Document Document Title
US08620085B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image processing program
The outlines of specific subjects becoming unnaturally deformed is prevented, while reducing the amount of calculations. A reference image setting section sets a reference image which is to become a reference from among a plurality of images. A specific subject detecting section detects a specific subject from within the reference image. A feature point extracting section extracts a plurality of feature points from within the reference image such that the average density of the feature points become higher in the vicinity of the outline of the specific subject. A corresponding point obtaining means corresponding point obtaining section obtains corresponding points within the other images that correspond to the extracted feature points. A coordinate converting section converts the coordinates of the positions of each pixel within the reference image and/or the other images such that the positions of the feature points and the positions of the corresponding points match.
US08620082B1 Sonar image texture segmentation
Systems and methods for sonar image feature extraction, which fit a parameterized statistical model to sonar image data to extract features that describe image textures for follow-on pattern classification tasks. The systems and methods estimate the parameters of an assumed statistical model from the pixel values in the sonar images. The parameters of the distribution can then be used as features in a discriminant classifier to perform tasks such as texture segmentation or environmental characterization. The systems and methods divide a sonar image into separate overlapping cells. The ACF parameters of each cell are sequentially estimated using various methods. Based on the ACF parameters obtained, each cell is assigned a label via a pattern classification algorithm. The labeled image can be used in target recognition, environmental characterization and texture segmentation.
US08620081B2 Image processing apparatus, method, and storage medium for determining attributes
An image processing apparatus determines an attribute of a block image based on the attribute of the block image determined based on a color distribution characteristic amount of the block image and the attribute of the block image determined based on an edge characteristic amount of the block image.
US08620080B2 Methods and systems for locating text in a digital image
Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and methods for locating text in a digital image. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a multi-stage filtering technique may be used to progressively refine a set of candidate text components associated with a digital image. A first, refined set of candidate text components may be formed by filtering an initial set of candidate text components based on component properties. Text lines may reconstructed from the first, refined set of candidate text components. The first, refined set of candidate text components may be further filtered based on text-line properties measured on the reconstructed text lines.
US08620073B2 Upscaling natural images
A natural input image is upscaled, first by interpolation. Second, edges in the interpolated image are sharpened by a lion-parametric patch transform. The result is decomposed into an edge layer and a detail layer. Only pixels in the detail layer enhanced, and the enhanced detail layer is merged with the edge layer to produce a high resolution version of the input image.
US08620066B2 Three-dimensional object determining apparatus, method, and computer program product
According to one embodiment, a three-dimensional object determining apparatus includes: a detecting unit configured to detect a plurality of feature points of an object included in an image data that is acquired; a pattern normalizing unit configured to generate a normalized pattern that is normalized by a three-dimensional model from the image data using the plurality of feature points; an estimating unit configured to estimate an illumination direction in which light is emitted to the object in the image data from the three-dimensional model and the normalized pattern; and a determining unit configured to determine whether or not the object in the image data is a three-dimensional object on the basis of the illumination direction.
US08620060B2 Model image acquisition support apparatus, model image acquisition support method, and model image acquisition support program
The present invention provides a model image acquisition support apparatus, a model image acquisition support method, and a model image acquisition support program that can easily and swiftly obtain an optimum model image for an image processing apparatus that performs matching processing based on a model image set in advance with respect to a measurement image that is obtained by imaging an object. A plurality of model image candidates, serving as candidates for model image, are extracted from a reference image obtained by imaging an object which can be a model. Matching processing with the plurality of extracted model images is executed on measurement images actually obtained by a visual sensor, so that trial results are obtained. A trial result is generated upon evaluating each of the trial results of the matching processing with the model image. An optimum model image is determined based on the evaluation result.
US08620058B2 Methods for mobile image capture and processing of documents
The present invention relates to automated document processing and more particularly, to methods and systems for document image capture and processing using mobile devices. In accordance with various embodiments, methods and systems for document image capture on a mobile communication device are provided such that the image is optimized and enhanced for data extraction from the document as depicted. These methods and systems may comprise capturing an image of a document using a mobile communication device; transmitting the image to a server; and processing the image to create a bi-tonal image of the document for data extraction. Additionally, these methods and systems may comprise capturing a first image of a document using the mobile communication device; automatically detecting the document within the image; geometrically correcting the image; binarizing the image; correcting the orientation of the image; correcting the size of the image; and outputting the resulting image of the document.
US08620048B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing system, image processing method, and image processing computer program
An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a tomography image of a target to be captured, a detection unit configured to detect layer boundaries of a plurality of layers sequentially positioned in the depth direction from the acquired tomography image, and a determination unit configured to determine a structure of the target to be captured according to the number of the detected layer boundaries.
US08620046B2 Radioactive-emission-measurement optimization to specific body structures
A method for predefining a set of radioactive-emission measurement views, for radioactive-emission imaging after an administration of a radiopharmaceutical, the method being tailored to a specific body structure and optimized with respect to the information gained about the body structure and based on modeling body-structure, based on its geometry and anatomical constraints, which limit accessibility to the body structure.
US08620040B2 Method for determining a 2D contour of a vessel structure imaged in 3D image data
A method is disclosed for determining a 2D contour of a vessel structure imaged in 3D image data for a first slice plane of the vessel structure, wherein the 3D image data was generated using a medical imaging system and has a multiplicity of image voxels which are all assigned a respective image value. In at least one embodiment, the method includes providing 3D image data; determining a multiplicity of first initial 2D contours of the vessel structure, wherein the first initial 2D contours in the 3D image data are determined for slice planes of the vessel structure, which planes are arranged orthogonally in respect of a central line of the vessel structure and spaced apart from one another along the central line; determining a first initial 3D contour from the first initial 2D contours; determining a smoothed second 3D contour by applying an active 3D contour model to the first initial 3D contour; determining a second initial 2D contour as a slice through the smoothed second 3D contour including the first slice plane; and determining the 2D contour by iteratively fitting the second initial 2D contour to that vessel structure imaged in the 3D image data which results for the first slice plane.
US08620032B2 System and method for traffic signal detection
A method and system may determine a location of a vehicle, collect an image using a camera associated with the vehicle, analyze the image in conjunction with the location of the vehicle and/or previously collected information on the location of traffic signals or other objects (e.g., traffic signs), and using this analysis locate an image of a traffic signal within the collected image. The position (e.g., a geographic position) of the signal may be determined, and stored for later use. The identification of the signal may be used to provide an output such as the status of the signal, such as green light.
US08620029B2 Systems and methods of tracking objects in video
Systems and methods for identifying, tracking, and using objects in a video or similar electronic content, including methods for tracking one or more moving objects in a video. This can involve tracking one or more feature points within a video scene and separating those feature points into multiple layers based on motion paths. Each such motion layer can be further divided into different clusters, for example, based on distances between points. These clusters can then be used as an estimate to define the boundaries of the objects in video. Objects can also be compared with one another in cases in which identified objects should be combined and considered a single object. For example, if two objects in the first two frames have significantly overlapping areas, they may be considered the same object. Objects in each frame can further be compared to determine the life of the objects across the frames.
US08620028B2 Behavioral recognition system
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and a system for analyzing and learning behavior based on an acquired stream of video frames. Objects depicted in the stream are determined based on an analysis of the video frames. Each object may have a corresponding search model used to track an object's motion frame-to-frame. Classes of the objects are determined and semantic representations of the objects are generated. The semantic representations are used to determine objects' behaviors and to learn about behaviors occurring in an environment depicted by the acquired video streams. This way, the system learns rapidly and in real-time normal and abnormal behaviors for any environment by analyzing movements or activities or absence of such in the environment and identifies and predicts abnormal and suspicious behavior based on what has been learned.
US08620024B2 System and method for dynamic gesture recognition using geometric classification
A gesture recognition system and method that inputs videos of a moving hand and outputs the recognized gesture states for the input sequence. In each image, the hand area is segmented from the background and used to estimate parameters of all five fingers. The system further classifies the hand image as one of the postures in the pre-defined database and applies a geometric classification algorithm to recognize the gesture. The system combines a skin color model with motion information to achieve real-time hand segmentation performance, and considers each dynamic gesture as a multi-dimensional volume and uses a geometric algorithm to classify each volume.
US08620023B1 Object detection and location system
A method and apparatus for detecting objects. An object detector associated with a platform and configured to detect a number of objects is used to monitor for the number of objects. In response to detecting the number of objects, a number of distances to the number of objects detected by the object detector are measured using a distance measurement system. A number of geographic locations for the number of objects is identified using the number of distances, a location of the platform, and an orientation of the distance measurement system.
US08620021B2 Image-related methods and arrangements
A user captures an image of a magazine or catalog page with a smartphone. The page is identified by extracting fingerprint or watermark data from the imagery. Other imagery depicting that page is identified, and is displayed to the user on the smartphone screen. Further imagery can also be presented on the screen. This further imagery can include other pages in the publication that are not be consecutive with the captured page, but that are logically linked with it by reference to a data structure. The user may elect to post such imagery to a social network account (e.g., Pinterest) associated with the user. The posting can include an attribution identifying the original publication. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.
US08620020B2 Methods and systems for preventing unauthorized disclosure of secure information using image fingerprinting
The present invention provides methods and systems to protect an organization's secure image information from unauthorized disclosure. In one embodiment, methods and systems to generate image fingerprints are provided. The fingerprints are generated for each feature point of an image data. Because the fingerprints take into account the neighborhood features around each feature point, the image fingerprints are robust against derivative images where the original image may have been altered. Methods and systems to maintain a fingerprint database for an organization's secure image data is also provided. In one embodiment, client fingerprints are generated for image data that a user intends to transmit outside of the organization. In some embodiments, suitable security actions are initiated if any of the client fingerprints match any of the fingerprints in the fingerprint database.
US08620017B2 Speaker and magnetic circuit
A high performance speaker is provided and includes a simple structure magnetic circuit achieved without the need of a complicated manufacturing process, and a high performance speaker is provided and includes a simple structure diaphragm achieved without the need of a difficult process for forming a U shape of a narrow width in the diaphragm. A speaker 100 is equipped with an inner-magnet-type magnetic circuit 4 provided with a magnet 1, a plate 2 and a yoke 3, a voice coil 7, and a diaphragm 6 supporting the voice coil 7 in place close to the end of the plate 2 while allowing the voice coil to vibrate. The yoke 3 is formed in an approximately flat plate shape having a diameter equal to or larger than that of the plate 2. The diaphragm 6 has a dome-shaped vibrating section 61 formed in a central portion, a cone-shaped vibrating section 63 having an outer periphery supported by a speaker frame 5, and a voice coil bobbin 62 which is formed between the dome-shaped vibrating section 61 and the cone-shaped vibrating section 63. The voice coil bobbin 62 is formed in an L-shaped cross section bending outward from an end of a tubular portion in which the voice coil 7 is mounted. The dome-shaped and cone-shaped vibrating sections and the voice coil bobbin are molded together in one piece.
US08620015B2 Vibrator for bone conducting hearing devices
A vibrator for generating vibrations in a bone conducting hearing device, i.e. a hearing device of the type in which the sound information is mechanically transmitted via the skull bone directly to the inner ear of a person. The vibratory movements are provided by a piezo-electric or magneto-elastic element arranged to transfer the vibrations via the skull bone from the area behind the outer ear to the inner ear. The piezo-electric or magneto-elastic element is arranged to be at least partially implanted in a surgically drilled hole directly into the mastoid bone behind the outer ear so that the vibrations are transferred directly from the element to the bone and transferred in the skull bone to the inner ear. The element is encapsulated with a bone integrating material, such as titanium or various biocompatible ceramic materials or coatings and is disc shaped and acts with a radial expansion upon electrical stimulation so that longitudinal sound waves are induced into the skull bone.
US08620012B2 Apparatus and method for providing stereo effect in portable terminal
An apparatus and a method for providing a stereo effect when playing an audio file at a portable terminal are provided. The apparatus includes a component extractor for extracting a mono component and stereo components from an audio signal and a gain controller for determining a signal ratio of the stereo components to the mono component and for controlling a stereo gain according to the signal ratio.
US08620010B2 Loudspeaker device
The present invention relates to a loudspeaker device, comprising first and second closely located and individually acoustically isolated loudspeaker elements. The first and second elements are arranged to receive a first signal and a second signal, respectively, at least part of said first signal being in anti-phase relative to said second signal. The device further includes third and fourth loudspeaker elements, being located in close proximity to said first and second loudspeaker elements, respectively. The center of said third loudspeaker element is located such that a first axis intersecting the center of said first loudspeaker element and the center of said third loudspeaker element is inclined an angle φ relative to a horizontal plane, φ being in the range 0°-+30°, and the center of said fourth loudspeaker element is located such that a second axis intersecting the center of said second loudspeaker element and the center of said fourth loudspeaker element is inclined at an angle cp relative to a horizontal plane, φ being 0°-±30°. The first and second signals to said third and fourth loudspeaker elements, respectively, are low-pass filtered, the cut-off frequency of said low-pass filters being less than or equal to 2.5 kHz.
US08620004B2 Electronic device, electronic system, and method for processing signals from an audio accessory thereof
An electronic device includes an audio jack, a power supply unit, a determining circuit, and an executing circuit. The audio jack may be arranged for transmitting an audio input signal, and the electronic device may be configured to connect with an audio accessory via the audio jack. When the audio accessory may be connected to the electronic device, the power supply unit provides a first voltage to the audio jack and a second voltage. The determining circuit determines whether to trigger an interrupt request according to the second voltage and a third voltage, wherein the third voltage may be coupled to the audio jack and may be generated according to the first voltage. The executing circuit may be coupled to the determining circuit, for determining whether to execute a corresponding function according to the third voltage when the interrupt request may be received.
US08619998B2 Spatial audio enhancement processing method and apparatus
The present invention describes techniques that can be used to provide novel methods of spatial audio rendering using adapted M-S matrix shuffler topologies. Such techniques include headphone and loudspeaker-based binaural signal simulation and rendering, stereo expansion, multichannel upmix and pseudo multichannel surround rendering.
US08619995B2 Methods and apparatus related to address generation, communication and/or validation
Methods and apparatus for generating, communicating, and/or using sets of addresses corresponding to a communications device are described. A first communications device generates, from a public key and a random number, both a first address and a second address. The generated address pair is communicated to a second communications device along with proof of ownership information regarding the address pair via an address signaling message such as a binding update message. The second communications device processes the received address signaling message and determines address pair validity and/or address pair ownership information. The first address may be associated with a first network, e.g., an unsecure WAN network, while the second address may be associated with a second network, e.g., a secure peer to peer network. Decisions on switching between using the first address to using the second address may be based on address validity and/or address ownership determinations.
US08619989B2 VolP encryption bridging by home wireless router
A home wireless router establishes a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) that supports wireless communications within a WLAN service area. The home wireless router establishes broadband communications via a broadband connection with a VoIP service accumulator. The home wireless router services a plurality of wireless terminals within the WLAN service area, including at least one Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) wireless terminal. The home wireless router determines that a VoIP wireless terminal desires VoIP call servicing determines a WLAN encryption scheme supported by the VoIP wireless terminal, sets up, and services the VoIP call via the WLAN and the broadband connection. Servicing includes terminating the WLAN encryption scheme supported by the VoIP wireless terminal to protect the VoIP call as it is wirelessly serviced by the WLAN and terminating a broadband encryption scheme supported by the broadband connection to protect the VoIP call as it is serviced by the broadband connection.
US08619982B2 Method and system for secure distribution of selected content to be protected on an appliance specific basis
The present invention relates to data rights management and more particularly to a secured system and methodology and production system and methodology related thereto and to apparatus and methodology for production side systems and are consumer side systems for securely utilizing protected electronic data files of content (protected content), and further relates to controlled distribution, and regulating usage of the respective content on a recipient device (computing system) to be limited strictly to defined permitted uses, in accordance with usage rights (associated with the respective content to control usage of that respective content), on specifically restricted to a specific one particular recipient device (for a plurality of specific particular recipient devices), or usage on some or any authorized recipient device without restriction to any one in specific, to control use of the respective content as an application software program, exporting, modifying, executing as an application program, viewing, and/or printing of electronic data files.
US08619975B2 Cipher processing apparatus
A cipher processing apparatus for arithmetic operations of an FO function and an FL function comprising: an FL function operating unit for generating a 2N-bit output based on a first extension key; a partial function operating unit for generating an N-bit output based on second and third extension keys; an N-bit intermediate register for storing an output of the partial operating unit; a 2N-bit first data register for storing data based on the output of the FL function operating unit; and a controller for making the partial function operating unit perform six cycles, inputting an output of the intermediate register to the FL function operating unit, and storing the data based on the output of the FL function operating unit in the first data register, in a first case in which the FL function uses a result of an arithmetic operation of the FO function.
US08619974B2 Method and system for providing spread scrambled coded multiple access (SSCMA)
A spread scrambled multiple access (SSCMA) scheme is described. A first encoded bit stream of a first terminal is scrambled according to a first scrambling signature. A second encoded bit stream of a second terminal is scrambled according to a second scrambling signature. The first scrambled bit stream is spread to match a communication channel bandwidth. The second scrambled bit stream is spread to match the communication channel bandwidth.
US08619972B2 Method and system for atomicity for elliptic curve cryptosystems
A method and system are provided for atomicity for elliptic curve cryptosystems (ECC-systems). The method includes a side channel atomic scalar multiplication algorithm using mixed coordinates. The mixed coordinates are chosen based on a ratio of I/M where I and M are the time required to execute an inversion and a multiplication in the ground field respectively. If the I/M ratio is less than 60, a mixture of affine and Jacobian coordinates are used during scalar multiplication. If the I/M ratio is 60 or more, a mixture of Chudnovsky-Jacobian and Jacobian coordinates are used during scalar multiplication. The method is optimized for elliptic curves over Fp defined by an equation of the form y2=x3+ax+b, where a, bεFp, having a=−3.
US08619971B2 Local secure service partitions for operating system security
Systems and methods provide multiple partitions hosted on an isolation technology such as a hypervisor where at least one of the partitions, a local secure service partition (LSSP), provides security services to other partitions. The service partitions (LSSPs) host those high assurance services that require strict security isolation, where the service can be shared across partitions and accessed even when the user is not connected to a network. The LSSP also can certify the results of any computation using a key signed by a TPM attestation identity key (AIK), or other key held securely by the hypervisor or a service partition. The LSSPs may be configured to provide trusted audit logs, trusted security scans, trusted cryptographic services, trusted compilation and testing, trusted logon services, and the like.
US08619966B2 Call routing system and method of using the same
A method includes accessing information associated with a call at an attendant interaction module. The call is associated with a task. The information associated with the call includes a first action object identifier, a first result identifier, and a first reason identifier. The first action object identifier is associated with the task, the first result identifier indicates a status of the task, and the first reason identifier includes information related to the first result identifier. The method includes generating an attendant interaction signal subsequent to receiving the information associated with the call.
US08619964B2 Controlling a call completion
Methods and devices for controlling a set-up of a call from a calling entity (CE201) to a called entity in a telecommunications network are described. The telecommunications network comprises a service control entity (SCE205) and a service switching entity (SSE204). The service control entity (SCE205) is adapted to perform the steps of receiving from the service switching entity (SSE204) an indication that the first call attempt failed, receiving from the service switching entity (SSE204) an indication of the further call attempt, obtaining call information related to the first call attempt, determining a call establishment procedure for the further call attempt based on the call information related to the first call attempt, sending an instruction to the service switching entity (SSE204) to continue the set-up of the further call attempt according to the call establishment procedure.
US08619960B1 System, method, and computer readable medium for establishing communication between devices
A system, method, and computer readable medium for establishing communication between two devices comprises connecting, by a first computer, to an open source Private Branch Exchange (PBX) platform via a port, receiving a phone number sent by a first one of the two devices at the open source PBX platform, invoking an interface module by the open source PBX platform, where the interface module resides on the open source PBX platform, and building a Calling Name request by the interface module related to the received phone number.
US08619957B2 Delivery of call data in a communication system
A method may include receiving a call having call data, determining that the call data cannot be forwarded along a call path, assigning an identifier to the call data, forwarding the call along the call path without the call data, and storing the call data and the identifier at a device outside the call path.
US08619956B2 Private-branch exchange that provides call bridging to an off-premises terminal in the presence of a third-party application
A telecommunications system is disclosed that enables a user to pair a desk set that is an extension of a private-branch exchange with a cell phone that is accessible via the Public Switched Telephone Network. One feature of the telecommunications system enables an active call that is between the desk set and another party, to be transferred to the user's cell phone, while in the presence of third-party call control. This is advantageous because a user who is initially on a call at her desk set, but needs to get somewhere else (e.g., a meeting, the airport, home, etc.), is able to continue the call by transferring it to her cell phone. The third-party call control can be part of a computer-telephony integration (CTI) application—for example, in a telephone telemarketing center, which concurrently handles many active telephone calls.
US08619953B2 Home videoconferencing system
A home videoconferencing system interfaces with traditional set-top boxes and typical home A/V equipment. The system includes a camera, a microphone, and a codec module. The module can couple to a modem connected to a television network and can couple to a display and a set-top box. Alternatively, the module can connect to a network for exchanging videoconference data and can connect between the set-top box and the display. The set-top box can connect to the television network on its own.
US08619950B1 Video and digital audio transport
A video and digital audio transport system transports high resolution computer, video, computer video graphics and other video signals, as well as multiple channels of high quality audio, over extended lengths of unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cabling. Frequency compensation techniques are employed to extend the bandwidth of the UTP cables, and differential signaling over the common mode of a first two of the four twisted pairs comprising the UTP cable is used to transmit horizontal sync and differential signaling over the common mode of a second two of the four twisted pairs is used to transmit vertical sync. In addition, a unique digital encoding technique is applied to a standard digital audio encoding protocol to augment the number of available audio channels. A digitally controlled delay line is incorporated to compensate for the different lengths of each twisted pair.
US08619949B2 Video conference bridge setting, sharing, pushing, and rationalization
A conference system is provided with enhanced settings capabilities. A controller can poll for settings at each endpoint in a conference system and be able via the video stream to selectively display and compare settings among the endpoints. One location can push its settings to one or more locations to overcome failures or degradation in the conference. The settings between different controllers may be rationalized via a common denominator method or tabular method to build a knowledge of how to configure conferences and to automate responses to problems.
US08619945B2 Prediction-based breathing control apparatus for radiation therapy
Some aspects include a system, medium, and method for receiving an indication of occurrences of a substantially periodic treatment opportunity for a target volume of a patient from a motion detection device, the treatment opportunity being a period of time the target volume is in a position to be irradiated according to a burst mode treatment plan to be administered by a radiotherapy device; determining a future treatment opportunity for a target volume of a patient; beginning synchronization of a prescribed delivery period of burst mode irradiation and the future treatment opportunity; presenting, to the patient, an indication of timing data indicative of a time until the prescribed delivery period of burst mode irradiation will occur; and irradiating the target volume during the synchronization of the future treatment opportunity and the prescribed delivery period of burst mode irradiation.
US08619942B2 Radioactive debris trap
A radioactive debris trap to be installed in a steam generator for removing debris in the primary flow of a nuclear power plant's primary heat transport system. The debris trap includes an outer cylinder and a coaxial inner cylinder both having a top end and a bottom end. A top plate connects the top ends of the outer and inner cylinders. A bottom plate which encloses the trap is connected to the bottom end of the outer cylinder. There is a gap between the bottom end of the inner cylinder and the bottom plate through which primary flow enters a settling chamber located in an annular gap between the outer and inner cylinders. Several small holes are located at the top end of the outer cylinder through which liquid exits the debris trap. A means for fixedly connecting the debris trap to the steam generator is provided on the outer surface of the outer cylinder. Also included is a means for removing the radioactive debris trap from the steam generator without exposing personnel to excessive radiation.
US08619941B2 Method for transmitting sounding reference signal in multiple antenna wireless communication system and apparatus therefor
A method for transmitting a sounding reference signal from a user equipment in a MIMO antenna wireless communication system is disclosed. The method comprises receiving sounding reference signal setup information from a base station, the sounding reference signal setup information including an initial cyclic shift value nSRScs and an initial transmissionComb parameter value kTC; setting an interval between cyclic shift values corresponding to each antenna port based on the initial cyclic shift value, to reach a maximum interval; setting a transmissionComb parameter value corresponding to a specific one of the antenna ports to a value different from the initial transmissionComb parameter value if the initial cyclic shift value is a previously set value and the number of antenna ports is 4; and transmitting the sounding reference signal to the base station through each antenna port by using the set cyclic shift value and transmissionComb parameter value.
US08619938B2 Clock generation devices and methods
A clock generation device provided for a transmitter is provided and comprises a clock generator, a calculator and a first phase locked loop (PLL) circuit. The clock generator generates a first clock signal. The calculator calculates a frequency difference between the first and second clock signals. The first PLL circuit generates an output clock signal according to a first reference clock signal related to the first clock signal, and a frequency of the output clock signal is changed according to the frequency difference. The transmitter transmits data according to the output clock signal.
US08619935B2 Methods and structure for on-chip clock jitter testing and analysis
Methods and structure for on-chip self-test of clock jitter for an application clock signal generated within an integrated circuit (IC). Features and aspects hereof provide for acquisition of samples of an application clock signal within the IC and counting the number of samples having a predetermined value. The count is compared to acceptable limits range values to generate a pass/fail signal of the IC use by external automated. A sample clock is generated based on the reference clock used by a Phase Locked Loop (PLL) circuit. An incremental delay is added to the sample clock pulse such that the sequence of samples “walk” through an application clock pulse waveform to sense clock jitter at various points of the waveform based on the counts. Acceptable limits range for the count at each sampled point, the incremental delay, and the number of samples at each delayed value may be user programmed.
US08619933B2 Receiver apparatus for absorbing clock difference between transmitting and receiving sides and a method therefor
Data received by a receiver is processed at a sampling rate indicated manually or automatically in the receiver. The sampling rate of the received data is controlled in accordance with the processing rate. The sampling rate controlled data is then processed so as to convert its frequency distribution to that the received data originally had.
US08619927B2 System and method for discrete gain control in hybrid MIMO/RF beamforming
A system for selectively and discretely amplifying or attenuating antennas in a hybrid multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) radio distribution network (RDN) receiving system is provided herein. The system includes a MIMO receiving system comprising a MIMO baseband module having N branches; an RDN connected to the MIMO receiving system, the RDN comprising at least one beamformer fed by two or more antennas, so that a total number of antennas in the system is M, wherein M is greater than N, wherein each one of the beamformers include a passive combiner configured to combine signals coming from the antennas coupled to a respective beamformer into a combined signal, wherein the at least one beamformer is further configured to selectively amplify or attenuate in discrete steps, one or more of the signals coming from the M antennas, based on qualitative metrics measured by the MIMO baseband module.
US08619926B2 Channel estimating method in wireless communication system and apparatus thereof
Provided is a method and system for estimating a channel in a wireless communication system. An interference coefficient is calculated based on a known structure of a pilot, and a channel value in a frequency domain is estimated. A channel value in a time domain is obtained by transforming the channel value in the frequency domain and the channel delay values are subtracted from the channel value in the time domain, thereby cancelling interference.
US08619923B2 System and method for optimizing use of channel state information
The present invention relates to a combiner, channel identifier, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) receiver and method for optimizing use of channel state information of a received signal. The method comprises analyzing a received signal in a time domain and extracting from the received signal characteristics of a communication channel. The method furthermore comprises determining a dynamic indicator of channel station information accuracy based on the characteristics of the received signal. Additionally, the method comprises applying a weight to the channel state information according to the dynamic indicator.
US08619921B2 Channel estimation apparatus, channel estimation method and program
A channel estimation device comprises: a channel variation detection unit that determines whether variation width of a received signal level is not less than preset threshold width and whether variation period of received signal is not greater than preset threshold period; and a channel estimation unit that, if the channel variation detection unit determines that the variation width of the received signal level is not less than preset threshold width and that variation period is not greater than preset threshold period, refers to hysteresis of received signal level to determine whether lowering of received signal level is temporal, and, if it is determined that lowering of received signal level is temporal, allowing received signal to pass through, without removing received signal as noise, even when received signal level is not greater than signal level to be removed as noise.
US08619918B2 Sparse channel estimation for MIMO OFDM systems
A method for sparse channel estimation in MIMO OFDM systems with a plurality of subchannels having the same sparsity structure is presented. The inventive method comprises initializing a plurality of residual vectors and observation generating matrices modeling the channel, sending a pilot signal for each subcarrier, converting the pilot signals to tap positions, detecting an optimal tap position, updating the residual vectors by removing the one residual vector having the optimal tap position, updating the generating matrices in accordance with the optimal residual vector, calculating weighted residuals based on the updated residual vectors, and repeating the steps, except initializing, until a stopping condition is met, wherein the updated observation matrices estimate the sparse channel. In one embodiment, the observation generating matrices are omitted. In one embodiment, multiple vectors are removed during one iteration. Pilot placement and pilot allocation techniques are presented to optimize the method.
US08619914B2 Receiver and receiving method for scalable bandwith
Provided are a receiver and a receiving method for a scalable bandwidth in a mobile station of an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system. The receiving method includes the steps of: (a) filtering a received RF signal; (b) oscillating a frequency according to a center frequency control signal to output a local oscillation frequency; (c) down-converting the filtered RF signal by using the local oscillation frequency; (d) scalable-filtering the down-converted signal while adjusting a bandwidth according to a bandwidth control signal; (e) controlling gain of the scalable-filtered signal; (f) converting the gain-controlled analog signal into a digital signal by using a sampling frequency matching with a corresponding bandwidth according to an ADC control signal; and (g) demodulating the converted digital signal, outputting the center frequency control signal, the bandwidth control signal, and the ADC control signal according to control information received from an upper layer.
US08619913B2 Method of selecting metrics and receiver using the same
A method and apparatus of selecting N metrics among M metrics is provided. The apparatus determines M metrics P(i), where i=1, . . . , M. Each P(i) is represented by B bits. The apparatus determines N metrics among M metrics. The complexity for configuring the circuit is decreased, and the length of the critical path is reduced.
US08619912B2 Frequency shift circuit and communication device
A frequency shift circuit that shifts the frequency of an input signal using a rotor corresponding to a predetermined phase rotation amount, the frequency shift circuit includes a table look-up unit that includes a plurality of tables that store complex data and outputs the complex data for each table based on address information, a complex multiplication circuit that complex-multiplies the complex data which have been output from the table look-up unit for each table, a deletion circuit that generates a rotor corresponding to a phase rotation amount which is based on a result of complex-multiplication executed, and a calculation circuit that calculates the address information for each table such that exp(2πjθ) is obtained as the result of complex multiplication executed based on rotation angle information θ.
US08619911B2 Quadrature signal decoding using a driver
A system and method for decoding quadrature signals includes a quadrature signal generator, a quadrature signal decoder, a key matrix and a driver. The quadrature signal generator generates quadrature signals on rotation. The quadrature signal decoder is configured to convert the quadrature signals into non-overlapping signals. The key matrix is configured to receive the non-overlapping signals. The driver is configured to scan the key matrix to decode the non-overlapping signals to generate an event update corresponding to a direction of rotation of the quadrature signal generator.
US08619909B2 Signal detector using matched filter for training signal detection
A method of detecting whether an incoming signal is a signal type of interest having a known training sequence. The signal is filtered with a matched filter as in conventional methods. However, the filter processing is performed in a unique manner that maximizes computational efficiency.
US08619908B2 Wireless ranging system and related methods
A wireless ranging system for determining a range of a remote wireless device may include a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver. The wireless ranging system may also include a ranging controller to cooperate with the wireless transmitter and receiver to generate a multi-carrier base waveform, transmit a sounder waveform to the remote wireless device including concatenated copies of the multi-carrier base waveform, and receive a return waveform from the remote wireless device in response to the sounder waveform. The ranging controller may also generate time domain samples from the return waveform, convert the time domain samples into frequency domain data, and process the frequency domain data to determine the range of the remote wireless device.
US08619906B2 Look up table-based sum predistorter for power amplifification with concurrent dual band inputs
A method and system for pre-distorting a dual band signal to compensate for distortion of a non-linear power amplifier in a radio transmitter are disclosed. In one embodiment, the first signal of the dual band signal is tuned to a first intermediate frequency to produce a first tuned signal and the second signal of the dual band signal is tuned to minus the intermediate frequency to produce a second tuned signal. A single input pre-distorter pre-distorts the sum of the first tuned signal and the second tuned signal. The coefficients of the pre-distorter are obtained from a one-dimensional look-up table.
US08619901B2 Systems and methods for providing unequal message protection
Input data may be coded in accordance with a coding method that allows for either coded data or messages to be transmitted with pre-determined, but unequal reliability over a communication channel. The coding method may allow the messages to be transmitted with higher reliability than the coded data. Messages may be transmitted when they are available. Otherwise, the coded data may be transmitted.
US08619895B2 Apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving broadcast data in digital broadcasting system
Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for transmitting and receiving broadcast data in a digital broadcasting system. The method for transmitting and receiving broadcast data in a digital broadcasting system includes receiving the main data encoded with symbols having a plurality of levels; deciding whether levels of main data symbols encoded with symbols having the plurality of levels belong to a first group; and mapping the main data symbols to extended levels by using modulation values of the additional data if it is decided that the levels of the main data symbols belong to the first group.
US08619894B1 Methods and apparatus for beamforming
Systems and techniques for beamforming are disclosed. Codebook antenna ports, such as ports defined by the 8 transmit antenna LTE codebook, are mapped to sub-elements of an antenna array arranged to form a plurality of elevation and azimuth ports, such as 4 elevation and 2 azimuth ports or 2 elevation and 4 azimuth ports. The mapping is chosen so as to optimize performance. Phasing values may also be applied to signal components provided as inputs to the sub-elements, with the values chosen to maximize performance, such as rank 1 gain or rank 2 or higher performance.
US08619893B2 Receiving apparatus and receiving method
A receiving apparatus includes an inverse matrix multiplying portion which multiplies first and second receiving signal points corresponding to first and second receiving signals by an inverse matrix of a channel matrix based on known signals included in the first and second receiving signals, a first arithmetic portion which determines one or more first sending signal candidate points based on the multiplied first receiving signal points, a second arithmetic portion which determines one or more second sending signal candidate points based on the multiplied second receiving signal points, a determining portion which determines first and second sending signal points, corresponding to first and second sending signals from among the first and second sending signal candidate points so that a total distance based on at least a first distance regarding the first sending signal candidate point and a second distance regarding the second sending signal candidate point satisfies a given condition.
US08619891B2 Adaptive two-dimensional channel interpolation
A method and apparatus for improving channel estimation within an OFDM communication system. Channel estimation in OFDM is usually performed with the aid of pilot symbols. The pilot symbols are typically spaced in time and frequency. The set of frequencies and times at which pilot symbols are inserted is referred to as a pilot pattern. In some cases, the pilot pattern is a diagonal-shaped lattice, either regular or irregular. The method first interpolates in the direction of larger coherence (time or frequency). Using these measurements, the density of pilot symbols in the direction of faster change will be increased thereby improving channel estimation without increasing overhead. As such, the results of the first interpolating step can then be used to assist the interpolation in the dimension of smaller coherence (time or frequency).
