| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08654866B2 |
Method and apparatus for optimizing dynamic range in DMT modems
A digital subscriber line XDSL communication system for optimizing dynamic range in digital multi-tone modulated (DMT) modems. The system comprises a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) and at least one modem. The DSLAM distributes a near end crosstalk (NEXT) model of anticipated disturbance from neighboring disturber subscriber lines. The at least one modem has a transmit path and a receive path. The at least one modem couples to the DSLAM and is responsive to the distributed NEXT model to adjust a dynamic range of an analog portion of the receive path to accommodate the anticipated disturbance modeled in the distributed NEXT model. |
| US08654865B2 |
Device and system for preserving, transmitting and receiving HDMI or A/V signals along a power-line communication network
A combination noise-filter, surge protections circuit and HDMI communication device. HDMI specific noise filters, surge protection circuits, PLC modem and encoding/decoding apparatus are connect to, or integrated into, power outlets in a home or other wired building enabling a high bandwidth powerline communication network. |
| US08654863B2 |
Video coding
A method of video encoding including receiving a video signal to be coded; coding data representing a frame of said video signal; and repeating part, but not all, of the data. The repeated part including the picture header for the frame. A method of decoding an encoded video signal including receiving coded data representing frames of a video signal; examining the coded data to detect header data and picture data; when an error in the picture header is detected, storing the picture data in a temporary picture data store, detecting a repeat of the header data; and decoding the stored picture data using the repeated header data. |
| US08654862B2 |
Coding device and method, decoding device and method, recording medium, and program
An encoding apparatus and an encoding method, a decoding apparatus and a decoding method, a recording medium, and a program suitable for encoding image signals with a higher compression ratio for transmission or accumulation. In an arithmetic coding section, from among the syntax elements of input image compression information, the frame/field flag is first encoded by a frame/field flag context model. When the macroblock to be processed is subjected to frame-based encoding, a frame-based context model, specified in the current H.26L standard, is applied. On the other hand, when the macroblock to be processed is subjected to field-based encoding, a field-based context model is applied for the syntax elements described below. The present invention is applied to an encoder for encoding image information and a decoder for decoding image information. |
| US08654861B2 |
Optical disk for high resolution and three-dimensional video recording, optical disk reproduction apparatus and optical disk recording apparatus
The present invention has an objective of providing an optical disk having a high resolution picture and a system for reproducing data on the optical disk, which are compatible with a conventional system for reproducing an ordinary resolution picture. A high resolution signal is divided into a main signal and a sub signal by picture division means and MPEG-encoded. The main signal and the sub signal are divided into frames each having 1 GOP or more. The resultant first interleave block 54 and second interleave block 55 are recorded alternately on an optical disk. A high resolution reproduction apparatus reproduced both the first and second interleave blocks, so that a high resolution picture is obtained. A non-high resolution reproduction apparatus reproduces only the first or second interleave block, so that an ordinary resolution picture. |
| US08654858B2 |
Methods and apparatus for differential encoding
A data stream encoder eliminates duplicate transmission units in a transmitted data stream in which the detected duplicate may not be the immediately preceding transmission unit. A data aggregator transmits a stream of data by identifying a frame interval, or timing interval, corresponding to the time to send a frame of data in the stream. Each of the frames includes a predetermined number of blocks. Configurations identify repetition patterns in the blocks of successive frames, thus looking backward a frame interval to identify a previous corresponding block in the preceding frame. The corresponding transmission block need not be the immediately preceding block or transmission unit. For certain types of data, successive frames exhibit the same or similar patterns in the blocks of data defining the frame. Therefore, the encoder identifies duplicate blocks in successive frames, and transmits only the blocks that differ from a counterpart block in the previous frame. |
| US08654857B2 |
Method and apparatus for variable accuracy inter-picture timing specification for digital video encoding
A method and apparatus for variable accuracy inter-picture timing specification for digital video encoding is disclosed. Specifically, the present invention discloses a system that allows the relative timing of nearby video pictures to be encoded in a very efficient manner. In one embodiment, the display time difference between a current video picture and a nearby video picture is determined. The display time difference is then encoded into a digital representation of the video picture. In a preferred embodiment, the nearby video picture is the most recently transmitted stored picture. For coding efficiency, the display time difference may be encoded using a variable length coding system or arithmetic coding. In an alternate embodiment, the display time difference is encoded as a power of two to reduce the number of bits transmitted. |
| US08654855B2 |
Apparatus for decoding motion information in merge mode
Disclosed is an apparatus for decoding motion information in merge mode for reconstructing a moving picture signal coded at a low data rate while maintaining a high quality of an image. The apparatus for decoding motion information in merge mode discloses the position of a merge mode candidate and the configuration of a candidate in order to predict motion information in merge mode efficiently. Furthermore, a merge candidate indicated by the merge index of a current block can be efficiently reconstructed irrespective of a network environment by adaptively generating a merge candidate based on the number of valid merge candidate. |
| US08654852B2 |
Circuit for performing motion estimation and motion compensation
Circuits for performing motion estimation (ME) and motion compensation (MC) are disclosed. In the ME circuit, rows of a first register are correspondingly coupled to rows of a first memory that stores a search range of a first frame, and rows of a second register are correspondingly coupled to rows of a second memory that stores a search range of a second frame. Block-matching metric calculations are performed through the search range to obtain a motion vector (MV). In the MC circuit, first multiplexers couples each row of a first register to corresponding row of a first memory, and each macro block (MB) may accordingly be selected from the first memory and loaded into the first register. Second multiplexers couples each row of a second register to corresponding row of a second memory, and each MB may accordingly be selected from the second memory and loaded into the second register. |
| US08654849B2 |
Integrated transcoding
Methods and systems for integrated transcoding on a plurality of data channels to convert one or more data channels from an incoming encoding format to an outgoing encoding format are disclosed. |
| US08654846B2 |
Motion compensator, motion compensation processing method and computer program
A motion compensator detects a first shift amount between temporally adjacent first and second frames, wherein the first shift amount is detected based upon a differential value between pixels constituting the first frame and pixels constituting the second frame; stores in a storing unit of information of the detected first shift amount with regard to each reference frame candidate; calculates a second shift amount between the input frame and each reference frame candidate based upon the first shift amount or a sum of the first shift amount from each reference frame candidate to the input frame; selects a reference frame candidate for which the second shift amount is smallest as a reference frame; and calculates a motion vector, with regard to each macro block of the input frame, based upon each macro block of the reference frame. |
| US08654842B2 |
Accelerated video encoding
A video encoding acceleration service to increase one or more of the speed and quality of video encoding is described. The service acts as an intermediary between an arbitrary video encoder computer program application and arbitrary video acceleration hardware. The service receives one or more queries from the video encoder to identify implementation specifics of the video acceleration hardware. The service interfaces with the video acceleration hardware to obtain the implementation specifics. The service communicates the implementation specifics to the video encoder. The implementation specifics enable the video encoder to: (a) determine whether one or more of speed and quality of software encoding operations associated with the video encoder can be increased with implementation of a pipeline of one or more supported encoding pipeline configurations and capabilities, and (b) implement the pipeline by interfacing with the service. |
| US08654840B2 |
Rate control method of perceptual-based rate-distortion optimized bit allocation
A rate control method of perceptual-based rate-distortion (R-D) optimized bit allocation is disclosed. An input frame is firstly determined as a key frame or non-key frame. A key frame is additionally encoded to generate rate-distortion (R-D) points. The R-D model of each basic unit (BU) is updated, followed by perceptual-based bit allocation, thereby generating a target bit rate. A quantization parameter (QP) is computed according to the target bit rate, and the current BU is encoded according to the QP. A rate-quantization (R-Q) model is updated if not all BUs have been encoded. |
| US08654839B2 |
Video signal coding apparatus and video signal coding method
Video signal coding apparatus includes a quantization unit which quantizes a luminance signal of each of a first picture and a second picture coded after the first picture, and quantizes a chrominance signal of each of the first picture and the second picture. A code amount obtainment unit obtains a luminance code amount and a chrominance code amount of each of the first picture and the second picture; and a rate calculation unit calculates a rate of the chrominance code amount with respect to the luminance code amount for each of the first picture and the second picture. A rate control unit changes a coefficient value of at least one of the first matrix and the second matrix used in quantizing the second picture, before the quantization unit quantizes the second picture, so that the rate for the second picture becomes smaller than the rate for the first picture. |
| US08654838B2 |
System and method for video and graphic compression using multiple different compression techniques and compression error feedback
A line-based one-dimensional system and method for video and graphic compression compresses an image data block that contains image data values from one or more neighboring pixels. The system and method involves compressing an image data sample of the image data block using multiple different compression techniques to generate multiple compression results, selecting one of the compression results, and compressing a next image data sample using the multiple different compression techniques and a compression error from the selected one of the compression results. |
| US08654829B2 |
Selectable-tap equalizer
A signaling circuit having a selectable-tap equalizer. The signaling circuit includes a buffer, a select circuit and an equalizing circuit. The buffer is used to store a plurality of data values that correspond to data signals transmitted on a signaling path during a first time interval. The select circuit is coupled to the buffer to select a subset of data values from the plurality of data values according to a select value. The equalizing circuit is coupled to receive the subset of data values from the select circuit and is adapted to adjust, according to the subset of data values, a signal level that corresponds to a data signal transmitted on the signaling path during a second time interval. |
| US08654822B2 |
Link adaptation system using doppler frequency and method using the same
A link adaptation system using a Doppler frequency is provided. The link adaptation system includes: a Doppler frequency estimation unit to estimate a Doppler frequency of a signal transmitted via a wireless channel; a Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) measurement interval determination unit to determine an SNR measurement interval of the signal transmitted via the wireless channel based on the estimated Doppler frequency; and an SNR measurement unit to measure an SNR of the signal based on the determined SNR measurement interval. |
| US08654821B2 |
Method and circuit for fractional rate pulse shaping
A fractional rate converting filter in a wireless transceiver comprising a delay line, multiplier circuit, adder circuit, and selector. The delay line receives a digital input signal at a first sample rate and has delay blocks each providing an output and receiving samples gated at a plurality of clock cycles of an integer sub-multiple frequency of a clock. The outputs are multiplied by corresponding filter tap coefficients. Each filter tap coefficient is spaced by a first integer Y. The adder circuit receives and sums the tap outputs to provide an output signal. The selector iteratively shifts the coefficients by a second integer Z. The output of each delay block is multiplied by corresponding shifted filter tap coefficients. The delay blocks are inhibited from receiving another input sample during the plurality of clock cycles. The output signal has a second sample rate at the integer sub-multiple frequency of the clock. |
| US08654820B2 |
Radio communication for reducing the signaling amount in selecting a plurality of beams in pre-coding for enhancing throughput
The signaling amount in selecting a plurality of beams is reduced in pre-coding to enhance throughput. When notification of a beam number is provided in a feedback signal from a user equipment to a radio base station, a superior beam number, having a high quality rank with small time variation, is bound up and fixed for a predetermined time period and notification of only a inferior beam number is provided within the predetermined time period. For example, to select three beams among six beams, first, notification of the superior two beam numbers (beam numbers ‘b’ and ‘c’) is provided. These beam numbers are fixed for a predetermined time period and then notification of only the inferior one beam number (beam number ‘e’) is provided within the predetermined time period. Thus, the signaling amount for providing beam number notification is reduced. |
| US08654819B2 |
Systems and methods for pulse rotation modulation encoding and decoding
Systems (600) and methods (500) for Pulse Rotation Modulation. The methods involve: generating First Segments (“FSs”) of a Numerical Sequence (“NS”) based on a First Data Symbol Sequence (“FDSS”); and encoding FDSS within NS. The encoding is achieved by: (a) shifting positions of numbers contained in each FS “X” positions to the right or left; and (b) moving a last “X” numbers of the FSs to a beginning of a respective segment thereof or moving a first “X” numbers of the FSs to an end of the respective segment. X” is defined as an integer value represented by a respective portion of FDSS. Thereafter, the NS having FDSS encoded therein can be used to spread a Second Data Signal (“SDS”) over a wide intermediate frequency band. SDS has second data symbols, that are different then FDSS, phase and/or amplitude encoded therein. |
| US08654818B2 |
Transmitter device, receiver device, and communication system
