Distribution device in a subscriber connection area
The invention relates to a distribution device in the subscriber access area, comprising two changeover devices two switching matrices a DSLAM having associated splitter modules and at least one controller. The first changeover device includes m inputs, m first outputs and m second outputs, with a first and a second output having one associated changeover element by means of which an associated input can be selectively connected to the first or to the second output. The second changeover device includes m first inputs, m second inputs and m outputs, with a first input and a second input having one associated changeover element by means of which an associated output can be selectively connected to the first or to the second input. The controller switches the first and second changeover devices and switching matrices. |
| US08582582B2 |
In-band control plane and management functionality in optical level one virtual private networks
A method performed by an optical node, operating as a first network edge device of an optical layer one virtual private network (L1VPN), includes generating, by a first module of the optical node, a first optical data frame, where the first optical data frame includes an L1VPN overhead, and where the L1VPN overhead includes a control plane communication field; generating, by a second module of the optical node, a first control plane message for a second network edge device of the optical L1VPN, where the second network edge device is connected to the first network edge device across a provider network via an optical L1VPN link; incorporating, by the first module, the first control plane message into the control plane communication field of the first optical data frame; and transmitting, by the first module, the first optical data frame to the second network edge device via the optical L1VPN link. |
| US08582580B2 |
System and method to provide multiple private networks using PBB/TE
A system and method are supplied to provide multiple private networks. The system can include a Provider Backbone Bridge Traffic Engineering (PBB/TE) interface or interfaces configured to receive a plurality of data stream types each associated with an Instance Service Identifier (I-SID) from a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) or public carrier Ethernet. A plurality of local area network (LAN) ports can be configured to communicate data to a plurality of LANs. A switching process is provided between the PBB/TE interface and the LAN ports. The switching process can be configured to bind individual data stream types from subdivided data streams each represented by an I-SID to each of the respective LAN ports. In addition, the switching process can communicate packets between the PBB/TE interface and the bound LAN ports |
| US08582569B2 |
Modular scalable switch architecture
A scalable Ethernet switch includes modules which can be interconnected to provide a single, virtual switch. The modules may be of uniform physical size and shape relative to a standard telecommunications rack. When greater capacity is required, an additional module is mounted in a rack and interconnected with the other modules, e.g., in a bi-directional ring. Enhanced port density is provided by interconnecting the modules with 12 GbE links which operate on standard 10 GbE wiring and connectors. Consequently, throughput between modules in increased relative to standard 10 GbE links without increasing form factor. Further, transmission power control can be implemented such that modules of the virtual switch may be physically adjacent or separated by distances of several meters. |
| US08582560B2 |
System and method for routing calls associated with private dialing plans
A method for routing a call associated with a private dialing plan includes receiving a call directed to a destination endpoint associated with a private dialing plan (PDP), receiving an internal egress path identifier associated with the destination endpoint, and routing the call to an egress path identified by the egress path identifier. A system for routing a call including a destination number associated with a PDP including a routing engine operable to route the call to a PDP call resolution server, and a first switch operable to receive an egress path identifier and a PDP telephone number from the PDP call resolution server, the egress path identifier identifying an egress path for routing the call to a destination endpoint associated with the destination number, and the PDP telephone number identifying a selected PDP destination endpoint and a second switch operable to receive the call based on the egress path identifier and route the call to the selected PDP destination endpoint using the PDP telephone number. |
| US08582558B2 |
IP telephone system
An IP telephone system equipped with a plurality of telephone terminals and a file server, wherein the file server comprises notification unit notifies an occurrence of update data of the software to the telephone terminals and transfer unit transfers the update data to a telephone terminal of a request source in response to a request from the update data from the telephone terminal, and the telephone terminal comprises reporting unit reports a fact of such to user when the occurrence of the update data is notified from the file server, a input unit used for inputting the update timing of the software by the user reported, request unit requests a transfer of the update data to the file server at the timing, and software update unit switches old software to new software based on the update data transferred from the file server in response to the request. |
| US08582555B2 |
SIP routing customization
Systems, methods, and machine-readable media are disclosed for providing customization to routing of messages in a system where routing is based on stored addresses, such as, for example, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) system. In one embodiment, a method of providing customized routing of messages can comprise receiving a message to a target endpoint at a system for signaling between endpoints. The system can have one or more stored addresses (Target SIP URIs) for each of a plurality of endpoints. One or more target Sip URIs for the target endpoint can be determined from the stored target SIP URIs. One or more policies can be applied to the one or more target SIP URIs for the target endpoint. The one or more policies can comprise a set of one or more conditions and one or more actions associated with each condition. |
| US08582550B2 |
Bounded power-save-polling (BPS)
In accordance with at least some embodiments, a system comprises an access point and a station in communication with the access point. The station has at least two network technology subsystems subject to coexistence interference. The station selectively implements bounded Power Save (PS)-Polling (BPS) logic to handle communications between the station and the access point. The BPS logic operates to confine PS-Poll transmissions starts to one of two separate windows during a medium grant duration of the station. |
| US08582546B2 |
Method and system for inter-PCB communications with wireline control
Aspects of a method and system for inter-PCB communications with wireline control may include setting up a microwave communication link between a first PCB and a second PCB via a wireline communication bus. The initialization may comprise adjusting beamforming parameters of a first antenna array communicatively coupled to the first PCB, and of a second antenna array communicatively coupled to the second PCB. The first PCB and the second PCB may communicate data via the microwave communication link. The microwave communication link may be routed via one or more relay PCBs, when the first PCB and the second PCB cannot directly communicate satisfactorily. Control data may be transferred between the first PCB, the second PCB, and/or the one or more relay PCBs, which may comprise one or more antennas. The relay PCBs may be dedicated relay PCBs or multi-purpose transmitter/receivers. |
| US08582543B2 |
Wireless communication device and access point connection method
A wireless communication device is quickly connectable to an access point of a destination service area without wasting power when the wireless communication device moves from a service area to a different one. When a state change detector of the wireless communication device detects that the received radio field intensity of the radio wave from the connected access point lowers to a threshold or less, a service area information acquirer acquires information on the service area where the wireless communication device is present and information on a neighboring service area. A profile information acquirer acquires profile information corresponding to the service area information. A priority order setter sets the order of priority to the acquired profile information in such a way that the access point of a neighboring service area neighboring to the service area formed by the connected access point is precedingly connected. According to the profile information to which orders of priority are set, a request for connection to the access point is made. |
| US08582542B2 |
Communication system and method
A method of controlling a connection between a user terminal and an access node connected to a communication network is provided. The user terminal establishes a data connection with the access node, periodically generates a message at predetermined intervals and transmits the periodic message to at least one network node via the access node over the communication network. Responses to the periodic messages are received from the at least one network node. The responses are analysed to determine whether to terminate the connection to the access node, and in the case that the connection to the access node should be terminated, a disconnect message is transmitted to the access node from the user terminal. |
| US08582541B2 |
Appending a ranging waveform to a frame to maintain communication protocol interoperability
A technique is provided to enable a ranging-enhanced communication device that operates according to a legacy communication protocol to transmit a ranging waveform that is not defined in, or part of, the rules of the legacy communication protocol. In one embodiment, a ranging-enhanced communication device that is to transmit the ranging waveform generates information representing a time interval within which to wirelessly transmit a ranging waveform that is not defined by a legacy communication protocol. This information is encoded into a field of a frame that is formatted according to the legacy communication protocol to protect the time interval from transmissions by legacy communication devices that operate according to the legacy communication protocol. The ranging-enhanced communication device transmits the frame and transmits the ranging waveform during the time interval following the frame. |
| US08582539B2 |
System and method to implement synchronous channel timing in a wireless communications network
A system and method to implement synchronous channel timing are disclosed. The method comprises establishing a session time interval. In addition, the method comprises establishing a first time interval within the session time interval for transmitting a first data packet. |
| US08582537B2 |
Communication method and terminal apparatus using the same
A radio unit and other units communicate with a base station apparatus. The radio unit and other units are capable of performing multiple types of communications. An acquisition unit acquires communication quality and moving speed. A determination unit determines the execution of a handover based on acquired quality and moving speed. The determination unit specifies, from among acquired quality and moving speed, a parameter used to determine the execution of a handover, based on the type of performed communication. An instruction unit instructs the radio unit and other units to perform a handover. |
| US08582536B2 |
Methods and apparatus of providing transmit diversity in a multiple access wireless communication system
Methods and apparatus for providing channel diversity to wireless terminals (WTs) in a manner that reduces the latency between the time a WT encounters satisfactory channel conditions are described. A plurality of communications channels with different physical characteristics are maintained in a cell by a base station (BS). Each WT monitors multiple channels and maintains multiple channel estimates at the same time so that rapid switching between channels is possible. Channel quality information is conveyed from each WT to the BS. The WT or BS selects a channel based on the measured channel quality. By supporting multiple channels and by introducing periodic variations into the channels in various embodiments, the time before a WT encounters a channel with good or acceptable channel conditions is minimized even if the WT does not change location. Multiple antennas are used at the BS to support numerous channels simultaneously, e.g., by controlling antenna patterns. |
| US08582535B2 |
Apparatus and method for scheduling hybrid ARQ acknowledgment messages in a wireless network
A base station for use in wireless network that communicating with subscriber stations according to a multicarrier protocol. The base station receives uplink signals transmitted by the subscriber stations and measures the channel quality of each uplink acknowledgment signal channel. The base station transmits to a first subscriber station a control message that assigns the first subscriber station to transmit a first acknowledgment signal in a first selected uplink acknowledgment signal channel. The base station selects the first selected uplink acknowledgment signal channel based on a first measured channel quality associated with the first selected uplink acknowledgment signal channel. |
| US08582533B2 |
Method for dropping packet data, radio communication device, and mobile communication system
A mobile communication system, that includes a buffer storing packet data to be sent; and a controller configured for discarding the packet data according to a value of a timer corresponding to the packet data, maintaining the value of the timer corresponding to the packet data when a handover is performed without restarting or resetting the value of the timer, wherein the discarding further includes discarding the corresponding packet data when the value of the timer reaches a given value. |
| US08582531B2 |
Method and device for identifying neighboring pseudorandom number confusion
A method and apparatus for identifying a confusion of neighboring pseudo numbers (PN) are provided. The method includes: obtaining a first location information when a mobile station establishes a call with a reference base station where a reference sector is located, and a second location information after establishing a handover in a process of the call, with a neighboring base station where a valid non-reference sector is located; and when a deviation between the first location information and the second location information is larger than a threshold and the mobile station drops the call after establishing the handover, determining that the confusion of the neighboring PNs exists in the neighboring base station. The method and apparatus are able to fast identify the confusion of the neighboring PNs in the existing CDMA network, and achieve the object of optimizing the network quality and improving the product competitiveness. |
| US08582527B2 |
Hybrid automatic repeat request in multicarrier systems
A base station receives first uplink data packets on a first uplink data channel of a first uplink carrier. A first portion of bandwidth of the first uplink carrier is employed for the first uplink data channel and a second portion is employed for a first uplink control channel. The base station receives second uplink data packets on a second uplink data channel of a second uplink carrier. The entire active bandwidth of the second uplink carrier is employed for the second uplink data channel. The base station transmits positive/negative acknowledgements for the first and second uplink data packets. |
| US08582525B2 |
Dynamic multicarrier OFDM transmission
A wireless device transmits a message to a server via a base station over a first plurality of subcarriers of a first uplink carrier. There is no guard band between any two subcarriers in the first plurality of subcarriers. The wireless device receives an activation command from a base station. The wireless device transmits data packets to the server via the base station over the first uplink carrier and at least one additional uplink carrier over a third plurality of subcarriers. There is at least one guard band between at least two subcarriers in the third plurality of subcarriers. |
| US08582524B2 |
Method for performing a bandwidth request procedure, and terminal apparatus for same
The present document describes a method in which a terminal performs a bandwidth request procedure when a single terminal makes a bandwidth request for a plurality of flows. The present document also describes an improved bandwidth request header. When the terminal is allocated with an uplink resource for the transmission of a bandwidth request header from a base station during the bandwidth request procedure, the terminal may notify the base station, using a bandwidth request header indicating a bandwidth size of zero, that it has no data for which a bandwidth request is to be made to the base station, if the terminal has no data for which a bandwidth request is to be made to the base station. |
| US08582523B2 |
Method for transmitting a downlink signal in a wireless communication system and apparatus for same
The present invention discloses a method in which a base station transmits a downlink signal in a wireless communication system. In detail, the method comprises the following steps: allocating a transmitting resource to data symbols for transmitting downlink signals, in the direction of increasing a frequency index; and transmitting the downlink signal to a terminal, using the allocated resource. The frequency band of preset orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, from among the transmitting resource, contains a control domain and a segment band. The step of allocating the transmitting resource comprises the step of puncturing the data symbol using a control channel, to which the control domain contained in the preset OFDM symbols is allocated. |
| US08582520B2 |
Method and apparatus for wideband conferencing
A method and apparatus for wideband voice and optional data conferencing over a telecommunications network channel between at least two wideband communications devices. An exemplary method comprises establishing an audio link, verifying wideband capability between the at least two wideband communications devices, training modems of the at least two wideband communications device to line conditions, and adjusting the telecommunications connection line conditions between the communications devices. Once a wideband connection has been established, audio and data may be simultaneously exchanged. |
| US08582519B2 |
System and method for channel estimation in a delay diversity wireless communication system
A method of controlling downlink transmissions to a subscriber station capable of communicating with a base station of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) network. The method comprises the steps of: receiving a first pilot signal from a first base station antenna; receiving a second pilot signal from a second base station antenna; and estimating the channel between the base station and subscriber station based on the received first and second pilot signals. The method also comprises determining a set of OFDM symbol processing parameters based on the step of estimating the channel and transmitting the OFDM symbol processing parameters to the base station. The base station uses the OFDM symbol processing parameters to control the relative gains and the relative delays of OFDM symbols transmitted from the first and second antennas. |
| US08582518B2 |
Power control for ACK/NACK formats with carrier aggregation
A system and method for determining a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) power control parameter h(nCQI,nHARQ) for two Carrier Aggregated (CA) PUCCH formats—PUCCH format 3 and channel selection. The value of h(nCQI,nHARQ) may be based on only a linear function of nHARQ for both of the CA PUCCH formats. Based on the CA PUCCH format configured for the User Equipment (UE), the e-Node B (eNB) may instruct the UE to select or apply a specific linear function of nHARQ as a value for the power control parameter h(nCQI,nHARQ), so as to enable the UE to more accurately establish transmit power of its PUCCH signal. Values for another PUCCH power control parameter—ΔF—PUCCH(F)—are also provided for use with PUCCH format 3. A new offset parameter may be signaled for each PUCCH format that has transmit diversity configured. |
| US08582516B2 |
Reference signaling for a high-mobility wireless communication device
A base station for enabling communication with a high-mobility wireless communication device is described. The base station includes a processor and instructions stored in memory. The base station identifies a high-mobility wireless communication device and sends a reference signal configuration. The base station also allocates an additional specific reference signal and sends the additional specific reference signal to the high-mobility wireless communication device. |
| US08582513B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling inter-cell interference
A technology for inter-cell interference control is provided. In one general aspect, the inter-cell interference may be controlled by resource allocation scheduling or power management. A cell may be divided into a plurality of regions. A constant available resource band and a selectively available band are allocated to each region. Each of the allocated resource bands is assigned with an interference characteristic. The resource allocation scheduling and the power management are performed according to the resources allocated to the respective regions and the interference characteristics assigned to the respective resources. |
| US08582511B2 |
Procedure for initial access
A method for accessing a wireless communication network includes transmitting a first message that has a first random identifier (RAND ID), and receiving a response to the first message such that the response includes the first RAND ID and signaling information. The method further includes transmitting a second message, having a second RAND ID, using at least one allocated resource. An alternative method includes communicating with a UE by receiving a first message from the UE. The first message includes a first RAND ID. The method further includes transmitting to the UE a response to the first message, and receiving a second message from the UE on at least one allocated resource. Typically, the response includes the first RAND ID and signaling information, and the second message comprises a second RAND ID. |
| US08582510B2 |
Method and apparatus for handling random access channel responses
A method and apparatus for supporting a random access using a random access channel (RACH) are disclosed. Each of a plurality of wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs) sends a random access request to a base station on an uplink RACH preamble. A RACH Response, sent by the base station, is received by each WTRU. A control signal portion of the RACH Response indicates the location of the RACH Response message portion. The RACH Response control signal comprises multiple control channel elements (CCE), where each WTRU is allocated a respective CCE to provide its unique RACH Response control signal. The WTRU is configured to locate its intended CCE from among the multiple CCEs sent by the base station. |
| US08582508B2 |
Cell site content caching
Systems, apparatus, methods, and manufactures for caching content at a communications services cell site which include caching previously provided content and/or predictively caching content. Content may be transmitted to cell sites for caching via primary or ancillary channels. Ancillary channels may be provided through a broadcast medium such as the ancillary or supplementary services spectrum of the digital television (DTV) spectrum. Content may also be broadcast to multiple cell sites simultaneously. |
| US08582503B2 |
Method for indicating the bearer management of a serving gateway
The present invention provides a method for indicating a serving gateway to update the bearer, comprising: a mobility management unit sending to a serving gateway a bearer establishing request message carrying a bearer update indication for indicating the serving gateway whether to update the bearer between the serving gateway and a packet data network gateway immediately; after receiving the bearer establishing request message, the serving gateway determining whether to update the bearer between the serving gateway and the packet data network gateway immediately according to the bearer update indication carried in the message. The method provided by the present invention can enable the serving gateway to easily judge when to update the bearer between the serving gateway and the packet data network gateway so as to avoid updating the bearer between the serving gateway and the packet data network gateway by the serving gateway too early or too late. |
| US08582500B2 |
Methods for providing an ad hoc mobile communication network and systems thereof
A method, computer readable medium, and system for providing a mobile communication network includes dynamically forming a plurality of mobile communication devices into one or more clusters based on one or more parameters, each of the one or more clusters having a tree structure. Each of the one or more clusters are at least partially meshed together. At least one virtual identifier is dynamically assigned to each of the plurality of mobile communication devices based on the tree structure of each of the one or more clusters. The virtual identifier provides address information for routing communications between two or more of the plurality of mobile communication devices. |
| US08582498B2 |
Service subscription using geophysical location
Subscriptions to a network may be limited to certain geographic areas by defining a geographic area for the subscriber, identifying all of the network access points with the geographic area, and enabling the subscriber to access the network through those network access points. The network access points may be outfitted with Global Positioning System receivers or other geophysical location determination mechanisms such that the actual location of the network access point is used in determining a subscriber's permitted access. |
| US08582497B2 |
Method and system for minimizing power consumption in a communication system
Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and system for minimizing power consumption in a communication system. Exemplary aspects of the invention may comprise configuring a supply voltage of an amplifier to enable communication of data using a first communication protocol during a first timeslot in a TDM frame, reconfiguring the supply voltage of the amplifier to enable communication of data using a different communication protocol, and adjusting the supply voltage of the amplifier in proportion to the envelope of a baseband signal conforming to one of the communication protocols. The first and second communication protocols may conform to various communication protocols, such as WCDMA, HSDPA, HSUDPA, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, WiMAX, OFDM, UWB, ZigBee, and Bluetooth. The baseband signal may be delayed by a number of samples before being input into the amplifier. |
| US08582496B2 |
Channel-occupancy efficient, low power wireless networking
An apparatus and method are provided for efficiently sharing a single wireless channel and for providing improved power saving. Automatic beacon “sliding” establishes a round-robin contention-free channel schedule among multiple IBSSs. Entering an idle state immediately following communication after a beacon saves power. Further power savings occur when presumptions of pending traffic may be made. |
| US08582495B2 |
Relay station and radio communication relay method
A relay station 130 includes a terminal communication unit 354 which performs radio communication with a base station 120, a base station communication unit which performs radio communication with one or more radio communication terminals, and a data rearrangement unit which rearranges communication data included in a communication band allocated to the radio communication terminal to a communication band allocated to the base station, and rearranges communication data included in a communication band allocated to the base station to a communication band allocated to the radio communication terminal (FIG. 5). |
| US08582491B2 |
Method and apparatus for routing communications using active and passive end-to-end quality-of-service reservations based on node mobility profiles
A method and apparatus for routing communications using end-to-end QoS reservations based on node mobility profiles is disclosed. The method may include setting up active quality of service reservations along a first path to a destination edge node, receiving a mobility profile from the destination edge node, setting up passive quality of service reservations based on the received mobility profile, switching communications from active quality of service reservations to passive quality of service reservations, and tearing down the active quality of service reservations based on the received mobility profile. |
| US08582490B2 |
Method for determining placement of internet taps in wireless neighborhood networks
Disclosed is a method for determining the placement of ITAPs in wireless neighborhood networks. The method disclosed provides for efficient integration of multi-hop wireless networks with the Internet by placing ITAPs at strategic locations. Initially the method provides for the formulation of the ITAP placement problem under three wireless models. For each model, methods are developed to efficiently place ITAPs in the networks. The methods aim to minimize the number of required ITAPs while guaranteeing users' bandwidth requirements. Next, a fault tolerance version of the placement method is presented that provides bandwidth guarantees in the presence of failures. Finally the methods are extended to take into account variable traffic demands by developing an approximation algorithm to simultaneously optimize ITAP placement based on demands over multiple periods. |
| US08582484B2 |
Soft-buffer management of a re-transmission protocol for unicast and multicast transmissions
The invention relates to a method for transmitting data packets between an eNodeB and a mobile node (MN) when simultaneously using the HARQ protocol with soft-combining for unicast and multicast transmissions. Unicast transmissions are assigned to HARQ processes by the eNB, whereas multicast transmissions need to be assigned to a HARQ process by the MN. According to a first aspect, the soft-buffer memory is strictly separated into a unicast and multicast section, and HARQ protocol operations for unicast and multicast are independent. Due to the separation, the eNB can still correctly assign the unicast transmissions to a HARQ process. According to a second aspect, the soft-buffer is not separated but commonly used for unicast and multicast. However, in order for the eNB to still be able to correctly assign the unicast transmissions to a free HARQ process, the MN assigns the multicast transmission depending on a rule, known also to the eNB. |
| US08582482B2 |
Method of avoiding monitoring useless dynamic scheduling information of multimedia broadcast multicast service in a wireless communication system and related communication device
A method of avoiding monitoring useless dynamic scheduling information (DSI) of multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) for a user equipment of a wireless communication system includes identifying a service type of an ongoing MBMS service, detecting whether the MBMS service is received when the MBMS service is identified as a short session service, and informing a lower layer to stop monitoring DSI when the MBMS service is received. |
| US08582478B2 |
Single antenna, multi-band frequency division multiplexed mobile communication
A frequency division (FD) multiplexing device includes a multiplexer including a band-pass and a band-stop filter, the multiplexer is communicatively coupled to an antenna, the band-pass filter is configured to allow pass band frequencies to pass un-attenuated and to attenuate signals outside of the pass band. The band-stop filter is configured to attenuate signals at frequencies in at least a portion of the pass-band and allow frequencies outside the pass-band to pass un-attenuated. The multiplexing device further includes filters communicatively coupled to the multiplexer to receive first and second receive signals in first and second receive bands, where the first and second receive filters attenuate signals at frequencies outside of the first and second receive bands, respectively, and first and second transmit filters attenuate signals at frequencies outside a first transmit band and signals at frequencies outside a second transmit band, and couple the first and second filtered transmit signals to the multiplexer such that the first and second transmit signals are transmitted via the antenna. At least one of the first receive band and the first transmit band are located in the pass-band and intermingled between the second receive band and the second transmit band. |
| US08582477B2 |
Transmission rate control method, mobile station and radio base station
The present invention enables, in a mobile communication system using “EUL”, to enhance radio quality by certainly allocating hardware resources at a radio base station. A transmission rate control method according to the present invention includes a step of transmitting, from the radio base station to a mobile station, an RGCH for instructing to increase the transmission rate of uplink user data, only when the radio base station has successfully received the uplink user data transmitted from the mobile station. |
| US08582476B2 |
Communication relay device and communication relay method
Connection determination methods are applied to determine whether relay of communication between one or more wireless communication devices and a wireless communication device which is different from the communication devices is permissible, and when a positive determination result is obtained by applying at least one of the methods, the relay is permitted by applying at least one of the methods. When the relay of communication is permitted by the permissible connection determination, the relay is executed. |
| US08582474B2 |
Video conference system and method
A method includes receiving a registration message at a video control point (VCP) device, the registration message requesting set up of a video conference between endpoint devices. The video conference is set up to enable a first endpoint device to send media to a second endpoint device without the media passing through the VCP device en route. A communication profile associated with each endpoint device is determined. Configuration settings associated with at least one endpoint device is determined based on the communication profiles. The configuration settings are sent to at least one computing device that is adapted to modify the media based on the configuration settings to generate modified media. |
| US08582473B2 |
Providing services to packet flows in a network
A system and method for providing services to packet flows in a communication network. The services include enhanced charging, stateful firewalls, traffic performance optimization (TPO) and advanced services such as content differentiated charging, per-subscriber stateful firewalls, and VPNs, for example. A gateway can be used to route each packet flow through the services on a per-subscriber basis by inspecting accounting messages and checking subscriber profiles prior to setting up a new packet flow session. By directing the packet flow through the services requested latency can be reduced as well as the need to have equipment for each session regardless of whether the service is provided to the packet flow. The services can be provided in-line as well. |
| US08582460B2 |
Data communications
In a method and system for operating an ADSL access network which has a plurality of data connections (19) between the access network and end user devices (10), and in which the access network controls the rate at which data is transferred between the user devices and an onward connection (50), the access network stores a plurality of capped profiles each of which specifies a respective upper data rate to which the connection is limited and which is below the maximum achievable rate for the connection. The access network operates using a Dynamic Line Management (DLM) algorithm which, for a given data connection, operates to enable data transfer at a variable data rate up to the maximum rate, monitors the error performance and signal to noise margin variation for different data rates and, in the event that one or both are outside respective limits for a predetermined period, selects and applies one of the capped profiles to limit the upper data rate, selection being determined by the highest data rate achieved for which the error performance was within acceptable limits. |
| US08582459B2 |
Communication apparatus at subscriber home
An MC-ONU is an ONU installed at a subscriber's home. The MC-ONU includes: a receiving unit which receives signals transmitted from an OLT at a telecommunications carrier site which has not established a link; a determining unit which determines the OLT, which has not established a link, to be a remote-end device in point-to-point communication on the condition that the signal received for a predetermined period of time is idle signal only; and a transmitting unit which starts transmitting signals to the OLT from the subscriber's home on the condition that it has been determined by the determining unit that the OLT is the remote-end device in point-to-point communication. |
| US08582458B2 |
Femtocell automatic speed test
A system and methodology that facilitates automatically determining performance parameters of a broadband network connected to a femto access point (FAP) is provided. In particular, the system automatically performs a broadband test, in the background, to detect the current speed, performance, throughput, etc. of the broadband network. The results of the speed test are then provided to the customer and/or to the femtocell carrier's Customer Care team, to facilitate diagnosing and correcting problems with the femtocell's performance. Specifically, the system notifies the customer of the broadband test results via short message service (SMS) message(s), email and/or posts the results on a femtocell management web page accessed by the customer. In addition, the femtocell automatic broadband test results can also be posted to an online tool that is accessed by authorized entities within the femtocell carrier's Customer Care team to facilitate easy and accurate diagnosis of femtocell performance issues. |
| US08582457B2 |
Determining usage predictions and detecting anomalous user activity through traffic patterns
The present invention concerns a system for selecting and monitoring data plans for telecommunications systems, and methods of determining, learning and estimating usage patterns in-order to predict usage and tie this to cost and the overlaying of plan selection for cost optimization. Further, additional methods are applied to determine anomalous user behaviors and raise security and data leakage related events. |
| US08582456B2 |
Method and system for digital content protection locality check with adaptive timeline in wireless communication systems
A method and system for data communication in a wireless network is provided. A wireless transmitter transmits a locality check message from a wireless transmitter to a wireless receiver over a wireless communication medium. Upon receiving a locality check response message from the wireless receiver, the wireless transmitter marks the locality check response message as valid even if it arrives after an original locality check time period since transmission of the locality check message, but before the end of an adjusted locality check time period. The adjusted locality check time period comprises said original locality check time period adjusted by delays in processing layers at the transmitter and wireless communication medium access delays in data communication between the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver. |
| US08582453B2 |
System for measuring the transmission bandwidth for multimedia streaming and method for same
A method and system for measuring a transmission bandwidth which includes: a server for transmitting packets of multimedia data to a receiving apparatus, receiving a time stamp from the receiving apparatus, calculating a transmission bandwidth in real time from the received time stamp, and streaming the multimedia data to the receiving apparatus in accordance with the calculated transmission bandwidth; with the receiving apparatus receiving packets of the multimedia data from the server, recording received time stamp for each of received packets, and transmitting the received time stamp to the server by a predetermined cycle. According to the present invention, transmission bandwidth is measured using data actually transmitted and that streaming of media is suited to a transmission bandwidth to meet QoS (Quality of Service) requirements. |
| US08582446B2 |
Responding to change in a data communication network system
A method and system for responding to changes in the system. The system includes two or more routers which are electrically connected together in a network tree structure. Each router includes an electronic connection port and a routing table. A direct current balance exists at the electronic connection port of each route. A change in the direct current balance at the electronic connection port of at least one router of the two or more routers is detected. An occurrence of changes in the system that relate to each router of the at least one router is ascertained from the detecting. Responsive to the ascertaining, a new routing table is generated for each router of the at least one router. Each new table includes the changes in the system that relate to each route of the at least one router. |
| US08582443B1 |
Method and apparatus for virtual cable test using echo canceller coefficients
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with echo cancellation are described. According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a cable tester that determines whether a fault in a cable exists by using echo cancellation values. |
| US08582442B2 |
Systems and methods for reducing audio latency
Provided are systems and methods for providing reduced audio latency in wireless communications. One electronic system providing reduced audio latency includes a host unit for converting audio data, a digital interface coupling the host unit and a wireless transceiver, where the wireless transceiver has a controller including a rate adapter, and where the controller is configured to monitor a rate mismatch between the host unit and the wireless transceiver and to compensate for the rate mismatch using the rate adapter, thereby reducing the audio latency. One controller includes an audio codec for encoding and decoding the audio data, where the controller is further configured to align a frame of encoded audio data and a transmission packet of the wireless transceiver, thereby further reducing the audio latency. |