US08619889B2 Method and apparatus for transmission of uplink control signaling and user data in a single carrier orthogonal frequency division multiplexing communication system
A user equipment (UE) operating in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing communication system transmits Layer 1 and Layer 2 user data non-associated and user data associated control signaling on an uplink by puncturing user data information with the user data non-associated and user data associated control signaling to produce a data stream wherein the control signaling and user data information are multiplexed. The UE then conveys the punctured data stream to a radio access network via an air interface. The communication system further provides for a selection of a coding and modulation for the control signaling based on a modulation and coding scheme of the user data and a transmission scheme that is applied for transmission of the user data information over the air-interface.
US08619879B2 Video processing system with layered video coding for fast channel change and methods for use therewith
A video processing system includes a video encoder that encodes a video stream into an independent video layer stream and a first dependent video layer stream based on a motion vector data or grayscale and color data.
US08619878B2 Digital broadcasting transmission/reception system utilizing SRS and TRS code to improve receiving performance and signal processing method thereof
A digital broadcasting transmission and/or reception system having an improved reception performance and a signal-processing method thereof. A digital broadcasting transmitter comprises a TRS encoder for to TRS-encode an MPEG-2 transmission stream having null data for inserting an SRS data and a TRS parity at predetermined positions, randomizer to input and randomize data stream from the TRS encoder, a SRS exchanger to replace the null data for inserting the SRS data to the 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 and further uses the TRS parity for correcting error of the received signal, so that the digital broadcasting reception performance can be improved at poor multipath channels.
US08619873B2 Media processing method and media processing program
A media processing method for performing media processing by causing a processor to execute plural program modules, includes controlling input/output of media data, determining at least one call time, and calling a second program module in a second layer at each determined call time, by executing a first program module in a first layer, the first layer being higher than the second layer. The method further includes causing the processor to perform data conversion on the media data, by executing the second program module in the second layer, the data conversion being part of the media processing.
US08619872B2 Inter-layer prediction method for video signal
The present invention relates to a method for conducting interlayer texture prediction in encoding or decoding of video signal. The present method constructs a pair of frame macro blocks from a single field macro block or vertically-adjacent two field macro blocks of a base layer, and using texture information of the constructed pair of frame macro blocks in interlayer texture prediction of a pair of frame macro blocks of a current layer.
US08619869B2 Digital broadcasting transmission/reception system utilizing SRS and TRS code to improve receiving performance and signal processing method thereof
A digital broadcasting transmission and/or reception system having an improved reception performance and a signal-processing method thereof. A digital broadcasting transmitter comprises a TRS encoder for to TRS-encode an MPEG-2 transmission stream having null data for inserting an SRS data and a TRS parity at predetermined positions, randomizer to input and randomize data stream from the TRS encoder, a SRS exchanger to replace the null data for inserting the SRS data to the 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 and further uses the TRS parity for correcting error of the received signal, so that the digital broadcasting reception performance can be improved at poor multipath channels.
US08619868B2 Backward-compatible characterization of aggregated media data units
A system and method for conveying information that is helpful for a network middlebox or a media player to decided which coded data units to forward or process within an RTP payload or a file format data unit in an easy-to-access manner. This mechanism can be used to provide indications of items such as redundant coded pictures, temporal level switching points, gradual decoding refresh access points, view identifiers, and view random access points. A middlebox and/or receiver can then use this information to determine whether certain coded data units need to be processed and/or transmitted.
US08619867B2 Video game system using pre-encoded macro-blocks and a reference grid
A method and related system of generating a frame of video is disclosed. In the method, a request is received and a frame of video is generated using a plurality of pre-encoded macro-blocks. Generating the frame of video includes assigning the plurality of pre-encoded macro-blocks to respective positions in a grid. The frame of video may be compatible with an MPEG compression standard. The plurality of pre-encoded macro-blocks are pre-encoded prior to the request.
US08619865B2 System and method for thinning of scalable video coding bit-streams
A system for videoconferencing that offers, among other features, extremely low end-to-end delay as well as very high scalability. The system accommodates heterogeneous receivers and networks, as well as the best-effort nature of networks such as those based on the Internet Protocol. The system relies on scalable video coding to provide a coded representation of a source video signal at multiple temporal, quality, and spatial resolutions. These resolutions are represented by distinct bitstream components that are created at each end-user encoder. System architecture and processes called SVC Thinning allow the separation of data into data used for prediction in other pictures and data not used for prediction in other pictures. SVC Thinning processes, which can be performed at video conferencing endpoints or at MCUs, can selectively remove or replace with fewer bits the data not used for prediction in other pictures from transmitted bit streams. This separation and selective removal or replacement of data for transmission allows a trade-off between scalability support (i.e. number of decodable video resolutions), error resiliency and coding efficiency.
US08619864B2 Transcoding/encoding with code amount adjustment and stuffing bits
A reference differential value calculation part calculates a reference differential value by subtracting an accumulated value of the target amounts of codes from an accumulated value of the amounts of generated codes from the first period to the (n−1) period. A comparison part compares a cumulative differential value obtained by subtracting the cumulative amount of generated codes from the cumulative target amount of codes of the first to m-th picture frames in the n period with the reference differential value. If the cumulative differential value is larger than the reference differential value, stuffing bits are added to the m-th picture frame to be processed by the amount of codes obtained by subtracting the reference differential value from the cumulative differential value.
US08619862B2 Method and device for generating an image data stream, method and device for reconstructing a current image from an image data stream, image data stream and storage medium carrying an image data stream
The invention is related to the generation of an image data stream and the reconstruction of an image from an image data stream.The method for generating an image data stream comprises the steps of (a) assigning search regions in a reference image to source macro blocks of a current image; (b) determining in the search regions best matches and corresponding residuals and (c) encoding the determined residuals in a data stream. A further feature of the method is related to the fact that the processing order in at least one of the steps (b) and (c) depends on positions of the assigned search regions in the reference image.The variation in the processing order allows for more efficient determination of best matches at encoder side and/or reduced processing requirements at decoder side.
US08619861B2 Texture sensitive temporal filter based on motion estimation
Architecture that employs texture sensitive temporal filtering to reuse motion estimation information in a realtime encoder. The temporal filter is applied for classified static areas. The architecture reuses the motion estimation results on motion vectors, cost estimates (e.g., sum of absolute difference (SAD)), and edge awareness texture information to apply the temporal filter on the current picture. Filtering can be applied at the pixel level, block level or macroblock level.
US08619855B2 Fast multi-frame motion estimation with adaptive search strategies
A method includes examining a statistical distribution of motion vectors employed for motion compensation in a first frame of image data. The examining is to produce a distribution model of the motion vectors in the first frame. The method further includes selecting, based at least in part on the distribution model, a block-matching search pattern for use with respect to a second frame of image data. The second frame follows the first frame in a sequence of frames of image data.
US08619851B2 Information distribution apparatus, information distribution method, and information distribution program
An information distribution apparatus includes a determination unit configured to determine the configuration of a stream including video data and audio data, a creating unit configured to create combination information indicating combinations of video data and audio data making up the stream, based on the results of the determination, and a transmission unit configured to transmit the combination information to a reception apparatus.
US08619850B1 System and method for monitoring broadcast signals
An integrated real-time display is provided that includes video images and a graphical representation of the transmission path, where each video image is associated with a point along the graphical representation of the transmission path. A number of monitoring points, which correspond to critical points along the transmission path are identified. The points may be selected for technical reasons or economic reasons. The graphical representation of the transmission path can be a logical representation showing the logic blocks along the transmission path or a physical representation showing the devices along the transmission path.
US08619849B2 Digital pulse width modulator
The invention provides a multi-phase digital pulse width modulator (MP-DPWM) to implement a distribution scheme which applies the duty cycle in the fastest possible manner with restriction on the number of switching actions per phase and cycle, and additionally takes the number of available phases into account. It modulates switching signals according to a duty cycle input command, their previous switching states, and the current switching cycle. The controller is adapted to additionally take the residue of the previous subcycle into account. In the control scheme: each phase is allowed switch up to twice per cycle; only the next phase in the cycle is additionally turned on, at the start of a subcycle, and if a phase is still on at the end of a subcycle it can be kept on for longer, if required.
US08619847B1 Reconditioning equalizer filter for non-constant envelop signals
A technique for a reconditioning equalizer filter for non-constant envelope signals is described. The input to a transmitter chain is modified by a reconditioning equalizer filter, prior to being applied to the transmitter. The reconditioning equalizer filter modifies and smoothens the amplitude of the signal. The modified and smoothened signal has its peaks reduced which results in lower Crest Factor. The input to the reconditioning equalizer filter could be a baseband, intermediate frequency (IF) or radio frequency (RF) signal. When the signal is an IF or RF signal, it needs to be down-converted to baseband before being applied to the reconditioning equalizer filter. The reconditioning equalizer filter could be performed in a digital or analog domain.
US08619844B2 Method for reducing interferences between a first carrier current signal transmitted between modems of a power grid and a second signal transmitted between modems of another grid
A method and device for reducing interference between a first signal of the carrier current type (Se) transmitted between modems (MCPL) in an electrical network (Re) and a second signal (S) transmitted between modems (M) in another network (R), the signals (Se, S) being coded by distribution of the data over allocated carrier frequencies in the same reserved frequency band (BF). The method includes: a step of measurement, by each modem (MCPL) in the electrical network, of transmission characteristics of each carrier frequency (F) that may be used for coding the first signal (Se), a step of detection, by analysis of the measured transmission characteristics, of at least one second, carrier frequency (F2,n), which is allocated or may be allocated for coding the second signal (S) and is common with at least one first carrier frequency (F1,m), which is allocated for coding the first signal (Se), and a steps of optimisation of the distribution of the data of the first signal (Se) over carrier frequencies.
US08619843B2 Alien interference removal in vectored DSL
A vectored DSL system reduces or eliminates correlated alien interference in active DSL lines in the vectored system by collecting pseudo signals from inactive lines that do not carry upstream DSL transmissions and/or from common-mode voltage signals from active lines. The collected pseudo signals contain in-domain interference, such as FEXT interference from the active DSL lines in the vectored system, and correlated alien interference. After removing the in-domain interference from the pseudo signals, the remaining alien interference data can be used to generate FEXT cancellation coefficients or the like that are used in DSL vectoring to remove the correlated alien interference from upstream DSL user signals from the active DSL lines. The generated FEXT cancellation coefficients are used in a manner analogous to in-domain FEXT data collected from the active lines during training, tracking, etc. The vectored DSL system can include modems coupled to a private vectoring data routing apparatus to one or more vectoring modules The vectoring modules can employ vector processors that include processing units configured to process collected user data on the basis of all modems' data for a given DSL tone grouping, thus removing FEXT effects from the user data and returning vectored user data to the modems using the routing apparatus, which can be a specialized data transmission network utilizing one or more vector routers.
US08619841B1 Transceiver with carrier frequency offset based parameter adjustment
A transceiver configured to be implemented in a first device includes transmitter and receiver modules and first and second estimator modules. The receiver module receives a first signal transmitted on a channel from a second device to the first device. The first estimator module estimates a first parameter associated with the first signal or the channel. The second estimator module estimates a carrier frequency offset based on the first parameter. The carrier frequency offset is a difference between a first carrier frequency of the first device, and a second carrier frequency of the second device. The transmitter module adjusts a second parameter based on the carrier frequency offset, and based on the second parameter, transmits a second signal to the second device or the receiver module adjusts a third parameter based on the carrier frequency offset, and based on the third parameter, receives a third signal from the second device.
US08619832B2 Lens coupled quantum cascade laser
Terahertz quantum cascade (QC) devices are disclosed that can operate, e.g., in a range of about 1 THz to about 10 THz. In some embodiments, QC lasers are disclosed in which an optical element (e.g., a lens) is coupled to an output facet of the laser's active region to enhance coupling of the lasing radiation from the active region to an external environment. In other embodiments, terahertz amplifier and tunable terahertz QC lasers are disclosed.
US08619831B2 Vertical cavity surface emitting laser element, vertical cavity surface emitting laser array element, vertical cavity surface emitting laser device, light source device, and optical module
Included are: an active layer provided between an upper multilayer film reflecting mirror and a lower multilayer film reflecting mirror formed on a GaAs substrate and formed of a periodic structure of a low-refractive-index layer formed of AlxGa1-xAs (0.8≦x≦1) and a high-refractive-index layer formed of AlyGa1-yAs (0≦y≦x), at least one of the low-refractive-index layer and the high-refractive-index layer being of n-type; and a lower electrode provided between the lower multilayer film reflecting mirror and the active layer and configured to inject an electric current into the active layer.
US08619829B2 Semiconductor laser device
The present invention provides a semiconductor laser device including: a plurality of light emitting sections arranged in strip shapes in parallel; a plurality of first electrodes arranged along top faces of the light emitting sections, respectively; an insulating film covering a whole surface of the plurality of first electrodes, and including contact apertures corresponding to the first electrodes, respectively; a plurality of second electrodes arranged in positions different from those of the plurality of light emitting sections, correspondingly to the first electrodes; a plurality of wiring layers arranged on the insulating layer, and electrically connecting the second electrodes and the corresponding first electrodes through the contact apertures, respectively; and a plurality of window regions arranged for the light emitting sections in the insulating film so as to expose the first electrodes, respectively, and including at least two window regions having areas different from each other.
US08619823B2 System, device and method for extending the life-time of an optical system
The invention relates to an optical system arranged to provide an output which, in operation, comprises at least one figure of merit, Q. The system comprises an optical component having multiple working areas, said component being mounted on a support member. The system further comprises an optical beam path arranged to bring light into interaction with at least one working area of the optical component wherein the position of said working area(s) may be selected by relative movement between said path and said component while keeping Q substantially unaffected by said movement.
US08619811B2 Apparatus, system and method for forwarding user plane data
An apparatus, system and method for forwarding user plane data. A user plane gateway (102) comprises: a receiving module (106) for receiving data which comes from a first network element (100) and uses a first transfer module; a converting module (108) for converting the transfer mode of the received data from the first transfer mode to a second transfer mode, wherein the first transfer mode is asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) and the second transfer mode is Internet Protocol (IP) transfer mode, or the first transfer mode is IP transfer mode and the second transfer mode is ATM; and a sending module (110) for sending the converted data to a second network element (104) using the second transfer mode. This apparatus, system and method achieve the effects that the aggregation of ATM network to the IP network, the networking device able to be compatible forwardly, improving bandwidth utilization rate, saving costs, etc.
US08619806B2 Communication method and communication device as well as computer program
Communication performed within a network including a plurality of communication stations is provided, in which when an access control is performed so that communication timing of a packet can not collide with that of another station by detecting a signal which is transmitted from another station, “a header area processed not to become easily an error such as a physical layer header portion of a packet” which is transmitted from a communication station is made to have at least information which is required for extracting information in a payload of the packet and a field for controlling an access reservation of transmission of a packet which is generated as a result of transmission of another packet so that processing using the field can be performed.
US08619804B2 System and method for the delivery of high speed data services over dedicated and non-dedicated private land mobile radio (PLMR) channels using cognitive radio technology
A system and method for delivery of high speed data services over dedicated and non-dedicated private land mobile radio (PLMR) channels using cognitive radio technology. The PLMR system provides bi-directional Point-to-Multipoint (PtMP) data communication between a dispatch center and many fixed or mobile remote terminals. A plurality of base stations communicate with a base station controller at the dispatch center and a plurality of remote radios communicate with at least one of the remote terminals. PLMR channel scanners, located in each base station and remote radio, scan the PLMR channels to determine which of the PLMR channels is idle at any point of time so that data communication may take place.
US08619800B1 Parallel processing using multi-core processor
Disclosed are methods, systems, paradigms and structures for processing data packets in a communication network by a multi-core network processor. The network processor includes a plurality of multi-threaded core processors and special purpose processors for processing the data packets atomically, and in parallel. An ingress module of the network processor stores the incoming data packets in the memory and adds them to an input queue. The network processor processes a data packet by performing a set of network operations on the data packet in a single thread of a core processor. The special purpose processors perform a subset of the set of network operations on the data packet atomically. An egress module retrieves the processed data packets from a plurality of output queues based on a quality of service (QoS) associated with the output queues, and forwards the data packets towards their destination addresses.
US08619799B1 Methods and apparatus for improving idle mode performance using deep packet inspection (DPI) idle mode agent
A network configuration capable of prioritizing and categorizing paging messages using a deep packet inspection (“DPI”) idle mode agent (“IMA”) is disclosed. Upon receiving downstream traffic addressing to end user (“EU”) equipment in a communication network, the process, in one embodiment, is able to identify forwarding action by comparing the downstream traffic with content of predefined list of a forwarding table. The downstream traffic is directed to an inline DPI agent or DPI IMA if the EU equipment is in idle mode in accordance with comparison between the downstream traffic and the forwarding table. The process categorizes the downstream traffic to a high priority paging category when the downstream traffic matches with one of legitimate push applications stored in a list of legitimate push applications.
US08619797B2 Using internet protocol version six (IPv6) tunnel for access identifier transport
Included are devices, systems, and methods which may be employed in an access network. An access node (AN) may be configured to communicate with a residential gateway (RG) via the access network. The AN may also be configured to encapsulate a router solicitation (RS) from the RG with a header comprising an access identifier associated with the RG. The AN may send the encapsulated RS to an Internet Protocol (IP) edge. The AN may also be configured to receive a responsive router advertisement (RA) from the IP edge and may forward the RA to the RG based on the access identifier.
US08619793B2 Dynamic assignment of traffic classes to a priority queue in a packet forwarding device
An apparatus and method for dynamic assignment of classes of traffic to a priority queue. Bandwidth consumption by one or more types of packet traffic received in the packet forwarding device is monitored to determine whether the bandwidth consumption exceeds a threshold. If the bandwidth consumption exceeds the threshold, assignment of at least one type of packet traffic of the one or more types of packet traffic is changed from a queue having a first priority to a queue having a second priority.
US08619792B1 Selective multi-modal transmission alteration
System and methods for an interface alteration device that recognizes in incoming data whether certain predefined conditions exist based on condition evaluation rules, and, as appropriate, alters certain portions of the incoming data based on alteration rules. Transmission tolerance levels also define how transmission of data is to be performed so that the destination node to which the altered and/or unaltered data is transmitted will be unaware that alteration has occurred to the data stream.
US08619790B2 Adaptive cache for caching context and for adapting to collisions in a session lookup table
Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and system for an adaptive cache for caching context and for adapting to collisions in session lookup table. A network processor chip may comprise an on-chip cache that stores transport control blocks (TCB) from a TCB array in external memory to reduce latency in active transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) sessions. The on-chip cache may comprise a tag portion implemented using a content addressable memory (CAM) and a data portion implemented using a random access memory (RAM). When a session collision occurs the context of a subsequent network connection may be stored in a data overflow portion of an overflow table in the on-chip cache. A search key associated with the subsequent network connection that comprises network connection parameters may be stored in a tag overflow portion of the overflow table.
US08619786B2 Facilitating distributed channel access for transmissions in a wireless communication environment
Methods and apparatuses are provided for facilitating distributed transmissions among a plurality of access terminals for a transmission sequence. An access point may assign a predecessor transmitter device for each of a plurality of access terminals, and may transmit to each access terminal an instruction to follow a respective preceding transmission by the predecessor transmitter. An access terminal may receive the transmission including the instruction, and may monitor for and detect the preceding transmission. The access terminal may then transmit a transmission after the completion of an interframe space that may follow the detected preceding transmission.
US08619783B2 System and method for coupling communication terminals
Disclosed herein is a system and method for coupling communication terminals. In a communication method performed by a terminal coupler according to the present invention, sequence numbers are sequentially assigned to data packets received from a terminal end device. The data packets with the sequence numbers assigned thereto are individually transferred to a plurality of communication terminals belonging to a same group in conformity with preset scheduling policies. Data packets, received from the plurality of communication terminals belonging to the same group, are reordered by sequence numbers, and the reordered data packets are transferred to the terminal end device.
US08619782B2 Bidirectional packet flow transformation
A network packet includes a packet key that includes one or more source-destination field pairs that each include a source field and a destination field. For each selected source-destination field pair, first and second sections are selected in the packet key. A source field value is extracted from the source field and a destination field value is extracted from the destination field. For each source bit of the source field value: a destination bit is selected from the destination field; an OR logic function is applied to the source bit and the destination bit to generate a first resulting value is stored at the same bit position as the source bit in the first section; an AND logic function is applied to the source bit and the destination bit to generate a second resulting value stored at the same bit position as the source bit in the second section.
US08619781B2 Backplane interface adapter with error control and redundant fabric
A backplane interface adapter with error control and redundant fabric for a high-performance network switch. The error control may be provided by an administrative module that includes a level monitor, a stripe synchronization error detector, a flow controller, and a control character presence tracker. The redundant fabric transceiver of the backplane interface adapter improves the adapter's ability to properly and consistently receive narrow input cells carrying packets of data and output wide striped cells to a switching fabric.
US08619778B2 Method for automatic address allocation to a communication partner and a communication partner
There is described a method for automatic address allocation to at least one communication partner encompassed by a network, whereby a primary communication partner likewise encompassed by the network transfers a data item to the, or one of the, communication partner(s) and whereby the communication partner in question performs a comparison of the data item with a reference data item. Depending on the result of the comparison, either an address is assigned to the communication partner in question or the data item is transferred to a communication partner downstream of the communication partner in question in the network and the data item is modified in conjunction with the transfer of the data item to the downstream communication partner. There is also described a communication partner as well as an automation system for executing the method as well as an automation system with such a communication partner.
US08619776B2 Multiprotocol offload engine architecture
A device and method in which data transmissions to and from host processors in accordance with various protocols (e.g., TCP, UDP, FTP) are translated to and from NACK-Oriented Reliable Multicast (NORM) protocol data transmissions. A Multiprotocol Offload Engine (MOE) software architecture may perform the translations within a Network Interface Card (NIC) or Network Blade (NB) hardware platform. Moving the protocol translation processing from the host processors to the MOE hardware unit removes the protocol processing load from the host processor and significantly increases performance of data transmission among sources and sinks across a network layer.
US08619775B2 Scalable flow transport and delivery network and associated methods and systems
A Flow Transport and Delivery Network (FTDN) supports delivery and transport of flows to destination nodes over parallel overlay networks. Overlay nodes executing overlay processes create and maintain one or more overlay networks. A plurality of sites are connected to each other via the parallel overlay networks with each site comprising one or more transit routers that route the flows to the destination nodes.
US08619771B2 Private allocated networks over shared communications infrastructure
Methods and systems for implementing private allocated networks in a virtual infrastructure are presented. One method operation creates virtual switches in one or more hosts in the virtual infrastructure. Each port in the virtual switches is associated with a private allocated network (PAN) from a group of possible PANs. In one embodiment, one or more PANs share the same physical media for data transmission. The intranet traffic within each PAN is not visible to nodes that are not connected to the each PAN. In another operation, the method defines addressing mode tables for the intranet traffic within each PAN. The entries in the addressing mode tables define addressing functions for routing the intranet traffic between the virtual switches, and different types of addressing functions are supported by the virtual switches.
US08619770B2 Length indicator optimization
A method, node device, signal, and instruction set to reduce the size of data packets in a telecommunications network. The invention provides a solution wherein a size of SDU position identifiers in a header of a packet data unit is optimized depending on the actual size of the packet data unit, reducing the amount of data sent in the telecommunication network.
US08619769B2 Packet-layer transparent packet-switching network
Packet forwarding systems and methods allow packet-layer transparent, multi-stage packet forwarding among a set of network access points. Packet forwarding across networks utilizing the invention is directly controllable through the upper-layer nodes, e.g. routers, interconnected by such transparent packet forwarding networks. The systems and methods provide packet-layer routing, switching and forwarding look-up-table free and transparent forwarding of label-encapsulated multi-protocol packet traffic among a set of routers. The invention enables flexible and efficient packet multicast and anycast capabilities along with real-time dynamic load balancing and fast packet-level traffic protection rerouting. The invention replaces the need for packet forwarding look-up-tables in a router interconnect network by a set of rules using which such network forwards packets directly based on their forwarding labels inserted in the packet headers by the routers exchanging packets through said network, thus simplifying network management and equipment implementation, and facilitating optimization of packet traffic flow across communications networks.
US08619767B2 Communication terminal and communication system
A communication terminal of the present invention includes a first communication unit used for communication including at least a voice call, an operation input unit for acquiring instruction input from a user, a second communication unit for performing communication with a predetermined object apparatus equipped with a function capable of receiving access via at least an external network, and a control unit that, when a voice call channel is established to another communication terminal, and an access permission instruction is inputted by the user, performs setting with respect to the object apparatus to permit the access from the another communication terminal via the external network, and transmits, to the another communication terminal, access information for performing the access to the object apparatus via the external network.
US08619765B2 Automatic reconfiguration of layer 3 device to layer 2 device upon detection of upstream NAT/NAPT device
In one embodiment, a network device is provided that includes a DHCP server; a NAT/NAPT facility; and a logic engine configured to detect a presence of an upstream NAT/NAPT service, the logic engine being further configured to disable the DHCP server and the NAT/NAPT facility in response to detecting the presence of the upstream NAT/NAPT service.
US08619763B2 Method and apparatus for storing and reproducing interactive service of digital broadcast
A method, an apparatus, and an information recording medium for storing and reproducing an interactive service capable of efficiently storing and processing interactive signaling information are provided. The information recording medium has recorded thereon interactive signaling information of a digital broadcast and includes a first region storing information on a time when the interactive signaling information occurs, a second region storing a type of the interactive signaling information and identification information; and a third region storing signaling items of the interactive signaling information. In the method and apparatus, filtering and monitoring using hardware or software to acquire interactive signaling information on a service stream for reproducing an interactive service is unnecessary because the signaling information is separately stored.
US08619761B2 Circuit switched domain codec list for single radio voice call continuity
A Circuit Switched (CS) domain codec list for Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (SR-VCC) is provided. An apparatus providing such a list can include preparing a list of include preparing a list of circuit switched capabilities of a terminal device, sending the list to a network device during attachment, receiving the list at the network device, storing the list in the network device, sending the list to a second network device, receiving the list at the second network device, and using the list in handing over the terminal device to the second network device.
US08619759B2 System for video call processing
A system for video call processing is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a first communication device having a controller element to establish by way of a PSTN port of the first communication device a Public Switched Telephone Network communication session with a second communication device, submit by way of a broadband port of the first communication device a first Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message to determine whether the second communication device has video capability, receive a second SIP message indicating the second communication device is video capable, present a notice indicating the second communication device is video capable, receive a request to establish video communications with the second communication device, and submit a third SIP message to establish a video communication session with the second communication device. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US08619757B2 Method and apparatus for delivery of data-based/voice services over piconets and wireless LANs (WLANs) coupled to 3GPP devices including protocol architecture and information elements relating to short message services (SMS) over WLANs
Method and apparatus delivering voice/data services within a piconet operating over a limited range or over a WLAN communicating with 3GPP devices by reformatting data into IP format before delivering to the WLAN. The service is short message service (SMS). Upon receipt of an SMS message, relevant routing information is retrieved. A PDGW address for the SMS message is identified and is sent to the PDGW address which identifies the WLAN user equipment (UE) for receiving the SMS and reformats the SMS message into IP format (text or encapsulation) for delivery to the UE. A protocol architecture is provided for SMS delivery over WLANs, in particular, for UMTS/CDMA based SMS over WLAN through two alternative mechanisms, i.e., SMS tunneling and SMS proxy, for protocols for the delivery of SMS across the WLAN. The invention enhances standard 802.11 in the context of UMTS and CDMA 2000; as well as other scenarios.
US08619755B2 Systems and methods for providing a dual-master mode in a synchronous ethernet environment
Embodiments of a dual-master mode Ethernet node are provided herein. The dual-master mode Ethernet node includes a first multiplexer configured to select between a local oscillator signal and a primary reference source (PRS) signal to provide a reference clock signal, a digital phase-locked loop (DPLL) configured to generate a master clock signal based on the reference clock signal, a phase rotator configured to rotate a phase of the master clock signal based on a frequency error between the master clock signal and an extracted clock signal to generate a slave clock signal, and a second multiplexer configured to select between the master clock signal and the slave clock signal to provide a transmit clock signal. The dual-master mode Ethernet node can dynamically generate the transmit clock based on either the extracted clock or the PRS without re-performing the auto-negotiation process.
US08619750B2 Co-existence for co-located radios which operate in the same frequency band
A co-existence method is described. The method comprises setting a priority level of a slot based on the likelihood that the slot will be required by a first radio and signaling the priority level to radio which is co-located with the first radio and which shares a resource with the first radio. The slot may, for example, be a re-transmission slot following a primary transmission slot or may be a sniff anchor point. The likelihood may be determined based on one or more factors, such as historical data or knowledge of the activity of a peer of the first radio.
US08619747B2 Method and apparatus for providing and utilizing a non-contention based channel in a wireless communication system
In a wireless communication system comprising at least one evolved Node-B (eNB) and a plurality of wireless transmit/receive units (WRTUs), a non-contention based (NCB) channel is established, maintained, and utilized. The NCB channel is allocated for use by one or more WTRUs in the system for utilization in a variety of functions, and the allocation is communicated to the WTRUs. The wireless communication system analyzes the allocation of the NCB channel as required, and the NCB channel is reallocated as required.
US08619737B2 Mobile node and communication control method
A technology is disclosed for a mobile device with multiple interfaces to make use of its multiple interfaces capability with Mobile IP. According to this technology, MN (Mobile Node) 100 comprises a cellular interface to connect to the cellular network 112 and a Wireless-LAN interface to connect to the local network 122 and 132, and sends a Binding Update message to set the address of the Wireless-LAN interface to CoA (Care-of Address) to HA (Home Agent) at the cellular network or CN (Correspondent Node) 160. This Binding Update message includes a special label indication that the cellular interface is currently connected to the home network.
US08619735B2 Methods and apparatus to register with external networks in wireless network environments
Example methods and apparatus to register with external networks in wireless network environments are disclosed. A disclosed example method involves sending a registration request from the device to a network entity and receiving a registration response at the device. The registration response indicates one or more registration plans. The example method also involves selecting a registration plan from the one or more registration plans and sending registration information associated with the device to the network entity. The registration information is selected based on the selected registration plan.
US08619730B2 Method and system for establishing a connection outside a mesh by including network connectivity information in router configuration messages
A Wireless mobile communication (WMC) device may maintain user preference information, which is unique to the WMC device capabilities and the device user. WMC devices located in near proximity of each other may be enabled to form an ad hoc wireless network wherein each WMC device within the network may function as a router for other devices. Utilizing such routing capability within an ad hoc wireless network may allow WMC devices that are out of their wireless coverage area to use other WMC devices within such ad hoc wireless network to route any impending communication through such other WMC devices wherein these devices may have wireless connectivity to their coverage networks. WMC devices that are may have external connectivity may be enable to be selective in routing information and/or data from other WMC devices in the ad hoc network.
US08619720B2 Method and apparatus for power control of multiple channels in a wireless communication system
Techniques to control the transmit power of multiple transmissions in a wireless communication system. A transmitting source (e.g., a base station) receives from a receiving device (e.g., a remote terminal) a number of feedbacks of one or more (coded or uncoded) bit streams and possibly one or more messages. The bit stream may include one or more power control sub-channels used to send one or more metrics (e.g., power control commands, erasure indicator bits, or quality indicator bits) for one or more sets of channels. The bits allocated for each sub-channel may be aggregated to form one or more lower rate feedback sub-streams having improved reliability. The transmit power of two or more channels can be (1) independently adjusted based on the feedbacks from respective sub-channels, or (2) adjusted together based on feedback from one sub-channel, with the power difference being adjusted based on feedback received another sub-channel.
US08619718B2 Method and apparatus for coordinating a radio network controller and node B resource management for high speed downlink packet data service
The architecture of the high-speed shared service provides a Node B yielding various sets of information that answer a set of basic questions that a data service needs. Many potential measurements the Node B can make are provided to the RNC to enable a resource manager to perform certain functions and which can be used to answer the set of basic questions.
US08619717B2 Rate adaptive transmission scheme for MIMO systems
A rate adaptive transmission scheme for MIMO systems, which can transmit a variable number of data symbol streams, provide transmit diversity for each data symbol stream, and fully utilize the total transmit power of the system and the full power of each antenna. In one method, at least one data symbol stream is received for transmission from a plurality of antennas. Each data symbol stream is scaled with a respective weight corresponding to the amount of transmit power allocated to that stream. The scaled data symbol stream(s) are multiplied with a transmit basis matrix to provide a plurality of transmit symbol streams for the plurality of antennas. The transmit basis matrix (e.g., a Walsh-Hadamard matrix or a DFT matrix) is defined such that each data symbol stream is transmitted from all antennas and each transmit symbol stream is transmitted at (or near) the full power for the associated antenna.
US08619714B2 Method of allocating resource and method of forming ranging channel
An access point allocates a resource for ranging to an access terminal included therein, and receives a ranging channel that includes an identifier of the access terminal and a plurality of pilots. The AP checks the access terminal by using the received identifier, and measures a round trip delay of the access terminal based on the received pilots.
US08619703B2 Access point device and a communications system for effectively using a proxy ARP function
In an access point device, a controller controls a wired interface communicating on wire with a network switcher accommodating access point devices and a wireless interface communicating wirelessly with a wireless terminal device located in its service area. Services are handed over between the access point devices responsively to the wireless terminal device moving. Access point devices before and after the handover of services are defined as a handover source and a hand over destination, respectively. A hand over at the hand over destination causes a data frame to be generated containing the MAC address of the wireless terminal device as a source address, a broadcast address as a destination address and address information of its own device. A table holds terminal connection information defining the relationship of the MAC address to the IP address of the wireless terminal device. The data frame is transmitted to the network switcher through the wired interface.
US08619702B2 Radio network control
The radio node controller of one subnet sends a communication to an access terminal over a control channel through the infrastructure of another subnet. The radio node controller maintains an open traffic channel with an access terminal when the access terminal moves from a coverage area of the first subnet to a coverage area of the second subnet and when the access terminal uses a carrier in the first subnet that cannot be used in the second subnet. In a radio access network including a first and a second subnet, in which the first subnet includes both a first radio node controller and radio nodes that are configured in accordance with one 1xEV-DO standard and the second subnet includes radio nodes configured in accordance with another 1xEV-DO standard, the first radio node controller maintains an open traffic channel with an access terminal when the access terminal moves from the coverage area of the first subnet to the coverage area of the second subnet.
US08619688B2 System and method for indication of contiguous resource allocations in OFDM-based systems
A mobile station and base station are capable of communicating in a wireless network via a set of contiguous or non-contiguous sub-bands. The base station transmits a resource allocation to the mobile station. The resource allocation message includes a sub-band index (SBI) field, a number of messages field, a contiguous allocation indicator field, or a combination of these. Based on the SBI field, one or more of the number of messages field and contiguous allocation indicator field, the mobile station can identify the set of sub-bands allocated to it by the base station.