A transmitter device that repeatedly transmits an identical frame includes a circuitry that generates the frame and transmits the frame a plurality of times. The frame includes marking areas that divide the frame into a plurality of frame segments having different lengths. The marking area is formed in the frame by part of the frame and is distinguishable from other parts of the frame. The marking area does not change data content transmitted by the frame. The frame segments obtained from the identical frame that is repeatedly transmitted by the circuitry are combined to reconstruct a complete frame identical to the frame transmitted by the transmitter device. |
| US08654810B2 |
Light-emitting device and method of manufacturing the same
A light-emitting device formed by easily mounting a light-emitting element onto a supporting base and a method of manufacturing the light-emitting device are provided. A light-emitting device includes: a supporting base including a depression section on a top surface thereof, the depression section having an inclined surface on a side wall thereof; a first light-emitting element arranged on a bottom surface of the depression section; and a second light-emitting element arranged on the first light-emitting element and the supporting base. |
| US08654806B2 |
Organic semiconductor lasers by triplet managers
A first device is provided. The device includes an organic semiconductor laser. The organic semiconductor laser further includes an optical cavity and an organic layer disposed within the optical cavity. The organic layer includes: an organic host compound; an organic emitting compound capable of fluorescent emission; and an organic dopant compound. The organic dopant compound may also be referred to herein as a “triplet manager.” The triplet energy of the organic dopant compound is lower than or equal to the triplet energy of the organic host compound. The triplet energy of the organic dopant compound is lower than or equal to the triplet energy of the organic emitting compound. The singlet energy of the organic emitting compound is lower than or equal to the singlet energy of the organic host compound. |
| US08654801B2 |
Light source device, analysis device, and light generation method
In aspects of the invention, wavelength conversion element has a harmonic generation portion and a parametric oscillation portion. The harmonic generation portion generates a harmonic of laser light output from a laser light source. The parametric oscillation portion generates signal light and idler light from the harmonic generated by the harmonic generation portion. In some aspects of the invention, electrodes and a first voltage control portion control the intensity of the harmonic generated by the harmonic generation portion. A first FBG (Fiber Bragg Grating) and a second FBG cause resonance of signal light output from the parametric oscillation portion. A piezo tube and a second voltage control portion change the resonance frequency of the first FBG and the second FBG. |
| US08654800B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling mode coupling in high power laser system
A high power fiber laser is configured with a multimode active fiber and input and output single mode passive fibers butt-spliced to respective opposite ends of the active fiber. If the input passive and active fibers do not have substantially matched diameters, a SM radiation coupled into the active fiber may excite fundamental and high order modes which, while interfering with one another, create a non-uniform distribution of refractive index in each of forward and backward light propagation directions along the resonator of the laser. The variable longitudinal perturbation components of the refractive index in respective forward and backward directions along an optical path in the active fiber are distributed in accordance with respective cosine functions. The length of the optical path is set so that the cosine functions of the respective perturbation components are shifted in a counter-phase position in which a cross-coupling coefficient between fundamental and high-order modes is substantially minimized. The optimal length of the optical path is maintained by controlling by either an ambient temperature or an electric field of piezo-element coupled to the MM active fiber. As a consequence, the disclosed high power fiber laser emits radiation in a fundamental mode having minimum power losses. |
| US08654797B2 |
Data relay device and data relay method used in the device
To provide a data relay device which prevents a significant delay even when pieces of data are transmitted/received in protocols that are different from each other. Transmission timings at which pieces of data are transmitted/received in a network using an event trigger type communication protocol are estimated. Stay periods which occur when pieces of data are relayed and transmitted at predetermined transmission timings in a network using a time trigger type communication protocol are calculated while changing a reference time for the time trigger type communication protocol. Then, synchronization processing is performed in the network using the time trigger type communication protocol such that communication is performed using a reference time having a small stay period that has been calculated. |
| US08654796B2 |
System for synchronizing clock
A system for synchronizing clock, which is used to realize the synchronization between a radio frequency module and a base band module in a base station, comprises: one or more time generators, located on the radio frequency module side, configured to generate a synchronous signal according to an external clock signal, and to send the synchronous signal to a time distributor; the time distributor, located on the base band module side, configured to generate a synchronous clock according to a synchronous signal from one of the one or more time generators, and to adjust the synchronous clock according to a communication delay between the time generator which outputs the synchronous signal and the time distributor, and to send the synchronous clock adjusted to the radio frequency module and the base band module to realize the synchronization between the radio frequency module and the base band module. |
| US08654795B2 |
Packet data transmitting method and system for packet service domain
A packet data transmitting method for packet service domain is disclosed. After receiving a Service Data Unit (SDU), a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) entity determines how to handle the SDU in a cache queue and process a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) record in a Serial Number (SN) window based on whether or not the cache queue includes any SDU and the SN window is full, respectively. When both the cache queue and the SN window are full, the PDCP entity processes PDU records in the SN window according to their respective weight values and processes an SDU in the cache queue into a new PDU accordingly. A packet data transmitting system for packet service domain is also disclosed, which can prolong the time window for confirming a PDU record in the SN window. |
| US08654792B2 |
Apparatus and method for coding an information signal into a data stream, converting the data stream and decoding the data stream
More customization and adaptation of coded data streams may be achieved by processing the information signal such that the various syntax structures obtained by pre-coding the information signal are placed into logical data packets, each of which being associated with a specific data packet type of a predetermined set of data packet types, and by defining a predetermined order of data packet types within one access unit of data packets. The consecutive access units in the data stream may, for example, correspond to different time portions of the information signal. By defining the predetermined order among the data packet types it is possible, at decoder's side, to detect the borders between successive access units even when removable data packets are removed from the data stream on the way from the data stream source to the decoder without incorporation of any hints into the reminder of the data stream. |
| US08654791B2 |
Systems and methods for packet steering in a multi-core architecture
Described herein is a method and system for distributing whole and fragmented requests and responses across a multi-core system. Each core executes a packet engine that further processes data packets and data packet fragments allocated to that core. A flow distributor executing within the multi-core system forwards client requests to a packet engine on a core that is selected based on a value generated when a hash is applied to a tuple comprising a client IP address, a client port, a server IP address and a server port identified in the request. The packet engine maintains each element of the tuple and forwards the request to the selected core. The packet engine can also process data packet fragments by assembling the fragments prior to transmitting them to the selected core, or by transmitting the data packet fragments to the selected core. |
| US08654789B2 |
Intermediate write operation dispersed storage network frame
A method begins by a processing module generating a payload of a dispersed storage network (DSN) frame regarding an intermediate write request operation by generating one or more transaction number fields of the payload to include one or more transaction numbers corresponding to a write request operation, wherein the intermediate write request operation is associated with the write request operation. The method continues with the processing module generating a protocol header of the DSN frame by generating a payload length field of the protocol header to include a payload length that represents a length of the one or more transaction number fields and generating remaining fields of the protocol header. |
| US08654788B2 |
Method and apparatus for dynamically adjusting broadband access bandwidth
A method and apparatus for providing a method to enable subscribers of broadband access services, such as Digital Subscriber Loop based or Cable based broadband access services, to dynamically reconfigure their access arrangements as a function of the bandwidth usage of subscribers are disclosed. The present invention provides a method for broadband service providers to dynamically adjust access bandwidth allocation for subscribers by monitoring access bandwidth usage by subscribers and dynamically adjust the needed access bandwidth for the subscribers accordingly. |
| US08654781B2 |
Method and device for downlink cooperation retransmission in a relay station
The invention discloses a method and apparatus for relay station downlink cooperative retransmission, wherein said method comprises: a relay station carrying out physical layer processing in advance on data which requires retransmitting according to different scenarios associated with different possible number of available wireless resources for retransmitting data in a retransmission subframe, generating corresponding OFDM signals, and monitoring the PCFICH of the retransmission subframe, and according to the monitoring result, selecting an OFDM signal which is corresponding to the determined number of available wireless resources from said OFDM signals to carry out retransmission transmitting. The present invention can efficiently solve the problem that the number of wireless resources varies during downlink retransmitting data and the relay station cooperative communication is unable to be carried out normally, without introducing any extra overhead and time delay, and without the control signaling, thus reducing the system complexity. |
| US08654773B2 |
Systems and methods for coexistence of WLAN and bluetooth networks
Systems and methods for coexistence of WLAN and Bluetooth networks are described. At least one embodiment includes a method for operating a wireless device in both a 802.11 network and a Bluetooth network. In accordance with some embodiments, the method comprises monitoring transmission of Synchronous Connection Oriented (SCO) slots over the Bluetooth network, informing an access point (AP) in the 802.11 network not to transmit to the device before the end of an SCO slot, transmitting a power save trigger to the AP to retrieve buffered data from the AP, and transmitting data to the AP. |
| US08654762B2 |
Resource pooling in a blade cluster switching center server
The present invention relates to a switching center server comprising: —a blade cluster with a plurality of blades (110), —a plurality of pooled resources accessible by said plurality of blades (110) for handling a call, and —a master (112) provided on one of the blades centrally coordinating the usage of the pooled resources, the master as a central instance being responsible for allocation, de-allocation and maintenance of the pooled resources. At outage of one or more blades, the invention provides mechanisms to keep impacts on ongoing calls to a minimum and to keep pooled resources available to the remaining blades. |
| US08654761B2 |
System for conealing missing audio waveforms
In one embodiment, a method can include: (i) establishing an internet protocol (IP) connection; (ii) forming a buffered version of a plurality of voice frame slices from received audio packets; and (iii) when an erasure is detected, performing a packet loss concealment (PLC) to provide a synthesized speech signal for the erasure, where the PLC can include: (a) identifying first and second pitches from the buffered version of the plurality of voice frame slices; and (b) forming the synthesized speech signal by using the first and second pitches, and more if needed, followed by an overlay-add (OLA). |
| US08654757B2 |
Method and apparatus of synchronization scheduling
A method and an apparatus for synchronization scheduling are provided. In the method, service data are processed according to the scheduling transmission time interval determined according to the time division multiplexing period and the synchronization sequence length of the service, the method may avoid the situation of non-uniform resource allocation, which is incurred by inconsecutive distribution of wireless interface resources under the TDM configuration, and thus avoid the overflow of the synchronization sequences of the service and the loss of service data. |
| US08654756B2 |
Transmission device, reception device, transmission method, reception method, and transmission/reception system
A transmission device, which continues consistent secure communication, even if a frame counter is reset due to a power cut off, includes a transmission frame counter that counts a value monotonically incremented for each packet transmission and holds the value as a frame counter value. The transmission device includes a transmission unit that adds the frame counter value held in the transmission frame counter to a packet, and transmits the packet to the reception device, and a storage circuit that stores the frame counter value. The transmission frame counter (i) stores the counted and held frame counter value into the storage circuit for each stored-frame-counter updating increment that is a natural number greater than an increment by which the frame counter value is monotonically incremented, and holds, as a new frame counter value, the stored frame counter value added with the stored-frame-counter updating increment, when the transmission device is reset. |
| US08654754B2 |
Communication system, a communication method, and a communication apparatus with clear to send signal frame
A communication system for carrying out data communication among a plurality of communication stations is disclosed in which a first communication station for transmitting to other communication stations a Request To Send (RTS) signal for requesting a transmission upon the start of the data transmission; and a plurality of second communication stations transmitting to other communication stations a Clear To Send (CTS) signal for notifying the completion of preparing the reception, wherein the first communication station transmits the RTS signal describing at least each of addresses the second communication stations that are desired to receive the data, and receives a plurality of CTS signals transmitted from each of the second communication stations in order to increase communication capacity. |
| US08654753B2 |
Multichannel TDMA mechanism
An apparatus and method for communications are disclosed. The apparatus may include a transceiver, and a processing system configured to dynamically allocate a plurality of channels to one or more nodes prior to a data transmission from the transceiver to the one or more nodes. |