| US08582441B2 |
Data transmission method for HSDPA
In the data transmission method of an HSDPA system according to the present invention, a transmitter transmits Data Blocks each composed of one or more data units originated from a same logical channel, and a receiver receives the Data Block through a HS-DSCH and distributes the Data Block to a predetermined reordering buffer. Since each Data Block is composed of the MAC-d PDUs originated from the same logical channel, it is possible to monitor the in-sequence delivery of the data units, resulting in reduction of undesirable queuing delay caused by logical channel multiplexing. |
| US08582437B2 |
System and method for increasing input/output speeds in a network switch
A system and method for increasing input/output speeds in a network switch. A physical layer device is provided that includes a physical coding sublayer that insert data flow identifiers to data flows that are provided to a gearbox. In one embodiment, the gearbox is a 5 to 2 gearbox that can transport various combinations of 10 G/40 G data flows over a narrower interface to a second physical layer device having an inverse gearbox. |
| US08582433B2 |
Wireless communication network and adaptive routing communication method thereof
A wireless communication network includes a central node and a plurality of sub-nodes including relay nodes and terminal nodes. A method for adaptively selecting a route for communications in the network includes: generating a global routing table of the network based on a predetermined criterion, by the central node independently or in cooperation with a part of the relay nodes; generating a local routing table of each of the sub-nodes based on the global routing table, and informing the local routing tables to the respective sub-nodes to store the local routing tables in the respective sub-nodes, by the central node independently or in cooperation with a part of the relay nodes, the local routing table including paths from the corresponding sub-node to adjacent nodes; and adaptively selecting, by the sub-node, a path from the local routing table thereof for communications according to a predetermined rule. |
| US08582423B2 |
Multi-chassis inter-process communication
Aggregation Switches connected via a virtual fabric link (VFL) are each active and able to communicate via an inter-process communication (IPC) using an IPC Virtual Local Area Network (IPC VLAN). A sub-set of Customer-facing ports (CFPs) of each Aggregation Switch are coupled to the VFL and assigned to the IPC VLAN to enable communication therebetween. |
| US08582415B2 |
Multilayer optical recording medium
An object of the present invention is to increase the number of stacked layers in a multilayer optical recording medium while simplifying the design of the multilayer optical recording medium is provided a multilayer optical recording medium including at least four recording and reading layers from which information can be reproduced by light irradiation, the layers stacked through intermediate layers. The multilayer optical recording medium includes a plurality of recording and reading layers that are continuous in order of stacking and includes at least one recording and reading layer group in which reflectance in a stacked state decreases from a near side of a light incident surface to a far side. A single-layer reflectance of the nearest recording and reading layer is set to 0.2% or more and less than 2.0%, and a light transmittance improvement process is applied to the light incident surface. |
| US08582414B2 |
Information storage medium, recording method, and recording apparatus
According to one embodiment, an information storage medium in which layer 0 and layer 1 are arranged from a read surface, a system lead-in area, data lead-in area, data area, and middle area are arranged from an inner circumference of the layer 0, and a system lead-out area, data lead-out area, data area, and middle area are arranged from an inner circumference of the layer 1. A guard track zone is arranged on a side of the data area in the data lead-out area, and a reference code zone, R physical format information zone, recording management zone, and drive test zone are arranged in the data lead-in area of the layer 0 and padding of the guard track zone of the data lead-out area is performed after padding of the drive test zone of data lead-in area and recording of the recording management zone. |
| US08582409B1 |
Method and device for increased pull-in range of timing recovery circuit for storage devices
A method and device for determining frequency error to extend the pull-in range of a timing recovery circuit for a storage device such as an optical disc drive. A code associated with a storage format of the storage device is detected, and the distance between occurrences of the code is determined. The calculated distance is compared with the expected distance to determine the difference. Based on the difference, the frequency error is determined. |
| US08582398B2 |
Striking mechanism with a gong noise insulator arrangement for a watch
The striking mechanism (1) of a watch includes at least one gong (3, 4, 5) fixed at one end to a gong-carrier (2) integral with a bottom plate, at least one hammer mounted on the plate for striking the gong, and a gong noise insulator arrangement (6, 7). At least one insulator part (6) of the insulator arrangement is configured to be moved in rotation by drive means (9, 11, 12) so that one U-shaped portion (16) of the insulator part comes into contact with the gong in an idle mode or is at a distance from the gong in striking mode. A rotatably mounted, opposite insulator counterpart (7) with a rod (17) is provided so that the insulator part (6) and the opposite counterpart form a clamp for imprisoning the gong in an idle mode. |
| US08582396B2 |
Method for optimizing acoustic source array performance
A technique facilitates obtaining seismic data in a marine environment. An array of acoustic sources is deployed in a marine environment. The array can be utilized for creating acoustic pulses that facilitate the collection of data on subsea structures. The methodology enables optimization of acoustic source array performance to improve the collection of useful data during a seismic survey. |
| US08582394B2 |
Method for determining positions of sensor streamers during geophysical surveying
A method for determining geodetic position of at least one point on a geophysical sensor streamer towed by a vessel in a body of water includes determining geodetic positions of a plurality of locations along a first geophysical sensor streamer towed at a first depth in the body of water. A lateral offset is caused between the first geophysical sensor streamer and a second geophysical sensor streamer towed at a second depth in the body of water. A distance is measured between at least two selected points along the first geophysical sensor streamer and a selected point along the second geophysical sensor streamer. A depth is measured at at least one point along the second geophysical sensor streamer. A geodetic position is determined at a selected point along the second geophysical sensor using the depth measurement, a direction of the lateral offset and the measured distances. |
| US08582392B2 |
Non-volatile memory devices for outputting data using double data rate (DDR) operations and methods of operating the same
A non-volatile memory device is operated by outputting data in response to an alternating sequence of first and second edges of a read control signal, respectively. A determination is made whether the read control signal and a write control signal are in synchronization at one of the first edges. Output of the data is stopped at the second edge that follows the one of the first edges of the read control signal if the read control signal and the write control signal are in synchronization at the one of the first edges. |
| US08582389B2 |
Write assist in a dual write line semiconductor memory
A semiconductor memory storage device with a plurality of storage cells, each cell includes two access control devices, each providing the cell with access to or isolation from a respective one of two data lines in response to an access control signal provided by access control circuitry. The control devices are controlled to provide the storage cell with access to or isolation from either of the first and second of the two data lines. The access control circuitry is responsive to a data access request, the data access request being a write request, to apply a data value to be written to both of the first and second data lines and to apply the access control signal to both of the first and second access control lines. |
| US08582387B1 |
Method and apparatus for supplying power to a static random access memory (SRAM) cell
Described herein are methods and apparatuses for write-assist voltage generation and power-down voltage scaling for static random access memory (SRAM) cells. According to various embodiments, an SRAM cell may include a local power supply voltage node for receiving a power supply voltage generated by a power supply voltage generator circuit, the generated power supply voltage being substantially equal to or less than a global power supply voltage provided to one or more transistors of the SRAM cell during a write-enable or power-down mode. |
| US08582385B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes: a reference voltage generation unit configured to generate first and second reference voltages, wherein a level of the first reference voltage increases with decreasing internal temperature, and a level of the second reference voltage decreases with decreasing internal temperature; and a level control unit configured to control an internal voltage in response to the first and second reference voltages so as to decrease the absolute value of the internal voltage. |
| US08582375B2 |
Methods for sensing memory elements in semiconductor devices
A memory device that, in certain embodiments, includes a plurality of memory elements connected to a bit-line and a delta-sigma modulator with a digital output and an analog input, which may be connected to the bit-line. In some embodiments, the delta-sigma modulator includes a circuit with first and second inputs and an output. The circuit is configured to combine (add or subtract) input signals. The first input may be connected to the analog input. The delta-sigma modulator may also include an integrator connected to the output of the circuit, an analog-to-digital converter with an input connected to an output of the integrator and an output connected to the digital output, and a digital-to-analog converter with an input connected to the output of the analog-to-digital converter and an output connected to the second input of the circuit. |
| US08582374B2 |
Method and apparatus for dynamically adjusting voltage reference to optimize an I/O system
Described herein is an apparatus for dynamically adjusting a voltage reference level for optimizing an I/O system to achieve a certain performance metric. The apparatus comprises: a voltage reference generator to generate a voltage reference; and a dynamic voltage reference control unit, coupled with the voltage reference generator, to dynamically adjust a level of the voltage reference in response to an event. The apparatus is used to perform the method comprising: generating a voltage reference for an input/output (I/O) system; determining a worst case voltage level of the voltage reference; dynamically adjusting, via a dynamic voltage reference control unit, the voltage reference level based on determining the worst case voltage level; and computing a center of an asymmetrical eye based on the dynamically adjusted voltage reference level. |
| US08582373B2 |
Buffer die in stacks of memory dies and methods
Memory devices and methods of making and operating them are shown. Memory devices shown include stacked memory dies with one or more buffer dies included. In one such memory device, a command die communicates with one or more downstream memory dies through the one or more buffer dies. The one or more buffer dies function to repeat signals, and can potentially improve performance for higher numbers of memory dies in the stack. |
| US08582371B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method of operating the same
A semiconductor memory device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a first page buffer coupled to a first even bit line and a first odd bit line, a second page buffer coupled to a second even bit line and a second odd bit line, and a controller configured to control the first and the second page buffers so that the second page buffer sets the second even bit line in a floating state such that the voltage of the second even bit line is changed according to a shift in the voltage of the first odd bit line, when a read operation for memory cells coupled to the first odd bit line is performed, and the second page buffer stores data corresponding to the level of threshold voltages of the memory cells by detecting a shift in the voltage of the second even bit line. |
| US08582368B2 |
Non-volatile memory device and operating method of the same
A method for operating a non-volatile memory device includes counting the number of consecutive verify operations performed without a precharge, sensing a temperature, and when the number of verify operations exceeds a set value of verify operations, controlling a level of a sensing bias voltage based on the sensed temperature. |
| US08582367B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method of operating the same
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array comprising a plurality of cell strings and a page buffer group comprising a plurality of page buffers coupled to the respective cell string through bit lines. Each of the page buffers includes a latch unit for storing data to be programmed into memory cells included in the cell string or for storing data read from the memory cells. Each of the page buffers is coupled to a pad for the test operation of the memory cells according to data stored in the latch unit in the test operation. |
| US08582361B2 |
Three dimensional stacked nonvolatile semiconductor memory
In a three dimensional stacked nonvolatile semiconductor memory according to the present invention, a first block has a selected first cell unit including a memory cell to be read and a non-selected second cell unit not including a memory cell to be read. A read potential or a transfer potential higher than the read potential is applied to the word line in the first block in a state that a ground potential is applied to a channel of a memory cell existing nearer to the bit line side than a memory cell in the second cell unit to which the read potential is applied, after which all the memory cells in the second cell unit are cut off from the bit line, the bit line is set to a precharge potential, and read is performed to the a memory cell to be read in the first cell unit. |
| US08582360B2 |
Read method for nonvolatile memory device, and data storage system using the same
Provided is a method for reading data from a nonvolatile memory device. In the method, a read method includes a first read step including reading a first memory cell of the nonvolatile memory device by applying a first set of read voltages to the first memory cell. The read method further includes a second read step including reading the first memory cell by applying a second set of read voltages and none of the voltages in the first set to the first memory cell when it is determined that the first read step results in an error and cannot be corrected with error correction. The second read step is performed by using data resulting from the first read step. |
| US08582356B2 |
Providing a ready-busy signal from a non-volatile memory device to a memory controller
A common standard may be used for both dynamic random access memories and non volatile memories, despite the fact that the non-volatile memory generally needs bidirectional communications to coordinate writing with a memory controller. In one embodiment, a package connector on the non-volatile memory may be used for one function that does not involve communications with the memory controller during reading and may be used for communications with the memory controller during writing. Particularly, those communications during writing may be to indicate to the memory controller when the memory is ready for writing and when the memory is busy so that a write must be deferred until the memory is ready to be written to. |
| US08582349B2 |
Semiconductor device
An object is to provide a semiconductor device which includes a memory cell capable of holding accurate data even when the data is multilevel data. The semiconductor device includes a memory cell holding data in a node to which one of a source and a drain of a transistor whose channel region is formed from an oxide semiconductor. Note that the value of off-state current (leakage current) of the transistor is extremely small. Thus, after being set to have a predetermined value, the potential of the node can be kept constant or substantially constant by turning the transistor off. In this manner, accurate data can be stored in the memory cell. |
| US08582348B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for driving semiconductor device
It is an object to provide a semiconductor device with a novel structure in which stored data can be held even when power is not supplied, and does not have a limitation on the number of writing operations. A semiconductor device includes a plurality of memory cells each including a transistor including a first semiconductor material, a transistor including a second semiconductor material that is different from the first semiconductor material, and a capacitor, and a potential switching circuit having a function of supplying a power supply potential to a source line in a writing period. Thus, power consumption of the semiconductor device can be sufficiently suppressed. |
| US08582346B2 |
Semiconductor storage device
A semiconductor storage device includes: a cell array including a plurality of first wirings, a plurality of second wirings intersecting the first wirings, and memory cells positioned at intersecting portions between the first wirings and the second wirings, each of the memory cells having a series circuit of a non-ohmic element and a variable resistance element; a control circuit configured to apply a control voltage, which is necessary for the variable resistance element to transit from a low resistance state to a high resistance state, to the memory cells through the first wirings and the second wirings; and a bias voltage application circuit configured to apply a bias voltage, which suppresses a potential variation caused by the transition of the variable resistance element from the low resistance state to the high resistance state, to one end of the variable resistance element. |
| US08582345B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprises a three-dimensional cell array block in which a plurality of cell array layers are stacked, each of the cell array layers including a plurality of first lines, a plurality of second lines configured to intersect the first lines, and a plurality of memory cells disposed at each of intersections of the first and second lines and each including a variable resistance element configured to store an electrically rewritable resistance value as data in a nonvolatile manner, and a reading control circuit for reading data from the memory cells under a condition set in respective groups to which one or more cell array layers having a common electric property of the memory cells belong. |
| US08582344B2 |
Multiplexer/de-multiplexer memristive device
A multiplexing/de-multiplexing memristive device includes a memristive matrix containing mobile dopants; and programming electrodes which apply programming electrical field such that the mobile dopants selectively form a conductive band which connects a first signal electrode to one of a plurality of second electrodes. A method for operating a multiplexing/de-multiplexing memristive device includes applying a programming electrical field to achieve a first dopant configuration in a memristive matrix, the first dopant configuration connecting a base electrode to a input/output electrode; conducting an electrical current from between the base electrode and the input/output electrode; and applying a second programming electrical field to achieve a second dopant configuration, the second dopant configuration connecting the base electrode to a second input/output electrode; and conducting an electrical current from the base electrode to the second input/output electrode. |
| US08582339B2 |
System including memory stacks
Large capacity memory systems are constructed using stacked memory integrated circuits or chips. The stacked memory chips are constructed in such a way that eliminates problems such as signal integrity while still meeting current and future memory standards. |
| US08582337B2 |
Semiconductor memory device, method of controlling read preamble signal thereof, and data transmission system
A system, includes a controller including a plurality of first external terminals configured to supply a command, a clock signal and an address, and communicate a data, and communicate a strobe signal related to the data, and a semiconductor memory device including a plurality of second external terminals corresponding to the plurality of first external terminals, one of the plurality of first external terminals and one of the plurality of second external terminals transferring an information specifying a length of a preamble of the strobe signal before the semiconductor memory device communicates the data. |
| US08582329B2 |
Adaptively controlled soft start-up scheme for switching power converters
A switching power converter provides regulated voltage to a load according to a desired regulation voltage. The switching power converter includes a transformer coupled to a switch and a switch controller for generating a control signal to control switching. The switch controller monitors a sensed voltage representing the output voltage of the switching power converter. The switch controller controls switching of the switch to operate the switching power converter in a continuous conduction mode while the sensed output voltage indicates that the output voltage is less than a first threshold voltage. The switch controller controls switching of the switch to operate the switching power converter in a discontinuous conduction mode while the sensed output voltage is above the first threshold voltage. |
| US08582327B2 |
Method and apparatus for a control circuit responsive to an impedance coupled to a control circuit terminal
A method, in a power supply controller, of responding to an increase in current through a terminal of the power supply controller, is disclosed. The method includes regulating the terminal to a first voltage level and sensing a magnitude of a first current through the terminal while the controller is regulating the terminal to the first voltage level. The method also includes providing an initial response by the power supply controller in response to the magnitude of the first current exceeding a first threshold current level and then regulating the terminal to a second voltage level after the magnitude of the first current exceeds the first threshold current level. The magnitude of a second current through the terminal is sensed while the controller is regulating the terminal to the second voltage level and the controller determines a final response based on the magnitude of the second current. |
| US08582325B2 |
Flyback converter with forward converter reset clamp
A power supply includes a forward converter having a first transformer coupled to an input of the power supply and to a first voltage output. The power supply also includes a separate flyback converter having a second transformer that is coupled to the input and to a second voltage output. A clamp reset circuit is coupled to the first transformer and to the second transformer. The clamp reset circuit includes a capacitor and a voltage limiting element. The voltage limiting element is coupled to prevent energy received at the capacitor from both the power converters from exceeding a threshold. The voltage limiting element limits a voltage on the capacitor. |
| US08582324B2 |
Pulse width modulation controller and method for output ripple reduction of a jittering frequency switching power supply
A pulse width modulation controller and method for output ripple reduction of a jittering frequency switching power supply detect the current of a power switch of the switching power supply to generate a current sense signal, and adjust the gain or the level of the current sense signal according to the switching frequency of the power switch to adjust the on time of the power switch, to reduce the output ripple of the switching power supply caused by the jittering frequency of the switching power supply. |
| US08582321B2 |
Resonant converters and burst mode control method thereof
A burst mode control method for a resonant converter is provided, in which at least one first regulation pulse is provided to pre-adjust a magnetizing inductor current and a resonant capacitor voltage in a resonant circuit during a burst mode working period. After the first regulation pulse is completed, at least one pulse group including a plurality of driving pulses is provided to intermittently turn on switching elements of a square wave generator. The first regulation pulse adjusts the magnetizing inductor current and the resonant capacitor voltage, such that the magnitude of the magnetizing inductor current is essentially the same and the magnitude of the resonant capacitor voltage is essentially the same at each rising edge of each driving pulse of the pulse group. |
| US08582318B2 |
Circuit and method for potential-isolated energy transfer with two output DC voltages
A circuit for potential-isolated power transfer from a primary side to a secondary side with two secondary-side output DC voltages, wherein the absolute value of the first output DC voltage is higher than the absolute value of the second output DC voltage. The circuit comprises a transformer, which has first and second windings with a common center tap on the primary side and a third winding on the secondary side. The ratio of the number of turns of the first and second windings is a function of the ratio of the two secondary-side output DC voltages. The center tap is connected to a DC voltage source, the first winding is connected to a first transistor and the second winding is connected to a second transistor. The transistors are connected to the primary-side reference potential. The output voltages are present at two diodes connected to the secondary-side third winding. |
| US08582317B2 |
Method for manufacturing a semiconductor component and structure therefor
A semiconductor component and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor component that reduces parasitic elements. A semiconductor chip is coupled to a semiconductor chip receiving area of a support structure. The semiconductor chip has at least two power semiconductor devices. A drain contact of a first power semiconductor device is coupled to a source contact of a second power semiconductor device and the drain and source contacts of the first and second power semiconductor devices are joined to the semiconductor chip receiving area. Another semiconductor chip may be bonded to a second semiconductor chip receiving area of the support structure. An energy storage element may be coupled between the source contact of the first power semiconductor device and the drain contact of the second semiconductor device. A protective structure may be formed over the semiconductor chips and the energy storage element. |
| US08582313B2 |
Motherboard assembly having serial advanced technology attachment dual in-line memory module
A motherboard assembly includes a motherboard with a memory slot, an adapter board, and a serial advanced technology attachment dual-in-line memory module (SATA DIMM) with a circuit board and a connector. An edge connector is set on a bottom edge of the circuit board. The adapter board includes a SATA interface, a hard disk drive (HDD) signal multiplier, a power interface, and an expansion SATA interface. The edge connector is connected to the memory slot and the connector is connected to the expansion SATA interface, to enable the motherboard communication with SATA DIMM modules, which are connected to the memory slots. |
| US08582311B2 |
Modular electronics housing
A housing for protectively enclosing a printed circuit board, including a base, and a pair of parallel spaced vertical housing side walls extending upwardly from the base to define a chamber that receives the central portion of the printed circuit board, whereby the vertical edge portions of the board extend outwardly beyond the corresponding vertical edges of the housing side walls, respectively. Vertical side members having generally U-shaped horizontal cross-sectional configurations are mounted on the outwardly extending edge portions of the printed circuit board, respectively, with the leg portions of each side member extending between the housing side walls and the printed circuit board, respectively, whereby portions of housing side walls overlap the side member leg portions. The upper end of the chamber is closed by a lid member that is fastened between the upper ends of the side members. |
| US08582305B1 |
Power cable connection and disconnection using a power attachment assembly (PAA)
A power connection system includes a power attachment assembly (PAA) to house power cables that transport electrical power, where the cables are terminated by a connector associated with the PAA; and a power supply to provide the power to a network device, where the power supply includes another connector and a group of circuit breakers that correspond to the cables. The PAA and the power supply permit the cables to be connected to the power supply, and permit the connector and the other connector to be connected to form a junction via which the power is transported. The circuit breakers, when turned on, permit the power to be received from the cables via the PAA. The system also includes a handle to disconnect the PAA from the power supply in a manner that turns off the circuit breakers prior to disconnecting the PAA from the power supply. |
| US08582303B2 |
Mounting apparatus for fan
A mounting apparatus for a fan includes a mounting frame adapted to mount the fan, a chassis, a handle, and a positioning assembly. The chassis comprises a side plate. The handle is rotatably attached to the mounting frame and defines a slot. The positioning assembly is mounted to the side plate and comprises a mounting post and two limiting boards. The mounting frame is mounted between the two limiting boards. The mounting post is located between the two limiting boards and engaged in the slot. |
| US08582302B2 |
Modular equipment rack system for data center
Various technologies described herein pertain to racking equipment in a data center. A modular equipment rack system can include an upper track, a lower track, a vertical support, a power and network distribution unit, and a tray. The upper track and the lower track can respectively include incrementally spaced mounting locations at which the vertical support and the power and network distribution unit can be attachable. The tray can be attachable to the vertical support and the power and network distribution unit when the vertical support is attached to the upper track at a first upper mounting location and attached to the lower track at a corresponding first lower mounting location, and the power and network distribution unit is attached to the upper track at a second upper mounting location and attached to the lower track at a corresponding second lower mounting location. |
| US08582297B2 |
Customized thermal interface to optimize mechanical loading and thermal conductivity characteristics
A method, system, and apparatus for cooling one or more devices through use of a cooling plate. An example system includes multiple heat generating devices coupled to a cooling plate, each through an individual thermal interface unit. The thermal interface unit includes a compressible solid pad with at least one surface having a plurality of projections carrying a flowable material. The thermal interface units are pressed between the heat generating devices and the cooling plate so that the flowable material is completely enclosed. |
| US08582296B2 |
Laptop cooling pad with heat-dissipating fan adjustable in position
A laptop cooling pad having one or more heat-dissipating fans adjustable in position is disclosed. The laptop cooling pad is provided with a ventilation portion so that a heat-dissipating fan can be mounted on the ventilation portion through a fan support. The ventilation portion has a groove for receiving pushing nodes of the fan support so that a user can push the pushing nodes to move the heat-dissipating fan inside the laptop cooling pad and make the heat-dissipating fan close to a heat source, thereby ensuring the heat-dissipating effect of the laptop cooling pad. |
| US08582294B2 |
Electrical supply device comprising tray to receive ultra high-capacity storage units
An electrical power supply device for a motor vehicle, which includes a tray made of a heat-conducting material, in which there is positioned at least one ultra-high capacity energy storage unit liable to emit heat, the tray including at least one housing to accommodate at least one electrical energy storage unit with the presence of a heat-conducting layer made of a heat conducting adhesive or a heat-conducting resin interposed without clearance between the storage unit and the interior face of the wall of the associated housing so as to conduct the heat emitted by the unit. |
| US08582293B2 |
Portable electronic apparatus
A portable electronic apparatus includes a first casing having a display surface in its surface, a second casing having a display surface in its surface, a coupling mechanism adapted to couple the first casing and the second casing to each other to take at least two states which are a closed state where the display surface in the first casing is covered with a rear surface of the second casing and also the display surface in the second casing is exposed, and an open state where the second casing has been moved with respect to the first casing from the closed state, and the display surfaces in both the casings are exposed in the same plane. |
| US08582286B2 |
Removable storage system for server bay
A dock couples a removable data storage cartridge, for example an RDX cartridge, to a computing device. The dock includes a chassis having frontal dimensions configured to substantially match the nominal frontal dimensions of a low profile large format disk drive, such that the dock may reside in a bay in the computing device sized to receive a low profile large format disk drive. The dock may include a door that swings about an axis aligned with the height of the door. |
| US08582281B2 |
Display device, assembly method for the display device, assembly structure of two frames and assembly method for the assembly structure of two frames
A display device includes a first frame, a second frame, a backlight module and a display panel. The first frame has two plates separated with each other. Each plate includes a first bottom and a first side wall connected with the first bottom, wherein a first joint part is disposed at the first side wall. The second frame has a second side wall and a supporting part extended from the second side wall toward an inside of the second frame. Second joint parts corresponding to the first joint parts are disposed at the second side wall. The first frame and the second frame are assembled by combinations of the first joint parts and the second joint parts. The backlight module is disposed between the first bottoms and the supporting part. The display panel is disposed on the supporting part. |
| US08582279B2 |
Side accessible circuit breaker to bus connections
A load center assembly comprising a main circuit breaker configured to be connected with bus plates through side openings in the main circuit breaker is described. The openings in the main circuit breaker comprise plug-on clips by which the bus plates connect. The plug-on clips are configured to use friction to grasp the bus plates as the bus plates are slidably inserted between the jaws of the plug-on clips. |
| US08582278B2 |
Solid electrolytic capacitor with improved mechanical stability
A capacitor containing a solid electrolytic capacitor element that includes an anode, dielectric, and a cathode that includes a solid electrolyte is provided. An anode lead extends from the anode and is electrically connected to an anode termination. Likewise, a cathode termination is electrically connected to the cathode. The cathode termination contains an upstanding portion that is oriented generally perpendicular to the lower surface of the capacitor element, and first and second planar portions that are oriented generally parallel to the lower surface of the capacitor. The first and second planar portions are interconnected by a folded region so that the first portion is positioned vertically above the second portion. Thus, after encapsulating the capacitor element with a molding material, the second planar portion remains exposed for subsequent connection to an electrical component. However, due to its higher vertical position, the first planar portion can be completely encapsulated by the molding material. In addition, the upstanding portion of the cathode termination is also substantially encapsulated by the molding material. By encapsulating both planar and upstanding portions of the cathode termination with the molding material, the present inventors have discovered that the likelihood of delamination is reduced even if a portion of the molding material cracks. This improves mechanical stability and electrical performance. |
| US08582275B2 |
Electronic detonator control chip
An electronic detonator control chip (100) includes a communication interface circuit (101), a rectification bridge circuit (102), a charging circuit (103), a charging control circuit (110), a power management circuit (104), a firing control circuit (105), a logic control circuit (106), a non-volatile memory (107), a reset circuit (111), a safe discharging circuit (108), and a clock circuit (202). Wherein, the communication interface circuit (101) includes a data modulation module (210) and a data demodulation module (211) including two data demodulation circuits (212). The logic control circuit (106) further includes a programmable delay module (281), an input/out interface (282), a serial communication interface (283), a prescaler (284), a CPU (285), and so on. Therefore, the electronic detonator control chip provided by the invention enables to realize the functions of two-wire non-polarity connection, bidirectional communication with a detonation equipment external of the electronic detonator control chip, ID card inside the detonator, control of the detonation process and online program of the delay time and so on. |
| US08582268B2 |
Circuit for preventing inrush current
An open magnetic circuit coil (6) is arranged on a line connecting a battery (1) to a charger (CH1). Furthermore, a resistor (2) is connected in series with a large-capacitance electrolytic capacitor (7) for smoothing a charger output which is connected to the output of the charger (CH1). This can suppress an abrupt change in current flowing in the connection line between the battery (1) and the charger (CH1) in connection between plugs (3a, 3b). |
| US08582265B2 |
Protection circuit and method for electronic devices
A circuit for protecting an electronic device from excessive voltages applied to an input or output terminal includes a solid state relay coupling the electronic device to the terminal. The solid state relay may include an opto-transistor coupled between the electronic device and the terminal and a light-emitting diode optically coupled to the opto-transistor. The solid state relay is coupled in series with a current limiting device, such as one or more enhancement mode field effect transistors, and an electromechanical relay. A voltage detector coupled to the terminal detects a voltage larger than a specific value and causes current to flow thorough the light-emitting diode, thereby interrupting the coupling between the terminal and the electronic device. The voltage detector may be coupled between two spaced-apart connections to the coupling path between the terminal to the electronic device so that the voltage detector avoids diverting current from the coupling path. |
| US08582262B2 |
Active current surge limiters with disturbance sensor and multistage current limiting
Active current surge limiters and methods of use are disclosed. One exemplary system, among others, comprises a current limiter, including an interface configured to be connected between a power supply and a load; a disturbance sensor, configured to monitor the power supply for a disturbance during operation of the load; and an activator, configured to receive a control signal from the disturbance sensor and to activate the current limiter based on the control signal. |
| US08582253B1 |
Magnetic sensor having a high spin polarization reference layer
A magnetic sensor configured to reside in proximity to a recording medium during use having a high spin polarization reference layer stack above AFM layers. The reference layer stack comprises a first boron-free ferromagnetic layer above the AFM coupling layer; a magnetic coupling layer on and in contact with the first boron-free ferromagnetic layer; a second ferromagnetic layer comprising boron deposited on and contact with the magnetic coupling layer; and a boron-free third ferromagnetic layer on and in contact the second ferromagnetic layer. A barrier layer is deposited on and in contact with the boron-free third ferromagnetic layer. In one aspect of the invention, the magnetic coupling layer may comprise at least one of Ta, Ti, or Hf. A process for providing the magnetic sensor is also provided. |
| US08582251B2 |
Magnetic sensor with non-rectangular geometry
Various embodiments generally relate to a magnetic sensor, and more specifically to a magnetoresistive read head sensor. In one such exemplary embodiment, a magnetic sensor comprises a sensor stack and magnetic bias elements positioned adjacent opposite sides of the sensor stack. At least one of the bias elements has a non-rectangular shape, such as substantially trapezoidal or parallelogram shapes having non-perpendicular corners. |
| US08582249B2 |
Magnetic element with reduced shield-to-shield spacing
A magnetic element has a magnetically responsive lamination with a ferromagnetic free layer separated from a synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) layer by a spacer layer and from a sensed data bit stored in an adjacent medium by an air bearing surface (ABS). The lamination is coupled to at least one antiferromagnetic (AFM) tab a predetermined offset distance from the ABS. |
| US08582248B2 |
Magnetoresistive sensor, including non-magnetic conducting layer embedded in shielding layer and magnetic head, head gimbal assembly and disk drive unit with the same
A MR sensor comprises a first shielding layer, a second shielding layer, a MR element and a pair of hard magnet layers sandwiched therebetween, and a non-magnetic insulating layer formed at a side of the MR element far from an air bearing surface of a slider. The MR sensor further comprises a first non-magnetic conducting layer formed between the first shielding layer and the MR element, and the first non-magnetic conducting layer is embedded in the first shielding layer and kept separate from the ABS. The MR sensor of the invention can obtain a narrower read gap to increase the resolution power and improve the reading performance, and obtain a strong longitudinal bias field to stabilize the MR sensor so as to increase the total sensor area and, in turn, get an improved reliability and performance. The present invention also discloses a magnetic head, a HGA and a disk drive unit. |