US08619681B2 Dynamic call anchoring
A non-transitory computer-readable medium can include includes instructions to perform dynamic call anchoring. The instructions can include call anchor logic programmed to determine if an outbound call leg being initiated from a mobile unit should be anchored at an anchor point based on evaluating anchoring criteria to input data. The call anchor logic can providing an anchor control signal to cause the outbound call leg to be one of (i) anchored at the anchor point or (ii) connected to a called party without anchoring at the anchor point. The anchor point can correspond to a node in an associated private network where the outbound call leg and another call leg are connected together that is outside of a service provider network for the mobile unit.
US08619675B2 Technique for emergency session handling in a communication network
Techniques of emergency session handling in a communication network are provided, in which a packet switched network control function configured to handle emergency sessions established from a user equipment via a packet switched network access, e.g. an Emergency Call Session Control Function (E-CSCF), is associated with a switching control node of a circuit switched network. The switching control node is capable of handling emergency session established via a circuit switched network access, e.g. a Mobile Switching Center Server (MSC-S) of a mobile network. Handling of emergency sessions established via the packet switched network access is forwarded from the packet switched network control function to the associated switching control node.
US08619672B2 Apparatus and method for multi-sector velocity mobile velocity and doppler estimate for synchronous communication systems
An apparatus and method for estimating velocity and Doppler frequency comprising acquiring a first plurality of time-of-arrival (TOA) measurements from a first plurality of base stations at a first time; acquiring a second and a third plurality of TOA measurements from a second and third plurality of base stations at a second time and a third time; determining a plurality of line-of-sight distance measurements using the first, second and third pluralities of TOA measurements; determining a plurality of velocity estimates and a plurality of angle of arrival (AOA) estimates, using the plurality of LOS distance measurements; determining a plurality of Doppler frequency estimates using the plurality of velocity estimates and the plurality of AOA estimates; and using a processor for determining an average Doppler frequency estimate over a plurality of sectors, wherein the first, second and third pluralities of TOA measurements are acquired over the plurality of sectors.
US08619671B2 Transmission reception apparatus of data using polarization transmission in los radio communication system
Provided is a method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving data using a polarization transmission in a line-of-sight (LOS) radio communication system. An for transmitting data using a polarization transmission in a LOS radio communication system may include: an antenna unit including at least two antennas to transmit or receive via a different polarization path; a polarization data setting unit to set the different polarization path for each of the at least two antennas; and a resource allocation unit to set a transmission scheme according to a data characteristic and a service type, and to allocate a resource to be transmitted via the different polarization path according to the transmission scheme.
US08619669B2 Multicast communications within a wireless communications network
Methods of providing multicast communications within a wireless communications network are provided. In an example, an access network forms a target sector group, the target sector group including at least one target sector from among a plurality of sectors, each target sector expected to have one or more access terminals belonging to a given multicast group. The access network also forms a supporting sector group, the supporting sector group including at least one supporting sector from among the plurality of sectors, each supporting sector not being a target sector and satisfying a proximity metric (e.g., being adjacent to one or more target sectors) with respect to at least one target sector. The access network transmits multicast messages associated with the given multicast group in the at least one target sector and the at least one supporting sector.
US08619659B2 Method for transmitting messages related to a broadcast or multicast service in a cellular communications system
A method of providing a point-to-point multicast service for transmitting data from a network element to a plurality of terminals in a communication system. The method includes transmitting a first message including service available information from the network element to the plurality of terminals, and transmitting a second message including radio bearer information from the network element to the plurality of terminals. The first message includes a pointer to the radio bearer information.
US08619654B2 Base station selection method for heterogeneous overlay networks
A base station selection method is disclosed to select between two base stations for connecting a mobile device in a wireless neighborhood to a network. The wireless neighborhood may support multiple carriers and multiple radio access technologies. The base station selection method performs mobility estimation of the mobile device, where possible, to perform cell selection, but is also capable of performing cell selection without knowing the mobility of the device. Considerations such as the battery level of the mobile device, traffic demands of the network, and load balancing of network resources are used to make optimal selections for the mobile device as it travels through the wireless neighborhood.
US08619652B2 System and method for adaptive sleep of wirelessly networked devices
A system and method for power saving in a wireless network for transmitting uncompressed audio/video (A/V) data disclosed. The method includes an adaptive sleep period scheme in which the current sleep period is computed based at least partly on one or more previous sleep periods. The method also includes entering an inactive state by a coordinator as well as non-coordinator stations in the wireless network in which no beacons are transmitted.
US08619650B2 Method, apparatus and system for scheduling in a wireless communication network
Devices, systems and methods to schedule a service period at a wireless network. A wireless network controller of the wireless network may set a start time of a service period. The start time is no less than a predefined time after transmitting by the wireless network controller an information element containing the service period scheduling information.
US08619647B2 Macro diversity in a mobile data network with edge breakout
Macro diversity is managed at the edge in a mobile data network with edge data Macro diversity is managed at the edge in a mobile data network with edge data breakout with a component in a Mobile Internet Optimization Platform (MIOP) referred to as MIOP@NodeB. A set of NodeBs that are in simultaneous communication with user equipment are defined as an active set. One of the MIOP@NodeBs of the active set is selected as a master, with the remaining MIOP@NodeBs in the active set being designated slaves. During uplink of signaling data, the signaling data is sent from the UE to all the NodeBs in the active set, which send the signaling data to each of their corresponding MIOP@NodeBs. Each slave MIOP@NodeB sends its data to the master MIOP@NodeB, which combines the data from all into a best packet.
US08619644B2 Robust coding in multi-hop networks
A method and apparatus make use of a multiple receiver frame aggregation for creating data units so that they require acknowledgment of a single packet data unit by a group of several intended receivers. A multi-hop topology information regarding the neighborhood of a destination node can be used to derive the intended receivers which acknowledge a packet transmission besides the primary destination node of the packet.
US08619642B2 Controlling a jitter buffer
A method and a network device for controlling a jitter buffer are disclosed. The method comprises providing a jitter buffer to counter the effect of jitter in a communication channel and comprises determining a duplex mode of the communication channel. The method further comprises adjusting parameters of the jitter buffer in response to determination of the duplex mode, half-duplex mode and full-duplex mode respectively having respective sets of parameters associated therewith. A network device comprises a jitter buffer to counter the effect of jitter in a communication channel and a controller operable to determine a duplex mode of the communication channel and to adjust parameters of the jitter buffer in response to determination of the duplex mode, half-duplex mode and full-duplex mode having respective sets of parameters associated therewith.
US08619637B2 Multiple-termination routing in a wireless network environment with an internet protocol core
Methods for multiple-termination routing in a wireless network environment that includes an Internet Protocol (“IP”) core are described herein. One method includes receiving a call delivery request. The call delivery request includes a called number. The call features associated with the called number are determined. A determination is made whether the call features include multiple-termination routing information for a plurality of potential terminating devices. When the call features include the multiple-termination routing information including at least one termination to be routed utilizing Session Initiation Protocol (“SIP”), a call setup is initiated to each of the plurality of potential terminating devices.
US08619631B2 Information communication system, information communication method, node device included in information communication system and recording medium recording information processing program
The present invention is to provide an information communication system with its communication load of the communication network as a whole reduced.The above problem is solved with the information communication system formed by participation of a plurality of node devices mutually connected through the communication network, wherein a node device having a memory means for memorizing an IP address indicative of the specific node device of one or more, and an node ID corresponding to the IP address, wherein in a case where the node ID of other node device (node A) is further memorized in an area of a memory means, to which a node ID corresponding to a node device (node K) of a sending source of received information belongs, and in a case where a HOP number of from the node K to the own node device is smaller than a HOP number of from the node A to the own node device, an IP address and identification information of the node K being the information sending source is memorized in the memory means in place of the IP address and the node ID of the node A memorizing the node ID.
US08619629B2 Mobile terminal and network node
Disclosed is a technique for surely supporting multihoming for a mobile terminal (mobile node) moving in a local mobility domain. A mobile node (MN) 11 connects via an IF 110 to a mobile access gateway (MAG) 102 that supports multihoming, and further attempts to connect via an IF 111 to a MAG 103 that does not support multihoming. Under these conditions, according to this technique, when the MN recognizes that the MAG 103 does not support multihoming, the MN notifies a local mobility domain that the MAG 103 does not support multihoming if connection with the MAG 103 is not yet established, and notifies the local mobility domain of information on a connection to a local mobility domain other than the MAG 103 (connection with the MAG 102) if the connection with the MAG 103 is already established.
US08619626B2 Method and apparatus for instance identifier based on a unique device identifier
A method and apparatus for use in a communications network whereby an Instance Identifier (ID) is created to uniquely identify a device such as a mobile device or User Equipment (UE) in the communications network.
US08619625B2 Network and method for the computer-assisted operation of an autonomous network comprising a plurality of autonomous terminals
An autonomous network has a plurality of autonomous terminals, equipped with at least one programmable transceiver, and which are embodied to independently identify frequency ranges provided for a communication link and used to reconfigure the programmable transceiver thereof. One or more technical system states of the network, with which a specific operation of the network is described, is defined. One or more sets of rules are defined for the autonomous terminal, one rule comprising authorized operational states and/or configurations of the autonomous terminals. The effects of the actual operation state and/or configurations of the autonomous terminals on the actual system state of the network is monitored. The sets of rules and/or definition of new rules, which comprise actual operational states or configurations of the autonomous terminals, is adapted when the actual system state of the network differs from the defined system state of the network.
US08619624B2 Network performance estimating device, network performance estimating method and storage medium having a network performance estimating program stored therein
A network performance estimating device for estimating network performance of a parallel computing machine for executing plural processes in parallel, includes a communication data obtaining unit that obtains communication data output from plural calculation nodes when the plural processes are executed by using the plural calculation nodes, a design estimating unit for referring to a design information storing unit that stores design information defining a network as an estimation target to execute a simulation on communications when the communication data obtained by the communication data obtaining unit are transmitted through the network as the estimation target, and renews estimation information representing an estimation result of the estimation target network stored by an estimation information storing unit on the basis of the obtained simulation result, and a communication data transmission unit for transmitting the communication data obtained by the communication data obtaining unit to an addressed calculation node.
US08619617B2 Data transmission method, system and device in multi-carrier system
A data transmission method, system and device in multi-carrier system, which relate to wireless communication field, are provided for solving the problem, that is, when the scheduling methods for same time unit in the network side of multi-carrier system include Semi-Persistent Scheduling (SPS) and dynamic scheduling at the same time, how the terminal transmits data in said time unit. Before transmitting the uplink data by using the time unit, the terminal determines that the network side schedules the terminal to implement SPS uplink transmission and dynamic scheduling uplink transmission in the time unit by using the uplink component carrier and the number of uplink component carriers which can be used to implement uplink transmission by the terminal is more than one; the terminal selects parts or all of multiple available uplink component carriers, and implements SPS uplink transmission and/or dynamic scheduling uplink transmission in the time unit by using the selected uplink component carriers.
US08619616B2 Wireless connection control
Controlling a wireless connection of a mobile wireless communication device to a wireless communication network. When the mobile wireless communication device is connected to a base transceiver station through a radio frequency link, the mobile wireless communication device detects a signal quality of the radio frequency link. If the detected signal quality is at or below a first threshold and decreasing over a first detection time interval, then the mobile wireless communication device estimates a maximum response time interval until the detected signal quality of the radio frequency link is below a second threshold. The mobile wireless communication device delays transmitting only those control messages that cause the wireless communication network to respond to subsequent control messages beyond the estimated maximum response time interval.
US08619615B2 Mobile station apparatus and communication method
A mobile station apparatus which communicates with a base station apparatus using a plurality of component carriers, transmits uplink control information to the base station apparatus using a single physical uplink control channel in a plurality of uplink component carriers, regardless of whether or not a plurality of physical uplink control channels is assigned by the base station apparatus and, when each physical uplink shared channel of the plurality of uplink component carriers including a first uplink component carrier on which the uplink control information is transmitted using the physical uplink control channel is assigned in the same subframe by the base station apparatus, transmits the uplink control information to the base station apparatus using the physical uplink shared channel of the first uplink component carrier.
US08619613B2 Random access resource configuration
The invention relates to a method of configuration of random access resources in the case of carrier aggregation wherein one or more uplink and downlink component carriers can be configured by the network, the method comprising the resolution of carrier ambiguity in case of downlink and uplink asymmetric component carrier (CC) configuration by allowing the network to determine on which downlink component carrier the UE camps on. The invention further relates to a method of random access and a network entity and a user equipment for implementing the methods.
US08619610B2 System and method for determining effects of non-network elements on network resource utilization in a mobile network
Various methods, systems, and computer program products are disclosed for determining effects of non-network elements on resource utilization. According to various implementations of the invention, a method may include receiving traffic data. The method may include associating the network traffic data with a non-network element, which may operate on the mobile network but are not part of an infrastructure of the mobile network. The method may include determining a first communication procedure used by the one or more non-network elements based on the associated network traffic data. The method may include determining a utilization of network resources by the one or more non-network elements based on the first communication procedure. The network may further include determining a change in the utilization of network resources based on a second communication procedure.
US08619608B2 Other radio technology / GERAN interworking for neighbor cell measurement reporting
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus places an indication of a wireless communication system cell measurement in a measurement report message, where the indication comprises a corresponding frequency index, and a first part and a second part of an m-bit value representing a physical layer cell identification in a first and a second field, respectively, and a k-bit value representing a measurement result in the second field corresponding to the index. The apparatus then sends the measurement report message to a network interface.
US08619605B2 Method and apparatus for maintaining port state tables in a forwarding plane of a network element
A method, apparatus and computer program product for maintaining port state tables in a forwarding plane of a network element are presented. The state of a first set of ports associated with a first Forwarding Data Unit (FDU) are periodically determined, the first FDU being one of a plurality of FDUs. The determined state is used to update a first port state table of the port state database associated with the first FDU. The determined state is transmitted to each other FDUs on the network element to enable each of the other FDUs to store the state of the first set of ports in a port state database local to each of the other FDUs. The port state database is used by the forwarding plane to perform fast reroute of packets.
US08619597B2 Layer 2/layer 3 interworking via physical loopback
A method for transmitting data in a layer two network having layer three routing capabilities includes transmitting, via a physical loopback, the data from a layer two switching component of a multi service platform to a layer three switching component of the multi service platform. The data specifies an initial routing path for the data that identifies a first layer two switch, and the method includes determining a new routing path for the data, the new routing path identifying a second layer two switch different than the first layer two switch. The method also includes updating the data to specify the new routing path, and transmitting, via the physical loopback, the data that specifies the new routing path from the layer three switching component to the layer two switching component.
US08619596B2 System and method for using centralized network performance tables to manage network communications
A system for centrally controlling packet network communications may include an input/output (I/O) unit configured to communicate data packets over a packet network with multiple network communications devices, a processing unit in communication with the I/O unit and configured to communicate with the network communications devices via respective node segments, and a memory in communication with the processing unit and configured to store a table. The processing unit may be configured to receive and store network performance information of node segments generated by the network communications devices. The network performance information may be stored in the table in association with indicia representative of the node segments, respectively. The processing unit may further be configured to control network communications by the network communications devices over the node segments based on the network performance information stored in the table.
US08619593B2 Management of fixed wireless devices through an IP network
A device may manage fixed wireless installations. The device may receive data relating to the fixed wireless installations, where the data is received from a number of sources, including the fixed wireless installations and network devices used to implement a long term evolution (LTE) cellular network to which the fixed wireless installations connect. The device may analyze the data to determine optimizations to improve the operation of one or more of the fixed wireless installations or the LTE cellular network. The device may change, in response to the analysis, a configuration of at least one of the fixed wireless installations and at least one of the network devices.
US08619591B2 Transmission method and assembling method for physical layer operations, administration and maintenance (PLOAM) message in a passive optical network
The present invention provides a transmission method for a physical layer operations, administration and maintenance (PLOAM) message in a passive optical network. The method includes: a transmitter dividing a PLOAM message to generate more than two new PLOAM messages, each of which comprises at least a message identification (Message ID) field (1501); and the transmitter transmitting the new PLOAM messages identified with Message IDs (1502). The invention also provides an assembling method for a PLOAM message in a passive optical network and a transmission device for a PLOAM message in a passive optical network. By using the method of the invention, the invention improves the efficiency of the PLOAM message transmission, avoids bandwidth waste, and simultaneously improves the flexibility and timeliness of the PLOAM message transmission between an OLT and an ONU.
US08619590B2 Method for transmitting OAM message and processing error in PON system
A method of transmitting an Operations, Administration and Maintenance (OAM) message and of processing an error in a Passive Optical Network (PON) system is provided. Using an OAM packet format that may be used in common in the PON system, a process of transmitting or receiving an OAM message may be simplified, an efficiency of the process may be increased, and an Optical Network Unit (ONU) may be managed at a high speed.
US08619576B2 Selective topology routing for distributed data collection
In one embodiment, a device, such as a network management server, determines a traffic matrix of a mesh network, where the traffic matrix indicates an amount of traffic per type of traffic transitioning between the mesh network and a global computer network via one or more current root devices. One or more optimized root devices may then be selected for corresponding directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) based on the amount of traffic and type of traffic. As such, a DAG formation request may be transmitted to the selected root devices, carrying a characteristic for a corresponding DAG to form by the respective selected root devices that indicates which one or more types of traffic correspond to the corresponding DAG.
US08619569B2 Method and apparatus for stream adaption in a packet switched network
A method is disclosed for use in a packet switched network, comprising carrying descriptor information relating to options for stream adaptation, for example media stream adaptation, in the packet switched network using at least one of the Next Step in Signalling, NSIS, and Resource Reservation Protocol, RSVP, signalling protocols. Carrying the descriptor information may comprise receiving (S120), processing (S130), generating (S110), distributing (S140), transmitting (S140) or using the descriptor information in any way. The method aims to provide a generally applicable solution for cross-layer information forwarding, with one realization of the general solution using the Layer Independent Descriptor as the forwarded information. Specific NSIS and RSVP object formats are also proposed.
US08619567B2 Method for pacing multi-rate time sensitive traffic on Ethernet and bridge connected networks
A system and method for delaying packet transmissions within source devices and network bridges for the purpose of reducing the worst-case delays associated with forwarding of time-sensitive packets through a bridged network. The minimal bridged network system include a first device node attached to a first network link, a second device node attached to a second network link, and a bridge connecting the first network link to the second network link. The method and system includes shaping the traffic within a source device or bridge (shaping involves spreading bunched packets over time). Within a bridge, shaping occurs at each output port of the bridge, applying a distinct shaper to the traffic coming from each of the input ports, as well as distinct shapers for the distinct traffic class coming each of the input ports. According to the system and method disclosed herein, the present invention ensures small latencies when passing through network bridges, regardless of the network topology or other concurrent data-packet transfers, subject to the restriction that the cumulative time-sensitive bandwidth flowing through any link is less than the prenegotiated rate below that of the link's cumulative bandwidth capacity.
US08619565B1 Integrated circuit for network delay and jitter testing
An integrated circuit having a corresponding method comprises one or more ports to transmit and receive packets of first data; and a forwarding engine to transfer the packets of the first data between the ports; wherein at least one of the ports comprises a packet generator to originate a first packet of the first data comprising second data representing a time of transmission of the first packet of the first data, a network transmit interface to transmit the first packet of the first data, and a network receive interface to receive a second packet of the first data transmitted in reply to the first packet of the first data; and a controller to calculate a network delay based on the second data representing the time of transmission of the first packet of the first data and the second packet of the first data.
US08619564B2 Synchronized bandwidth reservations for real-time communications
A method of initiating a communication session includes transmitting, using a call signaling protocol, a call invitation from a first node over a network for receipt by a second node. The call invitation comprises a list of one or more codecs available to the first node for use when transmitting data over a network. The call invitation additionally comprises a traffic specification associated with each of the one or more codecs. The traffic specification associated with each of the one or mode codecs comprises a plurality of bandwidth attributes that describe the flow of data when transmitting data using each of the one or more codecs.
US08619563B2 Method and apparatus for interference management in a wireless communication system
Systems and methodologies are described herein that facilitate interference control and resource management in a wireless communication system. As described herein, a base station, terminal, and/or other entity in a wireless communication system that observes interference from one or more other network entities can construct and communicate resource utilization messages (RUMs) in order to request the interfering network entities to conduct power backoff on designated resources. Parameters constructed as a function of quality of service (QoS) and/or priority metrics (such as head-of-line delays, queue lengths, burst sizes, delay targets, average rates, or the like) can be included within the RUM, such that an entity receiving the RUM can compute QoS changes associated with various power backoff levels in order to select a power backoff level that maximizes overall system QoS performance.
US08619559B2 System and method for enabling energy efficient ethernet networks with time-sensitive protocols
A system and method for enabling energy efficient Ethernet networks with time-sensitive protocols. Time-stamped packets generated by a time-sensitive protocol rely on fixed latency in a transit time through a transmission subsystem. An energy efficiency control policy in a network device governs a transmission of time-stamped packets in accordance with energy efficiency initiatives controlled by the energy efficiency control policy. In one embodiment, time-stamped packets can be dropped or modified to account for transitions by the transmission subsystem into an energy saving state. In another embodiment, transitions by the transmission subsystem into or out of an energy saving state can be impacted by the existence of time-stamped packets scheduled for transmission.
US08619557B2 System and method for managing network traffic load upon outage of a network node
In one embodiment, a scheme is disclosed for managing network traffic load upon outage of a network node disposed in a wireless packet data network, wherein the network node is adapted to serve a substantially large number of mobile nodes using respective data connections. Upon encountering an outage-causing condition, the network node releases the data connections and generates session termination messages for transmission to the mobile nodes. Responsive to receiving the session termination messages, the mobile nodes variably delay their data session reconnect requests based on randomization.
US08619556B2 Call control
Described herein is a method of controlling call admission for packet switched networks, each network including at least two local area networks (50, 60) and a connecting network (70). The method comprises determining success rates of previous calls from a first local area network to a second local area network and deciding to drop the call attempt based on the success rates of previous calls. In one embodiment, the current packet loss rate for calls from the first local area network to the second local area network is also determined, and the decision to drop the call attempt is based on that current packet loss rate. Additionally, the decision to drop the call attempt may be based on both the current packet loss rate and the success rates of previous calls. It is also possible to transmit a burst of trial data from a first node in the first local area network through the connecting network to a second node in the second local area network, have the burst of trial data received at the second node reflected back to the first node, and to compare the reflected burst of trial data to the transmitted burst of trial data to determine whether transmission of a continuous stream of data can be initiated from the first node in the first local area network to the second node in the second local area network once the reflected burst of trial data has been received at the first node through the connecting network.
US08619555B2 Method and system for path selection in a network
Method and system for handling error events on a current path for processing an I/O request for reading information from and writing information to a storage space is provided. A system is able to communicate with the storage space via more than one path. If the current path reports an error event, then an alternate path quality is determined to ascertain whether the alternate path will generate an error similar to the current path. The alternate path quality is determined based on a plurality of factors which are assigned certain weights. The weights are determined based on a likely contribution of each factor to a repetition of the error reported by the current path. If the alternate path quality is equal to or exceeds a programmable threshold value, then the alternate path is selected.
US08619552B2 Virtual router with a priority value per port
A virtual router spans a number of physical routing devices. A set of physical ports on one of the physical routing devices is logically represented as a trunk. A respective port priority value is associated with each of those ports, and a device priority value is associated with the physical routing device. If a port in the trunk is out-of-service, then the device priority value can be adjusted by the port priority value associated with the out-of-service port. A corrective action can be implemented if the device priority value fails to satisfy a condition. For example, the physical routing device may failover to another one of the physical routing devices spanned by the virtual router.
US08619551B2 Protection path reservation method and node unit
A protection path reservation method which reserves protection paths to avoid a node failure for each transmission path on a network formed of a plurality of nodes, comprising assuming the nodes as an imaginary failure node in turn in a condition in which the node failure is not present in the network, and selecting N neighbor nodes connected to the imaginary failure node through N links, wherein the imaginary failure nodes sequentially transmit protection path reservation request messages to neighbor nodes, and the nodes which have received the protection path reservation request messages sequentially, one by one, reserve N−1 protection paths starting from the nodes.
US08619550B2 Protecting connection traffic using filters
A connection between network nodes in a communication network is backed up. A failover switched path such as a label-switched path (LSP) is created starting at a first network node of a connection and ending at the second node of the connection, while bypassing the protected connection. In the event of connection failure, data is transmitted through the failover switched path (e.g., LSP). A network operator can selectively protect different types of data by using filters that bind one or more types of traffic received over one or more interfaces to different failover switched paths (LSPs).
US08619543B2 Method and apparatus for walsh space assignment in a communication system
Techniques for Walsh space assignment are disclosed. In one aspect, a list of Walsh functions is maintained in the base station and mobile stations. A Walsh space indicator is transmitted to indicate which of the Walsh functions on the list are to be used in communication. The Walsh space indicator is updated according to the dynamically varying transmit power available or the use of Walsh functions within the base station. Methods by which a mobile station can request Walsh space information are provided. In another aspect, a Walsh space indicator channel is continually broadcast for mobile stations to detect the Walsh space indicator therefrom. In yet another aspect, the Walsh space indicator is used to initialize convolutional encoders and decoders, to provide a mechanism for mitigating against errors introduced while receiving Walsh space indicators. Various other aspects are also presented.
US08619538B2 Communication system and method over local area network wiring
A device for enabling a local area network wiring structure to simultaneously carry digital data and analog telephone signals on the same transmission medium. It is particularly applicable to a network in star topology, in which remote data units (e.g. personal computers) are each connected to a hub through a cable comprising at least two pairs of conductors, providing a data communication path in each direction. Modules at each end of the cable provide a phantom path for telephony (voice band), signals between a telephone near the data set and a PBX, through both conductor pairs in a phantom circuit arrangement. All such communication paths function simultaneously and without mutual interference. The modules comprise simple and inexpensive passive circuit components.
US08619537B2 Optical pickup device and method of manufacturing the same
Provided is an optical pickup device capable of preventing a soldering work from physically damaging any part of a housing of the optical pickup device. In the optical pickup device to be provided, a circuit board fixed to an LD holder and a circuit board covering a housing from below are connected via a solder joint. An inner-side part of an upper-end portion of an external sidewall of the housing located near the connecting position is cut away to form a cut surface. When a soldering iron is used to form the solder joint to connect the two circuit boards, the cut surface prevents the soldering iron from touching the external sidewall and thereby preventing this part of the external sidewall from being damaged by the soldering iron.
US08619525B1 Offset loop for wobble
An offset correction is automatically determined and routinely updated to reduce or eliminate data retrieval errors that may be caused by low level distortion in optical disc data storage recording, re-recording and retrieval system. An offset control loop is provided for reading information from a modulated wobble signal with which the data is recorded to an optical disc data storage medium to provide detection of an offset and correction of that offset to facilitate implementation of precise timing synchronization and/or encoded information contact in the system. The offset detector measures a wobble signal and mathematically converts detected information regarding the measured wobble signal to an offset correction by integrating the wobble signal over a specific time interval and comparing the integrated value to an expected integrated value. The integration may be performed over at least one period of the sinusoidal wobble signal, and the correction added to the wobble signal.
US08619522B2 Optical pickup and optical read/write apparatus
In one embodiment, an optical pickup includes an optical system which forms multiple light beams based on the light emitted from a light source and which converges a write beam and a read beam, thereby forming a main spot and a sub-spot, respectively, on an optical storage medium. This optical system converges the write and read beams onto the optical storage medium so that the main spot moves through the same region on the optical storage medium ahead of the sub-spot. The optical pickup further includes a detector for sensing the write and read beams reflected from the storage medium. The detector includes a first photodiode 10 that receives the reflected light from the main spot 50R on the storage medium and a second photodiode 11 that receives a portion of the reflected light from the sub-spot 51R.
US08619521B2 Disc drive and tracking servo pull-in method
A disc drive includes an optical pickup that emits laser light to a predetermined layer position via an objective lens and detects reflection light of the laser light, a tracking mechanism that drives the objective lens in a tracking direction, a tracking error signal generation unit that generates a tracking error signal, based on a light detecting signal for the reflection light obtained by the optical pickup, a tracking servo control unit that performs a tracking servo control based on the tracking error signal, and a control unit that makes the tracking servo control unit perform tracking servo pull-in on the basis of a frequency measurement result of the tracking error signal and a recording or non-recording determination result based on the light detecting signal.
US08619518B1 Thermally-assisted magnetic recording head having expanded near-field light generating layer and method of manufacture
A thermally assisted magnetic head includes a main magnetic pole layer, a near-field light generating layer having a generating end part generating near-field light arranged within a medium-opposing surface, and an optical waveguide guiding light to the near-field light generating layer. The optical waveguide has a waveguide end face arranged within the medium-opposing surface and an upper end face on a side closer to the main magnetic pole layer. The thermally assisted magnetic head has an interposed layer which is in direct contact with an outer surface of the optical waveguide. The near-field light generating layer has a near-field light generating part having the generating end part and an expanded part connected with the near-field light generating part. The expanded part has a base part arranged above the upper end face of the optical waveguide and extended base part connected with the base part.
US08619517B1 Thermally-assisted magnetic recording head having a plasmon generator
A thermally-assisted magnetic recording head includes a waveguide having a core and a cladding, and a plasmon generator. The core has an evanescent light generating surface. The plasmon generator has a plasmon exciting part opposed to the evanescent light generating surface. Assuming a virtual straight line that passes internally through the core and that is parallel to the direction of travel of light propagating through the core, at least part of the evanescent light generating surface and at least part of the plasmon exciting part are both inclined relative to the virtual straight line such that the distance from the virtual straight line decreases with increasing proximity to the medium facing surface.
US08619514B1 Thermally-assisted recording (TAR) head with waveguide having tapered region coupled to near-field transducer
A thermally-assisted recording (TAR) head for recording data in data tracks of a TAR disk has an air-bearing slider that supports a near-field transducer (NFT) and an optical waveguide that directs laser light to the NFT. The NFT has an output end at the slider's air-bearing surface (ABS) located between the write pole and the optical waveguide in the along-the-track direction. The NFT output end is generally triangularly shaped with an apex facing the write pole and a back edge wider than the apex in the cross-track axis direction facing the waveguide. The surface of the waveguide facing the NFT back edge is tapered, with a width in the cross-track axis direction at a region recessed from the ABS and a smaller width in the cross-track axis direction at an end near the ABS.
US08619513B1 Recording head with near-field antenna and composite pole
A near field transducer antenna has a first end proximate a media writing surface and a second end proximate a waveguide that delivers light to the antenna. The antenna includes an aperture disposed along a propagation axis that extends from the first end to the second end. A notch protrudes within the aperture. The notch is facing an opening of the aperture that extends along the propagation axis. A magnetic pole is proximate the antenna, and includes a first portion of magnetic material and a second portion of antenna material. The second portion is disposed over the opening of the aperture and facing the notch of the antenna.
US08619511B1 Heat-assisted magnetic recording head with optical spot-size converter fabricated in 2-dimensional waveguide
In one embodiment, a magnetic recording head includes a spot size converter having a tapered portion, the tapered portion having at least one of a width and thickness that increases in a direction towards an air bearing surface; a waveguide surrounding the spot size converter, the waveguide having a refractive index that is lower than a refractive index of the spot size converter; and cladding adjacent the waveguide, the cladding having a refractive index that is lower than the refractive index of the waveguide. Additional systems and heads are also disclosed.
US08619504B2 Device for positioning a bridge on a plate
Positioning device (1) between a bridge (2) and a plate (3). This plate (3) includes: for centering this bridge (2), a female arrangement (4) with faces (5) receiving a cylindrical smooth centering pin (6), fixed to this bridge (2) and abutting on these faces, for aligning this bridge (2) on this plate (3), an alignment housing (8) with parallel faces (9, 10) aligned on this female arrangement (4), receiving an alignment pin (11), fixed to this bridge (2). Collet (15) arranged to be fixed to a plate and including this female centering arrangement (4). Timepiece including a device (1) or collet (15) of this type. Method of assembling this bridge (2) on this plate (3) with this device (1).
US08619503B2 Sparker type wellbore seismic energy source having controllable depth independent frequency
A wellbore seismic source includes a sparker electrically coupled to a power source. The sparker is disposed in a pressure-sealed canister, wherein the canister is at least partially filled with liquid. At least one of the pressure of the liquid and the energy discharged by the power source through the sparker is selected to cause emission of acoustic energy at a selected frequency.
US08619501B2 Ultrasonic measurements performed on rock cores
One or more embodiments and methods of analyzing a formation sample with in a coring tool are disclosed herein. The methods and embodiments may include extracting a first core from a sidewall of a wellbore with a coring tool at a first depth, ultrasonically measuring a sound speed of the first core, transmitting the ultrasonically measured sound speed of the first core to a surface display unit, analyzing the ultrasonically measured sound speed in real time, determining the quality of the first core, extracting a second core at the first depth if the first core is determined to be low quality, and extracting the second core at a second depth if the core first is determined to be high quality.
US08619499B2 Systems and methods for modeling 3D geological structures
Systems and methods for modeling a three-dimensional (3D) geological structure to improve maximum continuity interpolation. An integration method describes local anisotropic effects and introduces interpolation techniques to perform the interpolation between two points of interest along a direction of maximum continuity and across fault surfaces.
US08619498B2 Device and method for calculating 3D angle gathers from reverse time migration
A method for calculating angle domain common image gathers (ADCIGs). The method includes calculating a source wavefield pF of a seismic source; calculating a receiver wavefield pB of a seismic receiver; applying an algorithm of anti-leakage Fourier transform (ALFT) to transform the source wavefield pF to a wavenumber domain; applying the ALFT algorithm to the receiver wavefield to transform the receiver wavefield in the wavenumber domain; determining an imaging condition to the ALFT source and receiver wavefields in the wavenumber domain; computing a reflection angle θ and an azimuth angle φ of the source wavefield pF and receiver wavefield pB in the wavenumber domain; calculating the ADCIGs in the wavenumber domain; and applying an inverse fast Fourier transform (FFT) to determine the ADCIGs in the space domain.
US08619494B2 Imaging apparatus and method
A system (100) uses a pyroelectric membrane (122) and an ultrasound absorber (123) to measure the amount of ultrasonic energy received from a transmitter (105) through a sample (110). The thermal response of the pyroelectric membrane (122) is sensitive to ultrasound time-averaged intensity but is insensitive to the phase of the ultrasound. A waveform (200) shows rising (210), peak (220) and decaying (230) portions of a signal from the pyroelectric membrane (122) in response to on/off transitions of the transmitter (105). A system (300) uses a peak detector (333) to automatically turn the transmitter (105) on/off. A system (400) has background removal circuitry (444) to remove unwanted accelerometer-induced noise or electrical noise. A multi-element ultrasonic sensor (520) has cavities (555) so that a dummy sensor (521 b) can be used to compensate for unwanted accelerometer sensitivity of a sensor element (521 a). A sensor (620) has ultrasound absorbing (or reflective) regions (660) to compensate for unwanted accelerometer sensitivity. A system (900) has a low frequency path (909) sensitive to the pyroelectric effect, and a high frequency path (919) sensitive to the acoustic pressure amplitude, of a signal from a sensor (920). A sensor (1020) uses a pyroelectric material (1022) with poled regions (1099) separated by a non-poled region (1098).