| US08654748B2 |
Access point and method for aggregate MPDU (A-MPDU) and power-save multi-poll (PSMP) operation
Embodiments of wireless devices and methods for aggregate MPDU (A-MPDU) communications in an IEEE 802.11n network are generally described herein. Two or more A-MPDU subframes are aggregated to form an A-MPDU. In some embodiments, an access point (AP) that is configured for power-save multi-poll (PSMP) operation transmits a PSMP burst comprising a PSMP sequence of two or more A-MPDUs to a plurality of mobile stations (STA) during a downlink phase of the PSMP sequence. During PSMP operation, the AP is to receive a PSMP sequence of two or more A-MPDUs from the STAs during an uplink phase of the PSMP sequence. |
| US08654745B2 |
Technique for signal transmission mode determination in wireless communication system and apparatus for same
The present invention relates to a method for determining the transmission mode in a wireless communication system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for transmission mode determination in a wireless communication system, comprising a step wherein feedback information regarding channel status is received, and a step wherein it is determined based on said feedback information whether a transmission signal will be transmitted via each of a fixed number of subcarriers, after applying a propagation sequence. |
| US08654742B2 |
Receiver with high performance channel estimation
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for use in the channel estimating in a manner which reduces Bit Error Rate (BER) and/or Mean Square Error (MSE) and allows the channel estimation to be performed in an efficient manner but with reduced complexity. The method utilizes two phases, the first of which includes locating an optimum regularization parameters range from an initially larger range; and a second phase of obtaining optimum channel estimates from a Tikhonov regularized least squares solution using the optimum regularization parameters range located from the first phase. |
| US08654741B2 |
Selection of a prepared access point from among a plurality of access points
Techniques are provided for selecting an access point (AP) to communicate with from a plurality of candidate access points (APs) when a wireless communication device (WCD) roams in a wireless local area network (WLAN). The WCD can determine whether a particular link quality metric (e.g., a signal strength indicator value) of a particular preferred access point (that has the highest link quality metric) is greater than an upper threshold. If so, the WCD can then create a preferred candidate list that comprises only preferred access points, and determine whether a current serving access point of the wireless communication device is a preferred access point. If the current serving access point is not a preferred access point, the WCD can initiate a roam to the particular preferred access point that has the strongest link quality metric. |
| US08654739B2 |
Virtual care-of address for mobile IP (internet protocol)
An IP (Internet Protocol) session for a mobile node is carried out through the use of a virtual care-of address. A foreign agent sends an agent advertisement to the mobile node to allow the mobile node to choose from a list of IP addresses of the foreign agent. The foreign agent ties a virtual care-of address to a mobile node so that an intelligent and dynamic selection of tunnels to be used for the IP session can occur. Therefore, traffic for an IP session is not limited to transmission over the single particular tunnel that corresponds to an IP address initially selected by the mobile node. Rather, the virtual care-of address shifts the tunneling decision from the mobile node to the foreign agent. Supporting multiple tunnels between home agent and foreign agent allows resilience, redundancy, and service-level differentiation to mobile node traffic without involving the mobile node in the process. |
| US08654736B2 |
Base station, user apparatus, and method
A base station comprises a transmission buffer configured to store a service data unit received from the access gateway; a retransmission buffer configured to store a packet data unit to be retransmitted in a radio downlink; a scheduler configured to determine assignment of radio resources to user apparatuses and supply scheduling information; and a transmitted signal processing unit configured to generate a transmitted signal including data stored in the transmission buffer or the retransmission buffer in accordance with the scheduling information. The scheduler is configured to determine the scheduling information to transmit data destined for a user apparatus requesting handover in priority to data destined for a user apparatus that does not request handover. |
| US08654735B2 |
IP mobility multihoming
The present application relates to a method for arranging IP mobility multihoming. A plurality of IP mobility configuration parameter sets is accessed, each of the sets being associated with a destination network. One of the IP mobility configuration parameter sets is selected for an IP data connection, the selected IP mobility configuration parameter set being associated with a destination network of the IP data connection. An IP mobility protocol instance associated with the destination network is activated on the basis of the selected IP mobility configuration parameter set. |
| US08654733B2 |
Resource allocation in a packet-based radio communication system
A scheme for resource allocation for variable rate users in a packet-based radio communication system such as a UMTS TDD system is based on a representation (200) of the resource space organized orthogonally in 3 dimensions by codes, timeslots and frames. The representation (200) is searched to identify new resources that may be allocated and updated when new resources have been allocated. This scheme provides an efficient method for placing allocated resources into the system resource space while maintaining efficient packing, and provides the following advantages: allocations that result in different overall throughput rates can be made to users; efficient packing of allocated resources means that wasted resources is minimized; since the representation of the system resource space is bounded, the stored information at the resource allocator function (in the radio access network) can be minimized; allocations are only made based on the most current frame in the representation of the system resource space this reduces required complexity; and the maximum number of frames into the future over which resources can be allocated can be used to modify the shape of allocations. |
| US08654720B2 |
Spectrum sharing enabled by strong interfering pulse handling
Interference between a communication system operating in a frequency area and another system sending out pulses affecting the frequency area can be handled by means of a communication unit (RBS 1. MT1) for use in a cellular communications system, said communications unit comprising detecting means (10, 20) for determining the presence of at least one interfering pulse from another system affecting the signalling in the cellular communications system, and processing means (11, 21) for selecting and taking appropriate action based on the detected at least one interfering pulse. |
| US08654719B2 |
Method for spectrum sharing in a multi-mode system and related apparatus
A measurement apparatus comprising means for checking for available radio spectrum resource in a first system in a radio coverage area; means for sending information to a second system indicating the availability of radio spectrum resource of the first system which is usable by said second system in at least part of said radio coverage area, wherein said first system has priority over said radio spectrum resource. |
| US08654717B2 |
Base station apparatus and communication control method
A base station apparatus to be used for a mobile communication system capable of providing communications using plural frequency carriers is disclosed. The base station apparatus includes a frequency carrier selection unit selecting one of a first frequency carrier and a second frequency carrier as a frequency carrier to be used for the communications based on at least one of a service type of the communications and a congestion degree of the communications, the first frequency carrier being used for communications based on allocation in which radio resources are dynamically allocated, the second frequency carrier being used for communications based on allocation in which the radio resources are allocated at every predetermined period. |
| US08654715B2 |
Systems and methods providing mobile transmit diversity
A method for use by a remote unit in an Evolution Data Optimized (EVDO) network includes sending transmissions to a base station, each of the transmissions corresponding to a respective one of multiple hypotheses of multiple antenna usage. The method also includes receiving feedback from the base station in response to the transmissions, the feedback being uninformed of multiple antenna usage and using the feedback to select at least one of the hypotheses. The method further includes transmitting data using a multiple-antenna scheme associated with the selected hypotheses. |
| US08654713B2 |
Radio communication system, device and method for radio communication, and computer program
A radio communication device which manages a network defines a predetermined transmission frame cycle, allocates in the frame specific access slots as timing with which the individual radio communication devices in the network concerned receive a transmission, puts the information of the allocation in a beacon signal, and transmits the signal. Each radio communication device performs receiving operation at access slots specific to the device itself defined by the beacon signal. When information transmission is made between arbitrary communication devices in the network, access slots for the device which is to receive the information are used. |
| US08654710B2 |
Base station device and terminal device
A base station (100) reduces overhead created by the notification of user allocation information (individual control information) in performing multi-user MIMO transmission. The base station (100) has spatial multiplex signal forming units (individual data sequence creation unit (120) and beam formation unit (123)) that form signals that are spatial multiplex transmitted from multiple antennas, a common control signal formation unit (111) that forms common control signals that are transmitted in common from multiple antennas, and an individual control signal appending unit (122) that includes an individual control signal for each terminal address in a spatial multiplex transmitted signal. |
| US08654708B2 |
Wireless position sensing in three dimensions
A position sensing system enabling dynamic adjustment of the sensing by dynamically adjusting amplifier gain or comparator thresholds in response to received signals. The system compares the time a signal takes to travel from a transmitter in a mobile component to a plurality of receivers in a fixed component and, adjusts the amplifier gain or comparator thresholds if the difference in times measured by the receivers is large or at least one receiver does not detect a signal. |
| US08654706B2 |
Systems, methods and computer program products for intelligent APN management in wireless communications networks
Systems, methods, and computer program products are for managing APNs in a wireless communications network during a PDP context activation sequence. An exemplary method includes a radio network controller (RNC) generating an APN assignment request in response to a PDP context activation request being received from a device and sending the APN assignment request to an intelligent APN management system (iAPNMS). The method also includes determining, at the iAPNMS based upon an assignment factor, an APN to assign to the PDP context activation request and assigning the APN to the PDP context activation request. The method also includes one of the RNC and the iAPNMS modifying the PDP context activation request to include the APN, and the RNC forwarding the PDP context activation request including the APN to a serving general packet radio service (GPRS) gateway support node (SGSN) to continue the PDP context activation sequence. |
| US08654703B2 |
Telephone call processing
Embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatus for providing one-telephone dialing number telephony services where only a single telephone dialing number is required for each subscriber, despite each subscriber having multiple telephony devices on which they wish to be contacted. Calls to a one-telephone dialing number telephony service subscriber may be detected at a telephone switch using one or more triggers configured in association with a device-shared telephone dialing number allocated to the subscriber. Upon receipt of a call connection request to a subscriber, control of the call is assumed, for example by redirecting the call to a service platform capable of generating multiple call connection requests. Multiple outgoing call connection requests are transmitted to multiple telephony devices, including a mobile telephone, associated with the device-shared telephone dialing number allocated to a subscriber. |
| US08654699B2 |
Distributed ARQ for wireless communication system
Systems and methods for providing distributed Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ) in a wireless communication system are described herein. In one embodiment, a relay station interconnects a base station of the wireless communication system and one or more mobile stations. A first ARQ process is performed for a first connection between the base station and the relay station. A separate second ARQ process is performed for a second connection between the relay station and a mobile station. In this manner, rather than having end-to-end ARQ between the base station and the mobile station, a distributed ARQ process is provided. |
| US08654690B2 |
Switching carriers to join a multicast session within a wireless communications network
Embodiments are directed to supporting a multicast session in a wireless communications network are provided. A request to register for an announced multicast session (e.g., a push to talk (PTT) session) is sent from an access terminal to an access network. The access terminal has a traffic channel on a first carrier. The access network determines whether the announced multicast session is being carried on the first carrier. The access network transmits a traffic channel assignment message allocating the access terminal a traffic channel on a second carrier if the determining step determines that the given multicast session is not being carried on the first carrier and is being carried on the second carrier. Thus, the access terminal need not send a connection request to be allocated a traffic channel on the second carrier, thereby reducing a channel outage during the carrier switch. |
| US08654687B2 |
Dual channel time division duplex (TDD) communication
A system and method to use existing Long Term Evolution (LTE) and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) based signaling to effectuate dual-channel Time Division Duplex (TDD) communication between two transceivers giving preference to one type of subframes (either downlink or uplink) for data transmission. In backhaul communications between pico (or femto) and macro base stations, using LTE and WiMAX's TDD mode in such a manner effectively reduces unnecessary transmissions of pilot and synchronization sequence in downlink signaling, thereby reducing the level of pilot overhead and minimizing interference when data is not being transmitted. Similarly, the use of existing LTE (or WiMAX) implementations of TDD radio frames in this manner may achieve radio silence for some duration (e.g., when no uplink sub-frames are transmitted) when operating in a license-exempt spectrum, thereby allowing other license-exempt devices to potentially share the radio channel during the silence period. |
| US08654684B1 |
Multi-platform video delivery configuration