| US08582245B2 |
Electrical connection structure for piezoelectric element and head suspension with the electrical connection structure
An electrical connection structure for a piezoelectric element and a head suspension with the piezoelectric element employing the electrical connection structure are provided. The electrical connection structure fixes and connects a terminal of a wiring member to an electrode of the piezoelectric element, which is arranged to face the terminal, with a conductive adhesive so that no peeling due to thermal expansion occurs between the terminal and the conductive adhesive. The electrical connection structure includes a through hole formed through the terminal and a connection part formed around the through hole on an opposite side of a piezoelectric element on the terminal. The conductive adhesive is applied and solidified so that the conductive adhesive extends between a surface of the connection part and a surface of the electrode of the piezoelectric element through the through hole. |
| US08582240B1 |
Magnetic recording assisted by spin torque oscillator with a radio frequency current bias
A design is disclosed for a microwave assisted magnetic recording device wherein direct current and rf current are simultaneously injected from a bias tee into a spin transfer oscillator (STO) between a main pole and write shield to improve the assist process. The STO oscillation layer (OL) has a large angle magnetization oscillation frequency that is locked to a magnetic medium bit resonance frequency f0 when the rf current has a frequency f=f0 and a threshold current density is applied. Alternatively, the OL magnetization oscillation frequency may be adjusted closer to f0 to improve the assist process. A third advantage is lowering the threshold current density when both direct current and rf current are injected into the STO during a write process. The main pole is grounded when direct current and rf current are injected into a write shield. |
| US08582237B2 |
Selectively magnetic write gap insert
A selectively magnetic insert that is capable of enhancing magnetic writing, such as in use as a data transducing head. In accordance with various embodiments, a write pole is in contact with a selectively magnetic insert that decouples the write pole from at least one adjacent shield in response a powered operation. |
| US08582236B2 |
Magnetic write device with a cladded write assist element
A magnetic device includes a write element having a write element tip and a conductor adjacent an edge of the write element tip for carrying current to generate an assist field that augments a write field generated by the write element. A cladding material is disposed on at least one surface of the conductor. |
| US08582235B2 |
Magnetic write head with structured trailing pole
The invention is directed to a magnetic write head configured for writing to a magnetic medium, such as, a magnetic tape along a longitudinal direction x. The magnetic write head includes a trailing pole with a first face of height r1; a leading pole with a second face, each of the first face and second face being arranged to face the magnetic medium in operation; and a magnetic gap of height g between the trailing pole and the leading pole. The height r1 and the height g are such that r1≦1.0 g and each of the height g and the height r1 is measured parallel to said longitudinal direction x. |
| US08582233B2 |
Motor and disk drive apparatus
A spindle motor, which is for use in a disk drive apparatus which includes a housing including a base member and a cover member, includes a stationary portion and a rotating portion. The stationary portion includes a stationary shaft and the base member. The rotating portion includes a sleeve portion. The stationary shaft is inserted into the bearing hole. The stationary shaft includes an annular surface arranged to come into direct or indirect contact with the cover member, the annular surface being located higher than the sleeve portion and extending in a circumferential direction, and an upper protrusion arranged to be fixed to a cover inner circumferential surface defining a cover penetrating hole of the cover member, the upper protrusion protruding upward from the radial inner side of the annular surface. The base member includes a fixing portion arranged to directly or indirectly fix the cover member. |
| US08582231B1 |
Disk drive determining head touchdown threshold based on curve fitting prediction error
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk. An analog touchdown (TD) signal is compared to a TD threshold in order to generate a calibrated TD threshold for a plurality of different dynamic fly height (DFH) settings. The calibrated TD thresholds and corresponding DFH settings are fitted to an estimated curve. At least one of the TD threshold and the DFH setting is adjusted, and a corresponding next point in the estimated curve is predicted. An actual next point corresponding to the adjustment is determined, and a prediction error is generated based on a difference between the predicted next point and the actual next point. A touchdown of the head on the disk is detected when the prediction error exceeds a prediction threshold. |
| US08582228B2 |
Locking media pusher
A locking media pusher is coupled to a servo controlled stage and includes a protruding probe and a locking mechanism. The stage moves forward and backward along a base toward and away from a storage medium. If an eccentricity of a track on the storage medium exceeds a threshold, the storage medium is rotated to an orientation where the greatest eccentricity is directed toward the media pusher. The media pusher is moved toward the storage medium until a probe extending from the media pusher contacts the storage medium. The probe is locked within the media pusher. The stage and attached media pusher are retracted from the storage medium and the storage medium is unlocked. The magnitude of retraction of the stage is recorded. The stage is moved toward the storage medium a distance corresponding to the probe contact position plus the eccentricity magnitude to correct the eccentricity. |
| US08582227B2 |
Lowest power mode for a mobile drive
A hard disk drive enters a low power mode to reduce power consumption. To maintain communication with a host device, a communication interface remains energized along with a circuit portion storing configuration data for the communication interface. The hard disk drive may have a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface to provide two-way communication to external data processing equipment. The hard disk drive may have a system on a chip (SoC) core to issue the low power mode entry command. During the low power mode, circuitry for external communication is kept in an active state. |
| US08582223B1 |
Methods and devices for two-dimensional iterative multi-track based map detection
Decoding data written over a plurality of tracks includes selecting a mask that accounts for Inter-Symbol-Interference, the mask including channel coefficients and defining a trellis defining a plurality of states; receiving a signal corresponding to an input pixel from each of the plurality of tracks and generating equalized samples therefrom; computing transition branch probabilities for each input vector based on a Gaussian noise distribution using the equalized samples, ideal samples and a priori probabilities of the input vector; computing forward and backward probabilities via recursions using the computed transition branch probabilities; combining the forward, backward and transition branch probabilities to generate a-posteriori probabilities for the input vector; marginalizing the a-posteriori probabilities over values of neighboring pixels to generate an a-posteriori probability for a pixel of the input vector in a given state, and decoding the pixel as a first or second logical state from the marginalized a-posteriori probabilities. |
| US08582220B2 |
Lens module
A lens module includes a first lens group and a second lens group. The first lens group includes a first substrate, a diaphragm, a first lens, and second lens. The diaphragm with a aperture is disposed on the first side of the first substrate. The first lens and the second lens are respectively disposed on the first side and the second side of the first substrate. The second lens group includes a second substrate, a third lens, and a fourth lens. The third lens and the fourth lens are respectively disposed on the first side and the second side of the second substrate. The lens module meets the following requirements: 1.5 |
| US08582219B2 |
Optical lens assembly for image capture
An optical lens assembly for image capture, sequentially arranged from an object side to an image side, comprises: the first lens element with positive refractive power having a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface, the second lens element with negative refractive power having a concave object-side surfaces and a convex image-side surface, the third lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface. Additionally, the optical lens assembly for image capture can satisfy several conditions. By such arrangements, the optical assembly for image capture can effectively correct the aberration and be applied to a compact image pickup device for image capturing. |
| US08582213B2 |
Zoom lens structure and camera lens
This invention discloses a zoom lens structure and a camera lens. The zoom lens structure comprises a shifting barrel, a zoom-driving ring, a fixed barrel and a focus-driving ring. The shifting barrel has a first guiding protrusion. The zoom-driving ring is arranged at a periphery of the shifting barrel, and having a groove-hole and a first-driving part. The fixed barrel is arranged at a periphery of the zoom-driving ring, and having a first groove. The first guiding protrusion is passed through the groove-hole and inserted into the first groove. The focus-driving ring is coupled to an end of the zoom-driving ring and having a second-driving part at the outer edge thereof. By a driving module driving the first-driving part and the second-driving part at the same time, the zoom-driving ring and the focus-driving ring are rotated forwardly or reversely for zooming or focusing. |
| US08582209B1 |
Curved near-to-eye display
A display apparatus includes an array of microlenses disposed in or on a substrate. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes scattering centers disposed in or on the substrate and offset relative to the microlenses. The scattering centers are positioned substantially at focal points of the microlenses such that light incident upon a first side the substrate is scattered off of the scattering centers and collimated by corresponding ones of the microlenses before emission from the display apparatus. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes light emitting pixels disposed in or on the substrate and offset relative to the microlenses. The light emitting pixels are positioned substantially at focal points of the microlenses such that non-collimated light emitted from the light emitting pixels is collimated by the microlenses upon emission from the display apparatus. |
| US08582208B2 |
Method and apparatus for manufacturing a security document comprising a lenticular array and blurred pixel tracks
A method of manufacturing a display device, in particular a security document, includes providing m images of an object, wherein m is at least equal to 2, dividing each image into n sets adjacent arrays (l1,1, l1,2 . . . l1,n), . . . , (lm1, lm2, . . . lmn) of picture elements, spaced at a mutual distance δ, applying the images in an interlaced manner on an image layer in sets of interlaced arrays (l11, l21 . . . lm1), . . . , (l1n, l2n . . . lmn) below a lens structure having line-shaped lens elements over the image layer with one line shaped lens element overlying a corresponding set of adjacent arrays, wherein upon applying the arrays onto the image layer, and/or upon providing the lens elements, each array of picture elements is provided onto the image layer in an out of focus manner to form a blurred array or each array is imaged by the lens elements to form a blurred array, wherein a mutual distance of the edges of adjacent blurred arrays is smaller than the mutual distance δ. |
| US08582202B2 |
Observing device and method
When it is detected that a solid immersion lens comes into contact with the semiconductor device, the lens is caused to vibrate by a vibration generator unit. Next, a reflected light image from the lens is input to calculate a reflected light quantity of the reflected light image, and it is judged whether a ratio of the reflected light quantity to an incident light quantity is not greater than a threshold value. When the ratio is greater than the threshold value, it is judged that optical close contact between the lens and the semiconductor device is not achieved, and the lens is again caused to vibrate. When the ratio is not greater than the threshold value, it is judged that optical close contact between the lens and the semiconductor device is achieved, and an observed image of the semiconductor device is acquired. |
| US08582200B2 |
Fiber chirped pulse amplifier with nonlinear compensation
A chirped pulse fiber amplifier with nonlinear compensation, includes elements for generating a light pulse having an initial peak-power P0 and an initial duration T, a stretcher including at least one optical diffraction network having a line density higher than 1200 lines/mm and suitable for time-stretching the pulse and of inserting a time asymmetry in the stretched pulse, an amplifying fiber including a doped optical fiber section coupled with an optical pumping element and suitable for amplifying the stretched pulse for producing a pulse having a power, a compressor with optical diffraction grating suitable for time-compressing the amplified pulse so that the stretcher and the compressor are mismatched, the mismatch between the stretcher and the compressor being suitable for simultaneously compensating the second- and third-order nonlinear dispersions in the amplifying fiber during the propagation of a pulse having an initial power P0 through the chirped pulse amplifier. |
| US08582191B2 |
Positioning sensing and position servo control
Implementations of actuators and capacitor-based position sensors for monitoring and controlling positioning of the actuators are provided, including implementations of actuators that use flexures to provide support to actuators and pivoting mechanisms to the actuators. Such actuators can be electromagnetically activated actuators that include a magnet stator and a coil rotor mounted on a flexure. A positioning sensor, such as a capacitor sensor, is provided to measure and monitor positioning of the actuator and is coupled to a feedback circuit which uses the measured positioning of the actuator to control the actuator. |
| US08582189B2 |
Mirror device, mirror array, optical switch, mirror device manufacturing method, and mirror substrate manufacturing method
A mirror device includes a mirror (153) which is supported to be pivotable with respect to a mirror substrate (151), a driving electrode (103-1-103-4) which is formed on an electrode substrate (101) facing the mirror substrate, and an antistatic structure (106) which is arranged in a space between the mirror and the electrode substrate. This structure can fix the potential of the lower surface of the mirror and suppress drift of the mirror by applying a second potential to the antistatic structure. |
| US08582187B1 |
Method and apparatus for reducing a color fringe
This disclosure describes techniques and apparatuses for reducing color fringes. In some embodiments, inaccuracies from color-insensitive sensors are corrected. Inaccuracies can be corrected in part by shortening a first illumination made temporally proximate a second illumination. By so doing, a center of the image captured for a first illumination is moved toward the image captured for a second illumination, which reduces a color fringe. |
| US08582186B2 |
Device for inputting one or several value documents
Described is an apparatus for inserting one or more value documents and to a device for accepting or processing value documents having such an apparatus. The solution of the problem is based on an apparatus for inserting one or more value documents, including an insertion apparatus for inserting the individual value document or several value documents and a separator connected to the insertion apparatus for detecting one value document at a time. The insertion apparatus includes at least two parts connected to each other in a movable manner, wherein the first part in a first position forms a continuous supporting surface together with the second part for inserting several securities, and wherein the first part in a second position for inserting an individual security is removed from the area of the supporting surface. |
| US08582183B2 |
Forward facing scanner
A scanning apparatus comprising a sheet fed scanner and a flatbed scanner. An input tray and an output tray for the sheet fed scanner as well as the platen for the flatbed scanner all face one side of the scanning apparatus resulting in a compact ergonomic scanning system. |
| US08582182B2 |
Automatic sizing of images acquired by a handheld scanner
A computer peripheral that may operate as a scanner. The scanner captures image frames as it is moved across an object. The image frames are formed into a composite image based on computations in two processes. In a first process, fast track processing determines a coarse position of each of the image frames based on a relative position between each successive image frame and a respective preceding image determine by matching overlapping portions of the image frames. In a second process, fine position adjustments are computed to reduce inconsistencies from determining positions of image frames based on relative positions to multiple prior image frames. As additional image frames are added to the composite image, the size and format of the composite image may be automatically adjusted to facilitate ease of use. |
| US08582180B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method with image density correction
An image forming apparatus having an image forming unit forming a gradation image includes density detection, gradation correction, and mechanism control units. The density detection unit detects gradation image density. The gradation correction control unit controls a change of gradation characteristic. The mechanism control unit controls the image forming unit and a change of image density, and includes density difference calculation and comparison judging units. The density difference calculation unit calculates density difference between target image density and the image density. The comparison judging unit compares the density difference with reference value and judges the image density to change and the gradation correction unit to operate where the density difference exceeds the reference value, or judges the gradation correction unit to operate where the density difference is below the reference value. The mechanism control unit controls the change of image density and the gradation correction unit according to judgment result. |
| US08582176B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and method and program for supporting operation input
An image forming apparatus connected to an image forming system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses is linked. The image forming apparatus comprises: a user environment information acquiring unit that acquires user environment information; a user environment information reflecting unit that generates the screen representing the settings by using the user environment information; a capability acquiring unit that acquires capability information representing capabilities; a settability determining unit that determines the settability of various settings; a display control unit that is a unit displaying the screen on the display unit and further displays the screen that represents a determination result of the settability determining unit on the display unit; a search unit that searches for a first image forming apparatus; and a search result output unit that further displays the screen representing a search result of the search unit on the display unit through the display control unit. |
| US08582175B2 |
Image processing method, image processing apparatus, image processing program, and program storing medium
An image processing method causes a computer to execute calculating a reference ink use amount considering a black level of image data of an initial image as a reference level; calculating a relation between a correction value of each black level and the ink use amount from a state of using no ink to the reference level; calculating a proper correction value of the black level corresponding to a target ink use amount input by a user in the relation between each black level and the ink use amount; and generating image data of a correction image representing the initial image by the proper correction value and displaying the correction image on a display. |
| US08582170B2 |
Image forming apparatus, print control method, and storage medium for controlling user of executing gray-out print settings
An image forming apparatus may include an acquisition unit, a setting unit, and an instruction unit. The acquisition unit acquires print data from an information processing apparatus. The setting unit receives a user operation executed via an input device and configured to execute a print setting for the print data. The instruction unit instructs the acquisition unit to acquire the print data based on a print instruction for executing printing and instructs the setting unit to receive an input by the user operation for executing a print setting for the print data. |
| US08582166B2 |
Image-data generation method, image-data generation apparatus and storage medium of storing image-data generation program
Before CTP-use image data TIFF that is laid out on a sheet of first paper used for printing and having a large size is produced based on image data (PDL) per page, CTP-use layout setting information (JDF) is converted so that POD-use layout setting information is produced, and image data laid out for POD is created based on the POD-use layout setting information. |
| US08582150B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method thereof
An information processing apparatus configured to calculate an in-operation time of an image processing apparatus includes an authentication log acquisition unit configured to acquire an authentication log including information capable of specifying login time and logout time of a login process in the image processing apparatus, a job log acquisition unit configured to acquire a job log including information capable of specifying job start time and job end time of a job processed by the image processing apparatus, and a calculation unit configured to calculate the in-operation time of the image processing apparatus based on a first in-operation period corresponding to a job processing period specified by the job log and a second in-operation period corresponding to a period which does not overlap a job processing period specified from a job log relating to the authentication log, in a login period specified from the authentication log. |
| US08582149B2 |
Printing setting application apparatus, method, and program involving filtering processing
A print setting display device includes: a print job data acquiring section which acquires print job data representing printing targets classified in accordance with a plurality of classification units; and a print setting acquiring section which acquires setting completion information representing print settings corresponding to the classification units; and a display control section which allows a predetermined display unit to display information representing the printing targets, the classification units, and the setting completion information. |
| US08582148B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
In a conventional image processing apparatus configured to display a preview image of a representative page of an image file including a plurality of pages and including a plurality of pieces of image data, it is difficult for a user to easily recognize, from the preview image, the content of the image file stored in a storage medium. In a technique according to the present invention, a page having a high evaluation value is detected, and a reduced image of the detected page is produced. The resultant reduced image is displayed as the preview image thereby allowing a user to easily recognize the content of the file. |
| US08582146B2 |
Image forming method and apparatus
An image forming method and apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus is wirelessly connectable to one or more mobile devices and the image forming method comprises connecting the image forming apparatus to the one or more mobile devices, determining whether the image forming apparatus has been previously connected to the one or more mobile devices, obtaining a first photo list stored in the one or more mobile device, if determined that the image forming apparatus has been previously connected to the one or more mobile devices, comparing the obtained first photo list with a second photo list stored in the image forming apparatus, updating the second photo list in consideration of the obtained first photo list if determined that the obtained first photo list is different from the second photo list, and displaying the updated second photo list. Thus, the image forming apparatus performing a plurality of printing operations can complete the plurality of printing operations very rapidly. |
| US08582144B2 |
Information processing device connectable to multifunction printer via communication network, multifunction printer, external authentication system for multifunction printer, and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium
In an external authentication system for a multifunction printer according to the present invention, a USB device management section, according to an instruction from a USB device management section instructing section, (i) performs a virtualization process for virtually connecting an information processing device to a user information reading device which is locally connected to a multifunction printer, (ii) manages a status of the connection between the information processing device and the user information reading device; and a multifunction printer association management section associates the multifunction printer controlled by the information processing device with the user information reading device which is locally connected to the multifunction printer. This allows providing a system in which an information processing device can control a plurality of multifunction printers, and carry out user authentication by controlling, via a communication network, USB devices for reading user information which are locally connected to the multifunction printers, respectively. |
| US08582142B2 |
Image processing system
After a print request is made from a personal computer to a multifunction peripheral, when a user who logs into the multifunction peripheral instructs an execution of the print request in the multifunction peripheral, the multifunction peripheral requests the personal computer to transmit image data. Then, the personal computer transmits the requested image data to the multifunction peripheral. The multifunction peripheral executes the printing using the received image data. When the printing is completed, the multifunction peripheral transmits a completion notification indicating that the printing is completed to the personal computer. When receiving the completion notification, the personal computer transmits a completion notification having the same content as the received completion notification to the multifunction peripheral. |
| US08582141B2 |
Avoiding deadlock in network printing
A method and apparatus for printing over a network where a user at a client device is able to print to a network printer via a server device. The server device includes a print driver that initializes an asynchronous communication channel, sends notification message data to a client device over a network via the asynchronous communication channel, receives data from the client device in response to delivery of the notification message data, and requests user input data from the client device for printing. |
| US08582134B2 |
Information processing apparatus and program therefor
An information processing apparatus which has a processing function of processing information and includes a data providing device, a storage device, a setting device, a determination device, and a changing device. The data providing device provides data to the information processing apparatus, and the storage device stores data. The setting device is provided to selectively set a prohibited state and an allowed state of the processing function. The determination device determines whether or not provided data provided by the data providing device is identical with set data which is stored in the storage device as data to be used in a case of performing a processing function set by a user. The changing device instructs the setting device, when it is determined that the provided data is identical with the set data, to change one of the prohibited state and the allowed state previously set to the other state. |
| US08582129B2 |
Apparatus and method for presentation of application printing notes for a printer driver
An apparatus and method present application printing notes for a printer driver. The method can be performed in an electronic device including a network interface. The method can include receiving a print driver request. The method can include obtaining an application identifier corresponding to the print driver request. The application identifier can identify a particular application for a print job. The method can include sending an application printing notes query to an application printing notes repository to access application printing notes corresponding to the application identifier. The method can include displaying information corresponding to the application printing notes. |
| US08582127B2 |
Updating old media with configurable entities
The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can provide configurable entities in connection with electronic archival of print-based media. In accordance therewith, print-based media can be archived electronically (e.g., by imaging or scanning the print-based media) in a remastered form that provides for displaying the original work with readily modifiable entities, such as advertisements. Media or entities can be selected based upon the original advertiser, the original product, or another element or feature of the print-based media, and can also be selected based upon a profile associated with the media consumer. |
| US08582124B2 |
Optical characteristic measuring apparatus and optical characteristic measuring method
An optical characteristic measuring apparatus includes a light source, a detector and a data processing unit. Data processing unit includes a modeling unit, an analyzing unit and a fitting unit. The plurality of film model equations are solved, and prescribed calculation is performed on the assumption that the optical constants included in the plurality of film model equations is identical. Fitting is performed between a waveform obtained by substituting the obtained film thickness and the obtained optical constants of the film into the film model equations and a waveform of the wavelength distribution characteristic obtained by detector, thereby determining that the optical constants included in the plurality of film model equations is identical and that the film thickness and the optical constants obtained by the analyzing unit are correct values. |
| US08582121B2 |
Article recognition apparatus and article processing apparatus using the same
An article recognition apparatus includes a marker having four or more unit pattern marks which are provided at a predetermined positional relationship on an article to be recognized and which are formed in such a way that a density pattern sequentially changes from a center position to a periphery of the pattern marker. The article recognition apparatus also includes an imaging tool that is disposed opposite the article to be recognized and that captures an image of the marker; a supporting mechanism that supports the imaging tool so as to enable setting of the imaging tool at least at a non-face-up measurement position; and a layout information recognition block that recognizes layout information about a position and an attitude of the article to be recognized. |
| US08582120B2 |
Measurement device and method
A measurement device for determining an installation position for a fire sprinkler head is provided. The measurement device includes a body adapted for positioning across and proximate to the center of a tile grid cell. The measurement device also includes a light source mounted to the body. The light source is adapted to project a beam of light onto a surface positioned above the tile grid cell. When the measurement device is positioned across the tile grid cell, the light source is proximate to the center of the tile grid cell. |
| US08582118B2 |
Optical detecting device, display device, and electronic equipment
An optical detecting device including: an emission unit that emits emitting light; a light-receiving unit that receives the emitting light reflected off an object; an amplifying unit that amplifies a received-light detection signal of the light-receiving unit; a detecting unit that detects position identifying information of the object based on a signal output from the amplifying unit; a determining unit that determines a position of the object based on the position identifying information; and a coupling capacitor provided between an output node of the amplifying unit and an input node of the detecting unit. |
| US08582117B2 |
Systems and methods for calibrating an optical non-contact surface roughness measurement device
A calibration apparatus for an optical non-contact surface roughness measurement device allowing for quick, accurate, and repeatable device calibration is described. In certain embodiments, the calibration apparatus may include a base, one or more calibration surfaces coupled to a top surface of the base, and an alignment collar coupled to the top surface of the base defining a window exposing the one or more calibration surfaces. By utilizing the mechanical structure of the alignment collar and base, the optical non-contact surface roughness measurement device may be accurately aligned with respect to the calibration surfaces, allowing for repeatable calibration measurements. |
| US08582112B2 |
Double pass interferometer with tilted mirrors
An interferometer of the present invention includes a PBS2 which splits light into reference light and measurement light, a reference mirror which reflects the reference light entering the reference mirror from a first direction, a measurement mirror which reflects the measurement light entering the measurement mirror from a second direction, a lens system which reflected lights from the reference mirror and the measurement light enter, a reflective device which reflects light from the lens system, and a light receiving device which receives multiplexed light, wherein the reference mirror and the measurement mirror are in a conjugate relation with respect to the reflective device, and at least one of the reference mirror and the measurement mirror is tilted so that its normal direction differs from the first and the second direction. |
| US08582110B2 |
Apparatus for low coherence optical imaging
The present invention relates to an apparatus for low coherence optical imaging, and more particularly to an apparatus for low coherence optical imaging which can obtain the information of the different depths of a sample simultaneously. The apparatus comprises a phase transformation unit or a beam shift unit. The phase transformation unit or beam shift unit transforms and reflects the reference light, such that the reflected reference light comprises different phases at the different positions of a cross-section. When the reference light and a information light from the sample are superimposed on a photo detector, the information of the different depths of the sample is obtained. By using the apparatus of the present invention, the elements, the volume, and the cost of the apparatus are reduced. Because of only two-dimensional scanning is required, the scanning rate is improved. |
| US08582109B1 |
Swept mode-hopping laser system, methods, and devices for frequency-domain optical coherence tomography
In part, the invention relates to frequency-domain optical coherence tomography system. The system includes a tunable laser comprising a laser output for transmitting laser light and a laser cavity having a length L, a gain element disposed within the laser cavity; a tunable wavelength selective element disposed within the laser cavity; a reference reflector disposed outside of the laser cavity; an interferometer in optical communication with the laser output and the reference reflector, wherein the interferometer is configured to transmit a portion of the laser light to a sample and combine light scattered from the sample with light scattered from the reference reflector; and a detector in optical communication with the interferometer that receives the combination of light scattered from the sample and the light scattered from the reference reflector and transforms the combination of light into an electronic signal comprising measurement data with respect to the sample. |
| US08582104B2 |
Optical device for detection of an agent
In certain embodiments, a system for detecting an agent includes a resonator device configured to receive an agent. The resonator device is additionally configured to transmit light received from a light source. The transmitted light has a known characteristic in the absence of the received agent and an altered characteristic in the presence of the received agent. The system further include a lens positioned between the resonator device and a detector array. The lens is configured to focus the transmitted light onto one or more detectors of the detector array, the one or more detectors of the detector array operable to generate a signal corresponding to the transmitted light. The system further includes a processing system operable to determine whether the agent is present based on the signal generated by the one or more detectors of the detector array. |
| US08582101B2 |
High throughput birefringence measurement
Improving the throughput of systems for measuring birefringence of optical samples includes techniques for directing multiple beams through the photoelastic modulator component of the system so that, along with expanded detection mechanisms to accommodate the multiple beams, the heretofore scanning (via a single beam) of a line across the sample is considerably enlarged so that several lines covering a “swath” of the sample area is scanned by the system of the present invention. |
| US08582098B2 |
Single photon spectrometer
A fiberized single photon sensitive spectrometer based on a 32-channel PMT sensor is highly sensitive with broad detection dynamic range. The spectrometer enables accurate and high speed detection, identification and analysis of biological samples labeled with multiple fluorescent markers, such as compositions of multi-color fluorescence signals or radiation emitted by multiple fluorescence dyes. A fiberized optical input of the spectrometer allows an easy and efficient coupling to any measurement system based on fiber collection of the analyzed fluorescence. The spectrometer provides highly accurate DNA sequencing. A 32 channel PMT single photon detector has a detection dynamic range of more than 20 bits and has a frame rate of about 3300 frames per second. The dynamic range of the detector's pixels reaches 108 photocounts per second. |
| US08582096B2 |
System and method for efficient coherence anti-stokes raman scattering endoscopic and intravascular imaging and multimodal imaging
A fiber-delivered probe suitable for CARS imaging of thick tissues is practical. The disclosed design is based on two advances. First, a major problem in CARS probe design is the presence of a very strong anti-Stokes component in silica delivery fibers generated through a FWM process. Without proper spectral filtering, this component affects the CARS image from the tissue sample. The illustrated embodiments of the invention efficiently suppress this spurious anti-Stokes component through the use of a separate fiber for excitation delivery and for signal detection, which allows the incorporation of dichroic optics for anti-Stokes rejection. Second, the detection of backscattered CARS radiation from the sample is optimized by using a large core multi mode fiber in the detection channel. This scheme produces high quality CARS images free of detector aperture effects. Miniaturization of this fiber-delivered probe results in a practical handheld probe for clinical CARS imaging. |
| US08582095B2 |
Spectrometer measuring head for analyzing characteristic variables of liquid, pasty or solid substances
A spectrometer measuring head has a pivotally mounted mirror (1) and at least one source of optical radiation (2) or a device for uncoupling optical radiation are arranged in a housing (6) in such a manner that the optical radiation is incident, by orientating the mirror either on a reference body (3) in the housing or on the substance (14) that is to be analyzed via a window (7) of the housing. The mirror is mechanically coupled to a drive (4) or to a flexing resonator in the housing. |
| US08582093B2 |
Signal light monitoring apparatus and signal light monitoring method
An optical filter performs filtering on input monitor light in a transmission range having a carrier frequency of each channel being measured as a center frequency. Photoelectric convertors convert the monitor light filtered by the optical filter into an electrical monitor signal, and the signal detection unit judges whether signal light is present or absent based on the electrical monitor signal. Since the optical filter performs filtering, an S/N ratio of the monitor light becomes great and the signal detection unit can more accurately judge whether signal light is present or absent even in an optically noisy environment. |
| US08582089B2 |
System and method for combined raman, SWIR and LIBS detection
A system and method for the detection and identification of explosives and explosive residues using a combination of SWIR, Raman, and LIBS spectroscopy techniques, including imaging. A region of interest may be surveyed to identify a target area, wherein the target area comprises at least one unknown material. This surveying may be accomplished using visible imagery or SWIR imagery. The target area may be interrogated using Raman spectroscopy and LIBS spectroscopy to identify the unknown material. SWIR techniques may also be used to interrogate the target area. Fusion algorithms may also be applied to visible images, SWIR data sets, Raman data sets, and/or LIBS data sets. |
| US08582085B2 |
Chirped coherent laser radar with multiple simultaneous measurements