US08619492B2 On-die termination circuit, memory device, memory module, and method of operating and training an on-die termination
An on-die termination (ODT) circuit of a memory device comprising: a memory device having a memory core having a memory cell array; a data input/output pin connected to the memory core through a data buffer; and an on-die termination (ODT) circuit, comprising: a termination circuit configured to provide a termination impedance at the input/output data pin, the termination circuit having a switching device that selectively connects a termination impedance to the input/output data pin based on the presence of an asynchronous control signal (ACS), wherein the ACS is generated based on the presence of a memory WRITE command. The memory device may further comprise a training circuit comprising: an asynchronous signal delay configured to delay the signal path of the ACS signal to the termination circuit; and a comparing unit configured to compare a phase difference between the ACS signal and a reference signal, the comparing unit comprising a phase detector and a replica delay, wherein the replica delay is configured to delay the signal path of the ACS signal to the phase detector, and the phase detector is configured to output the phase difference as training result.
US08619489B2 Driving circuit for memory device
An electrically programmable non-volatile memory device is proposed. The memory device includes a plurality of memory cells and a driver circuit for driving the memory cells; the driver circuit includes programming means for providing a first programming voltage and a second programming voltage to a set of selected memory cells for programming the selected memory cells; the first programming voltage requires a first transient period for reaching a first target value thereof. In the solution according to an embodiment of the present invention, the programming means includes means for maintaining the second programming voltage substantially equal to the first programming voltage during a second transient period being required by the second programming voltage to reach a second target value thereof.
US08619488B2 Multi-level electrical fuse using one programming device
A method for programming a multi-level electrical fuse system comprises providing a fuse box with an electrical fuse and providing one of at least two fuse writing voltages to the electrical fuse to program the electrical fuse to one of at least two resistance states. The fuse box comprises at least one electrical fuse, a programming device serially coupled to the electrical fuse, and a variable power supply coupled to the fuse box and configured to generate two or more voltage levels.
US08619487B2 Semiconductor memory device and method of controlling the same
A semiconductor device includes a memory core with a plurality of memory cells, an internal voltage generator and a low power entry circuit. The low power entry circuit receives a plurality of control signals which are provided to a command decoder, and generates a low power signal indicating a low power consumption mode where a refresh operation is prohibited. The internal voltage generator includes a detector and at least one of booster circuits. The internal voltage generator, coupled to the memory core via an internal power supply line, generates a boosted internal voltage based on an external voltage and supplies the boosted internal voltage to the memory core via the internal power supply line. The internal voltage generator stops supplying the boosted internal voltage to the internal power supply line in response to the low power signal while the external voltage is supplied to the semiconductor device.
US08619483B2 Memory circuits, systems, and methods for accessing the memory circuits
A memory circuit includes at least one memory cell for storing a charge representative of a datum. The memory cell is coupled with a word line and a bit line. A sense amplifier is coupled with the bit line. The sense amplifier is capable of precharging the bit line to a first voltage that is substantially equal to and higher than a threshold voltage (Vt) of a first transistor of the sense amplifier.
US08619479B2 Method for synchronizing signals and processing data
A method for synchronizing signals includes the steps of receiving a preamble of a data strobe signal in response to a write preamble command, and synchronizing the data strobe signal with a clock signal through the preamble of the data strobe signal.
US08619478B2 System and method for generating a clock
A first clock is received by a memory macro. In response to a first clock transition of the first clock, a first transition of a second clock and of a third clock is generated. A tracking transition of a tracking signal is caused by the second clock. Based on a later transition of a second clock transition of the first clock and the tracking transition of the tracking signal, a second transition of the third clock is generated. The third clock is for use by an input-output of the memory macro.
US08619477B2 Two-port SRAM write tracking scheme
A Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) includes at least two memory cells sharing a read bit line (RBL) and a write bit line (WBL). Each memory cell is coupled to a respective read word line (RWL) and a respective write word line (WWL). A write tracking control circuit is coupled to the memory cells for determining a write time of the memory cells. The write tracking control circuit is capable of receiving an input voltage and providing an output voltage. The respective RWL and the respective WWL of each memory cell are asserted during a write tracking operation.
US08619476B2 Semiconductor memory apparatus comprising a nonvolatile memory cell and method of operating the same
A semiconductor memory apparatus includes a memory block including memory strings having respective channel layers coupled between respective bit lines and a source line, an operation circuit group configured to supply hot holes to the channel layers and to perform an erase operation on memory cells of the memory strings, an erase operation determination circuit configured to generate a block erase enable signal when hot holes of at least a target number are supplied to a first channel layer of the channel layers, and a control circuit configured to perform the erase operation in response to the block erase enable signal.
US08619474B2 Data line management in a memory device
Memory devices and methods are disclosed, such as devices configured to apply a first program inhibit bias to data lines during a first portion of a program operation and to apply a second program inhibit bias to data lines during a second portion of the program operation. The second program inhibit bias is greater than the first program inhibit bias.
US08619469B2 FTP memory device with programming and erasing based on Fowler-Nordheim effect
An embodiment of a non-volatile memory device integrated in a chip of semiconductor material is proposed. The memory device includes a plurality of memory cells. Each memory cell includes a first well and a second well of first type of conductivity that are formed in an insulating region of a second type of conductivity. The memory cell further includes a first, a second, a third and a fourth region of the second type of conductivity that are formed in the first well; these regions define a sequence of a first selection transistor of MOS type, a storage transistor of floating gate MOS type, and a second selection transistor of MOS type that are coupled in series. The first region is short-circuited to the first well. Moreover, the memory device includes a first gate of the first selection transistor, a second gate of the second selection transistor, and a floating gate of the storage transistor. A control gate of the storage transistor is formed in the second well; the control gate is capacitively coupled with the floating gate.
US08619468B2 Semiconductor memory device for storing multivalued data
Data storage circuits are connected to the bit lines in a one-to-one correspondence. A write circuit writes the data on a first page into a plurality of 5 first memory cells selected simultaneously by a word line. Thereafter, the write circuit writes the data on a second page into the plurality of first memory cell. Then, the write circuit writes the data on the first and second pages into second memory cells adjoining 10 the first memory cells in the bit line direction.
US08619465B2 8-transistor SRAM cell design with inner pass-gate junction diodes
An 8-transistor SRAM cell which includes two pull-up transistors and two pull-down transistors in cross-coupled inverter configuration for storing a single data bit; first and second pass-gate transistors having a gate terminal coupled to a write word line and a source or drain of each of the pass-gate transistors coupled to a write bit line; inner junction diodes at shared source/drain terminals of the pass-gate and pull-down transistors oriented to block charge transfer from the write bit line into the cell; and first and second read transistors coupled to the two pull-up and two pull-down transistors, one of the read transistors having a gate terminal coupled to a read word line and a source or a drain coupled to a read bit line. The 8-transistor SRAM cell is adapted to prevent the value of the bit stored in the cell from changing state.
US08619464B1 Static random-access memory having read circuitry with capacitive storage
Integrated circuits may have arrays of memory elements. Data may be loaded into the memory elements and read from the memory elements using data lines. Address lines may be used to apply address signals to write address transistors and read circuitry. A memory element may include a bistable storage element. Read circuitry may be coupled between the bistable storage element and a data line. The read circuitry may include a data storage node. A capacitor may be coupled between the data storage node and ground and may be used in storing preloaded data from the bistable storage element. The read circuitry may include a transistor that is coupled between the bistable storage element and the data storage node and a transistor that is coupled between the data storage node and the data line.
US08619463B2 Adaptive write bit line and word line adjusting mechanism for memory
A memory including a capacitor coupled to a write bit line or a word line and an initializer configured to initialize a voltage level at a first node between the capacitor and the write bit line or the word line. The memory further includes a controllable initial level adjuster configured to adjust a voltage level of a second node at one terminal of the capacitor in response to a pulse. The capacitor is configured to receive a boost signal at a third node at a terminal opposite the first node. The boost signal configured to change a voltage level of the write bit line or the word line in response to the boost signal.
US08619461B2 Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array including cells provided at each of intersections of first and second lines and each having a variable resistance element and a first diode connected in series; a first line control circuit for supplying voltages to the first lines; and a second line control circuit for supplying voltages to the second lines, the cells each having one of the second lines connected to an anode side of the first diode and one of the first lines connected to a cathode side of the first diode, and the memory cell array including a second diode inserted in each of the second lines between the second line control circuit and the cells and each having a side of the second line control circuit as an anode and a side of the cells as a cathode.
US08619456B2 Memory arrays and associated methods of manufacturing
Memory arrays and associated methods of manufacturing are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a memory array includes an access line extending along a first direction and a first contact line and a second contact line extending along a second direction different from the first direction. The first and second contact lines are generally parallel to each other. The memory array also includes a memory node that includes a first memory cell electrically connected between the access line and the first contact line to form a first circuit, and a second memory cell electrically connected between the access line and the second contact line to form a second circuit different from the first circuit.
US08619454B2 Semiconductor device
An object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device combining transistors integrating on a same substrate transistors including an oxide semiconductor in their channel formation region and transistors including non-oxide semiconductor in their channel formation region. An application of the present invention is to realize substantially non-volatile semiconductor memories which do not require specific erasing operation and do not suffer from damages due to repeated writing operation. Furthermore, the semiconductor device is well adapted to store multivalued data. Manufacturing methods, application circuits and driving/reading methods are explained in details in the description.
US08619453B2 Three dimensional non-volatile storage with dual gate selection of vertical bit lines
A three-dimensional array adapted for memory elements that reversibly change a level of electrical conductance in response to a voltage difference being applied across them. Memory elements are formed across a plurality of planes positioned different distances above a semiconductor substrate. Bit lines to which the memory elements of all planes are connected are oriented vertically from the substrate and through the plurality of planes.
US08619452B2 Methods and apparatus of stacking DRAMs
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.
US08619451B1 Power savings in a content addressable memory device using masked pre-compare operations
A CAM device for comparing a search key with a plurality of ternary words stored in a CAM array includes one or more population counters, a pre-compare memory, and a pre-compare circuit. The present embodiments reduce the power consumption of CAM devices during compare operations between a search key and ternary words stored in a CAM array by selectively enabling the match lines in the CAM array in response to pre-compare operations between a set of population counts corresponding to the masked search key and a set of population counts corresponding to the ternary words stored in the CAM array.
US08619450B2 Method for adjusting a resistive change element using a reference
A method of adjusting a resistive change element using a reference is disclosed. The method comprises inspecting a resistive change element to determine a first state; comparing the first state to a reference wherein said reference provides stimulus parameters corresponding to a transition from the first state to a second state; and applying the stimulus parameters to the resistive change element. A resistive change memory cell array is also disclosed.
US08619449B2 Voltage converter
There is provided a voltage converter capable of reliably preventing malfunctions of an electronic circuit to stably maintain an accurate operation by suppressing high-frequency noise generated on an input side. A DC-DC converter 1 as a voltage converter includes an active component embedded substrate 2 having an IC chip 7 and an input-side capacitor Cin and an output-side capacitor Cout mounted thereon, and ground layers 33G-1 and 33G-2 and a ground layer 32G are formed therein so as to interpose the IC chip 7 therebetween. The input-side capacitor Cin is connected to the ground layer 33G-1, and the output-side capacitor Cout is connected to the ground layer 33G-2. Moreover, the ground layer 32G is connected to the terminals of the IC chip 7, and the input-side capacitor Cin and the output-side capacitor Cout are connected to each other by the ground layers 33G-1 and 33G-2.
US08619439B2 Flyback boost circuit with current supplied to secondary side of transformer circuit prior to boost operation and strobe device using the same
A flyback boost circuit includes an output voltage detection terminal provided to a secondary winding of a transformer of the flyback boost circuit, and configured to detect an output voltage. Prior to the start of a boost operation, current is supplied to a secondary side of the transformer via the output voltage detection terminal to detect a voltage generated at the output voltage detection terminal, to thereby detect an unwired state by determining whether or not there is floating of the output voltage detection terminal or a grounding terminal of the secondary winding of the transformer.
US08619433B2 Portable electronic device
A portable electronic device including a casing, a rotating part, a pivot unit and a magnet set is disclosed. The pivot unit is pivotally connected to the casing and the rotating part. The magnet set includes a first magnet, a second magnet and a third magnet disposed in a base of the casing. The first magnet and the second magnet are disposed at the rotating part, and the magnetism of the first magnet is different from the magnetism of the second magnet. The magnetism of the third magnet is the same as the magnetism of the first magnet or the magnetism of the second magnet. When the rotating part is rotated relative to the casing, the magnet set generates magnetic attraction or magnetic repulsion so as to lead an electronic component of the casing in the casing or out of the casing.
US08619427B2 Media content device chassis with internal extension members
A media content receiving device, such as a set top box, includes a chassis that incorporates a heat bridge, a heat shield or both. The heat bridge may take the form of a structural wall coupled to, but preferably integrated with, the chassis to facilitate conductive heat transfer into a chassis panel. The heat bridge may be configured to receive heat radiated from a chip having a die to be cooled. The heat shield may take the form of a wall-type structure protruding from a chassis panel. For example, the heat shield may extend from a top panel of the chassis in a fin-like or flange-like manner to provide a thermal barrier between adjacent electrical components arranged on a circuit board. While the heat shield protects the adjacent component from potential thermal damage or degradation, it may also operate to transfer heat into the chassis.
US08619424B2 Electronic device
An electronic device includes a main body having an air inlet port and an air outlet port, an air channel having an air inlet port and an air outlet port and is arranged such that the air channel and the main body oppose each other, a boundary base disposed between the main body and the air channel, a heat sink mounted on the boundary base such that a fin thereof protrudes into the air channel, a power converter tightly mounted on an upper surface of a base of the heat sink so as to be positioned in the main body, cooling fans disposed near the air outlet port of the main body and the air outlet port of the air channel, and a first reactor disposed on a windward side of the heat sink in the air channel.
US08619423B2 Fan module having dust-collecting function and dust-collecting unit for the same
Disclosed is a fan module used in electronic equipment and the like. The fan module of the present invention includes a dust-collecting part which has an air’-suction port and an air-discharge port, and which has a rotational region forming a passage linking the air-suction port to the air-discharge port and has a dust-collection box for collecting dust and detritus rotating in the rotational region; and a fan which is joined to one side of the dust-collecting part and makes air flow into the rotational region. The present invention can use centrifugal force to effectively remove various forms of dust and detritus contained in the air which flows into the casings of electronic equipment, household appliances and the like due to the action of a fan. Further, since a filter is not used, there is the advantage that the cooling efficiency is not reduced by the dust collection as the smooth flow of the air being sucked in is not disturbed. Further, from the long-term point of view, the thermal efficiency of electronic equipment and the like can be substantially improved as the amount of dust and detritus accumulated inside electronic equipment is minimized.
US08619422B2 Mobile terminal
Disclosed is a mobile terminal capable of being slid in two directions. The mobile terminal includes a front body, a rear body, and a slide module configured to allow the front body to be slid along a lengthwise direction and widthwise direction with respect to the rear body. The slide module includes a cover plate having an area to cover a whole rear side of the front body; a middle plate having a pair of guide rails on a front side thereof, a slide plate on a rear side thereof, and a first keypad disposed on a region that is not occupied by the pair of guide rails and the slide plate, the pair of guide rails being configured to allow the cover plate to be slid along the lengthwise direction; and a guide plate coupled to the rear body, and configured to allow the slide plate slid along the widthwise direction.
US08619419B2 Computer docking station
The docking station (10) comprises a casing (11) presenting an air inlet (12) and a cooled air outlet (13) and housing a refrigeration system (30) for cooling an air flow which is caused to pass through the interior of the casing (11), from the air inlet (12) to the cooled air outlet (13). The refrigeration system (30) comprises: a compressor (31) pumping refrigerant fluid through a refrigeration circuit comprising a condenser (32) and an evaporator (33) and, preferably, a ventilation means (34) producing said air flow which is conducted through the evaporator (33) to be cooled thereby and released, through said cooled air outlet (13), to the interior of a computer (20) seated against the docking station (10).
US08619417B1 Water-resistant computer docking station
A computer docking station is provided having an enclosure unit, a cable-to-panel connector, a dock cover, an electrical connector that includes an open box configuration; and a cable-to-panel component. The enclosure unit connects to the docking station. The dock cover is disposed inside the enclosure unit. The electrical connector is also disposed inside the enclosure unit and connects to the dock cover. The electrical connector comprises connectors to enable electrical connections to peripheral devices, a mounting plate positioned over the enclosure unit, a docking connector operatively connected to the dock cover and extending through the mounting plate, and a plurality of gaskets connected to the mounting plate.
US08619416B2 Dual-orientation docking apparatus
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a dual-orientation docking apparatus for a mobile computing device. According to one embodiment, the docking apparatus includes a main body having a first side and a second side perpendicular to the first side. A docking connector is disposed on the first side of the main body, and a locking member formed on the second side of the main body. Furthermore, the locking member is configured to automatically engage and maintain a mobile computing device in a docked state when the mobile device is moved from a first orientation to a second orientation.
US08619412B2 Power distribution unit and methods of making and use including modular construction and assemblies
Described herein are various embodiments of a power distribution unit having modular components. For example, according to one embodiment, a power distribution unit can include a component portion that comprises at least two modules including outlet modules, circuit protection modules, power input modules, communications I/O modules, and display modules. Each of the at least two modules of the component portion can comprise at least one connection element and can be removably secured to one or more other of the at least two modules via the connection elements. The power distribution unit can also include a housing that defines an interior cavity. The component portion can be removably secured to the housing at least partially within the interior cavity.
US08619409B2 Electrochemical device
An electrochemical device, e.g., an electric double layer capacitor, is applicable to high-temperature reflow soldering wherein a lead-free solder is used, and is provided with an electric storage element, a package having the electric storage element sealed therein, and a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal, each of which is led out from the electric storage element and is provided with a part sealed in the package with the electric storage element and other part led out to the outside the package. On a part of the positive electrode terminal and on a part of the negative electrode terminal, increased thermal resistance sections for suppressing heat transfer to the electric storage element via the terminals from other parts of the positive electrode terminal and other parts of the negative electrode terminal are arranged, respectively.
US08619408B2 Sintered capacitor electrode including a folded connection
This document discusses capacitive elements including a first, second and third electrode arranged in a stack. The third electrode is positioned between the first and second electrode. An interconnect includes a unitary substrate shared with the first and second electrodes. The interconnect is adapted to deform to accommodate the stacked nature of the first and second electrodes. The unitary substrate includes a sintered material disposed thereon.
US08619406B2 Substrate supports for semiconductor applications
This invention relates to substrate supports, e.g., coated electrostatic chucks, having a dielectric multilayer formed thereon; dielectric multilayers that provide erosive and corrosive barrier protection in harsh environments such as plasma treating vessels used in semiconductor device manufacture; process chambers, e.g., deposition chambers, for processing substrates; methods for protecting substrate supports; and methods for producing substrate supports and electronic devices. The dielectric multilayer comprises (a) an undercoat dielectric layer comprising a metal oxide or metal nitride formed on a surface; and (b) a topcoat dielectric layer comprising a metal oxide formed on the undercoat dielectric layer. The topcoat dielectric layer has an aluminum oxide content of less than about 1 weight percent. The topcoat dielectric layer has a corrosion resistance and/or plasma erosion resistance greater than the corrosion resistance and/or plasma erosion resistance of the undercoat dielectric layer. The undercoat dielectric layer can have a resistivity greater than the resistivity of the topcoat dielectric layer. The topcoat dielectric layer can have a dielectric constant greater than the dielectric constant of the undercoat dielectric layer. The undercoat dielectric layer can have a porosity greater than the porosity of the topcoat dielectric layer. The invention is useful, for example, in the manufacture and protection of electrostatic chucks used in semiconductor device manufacture.
US08619405B2 Wavefront sensor
The present invention relates to a wavefront sensor using a pair of screens, each having a two-dimensional array of circular apertures, to achieve Moiré effects, and its use to measure the slope of a wavefront.
US08619404B2 Solenoid controls, systems, and methods of use for obtaining optimum battery life
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for controlling energy consumption in a system having a battery and including a controller and one or more solenoids. In accordance with the disclosure, the controller provides a controlling mechanism, such as a control algorithm, that will provide the necessary power to operate the one or more solenoids throughout the range of battery voltage in a manner that optimizes the voltage discharge from the battery and simultaneously maximizes battery life. Further power conservation measures are implemented by using a controller and an associated control algorithm to operate a solenoid throughout the range of battery voltage in a manner that places the discharge of the battery in reduced power consumption operating modes as the capacity of the battery is reduced.
US08619402B2 Data port transient protection apparatus and methods
Methods and apparatus for protecting data bus ports and their corresponding PHY devices from taking damage associated with excess voltage across one or more signal pairs during an intermittent connection are provided. Such connections cause the signal pins to carry external device current which raises the signal voltage above the power rails, exceeding the PHY device ratings and causing PHY degradation or destruction. In an exemplary embodiment, an RC circuit is used to detect the voltage level across a signal pair. If this voltage level exceeds a certain preset voltage level, power to the outgoing serial bus port is shut off and return power is abated. While the circuit is responding, the exemplary embodiment uses a 3.6V Zener diode to bleed excess voltage to ground. A current monitor/limiter is also used for limiting current if the voltage level detected exceeds a certain threshold.
US08619400B2 Circuitry to prevent overvoltage of circuit systems
An overvoltage protection method and circuit includes a positive supply input node, an output node, and a negative supply node. The overvoltage protection circuit further includes a first functional circuit configured to turn ON a MOSFET and maintain it in a low resistance state. A second functional circuit is configured to detect an overvoltage and control the gate of the MOSFET to regulate a voltage at the output node. A third functional circuit is configured to provide a startup wherein the overvoltage protection circuit is not damaged and/or to regulate an operating voltage such that an overvoltage does not appear on the overvoltage protection circuit. The external components include the MOSFET, which has a gate coupled to the output of the charge pump of the overvoltage protection circuit.
US08619399B2 Composition of a desired trip curve
A method and apparatus for composing a desirable trip curve, such as an I2*t trip curve, for an electrical protective device from at least one less desirable trip curve, such as an I*t trip curve. The method is accomplished by defining a selected parameter of the desirable overload trip curve and defining the selected parameter as a function of one or more monitored input values, such as current, trip class or phase unbalance, and modulating the selected defined parameter value between a maximum boundary trip curve and a minimum boundary trip curve. The modulated parameter is used to adjust the less desirable trip curve such that it has the characteristics of the desired trip curve. The method is implemented by one or more electrical circuits (filter circuits) representing the less desirable trip curve(s) and composing an output signal representing the desirable trip curve by modulating between the one or more electrical circuits.
US08619398B1 ESD protection for differential output pairs
In a conventional differential output circuit, the output terminals are connected to the drains of a differential pair of transistors and the sources of the transistors are connected together at a first node. The bodies of the transistors are connected to a second node having a potential different from that of the first node. In the event of a HBM ESD event, discharge may take place through the differential transistors, leading to destruction of one of them. To reduce the likelihood of such discharge, in a preferred embodiment, switches are provided to connect the body of each of the differential transistors to the first node when an ESD event is sensed. In an alternative embodiment, a switch is provided to connect the first node to the second node when an ESD event is sensed.
US08619397B2 Non-linear power management device for input power protection
In one general aspect, an apparatus can include a non-linear power management device having an output terminal configured to be coupled to an output shunt device configured to shunt energy in response to a voltage across the output shunt device exceeding a trigger voltage of the output shunt device. The non-linear power management device can be configured to change to a saturation mode in response to a first current associated with an energy pulse through the non-linear power management device. The apparatus can include an input shunt device coupled to an input terminal of the non-linear power management device and having a trigger voltage higher than the trigger voltage of the output shunt device. The input shunt device can be configured to shunt a second current associated with the energy pulse in response to a voltage drop across the non-linear power management device.
US08619395B2 Two terminal arc suppressor
A two terminal arc suppressor for protecting switch, relay or contactor contacts and the like comprises a two terminal module adapted to be attached in parallel with the contacts to be protected and including a circuit for deriving an operating voltage upon the transitioning of the switch, relay or contactor contacts from a closed to an open disposition, the power being rectified and the resulting DC signal used to trigger a power triac switch via an optoisolator circuit whereby arc suppression pulses are generated for short predetermined intervals only at a transition of the mechanical switch, relay or contactor contacts from an closed to an open transition and, again, at an open to a close transition during contact bounce conditions.
US08619392B2 Friction engaged tilting roller bearing tape guidance
In one embodiment, a tape movement constraint comprises a tiltable tape roller bearing having a grooved surface adapted to contact and engage a surface of the tape as the roller barrel rotates. An actuator adapted to pivot the roller bearing surface controls the lateral position of a tape. In operation, in one embodiment, the roller barrel of the roller bearing is rotated by engaging a surface of the tape roller barrel with a longitudinally moving magnetic tape. At least a portion of any air bearing between the moving tape and the barrel surface is quenched using grooves formed in the barrel surface. The lateral position of the moving tape is sensed and the rotating roller barrel is tilted in response to the sensed lateral position of the moving tape to control the lateral position of the moving tape. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08619384B1 Timing-based servo for determining lateral head velocity
A servo track has identical servo pattern frames including two pairs of parallel magnetic transitions, the transitions of each pair spaced apart an equal distance, the transitions of the first pair at an azimuth angle to the longitudinal axis of the tape, the transitions of the second pair at an opposite azimuth angle. A servo channel receives signals at first times corresponding to when a servo read head detects the first and second transitions of the first pair of parallel transitions of a servo pattern frame, and second times corresponding to when the servo read head detects the first and second transitions of the second pair of parallel transitions. The servo channel determines a relative lateral movement and velocity between the tape and the tape head based on the azimuth angle and the ratio of the difference of the first and the difference of the second times.
US08619380B1 Detecting and recovering timing slips in a self servo write (SSW) system
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method including recording time stamps for a repeating characteristic of a spindle back electromotive force (BEMF) signal and comparing one or more of the recorded time stamps for the repeating characteristic of the spindle BEMF signal with an expected value for the one or more recorded time stamps to detect a timing error associated with writing a servo pattern on a machine readable medium of a self-servo write (SSW) system. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
US08619378B2 Rotational comb drive Z-stage
A device may have an outer frame, a platform, and a plurality of actuators configured to move the platform with respect to the outer frame. Each of the actuators may have a movable frame and a fixed frame. A motion control mechanism may be configured to permit movement of the platform in a desired direction with respect to the outer frame and inhibit rotation of the platform with respect to the outer frame.
US08619377B2 Immersion lens holding device
A solid immersion lens supporting device includes a lens holder 30 that holds a solid immersion lens 20 in a free state in which a lens bottom surface 22 protrudes downward through a lower opening 32 so as not to fix the solid immersion lens, and a lens cover 40 which is provided to an upper opening 31 of the lens holder 30, and in which a cover bottom surface 42 on the solid immersion lens 20 side is on a plane perpendicular to an optical axis, the lens cover coming into one-point contact with a spherical lens top surface 21 of the solid immersion lens 20. Further, the lens cover 40 is provided with a positioning portion which is capable of carrying out positioning of the solid immersion lens 20 with respect to the objective lens with reference to an image of the lens cover 40 observed via the objective lens. Thereby, the immersion lens supporting device which is capable of efficiently carrying out movement, installation, and positioning of the immersion lens onto a sample is realized.
US08619373B2 Zoom lens, optical apparatus equipped therewith, and method for manufacturing zoom lens
A zoom lens ZL installed in an electronic still camera 1 and the like includes, in order from an object side, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, and a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power, a given conditional expressions are satisfied, where r3F denotes a radius of curvature of an image side lens surface of the cemented lens in the third lens group, and r3R denotes a radius of curvature of an object side lens surface of the negative meniscus lens in the third lens group, thereby providing a zoom lens having excellent optical performance, an optical apparatus equipped therewith, and a method for manufacturing the zoom lens.
US08619369B2 Display device, notably for a motor vehicle
The present invention relates to a display device, notably for a motor vehicle, comprising a projection module for generating an image for the purpose of a projection in the normal direction of looking of a user of the display device on an optical path, the display device comprising a reflection element, the reflection element being capable of being moved between a multitude of different display positions, the different display positions corresponding to different viewing positions of a user of the display device.
US08619365B2 Anti-reflective coating for optical windows and elements
Multilayer anti-reflective coatings having four or more layers are disclosed. In one aspect, the multilayer anti-reflective coating comprises a first layer having a refractive index n1, where n1<1.4, and an optical thickness of (0.25±5%) λo nm; a second layer adjacent to the first layer, the second layer having a refractive index n2, where n2≧1.8, and an optical thickness of (0.5±5%) λo nm; a third layer adjacent to the second layer, the third layer having a refractive index n3, where 1.4≦n3<1.6, and an optical thickness of (0.1±5%) λo nm; and a fourth layer adjacent to the third layer, the fourth layer having a refractive index n4, where n4≧1.8, and an optical thickness of (0.05±10%) λo nm; where λo is a wavelength in the visible light range.
US08619363B1 Light redirecting element comprising a forward diffracting region and a scattering region
Improved Light Re-directing Elements (ILRE) are provided in which a diffracting region is combined with a light scattering region to correct angular chromatic dispersion. Further embodiments include optical devices and systems using ILRE to reduce moiré, efficiently re-direct light, improve spatial and angular color and luminance uniformity, and reduce wavelength dispersion. In one embodiment, the light scattering region is a volumetric anisotropic light scattering region. Embodiments are included for use of ILRE in light emitting devices, displays and light fixtures.
US08619362B2 Multifocal diffractive ophthalmic lens with multifocal base surface
A multifocal ophthalmic lens includes a lens element having an anterior surface and a posterior surface, a refractive zone, or base surface having produced multifocal powers disposed on one of the anterior and posterior surfaces; and a near focus diffractive multifocal zone disposed on one of the anterior and posterior surfaces.
US08619356B1 Multi-layer gallium arsenide-based fresnel phase-shift device for infrared wavelength conversion
A new method for making a nonlinear optical structure for frequency conversion and for using that structure for frequency conversion is described. The nonlinear optical structure is made by depositing alternating contiguous layers of gallium arsenide and aluminum gallium arsenide onto a gallium arsenide substrate. Optical frequency conversion is performed by transmitting a pump laser beam through the structure. The new method is easier to perform than prior art methods.
US08619347B2 Copying apparatus
A copying apparatus with a color copy function includes: a reading unit configured to read images on a document; an input unit configured to input commands from a user; an image forming unit configured to form a mark for image adjustment, perform an image adjustment on the image read by the reading unit based on the formed mark for image adjustment and print the adjusted image; and a judging unit configured to trigger the image forming unit to form the mark for image adjustment if the command for executing color copying is input into the input unit.
US08619344B2 Method of image joining for scanner
An image joining method for a scanner that scans and transfers image data to a terminal is provided. During scanning and data transfer, when the image data stored in a register is full, an image processor stops the scanning of a linear photodetector. Meanwhile, a matrix photodetector fetches and stores the image of a code strip. Then, the photodetectors are moved backward a distance larger than that being required to be accelerated forward when the scanner resumes scanning. After the data in the register being transferred and cleared, the linear photodetector resumes scanning at a normal moving speed. The code strip image is further fetched and compared with the stored one to get a joining point of scanned image data. By the joining point, the new and prior image data portions are joined and the scanning proceeds, and joined image data will not be overlapped or broken.
US08619341B2 Methods and systems to provide proxy scan services to legacy devices
Systems and methods are disclosed for enabling legacy devices to consistently and reliably operate within a distributed scan environment using proxy scan services. A proxy scan service is communicatively coupled between a scan management service and a scanner. Information transmitted between the scan management service and the scanner is intercepted at the proxy scan service, where the scan management service recognizes a first format message for the information and the scanner recognizes a second format message for the information. The information is converted at the proxy scan service between the first format message and the second format message. The transmission between the scan management service and the scanner is completed using the converted information.
US08619332B2 Apparatus, method, and storage medium for improving print quality of an image
Provided is a printing apparatus that prints an image of a first colorimetric system that is constructed with a plurality of pixels by using dots having a plurality of sizes, including: a print head that ejects a printing material to form the dots on a printing medium; a color conversion unit that converts the image in the first colorimetric system to an intermediate image in a second colorimetric system that can be printed by the printing apparatus; a detection unit that detects edge pixels, which constitute an edge of the intermediate image, among a plurality of pixels constituting the intermediate image; a dot allocation unit that allocates dots having a predetermined size among the dots having the plurality of sizes to the edge pixels; and a printing unit that controls the print head based on printing data indicating the dot allocation to form the image on the printing medium.
US08619329B2 Print smoothness on clear toner enabled systems
What is disclosed is a novel system and method for determining an amount of clear toner to be applied to a document image to improve smoothness in an output print rendered using a xerographic device capable of applying clear toner to the image in the image path. Using clear toner to improve smoothness enables a GCR strategy in which more black can be used. This, in turn, decreases the incremental cost for clear toner. The teachings hereof present attractive trade-offs for print shops specializing in color document reproduction and other customers of high-end xerographic devices capable of applying clear toner. Various embodiments are disclosed.
US08619326B2 Multicolor electronic devices and processes of forming the same by printing
Disclosed is process of forming a regular array of rows of subpixels on a workpiece. The subpixels having four different colors, and a subpixel pitch s. Of the four colors, q colors are formed by printing and r colors are formed by a non-printing method. The process includes the steps: (1) providing a printing head having z nozzles arranged in a row with a spacing between the nozzles of p, where z=4n1 and p=3s, the printing head being at a first position relative to the workpiece; (2) providing q different printing inks, one for each of the q printed colors; (3) supplying each of the printing inks to the nozzles in a regular alternating pattern; (4) printing a first set of z rows of subpixels with the printing head; (5) moving and printing in a first printing pattern by: (a) moving the workpiece laterally relative to the printing head by a distance d1, where d1=4n2s; (b) printing a set of z rows of subpixels with the printing head; (6) moving and printing in a second printing pattern by: (c) moving the workpiece laterally relative to the printing head by a distance d2, where d2=d1; (d) printing a set of z rows of subpixels with the printing head; (7) moving and printing in a third printing pattern by: (e) moving the workpiece laterally relative to the printing head by a distance d3, where d3=4n3s, such that d1+d2+d3=pz; and (f) printing a set of z rows of subpixels with the printing head; (8) repeating steps (5) through (7) multiple times in the same order; and (9) applying r colors by a non-printing method.