A system and a method are disclosed for delivering a video to a destination device using multiple sources and multiple protocols. The video can be on demand or a live video. A video is divided into several chunks distributed across devices and servers in the network. A node is selected for delivering a video chunk based on criteria including the cost of delivery of the chunk from the node to the destination node. This also improves the throughput of the entire system. Different nodes can use different communication protocols for delivering chunks of videos. Portions of videos are forward-cached to a node before a request for the video is made by the node. Activities associated with a device are gathered to determine a profile for the device. The profile of the device is used to select videos to be forward-cached to the peer device. |
| US08654683B2 |
Mobile cloud architecture based on open wireless architecture (OWA) platform
A simplified future mobile terminal system converging multiple wireless transmission technologies by utilizing a cost-effective and spectrum-efficient mobile cloud solution based on the innovative virtual mobile server system of the open wireless architecture (OWA) platform. |
| US08654680B2 |
Packet forwarding using multiple stacked chassis
A stacked chassis comprising multiple physical switch/router chassis operates without any special stacking hardware or stacking channels. Instead, a stacking LAG is installed between front-end switch ports on the stacked chassis. The chassis controllers negotiate a master, which controls operation of all chassis in the stack. A stacked-chassis-wide port numbering scheme is used to distribute information to all line cards in the system. Each line card processes the information to distill physical-chassis significant information for operation of that chassis in the stack. |
| US08654669B2 |
Packet receiver and packet processing method thereof
A packet processing method applied in a packet receiver is provided. An approximate bit rate is first determined according to time stamps of two different packets. The approximate bit rate is corrected according to a time stamp of another packet to generate a fine-tuned bit rate. According to the fine-tuned bit rate, one or more subsequent packets are read out from a buffer. The time stamp of a subsequent packet is provided according to the approximate bit rate. |
| US08654668B2 |
Open platform architecture for integrating multiple heterogeneous network functions
A platform for seamlessly hosts a plurality of disparate types of packet processing applications. One or more applications are loaded onto a service card on the platform. A programmable path structure is included that maps a logical path for processing of the packets through one or more of the plurality of service cards according to characteristics of the packets. Multiple path structures may be programmed into the platform to offer different service paths for different types of packets. |
| US08654664B2 |
Methods and systems for transmission of multiple modulated signals over wireless networks
A method and apparatus for requesting and allocating bandwidth in a broadband wireless communication system. The inventive method and apparatus includes a combination of techniques that allow a plurality of CPEs to communicate their bandwidth request messages to respective base stations. One technique includes a “polling” method whereby a base station polls CPEs individually or in groups and allocates bandwidth specifically for the purpose of allowing the CPEs to respond with bandwidth requests. The polling of the CPEs by the base station may be in response to a CPE setting a “poll-me bit” or, alternatively, it may be periodic. Another technique comprises “piggybacking” bandwidth requests on bandwidth already allocated to a CPE. In accordance with this technique, currently active CPEs request bandwidth using previously unused portions of uplink bandwidth that is already allocated to the CPE. The CPE is responsible for distributing the allocated uplink bandwidth in a manner that accommodates the services provided by the CPE. By using a combination of bandwidth allocation techniques, the present invention advantageously makes use of the efficiency benefits associated with each technique. |
| US08654663B2 |
MU-MIMO-OFDMA systems and methods for multi-rank CQI computation and precoder selection
Methods and systems for determining attributes of communication channels of MU-MIMO users in an OFDMA system are disclosed. One method comprises receiving from a base station, for at least one sub-band of contiguous sub-carriers, an indication of an estimate of or an upper-bound on a total number of streams that are co-scheduled by the base station on the at least one sub-band. In addition, the method further comprises determining one or more signal quality measures for the at-least one sub-band based on the estimate of or the upper-bound on the total number of streams that are scheduled by the base station on the at least one sub-band. Moreover, an indication of the one or more signal quality measures is transmitted to the base station. |
| US08654662B2 |
Carrier detection
There is disclosed a method of determining one or more candidate frequencies for a carrier signal in a received signal, which method comprises: generating a narrowband spectrum of the received signal; detecting one or more peaks in the narrowband spectrum; generating a candidate frequency list, each frequency at which a peak occurs being included in the candidate frequency list. The method further comprises: removing the detected one or more peaks from the narrowband spectrum to generate a modified narrowband spectrum; detecting one or more further peaks in the modified narrowband spectrum; and modifying the candidate frequency list in dependence on the one or more further peaks. |
| US08654661B2 |
Method and apparatus for multicast and broadcast retransmission in wireless communication systems
Embodiments of method and apparatus for reception of multicast and broadcast (MBS) transmissions in a wireless communication system including a set of receiving devices is disclosed. A method embodiment includes encoding, by a transmission device, a plurality of MBS data bits to generate a plurality of MBS data versions, and transmitting, to the set of receiving devices, the plurality of MBS data versions, wherein the plurality of MBS data versions are transmitted in a predefined transmission pattern. The method also includes transmitting, to the set of receiving devices, identification and decoding information associated with each of the plurality of MBS data versions. |
| US08654647B2 |
Method and system for communication capacity negotiation of physical layer chips
A method for communication capacity negotiation for physical layer chips performed by a network device provided with a first physical layer chip and a second physical layer chip includes, with the first physical layer chip, negotiating communication capacity with an opposite end, and reporting the communication capacity confirmed by negotiation to the second physical layer chip; and with the second physical layer chip, adopting the communication capacity acquired from the first physical layer chip to negotiate communication capacity with another opposite end by a fixed negotiation mode. A system for communication capacity negotiation of physical layer chips includes a first physical layer chip; and a second physical layer chip. The first physical layer chip negotiates a communication capacity with an opposite end, and reports the communication capacity confirmed by negotiation to the second physical layer chip; and the second physical layer chip adopts the communication capacity acquired from the first physical layer chip to negotiate communication capacity with another opposite end by a fixed negotiation mode. |
| US08654646B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing flow information in a communication system
A method for managing flow information of a mobile station by a target base station in a communication system is provided. The method includes receiving a ranging request message, which includes a flow identifier for each of flows between a serving base station and the mobile station and a change count indicating the number of times of an addition/change/deletion operation of a corresponding flow for each of flow identifiers, from the mobile station; and transmitting a ranging response message, which includes a validity indicator indicating whether the change count of each of the flow identifiers is valid or not, to the mobile station, wherein, when the validity indicator indicates that at least one change count among change counts for each of the flow identifiers is not valid, the ranging response message includes a list including the at least one change count that is not valid. |
| US08654644B2 |
Optimizing communication traffic transport
The present invention relates to a solution for handling mobility and attachment of users in a wireless communication network (10). User equipment (1) is connected logically to an attachment node (14) at initial attachment and this attachment is determined from an analysis of stored historical mobility patterns of the user equipment. For instance, a mobility management device may be responsible for handling the attachment and for handling the determination of suitable attachment node, e.g. a gateway (5, 7, 8). |
| US08654639B2 |
Receiver which mimics degraded radio conditions when buffer overflow conditions are met
Methods and apparatus for providing a flow control mechanism in a wireless network are described. In order to force a transmitting station to implement a rate adaptation mechanism, in which speed is traded off for reliability, a receiver within a receiving station behaves as if the radio conditions were degraded. This may be implemented when defined criteria are met, such as when the available buffer space falls below a threshold, and for some or all types of frames. In an embodiment, when the criteria are met, the receiver does not acknowledge frames received at one or more higher data rates. |
| US08654634B2 |
Dynamically reassigning virtual lane resources
A system and method for dynamically reassigning buffer space during to maximize IO performance of virtual lanes is set forth. More specifically, the system and method for dynamically reassigning buffer space takes buffer space from unused virtual lanes and reassigns the unused buffer space to used virtual lanes, e.g., when changes occur to an IO configuration. For example, in an embodiment that supports four virtual lanes where only two virtual lanes are in use, the system and method reassign the buffer space from the other two unused virtual lanes for use by the two virtual lanes in use. |
| US08654632B2 |
Method for fast switching traffic in H-VPLS
In a method for fast switching traffic in a hierarchical virtual private LAN service for use in a User-facing Provider Edge (UPE) device, a shared logic port number is assigned to each pair of primary pseudo wire and standby pseudo wire. A MAC address associated with a pair of primary pseudo wire and standby pseudo wire is associated with a logic port number shared by the primary pseudo wire and standby pseudo wire. Filling, in a logic port table, for each logic port entries containing: a logic port number, a primary pseudo wire inbound-label, a standby pseudo wire inbound-label, a primary pseudo wire outbound-label, a standby pseudo wire outbound-label and information of leaving a public network. Setting the corresponding information of leaving the public network in the logic port table depending upon whether the primary pseudeo wire is active or inactive. |
| US08654627B2 |
Data-path dynamic link maintenance in mobile ad hoc networks
The method and mobile ad hoc network include the use of a plurality of mobile nodes. A main communication path is established from a source node through intermediate nodes to a destination node. Alternative communication paths are established among intermediate nodes defined as standby nodes to define a multipath communication pathway from the source node to the destination node. The nodes include a controller and a wireless communications device cooperating therewith. Link quality is monitored by at least one intermediate node to neighboring nodes in the multipath communication pathway, and the main communication path is reconfigured within the multipath communication pathway to at least one of the alternative communication paths based upon monitored link quality. |
| US08654626B2 |
Packet sorting device, receiving device and packet sorting method
A packet sorting device includes: a buffer for storing packets belonging to a plurality of communication flows; and a control section which determines, when receiving one of a series of packets, whether the one of the received packets is a disorder packet by a determination process, and sorts the received packets in a correct order by storing the disorder packet and communication flow information thereof in the buffer so that the disorder packet and communication flow identification information are correlated. The disorder packet is one of the received packets which is received in an order different from a transmission order of the packets. The communication flow information identifies the plurality of communication flows. |
| US08654622B2 |
Information recording medium, and recording method and reproducing method thereof
An information recording medium in which bottoms of a guide groove and a pit array formed on a disc substrate are allocated on a same flat plane and shaped in flat. Further, in a transition area from a pit array to a guide groove or from a guide groove to a pit array, the information recording medium is provided with an intermediate area composed of a pit array of which height changes from a height between a bottom and a side of a groove to another height between the bottom and a side of the pit array. |
| US08654621B2 |
Data recovery method and associated device
A data recovery method includes the following steps. Firstly, plural sampling values are classified into a first group, a second group, a third group and a fourth group. A first channel estimation value and a second channel estimation value are generated according to the sampling values of the second group and the third group. A judging step is performed to judge whether a first sampling value of the first group is lower than the first channel estimation value or a second sampling value of the fourth group is higher than the second channel estimation value. If the judging condition is satisfied, a polarity of the first sampling value or the second sampling value is changed and then the plural sampling values are outputted. If the judging condition is not satisfied, the plural sampling values are directly outputted. |
| US08654616B1 |
Visual alert device
A visual alert device includes a keypad for a user to enter a primary follow-up time period for which a user desires to be visually reminded of its progressive expiration. Based on the entered primary follow-up time period, the visual alert device computes a preliminary and a final follow-up time value, which are associated with a level of response priority that is visually represented by the illumination of corresponding illuminable color segments. Thus, when a timer of the visual alert device reaches each of the preliminary follow-up time value, the primary follow-up time period, and the final follow-up time value, the corresponding color segments are illuminated to indicate the current response priority level. |
| US08654612B2 |
System and method for detecting bats and their impact on wind facilities
The present invention relates to a system and method for detecting bats from a remote location. In one aspect the invention provides a bat detection system comprising an upper detection unit connected to a base computer unit. The upper detection unit can be positioned on a vertical structure, and a second lower detection unit, or additional detection units, can also be positioned on the vertical structure. Each detection unit comprises a housing which is connected to, and contains, an audio detector. The base computer unit is enclosed by a housing and comprises a data processor, a data storage device, and a remote communication interface device. The data processor is operatively connected to the data storage device, remote communication interface device, and the audio detectors of any detection units positioned on the vertical structure. The base computer unit communicates with a remote computer transferring information regarding the bat sounds detected by the detection units. |
| US08654611B2 |