A laser radar system using collocated laser beams to unambiguously detects a range of a target and a range rate at which the target is moving relative to the laser radar system. Another aspect of various embodiments of the invention may relate to a laser radar system that uses multiple laser radar sections to obtain multiple simultaneous measurements (or substantially so), whereby both range and range rate can be determined without various temporal effects introduced by systems employing single laser sections taking sequential measurements. In addition, other aspects of various embodiments of the invention may enable faster determination of the range and rate of the target, a more accurate determination of the range and rate of the target, and/or may provide other advantages. |
| US08582079B2 |
Using phase difference of interference lithography for resolution enhancement
Interference lithography (IL) system and methods are disclosed according to embodiments of the invention. Two beams of coherent light with a first phase difference expose a first interference pattern on a nonlinear photoresist. A second interference pattern may be exposed on the nonlinear photoresist using the same coherent light beams with a second phase difference. The difference between the first and second phase differences is between 70° and 270°. The ensuing pattern is a composite of the first and second interference patterns. The IL may employ a third and fourth light beam. |
| US08582078B2 |
Test method for determining reticle transmission stability
Methods, systems and apparatus for monitoring the state of a reticle by providing a reticle having a device exposure region in an imaging tool, defining one or more image fields across the device exposure region, and transmitting energy through the device exposure region. A detector detects the energy in the image field(s) at one or more testing intervals and a system control generates a transmission profile of average energy transmissions for each image field. Using this transmission profile, the state of the reticle is then determined at each testing interval followed by taking action based on the reticle state. The state of the reticle identifies whether the device exposure region has been deleteriously degraded, and as such, the reticle is no longer suitable for use. This is accomplished by determining if any average energy transmission of any image field across the reticle exceeds an allowable energy transmission threshold. |
| US08582077B2 |
Pellicle, mounting method therefor, pellicle-equipped mask, and mask
A pellicle is provided that includes a pellicle film, a pellicle frame having the pellicle film stretched over one end face thereof and having the other end face open, and a pressure-sensitive adhesion layer for adhering the pellicle frame to a mask, the pressure-sensitive adhesion layer being provided on an inner peripheral face of the pellicle frame, and the pressure-sensitive adhesion layer being capable of adhering to a side face of a mask having a mask image on a front face. There are also provided a method of mounting a pellicle that includes fixing to a side face of a mask an inner peripheral face of a pellicle frame of a pellicle that includes a pellicle film and a pellicle frame having the pellicle film stretched over one end face thereof and having the other end face open, a method of mounting a pellicle that includes adhering the pellicle to a side face of the mask that is inclined in going from the reverse face of the mask toward the front face where the mask image is provided, thus adhering the side face of the mask to the pellicle frame inner peripheral face, a pellicle-equipped mask that includes the pellicle adhered to a mask, and a mask that includes a side face that is inclined in going toward the front face where a mask image is provided. |
| US08582073B2 |
Method of manufacturing liquid crystal panel, glass substrate for liquid crystal panel, and liquid crystal panel including the same
A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal panel includes the steps of simultaneously forming a gate electrode of a TFT and a lower layer of a marking pad, simultaneously forming a gate insulating film of the TFT and a protective insulating film covering the lower layer, performing various film deposition processes and patterning processes while the lower layer is covered with the protective insulating film, exposing a main surface of the lower layer except for its periphery by removing at least a part of the protective insulating film, simultaneously forming a pixel electrode and an upper layer of the marking pad covering the main surface of the lower layer in a portion not covered with the protective insulating film, and providing marking by providing a through hole by irradiating the marking pad with laser beams. |
| US08582072B2 |
Method for manufacturing display device and display device
A method for manufacturing a display device 10 includes a substrate supporting step for supporting a plastic substrate 19 on a support substrate 50, with the plastic substrate 19 curved, and a thin film lamination step for laminating a plurality of thin films on the plastic substrate 19 supported on the support substrate 50. |
| US08582070B2 |
Array substrate for multi-vision and liquid crystal display device including the same
An array substrate for a multi-vision liquid crystal display device includes a display region; and first to fourth non-display regions surrounding the display region, wherein the first and second non-display regions are opposite to each other and each include a data pad portion connected to a data line, and the third and fourth non-display regions are opposite to each other and each include a gate pad portion connected to a gate line, and wherein the display region is divided into two or four active regions with a seam region between the adjacent active regions, and the seam region has a first width. |
| US08582068B2 |
Active matrix substrate with connections of switching elements and inspecting wirings, display device, method for inspecting active matrix substrate, and method for inspecting display device
An active matrix substrate is provided with first inspection wirings (70, 75) capable of inputting inspection signals to first switching wirings that are not adjacent to each other among the first switching wirings (69, 74) and to second switching wirings that are not adjacent to each other among the second switching wirings (69, 74), and second inspection wirings (72, 77) capable of inputting inspection signals to first switching wirings that are not adjacent to each other and not connected to the first inspection wirings among the first switching wirings (69, 74) and to second switching wirings that are not adjacent to each other and not connected to the first inspection wirings among the second switching wirings (69, 74). |
| US08582060B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel
A transverse electric field type liquid crystal display panel includes a pair of substrates opposed with a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. A plurality of sub-pixels having at least one curved portion in a display area are provided in a matrix on one side of the pair of substrates, and a pair of electrodes having at least one curved portion are formed in the plurality of sub-pixels. A light shield layer shielding a non-display area positioned on an outer peripheral side of the display area and between the plurality of sub-pixels is formed on the other side of the pair of substrates. The light shield layer of the non-display area is formed in a shape in which the outermost peripheral side of the display area is rectangular. |
| US08582059B2 |
Display panel
A display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer. The first substrate includes a plurality of pixels, each having at least one gray scale expression unit to express at least two gray scales. The liquid crystal layer is interposed between the first and second substrates and subject to a phase transition depending on a voltage generated in relation to the gray scale expression unit. The gray scale expression unit includes a data line, a gate line crossing the data line and insulated from the data line, a switching device connected to the data line and the gate line, a first pixel electrode connected to the switching device, at least one coupling capacitor connected to the first pixel electrode in parallel, and at least one second pixel electrode connected to the first pixel electrode in parallel through the coupling capacitor. |
| US08582058B2 |
Lighting system including wiring over electrode
It is an object of the present invention to provide a lighting system having favorable luminance uniformity in a light-emitting region when the lighting system has large area. According to one feature of the invention, a lighting system comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, a layer containing a light-emitting substance formed between the first electrode and the second electrode, an insulating layer which is formed over a substrate in a grid form and contains a fluorescence substance, and a wiring formed over the insulating layer. The insulating layer and the wiring are covered with the first electrode so that the first electrode and the wiring are in contact with each other. |
| US08582055B2 |
Backlight device and display apparatus
A backlight device according to an embodiment includes: first and second light emitting units configured to emit light; and a semi-transmissive reflector placed between the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit. The semi-transmissive reflector has a higher reflectance with respect to light incident on a first face facing the first light emitting unit than a reflectance with respect to light incident on a second face facing the second light emitting unit, the semi-transmissive reflector has a higher transmittance with respect to the light incident on the second face than a transmittance with respect to the light incident on the first face. |
| US08582052B2 |
Discrete LED backlight control for a reduced power LCD display system
Backlit LCD displays are becoming commonplace within many vehicle applications. The unique advantage of this invention is that it optimizes system power savings for display of low dynamic range (LDR) images by dynamically controlling spatially adjustable backlighting. This is accomplishes through use of a control technique that takes into account the sequential nature of the video display process. |
| US08582048B2 |
LED backlight module and liquid crystal display device using the same
The present invention discloses a LED backlight module and a LCD device using the same, and the backlight module comprises a backplane and a light guide plate, wherein the edge of said light guide plate is fixed on the backplane by elastic part(s). Because the present invention uses the elastic parts to connect the light guide plate with the backplane, uses the elasticity of the elastic parts to fix the light guide plate in the backlight cavity and align the light guide plate with the LED. Thus, the thinner rubber frame designed for thinning is not used for compressing the light guide plate any longer, the backlight module is thinner, and the positioning of the light guide plate is more reliable. |
| US08582046B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method thereof
A liquid crystal display includes a light guide plate guiding light, light sources disposed adjacent to at least one side of the light guide plate, and a lower receptacle. The lower receptacle includes a bottom plate on which the light guide plate and the light sources are disposed, a lower receptacle side wall extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bottom plate and from an edge of the bottom plate, and an upper plate extended from the lower receptacle side wall and substantially parallel to the bottom plate. The upper plate does not overlap the light guide plate in a plan view of the liquid crystal display. |
| US08582045B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
Disclosed is a liquid crystal display (LCD) device having a protection member capable of enhancing reliability against an external impact, and an outdoor visibility against an external light. The LCD device comprises: an LC panel for displaying images; a backlight unit disposed below the LC panel, and providing light; a protection member provided on the LC panel, and consisting of a tempered substrate for protecting the LC panel from an external impact, and an anti-reflect layer formed on the tempered substrate and reducing a reflectivity of external light; and an adhesive layer formed of a material having a similar refractivity to the LC panel and the tempered substrate of the protection member, for adhering the protection member onto the LC panel by being interposed therebetween. |
| US08582042B2 |
Stereoscopic image display apparatus
Certain embodiments provide a display device a plurality of subpixels arranged in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to form a matrix, and each having an aperture provided with a color component; and an optical controller provided to be opposed to the display device having a plurality of rectilinear optical apertures extending in the second direction are arranged in the first direction. A shape of the aperture in the subpixel is depending upon a condition that the apertures in the subpixels adjacent to each other in the first direction have a nonoverlapping region which is a nonoverlapping region in the second direction and a condition that an aperture ratio indicating a ratio of the aperture to the subpixel in length in the second direction is substantially constant in one line in the second direction irrespective of a position in the first direction. |
| US08582040B2 |
Functional device array with self-aligned electrode structures and fabrication methods thereof
A functional device array with self-aligned electrode structures and fabrication methods thereof are presented. The functional device array includes a transparent substrate. A patterned lower electrode array is disposed on the transparent substrate. A spacer structure is disposed overlying the transparent substrate and located between the patterned lower electrodes self-aligned therewith. A functional structure layer is disposed in an array of pixel regions defined by the spacer structure. A patterned upper substrate is disposed on the functional structure layer corresponding to each of the pixel regions, and a passivation layer is disposed on the patterned upper electrode covering the functional device array. |
| US08582039B2 |
Naked-eye type stereoscopic display
A naked-eye type stereoscopic display including a display panel, a polarization switching panel, and a lens array is provided. The display panel provides an image having a first polarization state. The polarization switching panel and the lens array are disposed on a propagation path of the image, and the polarization switching panel is located between the lens array and the display panel. In addition, the polarization switching panel has at least one rescue line so as to lower the scrap rate of the polarization switching panel. |
| US08582038B1 |
Laser based display method and system
The present invention is directed to display technologies. More specifically, various embodiments of the present invention provide projection display systems where one or more laser diodes are used as light source for illustrating images. In one set of embodiments, the present invention provides projector systems that utilize blue and/or green laser fabricated using gallium nitride containing material. In another set of embodiments, the present invention provides projection systems having digital lighting processing engines illuminated by blue and/or green laser devices. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a 3D display system. There are other embodiments as well. |
| US08582033B2 |
Movie reproduction system and movie reproduction method for reducing delay time of reproduced movie
After a sending-side clock and a clock 34 of a communication unit 33 on a receiving side are synchronized with each other, the first vertical synchronizing signal is generated in accordance with the sending-side clock, and movie data 5 representing a movie is generated by generating frame data in accordance with the generated first vertical synchronizing signal. Start time data indicating the time for starting generation of the movie data 5 and the movie data 5 are sent as communication data from the sending side to the communication unit 33. Then, the second vertical synchronizing signal is generated in accordance with the clock 34 of the communication unit 33 and the start time data received as the communication data. The frame data 50 included in the movie data 5 received as the communication data is presented in accordance with the second vertical synchronizing signal. |
| US08582025B2 |
Internet-protocol camera device with heat dissipation plates
An internet-protocol camera device includes a lens module and an image pickup module. The lens module guides light to the image pickup module. The image pickup module includes a metal housing, heat generating electronic devices received in the metal housing, heat sinks received in the metal housing, and heat dissipation plates. The metal housing includes a first inner side surface, a second inner side surface, a third inner side surface and a fourth inner side surface connected end-to-end in that order. The first inner side surface faces the third inner side surface. The second inner side surface faces the fourth inner side surface. The heat sinks are mounted on the corresponding heat generating electronic devices. The heat dissipation plates are mounted on the first inner side surface, the second inner side surface, the third inner side surface and the fourth inner side surface. |
| US08582021B2 |
Lens unit, camera body, and camera device which determines whether the accumulated exposure time is above a value
A camera device includes a lens unit and a camera body detachable from the lens unit a communication interface communicably connecting the lens unit and the camera body. The lens unit includes an optical system, a diaphragm controller, an imaging portion including an image sensor, an image processor, a storage medium in which an accumulated exposure time and a limit exposure time of the image sensor are stored. The camera body includes a determiner portion which determines whether or not the accumulated exposure time is over the limit exposure time, and a notifying portion which notifies that the accumulated exposure time is over the limit exposure time when the determiner portion determines that the accumulated exposure time is over the limit exposure time. |
| US08582019B2 |
Image pickup element and image pickup device
A technology of a phase-difference detecting image pickup element that can precisely detect a focus by a phase difference detection method and that can be properly produced even if pixels are becoming finer is provided. An image pickup element of an image pickup device includes an AF pixel pair 11f performing a pupil division function by receiving an object light beam transmitted through a pair of portions Qa, Qb in an exit pupil; and ordinary pixels that are not provided with the pupil division function. The AF pixel pair 11f includes a pair of photoelectric converters PD having the same size as photoelectric converters of the ordinary pixels and being disposed adjacent to each other in a horizontal direction. A light-intercepting section LS and one microlens ML are provided above the pair of photoelectric converters PD. The light-intercepting section LS has two light-intercepting areas Ea, Eb that intercept the light beam transmitted through the exit pupil. The one microlens ML is interposed between the two light-intercepting areas Ea, Eb. This makes it possible to realize an image pickup element that can precisely detect a focus by the phase difference detection method and that can be properly produced even if pixels are becoming finer. |
| US08582018B2 |
Imaging device, imaging method, and program
An imaging device includes a detector that repeatedly carries out a series of operation of generating an evaluation value to evaluate the degree of focusing of a position after driving of a lens toward one end part in the drive range of the lens, and detects the evaluation value of a position that is closer to the end part than the position of the evaluation value of the highest degree of focusing and is immediately adjacent or adjacent across a predetermined number of positions to the position of the evaluation value of the highest degree of focusing. The imaging device further includes a drive controller that makes the series of operation be repeatedly carried out toward the other end part in the drive range of the lens, and drives the lens to a position of a degree of focusing not smaller than the detected evaluation value. |
| US08582015B2 |
Image pickup apparatus
An image pickup apparatus including: an image pickup device for receiving subject light passed through a photographing optical system by an image pickup surface in which a pixel arrangement is formed, and generating an image signal; and an optically transparent film having an optical anisotropy, and disposed in front of the image pickup surface, the subject light entering the optically transparent film; wherein a width of separation between a first ray of light and a second ray of light produced by birefringence in the optically transparent film is ½ or more of a pixel pitch in the pixel arrangement. |
| US08582014B2 |
Lens front cap module and image pickup apparatus thereof
A lens front cap module and an image pickup apparatus having a zooming barrel, a focusing barrel and a lens front cap body. Both zooming barrel and focusing barrel are hollow barrel shaped structures. The focusing barrel is installed in the zooming barrel. An abutting portion is formed on an inner wall of the zooming barrel. The lens front cap body comprises a driving plate and a vane module. The driving plate is installed at an end of the zooming barrel and has a central window aperture. A driving pin is axially extended from the driving plate. The vane module is disposed on a side of the zooming barrel for shielding or unshielding the central window aperture. When the abutting portion abuts the driving pin, the driving pin drives the driving plate to rotate, and to drive the vane module to shield the central window aperture. |
| US08582010B2 |
Image sensor
The invention relates to an image sensor, in particular to a CMOS image sensor, for digital cameras, having a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns, wherein the respective pixel comprises: a light sensitive detector element to generate electrical charge from incident light during an exposure procedure, a readout node, a transfer gate to which a transfer control pulse can be applied to allow a charge transfer from the detector element to the readout node, and a reset device to reset a charge present in the readout node to a reference value. The image sensor furthermore has a control device for the control of the transfer gate and of the of the reset device of the respective pixel. The control device is designed so that the respective pixel is read out in a plurality of readout steps during the ongoing charge generation in a single exposure procedure, and indeed such that a respective transfer control pulse is applied to the transfer gate for each of the plurality of readout steps and a respective readout result is then produced; wherein the reset device is activated between the transfer control pulses of the respective exposure procedure; and wherein only the last transfer control pulse enables a complete charge transfer of the respective charge present in the detector element to the readout node. |
| US08582009B2 |
Solid-state image sensor and image sensing apparatus
In a solid-state image sensor, first and second column readout lines are provided to each pixel column, pixel rows are divided into pixel rows of first and second groups, the first group is divided into subgroups each formed from pixels of an identical color, the second group is divided into subgroups each formed from pixels of an identical color, signals from pixels of the pixel rows of the first group are output to the first column readout lines, and signals from pixels of the pixel rows of the second group are output to the second column readout lines. Pixels of an identical subgroup in an identical pixel column share a conversion region and an amplification element, a given conversion region and another conversion region included in a pixel column identical to a pixel column of the given conversion region do not intersect with each other. |
| US08582006B2 |
Pixel arrangement for extended dynamic range imaging
The present invention relates to an imager for improving image quality. The imager includes a pixel array of a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns. The imager also includes a color filter array (CFA) including a color pattern of a first color filter allowing a first pixel to detect a first color of light, and a second color filter allowing a second pixel to detect a second color of light and a third color of light. Each of the color filters in the color pattern are included in each row of the pixel array. |
| US08582003B2 |
Solid-state imaging apparatus
Provided is a solid-state imaging apparatus comprising signal lines to each of which a signal is outputted from each of pixels, a first holding capacitor for holding the signal outputted from each of the signal lines, first CMOS switches arranged between the signal lines and the first holding lines, each of the first CMOS switches including a first NMOS transistor and a first PMOS transistor, a first control line commonly connected to the gates of the first NMOS transistors of the first CMOS switches, and a second control line commonly connected to the gates of the first PMOS transistors of the first CMOS switches, and signals of different timings are supplied to the first control line and the second control line such that a timing of turning off the first NMOS transistor is shifted from a timing of turning off the first PMOS transistor. |
| US08582001B2 |
Exposure control for high dynamic range image capture
A device and methods are provided for producing a high dynamic range (HDR) image of a scene are disclosed and claimed. In one embodiment, method includes setting an exposure period of an image sensor of the digital camera and capturing image data based on the exposure period. The method may further include checking the image data to determine whether the number of saturated pixels exceeds a saturation threshold and checking the image data to determine whether the number of cutoff pixels exceeds a cutoff threshold. The method may further include generating a high dynamic range image based on image data captured by the digital camera, wherein the high dynamic range image is generated based on a minimum number of images to capture a full dynamic range of the scene. |
| US08581998B2 |
Image sensing apparatus and method of controlling the image sensing apparatus
A sensed image generated from an image signal output from an image sensor for receiving light that becomes incident sequentially through an imaging lens and a microlens array that is a two-dimensional array including a plurality of microlenses is acquired. A list is created in which, for each pixel position on the image sensor, the correspondence between the coordinates of the light incident at the pixel position on the imaging lens and the coordinates of the pixel position is registered. Images obtained by rearranging pixels at the coordinate positions on the image sensor corresponding to the coordinates in accordance with the arrangement order of the coordinates on the imaging lens are generated as a parallax image group. |
| US08581993B2 |
Information processing device and computer readable recording medium
An information processing device that is connected to a projecting device that projects an annotation image input from an external, terminal a projection area including an object and a background, and is connected to an image capture device that captures an image of the projection area including the object and the background, includes: a detecting unit that detects movement of the object from an image captured by the image capture device; an extracting unit that extracts a changed region that is caused in the captured image by the movement of the object; and a processing unit that performs processing on at least one of the captured image and the annotation image, when the annotation image exists in the changed region. |
| US08581991B1 |
Integrated internet camera system and method
An integrated Internet camera system method comprises a website archive and review center (WSARC) for storing and managing images and an Internet direct device for capturing an image, automatically transmitting the image to an account associated with the Internet direct device on the WSARC upon image capture and receiving stored image from the WSARC. The Internet direct device comprises an imaging system, a microprocessor and a display for displaying the captured image and the received image. The Internet direct device automatically connects to the communication network on power-up. The Internet direct device automatically switches to another available mode of connection when the Internet direct device detects that the primary mode of connection to the communications network is unavailable. |
| US08581990B2 |
Image processing apparatus, controlling method thereof, and recording medium
An image processing apparatus connects to a memory card with a communication function which includes a storage unit and a transmission unit configured to transmit data stored in the storage unit to an external apparatus, receives a transmission state of data stored in the memory card with the communication function from the memory card with the communication function, and discriminates a data type that the transmission unit can transmit. If the data type for determining the transmission state is a data type that the transmission unit can transmit, the image processing apparatus receives the transmission state from the memory card with the communication function and if the data type for determining the transmission state is not a data type that the transmission unit can transmit, the image processing apparatus does not receive the transmission state from the memory card with the communication function. |
| US08581989B2 |
External storage device and camera
An external storage device includes: a read out unit that reads out management information in a camera, regarding an image file that is stored within the camera; an identification unit that identifies information on specifying device to which the image file was transmitted, based upon the management information read out by the read out unit; a selection unit that selects an image file to be received from the camera, on the basis of a result of identification by the identification unit; and a reception unit that receives the selected image file. |
| US08581984B2 |
Vehicle circumference monitor apparatus
An analog-state video signal is inputted from each of several in-vehicle cameras via a corresponding signal cable. An amendment amount for making uniform signal levels of the analog-state video signals originating from the respective in-vehicle cameras is determined, with respect to each of the analog-state video signals, based on a burst signal included in each analog-state video signal. According to the determined amendment amounts, the analog-state video signals are amplified to make uniform the signal levels, obtaining analog-state uniformed video signals, respectively. A composite image of combining images originating from the in-vehicle cameras is generated based on the obtained analog-state uniformed video signals. |
| US08581979B2 |
System and method for constructing high resolution images
A system for constructing high resolution images includes a beam splitter assembly, a light intensity modulator, an image capturing module and an image processing module. The beam splitter assembly is utilized to reflect a light beam generated from a light source generating device and generate a splitting beam. The light intensity modulator is utilized to modulate the intensity of the splitting beam to generate a modulating beam, which includes a predetermined noise. The modulating beam is emitted onto an object to generate a modulating image. The image capturing module is utilized to obtain a plurality of modulating images. The image processing module is utilized to analyze the modulating images to generate a high resolution image. |
| US08581977B2 |
Apparatus and method for inspecting labeled containers
An apparatus and a method for inspecting labeled containers, allowing a detection of holes in the label, with a high hit rate, even in cases where the color of the label is similar to that of the filled product, wherein the label is irradiated with visible light and invisible light and/or is imaged in incident light and transmitted light. |
| US08581976B2 |
Method and apparatus for reviewing defects of semiconductor device
A method and apparatus for reviewing defects of a semiconductor device is provided which involves detecting a defect on a SEM image taken at low magnification, and reviewing the defect on a SEM image taken at high magnification, and which can review a lot of defects in a short period of time thereby to improve the efficiency of defect review. In the present invention, the method for reviewing defects of a semiconductor device includes the steps of obtaining an image including a defect on the semiconductor device detected by a detection device by use of a scanning electron microscope at a first magnification, making a reference image from the image including the defect obtained at the first magnification, detecting the defect by comparing the image including the defect obtained at the first magnification to the reference image made from the image including the defect at the first magnification, and taking an image of the detected defect at a second magnification that is larger than the first magnification. |
| US08581970B2 |
Living body observation device
A light source unit, which is connected to a control unit and an endoscope, radiates a pre-determined light quantity of white light based on a signal from the control unit. The light source unit includes a lamp as a white light source, an infrared cut filter, a light quantity limiting filter, being inserted/removed on an optical path, for limiting light quantity in a pre-determined wavelength region of white light, a filter insertion/removal driving unit for inserting/removing the light quantity limiting filter on an optical path, and a condensing lens for outputting white light. For example, when a transmission rate of a blue band is 100%, the light quantity limiting filter limits transmission rates of other bands to 50%. This improves S/N in discrete spectral image generation with illumination light in a visible light region. |
| US08581966B2 |
Tracking-enhanced three-dimensional display method and system
A three-dimensional display method is provided in the present disclosure. The three-dimensional display method includes obtaining position information of an observer; and adjusting displaying content of a stereoscopic image according to the position information. A tracking three-dimensional display unit and an image processing device are also provided in the present disclosure. In the present disclosure, three-dimensional displaying contents may be adjusted according to the position information of the observer to introduce movement parallax, so as to achieve mutual effect between the observer and displaying contents, and enhance the sense of reality of three-dimensional displaying. |
| US08581964B2 |
Three-dimensional image sensors and methods of manufacturing the same
Image sensors include three-dimensional (3D) color image sensors having an array of sensor pixels therein. A 3-D color image sensor may include a 3-D image sensor pixel having a plurality of color sensors and a depth sensor therein. The plurality of color sensors may include red, green and blue sensors extending adjacent the depth sensor. A rejection filter is also provided. This rejection filter, which extends opposite a light receiving surface of the 3-D image sensor pixel, is configured to be selectively transparent to visible and near-infrared light relative to far-infrared light. The depth sensor may also include an infrared filter that is selectively transparent to near-infrared light having wavelengths greater than about 700 nm relative to visible light. |
| US08581950B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method of the same
According to one embodiment, a laser controller generates a signal which corresponds to an output signal of a laser beam detection sensor before detecting an abnormality, in which the abnormality is detected, in a pseudo manner, on the basis of an output signal of a laser beam detection sensor in which the abnormality is not detected. In addition, the laser controller controls a laser unit which corresponds to the laser beam detection sensor in which the abnormality is detected, according to the generated signal. |
| US08581949B2 |
Laser marking method
The present invention relates to a laser marking method which is capable of changing the grey level of a marking even in the case of a high processing speed. The laser marking method forms a marking pattern on a marking object by irradiating the marking object with pulsed light oscillated from a pulsed light source of a MOPA structure in which a semiconductor laser outputting directly-modulated pulsed light is used as a seed light source. At this time, the pulse duration of the pulsed light is changed in order to change a gray level of the marking pattern to be formed. In this way, a peak power of the pulsed light is changed by changing the pulse duration, so that it is possible to positively change the gray level of the marking pattern without changing the processing speed. |
| US08581946B2 |
Driving device, optical print head and image forming device
When the cathode of a light emitting thyristor is at the low (L) level, voltage is applied between the anode and cathode of the light emitting thyristor. In addition, because the gate of each thyristor and the gate of each light emitting thyristor are connected to each other in a self scanning circuit 100, voltage is also applied between the gate and cathode of the thyristor. At this time, by selectively turning only the gate of the light emitting thyristor, which is instructed by the self scanning circuit to emit light, to the high (H) level, the light emitting thyristor that is instructed is turned on. In particular, because an output signal of a clock driving circuit is differentiated by an RL differential circuit to generate an undershoot or overshoot waveform, the number of output terminals of the clock driving circuit can be reduced. |
| US08581944B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method for detecting position deviation
An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor drum, a first printer head that forms a first pattern on the photoconductor drum and has a first end part, a second printer head that forms second and third patterns on the photoconductor drum and has a second end part that overlaps the first end part in a main scanning direction, a detection sensor that detects the densities of first and second test patterns formed at an area of the photoconductor drum at which the first and second end parts overlap, the first test pattern being formed by combining the first and second patterns, the second test pattern being formed by combining the first and third patterns, and a determination part that determines a deviation direction between the first and second printer heads by comparing the densities detected by the detection sensor. |
| US08581943B2 |
Detachable liquid crystal display device
A detachable liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal module and a cradle. The liquid crystal module includes a liquid crystal panel, an optical sheet provided on a rear surface of the liquid crystal panel, an interface disposed on a rear surface of the liquid crystal panel, a power receiver disposed on the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel, a memory card and a timing controller for receiving second image data from external devices and permitting the first image data stored in the memory card to be displayed in the liquid crystal panel. The cradle includes a lamp emitting light, an inverter for supplying alternating current to the lamp, a connector for receiving third image data from external equipment, and an interface converter for applying the third image data to the interface of the liquid crystal module. |
| US08581941B2 |
Backlight device and display apparatus
Provided is a backlight device wherein when the drive duty and the drive current are controlled according to a motion, the image quality is improved by preventing flicker caused by the change of the drive waveform. A light-emitting unit (121) comprises a plurality of light-emitting areas. A motion amount detecting unit (131) detects the motion amount of an image in each of a plurality of motion areas each corresponding to at least one or more light-emitting areas. A drive condition specifying unit specifies a drive condition including the duty and pulse height value of a drive pulse for causing each of the plurality of light-emitting areas to emit light, on the basis of the detected motion amount. A drive unit drives each of the plurality of light-emitting areas according to the specified drive condition. The drive condition specifying unit adjusts the drive condition such that the drive condition temporally smoothly changes. |
| US08581936B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating image display data
An apparatus generates display data on a display unit. An image constructing unit constructs an image of an image list including a plurality of images each corresponding to an image data file. A data output unit outputs first display data of the image list, and then, when a switching command is received from a user, outputs second display data of the image list in response to the switching command. A confirmation calculating unit calculates a degree of confirmation indicating whether a user confirmation is performed for each of the images in the image list. An image modifying unit modifies the images in the image list based on the degree of confirmation. |
| US08581930B2 |
Method for automatically producing video cartoon with superimposed faces from cartoon template
A method for automatically producing video cartoons with user-provided faces superimposed on cartoon characters is presented. A cartoon template stores the original video cartoon with unanimously-colored backgrounds and original cartoon characters' faces drawn following the guidelines of the invention. A background detection algorithm is used to detect the unanimously-colored backgrounds, while a face detection algorithm is used to detect the facial colors, facial expressions, sizes, rotations, positions and clippings of the original cartoon characters' faces. The detected unanimously-colored backgrounds may be replaced by optional user-provided backgrounds. User-provided faces with the best matching user-specified facial colors and expressions are superimposed over and on top of the corresponding original faces of the cartoon characters at the detected sizes, rotations, positions and clippings to produce the final video cartoon. The cartoon template can be distributed to many different users. Different users can add different user-provided faces, background images and audio to the same cartoon template to produce many different final video cartoons. |
| US08581929B1 |
Display of light field image data using a spatial light modulator at a focal length corresponding to a selected focus depth