US08619324B2 Color converting method, color converting apparatus, and recording medium
A first profile corresponding to a first print is generated based on first spectral data of a first print and third spectral data of a light source, which serves as an observational light source for the first print. A second profile corresponding to a second protective-film-covered print is generated based on spectral data of a second print, second spectral data of a second laminating film, and third spectral data of a light source, which serves as an observational light source for the second protective-film-covered print. Using the first profile as an input profile and the second profile as an output profile, colors of image data representing an image of the first print are converted into colors of image data representing an image of the second print.
US08619322B2 Image formation apparatus and image formation method for performing color deviation correction
A problem in conventional electrical color deviation correction is that an awkward step is generated at a border where a pixel is offset by one-pixel-basis correction. Although such a step can be cancelled by less-than-one-pixel-basis correction, this smoothing process in turn generates unevenness in density. To solve these problems, in electrical color deviation correction, a draw command is analyzed to specify a draw position for color deviation correction for each of draw objects. Then, the object is drawn at the specified draw position, and an offset for color deviation correction is performed on an object basis.
US08619320B2 Movement detection apparatus and recording apparatus
The movement detection apparatus acquires a movement state of an object by clipping a template pattern from first image data and seeking a region having a high correlation with the template pattern in second image data. The movement detection apparatus performs at least one of first processing, which analyzes the first image data, and second processing, which analyzes a relationship between the first image data and third image data acquired after the first image data has been acquired and before the second image data is acquired, and sets a position at which the template patter is clipped.
US08619315B2 Two-sided print data handling
According to one embodiment, a computer implemented method of printing data is provided, the method comprising identifying whether a single- or a double-sided printer is operatively connected to the computer, identifying whether single- or double sided media is installed in the printer, and selecting a mode of operation for the printer based on whether it is identified as a single- or a double-sided printer and whether single- or double-sided media is identified as being installed therein. Variations are provided.
US08619313B2 Scanning device with plural image capture zones on a platen
An image capture device comprises an output settings module configured to receive a selection of at least one output setting for at least one of a plurality of objects to be concurrently imaged by the image capture device, the at least one output setting automatically applied to a scanned image of the at least one object.
US08619309B2 Image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus includes a capturing unit for capturing an image; an operation unit for inputting information specifying a specific information processing device among a plurality of information processing devices; an information request processing unit for externally transmitting an information acquisition request including a concurrent notification request and identification information identifying the specific information processing device; a destination determination processing unit for determining a transmission destination according to answer information relative to the information acquisition request; and an image information transmission processing unit for transmitting the image captured with the capturing unit to the transmission destination determined with the destination determination processing unit.
US08619306B2 Image processing device for requesting a server for services
An image processing device is configured to provide a service relating to at least one of (1) the image data generated by the function of the image processing device and (2) image data representing the image to be formed, in response to a request from the image processing device. The image processing device may include a parameter designating unit, a service request unit, and a function implementation unit that is adapted to implement the function of the image processing device based on the service providing parameter designated by the parameter designating unit. The service providing device is provided with a service provision executing unit that is adapted to execute a process to provide the service to the image processing device after receiving the request from the service request unit provided to the image processing device.
US08619303B2 Printing apparatus with plurality of print control devices for detecting, communicating, combining and synchronizing printing process
Controllers on the master and slave sides each perform an ink cartridge checking process and transmit a detection result, for example “NG”, obtained though the ink cartridge checking process to the other controller. Furthermore, the same ink cartridge checking process is performed in the other controller and the detection result thereof, for example “OK” is transmitted to the first controller. A mechanical control unit merges (combines) the respective detection results and if at least one of the results is NG, a merged result of NG is obtained. In the case of NG, this fact is transmitted to a host control unit and if YES is selected in a Y/N display, the error is cleared. On the other hand, in the case of a merged result of OK, an ink cartridge OK state notification is issued to a mechanical controller.
US08619302B2 Image reading apparatus, control method thereof and image reading system
An image reading apparatus, system and control method are provide, wherein specific information used to specify a setting associated with reading set by a host PC is received from the host PC, and both the received specific information and identification information used to identify the host PC having transmitted the specific information are registered in association with a specific key. Upon an operation of the specific key, a read instruction issue request is sent to the host PC in accordance with the specific information registered in association with the specific key, an image is read in accordance with a read instruction sent from the host PC in response to the read instruction issue request sent by the host PC, and image data obtained from the image is transmitted from the image reading apparatus to the host PC.
US08619299B2 Printing system and printing method for portable communication device
A printing system includes a portable communication device, a printing device and plural transmission channels. The printing device is used for receiving a to-be-printed data from the portable communication device, thereby performing a printing task. The plural transmission channels are selectively in communication with the portable communication device and the printing device for transferring the to-be-printed data to the printing device. The portable communication device includes a controlling unit for judging and setting priority values of the transmission channels and selecting one of the transmission channels as a priority transmission channel according to the priority values of the transmission channels, so that the to-be-printed data is transmitted from the portable communication device to the printing device through the priority transmission channel.
US08619297B2 Printing using a profile based on printer capabilities
In one embodiment, a first profile of printing settings is created at a server system. Data indicative of a capability of a first printer is received at the server system. A second profile of printing settings specific to the first printer is created at the server system, the second profile including portions of the first profile consistent with the capability. A first print job is received at the server system over a web. The print job is caused to be printed at the first printer in accordance with the second profile.
US08619288B2 Communication apparatus, image processing apparatus, image processing system, method for controlling the same, and storage medium storing program
A communication apparatus connected with an image processing apparatus including a reading unit for reading an image on a document to generate image data based on the read image. The communication apparatus receives from the image processing apparatus a process definition file defining details of reading processing to be performed by the reading unit and details of transmission processing for transmitting the image data generated by the reading unit, and the image data generated by the reading unit according to the definitions described in the process definition file. The communication apparatus transmits the received image data according to the definitions described in the received process definition file. When an error occurs in image data transmission, the communication apparatus determines whether to notify the occurrence of the error to a source of the process definition file depending on details about the error occurring. When the communication apparatus determines that it is necessary to notify the occurrence of the error to the source of the process definition file as a result of the determination, the communication apparatus notifies the occurrence of the error to the source of the process definition file.
US08619286B2 System and method of avoiding conflicting printer job language processing
A printing control device includes: a banner data detecting unit that detects banner data from print data; a data acquiring unit that acquires, when the banner data are detected by the banner data detecting unit, data for designating a printing condition for printing a text located after the banner data in the print data; and a printing condition setting unit that sets, when the data for designating the printing condition for printing the text are acquired by the data acquiring unit, the printing condition as a printing condition for printing the print data.
US08619285B2 Image forming apparatus, client, image forming system and control method in image forming system
An image forming apparatus, a client, an image forming system and a control method in the image forming system, the system including: an image forming apparatus and a client connected to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes an embedded web server storing data on a plurality of executing windows respectively corresponding to a plurality of display items of the image forming apparatus. The client includes a display unit and a selection unit to select at least one display item to be displayed from among the plurality of items provided by the image forming apparatus. Accordingly, the client displays, through the display unit, the executing window based on data on an executing window corresponding to the display item of the web server.
US08619279B2 Method and system for automatically redirecting jobs in a device community
A system and method for automatically redirecting a job in a community of networked devices. A peer-based device community can be created by connecting at least two networked devices utilizing a manual/self-discovery approach based on a set of rules and policies in order to interact and publish a device capability within the device community. A self-assessment approach can be employed to monitor and track the status and consumables of each networked device. A device can perform a self-assessment based on particular criteria and then determine, based on such criteria, whether to request assistance. Such a request is broadcast by the device and includes job ticket data and data indicating why such a request is being made. Devices receiving the request then perform a self-assessment in relation to the specific job and determine if they can provide better service. The job can be automatically transmitted between the networked devices in response to a help request with respect to an exception condition in the device community. A notification indicative of the transmission of the job to another device can be provided to a user. Such an approach provides an internal workload balancing with greater customer satisfaction by re-routing the job from the devices in the exception conditions.
US08619278B2 Printed matter examination apparatus, printed matter examination method, and printed matter examination system
A printed matter examination apparatus includes a master data acquiring unit configured to acquire master data that is data for printing and contains code information that is converted for printing; a code information acquiring unit configured to acquire unconverted code information; a code information recognition unit configured to recognize the converted code information from the acquired master data; and a code information examination unit configured to compare the converted code information recognized by the code information recognition unit with the acquired unconverted code information and determine that the converted code information is incorrect when the converted code information is not identical to the unconverted code information.
US08619275B2 Printer identification and mobile printing
Techniques are provided for displaying encoded data that represent a) features and options currently supported by a printing device, b) a printer identifier for the printing device, and c) network service interface data for a network service, wherein the network service interface data allow a mobile device to send print settings selection data and electronic document identification data to the network service; and processing print data and causing a printed version of an electronic document represented by the print data to be printed by the printing device.
US08619271B2 Image processing apparatus, maintenance system, and job control method
To reduce downtime due to maintenance of an image processing apparatus as much as possible.Image processing jobs and maintenance jobs of the image processing apparatus are treated in the same way and registered together in the same table. With reference to a table having recorded therein prohibited functions that need to be prohibited during execution of the maintenance job, control is performed such that an image processing job that does not use the prohibited functions (Step S15: NO) is executed in parallel with the maintenance job even during execution (Step S16).
US08619267B2 Proximity sensor with motion detection
A proximity sensor with movement detection is provided. The proximity sensor may include an ASIC chip; at least three light sources configured to emit light in a particular sequence; and a photo detector configured to receive light and generate an output signal. The proximity sensor may have a compact size package, wherein the photo detector may be stacked on the ASIC chip and disposed at a substantially equal distance from the at least three light sources. The proximity sensor includes a driver operable to generate a current to a plurality of light sources in a particular timing sequence, a photo detector configured to receive light and generate an output signal, an ASIC configured to report the movement of an object near the proximity sensor if the output signal pattern generated matches one of the output signal patterns from among a set of known output signal patterns. The proximity sensor may be configured to be used as a counter or an on/off switch based on particular movements detected.
US08619266B2 Optical position-measuring device
An optical position-measuring device includes a light source, a measuring reflector movable in space, a detection unit and a light-beam deflection unit that can align at least one beam of rays, emitted by the light source, in the direction of the measuring reflector. The light-beam deflection unit includes a cardan system having two cardan frames. A first cardan frame is adjustable by motor about a first axis of rotation, and a second cardan frame within the first cardan frame is adjustable by motor about a second axis of rotation oriented in a direction perpendicular to the first axis of rotation. The two axes of rotation intersect in a fixed reference point, at which a reference reflector is disposed. A plurality of mirrors are disposed rigidly on the cardan frames, so that the beam of rays can be pivoted about the fixed reference point via the mirrors during alignment.
US08619252B2 Microscope including a light intensity measuring unit for measuring an intensity of light emitted from the microscope
A light intensity measuring unit for measuring an intensity of light emitted from a microscope includes an aperture stop, a field stop, at least one measurement lens arranged between the aperture stop and the field stop, and an interface for attachment to a microscope. The aperture stop is positioned on or close to a back focal plane of the at least one measurement lens. The field stop is positioned on or close to a front focal plane of the at least one measurement lens.
US08619249B2 Light angle selecting light detector device
This invention relates to a light angle selecting light detector device comprising a detector unit which is arranged to receive light selected by a selector unit. The device comprising at least one set of light passing areas. Each set of light passing areas consists of a first light passing area having a first size, which first light passing area is located on a first surface, and a second light passing area having a second size, which second light passing area is located on a second surface. The first light passing area and the second light passing area are arranged with a lateral displacement and form a light path from the first surface to the second surface for light having an incident angle between a maximum angle and a minimum angle.
US08619246B2 Optical node apparatus, method for checking connection in node apparatus and program thereof
An optical node apparatus whose plural function units are connected each other through an optical transmission line includes a control unit which carries out control to send an optical test signal and to stop sending the optical test signal a sending unit which sends the optical test signal on the basis of an instruction issued by the control unit a receiving unit which receives the optical test signal sent by the sending unit through the optical transmission line and a discriminating unit which discriminates whether the receiving unit receives the optical test signal.
US08619244B2 Method of checking the authenticity of a document with a co-laminated fabric layer inside
A method to test the authenticity of a document (1), such as an ID, a passport or a card, protected against forgery, wherein it comprises at least an inner co-laminated fabric layer (2) forming an optical watermark. This layer presents cuts, and so separated zones with fabric material and other zones without fabric material, forming well recognizable forms or pictures. Co-laminating one or a plurality of such fabric layers inside of the document body allows to create a multiple watermark having both surface relief and opacity effect, without adding any volume to the body of the document.
US08619238B2 Rangefinder for shooting device and method of aligning rangefinder to shooting device sight
Embodiments of the present concept are directed to a rangefinder that can be aligned to a fixed sight on a shooting device so that a range can be accurately taken that corresponds to a fixed sight that is used to align the shooting device to a target. Other embodiments of this concept provide methods of aligning the rangefinder to the fixed sight of the shooting device.
US08619236B2 Determining lithographic set point using optical proximity correction verification simulation
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to determining a lithographic set point using simulations of optical proximity correction verification. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method of determining a lithographic tool set point for a lithographic process is disclosed. The method may include: providing a model of a production lithographic process including simulations of printed shapes; analyzing the model of the production lithographic process to determine whether a set of structures on a production mask used in the production lithographic process to create the printed shapes will fail under a plurality of set points; determining an operating region of set points where the set of structures on the production mask does not fail; and establishing a set point location within the operating region based upon a set point selection function.
US08619235B2 Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A level sensor configured to measure a height level of a substrate arranged in a measurement position is disclosed. The level sensor comprises a projection unit to project multiple measurement beams on multiple measurement locations on the substrate, a detection unit to receive the measurement beams after reflection on the substrate, and a processing unit to calculate a height level on the basis of the reflected measurement beams received by the detection unit, wherein the projection unit and the detection unit are arranged next to the substrate, when the substrate is arranged in the measurement position.
US08619231B2 Cleaning method, exposure method, and device manufacturing method
A cleaning method includes cleaning a member, used at the time of exposing a substrate via liquid, which is in contact with the liquid. The method includes cleaning the member with an alkali solution followed by cleaning the member with a solution including hydrogen peroxide.
US08619229B2 Back light assembly and liquid crystal display including the same
A backlight assembly has improved luminance and uniformity, and a liquid crystal display includes the backlight assembly. The backlight assembly may be constructed with a light source; a flexible printed circuit board including a base film and conductors, and mounted with the light source; a light guide panel into which light emitted from the light source is incident; and a mold frame including an opening for receiving the light guide panel and a boss for fixing the flexible printed circuit board. The flexible printed circuit board is provided with an insertion hole into which the boss is inserted, and the conductors are formed along the circumference of the insertion hole.
US08619224B2 Liquid crystal display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
Embodiments may be directed to an LCD apparatus including: an array substrate including a pixel electrode in each pixel of a plurality of pixels of an image area; a color filter substrate including a common electrode facing the pixel electrode; and a liquid crystal layer between the array substrate and the color filter substrate, and the common electrode includes a first common electrode corresponding to a center portion of the image area and a second common electrode corresponding to a boundary portion of the image area.
US08619220B2 Liquid crystal display panel and color filter
A manufacturing method of a color filter including following steps is provided. First, a partition is formed on a substrate to form a plurality of pixel regions on the substrate. Next, a color pigment is provided along a continuous pigment-providing route, so as to form the color pigment on a sequence of pixel regions among the plurality of pixel regions and the partition. The method mentioned above can prevent the unfilled phenomenon of the pigment around the corners of the pixel region. Besides, a liquid crystal display panel having the color filter is also provided.
US08619219B2 Thin film transistor, display device and liquid crystal display device and method for manufacturing the same
As a wiring becomes thicker, discontinuity of an insulating film covering the wiring has become a problem. It is difficult to form a wiring with width thin enough for a thin film transistor used for a current high definition display device. As a wiring is made thinner, signal delay due to wiring resistance has become a problem. In view of the above problems, the invention provides a structure in which a conductive film is formed in a hole of an insulating film, and the surfaces of the conductive film and the insulating film are flat. As a result, discontinuity of thin films covering a conductive film and an insulating film can be prevented. A wiring can be made thinner by controlling the width of the hole. Further, a wiring can be made thicker by controlling the depth of the hole.
US08619218B2 Display substrate and display device including the same
A display substrate and a display device including the same are provided. The display substrate includes a first substrate which is divided into a display portion including pixel regions and a non-display portion including a region other than the display portion. Color filters are formed in the pixel regions of the substrate to respective thicknesses. At least one stepped pattern is formed on the non-display portion of the substrate and from the same material as used to form at least one of the color filters. The stepped patterns are formed at an area occupancy density of 20% or more of the non-display portion. A minimum distance is maintained between the stepped patterns and the pixel regions.
US08619201B2 Display apparatus having display driving unit on lower part
A display apparatus having a display driving unit on a lower part is provided. The LCD display apparatus includes a signal processing unit which performs video decoding, video scaling, and conversion into high-quality video on an input video; and a driving unit which is disposed closer to a lower end of the LCD display apparatus than to an upper end of the LCD display apparatus, and drives a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel to display a video output from the signal processing unit on the LCD panel.
US08619199B1 Method and apparatus for performing automatic gain control to track signal variations in a wireless communication signal
A demodulator includes an analog to digital converter configured to receive a television signal from a tuner and output a corresponding digitized television signal, where the television signal comprises a digital television signal or an analog television signal. A first gain module is configured to generate, based on the digitized television signal, a first feedback for adjusting the television signal provided to the analog to digital converter by the tuner, where the first feedback is applied to the television signal regardless of whether the television signal is a digital television signal or an analog television signal. A second gain module is configured to generate second feedback for further adjusting the television signal provided to the analog to digital converter by the tuner, where the second feedback is provided to further adjust the television signal only when the television signal is an analog television signal.
US08619198B1 Adjusting frame rates for video applications
A system includes a computing device that includes a memory for storing content of a sequence of frames, and a frame predictor. The frame predictor determines a difference between content of a first frame and content of a second frame, in which the first and second frames are adjacent in the sequence of frames. The difference between the content of the first and second frames is representative of image changes included in the content of first and second frames. The frame predictor is configured to produce an intermediate frame using at least one of the first and second frames, and the determined difference. The frame predictor is further configured to insert the intermediate frame into the frame sequence.
US08619195B2 Display apparatus and display method
A display apparatus includes a sight line detection unit that detects a line of sight of a user by analyzing user video information, an enhancement processing unit that detects an intersection point of the line of sight of the user detected by the sight line detection unit and a video display surface of a monitor as an attention point, which is a point on which the user focuses attention, and performs enhancement processing for the monitor by setting a higher gain amount in stages from a position of a longer distance from the attention point toward a position of a smaller distance, and a display video output control unit that outputs video via the monitor based on the gain amount set by the enhancement processing unit and display video information whose input is received by a display video information input unit.
US08619194B1 Privacy in television tracking
A television system for providing identification of user television viewing activities, while maintaining the privacy of individual viewers. In selected embodiments, the television system includes a random, unique identification generator that, on a periodic basis, can be used to send targeted advertisements or programming to a user. The user can force the system to re-generate a random identifier and/or purge any tracked data at any time.
US08619191B2 Filter module for a video decoding system
Systems and methods are disclosed for filter modules in a video display system or network. One embodiment relates to a method for operating a filter module in a video display network comprising determining a picture type, display type and operation of the display network. The method further comprises determining, in real time, a filter configuration from a plurality of possible filter configurations based on the determined picture type, display type and operation.
US08619189B2 Image processing apparatus to reduce isolated noise effects in moving image drive distribution processing
An image processing apparatus, which converts a frame rate by dividing an input frame into sub-frames and outputting the sub-frames, includes a minimum value filter unit, a low-pass filter processing unit, a generation unit, and a switching unit. In an input frame, the minimum value filter unit selects a maximum value of minimum values from the minimum values of pixel values in each horizontal line in a predetermined area including peripheral pixels of a processing target pixel, and performs pre-processing to replace the processing target pixel with the maximum value. The low-pass filter processing unit performs low-pass filter processing on the pre-processed input frame and generates a first sub-frame. The generation unit generates a second sub-frame from the first sub-frame and the input frame. The switching unit switches the first sub-frame and the second sub-frame at predetermined timing and outputs a sub-frame.
US08619188B2 Method and system for direct recording of video information onto a disk medium
A method for converting video information from an incoming format to an outgoing format using a process free from one or more intermediary files. The method includes receiving video information in a first format and receiving a desired output media format based upon a first input and a desired TV standard based upon a second input. The method decodes the video information in the first format to raw video information in an uncompressed format and directly resizes the raw video information in the uncompressed format into a size associated with the desired output media format and the desired TV standard. The method adjusts the uncompressed format in the size associated with the desired output media format and the desired TV standard to a frame rate associated with the desired TV standard and encodes the uncompressed format in the size and the frame rate into an elementary video stream. A step of multiplexing the elementary video stream with audio information in the desired output media format and the desired TV standard to form video and audio information in a presentation format based upon the desired output media format and the desired TV standard is included.
US08619187B2 Cadence detection in progressive video
Devices, methods, and other embodiments associated with cadence detection are discussed. In one embodiment, an apparatus analyzes a progressive video stream and determines a cadence pattern from the progressive video stream.
US08619186B2 Camera body having depression to accommodate capacitor
A camera body allows the mounting of a lens unit configured to form an optical image of a subject, and includes a body mount, an imaging element, a capacitor, and a housing member. The body mount allows a lens unit to be mounted. The imaging element includes a light receiving face arranged to receive light passing through the lens unit, and converts an optical image of the subject into an electrical signal. The capacitor is disposed in the depression formed near the outer peripheral portion of the imaging element, and stores electrical charges. The housing member accommodates the imaging element and the capacitor.
US08619185B2 Image sensor module having a wafer level chip size package and method of manufacting the same and imaging device including the image sensor module and method of manufacturing the image device
An image sensor module and an imaging device. An image sensor package includes a plurality of image sensor chips for generating image signals and a lower transparent board over the image sensor chips. An upper transparent board is positioned over the lower transparent board and includes a lens for focusing an external light to the image sensor chips. An adhesion member is interposed between the upper transparent board and the lower transparent board, and thus the upper and lower transparent boards are adhered to each other by the adhesion member such that the lens and the image sensor chips are aligned with each other. A dehumidifying agent is arranged in the adhesion member to absorb moistures from an interior of the image sensor module. Accordingly, the moistures are prevented from being condensed onto the surface of the image sensor module.
US08619184B2 Camera adapter based optical imaging apparatus
An adapter which can make use of the devices in any commercially available digital cameras to accomplish different functions, the invention admits addition of confocal detection and provides simultaneous measurements or imaging in at least two channels, confocal and OCT, where the confocal channel provides an en-face image simultaneous with the acquisition of OCT cross sections, to guide the acquisition as well as to be used subsequently in the visualization of OCT images. Different technical solutions are provided for the assembly of one or two digital cameras which together with such adapters lead to modular and portable high resolution imaging systems which can accomplish various functions with a minimum of extra components while adapting the elements in the digital camera.
US08619178B2 Image rendition and capture
An image rendition and capture method includes rendering a first image on a surface using a first set of wavelength ranges of light. While the first image is being rendered, a second image is captured using a second set of wavelength ranges of light but not the first set. The second image is of the surface on which the first image is being rendered.
US08619174B2 Method and apparatus for controlling a display for image transmission
Provided are a method and apparatus for controlling a display for image transmission. The method of controlling a display for image transmission reduces the time required to select images to be transmitted and increases user convenience and efficiency by calculating the residual amount of battery power and the amount of image files or data that is capable of being transmitted based on the current amount of battery power. Some embodiments of the method and apparatus notify a user about the amount of image files or data that is capable of being transmitted based on the residual amount of battery power and indicate whether fewer image files need to be selected for transmission.
US08619167B2 Scanned beam display and image capture
A method for displaying or capturing an image comprises directing an illumination beam onto a mirror of a highly resonant, mirror-mount system and applying a drive signal to a transducer to deflect the mirror. In this method, the drive signal has a pulse frequency approaching a resonance frequency of the mirror-mount system. The method further comprises reflecting the illumination beam off the mirror so that the illumination beam scans through an area where the image is to be displayed or captured, and, addressing each pixel of the image in synchronicity with the drive signal to display or capture the image.
US08619165B2 Image processing device for correcting signal irregularity, calibration method, imaging device, image processing program, and image processing method
An image processing device of the present application includes an image acquisition unit, a slope generation unit, and a slope correction unit. The image acquisition unit takes in an image data generated by an imaging element. The slope generation unit generates a slope correction data correcting, in a slope-shape, a signal irregularity caused in the image data due to a manufacturing process of the imaging element. The slope correction unit corrects the signal irregularity within the image data using the slope correction data.
US08619164B2 Complementary pixel reconstruction
Systems and methods for reconstructing pixel values at bad (i.e. fully or partially defective, saturated, and/or non-responsive in one or more spectral bands) pixel locations in multi-spectral photo-detectors are provided herein. A detector having pixel locations responsive in two or more spectral bands may have pixel values at bad pixel locations reconstructed from adjacent pixel location band ratios so long as the bad pixel location is operational/responsive in at least one spectral band. Pixel locations may be two (or more) color pixels, stacked FPAs, “virtual” locations created by mapping pixels in a first detector to pixels in a second detector, or “super pixels” defined on a detector with a patterned band-pass filter.
US08619162B2 Image processing apparatus and method, and image processing program
Whether a pixel of interest contained in applied image data exhibits color bleed (a false color or purple fringe) is determined. If the pixel of interest is determined to exhibit color bleed, a direction along which luminance is monotonically decreasing in the vicinity of the pixel of interest is discriminated using the pixel of interest as a starting point. A search is performed in the direction of monotonically decreasing luminance to find a pixel where the monotonic decrease in luminance ends. The found pixel where the monotonic decrease in luminance ends is decided upon as a target pixel and a correction value for causing the color of the pixel of interest to match the color of the target pixel is calculated. The color of the pixel of interest is corrected using the calculated color correction value.
US08619160B2 User-responsive, enhanced-image generation method and system
The present invention concerns an enhanced-image generation system and method which responds adaptively to changes in conditions in real space or virtual space. The enhanced-image generation system according to the present invention comprises: a conditions-judging unit for judging conditions on the basis of conditions data associated with actual objects and conditions data associated with virtual objects; an operational-parameter generating unit for generating operational parameters for a responsive agent in accordance with the judged conditions; and an enhanced-image generating unit for generating an enhanced image through the use of agent operational parameters and an image relating to an actual object. The present invention makes it possible to generate enhanced images which respond actively to changes in conditions and which are relatively realistic, and also makes it possible to generate enhanced images which are matched to the user and which are made to reflect the user's individual preferences and experiences.
US08619159B2 Imaging device, image storing method, and recording medium for processing image capturing location information
An imaging device for capturing an image of a subject to acquire captured-image information, comprises: a positioning element arranged to measure a location at which the image is captured, to acquire capturing location information indicating a capturing location when the captured-image is acquired; a creation element arranged to create image information based on the capturing location information acquired by the positioning element and the captured-image information; a memory element arranged to store the image information created by the creation element; a decision element arranged to, when the image information stored in the memory element is output to the outside, decide whether or not the capturing location information included in the image information is to be kept secret; and a fabricator element arranged to fabricate the capturing location information included in the image information in accordance with a result of the decision by the decision element. Thus, it is possible to prevent leaking of information on the capturing location that is a kind of private information, minimizing reduction of convenience and versatility of the image information including the information on the capturing location.
US08619154B2 Three-dimensional imaging using a single camera
The attenuation and other optical properties of a medium are exploited to measure a thickness of the medium between a sensor and a target surface. Disclosed herein are various mediums, arrangements of hardware, and processing techniques that can be used to capture these thickness measurements and obtain three-dimensional images of the target surface in a variety of imaging contexts. This includes general techniques for imaging interior/concave surfaces as well as exterior/convex surfaces, as well as specific adaptations of these techniques to imaging ear canals, human dentition, and so forth.
US08619150B2 Ranking key video frames using camera fixation
A method for ranking key video frames for a digital video having a time sequence of video frames, comprising using a processor to perform the steps of: analyzing the digital video to determine a camera fixation pattern; determining a set of key video frames for the digital video; and ranking the key video frames responsive to the camera fixation pattern.
US08619148B1 Image correction after combining images from multiple cameras
Provided are computer-implemented systems and methods for image correction after combining images from multiple cameras. While combining multiple images may significantly enhance image quality without a need for a longer focal length lens, combined images may have some perspective distortion caused by different imaging angles used by different cameras. For example, when two cameras provided on the same device are used to capture images of a face and these images are combined by cross-fading, a combined image may have an unnaturally widened center portion. Specifically, proportions of nose and ears may be distorted resulting in a wider nose and generally a wider face. The combined image may be compressed either uniformly or non-uniformly (e.g., more compression in the center) to yield a processed image with more realistic and/or natural proportions. The compression ratio and/or compression distribution may depend on imaging angles, various distances, and other factors described herein.
US08619147B2 Handheld device for capturing text from both a document printed on paper and a document displayed on a dynamic display device
A device for capturing rendered text is described. The device incorporates one or more visual sensors that receive visual information as a part of capturing rendered text. The visual sensors are collectively capable of capturing both text that is permanently printed on a page, and text that is displayed transitorily on a dynamic device. The device further incorporates a visual information disposition subsystem for disposing of visual information received by the visual sensors. The device further incorporates a package that bears the visual sensors and the visual information disposition subsystem, and is suitable to be held in a human hand.
US08619146B2 Digital camera with integrated accelerometers
A digital camera system has integrated accelerometers for determining static and dynamic accelerations of the digital cameral system. Data relating to static and dynamic accelerations are stored with recorded image data for further processing, such as for correcting image data for roll, pitch and vibrations and for displaying recorded images with a predetermined orientation using information about, e.g., roll. Data may also be used on-the-fly for smear suppression caused by vibrations.
US08619145B2 Position controller for image-stabilizing insertable/removable optical element
A position controller for an image-stabilizing optical element in a optical system includes an advancing/retracting member; an anti shake frame supported by the advancing/retracting member and movable along a plane orthogonal to the optical axis; an insertable/removable frame holding the optical element and supported by the anti-shake frame to be movable between insertion and removed positions; an anti shake drive mechanism which drives the anti shake frame to perform an image-stabilizing operation; and a removal drive mechanism which imposes no movement limitations on the anti shake frame and the insertable/removable frame in a ready-to-photograph state, and which imparts a component force that moves the insertable/removable frame to the removed position in association with the insertable/removable frame when the advancing/retracting member moves to an accommodated position.
US08619136B2 System and method for home monitoring using a set top box
A system and method for displaying security content from a set top box to a television. In one embodiment, the television receives media content for display. Security content from one or more wireless cameras replaces the media content in response to receiving an alert from the one or more wireless cameras.
US08619135B2 Detection of abnormal behaviour in video objects
A method, system, and computer program product for classifying a behavior of a detected object in a video frame, wherein the video frame includes a plurality of blocks and the detected object is associated with a subset of the plurality of blocks. The method includes the step of associating a behavior model with each of the plurality of blocks, wherein each behavior model includes a set of behavior modes each having a set of parameters. The method further includes the steps, for each block in the video frame associated with the detected object, of: (i) determining a set of behavior statistics associated with the detected object, based on the detected object and the set of parameters; and (ii) comparing the determined set of behavior statistics with the set of parameters of each behavior mode in the set of behavior modes associated with that block to determine an abnormality score. The method also includes the step of classifying the behavior of the detected object based on the abnormality scores associated with the subset of the plurality of blocks associated with the detected object.
US08619131B2 Method of illuminating a 3D object with a modified 2D image of the 3D object by means of a projector, and projector suitable for performing such a method
The invention provides a method of illuminating a 3D object 10 with a modified 2D image of the 3D object 10. Further, the invention provides a dedicated projector 40 for performing this method. This projector 40 further comprises an image sensor 60 to capture a 2D image of the object, which may, after modification into the modified 2D image, be projected by the projector 40 on the 3D object 10.
US08619129B2 Multiview autostereoscopic display device and multiview autostereoscopic display method
A method and apparatus for displaying a multiview autostereoscopic image are provided. The apparatus, for displaying an autostereoscopic image, includes: a light source unit; and a display panel which displays an image by modulating light from the light source unit and having a plurality of pixel groups, wherein each of the pixel groups comprises a plurality of whole pixels and at least one fraction pixel, and in each of the whole pixels and the fraction pixel, image information of a viewpoint different from each other is displayed.
US08619127B2 Stereoscopic three dimensional visualization system and method of use
The present invention relates to a stereoscopic three dimensional visualization system, and particularly to a stereoscopic three dimensional visualization system for microdentistry, microsurgery, or industrial applications. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a plurality of cameras configured to provide a first stereoscopic image to a dentist or other professional and a second stereoscopic image to an assistant that has approximately the same focal point, but that is rotated by a predetermined angle from the first stereoscopic image. In one exemplary embodiment three cameras are utilized to create the stereoscopic images.
US08619126B2 Single-lens, single-sensor 3-D imaging device with a central aperture for obtaining camera position
A device and method for three-dimensional (3-D) imaging using a defocusing technique is disclosed. The device comprises a lens, a central aperture located along an optical axis for projecting an entire image of a target object, at least one defocusing aperture located off of the optical axis, a sensor operable for capturing electromagnetic radiation transmitted from an object through the lens and the central aperture and the at least one defocusing aperture, and a processor communicatively connected with the sensor for processing the sensor information and producing a 3-D image of the object. Different optical filters can be used for the central aperture and the defocusing apertures respectively, whereby a background image produced by the central aperture can be easily distinguished from defocused images produced by the defocusing apertures.
US08619124B2 Video data processing systems and methods
A video data processing system comprises a control module coupled with a source module for receiving video data from the source module, the video data being associated with at least one source viewpoint; and a view adjustment module coupled with the control module for generating at least one adjusted viewpoint of the video data based on at least one of a set viewpoint number and a number of the at least one source viewpoint. The set viewpoint number is associated with at least one of a viewpoint number of at least one previously received video data and a viewpoint number of at least one previously coupled player module.
US08619122B2 Depth camera compatibility
Compatibility between a depth image consumer and a depth image producer is provided by receiving a native depth image having an unsupported type that is not supported by a depth image consumer, and processing the native depth image into an emulation depth image having a supported type that is supported by the depth image consumer. This emulation depth image is then output to the depth image consumer.
US08619120B2 Imaging apparatus, imaging method and recording medium with program recorded therein
An imaging apparatus including a capturing section which captures images, a detection section which detects an image capturing direction of the capturing section, a setting section which sets a plurality of image capturing directions of images for use in a composite necessary to generate a wide-angle image based on a reference image which is a first image captured by the capturing section, a judgment section which judges whether or not the image capturing direction detected by the detection section coincides with any one of the plurality of image capturing directions set by the setting section, and an imaging control section which controls to capture an image for use in the composite by the capturing section in the image capturing direction detected by the detection section, when the judgment section judges that mutual directions coincide.