Method for detecting substantially periodic series of bursts of substantially sinusoidal signals
A method for detecting series of substantially periodic bursts of substantially sinusoidal signals, in particular, but not exclusively, series of bursts of signals transmitted recurrently (by pingers for example), this method making it possible to ensure the quick and reliable detection of such signals in the presence of significant interference noise. This method includes slightly delayed processing of received signals, spectral analysis and time integration, and presentation of the results in the form of a two-dimensional image of the successive recurrences of the bursts according to time slots of the received signals. |
| US08654607B2 |
System and method for determining wave characteristics from a moving platform
A system and a method for determining one or more wave characteristics from a moving platform are disclosed. A sonar system, such as an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler, can profile the water motion relative to the platform, and an earth reference can determine a measure of the platform motion relative to a fixed earth reference. Both water profile and earth reference measurements can be synergistically employed to compensate for motion of the platform. Directional wave spectra and non-directional wave spectrum can be computed and translated via linear wave theory to surface height spectra and used to calculate characteristics, such as significant wave height, peak period, and peak direction. |
| US08654604B2 |
Circuit configuration for evaluating and/or activating sound transducers
A circuit configuration for evaluating and/or for activating sound transducers for application in vehicles, particularly as a part of a parking assistance, the circuit configuration including a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, and the windings lead to a transformation ratio of greater than 1, terminals being provided for a sound transducer at the secondary winding and terminals being provided at the primary winding for activating device(s) which generate a voltage that changes with time at the primary winding of the transformer; on the side of primary winding (primary side) an antenna being provided which is suitable for receiving electrical fields generated by interference signals, and which is connected to the side of secondary winding (secondary side) via a coupling path; a device for phase shifting being provided in the coupling path, which brings about a phase shift by 180° in the electrical interference signals received by the antenna. |
| US08654601B2 |
Memory with output control
An apparatus, system, and method for controlling data transfer to an output port of a serial data link interface in a semiconductor memory is disclosed. In one example, a flash memory device may have multiple serial data links, multiple memory banks and control input ports that enable the memory device to transfer the serial data to a serial data output port of the memory device. In another example, a flash memory device may have a single serial data link, a single memory bank, a serial data input port, a control input port for receiving output enable signals. The flash memory devices may be cascaded in a daisy-chain configuration using echo signal lines to serially communicate between memory devices. |
| US08654593B2 |
Stacked semiconductor memory device, memory system including the same, and method of repairing defects of through silicon vias
A stacked semiconductor memory device according to the inventive concepts may include a plurality of memory chips stacked above a processor chip, a plurality of TSVs, and I/O buffers. The TSVs may pass through the memory chips and are connected to the processor chip. I/O buffers may be coupled between all or part of the memory chips and the TSVs and may be selectively activated on the basis of defective states of the TSVs. |
| US08654592B2 |
Memory devices with isolation structures
Memory devices and methods of programming and forming the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a memory device has memory cells contained within dielectric isolation structures to isolate them from at least those memory cells in communication with other bit lines, such as to facilitate forward-bias write operations. The dielectric isolation structures contain an upper well having a first conductivity type and a buried well having a second conductivity type. By forward biasing the junction from the buried well to the upper well, electrons can be injected into charge-storage nodes of memory cells that are contained within the dielectric isolation structures. |
| US08654591B2 |
Local word line driver and flash memory array device thereof
In a local word line driver of an NOR flash memory and its flash memory array device, the local word line driver is provided for driving a local word line in a sector of a memory array, and the local word line driver has two transistors including a first transistor and a second transistors, and the first and second transistors are NMOS transistors, and thus achieving the effects of reducing the area occupied by circuits on the local word line driver and the die size, and saving the area for the use by memory units. |
| US08654590B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device performing a program verification with sense signals based on program data of adjacent memory cells and program method thereof
A programming method of a nonvolatile memory device includes inputting even data and odd data to be programmed into even memory cells coupled to even bit lines and odd memory cells coupled to odd bit lines, respectively, setting a sense signal as a first sense signal or a second sense signal having a lower voltage level than the first sense signal, based on odd data of odd memory cells adjacent to each of the even memory cells to be programmed, programming the even data into the even memory cells by supplying a program voltage, performing a program verify operation on each of the even memory cells in response to the set sense signal, and programming the odd data into the odd memory cells by supplying a program voltage. |
| US08654587B2 |
Nonvolatile memory devices, channel boosting methods thereof, programming methods thereof, and memory systems including the same
Non-volatile memory device channel boosting methods in which at least two strings are connected to one bit line, the channel boosting methods including applying an initial channel voltage to channels of strings in a selected memory block, floating inhibit strings each having an un-programmed cell among the strings, and boosting channels of the floated inhibit strings. |
| US08654583B2 |
Memory cells, memory cell arrays, methods of using and methods of making
A semiconductor memory cell and arrays of memory cells are provided In at least one embodiment, a memory cell includes a substrate having a top surface, the substrate having a first conductivity type selected from a p-type conductivity type and an n-type conductivity type; a first region having a second conductivity type selected from the p-type and n-type conductivity types, the second conductivity type being different from the first conductivity type, the first region being formed in the substrate and exposed at the top surface; a second region having the second conductivity type, the second region being formed in the substrate, spaced apart from the first region and exposed at the top surface; a buried layer in the substrate below the first and second regions, spaced apart from the first and second regions and having the second conductivity type; a body region formed between the first and second regions and the buried layer, the body region having the first conductivity type; a gate positioned between the first and second regions and above the top surface; and a nonvolatile memory configured to store data upon transfer from the body region. |
| US08654580B2 |
Non-volatile memory devices and systems including the same, and methods of programming non-volatile memory devices
A method is for programming a memory block of a non-volatile memory device. The non-volatile memory device is operatively connected to a memory controller, and the memory block defined by a plurality of word lines located between a string select line and a common source line corresponding to the string select line. The method includes programming a first sub-block of the memory block, determining in the non-volatile memory device when a reference word line is programmed during programming of the first sub-block, and partial erasing a second sub-block of the memory block upon determining that the reference word line is programmed during programming of the first sub-block. |
| US08654579B2 |
Non-volatile memory device and method of manufacturing the same
A non-volatile memory device includes a plurality of memory cells stacked along a channel protruded from a substrate, a first select transistor connected to one end of the plurality of memory cells, a first interlayer dielectric layer for being coupled between a source line and the first select transistor, and a second interlayer dielectric layer disposed between the first select transistor and the one end of the plurality of memory cells, and configured to include a first recess region. |
| US08654578B2 |
Phase qubit cell having enhanced coherence
Methods and apparatuses are provided for storing a quantum bit. One apparatus includes a first phase qubit, a second phase qubit, and a common bias circuit configured to provide a first bias to the first phase qubit and a second bias to the second phase qubit, such that noise within the first bias is anti-correlated to noise within the second bias. |
| US08654577B2 |
Shared bit line SMT MRAM array with shunting transistors between bit lines
An array of rows and columns of SMT MRAM cells has each of the columns associated with one of its adjacent columns. Each of the SMT MRAM cells of the column is connected to a true data bit line and each of the SMT MRAM cells of the associated pair of columns is connected to a shared complement data bit line. A shunting switch device is connected between each of the true data bit lines and the shared complement data bit line for selectively connecting one of the true data bit lines to the shared complement data bit line to effectively reduce the resistance of the complement data bit line and to eliminate program disturb effects in adjacent non-selected columns of the SMT MRAM cells. |
| US08654576B2 |
Spin valve element, method of driving the same, and storage device using the same
Provided is a spin valve element capable of performing multi-value recording, which includes a pair of ferromagnetic layers having different coercivities from each other, and sandwiching an insulating layer or a non-magnetic layer. The ferromagnetic layer having the smaller coercivity has a substantially circular in-plane profile, and a plurality of island-shaped non-magnetic portions IN, IE, IW, and IS are included. In addition, a storage device is manufactured by using such a spin valve element. |
| US08654573B2 |
High bandwidth memory interface
A memory module that includes a buffer and a plurality of synchronous memory devices. The memory module also includes bidirectional bus lines, and each of the synchronous memory devices has bidirectional data terminals. The buffer is configured to regenerate signals received on the bus lines for receipt by the synchronous memory devices, and to regenerate signals received from any one of the synchronous memory devices for receipt by the bus lines. The memory module may further include command lines and a clock line for providing commands and a clock signal to the synchronous memory devices via a command buffer. The combined data bus width of the memory module may be greater than the data bus width of any single one of synchronous memory device, and the total address space provided by the memory module may be larger than the data space for any single synchronous memory device. |
| US08654572B2 |
10T SRAM cell with near dual port functionality
An integrated circuit including an array of SRAM cells containing a write port with a write word line and two read buffers with read word lines. The write port includes passgate transistors connected to each data node of the SRAM cell. A process of operating the integrated circuit in which source nodes of read buffer driver transistors are biased during a read operation. A process of operating the integrated circuit in which source nodes of read buffer driver transistors are floated during a read operation. A process of operating the integrated circuit in which the write port and the read ports share data lines and the source nodes of read buffer driver transistors are floated during a write operation. |
| US08654571B2 |
Static random-access cell, active matrix device and array element circuit
A static random-access memory (SRAM) cell which includes: a sampling switch and a feedback switch; and a first inverter and a second inverter connected in series whereby an output of the first inverter is connected to an input of the second inverter. An input of the first inverter is connected to a data input of the SRAM cell via the sampling switch, and to a data output of the SRAM cell independent of the feedback switch, an output of the second inverter is connected to the input of the first inverter via the feedback switch, and first and second clock inputs of the SRAM cell are configured to control the sampling switch and the feedback switch, respectively. |
| US08654568B2 |
10T SRAM cell with near dual port functionality
An integrated circuit including a ram array with SRAM cells containing a write port with a write word line and two read buffers with read word lines. The write port includes passgate transistors connected to each data node of the SRAM cell. A process of operating the integrated circuit in which source nodes of read buffer driver transistors are biased during a read operation. A process of operating the integrated circuit in which source nodes of read buffer driver transistors are floated during a read operation. A process of operating the integrated circuit in which the write port and the read ports share data lines and the source nodes of read buffer driver transistors are floated during a write operation. |
| US08654567B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A semiconductor memory device includes a bit line; two or more word lines; and a memory cell including two or more sub memory cells that each include a transistor and a capacitor. One of a source and a drain of the transistor is connected to the bit line, the other of the source and the drain of the transistor is connected to the capacitor, a gate of the transistor is connected to one of the word lines, and each of the sub memory cells has a different capacitance of the capacitor. |
| US08654566B2 |
Semiconductor device and driving method thereof
The semiconductor device includes a memory cell including a first transistor including a first channel formation region, a first gate electrode, and first source and drain regions; a second transistor including a second channel formation region provided so as to overlap with at least part of either of the first source region or the first drain region, a second source electrode, a second drain electrode electrically connected to the first gate electrode, and a second gate electrode; and an insulating layer provided between the first transistor and the second transistor. In a period during which the second transistor needs in an off state, at least when a positive potential is supplied to the first source region or the first drain region, a negative potential is supplied to the second gate electrode. |
| US08654563B2 |
Control and operation of non-volatile memory
Various embodiments comprise apparatuses and methods including a memory controller to control a non-volatile memory array. The memory controller includes a memory array interface coupled to the non-volatile memory array to perform reads and writes on the non-volatile memory array. An overwrite module is configured to write a desired bit value to a specific memory cell within the non-volatile memory array, after receiving the desired bit value and a logical address, regardless of an original value of the memory cell Additional apparatuses and methods are described. |
| US08654561B1 |
Read methods, circuits and systems for memory devices