A method and apparatus are shown that select a focus depth for digital light field image data that represents a scene having a plurality of objects at different focus depths, the selected focus depth corresponding to a layer of the digital light field image data at the selected focus depth, and display the layer of the digital light field image data by utilizing at least one spatial light modulator to present the layer of the digital light field image data at a focal length corresponding to the selected focus depth. A server is shown that communicates with at least one apparatus to facilitate performance of the method. |
| US08581927B2 |
Multidimensional particle analysis data cluster reconstruction
Systems and methods for multidimensional particle analysis data cluster mapping and reconstruction are provided. In one embodiment, a method for reconstructing multidimensional particle analysis data clusters is provided. The method includes obtaining a set of segmented two-dimensional projections corresponding to multidimensional particle analysis data associated with a biological sample of particles. Each segmented two-dimensional projection has two-dimensional clusters associated with particle populations in the biological sample. The method also includes reconstructing one or more multidimensional clusters based on the two-dimensional clusters in the segmented two-dimensional projections. |
| US08581923B2 |
Temporal color liquid crystal display
A temporal based system for reducing the color artifacts of a field sequential color based liquid crystal display. |
| US08581919B2 |
Display controllers including memory controllers
A display controller is provided. The display controller includes an external memory and a timing controller which compresses current frame data to generate front first in-first out (FIFO) input data, temporarily stores the front FIFO input data and writes the front FIFO input data to the external memory in a burst mode, and reads data from the external memory in the burst mode, temporarily stores the read data as back FIFO output data, and decodes the back FIFO output data to output previous frame data. |
| US08581917B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for remote graphics processing
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for remote rendering of computer graphics. The system includes a graphics application program resident at a remote server. The graphics application is invoked by a user or process located at a client. The invoked graphics application proceeds to issue graphics instructions. The graphics instructions are received by a remote rendering control system. Given that the client and server differ with respect to graphics context and image processing capability, the remote rendering control system modifies the graphics instructions in order to accommodate these differences. The modified graphics instructions are sent to graphics rendering resources, which produce one or more rendered images. Data representing the rendered images is written to one or more frame buffers. The remote rendering control system then reads this image data from the frame buffers. The image data is transmitted to the client for display or processing. In an embodiment of the system, the image data is compressed before being transmitted to the client. In such an embodiment, the steps of rendering, compression, and transmission can be performed asynchronously in a pipelined manner. |
| US08581916B2 |
Graphics analysis techniques
Embodiments provide techniques for the analysis of graphics applications. For instance, an apparatus may include a graphics application program interface (API), a graphics engine, and a graphics analysis tool. The graphics analysis tool may receive multiple draw calls issued to the graphics API, and arrange the draw calls into multiple sequences, each sequence corresponding to a particular render target. From this information various analysis tasks may be performed. For instance, overdraw images may be generated. Such overdraw images may be enhanced to improve their dynamic range. Also, pixel histories may be generated based on corresponding pixel selections. The effect of draw calls on selected pixels may also be determined. Further, such tasks may be performed on a per render target basis. |
| US08581915B2 |
System and method for configuring a display pipeline using a network
Systems and methods are disclosed for video processing modules. More specifically a network is disclosed for processing data. The network comprises a register DMA controller adapted to support register access and at least one node adapted to the data. At least one link communicates with the node, and is adapted to transmit data and at least one network module communicates with at least the link, and is adapted to route data to at least the link. |
| US08581914B2 |
Real-time kd-tree construction on graphics hardware
Described is a technology for constructing kd-trees on GPUs, in a manner that is sufficiently fast to achieve real-time performance by exploiting GPU-based parallelism during the kd-tree construction. Tree nodes are built in breadth-first search order, e.g., to use a thread for each node at each level. For large nodes at upper tree levels, computations are parallelized over geometric primitives (instead of nodes). To this end, large nodes are split into child nodes by cutting off empty space based until an empty space ratio is achieved, and thereafter performing spatial splitting. Small nodes are split based on split candidate costs, e.g., computed by a surface area heuristic or a voxel volume heuristic (VVH). |
| US08581906B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
According to one embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes a level storage module, an instruction receiving module, a switching module, and a resolution increasing module. The level storage module stores a super-resolution level in association with a video mode that indicates definition to display a video signal. The super-resolution level indicates intensity of super-resolution conversion, in which from a video signal having first resolution, a video signal is obtained that has second resolution higher than the first resolution. The instruction receiving module receives an instruction specifying a video mode. The switching module switches a video mode to the specified video mode. The resolution increasing module performs the super-resolution conversion at a super-resolution level corresponding to the specified video mode. |
| US08581903B2 |
Method and system for converting engineering data into 3D modeling data
A system and method for converting data generated in an computer engineering design software component to an alternate format usable by a variety of alternate software components is provided. Engineering data from a project having a plurality of objects is provided. Objects are selected from the project for conversion and transportation to one of the alternate software components. The selected objects are converted to an alternate format, transported to the alternate software component and regenerated by the alternate software component in its own environment. |
| US08581901B2 |
Methods and apparatus for interactive rotation of 3D objects using multitouch gestures
Methods and apparatus for interactively rotating three-dimensional (3D) objects using multitouch gestures. To perform a roll gesture, multiple touch points are detected on a multitouch-enabled device. The touch points are associated with, or select, a 3D object displayed on the device. The centroid of the touch points is computed, and motion of the centroid, resulting from motion of the touch points, is tracked. When motion of the centroid is detected, a displacement is obtained, and the displacement is mapped to a rotation transformation. The 3D object may then be rotated according to the rotation transformation, and a 2D projection of the rotated 3D object is displayed. If the number of touch points changes, rotation may be reset without rotating the object. Alternatively, displacement from the previous centroid to the new centroid is determined and the object is rotated accordingly. |
| US08581898B2 |
Display device and compensating method thereof
A display device includes a display panel, a gate driver circuit, a source driver circuit, a timing control circuit, current detection circuits, and a programmable voltage generator. The display panel includes display pixel cells and redundancy pixel cells. The gate driver circuit is connected to the display panel via scan lines. The source driver circuit is connected to the display panel via data lines. The timing control circuit is connected to the gate driver circuit, the source driver circuit and the display panel via at least one redundancy scan line. Each of the current detection circuits is adopted for detecting one of the redundancy pixel cells and a working current of one of the display pixel cells to be compensated respectively when the display device enters the compensation mode. The programmable voltage generator is connected to the timing control circuit and the source driver circuit. |
| US08581893B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus
A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a first group of pixel electrodes having a first parasitic capacitance, a second group of pixel electrodes having a second parasitic capacitance, a common electrode, liquid crystal interposed between the common electrode and the first and second groups of pixel electrodes, respectively, and a driver circuit determining a first common voltage in accordance with the first parasitic capacitance and supplying the first common voltage to the common electrode during a writing period of the first group of pixel electrodes so as to substantially offset a voltage drop in the second group of pixel electrodes due to the first parasitic capacitance, the driver circuit determining a second common voltage in accordance with the second parasitic capacitance and supplying the second common voltage to the common electrode during a writing period of the second group of pixel electrodes so as to substantially offset a voltage drop in the second group of pixel electrodes due to the second parasitic capacitance. |
| US08581891B2 |
Light sensor noise suppression arrangement and method therefor
A light sensor arrangement is used to detect ambient light conditions. According to an example embodiment, a light detector arrangement (e.g., 110) generates an output in response to light incident thereupon. An averaging-type circuit (e.g., 160) samples the generated output for overlapping time intervals, and combines the sampled output to form a new output that characterizes the incident light. The overlapping time intervals 5 (e.g., 221-261) are chosen such that the new output is generally flicker-free for incident light generated using one of at least two different power supply frequencies. |
| US08581886B2 |
Tuning algorithm for noise reduction in an active stylus
In one embodiment, a stylus receives a signal, the stylus being able to wirelessly transmit signals to and receive signals from a device, and the stylus having a plurality of electrodes disposed in a tip of the stylus. The stylus compares a first value of the signal to a first threshold and determines whether to start a timing period based at least in part on this comparison. If the timing period is started, the stylus compares a second value of the signal to a second threshold and determines whether to stop the timing period based at least in part on this second comparison. If the timing period is stopped, the stylus determines whether the duration of the timing period is within a pre-determined range of timing period values. If so, the stylus processes the signal. |
| US08581880B2 |
Capacitive touch display panel
A capacitive touch display panel includes a display panel, an outer substrate, and a capacitive touch device. The capacitive touch device is disposed between the outer substrate and the display panel. The capacitive touch device includes a plurality of first transparent electrodes, at least one transparent bridge line, a plurality of second transparent electrodes, at least one non-transparent bridge line, and at least one patterned low reflective layer. The patterned low reflective layer is disposed on an opposite side of the non-transparent bridge line with respect to the display panel. The patterned low reflective layer and the non-transparent bridge line are overlapped to each other in a vertical projective direction. |
| US08581879B2 |
Negative pixel compensation
Negative pixel compensation in a touch sensor panel is disclosed. A method can compensate for a negative pixel effect in touch signal outputs due to poor grounding of an object touching the panel. To do so, the method can include determining at least one bound for a negative pixel compensation factor based on touch signal values, estimating the compensation factor within the determined bound based on the touch signal values that are negative, where the negative values indicate the presence of the negative pixel effect, and applying the estimated compensation factor to the touch signal outputs to compensate the touch signal values for the negative pixel effect. |
| US08581872B2 |
Method and apparatus for finding local maxima in a two-dimensional array
A method for finding local maxima in a two-dimensional array includes generating a row array for each row in the array and a column array for each column in the array. The values in a given generated row array are indicative of local maxima of values in the corresponding row, and values in a given generated column array are indicative of local maxima of values in the corresponding column. The method may also include the computer multiplying values in the generated row and column arrays to determine local maxima of the array. |
| US08581868B2 |
Mobile information terminal
To prevent a function assigned to a selection item from being performed by an erroneous operation at the time when both housings are expanded or housed.A mobile information terminal that includes: an operation housing 3 having an operation panel 3a on which a plurality of operation keys 3b are arrayed; a display housing 2 having a display panel 2a on which a plurality of selection items are displayed and a touch operation on any of the selection items is performed; and a connecting mechanism connecting the operation housing 3 and the display housing 2 to each other, and can make the transition between an open state where the operation panel 3a is exposed and a close state where the operation panel 3a is housed is configured to include: a touch panel 11 that detects the operation start and end of the touch operation; a selection item selecting part 12 that, on the basis of a result of the detection of the operation start, selects the selection item; a state transition detecting part 17 that detects a state transition between the open state and the close state; and a function performing part 14 that performs a function preliminarily assigned to the currently selected selection item on the basis of a result of the detection of the operation end and a result of the detection of the state transition. |
| US08581865B2 |
Touch panel, display device with the same, and method for manufacturing the display device
A display device is provided with a touch panel includes: a base substrate; a first transparent electrode layer located on the base substrate; an ultrasonic wave guiding layer located on the first transparent electrode layer; a second transparent electrode layer located on the ultrasonic wave guiding layer; an ultrasonic wave transmitting unit and an ultrasonic wave receiving unit located on the second transparent electrode layer; and a protecting layer located on the second transparent electrode layer. |
| US08581861B2 |
Pointer detection apparatus and pointer detection method
A pointer detection apparatus includes a conductor pattern with first conductors disposed in a first direction and second conductors disposed in a second direction that crosses the first direction, and a code string signal production circuit for producing signals based on orthogonal code strings with phases different from each other and supplying the produced signals to the first conductors. The apparatus also includes a signal detection circuit connected to the second conductors for detecting a signal corresponding to a variation of electrostatic capacitance between the conductor pattern and a pointer, an analog to digital conversion (ADC) circuit for converting the signal output from the signal detection circuit into a digital signal comprising a word string of multiple bits, and a correlation detection circuit for determining correlation values between the code strings and the word string. The apparatus also includes a memory for storing correlation values successively output from the correlation detection circuit, wherein the pointer is detected based on the correlation values. |
| US08581858B2 |
Touch pad arrangement
A touch pad arrangement having a touch pad which has a sensitive operating surface and which can be moved in a direction of movement by a guide mechanism in a guided manner without tipping between a raised resting position and a lowered position. A lever mechanism is arranged on at least two side areas of the touch pad lying opposite each other. The lever mechanism includes two levers which extend approximately toward each other along their own axes, and which are pivotably mounted in the center of their length about a fixed joint with an axis which extends transversally to the direction of movement of the touch pad. The levers can be acted upon in the direction of movement of the touch pad on the lever ends facing away from each other, by the touch pad or a touch pad support supporting the touch pad, and are connected to each other on their facing ends via a flexible connection. |
| US08581857B2 |
Position detecting device and position detecting method
An electrostatic capacity type position detecting device having increased scanning speed is provided. The device includes a signal supplying electrode including a plurality of electrodes arranged in parallel with each other in a first direction, and a receiving electrode also including a plurality of electrodes arranged in parallel with each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A one-shot pulse having a predetermined time width is applied sequentially to the plurality of electrodes of the signal supplying electrode at a frequency equal to an integral multiple of 200 kHz. In other words, the sequential application of the one-shot pulse occurs with a time difference that is shorter than (e.g., 1/N of) the predetermined time width. A current change caused at rising and falling edges of the one-shot pulse is detected through the receiving electrode, to thereby indicate a position on the position detecting device. |
| US08581854B2 |
Mobile terminal and method of generating key signal therein
A mobile terminal and method of generating a key signal therein are disclosed, by which the key signal can be generated in a manner of adjusting touch sensitivity. The present invention includes a touchpad for a key signal input, a controller generating a key signal corresponding to a touched position if the touchpad is touched by a user and a strength of the touch is equal to or greater than a reference value, and a sensitivity adjusting unit adjusting the reference value. |
| US08581853B2 |
Two element slider with guard sensor
A method for using a slider-based capacitive sensor to implement a user interface having discrete buttons. Button locations are designated on a slider-based capacitive sensor having at least two conductive traces such that a user input at any button location results in a capacitance change in the conductive traces. Locations of inputs are distinguishable by ratios between the capacitance changes of the conductive traces, which can be correlated to a particular button location. Ratio ranges corresponding to areas covered by each button are used to identify which button has received an input. |
| US08581852B2 |
Fingertip detection for camera based multi-touch systems
Touch detection systems and methods are described. The system comprises a light guiding sheet, a light source, a reflective layer and a detector. When a fingertip or other suitable object is pressed against the light guiding sheet, light which is undergoing total internal reflection within the sheet is scattered. The scattered light is reflected by the reflective layer and detected by the detector. In an embodiment, the light is infra-red light. The touch detection system may, in some embodiments, be placed on a display and the touch events used to control the display. |
| US08581851B2 |
Method and device for character input having a base character component and a supplemental character component
A device which has a display, a memory, a processor and a first input and a second input. The device is configured to receive input through said first corresponding to a base character component and to receive input through said second corresponding to a supplemental character component. The supplemental character component and the base character component are thereby combined to form a character input. |
| US08581850B2 |
Adaptive keyboard with physical feedback
The disclosure is directed at an adaptive keyboard having at least two key layouts, the adaptive keyboard for use with at least two applications, the keyboard comprising a processor for determining which of said at least two key layouts to display; a display portion having defined therein a set of keys, said display portion including a set of incisions thereby defining the keys; a set of actuators corresponding to each of the set of keys of the determined key layout; and a set of switches, each of the set of switches associated with at least one of the set of actuators. |
| US08581849B2 |
Electronic device system utilizing a character input method
A character input method is implemented in a device with a plurality of keys. If a key is activated by a first operation matching a first input pattern, a first route is selected to traverse a plurality of characters corresponded by the key during presentation of the plurality of characters. If the first key is activated by a second operation matching a second input pattern, the plurality of characters corresponded by the first key are orderly retrieved and presented according to a second route in response to operations on the first key. The order for presenting two characters corresponded by the first key in the first route is reversed in the second route. |
| US08581848B2 |
Hybrid pointing device
There is provided a hybrid pointing device including an optical navigation module, a pointing module and a switching module. The optical navigation module is configured to sense gestures of at least one object operated by a user to activate commands associated with particular programs running on the host. The pointing module is configured to detect a movement between the hybrid pointing device and a working surface. The switching module is configured to active the optical navigation module or the pointing module according to a deformation of a touch plate. |
| US08581847B2 |
Hybrid pointing device
The present invention discloses a hybrid pointing device including an optical navigation module and a pointing module. The optical navigation module is configured to replace the conventional buttons of a convention pointing device, such as an optical mouse or a trackball mouse. The optical navigation module is configured to sense gestures of at least one object operated by a user to activate commands associated with particular programs running on the host. Since the optical navigation module is only configured to sense gestures of the object but not the movement of the hybrid pointing device relative to a surface, the resolution thereof is aimed to be sufficiently high enough for sensing gestures and no need to be relatively high. |
| US08581845B2 |
Hand activated input device with horizontal control surface
A cursor control device horizontally positioned operating surface is mounted on a vertical shaft connected to a biaxial joint which is enclosed in the base of the device. The hand of the operator rests on the operating surface and tips it in any direction so the shaft follows the movement of his/her hand. The motion is interpreted as X and Y coordinates on a computer display screen. The coordinate information is digitized and sent to the main computer to display a cursor on the display screen. |
| US08581843B2 |
Multi-directional navigation between focus points on a display
A method and apparatus for navigating between different focus points displayed on an electronic device, comprising, for each of said different focus points, maintaining a list of any adjacent ones of said focus points to which focus can move in each direction responsive to a navigation event in said direction, for each said list having only one adjacent focus point moving focus to said one adjacent focus point responsive to said navigation event, and for each said list having more than one adjacent focus point accessing a memory setting and moving focus to a predetermined one of said adjacent focus points responsive to said navigation event in accordance with said memory setting. |
| US08581837B2 |
Method and device for tracking sweet spots
The invention relates to a method and device for tracking the sweet spots of a sweets spot unit for a transmissive electronic display. The aim of the invention is to improve the reproduction quality and the uniformity of illumination in displays of this type. The display contains a sweet spot unit consisting of an illumination matrix (1) and reproduction elements, in addition to an image matrix (4). Once the position of at least one observer's eye (6) has been determined by a control unit using inverse ray tracing, address data for activating illumination elements (LE) of the illumination matrix (1) is provided from the position data in order to prepare the defined sweet spots (5) for said observer's eye (6). To improve the reproduction quality, an additional optical component is used in ray path for the inverse ray tracing process. In addition to the viewing angle (α) of the observer, the control unit detects and takes into consideration a defined angle (θ) of a scattering or diffractive element in a predetermined angular range. The permits additional address data to be activated for the illumination elements (LE) and the defined sweet spot (5) can be illuminated in a uniform manner. |
| US08581829B2 |
Backlight driving method and display device
Exemplary backlight driving method and display device are provided. The display device includes a light source array. The light source array includes a first group of light-emitting rows and a second group of light-emitting rows. The backlight driving method includes the steps of: firstly, receiving a gate driving frequency of the display device; subsequently, generating a backlight driving frequency according to the gate driving frequency; and afterwards, sequentially providing a first row driving voltage to the first group of light-emitting rows in a first time period and sequentially providing a second row driving voltage to the second group of light-emitting rows in a second time period, according to the backlight driving frequency. The first time period and the second time period have different phases from each other, and the gate driving frequency is different from the backlight driving frequency. |
| US08581828B2 |
Load-aware compensation in light-emitting-diode backlight illumination systems
System(s) and method(s) are provided for power management in an electronic display via compensation of a power source of a light-emitting-diode (LED) backlighting system. A compensation feedback loop includes a load-aware controller that receives the load condition from a dimming controller and supplies a control signal to the power source. An efficiency regulator functionally connected the backlight circuitry closes the compensation feedback loop and provides an input signal to the load-aware controller. The dimming controller implements phase-shifted pulse-modulation dimming, which based on duty cycle can establish a dimming equilibrium with two load conditions. The load aware controller includes a set of compensation blocks arranged in parallel, with a single compensation block connected to the input signal and that provides the control signal. A selector component in the load aware controller determines a compensation block to be connected to the compensation feedback loop based on the received load condition. |
| US08581827B2 |
Backlight unit and liquid crystal display having the same
A liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal panel that displays an image signal, a backlight unit supplying light to the liquid crystal panel, and a backlight control circuit to scan the backlight unit. The backlight control circuit supplies a pulse width modulation signal to rows of the backlight unit, which are adjacent to rows being scanned, such that the rows adjacent to the rows being scanned have a brightness lower than a brightness of the rows being scanned. |
| US08581822B2 |
Double-gate liquid crystal display device which adjusts main-charge time and precharge time according to data polarities and related driving method
A method for driving a liquid crystal display device provides sufficient charge time for a pixel unit by adjusting a main-charge time and a precharge time of the pixel unit according to the polarities of data driving signals applied during a main-charge period and a precharge period. Meanwhile, the method controls a write period during which a data driving signal is written into a pixel unit, so that each pixel unit can be equally charged. |
| US08581821B2 |
Liquid crystal display device, liquid crystal display method, display control device, and display control method
An LCD device includes a display unit including pixels having a multi-pixel structure; first and second driving units that drive scanning and signal lines, respectively; an image acquisition unit, and a control unit. Each of the pixels includes first and second pixels, and first and second pixels of pixels are connected to two corresponding signal lines in a checkerboard manner. The first driving unit is controlled to repeatedly scan a first sub-frame of odd lines and a second sub-frame of even lines, and the second driving unit is controlled in such a manner that the polarity of the first pixel of a pixel differs from that of the second pixel of the pixel, the polarities of the adjacent first pixels differ from each other and those of the adjacent second pixels differ from each other, and a polarity signal is inverted when switching is performed between first and second sub-frames. |
| US08581815B2 |
Display device
Disclosed is a display device adapted to selectively display a normal image, a stereoscopic image, a multi-view image and a stereoscopic multi-view image is disclosed. The display device includes a liquid crystal panel displaying an image; a polarizer disposed on the liquid crystal panel; a liquid crystal lens disposed on the polarizer; and a polarizing member interposed between the liquid crystal lens and the liquid crystal panel, wherein an axis of light transmitted through the liquid crystal lens coincides with an optical axis of the polarizer. Accordingly, the display device can selectively display a normal image, a stereoscopic image, a multi-view image and a stereoscopic multi-view image, while improving the picture quality and the brightness. |
| US08581813B2 |
Display device, method of manufacturing the same and display panel for the same
A display device includes a display panel, an application module, a printed circuit film and a driving unit. The display panel includes a plurality of pixel portions formed in a display area, at least one output pad formed in a first peripheral area that is formed at a first side of the display area and at least one connection line electrically connected to the output pad. At least one application module disposed adjacent the display panel. At least one printed circuit film electrically connects the output pad to the application module. The driving unit includes a pixel driving section electrically connected to the pixel portions to drive the pixel portions and an application driving section electrically connected to the connection line to drive the application module. |
| US08581812B2 |
Organic light emitting display device with data distributor
An organic light emitting display device includes a display region including first sub-pixels, second sub-pixels and third sub-pixels at crossing regions of scan lines and data lines and arranged in a repeating pattern, the first, second and third sub-pixels for emitting light of different colors, a scan driver for supplying scan signals to the scan lines; a data driver for supplying data signals to the data lines; and a data distributor between the data driver and the data lines for distributing the data signals from output lines of the data driver to the data lines. Ones of the first and second sub-pixels are alternately arranged in a first column, and ones of the third sub-pixels are arranged in a second column adjacent to the first column. |
| US08581811B2 |
Organic light emitting display device and driving method thereof
The organic light emitting display device according to the present invention includes a scan driver for supplying a scan signal to scan lines during a frame time-divided into a plurality of subframes, a data driver coupled to output lines for supplying data signals on each of the output lines, data distributors coupled to the output lines for distributing the data signals to data lines, concurrently, in synchronization with the scan signal, and pixels located at crossing regions of the data lines and the scan lines. Each of the data distributors includes a sampling latch for distributing the data signals to different channels and for storing the data signals, and a holding latch coupled to the sampling latch for supplying the data signals of the channels to the data lines concurrently. |
| US08581806B2 |
Display module
A display module includes a pixel disposed in respective intersections between a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of data lines, which lines are aligned in a matrix, and a current supply line that supplies electric current to the pixel, the pixel includes a data storage device for storing a data signal supplied from the data lines, and an emitting device that emits light by the electric current supplied by the current supply line according to the data signal stored in the data storage device. One terminal of the data signal storage device is connected to one of the scanning lines placed anteriorly of to the pixel that is being selected. |
| US08581805B2 |
Display device and driving method thereof
A display device having a pixel configuration in which the aperture ratio is not decreased, and a driving method of a display device in which the duty ratio and the reliability of a light emitting element are increased. According to the invention, a signal line for inputting an analog signal, a first switch controlled by a first scan line, a second switch controlled by a second scan line, and a light emitting element connected to the second switch are included, wherein the first switch and the second switch are selected and an analog signal is inputted in a first period of one gate selection period, the first switch is selected and a reference signal is inputted from the signal line in a second period of the one gate selection period, and the light emitting element emits light by the analog signal and the reference signal. |
| US08581804B2 |
User programmable graphics in non-volatile memory for EPD driver IC
Systems and methods are disclosed for a display driver having an internal non-volatile memory in order to save memory storage and computation effort of a host processor. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the display driver is applied for an electronic paper display. Contained within the display driver are user-definable display graphics bitmaps, multiple stored bitmaps used to assemble complex display images, and multiple phase tables, each table of arbitrary length. The invention removes the requirement for a host processor to store display images and/or display image decodes of numerical data and simplifies the process required to construct a display image from stored bitmaps. Furthermore the invention provides pre-programmed multiple phase tables (phase/delay waveform definitions), allowing a simple mechanism to alter the waveform generation, required for example to accommodate temperature variations, blanking the display before updating an image, etc. |
| US08581803B2 |
Video presenting network management
Resources of a video presenting network having plural outputs can be configured. A provisional configuration can be supported. Configuration of inputs can be performed separately from configuration of outputs. Interdependencies between network resources can be considered to restrict provided options to those co-functional with a provisional configuration. A client can use a set of functions provided by a service to traverse the configuration solution space. The functions can support a transactional configuration approach. Responsibility for considering interdependencies can be delegated to a video driver, such as a video miniport. |
| US08581801B2 |
Droopy bowtie radiator with integrated balun
An antenna element and balun are described. The antenna includes a plurality of droopy bowtie antenna elements disposed on dielectric block and a feed point. The balun includes a central member having dielectric slabs symmetrically disposed on external surfaces thereof. At least one end of the balun is provided having a shape such that conductors on the dielectric slabs of the balun can be coupled to the the droopy bowtie antenna elements. |
| US08581797B2 |
Compact dipole adapter for whip antenna
A portable whip antenna (100) is used to form a parallel wire transmission line (304) and support for a dipole antenna system (900). The portable whip antenna is formed of an elongated monopole radiating element (306) extending from a feed point (114, 202) comprising an RF connector, which can be connected directly to a portable radio transceiver (200). A first flexible conductor extends parallel to and spaced apart from the elongated monopole radiating element of the whip antenna to form the parallel wire transmission line. A first dipole element (512) is formed from a portion of the first flexible conductor extending from a link member in a first direction transverse to a length of the elongated monopole radiating element. A second dipole radiating element (516) is formed of an elongated length of a second flexible conductor (522) extending in a second direction transverse to the elongated monopole radiating element. |
| US08581795B2 |
Low sidelobe reflector antenna
A front feed reflector antenna with a dish reflector has a reflector focal length to reflector diameter ratio of less than 0.25. A wave guide is coupled to a proximal end of the dish reflector, projecting into the dish reflector along a longitudinal axis. A dielectric block is coupled to a distal end of the waveguide and a sub-reflector is coupled to a distal end of the dielectric block. A shield is coupled to the periphery of the dish reflector. The sub-reflector diameter is dimensioned to be 2.5 wavelengths or more of a desired operating frequency. |
| US08581794B1 |
Circular antenna array systems
Antenna arrays providing high gain during wireless communications are highly desirable for many applications including, but not limited to, multiple-in multiple-out (MIMO) streams and video transmissions. Optimized antenna arrays should also ensure ease of manufacture, thereby enhancing commercial viability. Circular antenna arrays including horn antennas or Yagi antennas are described, each circular antenna array ensuring ease of manufacture. |
| US08581780B2 |
Concatenating free sections in memory that store satellite search signals
Enhancing search capacity of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers. A method for searching satellite signals in a receiver includes performing a plurality of searches sequentially. The method also includes storing a result from each search of the plurality of searches in a consecutive section of a memory. Further, the method includes detecting free sections in the memory. The method also includes concatenating the free sections in the memory to yield a concatenated free section. Moreover, the method includes allocating the concatenated free section for performing an additional search. |
| US08581778B2 |
Pulse compression system and method
A non-linear FM pulse compression system includes a non-linear FM transmitter adapted to receive an input signal and transmit an output signal. The non-linear FM transmitter is adapted to modulate the frequency of the output signal by at least one of the following: increasing the frequency of the output signal as a logarithmic function of the frequency of samples in the input signal; modulating the frequency of the output signal in inversely proportional relationship to the frequency of samples in the input signal; and modulating the frequency of the output signal according to a random permutation of the frequency of the input signal. At least one antenna interfaces with the non-linear FM transmitter. A non-linear FM receiver interfacing with the at least one antenna. The non-linear FM receiver is adapted to auto-correlate the output signal with a return signal. |
| US08581770B2 |
Zero-power sampling SAR ADC circuit and method
A switched-capacitor circuit (10, 32 or 32A) samples a first signal (VIN+) onto a first capacitor (C1 or CIN1) by switching a top plate thereof via a summing conductor (13) to a first reference voltage (VSS) and switching a bottom plate thereof to the first signal. A second signal (VIN−) is sampled onto a second capacitor (C3 or CIN3) by switching a top plate thereof to the second signal and switching a bottom plate thereof to the first reference voltage. After the sampling, the top plate of the second capacitor is coupled to the top plate of the first capacitor. The bottom plate of the second capacitor is coupled to the first reference voltage. The bottom plate of the first capacitor is coupled to a second reference voltage (VDD or VREF), to thereby cancel at least a portion of a common mode input voltage component from the first conductor (13), hold the sampled differential charge on the summing conductor and establish a predetermined common mode voltage thereon, and prevent the summing conductor from having a voltage which allows the leakage of charge therefrom. The switched-capacitor circuit may be a SAR, an integrator, or an amplifier. |
| US08581769B2 |
Multiplying digital-to-analog converter configured to maintain impedance balancing
A multiplying digital-to-analog converter suited to maintain impedance balancing during phases. In an embodiment, an input signal may be sampled onto nodes of impedance elements during an initial phase. In a second phase the impedance elements are directly coupled either to a non-inverting reference input or the inverting reference input of an amplifier depending on an output of a related flash ADC output. The determination as to which capacitor is to be coupled to inverting or non-inverting input nodes may be directly programmed into the MDAC using switches, such that a thermometric to binary converter is not required in an example embodiment. Thus, the number of impedance elements coupled to the non-inverting reference input or inverting reference input REFM remains constant in each cycle such that there is no need to settle the non-inverting reference input or inverting reference input to full accuracy. |
| US08581768B1 |
Linear to discrete quantization conversion with reduced sampling variation errors