US08619113B2 Image processing system and image processing method
An image processing system and an image processing method are provided. The image processing system includes: a display device, an image detecting device, and a driving unit. The display device comprises: a frame, a display screen supported by the frame, and a sliding track positioned on the frame. The image detecting device is movably positioned on the sliding track via the driving unit, and utilized for detecting at least an object. The driving unit is utilized for moving the image detecting device. The image processing system and the image processing method can determine an optimal position for the image detecting device in the image processing system to detect the largest number of audiences. In addition, the image detecting device in the image processing system can detect objects in each zone in front of the display device in the image processing system no matter what size of the display device is.
US08619109B2 Registering patterns of features by adjusting the pitch of image swaths
Methods are provided to image patterns on a media. A pitch of a repeating pattern of sub-regions is determined and an imaging head is operated which has an array of individually addressable channels to direct imaging beams to form an image swath on the media. The individually addressable channels are controlled to image the repeating pattern of features and the pitch of the repeating pattern of features is adjusted to equal substantially the pitch of the repeating patterns of sub-regions.
US08619106B2 Thermal head and thermal printer including the same
A thermal head capable of dissipating heat accumulated in a heat accumulating layer efficiently and achieving clear printing, and a thermal printer including the thermal head are provided. A thermal head includes a substrate, a heat accumulating layer disposed on part of the substrate, a heat generating portion disposed on the heat accumulating layer, an electrode electrically connected to the heat generating portion, a protective layer that covers the heat generating portion and part of the electrode, and an insulating layer having thermal conductivity, the insulating layer covering part of a region of the electrode which region is not covered with the protective layer. The insulating layer covers part of the protective layer and extends over the heat accumulating layer.
US08619105B2 Image forming apparatus and method of adjusting head pressurizing force
First and second sensors are disposed downstream and upstream of a conveyance path, respectively. A first head is disposed between the first sensor and the second sensor opposite to a first platen with the conveyance path interposed between the first head and the first platen. The first head pressurizing force adjusting device adjusts a pressurizing force of the first head to the first platen. A second head is disposed between the first head and the second sensor opposite to a second platen with the conveyance path interposed between the second head and the second platen. The second head pressurizing force adjusting device adjusts a pressurizing force of the second head to the second platen. The control unit controls the second head pressurizing force adjusting device to separate the second head from the second platen if a tailing end of the recording medium escapes from the second sensor.
US08619101B2 Methods and systems for white point adjustment
Methods and data processing systems are disclosed for adjusting a white point of a display. In one embodiment, a method includes setting the display to a first state. The method further includes providing a two dimensional array of white points to the display. The method further includes selecting a target white point from the two dimensional array of white points to visually match a desired white color of a medium. The method further includes encoding the selected target white point as two simultaneously captured variables. The method further includes deriving a second state of the display that corresponds to the target white point.
US08619096B2 Instant message analytics of historical conversations in relation to present communication
Evaluating a delivered video using a marker. A marker can be generated to be superimposed and displayed on an evaluation range from coordinate values specifying the evaluation range input to evaluate the video and that adds the marker to the video and causing the video with the marker to be deliver. An image can be generated in the evaluation range at predetermined intervals starting from the input time of the coordinate values. A similarity between two images arranged in the order of time from the input time by comparing the two images can be calculated, and a determination can be made whether the similarity is within an allowable range. The time of one of the two images generated as an extinction time of the displayed marker can be selected when the similarity is determined to be not within the allowable range.
US08619092B2 Image processing apparatus and graphics memory unit
An image processing apparatus and graphics memory unit which reduces useless memory access to a graphics memory unit. When an image data read section reads image data from frame buffers or windows, a mask area inside/outside determination section determines by reference to mask information stored in a mask information storage section whether image data which is being scanned is in a memory access mask area. If the image data which is being scanned is in the memory access mask area, then a superposition process section performs a superposition process according to a transmission attribute assigned to the memory access mask area regardless of transmission attributes assigned to the frame buffers or the windows.
US08619090B2 Text import tool for a technical computing environment
A device receives text that includes data values, and parses the text to identify data types associated with the data values. The device generates, based on the data values and the data types, a graphical representation of the text that includes data cells corresponding to the data values, and provides the graphical representation for display. The device receives one or more selections of one or more data cells in the graphical representation, stores the one or more selections as a selection history, and provides the selection history for display.
US08619086B2 Managing three dimensional scenes using shared and unified graphics processing unit memory
Three dimensional scenes may be managed between a central processing unit and a graphics processing unit using shared and unified graphics processing unit memory. A shared bus memory may be synchronized between the central processing unit and the graphics processing unit. The shared bus memory may be used for more often updated components and other memory may be used for less often updated components. In some embodiments, if the graphics processor and the central processor use a common processor instruction set architecture, data can be sent from the central processor to the graphics processor without serializing the data.
US08619085B2 Method and system for compressing tile lists used for 3D rendering
A graphics processing device may generate coordinates for vertices of graphics primitives in a view-space. Tiles are defined within the view-space and are associated with tile lists. Primitives and/or vertices which overlap a tile are determined. Tile lists comprise differentially encoded indices and/or spatial coordinates for overlapping primitives. The differential encoding may or may not be byte aligned. During tile mode graphics rendering, tile lists are utilized to reference vertex attributes and/or primitives. Graphics rendering comprises a tile binning phase and a tile rendering phase. The primitives may comprise a triangle and/or joined triangles that share one or more vertices. For multiple joined primitives, information about shared vertices may be encoded without repetition for each primitive. Coordinates and/or corresponding weights for new vertices are encoded in a tile list and utilized for interpolating properties of the new vertices based on attributes of the original vertices.
US08619084B2 Dynamic adaptive process discovery and compliance
A method for modeling a process includes collecting data pertaining to executed process steps from one or more activity log files. The collected data is parsed to determine a set of process steps that have been performed. An incidence value representing how many times each performed process step follows each of the other performed process steps is determined. A graph representing a model of the executed process by representing each process step that has been performed as a node of the graph and each transition between process steps within each process thread as an edge on the graph is generated. The edges connecting the pairs of nodes are assigned numbers that depend upon the incidence value corresponding to how many times the process step represented by a first node of the pair is followed by the process step represented by a second node of the pair.
US08619072B2 Controlling a three-dimensional virtual broadcast presentation
Control of a three-dimensional virtual broadcast presentation is disclosed. The three-dimensional virtual broadcast presentation may be generated based on dynamic information such as traffic information, weather information, or other information that may be featured on a three-dimensional virtual broadcast presentation. A signal generated by a control device maneuvered by a presenter and reflecting positional information of the control device is received. A view of the three-dimensional virtual broadcast presentation is manipulated in response to the received signal, the manipulation of the virtual broadcast presentation at least partially based on positional information of the control device.
US08619069B2 Power-off discharge circuit, and source driver circuit having the same
A power-off discharge circuit comprises a power voltage detection unit that detects whether a first power voltage for driving a source driver circuit is blocked and generates a discharge control signal, and a discharge unit that discharges a load circuit in a display panel based on the discharge control signal.
US08619067B2 User interface substrate for handset device having an audio port
A substrate (56) for a handset device defines at least a portion of an audio port (274) and may include a keypad contact array (108) on the substrate (56) and a display electrode pattern (604) on the substrate (56). A display (52) is coupled to the substrate and is configured to at least partially surround the audio port portion on the substrate. In addition, in one example, the substrate (56) for a handset device (10) may include a first surface and a second surface. A keypad contact array (108) and a display electrode pattern (604) may be included on the first surface (96) of the substrate (56). The display (52) may be operatively coupled to the display electrode pattern (604).
US08619061B2 Optical touch apparatus and operating method thereof
An optical touch apparatus is disclosed. The optical touch apparatus comprises at least one light sensing module and a processing module. The at least one light sensing module is set at a first side of a surface of the optical touch apparatus, and used for receiving at least one light and generating a sensing result according to the condition of receiving the at least one light. The sensing result relates to whether the at least one light is blocked by at least one object above the surface and also relates to a comparing result between the at least one object and a reference region. The reference region is set at an opposite second side of the surface. The processing module determines at least one touch point position corresponding to the at least one object on the surface according to the sensing result.
US08619060B2 Multi-touch positioning method and multi-touch screen
The present invention relates to a multi-touch positioning method and a multi-touch screen. The multi-touch positioning method comprising: emitting, by a first infrared ray generator set at a first angle of a display panel, infrared rays at a first wavelength; emitting, by a second infrared ray generator set at a second angle, infrared rays at a second wavelength; receiving the infrared rays of the first wavelength and generating a first infrared ray image by a first infrared ray image sensor set at an opposite angle of the first angle; receiving the infrared rays of the second wavelength and generating a second infrared ray image by a second infrared ray image sensor set at an opposite angle of the second angle; and performing processings for the first infrared ray image and the second infrared ray image to determine at least one touch point.
US08619059B2 Resistive touch panel capable of operating in multi-touch control mode and sensing-drag control mode synchronously
A resistive touch panel comprises a touch layer, a spacer layer, a sensing layer and a controller. The touch layer and sensing layer are separated by the spacer layer and respectively have a plurality of strip-like touch loops and a plurality of strip-like sensing loops arranged staggeredly up and down. The controller connects two terminals of the touch loops and sensing loops and controls voltages supplied thereto to enable a digital-mode driving and an analog-mode driving respectively corresponding to digital time series and analog time series that are alternately and consecutively provided. Thus the controller can perform multi touch and drag path, and select the digital-mode driving or analog-mode driving through a switch. Therefore is realized a resistive touch panel that is capable of operating in a multi-touch control mode and a sensing-drag control mode synchronously.
US08619055B2 Active matrix touch sensing
An active matrix for a capacitive multiple touch sensing device is disclosed. One embodiment comprises one or more active matrix capacitive touch sensing pixels that each include a capacitor and a thin film transistor, wherein a voltage can be applied to the thin film transistor to address the capacitor. In this way, the thin film transistor can operate as a switch to apply an alternating current to the capacitor, and the capacitor's capacitance can be measured in relation to the alternating current and an externally applied electric field.
US08619054B2 Two dimensional position sensor
A two-dimensional position sensor comprising a substrate with a sensitive area defined by a pattern of electrodes including electrodes for determining x-position and electrodes for determining y-position. The x-electrodes and y-electrodes generally extend in the x-direction and are interleaved in the y-direction. The x-electrodes comprise at least first, second and third groups of elements shaped such that adjacent ones of the elements of the different x-electrode groups co-extend in the x-direction so that the x-electrodes provide ratiometric capacitive signals, thereby providing quasi-continuous x-position sensing across the sensitive area. In addition, the y-electrodes may be resistively connected or arranged in ratiometric pairs to provide quasi-continuous y-position sensing. Alternatively, the x-electrode groups may be interdigitated to form pairs of x-adjacent blocks of differing area to provide stepwise x-position sensing in combination with stepwise y-position sensing provided by the y-electrodes.
US08619053B2 Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for invoking an electronic ink or handwriting interface
User interfaces, methods, systems, and computer-readable media for activating and/or displaying text input systems on display devices may include: (a) displaying a text input system activation target at a user changeable location on a display device; (b) receiving user input directed to the activation target; and (c) activating a text input system in response to the user input. Such user interfaces, methods, and systems further may include (d) displaying a pre-interaction condition of the activation target; (e) receiving user input directed to the activation target in this pre-interaction condition; and (f) changing an appearance of the activation target from the pre-interaction condition to a larger size and/or a different visual appearance in response to this user input. Additional aspects of this invention relate to computer-readable media for providing user interfaces, systems, and methods as described above.
US08619052B2 Precise selection techniques for multi-touch screens
A unique system and method is provided that facilitates pixel-accurate targeting with respect to multi-touch sensitive displays when selecting or viewing content with a cursor. In particular, the system and method can track dual inputs from a primary finger and a secondary finger, for example. The primary finger can control movement of the cursor while the secondary finger can adjust a control-display ratio of the screen. As a result, cursor steering and selection of an assistance mode can be performed at about the same time or concurrently. In addition, the system and method can stabilize a cursor position at a top middle point of a user's finger in order to mitigate clicking errors when making a selection.
US08619051B2 Haptic feedback system with stored effects
A haptic feedback system that includes a controller, a memory coupled to the controller, an actuator drive circuit coupled to the controller, and an actuator coupled to the actuator drive circuit. The memory stores at least one haptic effect that is executed by the controller in order to create a haptic effect.
US08619046B2 Information processing apparatus, notification method, and program
An information processing apparatus is disclosed which includes: an operation display device displaying a plurality of virtual operation keys on a display screen in a predetermined key layout so as to detect operations performed by a user on the display screen; a vibration detection device detecting vibration changes of the operation display device; a key operation determination device determining whether a key input operation is performed on each of the virtual operation keys based on results of the detection by the operation display device and on results of the detection by the vibration detection device; and a notification control device giving notification selectively to the user based on those results of the determination by the key operation determination device.
US08619038B2 Editing interface
A portable electronic device displays icons (e.g., graphical objects) in one or more regions of a user interface of a touch-sensitive display, and detects user input specifying an exchange of positions of icons in the user interface. In some aspects, the respective positions of two icons in a user interface can be selected to exchange positions in the one or more regions of the user interface, and one or both icons can change their visual appearance to indicate their selection status.
US08619034B2 Sensor-based display of virtual keyboard image and associated methodology
A display device includes a touch screen having a display surface that displays images. The touch screen outputs a signal indicating a position on the display surface that has been touched. The display device also includes a first sensor that senses a position of an object relative to the display surface. The display device further includes a controller that generates a virtual keyboard image including a plurality of virtual keys for display on the display surface. The controller generates a left side portion and a right side portion of the virtual keyboard image, and chooses, as a display portion, one of the left side portion and the right side portion of the virtual keyboard image corresponding to the position of the object relative to the display surface as sensed by the first sensor. The controller controls the touch screen to display the display portion on the display surface.
US08619032B2 Mouse structure with retracting function
A mouse structure including a housing having a base portion, and a tongue portion having a guiding slot and at least a sliding channel; a first sliding device; a second sliding device including a base board, a sliding element, and a resilient apparatus having a pivoting end rotatably connected to the base board, a connecting bar connected to the sliding element, and a resilient portion; a linking element having a first linking portion fastened with the first sliding device, and a second linking portion fixedly attached to the sliding element, wherein when the first sliding device is being pulled or pushed, the linking element moves in conjunction with the first sliding device and drives the sliding element sliding on the base board, whereby the resilient apparatus rotates in conjunction with the sliding element to enable the sliding element to move between first and second positions.
US08619028B2 Mobile communication terminal, application program, image display control apparatus, electronic apparatus, and image display control method
A mobile communication terminal includes detection means that detects at least one of the position, orientation, attitude, and motion of a mobile communication terminal. Application program execution means can concurrently perform two direction changing processes different from each other according to two direction parameters by executing an application program, and determines at least one of the two direction parameters based on detection data detected by the detection means. The two direction changing processes are, for example, a visual point moving direction changing process for changing a moving direction of a visual point for viewing an image on a display means and a visual line direction changing process for changing a visual line direction. One of the direction parameters may be determined based on a key operation signal from key operation means.
US08619026B2 Method and apparatus for controlling movement of cursor
A method and a device for controlling cursor movement is disclosed. The cursor movement control device comprises an input unit that accepts the cursor movement commands from the user, a first display unit that displays a screen including said cursor, a graphical user interface unit that determines the selected region on said screen and a cursor movement control unit that calculates said cursor movement in said selected region. In this way, the present invention provides a method and a device for controlling cursor movement requiring only minor action from the user.
US08619024B2 Automated system and method for high-frequency signal attenuation compensation
Disclosed is a high-frequency boost circuitry for use with a computer management system. Detection circuitry at the receiving end of a video signal measures the amplitudes of various frequency components of the video signal. If the amplitudes of the high-frequency components of the video signal are substantially lower than the amplitudes of the low frequency components of the video signal, the detection circuitry sends the amplitude information to analysis circuitry located at the transmitting end of the video signal. The analysis circuitry utilizes this information to determine the appropriate level of amplification needed for the video signal. This results in improved signal to noise ratio at the receiver in the computer management system.
US08619022B1 Updating a task-management system by manipulating physical objects
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates updating a task-management system by manipulating physical objects. During operation, the system receives a notification at a computer system indicating that a physical icon (phycon) has been moved to a first physical location, wherein a phycon is a physical object that is associated with an element or an attribute of a task-management system. Next, the system identifies an element of the task-management system that is associated with the phycon. The system then identifies an attribute of the task-management system that is associated with the first physical location. Finally, the system applies the attribute to the element in the task-management system.
US08619020B2 Display apparatus
A display apparatus includes a display panel, a plurality of sensors, a read-out circuit, and a control circuit. The display panel includes a plurality of pixels receiving a data signal having a polarity reversed with respect to a common voltage to display an image. The sensors sense light to output sensing signals. The sensors may be integrated into the display panel. The read-out circuit is charged with the sensing signals generating charged signals in response to a sampling signal generated during a period in which the common voltage has a predetermined reference voltage level. The control circuit calculates a position on the display panel from the charged signals received signals from the read-out circuit.
US08619019B2 Display apparatus and method of driving the display apparatus
A display apparatus including a plurality of data lines which transmit a data signal received from a data driving unit, a plurality of first gate lines and a plurality of second gate lines, which cross the data lines and are arranged in such a manner that the first gate lines and the second gate lines alternate with each other, a plurality of pixels which are defined by the data lines, the first gate lines, and the second gate lines, each of the pixels including a first sub-pixel electrode to which a first data voltage is applied by a first switching device connected to one of the first gate lines and a second sub-pixel electrode to which a second data voltage is applied by a second switching device connected to one of the second gate lines, and a gate driving unit which selects a scanning group including two or more first gate lines and two or more second gate lines, applies a gate-on voltage to the first gate lines of the scanning group according to a first predetermined scanning order, and applies the gate-on voltage to the second gate lines of the scanning group according to a second predetermined scanning order.
US08619011B2 Liquid crystal display device
To provide a display device in which a viewing angle characteristic is improved by providing a plurality of sub-pixels to one pixel. Alternatively, to provide a display device in which an aperture ratio is suppressed even when a plurality of sub-pixels is provided. A pixel including first sub-pixel, a second sub-pixel, and a third sub-pixel, a scanning line, a signal line, a first capacitor wiring, a second capacitor wiring and a third capacitor wiring are provided. Pixel electrodes each electrically connected to one electrode of the first to third capacitor elements, and the first to third capacitor wirings, respectively, are provided to the first to third sub-pixels electrodes, respectively. Potentials of the first capacitor wiring and the second capacitor wiring are changed and a potential of the third capacitor wiring is kept almost constant.
US08619009B2 Display control drive device and display system
A display control drive device sequentially reads display data from a display memory in which the display data is stored, produces three primary color image signals that are applied to pixel locations in a dot-matrix color display device, and transmits the signals through a common external output terminal in a time-sharing manner. The display control drive device produces control signals applied to selection switching elements in the display device and that selectively apply an input image signal to any of three source lines. The display control drive device includes: a unit that determines one horizontal period based on a clock received from outside synchronously with display data; and a signal production circuit that produces and transmits the control signals, applied to the selection switching elements, so that the control signals will have a pulse duration equivalent to a time calculated by trisecting one horizontal period.
US08619007B2 Electro-luminescence display device for implementing compact panel and driving method thereof
An electro-luminescence display device includes: an electro-luminescence display panel including red, green and blue subpixels in regions defined by a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scan lines; a scan driver integrated circuit for driving the scan lines; and a data driver integrated circuit for driving the data lines, wherein the data driver integrated circuit has no more output channels than half of the plurality of datelines.
US08619005B2 Switchable head-mounted display transition
A method of operating a switchable head-mounted display apparatus includes the steps of providing a head-mounted display that includes a switchable viewing area that is switched between a transparent viewing state and an information viewing state, switching the viewing state to an intermediate state from the transparent viewing state or the information viewing state, and switching the intermediate state to the transparent viewing state or the information viewing state.
US08619004B2 Mobile terminal using touch screen and method of controlling the same
The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a method of controlling the same. The mobile terminal of the present invention includes a first body equipped with a first display unit and a user input unit, a second body equipped with a second display unit and coupled to the first body in a sliding manner, and a controller that controls at least one of display of an image and display of a control menu with respect to at least one of the first and second display units according to a distance where the second body slides from a position where the second body has slid down to the first body. According to the present invention, at least one of display of an image and display of a control menu can be controlled in response to a distance where the second body slides.
US08619003B2 Semiconductor device with wireless communication
To provide a semiconductor device in which wireless communication is performed between devices formed over different substrates and connection defects of wirings are reduced. A first device having a first antenna is provided over a first substrate, a second device having a second antenna which can communicate with the first antenna is provided over a second substrate, and the first substrate and the second substrate are bonded to each other to manufacture a semiconductor device. The first substrate and the second substrate are bonded to each other by bonding with a bonding layer interposed therebetween, anodic bonding, or surface activated bonding.
US08619002B2 Radio frequency antenna in a header of an implantable medical device
An apparatus and method for enabling far-field radio frequency communications with an implantable medical device in which an antenna structure is disposed within a header assembly of the device. The antenna structure, in various embodiments, includes a monopole antenna, a dipole antenna, an inverted F antenna, a patch antenna and a slot antenna.
US08618997B2 Antenna module and electronic apparatus
Provided is an antenna module including: an antenna coil having a first pattern width; a magnetic sheet, which includes a first surface on which the antenna coil is to be arranged, and has a first distance being a distance on the first surface between an edge of the first surface and the antenna coil, the first distance being twice or more as large as the first pattern width; and a conductor, which includes a second surface on which the magnetic sheet is to be arranged while a surface opposite to the first surface of the magnetic sheet faces the second surface, and has a second distance being a distance on the second surface between an edge of the second surface and the antenna coil, the second distance being equal to or larger than the first distance.
US08618993B2 Loop antenna
Provided is a loop antenna. The loop antenna includes a first antenna element embodied as a coaxial cable, a second antenna element embodied as a line and connected to one end of the first antenna element in series, a third antenna eLement embodied as a line, having one end connected to a ground plane and the other end connected to the other end of the first antenna element in series, and a power feeding cable for supplying power to the second antenna element.
US08618989B2 Electronic device case, method and mold for manufacturing the same, and mobile communications terminal
An electronic device case having an antenna pattern embedded therein according to an aspect of the invention may include: a radiator having an antenna pattern portion transmitting and receiving a signal and a connection terminal portion allowing the signal to be transmitted to and received from a circuit board of an electronic device; a connection portion partially forming the radiator and connecting the antenna pattern portion and the connection terminal portion to be arranged in different planes; a radiator frame manufactured by injection molding on the radiator so that the antenna pattern portion of the radiator is provided on one side of the radiator frame and the connection terminal portion is provided on the other side thereof; and a case frame covering the one side of the radiator frame on which the antenna pattern portion is provided so that the antenna pattern portion is embedded between the case frame and the radiator frame.
US08618987B2 Wireless chip
The invention provides a wireless chip which can secure the safety of consumers while being small in size, favorable in communication property, and inexpensive, and the invention also provides an application thereof. Further, the invention provides a wireless chip which can be recycled after being used for managing the manufacture, circulation, and retail. A wireless chip includes a layer including a semiconductor element, and an antenna. The antenna includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and a dielectric layer sandwiched between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, and has a spherical shape, an ovoid shape, an oval spherical shape like a go stone, an oval spherical shape like a rugby ball, or a disc shape, or has a cylindrical shape or a polygonal prism shape in which an outer edge portion thereof has a curved surface.
US08618981B2 Method for building a vibration-resistant navigational satellite signals receiver and a device for receiving and processing navigation signals
The effects of shock and vibration on a navigation receiver processing satellite signals received from global navigation satellites are reduced by controlling the frequency and the phase of the individual numerically controlled oscillator in each individual satellite channel. The frequency is controlled by an individual frequency control signal based on individual correlation signals generated in an individual satellite channel. The phase is controlled by a common phase control signal or a combination of a common phase control signal and an individual phase control signal. The common phase control signal is based on all the correlation signals generated in all the satellite channels processed by a separate common broadband quartz loop (SCBQL). An individual phase control signal is based on the individual correlation signals generated in an individual satellite channel.
US08618978B2 Position information providing system indoor transmitter and method for providing position information
Provided is a position information providing system which can reduce a time required for acquiring position information. An indoor transmitter is adapted to provide position information by using a second positioning signal compatible with a first positioning signal which is a spread spectrum signal from each of a plurality of satellites. The indoor transmitter includes an EEPROM which stores therein position data for identifying an installation location thereof, an FPGA operable to generate a second positioning signal including the position data as a spread spectrum signal, and a transmitting section operable to transmit the spread spectrum signal. The second positioning signal is generated to repeat the same content in a cycle shorter than that of the first positioning signal.
US08618974B2 Counter circuits, analog to digital converters, image sensors and digital imaging systems including the same
In at least one example embodiment, a counter circuit includes a latch stage configured to generate a latch stage output clock based on a first rising edge of an enable signal, a state of a counter clock at a previous falling edge of the enable signal, and a state of the output clock at the previous falling edge of the enable signal such that the latch stage output clock and the counter clock have a different state if the state of the counter clock at the previous falling edge and the state of the output clock at the previous falling edge are the same and such that the latch stage output clock and the counter clock have a same state if the state of the counter clock at the previous falling edge and the state of the output clock at the previous falling edge are different.
US08618971B1 Signal level shift circuit and method for dual resistor ladder digital-to-analog converters
A dual resistor ladder DAC includes a coarse ladder including a plurality of coarse ladder resistors and a fine ladder including a plurality of MOS transistors coupled between first and second conductors. A first group of parallel-connected bit-shifting transistors is coupled between the first and third conductors. A second group of parallel-connected MOS bit-shifting transistors is coupled between the third and top conductors. A third group of parallel-connected bit-shifting transistors is coupled between bottom and fourth conductors. A fourth group of parallel-connected bit-shifting transistors is coupled between the second and fourth conductors. Parallel-connected bit-shifting transistors are turned either on or off in response to a plurality of bit-switching bits of a binary number to be converted. One of the bottom, first, second, third, and top conductors is coupled to a DAC output conductor in response to the plurality of bit-switching bits.
US08618969B2 Low complexity high-speed multi-DAC system
A multi-DAC system includes a plurality of DACs arranged in parallel for converting a digital signal to an analog signal, each DAC path having a different analog phase response. The system further includes a circuit for multiplying the digital signal input to at least some of the DACs by a multiplicand sufficient to shift a peak of a frequency response of the multi-DAC system to a non-DC frequency. For example, a series of +1 and/or −1 digital values can be used to multiply the digital signal so that the signal has the same number of bits pre and post multiplication. The multiplicand can include a constant series of +1 or −1 digital values, or a time-varying series of +1 and −1 digital values. In each case, the peak frequency response of the multi-DAC system can be shifted away from DC to a multiple of the sampling frequency of the DACs.
US08618968B2 Dual digital to analog converters (DACs) with codeword parsing
Dual digital to analog converters (DACs) with codeword parsing. With respect to a codeword that is provided to a DAC, a processing module (e.g., a rollover processor) operates to divide, partition, etc. the codeword into different respective sub-codewords as may be provided to two or more DAC's. Adaptation with respect to differently generated sub-codewords with respect to different respective codewords may be made in terms of any one or more of a variety of characteristics, including sub-codeword width (e.g., the number of bits included within a sub-codeword), quantization steps, etc. Moreover, such adaptation may be in consideration of any one or more local and/or remote operating characteristics of one or more devices, communication links, etc. within a communication system or network. Different respective sub-codewords undergo processing by different respective DAC's in generating respective analog signals for combination in generating a final or output analog signal.
US08618967B2 Systems, circuits, and methods for a sigma-delta based time to digital converter
Systems, methods, and circuits provide a time to digital converter comprising a sigma-delta modulator. The sigma-delta based time to digital converter may receive an analog signal representing a phase error between a reference clock signal and a feedback clock signal and generate a digital signal representing the phase error. The sigma-delta modulator may comprise a subtractor, an integrator, a feedback path, and a quantizer. The subtractor may receive the analog signal and subtract a feedback signal from the analog signal and the integrator may integrate the output of the subtractor. The sigma-delta modulator may accumulate a voltage or a charge over a capacitor as pulses are received from the analog signal and after a number of clock cycles, the capacitor may be discharged to generate a pulse in an output signal.
US08618964B2 Distributed threshold adjustment for high speed receivers
According to one general aspect, a distributed threshold adjuster (DTA) may be interspersed between stages of a multistage amplifier to adjust the DC voltage of an input signal. The DTA may include an input signal terminal configured to receive the input signal. The DTA may also include a plurality of current sources configured to produce an adjustment current signal whose amperage is configured to be increased or decreased by fixed steps in order to adjust the DC voltage of the input signal. The DTA may include a control unit configured to selectively turn on or off the individual current sources of the plurality of current sources to select the amperage of the adjustment current signal. The DTA may further include an output terminal configured to produce an output signal, comprising a combination of the input signal and the adjustment current signal, to a stage of a multistage amplifier.
US08618963B2 Bit converter and bit conversion method
An embodiment of a bit converter includes a substitution module and an output module. The substitution module substitutes a decision result representing one of “0” and “1” for input bit information based on a substitution rule for bit information for converting a bit string of a predetermined pattern into a predetermined code word. The output module outputs the decision result of the bit information substituted by the substitution module, to a decoder configured to decode the decision result into the predetermined code word.
US08618961B1 Sample rate conversion using infinite impulse response filters
Digital methods and systems for signal processing and filtering are provided. The methods and corresponding systems provide asynchronous conversion of sampling rate frequencies and utilize advanced multistage phasor filters for converting an input signal having a first sampling rate into an output signal sampled in an arbitrary sequence of sampling times. The conversion process provides a sequence of sets of complex numbers representing a filtered version of the input signal. More specifically, the conversion process includes the calculation of values of the output signal by multiplying (e.g., scaling) the sets of complex numbers by a corresponding set of complex phasors, the complex phasors corresponding to the timing of the arbitrary time sequence to obtain a corresponding set of real results with the value of the output signal being the sum of the real results.
US08618953B2 Roadside-to-vehicle communication system and driving support system
Disclosed is a roadside-to-vehicle communication system which allows a vehicle, which is traveling within a roadside-to-vehicle communication area, to receive signal information from a roadside device multiple times. The roadside-to-vehicle communication system includes determination means for determining whether or not new information is added to the signal information transmitted from the roadside device, and update means for, only when the determination means determines that the new information is added to the signal information, updating the signal information which is used on the vehicle side. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the processing load on the signal information even when the signal information is received multiple times through roadside-to-vehicle communication.
US08618948B2 Automatically operating injection device and method for determining an injection occlusion
An automatically operating injection device with an occlusion alarm unit and a method for determining an injection occlusion are disclosed. The method includes generating a plurality of evaluation forces based on a series of force measurements and based on an evaluation time period; determining whether an occlusion exists based on either an evaluation of the plurality of evaluation forces or whether one or more of the series of force measurements exceeds a force threshold; and providing an injection occlusion alarm if an occlusion is determined to exist.
US08618945B2 In-vehicle communication system and in-vehicle apparatus
An in-vehicle communication system is disclosed. The in-vehicle communication system is configured to connect a short range wireless communication link between an in-vehicle apparatus and a portable device, and predicts a battery level threshold reach time, which is a time when a battery level of a battery of the portable device reaches below a threshold. When it is determined that the battery level threshold reach time is prior to a vehicle travel end time, the in-vehicle communication system notifies the passenger of prompt battery charge information to prompt the passenger to charge the battery of the portable device.
US08618942B1 Extended smoke alarm system
An extended smoke alarm system and related methods are disclosed. In particular, embodiments of an extended smoke alarm system having wireless-signal-send-and-receive functionalities wherein the system includes one or more flashlights having at least wireless-signal-receiving functionality are detailed. Related methods for system use are also disclosed.
US08618929B2 Wireless conveyor belt condition monitoring system and related apparatus and method
A method includes transmitting first wireless signals towards a conveyor belt having multiple layers of material. The first wireless signals penetrate one or more layers in the conveyor belt. The method also includes receiving second wireless signals that have interacted with the conveyor belt. The method further includes identifying a condition of the conveyor belt using the second wireless signals and outputting an indicator identifying the condition of the conveyor belt. Identifying the condition of the conveyor belt could include identifying a thickness of at least one of the layers in the conveyor belt. This could be done by identifying pulses in the second wireless signals and using time of flight calculations.
US08618927B2 Methods, systems, and products for notifications in security systems
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for notification of alarms in security systems. When an alarm is detected, a contact list is retrieved and a presence database is queried. A location and availability is retrieved for each contact address in the contact list. A contact address is selected in a vicinity of the security system and having the availability to receive an electronic notification. The electronic notification is sent to the contact address to alert of the alarm.
US08618924B2 Tire inspection apparatus
A tire inspection apparatus arranged with a plurality of cameras located at relatively displaced circumferential positions and set for the respective shooting positions different from each other in the axial direction of the tire. Thus the images of the inner circumferential surface of the tire are shot by the plurality of cameras as the tire is rotated circumferentially relative to the plurality of cameras. During this operation, markers are inserted at the same time in the images shot by all of the cameras. The images are synthesized using these markers as reference positions in aligning the shot images in accordance with the relative displacements of the cameras in the circumferential direction.
US08618920B2 Mobile device for providing announcement information
Provided is a mobile device including: an audio output unit; an audio source unit which provides music information to the audio output unit; an adjustment unit which adjusts the audio volume of the audio output unit; an announcement information generation unit which provides announcement information to the audio output unit; and a control unit which forcibly selects a predetermined audio volume regardless of the adjustment made by the adjustment unit when announcing information by the announcement information generation unit from the audio output unit.
US08618913B1 Radio frequency identification enabled mobile device
An RFID enabled mobile device is configured to provide a secure release of RFID information. The RFID enabled mobile device, such as an RFID enabled cellular telephone, includes a set of sensors, such as a camera, one or more accelerometers, a wireless transceiver configured to send and receive data with an Internet device, and a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. The RFID enabled mobile device utilizes sensor attributes or information from one or more sensor of the set of sensors and, based upon the sensor attributes, controls the release of RFID information and/or other authentication data to an RFID interrogation system. In essence, the RFID enabled mobile device leverages from the conventional sensors typically incorporated as part of the mobile device and uses contextual data from its sensors and communication partners to make security decisions regarding the release of RFID information.
US08618908B2 Providing an endpoint access to a locked target
In one embodiment, providing an endpoint access to a locked target includes receiving a virtual key at a grantee endpoint through a wireless link. The virtual key results from a permission from a grantor endpoint, and is operable to unlock a physical lock of the target. The virtual key is wirelessly transmitted to a management system of the target to unlock the lock.