A memory device can include a plurality of programmable elements; at least one sense circuit that generates sense data values from detected impedances of accessed programmable elements; and at least one data store circuit that stores initial data values from the at least one sense circuit, and stores output data values from the at least one sense circuit after check conditions have been applied to at least one programmable element. The check conditions can induce a change in impedance for programmable elements programmed to at least one predetermined state. Methods can include reading data from at least one memory cell of a memory device comprising a plurality of such memory cells; if the read data has a first value, providing such data as an output value; and if the read data has a second value, repeating access to the memory cell to confirm the read data value. |
| US08654552B2 |
Interleaved type power factor correction circuit having transformer forming separated winding structure
There is provided an interleaved type power factor correction circuit having a transformer forming a separated winding structure, which is formed by integrating two inductors separately wound around the transformer. The interleaved type power factor correction circuit including a rectifying unit rectifying a commercial alternating current power, a transformer having a first inductor winding and a second inductor winding, a bobbin part, and a core part, a switching unit switching a power transmitted to the first and second inductor windings, a controlling unit controlling a switching operation of the switching unit in order to allow a phase difference between a current and a voltage of the switched power to satisfy a predetermined phase difference, and a stabilizing unit stabilizing the switched power from the switching unit. |
| US08654551B2 |
Supply device, and LED lighting equipment using the same
A power supply device includes two buck converters, having a coupling inductor Lo composed of two mutually-coupled inductors L1, L2, and a output capacitor Co, wherein of the two buck converters, a first buck converter is operated during a positive half-cycle period of an AC input voltage, and a second buck converter is operated during a negative half-cycle period of the AC input voltage, to obtain a DC output voltage at both ends of the output capacitor Co from the AC input voltage, is provided. Herewith, is provided the power-supply device using the buck converter, which can be reduced in the number of components and produced in a low cost without a diode bridge. |
| US08654549B2 |
Battery polarity control system
An input power circuit for a battery-powered device, such as a toy or consumer electronic device, includes a polarity correction circuit portion. The device includes a first input terminal and a second input terminal, a first output terminal and a second output terminal, and a diode with a forward voltage drop of about 0.5 volts or less. In embodiments, the polarity correction circuit portion is configured to provide a positive voltage polarity at the first output terminal and a negative voltage polarity at the second output terminal for any polarity of power at the first input terminal and the second input terminal. The polarity correction circuit portion can include a diode bridge, and the diode may include a Schottky diode or a germanium diode. |
| US08654548B2 |
Flyback primary side output voltage sensing system and method
A method and apparatus of primary side output voltage sensing for a flyback power converter preserves secondary-side tranformer isolation without the use of opto-isolators and does not require multiple high-speed sample and hold circuits. A timing circuit measures the duration of the diode conduction interval during a first PWM control cycle and applies this measurement to set the voltage sampling time of the feedback loop during the next PWM cycle. The voltage sampling time for the next PWM cycle is configurable and may be set to occur near the middle of the diode conduction interval or near the end of the diode conduction interval. The cycle-to-cycle PWM duty cycle adjustment step size may be limited to ensure that the diode conduction interval does not vary substantially from cycle to cycle. |
| US08654545B2 |
Arrangement and method for holding a plurality of electric capacitor assemblies
The invention relates to an arrangement for holding a plurality of electric capacitor assemblies, particularly assemblies having live housings. The arrangement has a carrier having a through-passage for introducing one of the assemblies and further has at least one bearing ring for mounting an assembly. The bearing ring is matched to the dimensions of the through-passage and the assembly such that the assembly when extending through the through-passage, is in contact with the inner edge of the through-passage via the bearing ring, but not in direct contact with the inner edge of the through-passage. |
| US08654540B2 |
Method for assembling at least one chip with a wire element, electronic chip with a deformable link element, fabrication method of a plurality of chips, and assembly of at least one chip with a wire element
A first step of the method for assembling a wire element with an electronic chip comprises arranging the wire element in a groove of the chip delineated by a first element and a second element, joined by a link element comprising a plastically deformable material, and a second step then comprises clamping the first and second elements to deform the link element until the wire element is secured in the groove. |
| US08654539B2 |
Capacitor-incorporated substrate and component-incorporated wiring substrate
An object of the present invention is to provide a capacitor-incorporated wiring substrate in which connection reliability can be improved through ensuring of a path for supply of electric potential even upon occurrence of a faulty connection in a via-conductor group. In a capacitor-incorporated wiring substrate of the present invention, a capacitor 50 is accommodated in a core 11, and a first and a second buildup layers 12 and 13 are formed on the upper and lower sides, respectively, of the capacitor 50. |
| US08654532B2 |
Server cabinet coolant distribution system
A cooling coolant pipe of a server cabinet includes multiple tube bodies interconnected in series and at least one adjustable valve. In each of the tube bodies a first chamber and a second chamber that are adjacent to and separated from each other, the second chambers of the two adjacent tube bodies are in communication with each other, and a wall surface of each of the tube bodies has at least one connection port in communication with the first chamber. The adjustable valve is disposed in one of the tube bodies. The first chamber in each of the tube bodies is in communication with the second chamber in the tube body through the adjustable valve. In this way, the adjustable valve adjusts the flow rate of a cooling fluid flowing from the second chamber to the first chamber. |
| US08654530B1 |
Heat transfer apparatus and method for transferring heat between integrated circuits
A heat transfer apparatus and method are provided for transferring heat between integrated circuits. In use, a heat transfer medium is provided with a first end in thermal communication with a first integrated circuit and a second end in thermal communication with a second integrated circuit. Furthermore, a single casting formed about the heat transfer medium and defining at least one heat sink is provided for thermal communication with the first integrated circuit or the second integrated circuit. |
| US08654527B2 |
Thyristor valve module
This present invention provides a high power electronic device which is used for transforming the alternating current into the direct current, or transforming the direct current into the alternating current: a thyristor valve module, there are two same thyristor valve segments in the whole thyristor valve module; each segment includes saturated reactor, thyristor valve unit, direct current equalizing resistor unit, acquiring energy unit, damped resistor unit, damped capacitor unit, gate series unit and water cooling system. This device series connects the thyristor valves to meet different transmission powers and different voltage ranks. This device is the key element of the high voltage direct current transmission. It can be used for different voltage ranks AD transmission system and can also be used for different voltage ranks DC system, including the ultra-high voltage 800 kV and above system. |
| US08654525B2 |
Clips and latch to receive a computing component
A carrier is mountable to a component, and includes first tabs and second tabs. Clips and a latch are associated with a compartment of a computing system. The clips are to receive the first tabs, and the latch is to receive the second tabs, to isolate the carrier from movement in three dimensions. |
| US08654518B2 |
Electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus is provided, which includes a first body, a second body, a supporting frame, and a pivoting-locking module. The two bodies overlap with each other. The supporting frame is pivoted onto the second body. The pivoting-locking module is disposed between the first body and the supporting frame. The pivoting-locking module includes a first pivoting-locking part and a plurality of second pivoting-locking parts. The first pivoting-locking part is fixed to the first body. The second pivoting-locking parts are movably attached to the supporting frame. When the second pivoting-locking parts are locked with the first pivoting-locking part, the second pivoting-locking parts may be pivoted relative to the first pivoting-locking part. The supporting frame may be pivoted relative to the second body only when the first body is pivoted to a predetermined position relative to the supporting frame by means of the first pivoting-locking part and the second pivoting-locking parts. |
| US08654514B2 |
Trapped-key-based locking system for docking station
Embodiments of the present invention provide a docking station that prevents electrical cables (e.g., from a portable power generator or other temporary power source) from even being connected to connectors in the interior of the docking station while the building's electrical system (or other electrical load) is in electrical communication with the utility. The docking station can include a cabinet with two doors that swing in different directions and a locking mechanism that regulates the opening and closing of those doors. In preferred embodiments, the locking mechanism includes a trapped-key lock. Embodiments of the present invention can be used in applications other than docking stations. |
| US08654513B2 |
Remotely-operated switchgear racking device and a mounting method for the same
A motor box is used to rack withdrawable devices into or out of the associated cell in a switchgear cabinet. A hand held control is used to operate the motor box from a remote location. The motor box is attached to a mounting assembly on the switchgear cabinet door. The assembly can be part of the door or separately attached to the door. The mounting assembly allows for easy alignment of the motor box to the door and prevents rotation of the motor box when the box is latched to the mounting assembly. A cart is used to transport the motor box, remote control and associated peripherals to and from the switchgear cabinet. |
| US08654510B2 |
Solid electrolytic capacitor and method of manufacturing solid electrolytic capacitor
A solid electrolytic capacitor includes a solid electrolytic capacitor element having an anode element having a dielectric film formed on a surface thereof and a conductive polymer layer formed on the anode element, an ionic liquid composed of an anion component and a cation component is present in the conductive polymer layer, and the cation component contains a cation having two or more ether linkages. |
| US08654509B2 |
Electrode foil, process for producing same, and capacitor using electrode foil
An electrode-foil includes a foil having a metal layer on the surface thereof, a first dielectric film formed on the metal layer, and a second dielectric film formed on the first dielectric film. The first dielectric film is composed of a metal oxide of a metal constituting the metal layer. The thickness of the first dielectric film is greater than 0 nm and less than 10 nm. The second dielectric film is predominantly composed of a metal compound different from the metal oxide of the first dielectric film. |
| US08654502B2 |
Apparatus, a method for establishing a conductive pattern on a planar insulating substrate, the planar insulating substrate and a chipset thereof
An apparatus, a method, a planar insulating substrate and a chipset have been presented, comprising at least one module configured to establish a predefined pattern on a planar insulating substrate so that conductive particles can gather according to the predefined pattern. At least one another module is configured to transfer the conductive particles to the planar insulating substrate, wherein the conductive particles are arranged to gather according to the predefined pattern. A sintering module is configured to fuse the conductive particles on the planar insulating substrate, wherein the conductive particles are arranged to fuse according to the predefined pattern to establish a conductive plane on the planar insulating substrate. Embodiment of the invention relate to printable or printing electronics on a fibrous web. |
| US08654501B2 |
Low-, medium-, or high-voltage switching device with chemical charge means
A low-, medium-, or high-voltage switching device includes a chemical charge unit for actuate closing and/or opening of electric contacts, and a fuze- or ignition cable with chemical charge material to ignite the chemical charge. In order to reach an effective galvanic separation, the chemical charge material of the fuze-cable is electrically insulating, at least in the status before ignition, and at least along a part of its length, in order to cause or effectuate a voltage potential separation between a definite low, medium or high-voltage level and an earth level. |
| US08654500B2 |
Lightning-resistant fastener
There is provided a lightning-resistant fastener that can secure sufficient lightning-resistance performance at low cost and realize efficiency of field work and improvement of reliability. An insulating coat film 40 is formed in a region opposed to a structural member 22 in a shaft section 25c of a fastener main body 25 and an insulating layer is interposed between the structural member 22 and the shaft section 25c of the fastener main body 25, whereby an electric current is fed along a head section 25b side of the fastener main body 25 and a wing panel 21 when lightning occurs. This suppresses the electric current from flowing to the front end portion side of the fastener main body 25, i.e., the interior side of a wing 20 and prevents arc discharge from occurring inside the wing 20. |
| US08654499B2 |
Pipe connector
A pipe connector is disclosed, comprising two connector elements, arranged for interconnection of two pipes, wherein one or both of the connector elements is formed from electrically resistive material so as to provide electrical resistance between the connected pipes. |
| US08654495B2 |
Battery energy storage system with short circuit protection, and method
A battery energy storage system including a control unit and a plurality of battery units. The battery units are arranged in series, and each battery unit includes a semiconductor switch and a battery module including a plurality of battery cells. Each battery module is connected in series with a respective semiconductor switch, and the control unit is operatively connected to the semiconductor switch and adapted to control the semiconductor switch of every battery unit. |
| US08654494B2 |
Systems and methods for limiting voltage on an auxiliary bus
Systems and methods for limiting voltage on an auxiliary bus are described. The voltage-limited auxiliary bus may be comprised of a DC auxiliary bus comprised of a positive conductor and a negative conductor; a chopper, wherein the chopper is normally in a non-conducting state; a resistor in series with the chopper, wherein the chopper and the resistor are connected between the positive conductor and the negative conductor of the DC auxiliary bus; and a chopper control, wherein an overvoltage on the DC auxiliary bus causes the chopper control to cause the chopper to begin conducting and the conducting limits the voltage on the DC auxiliary bus and dissipates energy from the overvoltage. |