Provided is, among other things, an apparatus that includes an input line for accepting an input signal that is continuous in time and continuously variable. Multiple processing branches are coupled to the input line, each including: (a) an analog bandpass filter, (b) a sampling/quantization circuit coupled to an output of the analog bandpass filter, and (c) a digital bandpass filter coupled to an output of the sampling/quantization circuit. An adder is coupled to outputs of the processing branches. The digital bandpass filters in different ones of the processing branches have frequency response bandwidths that are centered at different frequencies, and the analog bandpass filters in different ones of the processing branches have frequency responses with bandwidths that are at least 25% greater than the frequency response bandwidths of the digital bandpass filters in their respective processing branches. |
| US08581767B2 |
Correction signal generator and analog-to-digital converter
A correction signal generator generates a correction signal that corrects a digital signal obtained from an analog input voltage. The correction signal generator has a correction signal output circuit that holds the number of transit stages of delay units detected by a first stage count detection circuit and a third stage count detection circuit at the timing corresponding to the difference in the number of stages between the number of transit stages of delay units detected by the first stage count detection circuit and the number of transit stages of delay units detected by a second stage count detection circuit, and outputs the difference between the number of stages from the first stage count detection circuit and the number of stages from the third stage count detection circuit, which were held, as the correction signal. |
| US08581762B2 |
Continuous time sigma-delta ADC with embedded low-pass filter
A filtering analog to digital converter (ADC) includes an integrator receiving at its input an analog input signal. A filtering capacitor at the input of the integrator filters out a large portion of out-of-band interferers in the analog input signal. The integrator produces an output that is quantized to produce a digital output. A feedback path between the quantizer output and the integrator input includes a digital to analog converter (DAC). |
| US08581758B2 |
Semiconductor device, method for controlling the same, and data processing system including semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a multiplexer and an output buffer. The multiplexer includes: n switches (n is an integer of 2 or greater) each including an input node receiving a different data signal and an output node coupled to an input node of the output buffer; and a plurality of switch control circuits each corresponding to a respective one of the n switches. Each of the plurality of switch control circuits turns on a corresponding one of the n switches based on a corresponding one of the signals each having a first cycle and a phase different by 1/n of the cycle from adjacent phases. When each of the plurality of switch control circuits detects that an input-side data signal of the corresponding one of the n switches appears at a corresponding output-side node, each of the plurality of switch control circuits turns off the corresponding switch. The multiplexer converts data, which is inputted in parallel to the n switches and which changes in the first cycle, into serial data that changes in 1/n of the first cycle and outputs the serial data via the output buffer. |
| US08581757B2 |
Method for vector quantization of a feature vector
The invention relates to a method for the vector quantization of a feature vector, in particular with respect to a data compression of a signal to be transmitted or to be stored, particularly a voice signal or a video signal, wherein at least one codebook from a plurality of codebook vectors is searched for a code vector representing the feature vector. During the search, a sequence of codebook vectors is examined for the suitability thereof to represent the feature vector. In the course of the search for the code vector, a set of neighboring vectors is dedicated to at least one of the codebook vectors potentially to be examined, preferably prior to the search. The search for the code vector includes at least part of the neighboring vectors. |
| US08581750B2 |
Data input system with multi-directional pointing device
A data input system is provided which comprises a processor, and a key array coupled to said processor, wherein said key array comprising at least one soft-key, at least one multi-directional pointing key for navigate a cursor and a conventional 3×4 telephone soft-key array for data selections; wherein said at least one soft-key includes a “backspace” key to delete a prior input data, a “space” key to add a space after said prior input data, or a “List/Fix” key to display a list of letter on a display for user to fix or list ambiguous letter/word presented by an input string. |
| US08581745B2 |
Method and device for detecting a vehicle passing by in the dark
A device for detecting a vehicle passing by a vehicle in the dark. A camera detects a light cone that is moving at a lateral offset relative to the vehicle. An analyzer device assigns the relatively moving light cone to the passing vehicle. |
| US08581742B2 |
Bandwidth wireline data transmission system and method
A suspended well logging device for use in a wellbore drilled in an earthen formation may include a cable configured to be conveyed into the wellbore; a single twisted pair of conductors positioned in the cable; and a conductive armor surrounding the single twisted pair of conductors. In embodiments, the device may further include a first channel formed using the single twisted pair of conductors; a second channel formed using the single twisted pair of conductors and the armor; and a wellbore logging tool coupled to an end of the cable. |
| US08581735B2 |
Warning and preparatory system for a portable device
The disclosure is directed at a system and method for preparing a device for power loss when the presence of a component cover is not sensed. The system includes a component cover with a detection portion; a sensor adapted to detect the presence of the detection portion in the component cover; and a processor able to receive information from the sensor and to prepare the mobile device for power loss. |
| US08581733B2 |
Portable electronic device
A drop detection part that detects drop of the device into the water, a light emitting body disposed in the housing, and a light-emission control circuit that makes the light emitting body emit light when the drop detection part detects the drop into the water are provided, and the rear face of the housing is made translucent, a lower part of a sealing member sealing the front housing and the rear housing is also made translucent, and a cover part covering the light emitting body is formed on this translucent part. |
| US08581732B2 |
Noninvasive multi-parameter patient monitor
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a handheld multi-parameter patient monitor capable of determining multiple physiological parameters from the output of a light sensitive detector capable of detecting light attenuated by body tissue. For example, in an embodiment, the monitor is capable of advantageously and accurately displaying one or more of pulse rate, plethysmograph data, perfusion quality, signal confidence, and values of blood constituents in body tissue, including for example, arterial carbon monoxide saturation (“HbCO”), methemoglobin saturation (“HbMet”), total hemoglobin (“Hbt”), arterial oxygen saturation (“SpO2”), fractional arterial oxygen saturation (“SpaO2”), or the like. In an embodiment, the monitor displays a line associated with a patient wellness level. |
| US08581730B2 |
Radio frequency identification device with visual indicator
An RFID device includes a chip, an antenna operatively coupled to the chip, and a visual indicator operatively coupled to the chip. The visual indicator provides a visual indication of an operative state of the device. The visual indication may be human readable and/or machine readable, and may provide visual indication that is dependent on a change in an operative state of the device. The operative state that triggers the visual indication may include a state in which the chip has temporarily or permanently been rendered inoperative or disabled, that is, in which the chip no longer responds to, or otherwise interacts with, ordinary incoming RF signals such as from a device reader. The visual indicator may be included in a display that functions by any of a variety of suitable mechanisms, such as by use of electrochromic materials, thermochromic materials, liquid crystals, or chemically-reactive materials. |
| US08581727B1 |
Misplaced golf club alert system
Apparatuses, methods, and systems for alerting a golfer when one or more golf clubs are misplaced from a group of golf clubs. A peripheral unit is associated with and affixed to each of a number of golf clubs, and transmits signals that are detected and collectively processed by a base unit to determine the status of those clubs. A club may be designated as misplaced based on the sequence and timing of status events, upon which an alarm is activated to alert the golfer. |
| US08581721B2 |
Game access device with privileges
Systems and methods for verifying the eligibility of players attempting to participate in gaming events are disclosed. Communication objects having RFID tags and closed electrical circuits are individually assigned to and worn by players within a gaming player verification system, which can be administered by a casino desk, hotel concierge, or other operating entity. These RFID tags are adapted to communicate with associated player tracking units attached to gaming machines and other devices via radio frequency waves, and each communication object is adapted to alter its communication pattern in response to any break of its closed electrical circuit. In some embodiments, a communications object may emit a signal that conveys a privilege of the player wearing the communications object. Such a privilege may include a privilege to bypass a line at a restaurant or to otherwise receive priority seating. Bracelets, wristwatches or collars can be used as communication objects, such that the removal of such an object from a player cannot be accomplished without breaking the closed electrical circuit contained therein, thereby disabling or de-authenticating the device. A computer server having a player verification program and database may also be used. |
| US08581720B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for remotely updating security systems
Methods, systems, and computer program products for remotely updating security systems is provided. The method includes defining a messaging sequence exchange between a host system and a gateway. The gateway is in communication with a security system panel. The method further includes identifying an update for the security system panel and transmitting the update from the host system to the security system panel via the gateway using the messaging sequence exchange. |
| US08581719B2 |
Sunroof and vehicle having same
An exemplary sunroof for mounting in a vehicle roof is provided. The sunroof includes a panel and a warning apparatus. The sunroof includes a first bottom surface for facing toward an inside of the vehicle. The warning apparatus includes a PCB attached to the panel, and a warning unit mounted on the first bottom surface and electrically connected to the PCB. The warning unit is configured to send an emergency alert signal when the panel is raised up to be substantially perpendicular to the vehicle roof. A vehicle includes the sunroof is also provided. |
| US08581717B2 |
Method, system, and system components for wireless tire pressure monitoring
Disclosed is a method for monitoring and wirelessly signaling data that contains information on the pressure states prevailing in tires of wheels of a vehicle. In the method, electronic modules that are arranged in the wheels wirelessly transmit the data to control device which is arranged in the vehicle. No data is transmitted during a first mode associated with a standstill state of the vehicle, while the respective electronic module transmits the data to the control device in the form of telegrams, during at least one other mode associated with another state of the vehicle. The respective electronic module at least temporarily transmits n telegrams containing the data per time unit to the control device, n being a function of time. |
| US08581716B2 |
Vehicle crash hazard notice system
An apparatus and method for deploying vivid notice to a first responder, wherein the deploying event is triggered by the vehicle crash motion or by signal from the vehicle's own crash detection system, and the vivid notice is coded to the particular hazard present at the vehicle crash site and includes at least one visual notice, auditory notice, or olfactory notice, and may include a combination of any of the three notices, or all three at once. |
| US08581711B2 |
Methods and systems of rule-based intoxicating substance testing associated with vehicles
Rule-based intoxicating substance testing associated with vehicles. At least some of the various embodiments are methods including: receiving a signal that a prospective driver intends to drive a vehicle; retrieving at least one previously stored rule regarding intoxicating substance testing associated the vehicle; retrieving data relevant to the rule; determining whether intoxicating substance testing is indicated by the rule; enabling the vehicle responsive to an indication that intoxicating substance testing is not indicated; and administering an intoxicating substance test to the prospective driver responsive to an indication that an intoxicating substance test is indicated. And if the intoxicating substance test is administered: enabling the vehicle responsive to the prospective driver passing the intoxicating substance test, the enabling by the onboard device; and disabling the vehicle responsive to the prospective driver failing the intoxicating substance test, the disabling by the onboard device. |
| US08581708B2 |
Remotely controllable receptacle system and managing method for operating the same
A remotely controllable receptacle system is disclosed. The remotely controllable receptacle system includes a remote control device for emitting a first request signal and a searching signal, and a plurality of receptacle devices for emitting a first reply signal according to the first request signal. The remote control device determines whether the first reply signal is received and the receptacle device emitting the first reply signal is classified as the vicinity receptacle device and the receptacle device not emitting the first reply signal is classified as the missing receptacle device. The vicinity receptacle device is configured to emit a second request signal according to the searching signal and determine whether the missing receptacle device emits a second reply signal according to the second request signal before a mutual communication between the remote control device and the missing receptacle device via the vicinity receptacle device is established. |
| US08581706B2 |
Data storage medium and method for contactless communication between the data storage medium and a reader
A method and a data carrier for contactless, in particular parallel, communication of a reading device with at least two communication-ready applications located on a portable data carrier. A first communication-readiness signal is generated for a first application and sent to the reading device, the signal having a first identification number that is assigned to the first application and indicates to the reading device the communication readiness of said first application, and a second communication-readiness signal is generated and sent for a second application, the second signal having a second identification number different from the first identification number, which is assigned to said second application and indicates to the reading device the communication readiness of said second application. The identification numbers simulate for the reading device the communication readiness of a data carrier in each case. The reading device thus has the impression of communicating with applications of two separate data carriers. |
| US08581705B2 |
Combination full-duplex and half-duplex electronic identification tag
Transponders are disclosed that are configurable to operate in an HDX mode and/or an FDX-B mode and that use a switchable load impedance across the transponders' resonant antenna circuit to induce amplitude and/or frequency modulation. An RF level detection circuit determines when the instantaneous activation signal strength is sufficient to support monoplex, multiplex, and diplex operation. A non-volatile memory stores identification data coded in HDX and FDX-B formats. One embodiment of the invention includes an inductive antenna including two terminals connected to tag circuitry, where the inductive antenna forms a resonant antenna circuit tuned to resonate at the frequency of the activation signal. In addition, the tag circuitry includes a non-volatile memory, the tag circuitry and the resonant antenna circuitry are configurable as an oscillator, the tag circuitry is configured to be powered by electric current induced in the resonant antenna circuit by the activation signal, the tag circuitry includes at least one switchable load impedance connected across the antenna resonant circuit, the tag circuitry is configurable to amplitude modulate the activation signal appearing at the resonant antenna circuit terminals using a switchable load impedance, and the tag circuitry is configurable to frequency shift key modulate the oscillator signal appearing at the resonant antenna circuit terminals using a switchable load impedance. |
| US08581703B2 |
Methods and apparatuses to secure data transmission in RFID systems
Methods and apparatuses to secure data transmission in a radio frequency identification (RFID) system against eavesdropping, using multiple communication channels. In one embodiment, a method includes communicating key information and cipher text generated based on the key information, or plain text, using a plurality of different, distinct and separate communication channels connected to an RFID tag. |
| US08581700B2 |
Wearable device
A wearable device is worn by a person participating in an event in which a plurality of other people are participating and wearing other wearable devices. The wearable device includes a request unit for transmitting a request signal to other wearable devices that are in a predetermined range, and receiving a response to the request signal from each of the other wearable devices, and a communication unit for determining, with use of the received responses, one or more of the other wearable devices to be a communication partner, and performing data communication with the determined one or more other wearable devices. The data received in the communication is data collected by the one or more other wearable devices determined to be communication partners, and the data is used as a profile component when creating a profile of the event. |
| US08581692B2 |
Electronic system and method of operating an electronic system
In a method of operating an electronic system (1) a first device (3) of the electronic system (1) sends a message to a second device (6) of the electronic system (1). The second device (6) receives the message, generates a first value utilizing a first function based on at least parts of the history of at least parts of messages previously received at the second device (6), and stores the first value in a memory (8) of the second device (6). The first value is compared 5 with a second value generated at the first device (3), wherein the second value utilizes a second function based on at least parts of the history of at least parts of messages previously sent from the first device (3) to the second device (6). The first and second values are evaluated, and a signal is generated if the evaluating of the first and second values indicates that the history—of the messages previously received at the second device (6) differs from the 10 history of messages previously sent from the first device (3). |
| US08581688B2 |
Coastal monitoring techniques
Method and system for monitoring coastlines includes arranging sensors proximate the coastline, obtaining data about the coastline via the sensors, analyzing the data to determine the presence of a reportable condition relating to passage of an object proximate the coastline, and transmitting the data or a signal indicative of the analysis, optionally with an identification or location of the sensors, to a monitoring facility. The sensors may be spaced apart from one another along the coastline and programmed to wake-up upon detection of a predetermined condition in order to obtain data. If the location of each sensor is not programmed into the sensor or otherwise known by the monitoring facility, each sensor may be arranged to determine its location so that each sensor provides its location when transmitting data or the signal to the monitoring facility. |
| US08581687B2 |
Four-terminal resistor with four resistors and adjustable temperature coefficient of resistance
Thermally stable four-terminal resistor (current sensor) is characterized by having the capacity to adjust both resistance and temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR), during manufacturing process. The four-terminal resistor includes 3 or 4 elementary resistors R1-R3 forming a closed loop. Resistor R1 is the principal low-ohmic value resistor. The terminals of resistor R1 serve as “Force” terminals of the four-terminal resistor. Resistors R2, R3 form a voltage divider intended to minimize the TCR of the four-terminal resistor and connected in parallel to resistor R1. The terminals of resistor R3 serve as “Sense” terminals of the four-terminal resistor. Resistor R2 may be split into two resistors: R2a, R2b to simplify the implementation of four-terminal resistor. Elementary resistors R1, R2 must have the same sign of TCR. Target resistance and TCR minimization in four-terminal resistor are reached by adjustment of resistance of the elementary resistors. |
| US08581686B2 |
Electrically activated surface mount thermal fuse
A reflowable thermal fuse includes a conduction element with first and second ends, disposed within a housing. The reflowable thermal fuse also includes an elastic element disposed within the housing and adapted to apply force on the conduction element in an activated state of the reflowable thermal fuse. A restraining element is utilized to secure the elastic element and prevent the elastic element from applying force on the conduction element in an installation state of the reflowable thermal fuse. Application of an activating current through the restraining element causes the restraining element to break and thereby release the elastic element and place the reflowable thermal fuse in the activated state. |
| US08581685B2 |
Reactor and method for manufacturing reactor
A reactor includes: a first core having end surfaces; a second core having end surfaces facing the end surfaces of the first core; coils wound around at least part of the circumference of the first core and the second core; and gap members arranged between the end surfaces of the first core and the end surfaces of the second core. The coils and the gap members are integrally molded with a first resin in a state where the first and second cores are not provided. The coils and the first and second cores are integrally molded with a second resin in a state where the gap members are sandwiched between the end surfaces of the first core and the end surfaces of the second core. |
| US08581683B2 |
Electromagnetic actuating unit of a hydraulic directional valve
An electromagnetic actuating unit of a hydraulic directional valve, which has an armature and a first and a second magnet yoke. The first and the second magnet yokes at least partially bind an armature space, the armature is arranged in the armature space so as to be axially displaceable, and the first and the second magnet yokes face each other in the axial direction of the armature. |
| US08581682B2 |
Magnet aided solenoid for an electrical switch
A solenoid is provided for an electrical switch. The solenoid includes a coil having a passageway extending therethrough along a central longitudinal axis. The solenoid also includes a movable core having a coil segment and a magnet segment. The coil segment is received within the passageway of the coil such that the coil extends around the coil segment. The magnet segment includes a radially outer surface relative to the central longitudinal axis of the passageway of the coil. The movable core is movable relative to the coil along the central longitudinal axis such that the coil segment is movable within the passageway of the coil along the central longitudinal axis. A permanent magnet extends around at least a portion of the radially outer surface of the magnet segment of the movable core. The movable core is movable along the central longitudinal axis relative to the permanent magnet. |
| US08581681B2 |
Magnet assemblies and methods for temperature control of the magnet assemblies
A magnet assembly is provided. The magnet assembly comprises a magnet configured to generate a magnetic field and an iron shield configured to shield the magnet. The magnet assembly further comprises one or more positive temperature coefficient heaters disposed on the iron shield and configured to stabilize temperature of the iron shield. An iron shield assembly and a method for temperature control of the magnet assembly are also presented. |
| US08581680B2 |
Connecting device adaptable to different contactors
A device for connecting a terminal of an operating coil of an electromagnetic contactor, the device having a first connecting piece electrically connected to a terminal of the operating coil, a second connecting piece arranged in the contactor opposite a surface of the contactor so as to be accessible from the outside of the insulating body of the contactor in order to enable the electrical connection between the contactor and an outside module, and at least one connecting member including a first connecting portion arranged to ensure the electric contact with the first connecting piece according to at least two different relative positions between the first connecting portion and the first connecting piece, and a second connecting portion arranged to ensure the electric contact with the second connecting piece according to at least two different relative positions between the second connecting portion and the second connecting piece. |
| US08581677B2 |
Variable resonator, variable bandwidth filter, and electric circuit device
A variable resonator includes a ring-shaped conductor line (2) which is provided on a dielectric substrate (5) and has a circumferential length of a wavelength at a resonance frequency or an integral multiple of the wavelength, and at least two circuit switches (31, 32), wherein the circuit switches (31, 32) have one ends (31) electrically connected to the ring-shaped conductor line (2) and the other ends (32) electrically connected to a ground conductor (4) formed on the dielectric substrate (5), electrical connection/disconnection between the ground conductor (4) and ring-shaped conductor line (2) can be switched, and the one ends (31) of the circuit switches (31, 32) are connected to the ring-shaped conductor line (2) on different portions. |
| US08581676B2 |
Common-mode filter
A common-mode filter including two input terminals and two output terminals and, in series between each input or output terminal and the ground, a capacitive element and a first inductive element. |
| US08581674B2 |
Filter and communications apparatus
A filter includes a first signal line connected to one input-side unbalanced signal terminal, a second signal line connected to another output-side unbalanced signal terminal, a shunt circuit for providing connection between the first and second signal lines in parallel with a surface acoustic wave device, a first capacitor disposed in the first signal line so as to be in series with respect to the surface acoustic wave device, a first inductor disposed in the shunt circuit at a side of the first signal line, and a series resonance circuit having a second capacitor and a second inductor disposed in the shunt circuit at a side of the second signal line. |
| US08581673B2 |
Circuit module
In a circuit module in which a plurality of non-reciprocal circuit elements, each of which does not have a yoke, are mounted, the occurrence of magnetic coupling between the non-reciprocal circuit elements is significantly reduced and prevented. Core isolators are not arranged such that, in a state in which the direction of magnetic flux and the direction of magnetic flux are the same, the core isolators are aligned in the direction of the magnetic flux. Specifically, the core isolators generate the magnetic flux from left to right. The core isolators are aligned so as to be inclined relative to the magnetic flux. Thus, extension of the magnetic flux through the core isolator in a state of being directed in the same direction as that of the magnetic flux is significantly reduced and prevented. |
| US08581672B2 |
Frequency synthesis
An apparatus including a spin torque oscillator configured to receive an input electric current and to produce a radio frequency output signal; and a tunable current source for providing an input electric current to the spin torque oscillator. |
| US08581670B2 |
Oscillation device
To perform, in an oscillation device compensating an output frequency based on a detection result of ambient temperature, temperature compensation of the output frequency with high accuracy. First and second quartz-crystal oscillators are structured by using a common quartz-crystal piece, and when oscillation outputs of first and second oscillation circuits respectively connected to these quartz-crystal oscillators are set to f1, f2, and oscillation frequencies of the first and the second oscillation circuits at a reference temperature are set to f1r, f2r, respectively, a frequency difference being a difference between a value corresponding to a difference between f1 and f1r and a value corresponding to a difference between f2 and f2r is treated as a temperature at that time. Further, based on the frequency difference, a frequency compensation value is determined through polynomial approximation. |
| US08581664B2 |
Pulse electric power amplification apparatus
A pulse electric power amplification apparatus includes first, second, final-stage and drive amplification devices. In initial stage, the first device in upstream, having a predetermined thermal time constant, receives a high frequency signal while the second device in downstream, having a different thermal time constant, is cascade-connected to it. In final stage, the drive device drives the final-stage device in downstream, which is cascade-connected to the second device. The apparatus further includes a power supply switching circuit, first and second differentiating circuits. The first and second differentiating circuits, having time constants corresponding to thermal time constants of the first and second devices, respectively, receive a pulse signal with which the high frequency signal is modulated. The power supply switching circuit, also receiving the pulse signal, switches a voltage outputted from a positive bias power supply and inputs the switched voltage to the first, second, drive and final-stage devices. |
| US08581656B2 |
Transmission gate and control circuit for transmission gate inputs
A transmission gate includes first and second transmission path terminals, a series connection of first and second field effect transistors (FETs), and a control circuit. The channels of the first and second FETs are coupled in series between the first transmission path terminal and the second transmission path terminal, such that a channel contact of the first FET is coupled to the second transmission path terminal and a channel contact of the second FET is coupled to the first transmission path terminal. The control circuit is configured to provide a control voltage for a gate contact of the first FET and a control voltage for a gate contact of the second FET, such that the control voltage for the gate contact of the first FET is, in a switch-off state of the transmission gate, based on a voltage present at the first transmission path terminal, and such that the control voltage for the gate contact of the second FET is, in the switch-off state of the transmission gate, based on a voltage present at the second transmission path terminal. |
| US08581655B2 |
Clock signal supplying method and circuit for shift registers
A clock signal supplying method for shift registers includes following steps: receiving a clock signal; and transmitting the clock signal to two first stage signal transmission paths simultaneously, the first stage signal transmission paths determined by a first control signal whether to be conducted, and further conducted at different time. |
| US08581638B2 |
High-side driver circuit
The present invention provides a high-side driver circuit including a power transistor, the first transistor, the second transistor, the second capacitor, the second diode, a start-up circuit. The start-up circuit is coupled between a resistor and the second capacitor to complete a gate driving circuit. And, the aforementioned resistor can either be the gate resistance of the power transistor or an external resistor. The design of start-up circuit enables the functionality of the bootstrap capacitor of being charged to a designate voltage level. Thus, the depletion-mode transistor can be controlled to turn on/off without a floating voltage source or a negative voltage source. |
| US08581637B2 |
Low-power, low-latency power-gate apparatus and method
A low-power, low-latency power-gate (LPLLPG) circuit is used to shut off or otherwise reduce power that is provided to electronic component(s), such as in a sleep or standby mode. ON-rush current is controlled by sizing at least one transistor in the power-gate circuit, and power consumption of the power-gate circuit in both standby state and active state is reduced by not using additional delay elements. Ramping up a gated voltage supply with low ON-rush current is performed by applying/using logic rather than delay signals. This logic does not turn ON transistors in the power-gate circuit until the gated voltage supply has ramped up close to a level of an ungated voltage supply. By not using additional delay cells, faster turn OFF of the gated voltage supply is obtained. |
| US08581630B2 |
Signal driver circuit having adjustable output voltage for a high logic level output signal
A signal driver circuit having an adjustable output voltage for a high-logic level output signal. The signal driver circuit includes a signal driver configured to output a first logic level signal having a first voltage and output a second logic level signal having a second voltage according to an input signal. A voltage controlled voltage supply coupled to the signal driver provides the first voltage for the first logic level signal. The magnitude of the first voltage provided by the voltage controlled voltage supply is based on a bias voltage. A bias voltage generator can be coupled to the voltage controlled voltage supply to provide the bias voltage. |
| US08581629B1 |
Synchronous state machine with an aperiodic clock
An apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes an analog timing controller and a digital state machine. An input circuit in the digital state machine is configured to receive a plurality of analog input signals, and an analog event circuit is coupled to the analog timing circuit, the glitch filter, and the input circuit. The analog event circuit and input circuit are configured to generate a composite event signal from the analog input signals and by using the analog timing circuit. The glitch filter is configured to receive the composite event signal. A clock generator also is coupled to the glitch filter, wherein the clock generator is configured to generate an aperiodic clock signal. The aperiodic clock signal is configured to be a synchronous clock signal for the digital state machine. |
| US08581624B2 |
Integrated circuits with multi-stage logic regions
A programmable logic region on a programmable integrated circuit may include a first set of look-up tables that receive programmable logic region input signals and a second set of look-up tables that produce programmable logic region output signals. Multiplexer circuitry may be interposed between the first and second sets of look-up tables. The multiplexer circuitry may receive the programmable logic region input signals in parallel with the output signals from the first set of look-up tables and may provide corresponding selected signals to the second set of look-up tables. The programmable logic region input signals may be shared by the first and second sets of look-up tables. Logic circuitry may be coupled to outputs of the first and second sets of look-up tables. The logic circuitry may be configured to logically combine output signals from the first and second sets of look-up tables. |
| US08581618B1 |
Apparatus for controlling the usability of intellectual property within a programmable device and method of using
A system provides for the distribution of intellectual property logic blocks from a source to a user wherein the user may use the logic blocks during development but is prevented from using the block in production without permission. A sensor is connected in parallel with a first signal from the block and in series with a second signal from the block. When activity on the first signal exceeds a predetermined count, the output of the second signal is corrupted. In some embodiments all such sensors are connected to an aggregator which allows all blocks to continue to operate until all of them have exceeded their predetermined activity count. A state machine compares the values of two keys, one stored within the block, to another value stored in the state machine controller, and allows the block to be used in production if the key values coincide. |
| US08581603B2 |
Occupant classifying device for an automobile
Provided is an occupant classifying device which can detect an occupant sitting on a seat by a change in an electric field between first and second electrodes that is caused by the occupant sitting on the seat. The occupant classifying device includes: a seat for an occupant to sit on; a first electrode disposed in the seat; a second electrode disposed in the seat, spaced apart from the first electrode, and forming an electric field between the first and second electrodes; and a current measuring device for measuring a variation in current value corresponding to changes in the electric field caused by the occupant sitting on the seat. |
| US08581602B2 |
Method and apparatus for nondestructive measuring of a coating thickness on a curved surface
An improved method and apparatus for non-destructive measurements of coating thicknesses on a curved surface by measuring components of the microwave energy reflected from the surface. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a portable microwave thickness detector with a rounded rocker-type base allowing the microwave beam to be moved through a range of angles with respect to the target surface. An optical alignment system determines when the microwave angle of incidence is at a desired angle when the components of the reflected microwave energy are measured. Preferred embodiments of the present invention also provide a portable microwave thickness detector which maintains a constant standoff distance between the between the microwave detector and the sample to be measured. |
| US08581600B2 |
Electrical connectivity test apparatus and methods
Methods and apparatus are provided related to testing electrical connectivity. A sequence of distinct test data signal patterns is issued. The test data signals are propagated by way of respective pathways and electrical connectors. A feedback signal is generated in accordance with a test function for each of the test data signal patterns. A test results message is generated in accordance with the feedback signals, which can include specific diagnostic or identifying information. |
| US08581592B2 |
Downhole methods and assemblies employing an at-bit antenna
Logging tools and methods employing an at-bit loop antenna to acquire azimuthal resistivity measurements proximate to the bit enable low-latency geosteering signals to be generated. In some embodiments, the at-bit antenna is part of a bottom hole assembly that includes a drill bit, a mud motor, and a resistivity tool. The mud motor is positioned between the at-bit antenna and the resistivity tool. The resistivity tool includes at least one loop antenna that is not parallel to the at-bit loop antenna. The at-bit antenna is part of an at-bit module that, in some embodiments, transmits periodic electromagnetic signal pulses for the resistivity tool to measure. In other embodiments, the at-bit module measures characteristics of electromagnetic signal pulses sent by the resistivity tool and communicates the measured characteristics to the resistivity tool via a short hop telemetry link. |
| US08581591B2 |
Method and system of determining an electrical property of a formation fluid
Determining an electrical property of a formation fluid. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising drawing formation fluids into a tool within a borehole, applying a swept frequency electric field to the formation fluids by way of a first winding, inducing a current flow in a second winding based on the swept frequency electric field, and determining a property of the formation fluids based, at least in part, on the current flow in the second winding. |
| US08581586B2 |
Method of calculating coil pattern, and gradient magnetic field coil
A coil pattern calculation method includes calculating a current potential at each contact between finite surface elements forming each of the coil surfaces based on an initial value of an input current potential distribution, and, for each of the coil surfaces, repeatedly calculating the current potential alternately and, under each magnetic field condition, determining a current potential distribution that generates a magnetic field falling within the range of allowable error for each target magnetic field so that a surface current represented by the current potential will become close to a target magnetic field distribution set for each of the finite surface elements; and determining a coil pattern from the contour lines of the determined current potential distribution. |
| US08581585B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, initial state creation method, optimum intensity determination method, and magnetic resonance imaging method
This aims to shorten the time period, which is required for optimizing a radio-frequency magnetic field pulse intensity, thereby to shorten the measurement time period of an MRI entirety.In the operation for optimizing the radio-frequency magnetic field pulse intensity, an initial state for applying radio-frequency magnetic field pulses is intentionally created for a short time period, thereby to shorten the radio-frequency magnetic field pulse interval for the repeated applications.The radio-frequency magnetic field pulses are repeatedly applied at a predetermined time interval sufficiently shorter than the relaxing time period of the radio-frequency magnetic field pulses, and the state in which the magnetic resonance signal intensity becomes a threshold value or less is set to an initial state. |
| US08581583B2 |
Method and apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging to create T1 maps