US08618904B2 ESD protection device
An ESD protection device includes a ceramic multilayer substrate in which a plurality of ceramic insulating layers are laminated; a first connecting conductor extending through the main surfaces of the insulating layer; a mixture portion extending along a main surface of the insulating layer including the first connecting conductor and connected to the first connecting conductor, the mixture portion including a material dispersed therein, the material including at least one selected from a metal and a semiconductor, a metal and a ceramic, a semiconductor and a ceramic, a semiconductor, and a metal coated with an inorganic material; and a second connecting conductor that has electrical conductivity and is connected to the mixture portion and extends along the main surface of the insulating layer on which the mixture portion is provided.
US08618902B2 Laminated inductor
A laminated inductor, which offers high inductance while suppressing increase in direct-current resistance, has a rectangular solid laminate and a pair of terminal electrodes formed only on the bottom face of the laminate, wherein a folded conductor piece is provided on the first magnetic layer in a manner constituting around one turn worth of the windings, with one end placed near the first corner and the other end placed at a position toward the center and away from this one end so as not to overlap with the one end, while one of multiple sets of coil conductor pieces, each set constituting around one turn worth of the windings, is placed on multiple magnetic layers in the laminate.
US08618900B2 Micromagnetic device and method of forming the same
A micromagnetic device includes a first insulating layer formed above a substrate, a first seed layer formed above the first insulating layer, a first conductive winding layer selectively formed above the first seed layer, and a second insulating layer formed above the first conductive winding layer. The micromagnetic device also includes a first magnetic core layer formed above the second insulating layer, a third insulating layer formed above the first magnetic core layer, and a second magnetic core layer formed above the third insulating layer. The micromagnetic device still further includes a fourth insulating layer formed above the second magnetic core layer, a second seed layer formed above the fourth insulating layer, and a second conductive winding layer formed above the second seed layer and in vias to the first conductive winding layer. The first and second conductive winding layers form a winding for the micromagnetic device.
US08618891B2 Method and apparatus of a resonant oscillator separately driving two independent functions
Capacitive adjustment in an RCL resonant circuit is typically performed by adjusting a DC voltage being applied to one side of the capacitor. One side of the capacitor is usually connected to either the output node or the gate of a regenerative circuit in an RCL resonant circuit. The capacitance loading the resonant circuit becomes a function of the DC voltage and the AC sinusoidal signal generated by the resonant circuit. By capacitively coupling both nodes of the capacitor, a DC voltage can control the value of the capacitor over the full swing of the output waveform. In addition, instead of the RCL resonant circuit driving a single differential function loading the outputs, each output drives an independent single ended function; thereby providing two simultaneous operations being determined in place of the one differential function.
US08618889B2 Oscillation drive device, physical quantity measurement device and electronic apparatus
There is provided an oscillation drive device that forms an oscillation loop with a vibrator for exciting a driving vibration on the vibrator. The oscillation drive device includes: a comparator that excites a driving vibration on the vibrator based on a signal in the oscillation loop with a given voltage as a reference; an oscillation detector that detects oscillation in the oscillation loop; a signal generation circuit that generates a switching control signal based on an oscillation result given by the oscillation detector; and a switch circuit inserted between the vibrator in the oscillation loop and an output of the comparator, wherein, during an oscillation startup stage in which oscillation in the oscillation loop is not detected by the oscillation detector, the switch circuit alternately switches, based on the switching control signal, between a period in which the output of the comparator and the vibrator are electrically connected and a period in which a predetermined set voltage is supplied to the vibrator.
US08618887B2 Configurable spread spectrum oscillator
A spread spectrum oscillator includes a high frequency oscillator circuit configured to oscillate at a first frequency, and a low frequency oscillator circuit configured to oscillate at a second frequency and resistively coupled to a current summing node of the high frequency oscillator circuit. The first frequency is higher than the second frequency.
US08618886B2 Method of establishing an oscillator clock signal
A hybrid numeric-analog clock synchronizer, for establishing a clock or carrier locked to a timing reference. The clock may include a framing component. The reference may have a low update rate. The synchronizer achieves high jitter rejection, low phase noise and wide frequency range. It can be integrated on chip. It may comprise a numeric time-locked loop (TLL) with an analog phase-locked loop (PLL). Moreover a high-performance number-controlled oscillator (NCO), for creating an event clock from a master clock according to a period control signal. It processes edge times rather than period values, allowing direct control of the spectrum and peak amplitude of the justification jitter. Moreover a combined clock-and-frame asynchrony detector, for measuring the phase or time offset between composite signals. It responds e.g. to event clocks and frame syncs, enabling frame locking with loop bandwidths greater than the frame rate.
US08618883B2 N-way doherty distributed power amplifier with power tracking
A power amplifier using N-way Doherty structure with adaptive bias supply power tracking for extending the efficiency region over the high peak-to-average power:ratio of the multiplexing modulated signals such as wideband code division multiple access and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing is disclosed. In an embodiment, present invention uses a dual-feed distributed structure to an N-way Doherty amplifier to improve the isolation between at least one main amplifier and at least one peaking amplifier and, and also to improve both gain and efficiency performance at high output back-off power. Hybrid couplers can be used at either or both of the input and output. In at least some implementations, circuit space is also conserved due to the integration of amplification, power splitting and combining.
US08618882B2 Variable gain amplifier
An apparatus and method are provided. Generally, an input signal is applied across a main path (through an input network) and across a cancellation path (through a cancellation circuit). The cancellation circuit subtracts a cancellation current from the main path as part of the control mechanism, where the magnitude of the cancellation current is based on a gain control signal (that has been linearized to follow a control voltage).
US08618879B2 Semiconductor device
A variable gain amplifier circuit includes output nodes, a plurality of amplifiers, and a detection circuit. The amplifiers are coupled in parallel with each other between the output nodes and a reference node and selectively assume an operating state in accordance with a control signal. The detection circuit outputs a detection signal according to the magnitude of an input signal to each amplifier. Each amplifier includes a first transistor, a second transistor, and a bias circuit. The first transistor receives, at its control electrode, the input signal or a signal proportional to the input signal. The second transistor is series-coupled to the first transistor between the first reference node and an output node. The bias circuit applies a DC voltage of a magnitude according to the detection signal to a control electrode of the second transistor.
US08618878B2 Multiport amplifier and wireless device using the same
A multiport amplifier and a wireless device using the same are obtained in which isolation among output terminals is improved, whereby the quality of communication is improved. The multiport amplifier includes an input hybrid, an output hybrid, a plurality of amplifiers and a plurality of gain and phase control circuits that are inserted between the input hybrid and the output hybrid, a plurality of output coupling circuits that are inserted between the output hybrid and a plurality of output terminals so that they receive output extraction signals corresponding to a plurality of output signals, and a feedback circuit including a frequency selection circuit that is inserted between the plurality of output coupling circuits and the plurality of gain and phase control circuits.
US08618876B2 Reduced power-consumption transmitters
An exemplary embodiment discloses a digital control block for dynamically regulating power consumption of the transmitter; and a first driver amplifier circuit comprising a plurality of bias-modes each corresponding to a power consumption level in the transmitter, the digital control block to instruct the first driver amplifier circuit to operate in a selected bias-mode to regulate power consumption of the transmitter.
US08618872B1 Filter with controlled cut-off frequency step-down
A filter network having a variable cut-off frequency can be controlled in a way that allows the cut-off frequency to be changed gradually to avoid undesirable transient effects. An impedance network (such as a resistor network) that provides a plurality of impedance values is provided. Logic, and a corresponding method, are provided to change the impedance value gradually, such as on a step-wise basis, to change the cut-off frequency gradually. The size of the impedance step and the duration of the step can be preprogrammed, and may be different for different types of events that trigger the need for a frequency change. It may also be possible for those preprogrammed values to be initial values only, with the values changing under programmed control during the frequency changing process. Other values, such as the initial and target impedance values that determine the initial and target frequency, also may be programmable.
US08618868B2 Single charge-pump buck-boost for providing independent voltages
Disclosed is a charge pump having first and second outputs and at least one capacitor. A plurality of switches are coupled to the at least one capacitor for selectively coupling the at least one capacitor between a high voltage node and a low voltage node, and for selectively coupling the at least one capacitor to the first output and the second output. A switch controller is adapted to generate control signals for the plurality of switches to selectively couple the at least one capacitor between the high voltage node and the low voltage node during charging, and to selectively couple the at least one capacitor to the first output and the second output during discharging that output a first voltage pulse from the first output and a second voltage pulse from the second output such that the first voltage pulse and the second voltage pulse are asymmetrical and coincidental.
US08618866B2 Apparatus and methods for balancing supply voltages
Methods and apparatus for matching voltages between two or more circuits within an integrated circuit is disclosed. The apparatus includes a comparator circuit, comparing supply voltages to first and second circuits. The comparator outputs a variable error voltage based on the comparison, the error voltage related to the difference in voltages. The error voltage is supplied to a variable current control circuit that variably sinks one of the supply voltages to a common potential in order to increase the IR drop in the circuit supplying voltage to one of the first and second circuits, thereby affording voltage adjustment in order to match the first and second circuits. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
US08618864B2 Self-powered active rectifier circuit and related method of operation for photovoltaic solar power arrays
The active rectifier circuit and related method of operation disclosed herein is self-powered and improves the efficiency and reliability of photovoltaic solar power systems by replacing the conventional bypass and blocking rectifiers used in such systems. The circuit includes a power MOSFET used as a switch between the anode and cathode terminals, and control circuitry that turns on the MOSFET when the anode voltage is greater than the cathode voltage. The method of operation utilizes resonance to produce a large periodic voltage waveform from the small anode-to-cathode dc voltage drop, and then converts the period voltage waveform to a dc voltage to drive the gate of the power MOSFET.
US08618863B2 Signal distribution circuit, signal distribution device, and display device
Disclosed is a signal distribution device which is provided with: supply lines (5) for supplying input signals to switching elements in signal distribution circuits; and distribution lines (6) for distributing the input signals to output terminals via the switching elements. The corresponding one of the supply lines (5) and at least one of the distribution lines (6) each have an extension section (5a) and an extension section (5b) which extend in an extending direction of a control line (13). A selection signal for switching on/off the associated switching element is applied to the control line (13). The extension sections (5a and 5b) are formed at positions that do not overlap the edge portions of the control line (13) in the extending direction thereof.
US08618859B1 Generating high-frequency, non-overlapping clocks
A method for generation of high frequency, non-overlapping clocks may include receiving input clock signals at a clock input node of a circuit. Multiple feedback signals may be received at a number of input feedback nodes of the circuit. At a startup node, a startup signal of the circuit may be received, and, in response to receiving the startup signal, an output clock may be generated at a predefined portion of at least one of the received input clock signals. A stable high frequency output clock may be generated at an output stage by utilizing the feedback signals received by the input feedback nodes.
US08618858B2 Pulse generator and method for generating pulse
A pulse generator is provided. The pulse generator includes: a time delayed pulse generation unit including a plurality of delay cells for receiving a first pulse having a first pulse width and outputting pulses delayed by a particular time delay value on the basis of one of a rising edge and a falling edge of the first pulse; an edge combiner configured to receive the plurality of time delayed pulses from the time delayed pulse generation unit and generate second pulses having a second pulse width; and a channel selector configured to regulate the number of outputs of the second pulses generated by the edge combiner.
US08618857B2 Delay circuit and associated method
The embodiments of the present invention disclose a delay circuit. The delay circuit comprises an inverter, a load capacitor, and a first voltage clamping module, wherein the first voltage clamping module generates a voltage drop configured to prolong the propagation delay time of the delay circuit as the power supply voltage decreases. The power supply dependent delay circuit may have a much larger propagation delay time at low power supply voltage than it at high power supply voltage at the rising-edge or falling-edge of an input signal.
US08618854B2 Adaptive clock switching to capture asynchronous data within a phase-to-digital converter
A Phase-to-Digital Converter (PDC) within a Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) includes a PDC portion and a PDC decoder portion. The PDC portion receives a reference signal FR and a feedback signal FV and generates therefrom a stream of multi-bit digital values. Each multi-bit value is indicative of a time difference between an edge of FR and a corresponding edge of FV. The PDC decoder portion includes sequential logic elements that are clocked to capture the multi-bit digital values. In order to prevent metastability, the timing of when the sequential logic elements are clocked to capture the multi-bit digital values is adjusted as a function of the phase difference between FR and FV. In one specific example, if the phase difference is small then the falling edge of FR is used to clock the sequential logic elements, whereas if the phase difference is large then the rising edge of FR is used.
US08618853B2 Device including a clock generation circuit and a method of generating a clock signal
A device in which a clock generation circuit is connected to a counter circuit for controlling operation timing of a DLL circuit or the like, and the counter circuit is intermittently operated by intermittently supplying a clock signal to the counter circuit from the clock generation circuit.
US08618848B1 Clock generator with comparator error compensation
A clock generator with comparator error compensation includes an amplifier which develops an error voltage based on a difference between a sample voltage of a charge voltage and a predetermined reference voltage. The charge voltage develops a clock signal, such as a sawtooth waveform. A comparator compares the charge voltage with the error voltage to develop a compare signal. A sample and discharge control network is operative to develop the sample voltage in response to the compare signal, and then to switch between charging and discharging of the charge voltage. The amplifier develops the error voltage to ensure that the charge voltage switches at a level of the reference voltage to eliminate comparator errors, such as switching delay or input offset voltage. A second comparator and another amplifier may be provided to control switching in both directions, such as for developing a triangular waveform or the like.
US08618847B2 Gate control circuit
An integrated circuit for switching a transistor is disclosed. In some embodiments, an operational amplifier is configured to drive a transistor, and slew rate control circuitry is configured to control the slew rate of the transistor source voltage during turn on. The transistor source voltage is employed as feedback to the operational amplifier to facilitate closed loop control of the transistor source voltage during switching of the transistor.
US08618844B2 Level-shifting interface for a processor-based device
An apparatus includes an integrated circuit, which includes an input terminal, a second terminal to communicate with circuitry external to the integrated circuit, a multiplexer, a level shifter and a processor. The multiplexer is adapted to selectively couple the input terminal, the level shifter and the second output terminal together.
US08618843B2 High speed serial input/output bus voltage mode driver with tunable amplitude and resistance
A device having a voltage mode driver with tunable amplitude and resistance that supports a predetermined output resistance and output amplitude is described herein. The voltage mode driver includes multiple configurable drivers. The voltage mode driver is controlled by a control module. Resistance tuning is controlled by the number of active configurable drivers and amplitude tuning is controlled by setting the high or low drive state of each active configurable driver. The slew rate of the device is controlled by delaying the setting of the high or low drive state of an active configurable driver by a predetermined interval.
US08618838B2 Integrated circuit having a standard cell and method for forming
An integrated circuit includes a first plurality of transistors and a second plurality of transistors coupled together to form a standard cell that performs a logic function. Each of the first plurality of transistors is more critical to a speed of operation of the standard cell than any of the transistors of the second plurality of transistors. Each of the first plurality of transistors has a gate length longer than a gate length of any of the transistors of the second plurality of transistors.
US08618836B1 Complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) buffer
The present invention provides embodiments of an apparatus that includes a pad configurable for connection to a voltage source that provides a first voltage and a buffer connected to the pad. The buffer includes a plurality of transistors that have nominal breakdown voltages that are less than the first voltage. The buffer is configured to maintain voltage differentials on the plurality of transistors that are less than the break-down voltage of the plurality of transistors during pull-down of a pad voltage from the first voltage to a selected low voltage level or during pull-up of the pad voltage from the selected low voltage level to the first voltage.
US08618833B1 Source series terminated driver circuit with programmable output resistance, amplitude reduction, and equalization
A source-series terminated (‘SST’) driver circuit that includes: one or more data signal inputs; one or more control signal inputs; a driver output; and a plurality of driver cells, the driver cells coupled in parallel to one another, outputs of the driver cells coupled together to form the driver output of the SST driver circuit, where output resistance of the SST driver circuit varies in dependence upon activation of one or more of the parallel driver cells, activation of each driver cell controlled by control signals received at the control signal inputs.
US08618832B2 Balanced single-ended impedance control
A balanced single-end impedance control system is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the circuit includes a first transistor coupled to a first output terminal and a second transistor coupled to a second output terminal. The circuit also includes a third transistor and a fourth transistor, where device characteristics of the third transistor substantially match device characteristics of the first transistor and device characteristics of the fourth transistor substantially match device characteristics of the second transistor. The circuit further includes a first control path and a second control path. The first path is coupled to the third transistor and provides a first rail voltage to control a first gate control voltage of the first transistor. The second control path is coupled to the fourth transistor and provides a second rail voltage to control a second gate control voltage of the second transistor. The impedances of the first and second transistors may be controlled by the first gate control voltage and the second gate control voltage respectively.
US08618829B2 Method and device for detecting failure of excitation circuit of polyphase alternator
The method of detecting the failure of the excitation circuit of a polyphase alternator controlled by a regulator comprises the following steps: a) electrical information (Iexc) is continuously taken from the excitation circuit (1); b) the electrical information taken in step a) is continuously compared with a predetermined threshold value (Iref); c) a logic state (LT) is continuously determined according to the result of the comparison made in step b); and d) if the logic state (LT) determined in step c) persists for a time at least equal to a predetermined delay time (6), an electrical continuity fault of said excitation circuit is signalled. This method is particularly suitable for machines having a rotor equipped with permanent magnets or having a high remanence of the magnetic circuit of the rotor.
US08618826B2 Method and apparatus for de-embedding
A short dummy test structure is disclosed, including a grounded shield layer above a substrate, at least two signal test pads, and a signal transmission line above the grounded shield layer and between the two signal test pads, wherein the signal transmission line is electrically coupled to the grounded shield layer. In one embodiment, the signal transmission line has a smaller total length than a total length of a corresponding signal transmission line and a device-under-test (DUT) of a test structure including the DUT. A de-embedding apparatus and method of de-embedding utilizing such a short dummy test structure are also disclosed.
US08618825B2 Array substrate, manufacturing method and detecting method thereof, and liquid crystal panel
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing an array substrate, comprising at least a step of forming a TFT pattern in a pixel region and correspondingly forming a TFT testing pattern in a testing region, wherein before forming a passivation layer to cover the pixel region and the testing region, a step of removing a gate insulation layer thin film above a testing line lead in the TFT testing pattern.
US08618823B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device is designed to facilitate analyzing a position and a cause of the failure of an integrated circuit adopting a polyphase clock. To this end, the semiconductor device is provided with an error detecting unit that detects that a problem of the operation occurs in the integrated circuit, a clock state holding unit that holds the information of phases in a predetermined term of a two- or more-phase clock and an output unit that outputs the information of the phases in the predetermined term of the two- or more-phase clock when the error detecting unit detects that the problem of the operation occurs in the integrated circuit.
US08618822B2 Test head manipulator
A test head manipulator system comprising a base structure, a main arm unit configured to support a test head and to be moved relative to the base structure, an actuator having a range of motion of L, and an enhancement mechanism positioned between the main arm unit and the actuator and configured such that movement of the actuator a first distance causes the main arm unit to move a second distance that is greater than the first distance. Additionally, a fluid control system for controlling a test head manipulator system. The pneumatic control system includes a regulator configured to controllably provide an output pressure to the main fluid actuator, and a second fluidly controlled actuator configured to adjust the regulator to modify the output pressure provided to the main fluid actuator. The second actuator is configured to be positively positioned in at least four operating modes with each operating mode causing the regulator to provide a different output pressure to the main fluid actuator.
US08618821B2 Device for detecting the thinning down of the substrate of an integrated circuit chip
A device for detecting the thinning down of the substrate of an integrated circuit chip, including, in the active area of the substrate, bar-shaped diffused resistors connected as a Wheatstone bridge, wherein: first opposite resistors of the bridge are oriented along a first direction; the second opposite resistors of the bridge are oriented along a second direction; and the first and second directions are such that a thinning down of the substrate causes a variation of the imbalance value of the bridge.
US08618819B2 Capacitance detector
A capacitance detector includes: a first capacitor with fixed base capacitance and variable capacitance; a second capacitor charged with base charge corresponding to the base capacitance; third and fourth capacitors which receive capacitance distribution from the first or second capacitor; a first switching means for charging the first and second capacitors to a first fixed voltage and charging the third and fourth capacitors to a second fixed voltage in a first section and for charging the first and second capacitors to the second fixed voltage and charging the third and fourth capacitors to the first fixed voltage in a second section; a second switching means for separating the first and second capacitors from the third and fourth capacitors and for connecting the first and second capacitors to the third and fourth capacitors; and a differential amplifier to which first and second voltages corresponding to equalized charge are differentially input.
US08618817B2 Device and method for determining at least one parameter of a medium
The invention relates to a device for determining at least one parameter of at least one medium, said medium being introducible into at least one measuring path. An electric and/or electromagnetic field can be partially coupled into or out of the medium by passing at least one electric and/or electromagnetic signal into the measuring path. The measuring path comprises at least one line arrangement having at least two elementary cells arranged along the measuring path, said elementary cells comprising at least one electric path from at least one input to at least one output and comprising at least one respective capacitative element. The electrical properties of the capacitative element can by be modified by the medium. The electric and/or the electromagnetic signal can be applied to the input of a first elementary cell and the output of the first elementary cell can be connected to the input of a second elementary cell. The capacitative element of the respective elementary cell is arranged in the electric path of the first and second elementary cell. At least one inductive element connects the first elementary cell and the second elementary cell to a ground. The invention also relates to a method for determining a parameter of a medium.
US08618815B2 Position detecting device
A position detecting device includes: a position indicator operable to resonate at a first frequency, upon receipt of an excitation signal, to oscillate at a second frequency different from the first frequency so as to generate an oscillation signal, and to transmit the oscillation signal thus generated; and a position detector operable to generate the excitation signal and to transmit the excitation signal to the position indicator, and configured to perform band pass filtering and amplitude detection upon the oscillation signal received thereby for generating a processed signal, and to obtain information corresponding to position of the position indicator relative to the position detector based on the processed signal. A frequency range of the band pass filtering includes the second frequency and excludes the first frequency.
US08618813B2 Circuit fault detecting device and method
To detect accurately an insulation fault in a load circuit, Power supply lines and an electric heater (a load circuit) are connected by a detecting portion to detect a detected voltage (detected value) in accordance with the magnitude of a leakage current Id that flows through a ground between the power supply lines and the electric heater, and an evaluation as to whether or not there is a breakdown of insulation of the electric heater relative to the ground is performed by an evaluating portion based on the detected value obtained when the relay contact points are open.
US08618810B2 Identifying fuel cell defects
A test system for testing a unit such as multiple solid oxide fuel cells. The test system includes a thermal test chamber in which a non-contact electrostatic voltage probe is mounted to scan the solid oxide fuel cells. The test system includes a detector coupled to the voltage probe to produce an output signal or display based on the measured voltages. The measured voltages are processed to compute a representative voltage for each fuel cell and to identify any defective fuel cells based on the measured voltages. The test system may be used during manufacture of solid oxide fuel cell stacks for cost effective testing to lower manufacturing costs.
US08618807B2 Arrangement for identifying uncontrolled events at the process module level and methods thereof
A method for detecting an in-situ fast transient event within a processing chamber during substrate processing is provided. The method includes a set of sensors comparing a data set to a set of criteria (in-situ fast transient events) to determine if the first data set includes a potential in-situ fast transient event. If the first data set includes the potential in-situ fast transient event, the method also includes saving an electrical signature that occurs in a time period during which the potential in-situ fast transient event occurs. The method further includes comparing the electrical signature against a set of stored arc signatures. If a match is determined, the method yet also includes classifying the electrical signature as a first in-situ fast transient event and determining a severity level for the first in-situ fast transient event based on a predefined set of threshold ranges.
US08618805B2 Battery pack with a battery protection circuit
A battery circuit includes a monitoring circuit, an integrator circuit, and a comparator. The monitoring circuit can be used to monitor a cell and generate a monitoring signal indicating a cell voltage of the cell. The integrator circuit accumulates a difference between the monitoring signal and a first predetermined threshold over a time period to generate an integrating output. The comparator compares the integrating output to a second predetermined threshold and generates a control signal.
US08618803B2 Well location determination apparatus, methods, and systems
In some embodiments, apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to launch a set of currents into a corresponding set of existing well casings; monitor, in a well under construction, changes in at least one of a magnetic field or an electric field perturbed by the set of currents after each one of the set is launched; and determine a location of the well under construction in relation to the set of existing well casings. In some embodiments, the activities include inducing current into a drillstring located in a well under construction; monitoring, at a set of existing well casings, changes in at least one of a magnetic field or an electric field perturbed by the current after the current is induced; and determining a location of the well under construction in relation to the set of existing well casings. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08618798B2 Enhancing signals
A method of testing a sample comprising the steps of: applying an excitation to the sample; detecting a response signal from the sample; processing a first part and a second part of the response signal; and determining from the second part of the response signal information with which to enhance the first part of the response signal.
US08618797B2 Composite spin locking pulse sequence and method of using the same
Present embodiments are directed towards a magnetic resonance imaging method. In one embodiment, the method includes (a) performing a first magnetic resonance imaging sequence including: (i) a first preparatory composite spin locking pulse sequence having a spin lock pulse bounded by similarly oriented spin tipping pulses; and (ii) an acquisition pulse sequence to acquire first magnetic resonance data. The method further includes (b) performing a second magnetic resonance imaging sequence including: (i) a second preparatory composite spin locking pulse sequence having a spin lock pulse bounded by oppositely oriented spin tipping pulses; and (ii) an acquisition pulse sequence to acquire second magnetic resonance data. The method also includes (c) storing the first and second magnetic resonance data.
US08618795B1 Sensor assembly for use in medical position and orientation tracking
A sensor assembly is provided for use in tracking a medical device. The sensor assembly comprises a magnetoresistance sensor capable of providing position and orientation information. In certain implementations, the magnetoresistance position and orientation sensor is originally configured for connection to a substrate using one type of interconnect approach but is modified to be connected using a different interconnect approach.
US08618793B2 High sensitivity glide sensor using frictional heating
A tool for testing a magnetic disk for use in a magnetic disk drive. The tool detects surface defects or asperities by detecting a change in electrical resistance corresponding to a temperature change in a thermally sensitive layer. The apparatus includes a slider body having a thermally insulating layer formed on an air bearing surface of the slider body and a thermal sensor layer formed on the thermally insulating layer. The thermally insulating layer prevents thermal heat spikes in the thermal sensor layer (such as resulting from contact with an asperity) from dissipating quickly into the slider body itself. The thermal sensor layer is a material that exhibits a change in electrical resistance in response to a change in temperature and is preferably a PTC thermistor material which exhibits a large change in electrical resistance when a transition temperature has been reached.
US08618791B2 Double-coil inductive proximity sensor apparatus
Systems and/or methods are provided for a dual-channel inductive proximity sensor. The sensor can include a sensing element which includes a core having a first cavity and a second cavity, a first coil accommodated within the first cavity of the core, and a second coil housed within the second cavity of the core. Each coil can be independently driven by oscillators to generate respective magnetic fields. The magnetic fields can be monitored to determine whether detection of a target object occurs.
US08618786B1 Self-biased voltage regulation circuitry for memory
Integrated circuits with voltage regulation circuitry are provided. Voltage regulation circuitry may be powered by a core supply voltage and may not have a bandgap reference circuit. Voltage regulation circuitry may have an error amplifier in a negative feedback configuration. The error amplifier may have inputs connected to reference voltages generated by resistor strings. The resistor strings may be trimmable to provide a desired negative voltage. The desired negative voltage may be fed to the gates of transistors to help reduce leakage. The desired negative voltage may be have improved tolerance to process-voltage-temperature variations and may improve the reliability of transistors.
US08618785B2 Start-up supply
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a transistor having a gate, a drain, and a source. The drain is coupled to receive an AC power supply signal. A component is coupled between an output node and the gate of the transistor. The component couples an output voltage from the output node to charge a gate-source capacitor during a first portion of the AC power supply signal. The transistor is configured to turn on during a second portion of the AC power supply signal to send a charge to the output node where the charge is used to power a circuit of a power supply.
US08618783B2 DC-DC converter with adaptive phase compensation controller
A DC-DC converter for generating an output voltage from input voltage, includes: an output stage for outputting the output voltage; an error amplifier having an input and a reference input for receiving a feedback voltage at the input in accordance with the output voltage and for receiving a reference voltage at the reference input, the error amplifier generating an amplified voltage for driving the output stage, the amplifier voltage corresponding to the difference between the feedback voltage and the reference voltage; a phase compensation unit for generating a phase compensation component to the feedback voltage; and a phase compensation controller for controlling the phase of the phase compensation unit; wherein the feedback voltage is determined by the output voltage plus said phase compensation component.
US08618781B2 Output voltage controller, electronic device, and output voltage control method
An output voltage controller includes a first controller which controls current supply to a inductor based on an output voltage, and a second controller which controls current supply to the inductor by controlling a period when an input end to which an input voltage is inputted, the inductor, and an output end from which the output voltage is outputted are coupled based on the input voltage.
US08618777B2 Method and device for regulation of a rotary electrical machine for a motor vehicle
A rotary electrical machine regulation device of the type which can control the electrical machine using a predetermined set value of a direct voltage (B+) of the on-board electrical network of the vehicle in which the machine is installed. An excitation current (EXC) is supplied to the alternator (machine), and has a duty cycle (RC) which is determined by a digital processing block (9), on the basis of an error voltage between the predetermined set value and the direct voltage of the electrical network. Accordingly, a system (11) is provided herein for making the digital block electrically self-sufficient. The system includes a voltage maintenance device with a self-sufficient capacitor (110), and a self-sufficient control element (111).
US08618776B2 Power generator with improved controllability of phase of phase current
In a power generator, three-phase armature windings and a switching unit are provided for each phase armature winding. The switching unit includes a pair of a high-side switching element with a first diode and a second low-side switching element with a second diode. The switching unit rectifies, through at least one of the high-side switching element, the first diode, the second low-side switching element, and the second diode, a voltage induced in each phase armature winding. A zero-cross detector detects a point of time when a phase current based on the voltage induced in each phase armature winding is reversed in direction as a zero-cross point of the phase current. A determiner determines an off timing of the high-side switching element or the low-side switching element for each phase armature winding relative to the zero-cross point detected by the zero-cross detector.
US08618775B2 Detection of over-current shorts in a battery pack using pattern recognition
A controller identifies a condition of a hazardous internal short by comparing patterns of series element voltages to the last known balance condition of the series elements. If the loaded or resting voltage of one or more contiguous series elements uniformly drop from the previously known condition by an amount consistent with an over-current condition, an over-current internal short circuit fault is registered. The desired response is to prevent the affected series elements from heating to a hazardous temperature by summoning the maximum heat rejection capability of the system until the short ceases and the affected elements cool, the cooling function is no longer able to operate due to low voltage, or the affected series string has drained all of its energy through the short. Also includes are responses that allow the battery pack to continue to power the cooling system even though it may enter an over-discharged state.
US08618774B2 Charge and discharge battery control circuit
Provided are a battery state monitoring circuit and a battery device that are capable of reliably controlling charge by a charger even if a voltage of a secondary battery drops to around 0 V. The battery state monitoring circuit includes a minimum operating voltage monitoring circuit for detecting that the voltage of the secondary battery is lower than a minimum operating voltage of the battery state monitoring circuit. When the voltage of the secondary battery is lower than the minimum operating voltage of the battery state monitoring circuit, an output of an overdischarge detection circuit is set to an overdischarge detected state.
US08618769B2 External power source voltage drop compensation for portable devices
A portable electronic device has a connector with a first pin and a second pin, and a battery charging circuit having an input coupled to receive current through the second pin to charge a battery of the device. The portable device also has a controller to determine whether the connector is coupled to an external power source (EPS) having a power converter circuit that can provide the current. The controller on that basis drives the first pin to stimulate the power converter circuit to raise voltage on the second pin. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08618765B2 Apparatus and method of controlling an electric oil pump driving motor
In an apparatus for controlling a sensorless electric motor that drives an electric oil pump, in a case where a rotational speed of the motor deviates from a first range defined between a first upper limit value and a first lower limit value, a rotational speed limiting section generates a current command signal acting for controlling the rotational speed of the motor to suppress deviation of the rotational speed of the motor from the first range, and in a case where deviation of the rotational speed of the motor from the first range is continued for a predetermined time or more, the rotational speed limiting section sets a second range defined between a second upper limit value and a second lower limit value which are respectively displaced from the first upper limit value and the first lower limit value in a direction in which the deviation is continued.
US08618754B2 Motor control apparatus and image forming apparatus
A motor control apparatus that controls a DC motor includes a detection unit configured to detect angular speed of the DC motor, a driven member configured to be driven by the DC motor, and a control unit configured to increase, when starting to drive the DC motor, a control value for controlling driving of the DC motor from a first control value to a second control value at a predetermined increase rate, wherein the control unit detects a start-up characteristic of the DC motor based on a detection result of the detection unit, and corrects the first control value or the increase rate according to a result of comparing a detected start-up characteristic and a predetermined start-up characteristic such that the start-up characteristic of the DC motor becomes closer to the predetermined start-up characteristic.
US08618743B2 High stability dimmer
The present invention is aimed at providing a dimmer capable of preventing malfunctions due to noise contamination or waveform distortion of the voltage of an AC power source. The dimmer according to the present invention has a time division control circuit for controlling an effective voltage supplied to a lighting load by regulating the period of time to turn on a switching element, and further includes: a zero-crossing detector section 11 for detecting a zero-crossing point and generating a zero-crossing signal whose value changes at the zero-crossing point; an oscillator 13 for generating an oscillating signal having a frequency equal to that of the AC power source or an integral multiple of this frequency; a reference point determiner section 14 for measuring a phase difference between the zero-crossing signal and the oscillating signal every time the zero-crossing signal is generated, and for determining a reference point for setting the timing of turning on or off the switching element 6 based on a data of the measured value of the phase difference; and a time division control signal generator (on/off timing calculator section 15 and time division control signal generator section 17) for sending an on/off signal to the switching element 6 at the timing determined on the basis of the reference point and the effective voltage to be supplied to the lighting load.
US08618742B2 Illumination source and manufacturing methods
A light source manufacturing method includes disposing LEDs upon a substrate having input pads for receiving an operating voltage for the LEDs, bonding a flexible PC board to the substrate, and using a thermally conductive adhesive bonding the substrate onto a planar region of a heat sink.
US08618738B2 Light source system and method for driving light emitting diodes
A light source system and a method for driving light emitting diodes (LEDs) are provided. The provided light source system includes: an LED module having a plurality of LED strings operated under a direct current (DC) output voltage; and a driving unit coupled to the LED module, and used for providing the DC output voltage by adopting a boost means and generating a plurality of pulsation current signals according to a setting signal so as to respectively drive the LED strings, in which the frequencies of the pulsation current signals are higher than a predetermined frequency.
US08618737B2 LED assembly, LED fixture, control method and software program
A plurality of LEDs arranged in groups, each group comprising at least one LED, a control circuit for driving the LEDs, the control circuit comprising a sensing device for sensing an operative parameter of the LEDs. The control circuit is arranged to: a) operate at least one group of the LEDs: b) sense by the sensing device a value of the operative parameter of the at least one group; c) repeat a) and b) for at least a different one of the groups; d) assign to each of the groups of LEDs a value of the operative parameter from the sensed operative parameter values; and e) control the driving of the groups of LEDs from the assigned operative parameter values.