| US08654493B2 |
Protection circuit and input/output circuit
A first voltage dividing circuit is connected between a power feeding line to feed power from an external power supply to an internal circuit, and a fixed potential to divide a voltage of the power feeding line. A first comparator compares a divided voltage, which has been divided by the first voltage dividing circuit, with a reference voltage, and outputs a signal to turn off a power switch inserted into the power feeding line when the divided voltage exceeds the reference voltage. A first transistor is connected between a first node where the divided voltage, which has been divided by the first voltage dividing circuit, is generated, and the fixed potential, and is turned on when the voltage of the first node exceeds a set voltage. |
| US08654492B2 |
Electrostatic discharge protection apparatus and method therefor
An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection apparatus includes a clamp circuit, a detection circuit and a control circuit. The clamp circuit has a first terminal and a second terminal respectively coupled to a first rail line and a second rail line. In response to an ESD event, the clamp circuit generates a first coupling potential at its coupling terminal. The detection circuit, coupled to the coupling terminal of the clamp circuit and the second rail line, outputs a detection signal in response to the first coupling potential. The control circuit, coupled to the first and second rail lines, the detection circuit and the clamp circuit, outputs a conduction signal to a control terminal of the clamp circuit in response to the detection signal. The clamp circuit is conducted in response to the conduction signal so that ESD between the first and second rail lines is performed through the clamp circuit. |
| US08654491B2 |
Low voltage ESD clamping using high voltage devices
Some embodiments relate to an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device. The ESD protection device includes a first electrical path extending between the first and second circuit nodes and including a trigger element. A second electrical path extends between the first and second circuit nodes. The second electrical path includes a shunt element. A switching element is configured to trigger current flow through the shunt element based on both a state of the trigger element and a state of the switching element. |
| US08654489B2 |
Method and apparatus for switched electrostatic discharge protection
One embodiment includes an integrated circuit including an input circuit, a first diode including a first anode and a first cathode, with the first cathode coupled to a first voltage, the first anode coupled to the input circuit at a node via a first mechanical switch, a second diode including a second anode and a second cathode, with the second cathode coupled to the node via a second mechanical switch, the second anode coupled to a ground and a resistor coupled to the input circuit between the integrated circuit and the node, wherein in a first mode of operating, the first mechanical switch and the second mechanical switch are conducting, and in a second mode of operating, the first and second mechanical switches are nonconducting. |
| US08654484B2 |
Continuous power protection
A power supply including a switching voltage regulator detects a peak power fault if a peak power limit is exceeded during a switching cycle of the voltage regulator. A second fault condition exists if a second power limit, lower than the peak power limit, is exceeded over a second time period, longer than the first time period. The switching voltage regulator is stopped in response to either the first or the second fault condition. Responsive to the second fault condition, the switching voltage regulator may be stopped until AC power is cycled or until a predetermined time period has elapsed. |
| US08654482B1 |
Dual stage actuator suspension having a single microactuator and employing pseudo symmetry to achieve suspension balance
A dual stage actuator (DSA) suspension has a single microactuator such as a PZT element on one side of central longitudinal axis of the suspension, and a pseudo symmetry structure formed or affixed on the other side of the central longitudinal axis opposite the PZT. The pseudo symmetry structure has mass and stiffness that mirrors the PZT, thus keeping the suspension mechanically balanced and symmetric about the longitudinal axis for improved suspension performance especially in a shock environment. The pseudo symmetry structure can include a spring to keep the PZT under compression to prevent PZT failure, and/or a strain gauge for use by the head positioning servo-control system. |
| US08654480B2 |
Magnetic head with spin torque oscillator and magnetic recording head
An example magnetic head includes a recording pole to generate a recording magnetic field, a spin torque oscillator formed in the vicinity of the recording magnetic pole and a hard bias film provided at both end portions of a bias layer and an oscillation layer of spin torque oscillator. The hard bias film is configured to apply a magnetic field to the bias layer and the oscillation layer. |
| US08654479B2 |
Thin-film magnetic recording head with thin film which constructs sensor or heater beneath main magnetic pole
A thin film magnetic recording head having a multilayer structure in which plural thin films are laminated and being a perpendicular recording type that applies a magnetic field perpendicularly to a magnetic recording medium and performs recording, includes a main magnetic pole exposed on an air bearing surface facing the magnetic recording medium and guiding a magnetic flux toward the magnetic recording medium, a thin film positioned beneath the main magnetic pole from a perspective of a lamination direction and configuring a sensor or a heater configured to determine a distance from the magnetic recording medium of the thin film magnetic recording head, and a light-absorbing portion positioned between the main magnetic pole and the thin film. |
| US08654478B2 |
Rotating member assembly with hub perpendicularity control and spindle motor including the same
There are provided a rotating member assembly and a spindle motor including the same. The rotating member assembly includes: a rotating member including a shaft and a hub fixed to an upper portion of the shaft, wherein perpendicularity of the hub with regard to the shaft at a position spaced apart from the center of rotation of the shaft in an outer diameter direction by an axial length or more for which the shaft is fitted into the sleeve is less than double a distance of a gap of a bearing clearance formed by fitting the shaft into the sleeve. |
| US08654475B2 |
Stampers and magnetic disks
A stamper according to an embodiment includes a guide including: a first portion provided in regions to be boundaries between the servo region and the data regions in the bit-patterned medium, the first portion extending in a radial direction; and a second portion connected to the first portion, the second portion having protrusions regularly arranged at predetermined intervals in the radial direction, each of the protrusion having and being located on sides of regions to be the data regions, wherein, of angles formed between at least one of two sides of the triangular shape and a straight line extending in the radial direction, the smaller angle is in the range of 10 to 50 degrees, the two sides extending from a vertex of one of the protrusions. |
| US08654473B2 |
Tape head length adjustment
A tape drive is disclosed. The tape drive determines a current tape width and adjusts the length of a tape head to more closely match the current tape width. The tape drive adjusts the length of the tape head by controlling the power to a heating element coupled to the tape head. |
| US08654471B2 |
Disk-based storage device having write signal compensation for magnetization polarity of adjacent bits
A hard disk drive or other disk-based storage device comprises a storage disk, a read/write head configured to read data from and write data to the storage disk, and control circuitry coupled to the read/write head and configured to process data received from and supplied to the read/write head and to control positioning of the read/write head relative to the storage disk. The control circuitry is further configured to adjust at least one parameter of a write signal for a target bit to be written to the storage disk based on respective magnetization polarities of one or more adjacent bits previously written to the storage disk. |
| US08654469B1 |
Preamp circuit including a loopback mode for data storage devices
A system includes a read channel circuit configured to output a write signal, and output a write enable signal that indicates a write operation. A preamplifier circuit includes a write amplifier configured to amplify the write signal and provide the amplified write signal to a read/write device. A read amplifier is configured to amplify a read signal received from the read/write device. A circuit is configured to receive the amplified write signal from the write amplifier, receive the amplified read signal from the read amplifier, receive the write enable signal from the read channel circuit, and provide, to the read channel circuit, a selected one of the amplified write signal and the amplified read signal based on the write enable signal. |
| US08654467B1 |
Disk drive increasing bandwidth of cutoff filter while reading servo sector preamble
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk including a plurality of servo tracks defined by servo sectors, wherein each servo sector comprises a servo preamble. A head is actuated over the disk, wherein the head is operable to generate a read signal. The disk drive further comprises control circuitry including an analog cutoff filter operable to filter the read signal to generate a filtered read signal. The filtered read signal is sampled to generate read samples. During a normal operating mode, the analog cutoff filter is configured to have a first bandwidth. During a measurement mode, the analog cutoff filter is configured to have a second bandwidth greater than the first bandwidth, and the read samples representing at least part of the servo preamble are processed to measure a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and/or a fly height of the head. |
| US08654466B1 |
Calculation of head media separation (HMS) from servo preamble in a hard disk drive
A method of calculating a Head Media Separation (HMS) from a preamble of embedded servo sectors in a disk drive may include steps of reading the preamble, the read preamble being amplified by a variable gain amplifier (VGA) set at a predetermined gain; transforming samples of the read preamble into a first and a second frequency using a discrete time-to-frequency domain transform such as a Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT); calculating the ratio of the magnitude of the discrete time-to-frequency domain transform of the first frequency to the magnitude of the discrete time-to-frequency domain transform of the second frequency; determining the HMS from the calculated ratio, and enabling the predetermined gain to be updated in synchronism with the transforming step. |
| US08654462B2 |
Piezoelectric actuator and lens barrel
A piezoelectric actuator includes: a plurality of first piezoelectric elements; a first member that is interposed between opposing faces of the plurality of the first piezoelectric elements and that is driven in a first direction by the plurality of the first piezoelectric elements; a second piezoelectric element that is disposed in the first member; a second member that is disposed in contact with the second piezoelectric element and that is driven in a second direction intersecting the first direction by the second piezoelectric element; and a third member that comes in contact with the second member and that is moved relative to the first member by driving the second member. |
| US08654461B2 |
Lens positioning unit of optical system
According to example embodiments, a lens positioning unit includes a fixed structure, a monolithic flexure hinge structure, any one of upper and lower portions of which is provided with a lens mount on which a lens is mounted and the other portion of which is secured to the fixed structure, and an input unit rotatably coupled to the fixed structure, the input unit serving to convert rotational motion into vertical translational motion so as to transmit the vertical translational motion to the upper or lower portion of the monolithic flexure hinge structure provided with the lens mount. |
| US08654458B2 |
Wide-angle imaging lens assembly
The present invention provides a wide-angle imaging lens assembly comprising, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens element with negative refractive power having a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface; a second lens element with negative refractive power having a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface; a third lens element with positive refractive power; a fourth lens element with negative refractive power having a concave image-side surface; and a fifth lens element with positive refractive power; wherein the two lens elements with refractive power closest to the object side are the first lens element and the second lens element; and wherein the number of lens elements with refractive power does not exceed six. |
| US08654457B2 |
Wide-angle optical system, and imaging device
The present invention provides a wide-angle optical system constituted of, in order from the object side to the image side, front group 11, stop 12, and rear group 13. The front group 11 is constituted, in order from the object side to the image side, of first lens 111 having negative optical power, second lens 112 having negative optical power, and third lens 113 having positive optical power. The rear group 13 is constituted, in order from the object side to the image side, of fourth lens 131 having positive optical power, and fifth lens 132 having negative optical power. The opposite surface from the stop of each of the paired lenses 113 and 131 arranged at the both sides of the stop 12 is a convex surface. |
| US08654455B2 |
Light quantity adjustment apparatus, lens unit and optical apparatus provided with the same
A plurality of blade members is overlapped and disposed in the shape of scales in a ring-shaped board having an optical-axis aperture at the center, and is held from above by a driving ring so that each blade member performs open/close motion. At this point, an elastic member is disposed between the blade members and the board to press each blade member against the driving ring side, or an elastic member is disposed between the blade members and the driving ring to press the blade members against the board side, and in this state, the blade members are opened and closed. |
| US08654450B2 |
Zooms lens system and photographing apparatus including the same
A zoom lens system and a photographing apparatus including the same, wherein the zoom lens system includes a first lens group including one or more lenses, and an optical member for changing a path of light, and having a positive refractive power; a second lens group having a negative refractive power, a third lens group having a positive refractive power, and a fourth lens group having a positive refractive power, wherein zooming is performed by varying air gaps between the first through fourth lens groups. |
| US08654445B2 |
Virtual image display device and light guide plate therefor
The image light entering the image take-out section is reflected by the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface in a two-stage manner. It is not only possible to make the light beam with a small total reflection angle out of the image light directly enter the side near to the light entrance section out of each of the reflecting units, but also to make the light beam with a large total reflection angle directly enter the side far from the light entrance section out of each of the reflecting units to thereby make it possible to take out the image light to the outside. Therefore, the image light is emitted as the effective virtual image light for the observer in the condition in which the brightness variation and the picture variation are prevented and a high light efficiency can be obtained. |
| US08654444B2 |
Polarization converting color combiner