In a method and apparatus for MR imaging, a data acquisition sequence is executed wherein at least two slices of an examination subject are imaged in parallel with a gradient echo method for spatially resolved quantification of the T1 relaxation time. At least one first acquisition sequence is implemented to acquire MR data from a first slice of the examination subject and at least one second acquisition sequence is implemented to acquire MR data from a second slice of the examination subject. The acquisition sequences each include an inversion pulse and at least two successive readout steps. The first and second acquisition sequences are temporally offset from one another such that they at least partially overlap. |
| US08581582B2 |
MRI non-contrast time-slip angiography using variably positioned cine sub-sequence
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system using an MRI gantry and controlling computer system includes at least one programmed computer configured to effect a cardiac-triggered time-SLIP (spatial labeling inversion pulse) MRI data acquisition sequence for imaging blood perfusion in imaged patient tissue and employing therewithin an MRI cine sub-sequence. The sub-sequence is positioned in the time domain to encompass at least part of a predetermined (e.g., diastolic) cardiac time interval of the patient. Processing acquired data from the time-SLIP data acquisition sequence generates a sequence of MRI cine frame images having respectively associated different effective BBTI (black blood time to inversion) time intervals. Identifying one of the MRI cine frame images as acceptable, thereby effectively also determines an appropriate BBTI time interval for the patient. The system then outputs a time-SLIP image based on the determined appropriate BBTI time interval to at least one of (a) a display, (b) a remote system or (c) a non-transitory storage medium. |
| US08581580B2 |
Downhole orientation sensing with nuclear spin gyroscope
Downhole orientation sensing with a nuclear spin gyroscope. A method of sensing orientation of an instrument assembly in a subterranean well can include incorporating an atomic comagnetometer and an optical source into the instrument assembly, and installing the instrument assembly in the well. A downhole orientation sensing system for use in conjunction with a subterranean well can include a downhole instrument assembly positioned in the well, the instrument assembly including an atomic comagnetometer and an optical source which transmits light to the atomic comagnetometer. |
| US08581577B2 |
Low row steam generator inspection probe
An inspection assembly for insertion inspection of an elongate hollow member. The inspection assembly includes a probe head including at least one sensor for sensing a characteristic of the elongate hollow member as the probe head is moved internally within the elongate hollow member. The assembly includes a flexible shaft connected to the probe head and transmitting a motive force to the probe head to move the probe head within the elongate hollow member. The flexible shaft encloses at least one wire operatively connected between the probe head and at least one component external to the elongate hollow member for sensory operation of the at least one sensor. The flexible shaft is at least partially corrugated. |
| US08581573B2 |
Circuit for measuring the effective current of a signal to be monitored
The present invention relates to a circuit for measuring an effective current (ieff(t)) of a signal to be monitored (i(t)), where the circuit includes means for making a continuous reference signal (iDC(t)) depend on the signal to be monitored (i(t)) so that the effective current (iDCeff(t)) of the continuous reference signal (iDC(t)) is equal to the effective current (ieff(t)) of the signal to be monitored (i(t)). |
| US08581571B2 |
Measuring apparatus, testing apparatus and measuring method
Provided is a measurement apparatus that measures a characteristic of a filter, comprising a first transmission line that has the filter connected therein, the first transmission line receiving a multi-tone signal having signal components at a plurality of frequencies from an input end thereof, passing the multi-tone signal through the filter, and outputting the multi-tone signal from an output end thereof; a second transmission line that receives the multi-tone signal from an input end thereof, propagates the multi-tone signal therein, and outputs the multi-tone signal from an output end thereof; and a measuring section that calculates the characteristic of the filter based on the multi-tone signal output from the output end of the first transmission line and the multi-tone signal output from the output end of the second transmission line. |
| US08581569B2 |
Supply independent current reference generator in CMOS technology
A current reference generator including a current network, a bias network, and a loop amplifier. The current network includes first and second transistors of a first conductivity type and third, fourth and fifth transistors of a second conductivity type. The first, third and fifth transistors are series-coupled between voltage supply lines forming a first current path, and the second and fourth transistors are series-coupled between the supply lines forming a second current path. The control terminals of the first and second transistors are coupled together and the control terminals of the third and fourth transistors are coupled together. The bias network biases the fifth transistor. The loop amplifier is coupled to the current network and is operative to maintain constant current level through the first and second current paths independent of voltage variations of the supply lines and at very low supply voltage. |
| US08581567B2 |
Controlling switching regulator under light load conditions
In a switching regulator, a peak current value of an inductor current iL corresponding to a critical current is obtained by {(Vin−Vout)/Vin×Vout/L×Ts}, where Ts is the frequency of clock signals CLK constituting set pulses generated at predetermined timings by an oscillating circuit 9. Accordingly, by setting a reference voltage VLL as (Vout/L×Ts/rs), the peak current value of the inductor current iL when the load current has decreased is set to be the peak current value of the inductor current iL corresponding to the critical current. Therefore, simply by setting the reference voltage VLL in advance, the peak current of the inductor current iL when the load current has decreased is set to be the peak current value of the inductor current iL corresponding to the critical current. |
| US08581565B2 |
DC-to-DC converter having secondary-side digital sensing and control
A DC/DC converter for use in power supply applications employing multiple parallel-connected converters employs a digital controller referenced to the secondary or output side of an isolation boundary and having non-isolated direct connections to secondary side components. The controller directly monitors output voltage and output current and uses feedback control techniques to precisely control these values in a desired manner. The DC/DC converter can implement so-called “droop” current sharing with increased accuracy arising from the secondary-side digital control, so that a desired balanced sharing of current across multiple converters can be achieved. The converter uses calibration establish accurate set points, and any of a variety of additional functions/features to attain operational goals. |
| US08581560B2 |
Voltage regulator circuit for generating a supply voltage in different modes
A voltage regulator circuit comprises active and standby amplifiers, first and second transistors, and a capacitor. The active amplifier has a negative input connected to a first reference voltage, and the standby amplifier has a negative input connected to a second reference voltage. The first reference voltage is greater than the second reference voltage. The first transistor has a gate connected to an output of the active amplifier and a drain connected to a voltage regulated output, and the second transistor has a gate connected to an output of the standby amplifier and a drain connected to the voltage regulated output. The capacitor is connected between a chip enable signal and the voltage regulated output. |
| US08581555B2 |
Secondary battery system including an arrangement to determine a temporary increase in direct current resistance of the secondary battery
Provided is a secondary battery system including: a battery controller which controls charge and discharge of a secondary battery; a total controller which controls the entire system; an ammeter which detects a charge current and a discharge current of the secondary battery; and a voltmeter which detects a voltage of the secondary battery, in which a direct current resistance of the secondary battery at the time of charge and a direct current resistance of the secondary battery at the time of discharge are obtained on the basis of a current value and a voltage value detected by the ammeter and the voltmeter, to thereby determine a temporary increase in the direct current resistance of the secondary battery caused by charge and discharge with a large current on the basis of a relation between the two obtained direct current resistances. Accordingly, in a secondary battery system used in a hybrid system, a wind power generating system, a photovoltaic power generating system, and the like, the situation where a direct current resistance thereof transitionally (temporarily) increases is simply detected on the basis of the usage situation of a secondary battery, to thereby accurately calculate the deterioration state of the secondary battery and thus enable an appropriate coping process, so that the life of the secondary battery can be extended. |
| US08581554B2 |
Battery charging method and apparatus
Disclosed are methods for charging batteries utilizing a charge balance approach, and charger systems using those methods. In one example, a method for charging a battery includes monitoring an amount of charge released by the battery while in a discharge state, recording the amount of charge released while in the discharge state, applying a voltage which results in current in reverse direction to the battery at a first voltage level for a time sufficient to introduce an amount of charge substantially equal to the recorded amount of charge released by the battery while in the discharge state, and maintaining the battery in a stand-by mode by applying a voltage which results in current in reverse direction to the battery at a second voltage level, the second voltage level being in a range sufficient to prevent self-discharge of the battery and insufficient to induce evaporation of electrolyte in the battery. |
| US08581553B2 |
System power leveling device and image diagnostic system
A system power leveling device includes a bidirectional converter connected to a system bus line providing a electric power to a load from a power source and having a first and a second switching element, a power storage device connected to the bidirectional converter, a first specifying section for specifying a power consumption of the load, a charge-discharge control section for controlling the charge and the discharge of the power storage device by controlling the bidirectional converter based on the power consumption specified at the first specifying section, and a second specifying section specifying a current or an electric power of the charge or the discharge. |
| US08581552B2 |
Battery state monitoring circuitry with low power consumption during a stand-by-state of a battery pack
A battery pack including at least one battery cell, a switch, and battery state monitoring circuitry. The battery state monitoring circuitry may be configured to control an ON resistance of the switch to a first ON resistance when the switch is ON and the battery pack is in a stand-by-state and to control the ON resistance to a second ON resistance when the switch is ON and said battery pack is not in said stand-by-state, the first ON resistance greater than the second ON resistance. A cordless electrical device and method consistent with embodiments are also provided. |
| US08581546B2 |
Method and apparatus for converting dirty electrical power to a clean electrical power suitable for a portable electronic flight bag in an aircraft
Provided is an apparatus. The apparatus includes a power conditioning module. The power conditioning module includes an input that is operable to receive a first power from an aircraft. The power conditioning module includes electronic circuitry that is operable to transform the first power to a second power. The second power is different from the first power and is suitable for charging a portable electronic device. The power conditioning module includes a status indication mechanism that is operable to indicate a status of the power conditioning module. |
| US08581542B2 |
Receive antenna arrangement for wireless power
Exemplary embodiments are directed to wireless charging. An electronic device may comprise at least one receive antenna integrated within an electronic device and configured to receive wireless power from a wireless transmit antenna. Further, the at least one receive antenna may be spaced from each conductive component within the electronic device having a clearance therebetween adapted to enable formation of a magnetic field around the loop conductor. |
| US08581539B2 |
Efficient circuit for brushless low cogging machine with congruent stator
Simple AC circuitry driving a brush-less motor having a rotor consisting of alternate polarity permanent magnet poles, with the rotor journaled in a stator with a like number of wound poles having only two free ends for energizing. The motor is using only two AC electronic switches for starting and accelerating, and an AC switch to run the motor at synchronous speed. It has higher efficiency than previously known circuits, uses less parts and is less costly. |
| US08581538B2 |
Drive control circuit for linear vibration motor
A drive signal generating unit generates a drive signal used to alternately deliver a positive current and a negative current to a coil with a nonconducting period inserted between conducting periods. A driver unit generates a drive current in response to the drive signal generated by the drive signal generating unit and supplies the drive current to a coil. An induced voltage detector detects an induced voltage occurring in the coil during the nonconducting period. A zero-cross detecting unit detects the zero cross of the induced voltage detected by the induced voltage detector. The drive signal generator estimates the eigen frequency of the linear vibration motor based on a detected position of the zero cross, and the frequency of the drive signal is brought close to the estimated eigen frequency. |
| US08581533B2 |
Motor driver and method of controlling the same
A controller controls switching of IGBT devices of an inverter according to the desired output of the permanent magnet motor. The controller includes: a magnet temperature detection device that detects the magnet temperature of the permanent magnet motor based on the output of a temperature sensor; a setting device that sets a threshold value of the magnet temperature corresponding to the desired output of the permanent magnet motor, based on a predetermined relation between the output from the permanent magnet motor and a critical temperature, up to which demagnetization in the permanent magnet motor is not caused; and a carrier frequency control device that, when the magnet temperature detected by the magnet temperature detection device exceeds the threshold value, changes the carrier frequency, at which the IGBT devices are switched, such that a ripple current superimposed on a motor current that flows through the permanent magnet motor is reduced. |
| US08581531B2 |
Power converter device
An electric power converting apparatus includes a switching circuit, a PWM controller, conducting PWM all phase shut-off and zero-vector outputting, a unit configured to detect or estimate current flowing through a motor, a unit configured to conduct a DC braking, and a current comparator configured to compare between a DC braking time maximum current setup value, and a current value obtained by the unit configured to detect or estimate current. The PWM all phase shut-off and zero-vector outputting are conducted, repetitively, by the PWM controller, if the current comparator determines that a current value, which is obtained by the unit configured to detect or estimate current, exceeds the DC braking time maximum current setup value, when conducting the DC braking to obtain a braking power by running current through the motor. |
| US08581530B2 |
Electronic self-locking device for a windscreen wiping device
The invention relates to a windscreen wiping device for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one wiper, a wiper drive (1), an electronic control device (2) that controls the wiper drive (1), a first signal transmitter for capturing the angular position of the wiper, and a first control line (7) that can emit an angle position signal captured by the first signal transmitter to the control device (2). According to the invention, a second signal transmitter for capturing the angular displacement of the wiper is provided. A second control line (8) that can emit an angle modification signal captured by the second signal transmitter to the control device (2) is provided. Said claimed windscreen wiper device has the advantage that it has a permanent self-locking device for at least one wiper. |
| US08581522B2 |
Countertop decontaminating device
The present invention disinfects countertop surfaces using high intensity ultraviolet energy causing photolysis. The light is directed to the working area of an office countertop or the countertop used in food preparation such as in a residential or commercial kitchen. A motion detector provides a mechanism for disabling the light should a pet or individual enter an area during the disinfection process. The device further includes a fluorescent lamp allowing dual functionality wherein the device can provide conventional countertop lighting or disinfection lighting. |
| US08581521B2 |
Method of configuring an led driver, led driver, led assembly and method of controlling an led assembly
A method of configuring an LED driver is disclosed. The LED driver being arranged to provide a supply current to an LED fixture comprising a plurality of LEDs. The method comprises: identifying the LED fixture (LF)1 sending via a communication network (NTW) a configuration request to a configuration database (DB), receiving configuration data from the configuration database; and configuring the LED driver (LPS) according to the configuration data. |
| US08581519B2 |
Current-switching LED driver using DAC to ramp bypass currents to accelerate switching speed and reduce ripple
A light-emitting diode (LED) driver provides faster rise and fall times for LED current to reduce image sticking and other interference. A standard DC-DC converter provides a sum current that is slowly ramped up and down by a bypass current digital-to-analog converter (DAC). A digital value to the bypass current DAC is ramped up or down before an LED current is turned on or off. When the LED current is turned on, current is shifted from a bypass path to a path through the LED, maintaining a constant sum current from the DC-DC converter. When a different LED is turned on, current is shifted from one LED's path to the other LED's path. Separate LED current DAC's in each LED path and in the bypass path can share the sum current with digital precision. Using a single DAC for the sum current and switches in each path reduces cost. |
| US08581518B2 |
Triac dimmer compatible switching mode power supply and method thereof
Triac dimmer compatible switching mode power supplies used as LED drivers are disclosed herein. A PFC controller is configured in the switching mode power supplies. With the PFC controller, the current keeping the triac in the on-state is supplied by the DC/DC converter, and the LC resonance is reduced. |
| US08581514B2 |
Dimming circuit and method for LEDs
A dimming circuit and method for a LED provide a first driving voltage or a second driving voltage according to a dimming signal provided by a functional IC to enable or disable the LED. The values of the first and second driving voltages are controlled so that overstressing of the LED is avoided while the functional IC is capable of working even when the LED is off. The LED's life time is thus prolonged. |
| US08581512B2 |
Light source module, lighting apparatus, and illumination device using the same
A light source module includes: a light source unit including a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) electrically connected to each other; a characteristic setting unit for setting characteristic information on electrical characteristics of the LEDs; a first pin base having a first electrode and a second electrode; and a second pin base having a third electrode and a fourth electrode, wherein a direct current (DC) voltage supplied from a lighting apparatus is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode or between the third electrode and the fourth electrode, a constant voltage is supplied to an anode side of the LEDs of the light source unit, and the characteristic setting unit is connected between the first and second electrodes and/or between the third and fourth electrodes. |
| US08581508B2 |
LED driving apparatus
Provided is an LED driving apparatus capable of improving a power factor through a non-insulation type simplified circuit structure, including: a light emitting unit having at least one LED; a rectifier rectifying an alternate current (AC) voltage applied from external power; a power supply unit supplying driving power to the light emitting unit, and having an inductor connected to an output terminal of the light emitting unit; and a switch controller. |
| US08581507B2 |
LED lighting apparatus with adjustable lighting intensity
A LED lighting apparatus includes at least one LED lighting element, a control unit and a switching converter, for supplying the LED lighting element. A feedback circuit is connected between the LED lighting element and a ground line and co-operates with the switching converter for determining a LED current through LED lighting element. The feedback circuit has a first impedance in a first state, to which a non-zero first regulation value of the LED current corresponds, and a second impedance in a second state, to which a non-zero second regulation value of the LED current corresponds. The control unit is configured to cyclically switch the feedback circuit between the first state and the second state with a controllable duty-cycle. |
| US08581502B2 |
Circuit for light emitting diodes, related integrated circuit and control method
A control circuit controls driving of an LED and a current-controlled device controls current through the LED. The current-controlled device has a control node. The control circuit has a driving circuit and a fault detector. In the driving circuit, a first comparator compares a current-setting signal with a sensing signal to generate a first comparison signal. Based on the first comparison signal, a buffer generates a driving signal to the control node and drives the current-controlled device. Within the fault detector, a second comparator compares the first comparison signal with the driving signal, generating a second comparison signal. A third comparator compares the driving signal with a threshold voltage, generating a third comparison signal. A fourth comparator compares the sensing signal with the current-setting signal, generating a fourth comparison signal. A decision maker enables or disables the driving circuit according to the second, third, and fourth comparison signals. |
| US08581501B2 |
Fluorescent dimming ballast with improved efficiency
Dimming ballasts and methods are presented for powering a plurality of fluorescent lamps in which at most one of the lamps is selectively dimmed while all the remaining lamps are turned on or off according to a dimming level setpoint to allow dimming to match a user's desired lighting level while maintaining high efficiency. |
| US08581500B2 |
System for manufacturing power supply unit and method for manufacturing power supply unit, and flicker measurement apparatus
A method of manufacturing a power supply unit (PSU) is provided. The method includes providing at least one PSU supplying a dimming signal to at least one light source, performing a first test for electrical characteristics of the at least one PSU, detecting light emitted from the at least one light source, measuring a flicker of the at least one light source, and performing a second test for a state of the at least one PSU based on a flicker measurement result, and packing a PSU determined to be in a normal state among the at least one PSU, as a result of the first test and the second test. |
| US08581499B2 |
Method and system for determining signal state
There is provided a method of determining the state of a signal lamp. The method includes receiving time series data corresponding to an electrical signal used to power a signal lamp. The state of the signal lamp can switch from one of the following states to another of the following states: an on state, an off state, and a flashing state. The method also includes determining the state of the signal lamp, based at least in part on both the time series data and an amplitude value of the electrical signal relative to an amplitude-change threshold value over a determined number of amplitude changes. |
| US08581497B1 |
Electronic ballast circuit and method for detecting removal of parallel connected lamp filaments in low level dimming
An electronic ballast is provided with circuitry for detecting the removal of one or more lamp filaments across a range of dimming levels, and regulating an output stage including at least first and second pairs of lamp connection output terminals based on a filament connection status. A filament removal sensing circuit is coupled to the output terminal pairs and configured to generate an output voltage representative of a filament connection status with respect to the output terminal pairs. A microcontroller is coupled to receive the output voltage from the filament removal sensing circuit and programmed to determine a rate of change in the output voltage, compare the rate of change in the output voltage to a predetermined threshold value, and disable the output stage when the rate of change in the output voltage exceeds the predetermined threshold value. |
| US08581495B2 |
Apparatus for producing plasma
An apparatus for producing plasma, includes a container provided with at least one discharge electrode and a power supply unit that has at least one coupling electrode that can be capacitively coupled to the discharge electrode. The power supply unit is adapted to be removable from the container. The at least one coupling electrode is disposed beneath an insulating layer. In this way, the user can not come into direct contact with a coupling electrode after removing the power supply unit. |
| US08581487B2 |
Light-emitting device with reflection layers
A light-emitting device includes a substrate, a pair of electrode layers disposed on the substrate, a light-emitting element disposed between the pair of electrode layers to keep a first space with each of the pair of electrode layers while electrically connecting with each of the pair of electrode layers, and a pair of reflection layers, each extending in overlapping relation from one to the other one of the pair of electrode layers as seen in a transparent plan view. The light-emitting element is disposed between the pair of reflection layers to keep a second space with each of the pair of reflection layers. |
| US08581482B2 |
PAR lamp and method of making same
A method of making a subassembly (10) for a PAR lamp (12) comprising the steps of: (a) providing a base (14) including a cup-shaped portion (16) with a top edge (18) having an extended flange (20) projecting therefrom; (b) providing a plurality of electrical contacts (22, 24) and inserting the contacts into appropriate locations (22a, 24a) in a bottom (26) of the cup-shaped portion (16); (c) providing a lamp capsule (28) including a light source (30) having dependent leads (32, 34) projecting from a base end (36); (d) inserting the base end (36) of the lamp capsule (28) into the cup-shaped portion (16) and affixing the dependent leads (32, 34) to the electrical contacts (22, 24); (e) providing a reflector (38) having a funnel-shaped body (40) with a substantially tubular neck (42); (f) filling the cup-shaped portion (16) with a liquid cement (44) to a depth that covers the base end (36) of the lamp capsule (28); (g) fitting the reflector (38) over the lamp capsule (28) so that the tubular neck (42) is submersed in the liquid cement (44); and (h) heating the subassembly (10) to fix the reflector (38) in place. |
| US08581481B1 |
Pre-aligned thermionic emission assembly
A thermionic emission assembly includes a Wehnelt cap that has a cap beam aperture and a cavity within which a cathode is supported. Electrical energy applied to the cathode causes it to reach a sufficiently high temperature to emit a beam of electrons that propagate through the cap beam aperture. An anode having an anode beam aperture is positioned in spatial alignment with the cap beam aperture to receive the electrons. The anode accelerates the electrons and directs them through the anode beam aperture for incidence on a target specimen. A ceramic base forms a combined interface that electrically and thermally separates the Wehnelt cap and the anode. The interface thermally isolates the Wehnelt cap from the anode to allow the cathode to rapidly reach the sufficiently high temperature to emit the beam of electrons. |
| US08581480B2 |
Self-regenerating particulate trap systems for emissions and methods thereof
A method and system for treating emissions includes charging particles in an exhaust stream, producing one or more radicals, and oxidizing at least a portion of the charged particles with at least a portion of the produced radicals. At least a portion of the charged particles in the exhaust stream are then attracted on at least one attraction surface which is one of oppositely charged from the charged particles and grounded. The attracted particles are oxidized with another portion of the one or more produced radicals to self regenerate the at least one attraction surface. Downstream from where the attracted particles are oxidized, at least a portion of one or more first compounds in the exhaust stream are converted to one or more second compounds downstream from the attracting. Additionally, at least a portion of any remaining charged particles are oxidized into one or more gases. |
| US08581478B2 |
Cooling member for semiconductor light emitting elements
A cooling member for at least one semiconductor light emitting element, in particular an LED, may include a mounting cavity for accommodating at least part of a control electronics unit, whereby the cooling member is composed of multiple cooling member parts, whereby each of which cooling member parts includes part of a wall of the mounting cavity. |
| US08581476B2 |
Quartz-crystal devices and methods for manufacturing same
Methods are disclosed for manufacturing quartz-crystal devices. In an exemplary method three wafers are prepared. One is a quartz-crystal wafer defining multiple quartz-crystal pieces; a second is a wafer defining multiple package bases; and a third is a wafer defining multiple lids for the package bases. Each quartz-crystal piece has a respective excitation portion that vibrates when electrically energized and a respective frame portion surrounding the excitation portion. The quartz-crystal wafer has main surfaces that are lapped and polished to mirror-finish them. The base wafer defines multiple package bases each having a floor surface, a bonding surface surrounding the floor surface, and a lower main surface. The lid wafer defines multiple lids each having a ceiling surface, a bonding surface surrounding the ceiling surface, and a upper main surface. The quartz-crystal wafer is sandwiched between the base and lid wafers. The wafers are bonded together by bonding respective main surfaces of the frame portion to respective bonding surfaces. At least two of the upper main surface, lower main surface, floor surface, and ceiling surface are rougher than the surfaces of the excitation portion. |
| US08581473B2 |
System for using the air pressure acting on a vehicle in motion to produce energy
Embodiments of the present invention feature an energy conversion system to be installed on a vehicle, comprising a movably mounted surface resting on at least one deformable piezoelectric element. Air resistance force acting on the movably mounted surface, when the vehicle is moving, causes a mechanical deformation of the at least one deformable piezoelectric element, wherein the mechanical deformation produces electrical energy. |
| US08581472B2 |
Ultrasonic probe and manufacturing method thereof
A manufacturing method of an ultrasonic probe that has a signal foil made of a copper foil patterned by an additive method is provided. The manufacturing method includes preparing a base material and forming an insulating layer on a surface of the material, patterning the insulating layer by exposure, development, and peeling according to a lithographic technique, forming a cavity reaching an upper surface of the base material in the insulating layer along the patterning, forming a signal foil by performing plating in the cavity in the order of copper plating and solder plating, and demolding the formed signal foil from the cavity. |
| US08581469B2 |
Device for converting thermal energy into electrical energy
A current source and method of producing the current source are provided. The current source includes a metal source, a buffer layer, a filter and a collector. An electrical connection is provided to the metal layer and semiconductor layer and a magnetic field applier may be also provided. The source metal has localized states at a bottom of the conduction band and probability amplification. The interaction of the various layers produces a spontaneous current. The movement of charge across the current source produces a voltage, which rises until a balancing reverse current appears. If a load is connected to the current source, current flows through the load and power is dissipated. The energy for this comes from the thermal energy in the current source, and the device gets cooler. |
| US08581465B2 |
Generator
A generator comprises: a stator plate having a first fixed permanent magnet including a plurality of magnets on one side and a second fixed permanent magnet including a plurality of magnets on the other side; a first armature having a first switching winding, a first output winding, and a first back-electromotive force prevention winding on a fixed first ring core; a second armature having a second switching winding, a second output winding, and a second back-electromotive force prevention winding on a fixed second ring core; a first rotor plate having a first rotary permanent magnet; and a second rotor plate having a second rotary permanent magnet. The first and second rotor plates are coupled to each other by a driving shaft. |
| US08581460B2 |
Armature for rotating electrical machine
An armature for a rotating electrical machine, including an armature core and a coil wound around the armature core. The segment conductor includes a joint extension portion that extends in the axial direction relative to the armature core from at least one end portion of a conductor edge portion. The coil has an n-layer winding structure and includes an inter-layer joint portion on an axial direction outer side of the armature core. The inter-layer joint portion joining a first and second layer side joint extension portions. At least one of the first and second layer side joint extension portions forming a pair to be joined by the inter-layer joint portion includes an offset bend portion, and the first layer side joint extension portion and the second layer side joint extension portion are joined such that respective joint surfaces thereof oppose each other in a circumferential direction. |
| US08581459B2 |
Brushless electric machine
The brushless electric machine includes a first drive member (30U) having a plurality of permanent magnets (32U); a second drive member (10) having a plurality of electromagnetic coils and capable of movement relative to the first drive member (30U); and a third drive member (30L) disposed at the opposite side from the first drive member (30U) with the second drive member (10) therebetween. The second drive member (10) has magnetic sensors (40A, 40B) for detecting the relative position of the first and second drive members. The third drive member (30L) has at locations facing the permanent magnets of the first drive member (30U) a plurality of magnetic field strengthening members (32L) for strengthening the magnetic field at the location of the second drive member (10) in conjunction with the permanent magnets. |
| US08581457B2 |
Wheel support bearing assembly with sensor and in-wheel motor integration
A wheel support bearing assembly with sensor and in-wheel motor integration, that can sense with improved accuracy the forces acting on a contact point between a wheel and a road for precise control of an electric motor unit and/or a vehicle. The bearing assembly includes a bearing unit that rotatably supports a hub of a drive wheel, an electric motor unit, and a reduction gear unit between the electric motor unit and the bearing unit. A sensor unit is associated with an outer ring of the bearing unit. The sensor unit includes a strain generator and at least one measuring sensor attached to the strain generator. The strain generator includes a thin plate including at least two fixation contact segments fixed in contact with an outer diameter surface of the outer ring. |
| US08581453B2 |
Electric fan
A fan casing, webs, and a motor casing are integrally formed of a resin material by injection molding to configure a fan housing. An electrically grounded electromagnetic noise guard and a bearing holder to which an outer race of a ball bearing are electrically connected by an electrically-conducting path member provided in the fan casing by means of insert molding. Thus, the ball bearing may sufficiently be prevented from suffering electric corrosion in an electric fan of which a fan housing is made of an insulating resin. |
| US08581451B2 |
Magnetic vibration motor for portable terminal with improved yoke attachment
Disclosed is a vibration motor for a portable terminal, including a flat spring; a cylindrical magnetic substance mounted on the flat spring; an annular magnetic substance disposed around the cylindrical magnetic substance mounted on the flat spring; and a coil disposed between the cylindrical magnetic substance and the annular magnetic substance, wherein the magnetic substances perform a linear reciprocal movement by the electromagnetic force generated between the magnetic substances and the coil and by the elastic force of the flat spring as an electric current is applied to the coil. The vibration motor operates at higher resonant frequencies than those of conventional vibration motors, thereby improving the sense of an after-vibration and realizing a delicate haptic feedback function. |
| US08581450B2 |
Electrical power transfer plug and connection system
A system and method that offers the provision too rapidly and safely connect electrical generation sources, including inverters used by solar collecting panels, or wind turbines, and backup hydrocarbon fueled generators or any other supplemental power sources including storage batteries, fuel cells and future electric automobiles. Thus enabling the feeding of power to all circuits in the home or small business, not just isolated circuits in a structure. The system is compliant with electric codes, requires no costly rewiring inside the structure or in the electrical circuit panel and can be accomplished entirely from the outside of the home or small business adjacent to the electric service meter for the home or small business structure. It offers owners, utilities and equipment manufacturers a simple, safe, cost effective method for interconnection of renewable generation and storage devices with the electric grid for participation in smart energy management and net metering initiatives with local utility companies. |
| US08581445B2 |
Wireless electric power feeding equipment
An electric power supply device generates electric power having a prescribed frequency. An electric power transfer unit receives electric power from the electric power supply device, and transfers electric power to an electric power receiving unit in a contactless manner by resonating with the electric power receiving unit via an electromagnetic field. An electric power sensor senses power reflected to the electric power supply device. A discharging coil unit externally discharges electric power output from the electric power supply device. A relay electrically connects the discharging coil unit between the electric power supply device and the electric power transfer unit when the reflected power detected has a value exceeding a predetermined value. |
| US08581439B1 |
Automation devices, systems, architectures, and methods including controllable transfer switches
An automation system including a plurality of peripheral devices, each configured to perform at least one function relating to energy consumption in a facility and an automation controller in communication with the plurality of peripheral devices and providing for the control of the performance of the function by each device, wherein the system includes a configurable transfer switch that enables the system to control the flow and/or source of electricity provided to circuits in a facility. |
| US08581437B2 |
Non-contact rotary power transfer system
A power delivery system includes a rotary transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding and configured to transfer power between stationary coupling elements on a stationary side and rotational coupling elements on a rotational side. The rotational coupling elements share a central axis with the stationary coupling elements, and are adapted to rotate with respect to the stationary coupling elements. The power delivery system includes an isolation transformer that drives the primary winding of the rotary transformer, and a plurality of power inverter stages whose outputs are adapted to be summed and coupled to the rotary transformer. A plurality of output power converters receive transmitted power from the rotary transformer. A plurality of control elements, disposed on the rotating side, are configured to close a feedback loop on desired and actual performance of the output power converters, and to control the power inverter stages. |
| US08581435B2 |
Wind turbine having multiple power generating elements
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a wind turbine and a method of operating thereof. The wind turbine includes a central rod comprising an electrical coil and at least one rotating assembly configured to rotate around the central rod. The rotating assembly includes a wheel and a plurality of airfoils disposed around a perimeter of the wheel. The wind turbine also includes a magnet coupled to the at least one rotating assembly and configured to rotate around the central rod. |
| US08581434B2 |
Device for generating electricity from ocean waves
According to one aspect of the invention, a device for converting kinetic energy of water waves to electrical power includes a turbine structure having multiple blades evenly attached to a first shaft, a first pulley wheel attached to the first shaft, a second pulley wheel attached to a second shaft disposed in parallel with the first shaft, an electricity generator is attached to the second shaft, and a platform is configured to support the turbine structure, the platform having an upper deck and a lower deck coupled to each other via a hinge. The upper deck is tilted from the lower deck via the hinge such that the first shaft is positioned with an inclining angle with respect to the water surface. The inclining angle is configured such that a distance and time for each fin to travel under the water surface between the entry point and exiting point are maximized while being near to the water surface. |