US08618733B1 Electrode configurations for plasma-shell gas discharge device
Electrode configurations for a plasma-shell gas discharge device having one or more substrates and a multiplicity of pixels or sub-pixels that are defined by a hollow plasma-shell having at least one flat side and filled with an ionizable gas. Two or more addressing electrodes are in electrical contact with each plasma-shell, at least one electrode being in contact with a flat side of the plasma-shell.
US08618732B2 Display device and method of fabricating the display device
In an EL element having an anode, an insulating film (bump) formed on the anode, and an EL film and a cathode formed on the insulating film, each of a bottom end portion and a top end portion of the insulating film is formed so as to have a curved surface. The taper angle of a central portion of the insulating film is set within the range from 35° to 70°, thereby preventing the gradient of the film forming surface on which the EL film and the cathode are to be formed from being abruptly changed. On the thus-formed film forming surface, the EL film and the cathode can be formed so as to be uniform in thickness, so that occurrence of discontinuity in each of EL film and the cathode is prevented.
US08618730B2 Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display includes: a substrate; an organic light emitting element on the substrate; a thin film encapsulation layer covering the organic light emitting element; and a viewing angle compensation layer on the thin film encapsulation layer, wherein the viewing angle compensation layer corresponding to a pixel of the organic light emitting element has a plurality of sub-viewing angle compensation members. Accordingly, in the organic light emitting diode (OLED) display according to an exemplary embodiment, the viewing angle compensation layer is disposed on the thin film encapsulation layer such that optical characteristic changes such as the luminance change and the color change according to the viewing angle may be minimized or reduced.
US08618715B2 Electrostatic actuator and driving method thereof
A driving method for driving an electrostatic actuator including a fixed electrode and a movable electrode opposing each other with a dielectric layer interposed therebetween, includes applying a first voltage, between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode, to bring the movable electrode into contact with the dielectric layer, and applying a second voltage, between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode, after application of the first voltage is stopped and before the movable electrode moves away from the dielectric layer. Here, the second voltage has a polarity opposite to a polarity of the first voltage and an absolute value smaller than an absolute value of the first voltage.
US08618712B2 Electric motor and reduction motor
Disclosed is a windshield wiper motor having a reduction mechanism unit and an electric motor. The electric motor of the windshield wiper motor includes a yoke formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape; permanent magnets arranged on an inner peripheral surface of the yoke; an armature including a rotary shaft journalled to the yoke, an armature core where a plurality of teeth are formed and fixed onto the rotary shaft, an armature coil wound around teeth of the armature core, a commutator having a plurality of segments and being fixed onto the rotary shaft, and a plurality of connecting wires connecting two segments arranged to face each other back to back around the rotary shaft, being surrounded by the permanent magnets and arranged within the yoke; and a first brush, a second brush, and a third brush coming into sliding contact with the segments of the commutator of the armature.
US08618710B2 Wedge for a stator of a generator with preformed coil windings
A wedge for a stator of a generator with preformed coil windings includes a retaining portion for retaining coil windings. The retaining portion covers at least part of two neighbouring stator slots. A mounting projection at a bottom surface of the retaining portion for mounting the wedge to a top surface of a stator tooth is located between the two neighbouring stator slots.
US08618703B2 Motor driven compressor
A motor-driven compressor includes a housing having at one end thereof an accommodation space, an electric motor, a motor driver circuit provided in the accommodation space and having a circuit board, a connector having a bus bar electrically connected to the circuit board, and a cylindrical portion located at the one end of the housing and extending toward the direction close to the electric motor. The housing has a mounting hole communicating with the accommodation space and the interior of the cylindrical portion. The bus bar has a bent shape having opposite ends extended toward the direction close to the electric motor. The connector is disposed in the mounting hole with one end of the bus bar inserted in the cylindrical portion and the other end of the bus bar inserted in the accommodation space. The mounting hole is closed up by a cover with a seal member provided therebetween.
US08618701B2 Actuator and electric toothbrush using actuator
Disclosed is an actuator that generates the reciprocating rotational motion of an electric toothbrush or similar without employing a drive transmission mechanism as a separate entity from a drive source. An actuator (100) includes a fixed body (110) comprising an outer yoke (140) having inner wall planes that respectively oppose the magnetic pole planes of unlike poles of a magnet (150) with a predetermined gap therebetween. A coil (122) is arranged to encircle the magnet (150) between the magnetic pole planes of the unlike poles of the magnet (150) and the inner wall planes of the outer yoke (140) that respectively oppose the magnetic pole planes of the unlike poles, and this coil (122) is movably supported as a movable body (120) by way of an elastic member (130) fastened to the fixed body (110). The reciprocating rotational motion of the movable body (120) is afforded by the supply of an alternating current of a frequency approximately equivalent to the resonant frequency of the movable body (120) from an alternating current supply (180) to the coil (122).
US08618698B2 System and method for controlling a M2LC system
A modular multilevel converter system. The system includes a plurality of series connected two-terminal M2LC subsystems and a control system module. The two-terminal M2LC subsystems are arranged into at least two output phase modules. A first one of the output phase modules defines a total value of inductance and includes a positive arm and a negative arm. The control system module is configured to apply selectively reassigned modulated switch functions to only one of the following at a given instance of time: the two-terminal M2LC subsystems of the positive arm of the first one of the output phase modules or the two-terminal M2LC subsystems of the negative arm of the first one of the output phase modules. The selective reassigning of the modulated switch functions forces charge balance of the individual capacitors of the series connected two-terminal M2LC subsystems at a predetermined rate.
US08618697B2 Wireless power system with selectable control channel protocols
A wireless power system includes a wireless power transmit and receive units. The wireless power transmit unit includes a wireless power transmit circuit that generates a wireless power magnetic field and a transmit unit transceiver that transceives a communication regarding the wireless power magnetic field in accordance with a control channel protocol. The wireless power receive unit includes a wireless power receive circuit, a transceiver, and a processing module. The wireless power receive circuit converts the wireless power magnetic field into a voltage. The receive unit processing module is operable to: identify the control channel protocol; determine whether the receive unit transceiver is capable of communication using the control channel protocol; and, when the receive unit transceiver is capable of communication using the control channel protocol, coordinate configuration of the receive unit transceiver to transceive the communication regarding the wireless power magnetic field via the control channel.
US08618693B2 Operating direct current (DC) power sources in an array for enhanced efficiency
In a solar panel array that includes a string of series-connected panels, the load current flowing through the string is measured. The peak current (Ipp) of a panel in the string is determined. A current equal to the difference of the load current and the peak current (Ipp) is generated in a current source connected across the output terminals of the panel. The panel is thereby operated at its maximum power point (MPP). To determine the peak current (Ipp) of the panel, the magnitude of current flowing through the panel is iteratively changed and the corresponding power generated by the panel is computed. The change in the current through the panel and the measurement of the corresponding power are repeated until a maximum power is determined as being generated by the panel. The maximum power corresponds to the maximum power point (MPP) and the peak current (Ipp) of the panel.
US08618690B2 Wind power turbine combining a cross-flow rotor and a magnus rotor
A wind power hybrid rotor of a wind power plant for converting wind energy into drive energy is provided. For a utilization of the wind energy in a manner as efficient as possible, a wind power hybrid rotor is provided with a cross-flow rotor, a guide device and a Magnus rotor. The cross-flow rotor is supported so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis and has a plurality of axially extending rotor blades. The guide device has a housing segment partially enclosing the cross-flow rotor in the circumferential direction in such a manner that the cross-flow rotor can be driven by inflowing wind. The Magnus rotor axis is arranged within the cross-flow rotor, and the Magnus rotor axis extends in the direction of the rotational axis. The Magnus rotor has a closed lateral surface and is rotatably driven about the Magnus rotor axis by a drive device.
US08618689B2 Wind power turbine for generating electric energy
A wind power turbine configured to generate electric energy, having a supporting structure; a nacelle; a blade assembly rotating with respect to the nacelle; a first and second electric machine having, respectively, a first and second stator, and a first and second rotor substantially coaxial with each other and fitted to the first and second stator to rotate about a first and second axis; and a transmission assembly for connecting the first and second rotor; the transmission assembly being deformable.
US08618685B2 Method for operating a wind turbine in the event of a grid error and a wind turbine for carrying out said method
The invention is directed to a method for operating a wind turbine in the event of a grid error. The wind turbine has a rotor having a rotor blade adjustable in its blade pitch angle, a generator and a unit for capturing an actual value of the rotational speed of the generator, a value of the blade pitch angle and an actual value of a variable which is representative of a generator torque. The method includes recognizing a grid error; capturing the actual value of the generator torque and actual value of rotational speed of the generator when a grid error was recognized; determining a change in torque; capturing the pitch angle; determining a corrective value for the pitch angle in dependence upon the change in the generator torque and the value for the pitch angle; and, determining a corrected set-point for the pitch angle.
US08618682B2 Looped airfoil wind turbine
Looped AirFoil Wind Turbine (LAWT) (10) is a novel wind turbine with a basic system of a triangular structure (14) utilizing both lift and drag aerodynamic forces produced by wind energy. The entire triangular structure (14) could either yaw to always face the wind direction (W) or stay in a fixed position. The LAWT system (10) uses airfoil blades (12) shaped like an airplane wing, traveling linearly on travel wheels (22) riding on travel tracks (50, 52, 54). While traveling up, the wings are powered by a positive lift force and drag force while using negative lift force and drag force when traveling downward. All wings (12) are connected by a segmented chain (16) which transfers the kinetic power of wheeled wing carriages (18) directly to multiple generators (26), requiring no gears.
US08618676B2 Method of assembly of a semiconductor package for the improvement of the electrical testing yield on the packages so obtained
A method of assembly of a semiconductor package includes treating the electrical contacts thereof by the application on the electrical contacts of a chemical composition comprising at least one ionic polar surfactant. A semiconductor package has a coating on the electrical contacts thereof, the coating comprising at least one ionic polar surfactant. A device includes a semiconductor package with electrical contacts on a circuit board, the electrical contacts having a coating that includes an ionic surfactant.
US08618674B2 Semiconductor device including a sintered insulation material
A semiconductor device includes a carrier and a first chip attached to the carrier. The semiconductor device includes a sintered insulation material over at least a portion of the carrier and the first chip.
US08618669B2 Combination substrate
A combination substrate includes a first substrate having multiple wiring board mounting pads for installing a printed wiring board and multiple connection pads on the opposite side of the wiring board mounting pads, a second substrate having multiple package substrate mounting pads for loading one or more package substrates and multiple connection pads on the opposite side of the package substrate mounting pads, a resin component filling a space between the first substrate and the second substrate, and multiple component loading pads positioned to load an electronic component between the first substrate and the second substrate and formed on one of the first substrate and the second substrate. The connection pads of the second substrate are electrically connected to the connection pads of the first substrate.
US08618667B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A bump electrode, a dummy bump, and a heat-resistant polymer film, whose upper-surface heights are uniformed, are formed on each of a first silicon substrate and a second silicon substrate, and then, the first silicon substrate and the second silicon substrate are bonded to each other so that the bump electrodes formed on the respective substrates are electrically connected to each other. At this time, the dummy bump is arranged so as to be bonded to the heat-resistant polymer film on the silicon substrate opposed thereto, so that a semiconductor device having both of good electrical connection between the bump electrodes and bump protection performance obtained by a polymer film with high heat resistance and without voids can be achieved.
US08618659B2 Package-on-package assembly with wire bonds to encapsulation surface
A microelectronic assembly includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface remote from the first surface. A microelectronic element overlies the first surface and first electrically conductive elements are exposed at one of the first surface and the second surface. Some of the first conductive elements are electrically connected to the microelectronic element. Wire bonds have bases joined to the conductive elements and end surfaces remote from the substrate and the bases, each wire bond defining an edge surface extending between the base and the end surface. An encapsulation layer extends from the first surface and fills spaces between the wire bonds such that the wire bonds are separated by the encapsulation layer. Unencapsulated portions of the wire bonds are defined by at least portions of the end surfaces of the wire bonds that are uncovered by the encapsulation layer.
US08618657B2 Semiconductor device with multilayer wiring structure formed within and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip of a multilayer wiring structure having an insulating film formed on a surface thereof, multiple electrode pads formed at a central part and an outer peripheral part of the insulating film, and multiple protective metal layers formed respectively on the electrode pads. The semiconductor device also includes a substrate having the semiconductor chip mounted thereon and including multiple substrate terminals formed on a surface thereof respectively in positions corresponding to the electrode pads. The semiconductor chip is mounted on the substrate by connecting a stud bump to a solder bump. The stud bump is formed on any one of each of the protective metal layers and each of the substrate terminals and the solder bump is formed on the other one of each of the protective metal layers and each of the substrate terminals.
US08618654B2 Structures embedded within core material and methods of manufacturing thereof
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method that comprises providing a first die having a surface comprising a bond pad to route electrical signals of the first die and attaching the first die to a layer of a substrate. The method further comprises forming one or more additional layers of the substrate to embed the first die in the substrate and coupling a second die to the one or more additional layers, the second die having a surface comprising a bond pad to route electrical signals of the second die. The second die is coupled to the one or more additional layers such that electrical signals are routed between the first die and the second die.
US08618648B1 Methods for flip chip stacking
A cavity wafer for flip chip stacking includes an electrostatic (ESC) chuck wafer with a plurality of cavities, and a bonding layer on a surface of the ESC chuck wafer. The bonding layer is configured to receive a through-silicon-via (TSV) interposer with solder bumps. The plurality of cavities are configured to receive the solder bumps at the TSV interposer. The bonding layer is configured to receive an electrostatic bias for bonding the ESC chuck wafer to the TSV interposer with the solder bumps.
US08618646B2 Layered chip package and method of manufacturing same
A layered chip package includes a main body. The main body includes a main part, and further includes first terminals and second terminals disposed on the top and bottom surfaces of the main part, respectively. The main part includes first and second layer portions, and through electrodes penetrating them. The through electrodes are electrically connected to the first and second terminals. Each of the layer portions includes a semiconductor chip having a first surface and a second surface opposite thereto, and further includes surface electrodes. The surface electrodes are disposed on a side of the semiconductor chip opposite to the second surface. The first and second layer portions are bonded to each other such that the respective second surfaces face each other. The first terminals are formed by using the surface electrodes of the first layer portion. The second terminals are formed by using the surface electrodes of the second layer portion.
US08618645B2 Package process and package structure
A package process is provided. An adhesive layer is disposed on a carrier board and then plural first semiconductor devices are disposed on the adhesive layer. A first molding compound formed on the carrier board covers the sidewalls of the first semiconductor devices and fills the gaps between the first semiconductor devices so as to form a chip array board constructed by the first semiconductor devices and the first molding compound. Next, plural second semiconductor devices are flip-chip bonded to the first semiconductor devices respectively. Then, a second molding compound formed on the chip array board at least covers the sidewalls of the second semiconductor devices and fills the gaps between the second semiconductor devices. Subsequently, the chip array board is separated from the adhesive layer. Then, the first and the second molding compound are cut along the gaps between the second semiconductor devices.
US08618643B2 Semiconductor device and lead frame used for the same
A lead frame includes a first outer lead portion and a second outer lead portion which is arranged to oppose to the first outer lead portion with an element-mounting region between them. An inner lead portion has first inner leads connected to the first outer leads and second inner leads connected to the second outer leads. At least either the first or second inner leads are routed in the element-mounting region. An insulation resin is filled in the gaps between the inner leads located on the element-mounting region. A semiconductor device is configured with semiconductor elements mounted on both the top and bottom surfaces of the lead frame.
US08618641B2 Leadframe-based semiconductor package
A semiconductor package and a method for fabricating the same are provided. A leadframe including a die pad and a plurality of peripheral leads is provided. A carrier, having a plurality of connecting pads formed thereon, is attached to the die pad, wherein a planar size of the carrier is greater than that of the die pad, allowing the connecting pads on the carrier to be exposed from the die pad. At least a semiconductor chip is attached to a side of an assembly including the die pad and the carrier, and is electrically connected to the connecting pads of the carrier and the leads via bonding wires. A package encapsulant encapsulates the semiconductor chip, the bonding wires, a part of the carrier and a part of the leadframe, allowing a bottom surface of the carrier and a part of the leads to be exposed from the package encapsulant.
US08618639B2 Semiconductor structure, semiconductor device having a semiconductor structure, and method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure
According to an embodiment, a semiconductor structure includes a first monocrystalline semiconductor portion having a first lattice constant in a reference direction; a second monocrystalline semiconductor portion having a second lattice constant in the reference direction, which is different to the first lattice constant, on the first monocrystalline semiconductor portion; and a metal layer formed on and in contact with the second monocrystalline semiconductor portion.
US08618636B1 Fin bipolar transistors having self-aligned collector and emitter regions
A method for fabricating a bipolar transistor device. The method includes the steps of: providing a SOI substrate having a silicon layer thereon; patterning lithographically a fin hardmask on the silicon layer; placing a dummy contact line over a central portion of patterned fin hardmask; doping the collector/emitter regions; depositing a filler layer over the collector region and the emitter region; removing the dummy contact line to reveal a trench and the central portion of the patterned fin hardmask; forming fin-shaped base regions by removing, within the trench, a portion of the silicon layer not covered by the central portion of the patterned fin hardmask after the step of removing the dummy contact line; doping the fin-shaped base region; and forming a contact line by filling the trench with a contact line material over the fin-shaped base regions, where the collector/emitter regions are self-aligned with the contact line.
US08618633B2 Semiconductor-on-insulator apparatus, device and system with buried decoupling capacitors
A buried decoupling capacitor apparatus and method are provided. According to various embodiments, a buried decoupling capacitor apparatus includes a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate having a buried insulator region and top semiconductor region on the buried insulator region. The apparatus embodiment also includes a first capacitor plate having a doped region in the top semiconductor region in the semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. The apparatus embodiment further includes a dielectric material on the first capacitor plate, and a second capacitor plate on the dielectric material. According to various embodiments, the first capacitor plate, the dielectric material and the second capacitor plate form a decoupling capacitor for use in an integrated circuit.
US08618628B2 Buffered fuse for integrated circuit reconfiguration by laser
A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. A dummy pattern is formed between a fuse pattern and a semiconductor substrate so as to prevent the semiconductor substrate from being damaged, and a buffer pattern is formed between the dummy pattern and the semiconductor substrate, so that a dummy metal pattern primarily absorbs or reflects laser energy transferred to the semiconductor substrate during the blowing of the fuse pattern, and the buffer pattern secondarily reduces stress generated between the dummy pattern and the semiconductor substrate, resulting in the prevention of a defect such as a crack.
US08618625B2 Silicon-based schottky barrier detector with improved responsivity
A planar, waveguide-based silicon Schottky barrier photodetector includes a third terminal in the form of a field plate to improve the responsivity of the detector. Preferably, a silicide used for the detection region is formed during a processing step where other silicide contact regions are being formed. The field plate is preferably formed as part of the first or second layer of CMOS metallization and is controlled by an applied voltage to modify the electric field in the vicinity of the detector's silicide layer. By modifying the electric field, the responsivity of the device is “tuned” so as to adjust the momentum of “hot” carriers (electrons or holes, depending on the conductivity of the silicon) with respect to the Schottky barrier of the device. The applied potential functions to align with the direction of momentum of the “hot” carriers in the preferred direction “normal” to the silicon-silicide interface, allowing for an increased number to move over the Schottky barrier and add to the generated photocurrent.
US08618624B2 UV curable encapsulant
The present invention relates to UV curable encapsulant compositions based on acrylic and/or methacrylic block copolymers, to structures containing these compositions especially photovoltaic cells and to the use of these compositions in photovoltaic cells. The liquid encapsulant composition according to the invention comprises: an acrylic or methacrylic block copolymer, at least one acrylic or methacrylic monomer and/or oligomer, and at least one photo initiator.
US08618621B2 Semiconductor device layer structure and method of fabrication
An apparatus comprises a device layer structure, a device integrated into the device layer structure, an insulating carrier substrate and an insulating layer being continuously positioned between the device layer structure and the insulating carrier substrate, the insulating layer having a thickness which is less than 1/10 of a thickness of the insulating carrier substrate. An apparatus further comprises a device integrated into a device layer structure disposed on an insulating layer, a housing layer disposed on the device layer structure and housing the device, a contact providing an electrical connection between the device and a surface of the housing layer opposed to the device layer structure and a molding material surrounding the housing layer and the insulating layer, the molding material directly abutting on a surface of the insulating layer being opposed to the device layer structure.
US08618619B1 Top port with interposer MEMS microphone package and method
A top port MEMS package includes a substrate and an interposer mounted to the substrate. The interposer includes an interposer aperture and an interposer channel fluidly coupled to the interposer aperture. A MEMS electronic component is mounted to the interposer above the interposer aperture. A top port lid includes a top port and a chimney structure fluidly coupling to the top port to the interposer channel. A front volume including the top port, the flue, the interposer channel, and the interposer aperture is acoustically sealed from a relatively large back volume defined by a lid cavity of the top port lid. By acoustically sealing the front volume from the back volume and further by maximizing the back volume, the noise to signal ratio is minimized thus maximizing the sensitivity of top port MEMS microphone package as well as the range of applications.
US08618617B2 Field effect transistor device
A method for forming a field effect transistor device includes forming a gate stack portion on a substrate, forming a spacer portion on the gates stack portion and a portion of the substrate, removing an exposed portion of the substrate, epitaxially growing a first silicon material on the exposed portion of the substrate, removing a portion of the epitaxially grown first silicon material to expose a second portion of the substrate, and epitaxially growing a second silicon material on the exposed second portion of the substrate and the first silicon material.
US08618612B2 Integrated circuits based on aligned nanotubes
Techniques, apparatus and systems are described for wafer-scale processing of aligned nanotube devices and integrated circuits. In one aspect, a method can include growing aligned nanotubes on at least one of a wafer-scale quartz substrate or a wafer-scale sapphire substrate. The method can include transferring the grown aligned nanotubes onto a target substrate. Also, the method can include fabricating at least one device based on the transferred nanotubes.
US08618611B2 Room temperature carbon nanotubes integrated on CMOS
Embodiments of the invention integrate carbon nanotubes on a CMOS substrate using localized heating. An embodiment can allow the CMOS substrate to be in a room-temperature environment during the carbon nanotube growth process. Specific embodiments utilize a maskless post-CMOS microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) process. The post-CMOS MEMS process according to an embodiment of the present invention provides a carbon nanotube growth process that is foundry CMOS compatible. The maskless process, according to an embodiment, eliminates the need for photomasks after the CMOS fabrication and can preserve whatever feature sizes are available in the foundry CMOS process. Embodiments integrate single-walled carbon nanotube devices into a CMOS platform.
US08618610B2 Dummy pattern design for thermal annealing
The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure including a semiconductor substrate having a device region and a dummy region adjacent the device region; a plurality of active regions in the device region; and a plurality of dummy active regions in the dummy region, where each of the active regions has a first dimension in a first direction and a second dimension in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the first dimension is substantially greater than the second dimension; and each of the dummy active regions has a third dimension in the first direction and a fourth dimension in the second direction, and the third dimension is substantially greater than the fourth dimension. The plurality of dummy active regions are configured such that thermal annealing effect in the dummy region is substantially equal to that of the device region.
US08618606B2 Semiconductor device
Provided is a semiconductor device comprising: a PW layer formed at a surface of a semiconductor substrate; an NW layer formed at the surface of the semiconductor substrate to be in contact with the PW layer; a p+ base layer formed at the surface of the semiconductor substrate in the PW layer; an n+ collector layer formed at the surface of the semiconductor substrate in the NW layer; an n+ emitter layer located between the p+ base layer and the n+ collector layer and formed at the surface of the semiconductor substrate in the PW layer; and an n± layer formed between the n+ collector layer and the PW layer to be in contact with the n+ collector layer.
US08618604B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor wafer has a main surface. A main chip region is formed on the main surface. A sub-chip region is smaller in area than the main chip region, and positioned on an edge side of the semiconductor wafer relative to the main chip region. The sub-chip region is identical to the main chip region in design pattern. Accordingly, a semiconductor device in which occurrence of a pattern failure at the edge of the wafer can be prevented when chips are arranged in the surface of the semiconductor wafer and a method of manufacturing the same can be obtained.
US08618600B2 Integrated circuit including a buried wiring line
Integrated circuits including a buried wiring lien. One embodiment provides a field effect transistor including a first active area and a gate electrode buried below a main surface of a semiconductor substrate. A gate wiring line may be buried below the main surface and a section of the gate wiring line may form the gate electrode. Above the gate wiring line, a buried contact structure is formed that is adjacent to and in direct contact with the first or a second active area.
US08618595B2 Applications of light-emitting nanoparticles
A method for the production of a robust, chemically stable, crystalline, passivated nanoparticle and composition containing the same, that emit light with high efficiencies and size-tunable and excitation energy tunable color. The methods include the thermal degradation of a precursor molecule in the presence of a capping agent at high temperature and elevated pressure. A particular composition prepared by the methods is a passivated silicon nanoparticle composition displaying discrete optical transitions.
US08618578B2 Field effect transistor
A field effect transistor includes a nitride-based semiconductor multi-layer structure, a source electrode (108), a drain electrode (109), a protective film (110), and a gate electrode (112) that is provided in a recess structure, which is formed by etching, directly or with a gate insulating film interposed therebetween. The nitride-based semiconductor multi-layer structure includes at least a base layer (103) made of AlXGa1-XN (0≦1), a channel layer (104) made of GaN or InGaN, a first electron supply layer (105), which is an undoped or n-type AlYGa1-YN layer, a threshold value control layer (106), which is an undoped AlZGa1-ZN layer, and a second electron supply layer (107), which is an undoped or n-type AlWGa1-WN layer, epitaxially grown in this order on a substrate (101) with a buffer layer (102) interposed therebetween. The Al composition of each layer in the nitride-based semiconductor multi-layer structure satisfies 0
US08618577B2 Compound semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
An n-type GaN layer (3), a GaN layer (7) formed over the n-type GaN layer (3), an n-type AlGaN layer (9) formed over the GaN layer (7), a gate electrode (15) and a source electrode (13) formed over the n-type AlGaN layer (9), a drain electrode (14) formed below the n-type GaN layer (3), and a p-type GaN layer (4) formed between the GaN layer (7) and the drain electrode (14) are provided.
US08618574B2 Light-emitting element, display device, and electronic appliance
The present invention provides a light-emitting element having a structure in which the drive voltage is comparatively low and a light-emitting element in which the increase in the drive voltage over time is small. Further, the present invention provides a display device in which the drive voltage and the increase in the drive voltage over time are small and which can resist long-term use. A layer in contact with an electrode in a light-emitting element is a layer containing a P-type semiconductor or a hole-generating layer such as an organic compound layer containing a material having electron-accepting properties. The light-emitting layer is sandwiched between the hole-generating layers, and an electron-generating layer is sandwiched between the light-emitting layer and the hole-generating layer on a cathode side.
US08618573B2 Layered substrate, light-emitting diode including the layered substrate and lighting device using the light-emitting diode
A layered substrate includes a first substrate including an upper surface, a lower surface, a peripheral surface between peripheral edges of the upper surface and the lower surface, and a cut portion cut into the peripheral surface and passing through the upper surface and the lower surface, and a second substrate including an upper surface, a lower surface, and a peripheral surface between peripheral edges of the upper surface and the lower surface, and the lower surface of the second substrate layered on the upper surface of the first substrate and closing the cut portion of the first substrate from above. The second substrate includes a heat conductor that is thermally connected to an element to be mounted on the upper surface of the second substrate, the heat conductor configured to thermally extend to the cut portion of the first substrate.
US08618570B2 LED light engine and method of manufacture thereof
A light emitting diode (LED) light engine includes a solid transparent dome mounted on one or more LED dies to form a base module, a flexible sheath having embedded therein a phosphor that converts light of a first wavelength range to light of a second wavelength range, the sheath being attached to the base module so that the sheath conforms to a light emitting surface of the dome. The sheath emits light of the second wavelength range when the LED is emitting light of the first wavelength range. Further sheaths may be formed each with different phosphors or phosphor blends, and one of the sheaths may be selected to cover the base module depending on the color of light to be produced by the light engine.
US08618566B2 Light emitting device and method of manufacturing the same
Provided is a light emitting device. In one embodiment, a light emitting device includes: a substrate including β-Ga203; a light emitting structure on the substrate, the light emitting structure including a first conductive type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductive type semiconductor layer; an electrode on the light emitting structure; and a porous layer at a lateral surface region of the substrate.
US08618563B2 Light emitting device with vertically adjustable light emitting pattern
A light emitting device including a light emitting structure including a first conductive type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductive type semiconductor layer; a first photonic crystal structure on the light emitting structure; a lower encapsulant on the first photonic crystal structure; and a second photonic crystal structure on the lower encapsulant.
US08618559B2 Organic electroluminescent display
An organic electroluminescent (EL) display includes a plurality of organic EL devices for red, green, and blue subpixels, each including a first electrode on a light output side, a second electrode opposite the first electrode, and an organic compound layer including a light-emitting layer therebetween. The organic EL devices have a resonator structure between a first reflective surface closer to the first electrode than the organic compound layer and a second reflective surface closer to the second electrode than the organic compound layer. A predetermined white color is displayed by mixing the three colors such that an optical distance of the organic EL devices of each color between an emission position in the light-emitting layer and the second reflective surface is set within ±10% from an optical distance corresponding to an nth-order minimum of a curve of required current density against at least the optical distance.
US08618557B2 Wide-band-gap reverse-blocking MOS-type semiconductor device
A wide-band-gap reverse-blocking MOS-type semiconductor device includes a SiC n−-type drift layer; a p+-type substrate on the first major surface side of the drift layer; a trench extending through a p+-type substrate into the drift layer; a titanium electrode in the trench bottom that forms a Schottky junction with the SiC n−-type drift layer; an active section including a MOS-gate structure on the second major surface side of the drift layer facing to the area, in which the Schottky junctions are formed; a breakdown withstanding section surrounding the active section; and a trench isolation layer surrounding the breakdown withstanding section, the trench isolation layer extending from the second major surface of the drift layer into p+-type substrate and including insulator film buried therein. The device facilitates making a high current flow with a low ON-voltage and exhibits a very reliable reverse blocking capability.
US08618555B2 Silicon carbide semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
The silicon carbide semiconductor device includes a substrate, a drift layer, a base region, a source region, a trench, a gate insulating layer, a gate electrode, a source electrode, a drain electrode, and a deep layer. The deep layer is disposed under the base region and is located to a depth deeper than the trench. The deep layer is divided into a plurality of portions in a direction that crosses a longitudinal direction of the trench. The portions include a group of portions disposed at positions corresponding to the trench and arranged at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the trench. The group of portions surrounds corners of a bottom of the trench.
US08618554B2 Method to reduce ground-plane poisoning of extremely-thin SOI (ETSOI) layer with thin buried oxide
The present disclosure, which is directed to ultra-thin-body-and-BOX and Double BOX fully depleted SOI devices having an epitaxial diffusion-retarding semiconductor layer that slows dopant diffusion into the SOI channel, and a method of making these devices. Dopant concentrations in the SOI channels of the devices of the present disclosure having an epitaxial diffusion-retarding semiconductor layer between the substrate and SOI channel are approximately 50 times less than the dopant concentrations measured in SOI channels of devices without the epitaxial diffusion-retarding semiconductor layer.
US08618552B2 Low micropipe 100 mm silicon carbide wafer
A high quality single crystal wafer of SiC is disclosed having a diameter of at least about 100 mm and a micropipe density of less than about 25 cm−2.
US08618550B2 Large area organic light emitting diode display
The invention relates to a large area organic light emitting diode display having a uniformed luminescence throughout the display area. The invention suggests an organic light emitting diode display comprising a thin film transistor substrate including a thin film transistor, a driving current line to supply an electric signal to the thin film transistor, a driving line contact hole to expose some portions of the driving current line, and an organic light emitting diode connected to the thin film transistor; a cap including a cap substrate and an auxiliary electrode disposed on a surface of the cap substrate with an area that is at least ⅓ of an area of the cap substrate; a conductive sealing material to electrically connect the auxiliary electrode and the driving current line through the driving line contact hole; and an organic adhesive joining the thin film transistor substrate and the cap.
US08618546B2 Backplane for flat panel display apparatus, flat panel display apparatus, and method of manufacturing the backplane
A backplane includes: a substrate, a pixel electrode, which includes a transparent conductive material, on the substrate, a capacitor first electrode formed on the same layer as the pixel electrode, a first protection layer covering the capacitor first electrode and an upper edge of the pixel electrode, a gate electrode of a thin film transistor (TFT) formed on the first protection layer, a capacitor second electrode formed on the same layer as the gate electrode, a first insulating layer that covers the gate electrode and the capacitor second electrode, a semiconductor layer that is formed on the first insulating layer and includes a transparent conductive material, a second insulating layer covering the semiconductor layer, source and drain electrodes of the TFT that are formed on the second insulating layer, and a third insulating layer that covers the source and drain electrodes and exposes the pixel electrode.
US08618544B2 Thin film transistor and display device
To improve problems with on-state current and off-state current of thin film transistors, a thin film transistor includes a pair of impurity semiconductor layers to which an impurity element imparting one conductivity type is added, provided with a space therebetween; a conductive layer which is overlapped, over the gate insulating layer, with the gate electrode and one of the pair of impurity semiconductor layers to which an impurity element imparting one conductivity type is added; and an amorphous semiconductor layer which is provided successively between the pair of impurity semiconductor layers to which an impurity element imparting one conductivity type is added in such a manner that the amorphous semiconductor layer extends over the gate insulating layer from the conductive layer and is in contact with both of the pair of impurity semiconductor layers to which an impurity element imparting one conductivity type is added.
US08618543B2 Thin film transistor including selectively crystallized channel layer and method of manufacturing the thin film transistor
Provided are a thin film transistor (TFT) including a selectively crystallized channel layer, and a method of manufacturing the TFT. The TFT includes a gate, the channel layer, a source, and a drain. The channel layer is formed of an oxide semiconductor, and at least a portion of the channel layer contacting the source and the drain is crystallized. In the method of manufacturing the TFT, the channel layer is formed of an oxide semiconductor, and a metal component is injected into the channel layer so as to crystallize at least a portion of the channel layer contacting the source and the drain. The metal component can be injected into the channel layer by depositing and heat-treating a metal layer or by ion-implantation.
US08618540B2 Semiconductor packages
Provided are a semiconductor package, a semiconductor memory module including the semiconductor package, and a system including the semiconductor memory module. The semiconductor package may include a plurality of main terminals arranged on a surface of the semiconductor package with constant intervals, and the plurality of main terminals may include terminals of a first set including a plurality of input/output terminals to which test signals may be input, and terminals of a second set including a plurality of input/output terminals to/from which signals other than the test signals may be input/output.