| US08581432B2 |
Ocean wave energy converter capturing heave, surge and pitch motion
An ocean wave energy device uses large gas filled and surface vented or partially evacuated flexible containers each having rigid movable ends and rigid fixed depth ends connected by flexible bellows, suitably reinforced against external hydrostatic pressure, submerged to a depth below anticipated wave troughs. One or more said containers compress and expand as waves and troughs, respectively, pass overhead driving hydraulic or pneumatic, pumping means producing pressurized fluid flow for a common sea bed motor-generator or for other uses or on-board direct drive generators. Mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic means re-expand said containers when a wave trough is overhead. Power output is augmented by mechanically connecting said rigid moving surfaces to surface floats, which may also provide said submerged container venting such that as waves lift and troughs lower said floats, said containers are further compressed and re-expanded, respectively. Power output is further augmented by wave kinetic energy capture through focusing, reflection and refraction. |
| US08581430B2 |
Hydro turbine generator
A hydroelectric turbine generator and control system is provided that optimizes the maximum possible power output at all times by strictly monitoring power output from the generator unit and modulating the wicket gate angle and the runner blade pitch independently of one another. The hydroelectric turbine generator includes a means for separately controlling wicket gate angle and runner blade pitch. The wicket gate angle control mechanism controls the flow into the system, pre conditions flow for maximum power and maintains reservoir level. The runner blade pitch control mechanism continuously monitors the system power output based on actual power produced, and adjusts system parameters in order to achieve maximum power output. |
| US08581422B2 |
Semiconductor module
A semiconductor module includes a semiconductor device, a first conductive member, a second conductive member, a cylinder, and a cover. The first conductive member is in contact with a first electrode of the semiconductor device. The second conductive member is in contact with a second electrode of the semiconductor device. The cylinder encompasses the semiconductor device and is fixed to the first conductive member, and a first thread groove is formed on the cylinder. A second thread groove is formed on the cover. The cover is fixed to the cylinder by an engagement of the second thread groove with the first thread groove. The semiconductor device and the second conductive member are fixed by being sandwiched between the first conductive member and the cover. The second conductive member includes a portion extending from inside to outside the cylinder by penetrating an outer peripheral wall of the cylinder. |
| US08581414B2 |
Method of manufacturing three-dimensional integrated circuit and three-dimensional integrated circuit apparatus
In a three-dimensional integrated circuit apparatus 80 in which a first wafer 101 and a second wafer 102 having respective integrated circuits according to an embodiment are directly bonded, the second wafer 102 is provided with a through hole 10 aligned with a via 5a of the first wafer 101 by use of an alignment marker of the first wafer 101, and connected to the via 5a. The surrounding of the through hole 10 is provided with an insulating film 8. |
| US08581408B2 |
Semiconductor device
One wiring width of upper and lower wiring paths formed facing each other sandwiching an interlayer insulating film is large, and another wiring width is small; and the wiring widths of mutually adjacent wiring paths are formed to be large and small in alternating fashion on the same wiring layer. |
| US08581405B2 |
Integrated circuit having a semiconductor substrate with barrier layer
An integrated circuit having a semiconductor substrate with a barrier layer is disclosed. The arrangement includes a semiconductor substrate and a metallic element. A carbon-based barrier layer is disposed between the semiconductor substrate and the metallic element. |
| US08581403B2 |
Electronic component mounting structure, electronic component mounting method, and electronic component mounting board
In an electronic component mounting structure, a semiconductor element (an electronic component) provided with an electrode pad and a board provide with an electrode pad corresponding to the electrode pad are connected via a conductive material portion. On a surface of the board, there is formed solder resist having an opening regulating an area of the electrode pad. The conductive material portion is formed to protrude from a surface of the solder resist. An elastic coefficient of the conductive material portion is lower than that of the solder resist. A solder bump and the conductive material portion are connected via a metal layer. The conductive material portion is formed to have an area larger than that of the opening of the solder resist. An edge of the conductive material portion is adhered to a portion of the surface of the solder resist. Thus, in a case of mounting an electronic component on a board by flip-chip connection, a reliability of connection can be secured. |
| US08581400B2 |
Post-passivation interconnect structure
A semiconductor device includes a passivation layer, a first protective layer, an interconnect layer, and a second protective layer successively formed on a semiconductor substrate. The interconnect layer has an exposed portion, on which a barrier layer and a solder bump are formed. At least one of the passivation layer, the first protective layer, the interconnect layer and the second protective layer includes at least one slot formed in a region outside a conductive pad region. |
| US08581396B2 |
Semiconductor device
In a non-leaded type semiconductor device, a tab, tab suspension leads, and other leads are exposed to one surface of a seal member. A semiconductor element is positioned within the seal member and fixed to a surface of the tab with an adhesive. The tab is formed larger than the semiconductor element so that outer peripheral edges of the tab are positioned outside outer peripheral edges of the semiconductor element. A groove is formed in the tab surface portion positioned between the area to which the semiconductor element is fixed and wire connection areas to which the wires are connected, the groove being formed so as to surround the semiconductor element fixing area, thereby preventing peeling-off between the tab to which the semiconductor element is fixed and the resin which constitutes the package. |
| US08581395B2 |
Hybrid integrated circuit device and electronic device
A hybrid integrated circuit device having high mount reliability includes a module substrate which is a ceramic wiring substrate, a plurality of electronic component parts laid out on the main surface of the module substrate, a plurality of electrode terminals laid out on the rear surface of the module substrate, and a cap which is fixed to the module substrate to cover the main surface of the module substrate. The electrode terminals include ones which are aligned along the edges of the module substrate and power voltage supply terminals which are located inner than these electrode terminals. The electrode terminals aligned along the substrate edges are coated, at least in their portions close to the substrate edge, with a protection film having a thickness of several tens micrometers or less. Connection reinforcing terminals consist of a plurality of divided terminals which are independent of each other, and are ground terminals. |
| US08581392B2 |
Silicon based microchannel cooling and electrical package
A chip package includes: a substrate; a plurality of conductive connections in contact with the silicon carrier; a silicon carrier in a prefabricated shape disposed above the substrate, the silicon carrier including: a plurality of through silicon vias for providing interconnections through the silicon carrier to the chip stack; liquid microchannels for cooling; a liquid coolant flowing through the microchannels; and an interconnect to one or more chip stacks. The chip package further includes a cooling lid disposed above the chip stack providing additional cooling. |
| US08581389B2 |
Uniformity control for IC passivation structure
The present disclosure involves a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a wafer containing an interconnect structure. The interconnect structure includes a plurality of vias and interconnect lines. The semiconductor device includes a first conductive pad disposed over the interconnect structure. The first conductive pad is electrically coupled to the interconnect structure. The semiconductor device includes a plurality of second conductive pads disposed over the interconnect structure. The semiconductor device includes a passivation layer disposed over and at least partially sealing the first and second conductive pads. The semiconductor device includes a conductive terminal that is electrically coupled to the first conductive pad but is not electrically coupled to the second conductive pads. |
| US08581388B2 |
Multilayered wiring substrate
A multilayered wiring substrate, comprising: a plurality of first main surface side connecting terminals arranged in a first main surface of a stack structure; and a plurality of second main surface side connecting terminals being arranged in a second main surface of the stack structure; wherein a plurality of conductor layers are alternately formed in a plurality of stacked resin insulation layers and are operably connected to each other through via conductors tapered such that diameters thereof are widened toward the first or the second main surface, wherein a plurality of openings are formed in an exposed outermost resin insulation layer in the second main surface, and terminal outer surfaces of the second main surface side connecting terminals arranged to match with the plurality of the openings are positioned inwardly from an outer main surface of the exposed outermost resin insulation layer, and edges of terminal inner surfaces are rounded. |
| US08581387B1 |
Through wire interconnect (TWI) having bonded connection and encapsulating polymer layer
A through wire interconnect for a semiconductor substrate includes a via extending through the semiconductor substrate from a first side to a second side thereof, and a wire in the via electrically insulated from the semiconductor substrate having a first end with a bonded connection to the substrate contact and a second end proximate to the second side of the semiconductor substrate. The through wire interconnect also includes a first contact on the wire proximate to the first side of the semiconductor substrate, a second contact on the second end of the wire, and a polymer layer on the first side at least partially encapsulating the wire while leaving the first contact exposed. The through wire interconnect can also include a bonding member bonded to the first end of the wire and to the substrate contact having a tip portion forming the first contact. |
| US08581385B2 |
Semiconductor chip to dissipate heat, semiconductor package including the same, and stack package using the same
A semiconductor chip includes a semiconductor chip body having a top surface, a bottom surface, and side surfaces. The bottom surface may have a groove pattern defined by removing a partial thickness of the semiconductor chip body to extend from one or more edges of the semiconductor chip body toward a center portion of the semiconductor chip body. Through electrodes may be formed to extend from the top surface of the semiconductor chip body and pass through the groove pattern defined on the bottom surface. A heat dissipation pattern may fill in the groove pattern defined on the bottom surface and may be connected with the through electrodes. |
| US08581380B2 |
Integrated circuit packaging system with ultra-thin die
An integrated circuit packaging system with ultra-thin die is provided including providing an ultra-thin integrated circuit stack, having a vertical sidewall contact, including providing a semiconductor wafer having an active side, forming a solder bump on the active side of the semiconductor wafer, forming a support layer over the solder bump and the active side of the semiconductor wafer, forming an ultra-thin wafer from the semiconductor wafer and singulating the ultra-thin integrated circuit stack for exposing the vertical sidewall contact, mounting the ultra-thin integrated circuit stack on a substrate, and coupling the substrate to the vertical sidewall contact. |
| US08581379B2 |
Lead frame and semiconductor device
A lead frame for a resin-seal type semiconductor device, which includes a semiconductor element having an electrode, a bonding wire connected to the electrode of the semiconductor element, and a sealing resin covering and sealing the semiconductor element and the bonding wire. The lead frame includes a substrate frame, a four-layer plating, and a three-layer plating. The substrate frame include leads, a connection region, which is sealed by the sealing resin and connected to the bonding wire, and an exposed region, which is not sealed by the sealing resin. A four-layer plating is applied to a portion of the substrate frame that is to be connected to the bonding wire and sealed by the sealing resin. A three-layer plating is applied to an exposed region of the substrate frame that is exposed from the sealing resin. |
| US08581377B2 |
TSOP with impedance control
A semiconductor device of an illustrative embodiment includes a die, a lead frame including a plurality of leads having substantial portions arranged in a lead plane and electrically connected to the die. Most preferably, the package includes at least a substantial portion of one conductive element arranged in a plane positioned adjacent the lead frame and substantially parallel to the lead plane, the conductive element being capacitively coupled to the leads such that the conductive element and at least one of the leads cooperatively define a controlled-impedance conduction path, and an encapsulant which encapsulates the leads and the conductive element. The leads and, desirably, the conductive element have respective connection regions which are not covered by the encapsulant. |
| US08581376B2 |
Stacked dual chip package and method of fabrication
The present invention is directed to a lead-frame having a stack of semiconductor dies with interposed metalized clip structure. Level projections extend from the clip structure to ensure that the clip structure remains level during fabrication. |
| US08581374B1 |
Placing heat sink into packaging by strip formation assembly
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe semiconductor device packaging techniques and devices that incorporate a heat spreader into the insulating material of a packaged semiconductor device. In one embodiment, a device comprising a semiconductor device is coupled to a substrate, and insulating material covers (i) a portion of the semiconductor device and (ii) a portion of the substrate. The device also comprises a heat spreader embedded in the insulating material and the heat spreader is isolated from the substrate at least in part by the insulating material. |
| US08581369B2 |
Semiconductor chip and semiconductor wafer
A semiconductor wafer includes at least one chip formed on a substrate, and a scribe line region surrounding the chip. The chip includes a device formation region, and a chip boundary region surrounding the device formation region and formed between the device formation region and the scribe line region. The chip boundary region includes a guard ring structure which physically separates the device formation region from the scribe line region. The guard ring structure includes a signal transfer element which transfers an electric signal between the device formation region and the scribe line region. |
| US08581367B2 |
Semiconductor device having electrode film in which film thickness of periphery is thinner than film thickness of center
A semiconductor device includes a substrate having first main face having rectangular shape, a first electrode provided at the center on first main face of substrate, first electrode is made of conducting material harder than substrate, and a second electrode provided along at least a part of the periphery on first main face so as to surround first electrode, second electrode is integrated with first electrode by the same conducting material as that of the first electrode, and second electrode has a thinner film thickness than that of the first electrode. |
| US08581357B2 |
Package comprising an electrical circuit
A package including an electrical circuit may be produced in a more efficient manner when on a substrate including a plurality of electrical circuits the circuits are tested for their functionality and when the functional circuits are connected, by means of a frame enclosing the circuit on the surface of the substrate, to a second substrate whose surface area is smaller than that of the first substrate. The substrates are connected, by means of a second frame, which is adapted to the first frame and is located on the surface of the second substrate, such that the first and second frames lie one on top of the other. Subsequently, the functional packaged circuits may be singulated in a technologically simple manner. |
| US08581355B2 |
Micro electric mechanical system device and method of producing the same
A MEMS device comprises a substrate, an island-shaped first insulating layer formed on the substrate, a second insulating film formed on the top and side surfaces of the first insulating layer and the top surface of the substrate, and having a thickness smaller than that of the first insulating layer, a metal layer formed on the second insulating film in an island-shaped region where the first insulating layer is formed, and a MEMS system element formed on the metal layer. |
| US08581354B2 |
Semiconductor device carrying micro electro mechanical system
An object of the present invention is to enhance the reliability of an MEMS sensor formed on a semiconductor integrated circuit device. To achieve this object, a semiconductor device of the present invention comprises: a semiconductor integrated circuit device; a lower passivation film of silicon nitride, etc. . . . formed on the semiconductor integrated circuit device and having high moisture resistance and high chemical resistance; a MEMS portion formed on the lower passivation film and including a cavity 12; and an upper passivation film 11 formed on the top surface of the MEMS portion such that the MEMS portion is hermetically sealed by the upper and lower passivation films. |
| US08581349B1 |
3D memory semiconductor device and structure
A 3D memory device, including: a first memory layer including a first memory transistor with side gates; a second memory layer including a second memory transistor with side gates; and a periphery circuits layer including logic transistors for controlling the memory, the periphery circuits are covered by a first isolation layer, where the first memory layer includes a first monolithically mono-crystal layer directly bonded to a second isolation layer, and the second memory layer includes a second monolithically mono-crystal layer directly bonded to the second isolation layer, and the first mono-crystal layer is bonded on top of the first isolation layer, and the second memory transistor is self-aligned to the first memory transistor. |
| US08581342B2 |
Semiconductor device with field electrode and method
A semiconductor device with a field electrode and method. One embodiment provides a controllable semiconductor device including a control electrode for controlling the semiconductor device and a field electrode. The field electrode includes a number of longish segments which extend in a first lateral direction and which run substantially parallel to one another. The control electrode includes a number of longish segments extending in a second lateral direction and running substantially parallel to one another, wherein the first lateral direction is different from the second lateral direction. |
| US08581338B2 |
Lateral-diffused metal oxide semiconductor device (LDMOS) and fabrication method thereof
A lateral-diffused metal oxide semiconductor device (LDMOS) includes a substrate, a first deep well, at least a field oxide layer, a gate, a second deep well, a first dopant region, a drain and a common source. The substrate has the first deep well which is of a first conductive type. The gate is disposed on the substrate and covers a portion of the field oxide layer. The second deep well having a second conductive type is disposed in the substrate and next to the first deep well. The first dopant region having a second conductive type is disposed in the second deep well. The doping concentration of the first dopant region is higher than the doping concentration of the second deep well. |
| US08581336B2 |
Power trench MOSFET rectifier
A trench MOSFET rectifier includes oxide layers having different thicknesses formed in different regions of the devices. The rectifying device also includes a source region of first conductivity type at a surface of each mesa region and a body region of a second conductivity type beneath each source region. The rectifying device also includes a dielectric layer lining the bottom and sidewall surfaces of the trenches, the portion of the dielectric layer on the bottom surface being thicker than the portion on the sidewall surface. A doped region underlies each of the first plurality of trenches. A polycrystalline silicon region filling each of the first plurality of trenches to form a gate region in each trench. A conductive material fills a plurality of contact trenches and forms ohmic contacts with the source region, body region, and gate region. |
| US08581333B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A first local wiring includes a convex portion protruding from a base and a protrusion protruding from a side surface of the convex portion. The convex portion of the first local wiring is connected to a lower conductive region of a first transistor while the protrusion is connected to a gate electrode of a second transistor. Moreover, the lower surface of the protrusion of the first local wiring is arranged at a height equal to or lower than the upper surface of the gate electrode of the second transistor. |
| US08581330B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method for manufacturing the same
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a stacked body, a semiconductor pillar, and a plurality of memory cells. The stacked body includes a plurality of stacked gate electrodes and inter-electrode insulating layers provided between the gate electrodes. The semiconductor pillar punches through the stacked body. The plurality of memory cells is provided in stacking direction. The memory cell includes a charge trap layer provided between the semiconductor pillar and the gate electrode via an air gap. The block insulating layer is provided between the charge trap layer and the gate electrode. Each of the plurality of memory cells is provided with a support portion configured to keep air gap distance between the charge trap layer and the semiconductor pillar. |
| US08581326B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and manufacturing method thereof
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device including first laminated bodies each having a plurality of first gate electrodes of first memory cells, second laminated bodies each having a plurality of second gate electrodes of second memory cells, gate insulating film portions located on side surfaces of the first and second laminated bodies, first semiconductor layers that are each located between the first and second laminated bodies, first select transistors connected to an uppermost one of the first memory cells, second select transistors connected to an uppermost one of the second memory cells, isolation insulating films to separate the first and second select transistors into portions on the first and second laminated body sides, and a substrate potential applying electrode located to penetrate the isolation insulating films from a front surface side to a back surface side and connected to the first semiconductor layers. |
| US08581320B1 |
MOS capacitors with a finfet process
Capacitors include a first electrical terminal that has fins formed from doped semiconductor on a top layer of doped semiconductor on a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate; a second electrical terminal that has an undoped material having bottom surface shape that is complementary to the first electrical terminal, such that an interface area between the first electrical terminal and the second electrical terminal is larger than a capacitor footprint; and a dielectric layer separating the first and second electrical terminals. |
| US08581314B2 |
Semiconductor devices having spacers disposed on an inner sidewall of a contact hole formed in a layer of the semiconductor devices, and a contact plug disposed therein
Provided are semiconductor devices that may include a substrate provided with a transistor, an insulating layer disposed on the substrate, the insulating layer including a contact hole exposing a portion of the transistor, a spacer disposed on an inner sidewall of the contact hole, and a contact plug disposed in the contact hole. Here, a space defined by the spacer may increase in width from a bottom side thereof to a top side thereof. |
| US08581313B2 |
Solid-state imaging device
There is employed a lamination structure of semiconductor substrate in which light receiving part having a photoelectric converting function is formed in an inner portion, and insulating films and wirings. There are provided a wiring layer formed above semiconductor substrate and having a concave portion formed in a place corresponding to a portion disposed above light receiving part, second insulating film having a higher refractive index than insulating films and covering a side surface of the wiring layer facing the concave portion, third insulating film having a lower refractive index than second insulating film and covering the side surface of second insulating film, and fourth insulating film having a higher refractive index than third insulating film and covering the side surface of third insulating film. |
| US08581312B2 |
Thin film transistor array panel and manufacturing method thereof
A thin film transistor array panel includes: a substrate including a display area and a drive region in which a driving chip for transmitting a driving signal to the pixels is located; a gate line in the display area; a storage electrode line; a gate driving pad coupled to the driving chip; a gate insulating layer; a first semiconductor layer on the gate insulating layer and overlapped with a gate electrode protruding from the gate line; a second semiconductor layer formed on the gate insulating layer and overlapped with a sustain electrode protruding from the storage electrode line; a data line crossing the gate line in an insulated manner and a drain electrode separated from the data line; and a pixel electrode coupled to the drain electrode, and the drain electrode comprises a drain bar facing the source electrode, and a drain extender overlapped with the second semiconductor layer. |
| US08581305B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a dielectric film configured to store information depending on presence or absence of a conductive path therein, and a plurality of electrodes provided to contact a first surface of the dielectric film. The conductive path can be formed between two electrodes arbitrarily selected form the plurality of electrodes. The conductive path has a rectifying property of allowing a current to flow more easily in a first direction connecting arbitrary two electrodes than in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The largest possible number of the conductive paths that may be formed is larger than the number of the plurality of electrodes. |
| US08581302B2 |
Semiconductor device including chip with complementary I/O cells
Signals outputted from an I/O buffer with a parallel drive configuration are stabilized for reliability enhancement. Each I/O cell has a complementary I/O cell that outputs one output signal as a complementary signal made up of a non-inverted signal and an inverted signal. Two I/O cells are coupled in parallel. Output portions of first inverters are coupled together through a first wiring; and output portions of second inverters are coupled together through a second wiring. The first wiring is formed on the lower side of the I/O cells so that it is astride the two I/O cells, and the second wiring is formed above the first wiring so that it is astride the two I/O cells. The wirings are laid out so that the wiring length of the first wiring and the wiring length of the second wiring are substantially equal to each other. |
| US08581299B2 |
Semiconductor device
In a semiconductor device, at least one of the ratio (collector contact area/collector active area) in the High Side IGBT and the ratio (contact area on p+ region/p+ region area) is higher than the ratio in the Low Side IGBT. Thus, it is possible to develop without substantial changes and reduce the development burden. |
| US08581297B2 |
Method of manufacturing organic EL display unit and organic EL display unit
A method of manufacturing an organic EL display unit and an organic EL display unit capable of improving light emitting efficiency and life of blue are provided. A hole injection layer are formed on a lower electrode. For a red organic EL device and a green organic EL device, a hole transport layer, a red light emitting layer, and a green light emitting layer made of a polymer material are formed. A hole transport layer made of a low molecular material is formed on the hole injection layer of a blue organic EL device. A blue light emitting layer made of a low molecular material is formed on the red light emitting layer, the green light emitting layer, and the hole transport layer for the blue organic EL device. An electron transport layer, an electron injection layer, and an upper electrode are sequentially formed on the blue light emitting layer. |
| US08581295B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting diode
A semiconductor light-emitting diode includes an electrically conductive substrate transmissive to light-emitting wavelengths, and semiconductor layers including a light-emitting layer, on the substrate. A principal-surface electrode is located on the semiconductor layers and a rear-surface electrode having an opening is located on the rear surface of the substrate. The width of the opening is L, the distance between the rear-surface electrode and the light-emitting layer is t, L≦2 t, and the rear-surface electrode covers no more than 40% of the rear surface of the substrate. |
| US08581290B2 |
Embedding type solder point-free combination structure of LED beads with substrate or lamp body
This invention relates to an embedding type solder point-free combination structure of LED beads with substrate or lamp body, in which the LED chip is packaged on the embedded heat conductive socket to form embedding type LED beads without soldering for electric conduction, and the embedding type LED beads are fixed in the docking hole of the substrate or the lamp body by a detachable dock-fixing structure. Furthermore, the embedding type LED beads has elastic conductive pieces, while the substrate or lamp body has conductive contacts. The elastic conductive pieces of the embedding type LED beads and the conductive contacts provided on the substrate or lamp body are in close contact to form solder point-free structure when the embedding type LED beads are fixed in the docking hole of the substrate or lamp body by the dock-fixing structure. In this manner, it is convenient to mount or dismount the embedding type LED beads in case of maintenance needed. |
| US08581288B2 |
Light-emitting diode and method for producing a light-emitting diode
A light-emitting diode includes a carrier having a mounting surface; at least one light-emitting diode chip fixed to the mounting surface; and a reflective element provided for reflecting electromagnetic radiation, wherein the reflecting element is fixed to the carrier and includes porous polytetrafluoroethylene. |
| US08581286B2 |
Light emitting device having surface-modified silicate luminophores
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a light emitting device including a light emitting diode and a surface-modified luminophore. The surface-modified luminophore includes a silicate luminophore and a fluorinated coating arranged on the silicate luminophore. |
| US08581276B2 |
Light emitting device and method of manufacturing the same
Example embodiments relate to a light emitting device and a method of fabricating the light emitting device. The light emitting device may include an n-type clad layer including a plurality of nitride semiconductor layers, at least one interlayer disposed between the plurality of nitride semiconductor layers, a via hole in which a first electrode is formed, a p-type clad layer, and an active layer between the n-type clad layer and the p-type clad layer. |
| US08581275B2 |
Organic EL display and electronic apparatus
Disclosed herein is an organic EL display device in which pixels each including an organic EL element formed by interposing an organic layer between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode are arranged in a matrix, the organic EL display device including: a common layer configured to be included in the organic EL element and be formed in the organic layer in common to the pixels; and a metal interconnect configured to surround periphery of the anode electrode and be electrically connected to the organic layer, wherein potential of the metal interconnect is set to a potential lower than potential of the anode electrode in a non-light-emission state of the organic EL element. |
| US08581274B2 |
Integrated semiconductor light-emitting device and its manufacturing method
An integrated compound semiconductor light-emitting-device capable of emitting light as a large-area plane light source. The light-emitting-device includes plural light-emitting-units formed over a substrate, the light-emitting-units having a compound semiconductor thin-film crystal layer, first and second-conductivity-type-side electrodes, a main light-extraction direction is the side of the substrate, and the first and the second-conductivity-type-side electrodes are formed on the opposite side to the light-extraction direction. The light-emitting-units are electrically separated from each other by a light-emitting-unit separation-trench. An optical coupling layer is formed between the substrate and the first-conductivity-type semiconductor layer. The optical coupling layer is common to the plurality of light-emitting-units, and capable of optical coupling of the plurality of light-emitting-units and distributing a light to the entire light-emitting-device. |
| US08581272B2 |
Method of producing nanopatterned articles, and articles produced thereby
A nanopatterned surface is prepared by forming a block copolymer film on a miscut crystalline substrate, annealing the block copolymer film, then reconstructing the surface of the annealed block copolymer film. The method creates a well-ordered array of voids in the block copolymer film that is maintained over a large area. The nanopatterned block copolymer films can be used in a variety of different applications, including the fabrication of high density data storage media. |
| US08581267B2 |
Series connected segmented LED
A light source and method for making the same are disclosed. The light source includes a conducting substrate, and a light emitting structure that is divided into segments. The light emitting structure includes a first layer of semiconductor material of a first conductivity type deposited on the substrate, an active layer overlying the first layer, and a second layer of semiconductor material of an opposite conductivity type from the first conductivity type overlying the active layer. A barrier divides the light emitting structure into first and second segments that are electrically isolated from one another. A serial connection electrode connects the first layer in the first segment to the second layer in the second segment. A power contact is electrically connected to the second layer in the first segment, and a second power contact electrically connected to the first layer in the second segment. |
| US08581266B2 |
Light-emitting element, light-emitting device, lighting device, and electronic device
An object is to provide a light-emitting element which exhibits light emission with high luminance and can be driven at low voltage. Another object is to provide a light-emitting device or an electronic device with reduced power consumption. Between an anode and a cathode, n (n is a natural number of two or more) EL layers are provided, where between a first EL layer and a second EL layer, a first layer containing any of an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, a rare earth metal, an alkali metal compound, an alkaline earth metal compound, and a rare earth metal compound, a second layer containing a material having a high electron-transporting property in contact with the first layer, and a region containing a material having a high hole-transporting property and an acceptor material in contact with the second layer are provided in this order from the anode side. |
| US08581259B2 |
Displaying device with photocurrent-reducing structure and method of manufacturing the same
A displaying device includes a substrate, a gate electrode formed on the substrate, a gate insulating layer, a gate a-Si region covering the gate electrode, a source metal region, a drain metal region, a data-line (DL) metal region, a passivation layer and a conductive layer. The gate a-Si region is formed on the gate insulating layer. The source and drain metal regions are formed on the gate a-Si region. The DL metal region is formed on the gate insulating layer and separated from the drain metal region at an interval. The passivation layer formed on the gate insulating layer covers the source, drain, and DL metal regions. The first and second vias of the passivation layer expose partial surfaces of the DL and drain metal regions respectively. The conductive layer formed on the passivation layer covers the first and second vias for electrically connecting the DL and drain metal regions. |
| US08581257B2 |
Circuit board and display device
The circuit board (1) of the present invention includes a plurality of transistor elements provided on a single insulating substrate (2) for respective pixels that are two-dimensionally arranged or respective pixels in a group of a predetermined number of the pixels. At least one of the plurality of transistor elements is an oxide TFT (10) having a channel layer (11) formed by an oxide semiconductor, and at least another of the plurality of transistor elements is an a-Si TFT (20) having a channel layer (21) formed by, for example, an amorphous silicon semiconductor. Each of the oxide TFT (10) and the a-Si TFT (20) is a bottom-gate transistor. |
| US08581256B2 |
Pixel structure and fabrication method of pixel structure
A pixel structure and its fabrication method are provided. The pixel structure includes a channel layer, a first patterned metal layer, a first insulation layer, a second patterned metal layer, a second insulation layer, and a pixel electrode. The first patterned metal layer includes a data line, a source, and a drain. The first insulation layer has a first opening exposing the drain. The second patterned metal layer includes a scan line and a capacitor electrode. The capacitor electrode has at least one first portion overlapping the data line. The second insulation layer has a second opening communicating with the first opening to expose the drain. The pixel electrode is connected to the drain through the first opening and the second opening and at least overlaps the first portion of the capacitor electrode. |
| US08581255B2 |
Pixel structure having storage capacitance of the capacitor
A pixel structure includes a first electrode on a substrate, a first insulation layer covering the first electrode, a gate located on the first insulation layer, a second electrode located on the first insulation layer above the first electrode, a second insulation layer covering the gate and the second electrode, a semiconductor layer located on the second insulation layer above the gate, a source and a drain that are located on the semiconductor layer, a third electrode, a third insulation layer, and a pixel electrode. The third electrode is located on the second insulation layer above the second electrode and electrically connected to the first electrode. The third insulation layer covers the source, the drain, and the third electrode. The pixel electrode is located on the third insulation layer and electrically connected to the drain. |
| US08581254B2 |
Photodetector having improved quantum efficiency
The present approach involves a radiation detector module with increased quantum efficiency and methods of fabricating the radiation detector module. The module includes a scintillator substrate and a photodetector fabricated on the scintillator substrate. The photodetector includes an anode, active organic elements, and a cathode. The module also includes a pixel element array disposed over the photodetector. During imaging, radiation attenuated by an object to be imaged may propagate through the pixel element array and through the layers of the photodetector to be absorbed by the scintillator which in response emits optical photons. The photodetector may absorb the photons and generate charge with improved quantum efficiency, as the photons may not be obscured by the cathode or other layers of the module. Further, the module may include reflective materials in the cathode and at the pixel element array to direct optical photons towards the active organic elements. |
| US08581251B2 |
Device for protecting an electronic integrated circuit housing against physical or chemical ingression
The invention relates to the creation of a housing for an integrated circuit which makes it possible to detect physical ingression into said housing. The invention applies in particular to the protection of secrets which may possibly be contained in said integrated circuit, in the event of physical attack, for example by destroying the secrets contained in an integrated circuit in the event of ingression into the housing thereof. |
| US08581250B2 |
Method and apparatus of fabricating a pad structure for a semiconductor device
The present disclosure involves a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a substrate and an interconnect structure that is formed over the substrate. The interconnect structure has a plurality of metal layers. A first region and a second region each extend through both the interconnect structure and the substrate. The first and second regions are mutually exclusive. The semiconductor device includes a plurality of bond pads disposed above the first region, and a plurality of probe pads disposed above the second region. The semiconductor device also includes a plurality of conductive components that electrically couple at least a subset of the bond pads with at least a subset of the probe pads. Wherein each one of the subset of the bond pads is electrically coupled to a respective one of the subset of the probe pads through one of the conductive components. |