Optical elements, color combiners using the optical elements, and image projectors using the color combiners are described. The optical elements can be configured as color combiners that receive different wavelength spectrums of light and produce a combined light output that includes the different wavelength spectrums of light. In one aspect, the received light inputs are unpolarized, and the combined light output is polarized in a desired state. The optical elements are configured to minimize the passage of light which may be damaging to wavelength-sensitive components in the light combiner. Image projectors using the color combiners can include imaging modules that operate by reflecting or transmitting polarized light. |
| US08654443B2 |
Image display apparatus
The stereoscopic image display apparatus of this invention includes an upper light source unit 29 having a pair of light sources 33 and 35 and a lower light source unit, which are arranged between a reflection unit 17 with an elliptical mirror 15 having one focus f1 on the side of a reflecting surface 19, and a transmission type liquid crystal display panel 5. Thus, the apparatus has a reduced width. Moreover, the elliptical mirror 15 is the stationary type, and the reflecting surface 19 employed is shaped symmetrical in plan view. This allows the respective light sources to use the common elliptical mirror 15. Therefore, the stereoscopic image display apparatus realizes a reduction in size and a reduction in apparatus cost. |
| US08654441B2 |
Differential interference contrast serial time encoded amplified microscopy
We describe methods and apparatus for high-speed high-contrast imaging one-, two- and three-dimensional imaging enabled by differential interference contrast time encoded amplified microscopy of transparent media without the need for chemical staining, that are suitable for a broad range of applications from semiconductor process monitoring to blood screening. Our methods and apparatus build on a unique combination of serial time-encoded amplified microscopy (STEAM) and differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy. These methods and apparatus are ideally suited for identification of rare diseased cells in a large population of healthy cells and have the potential to revolutionize blood analysis and pathology including identification of cancer cells, such as Circulating Tumor Cells (CTC) in early stage disease. |
| US08654437B2 |
Appearance-modifying device, and method for manufacturing such a device
An appearance-modifying device (10; 30), for modifying the visual appearance of a surface covered thereby, comprising: first (11) and second (12) oppositely arranged optically transparent substrates; a spacer structure (13; 32) spacing apart the first (11) and second (12) substrates in such a way that a space between the first (11) and second (12) substrates is divided into a plurality of cells (15, 16; 31a-c). The appearance-modifying device further has, in each cell (15, 16; 31a-c), an optically transparent fluid (19) having a plurality of particles (20) dispersed therein, the particles being moveable in the fluid (19) through application of an electric field; and first (17a, 18a; 33) and second (17b, 18b; 32) electrodes arranged to simultaneously, by application of a voltage across the electrodes, control a distribution of the particles (20) within each of a plurality of the cells (15, 16; 31a-c) from a first, dispersed state in which an appearance of the surface covered by the appearance-modifying device is determined by optical properties of the particles (20), to a second state in which the particles (20) are concentrated adjacent to at least one of the first (17a, 18a; 33) and second (17b, 18b; 32) electrodes in such a way that the appearance-modifying device (10; 30) becomes optically transparent. |
| US08654432B2 |
Electro-optic device and electronic apparatus
An electro-optic device including: an electro-optical panel having an electro-optic substance held between an element substrate and an opposed substrate; and a dust-proof substrate bonded to a surface of the opposed substrate opposite from a surface thereof opposing the element substrate; wherein one of the opposed substrate and the dust-proof substrate is formed of a first material having a coefficient of linear expansion of a positive pole, and the other one of the opposed substrate and the dust-proof substrate is formed of a second material having a coefficient of linear expansion of a negative pole. |
| US08654429B2 |
Light amount adjustment apparatus and optical apparatus
The light-amount-adjustment apparatus includes a base member formed with cam-groove portions, and light-blocking blades forming a variable light-passing aperture and each of which is provided with a driving pin and a cam pin, the cam pin engaging one of the cam-groove portions. The apparatus also includes a driving ring disposed on a side of the blades opposite from the base member and rotating with respect to the base member to transmit a driving force to the driving pins so as to rotate the light-blocking blades. A base-member side face of each light-blocking blade is supported by the base member. The driving ring is formed with first blade-supporting portions protruding from a ring-shaped portion outward in a radial direction and including a driving-hole portion with which the driving pin engages. Each first blade-supporting portion supports an opposite-side blade face opposite to the base-member side blade face of a light-blocking blade. |
| US08654428B2 |
Electrowetting display unit and electrowetting display device
The disclosed technology provides an electrowetting display unit and an electrowetting display device. The electrowetting display unit comprises a polar fluid, a non-polar fluid that is colored, and separation walls for surrounding the polar fluid and the non-polar fluid; a medium layer located below the fluid chamber and in contact with the non-polar fluid or polar fluid in the fluid chamber; and an electrode located below the medium layer. Spaces are provided on the separation walls, have openings toward the medium layer, and function to completely or partially store the non-polar fluid when a voltage is applied between the polar fluid and the electrode. The electrowetting display device comprises the electrowetting display unit. |
| US08654425B2 |
Optical detection device, optical device, optical information reading device, and light source fixing method
Provided is an optical detecting device, wherein a photodiode is provided on a first surface of a substrate, a planar output electrode for outputting electrical signals corresponding to a quantity of light received by the photodiode is provided on a second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface, a cutout portion is provided in a third surface of the substrate such that the cutout portion is in contact with the output electrode provided on the second surface, said third surface being different from the first surface and the second surface, and an electrode connected to the output electrode is provided on the inner surface of the cutout portion. |
| US08654422B2 |
Holographic bubble generating system
An optical effect bubble generating system includes an optical effect viewing device including one or more desired holographic images. The optical effect viewing device can be eyeglasses having lenses containing the holographic images. The lenses can be interchangeable to provide different holographic images. The system includes a bubble generating device that can be manually- or automatically-operated. The system operates to provide the optical effect of imposing the desired holographic image onto one or more bubbles when the bubbles are generated in a naturally- or artificially-lit environment, and the one or more bubbles viewed by a user through the optical effect viewing device. |
| US08654419B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image density detecting method
An image forming apparatus performs pseudo gradation processing using dithering, and includes an image carrier; a plurality of light-emitting element arrays arranged in a main-scanning direction and including a plurality of light-emitting elements; an image forming unit performing lighting control of the arrays and forming a pattern image on the image carrier; a detecting unit detecting a density of the pattern image; a position detecting unit detecting a position in the main-scanning direction of the detecting unit with respect to the light-emitting element arrays; a determining unit that, based on the detected position, determines whether the detecting unit is positioned at a proper detection position with respect to the pattern image on which noise has no effect; and an operation control unit that, when the detecting unit is positioned at the proper detection position, performs an image density detection operation on the pattern image using the detecting unit. |
| US08654417B2 |
Image reading apparatus and program
An image reading apparatus includes: a transport unit; a first reading unit which reads one surface of a document transported by the transport unit and generates first read data of a front end portion or a rear end portion of the one surface of the document; a second reading unit which reads the other surface of the document transported by the transport unit and generates second read data of a front end portion or a rear end portion of the other surface of the document; an edge detection unit which performs edge detection processing on each of the first read data and the second read data; and a determination unit which determines that there is double feeding of documents by the transport unit when the edge detection unit detects a plurality of edges from at least either the first read data or the second read data. |
| US08654415B2 |
Light scanning device and image formation apparatus
A light scanning device includes: a movable section which has a light reflection section reflecting light and oscillates around an oscillating axis and in which a maximum deflection angle thereof is variable; and a detection section which detects the maximum deflection angle of the movable section, wherein the detection section includes a light source which irradiates light toward the light reflection section, a light-receiving section which receives reflected light of the light from the light source, reflected by the light reflection section, and a displacement drive section which changes a position of the light-receiving section in accordance with the maximum deflection angle of the movable section. |
| US08654414B2 |
LED illumination system for a scanner including a UV light emitting device
An illumination system for a scanner according to one example embodiment includes an array of visible light emitting diodes including a red, a blue and a green light emitting diode and an ultraviolet light emitting device configured to emit light predominantly in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum. During a scan sequence of the red, blue and green light emitting diodes, at least one of the visible light emitting diodes and the ultraviolet light emitting device are positioned to simultaneously illuminate an object being scanned. In one form, during the sequence, the blue light emitting diode and the ultraviolet light emitting device are simultaneously illuminated while in another the red light emitting diode and the ultraviolet light emitting device are simultaneously illuminated. |
| US08654412B2 |
Component imaging method, component imaging device, and component mounting device having component imaging device
A component imaging method includes: an imaging preparation step of obtaining, for each of the plurality of components, an optimum lighting intensity; a component imaging step of using a line sensor and a lighting device, to integrally move the components relative to this line sensor, with the components being aligned in a main scanning direction of the line sensor, and to acquire images of the components while switching a lighting intensity of the lighting device sequentially to the optimum lighting intensity of each of the components for each imaging line; and an image processing step of compensating a line image, which is imaged at a lighting intensity other than the optimum lighting intensities, on the basis of a ratio of the lighting intensity at which the line image is obtained and the optimum lighting intensity of each of the components of the obtained component images, for the component image. |
| US08654411B2 |
Image scanning device, image scanning method, image display controlling device, image display controlling method, image processing system, and computer program
An image scanning device accepts an instruction to scan a double-sided document and scans a plurality of double-sided documents with respect to each page to produce image data. Image data is eliminated when a page is determined as being solid colored from the image data produced by the scanning section. Image data other than the eliminated image data is transmitted to the outside. When an instruction to scan a double-sided document is received from the outside and accepted, elimination of image data is prohibited. |
| US08654405B2 |
Method for producing a multi-layered film
A method for producing a multi-layered film wherein an engraving layer is partially printed onto a support film. Said engraving layer may be made of a UV-cured printing ink and a cover layer is applied to the entire surface above the partial engraving layer, optionally, directly to the partial engraving layer. The cover layer may be made of a UV-curable printing ink and may be printed over the engraving layer. A film produced by such method is also disclosed. |
| US08654401B2 |
Generating 1-bit image data from multiple-bit image data for producing when printed a dot image with reduced graininess and patterning by freeing image of blocks of adjacent dots with densities below a threshold
A process for receiving data comprising multiple-bit pixel values and deriving therefrom 1-bit image data comprising “on” and “off” pixel values, each corresponding to a pixel on an output medium, which an output device would attempt to mark when printing the 1-bit image data if the pixel value were “on”, the 1-bit image data producing when printed an image constituted by a plurality of densities of dots, the dots being arranged such that, at least for densities of dots greater than a first threshold density, at least a majority of dots form a pair with at least one horizontally or vertically adjacent dot, and for densities of dots less than a second threshold density, the image is substantially free of blocks of 2*2 horizontally and vertically adjacent dots, the second threshold density being greater than the first threshold density. Additionally or alternatively dot arrangements are disclosed. |
| US08654398B2 |
Method for simulating impact printer output, evaluating print quality, and creating teaching print samples
An automated printout inspection system identifies glyphs in an image by calculating a connectedness score for each foreground pixel, and comparing this score with a specified threshold. The system further generates training images by simulating printouts from an impact printer, including the specifying of specific error types and their magnitudes. The simulated printouts are combined with scan images of real-world printout to train an automated printout inspection system. The inspection results of the automated system are compared with inspection results from human inspectors, and test parameters of the automated system are adjusted so that it renders inspection results within a specified range of the average human inspector. |
| US08654397B1 |
Method and system for applying pagination to a report
A method for applying pagination includes receiving a request to print a report spanning multiple files, gathering, in response to the request, multiple attributes for the report, and selecting, according to the attributes, multiple pagination rules. Each pagination rule includes a pagination requirement. The method further includes after receiving the request, processing each file by obtaining a document from the file, selecting a pagination rule, corresponding to the document, generating a modified version of the document by applying the pagination requirement in the pagination rule to the document, and appending the modified version of the document to the report. The method further includes dispatching the report to a printer. |
| US08654391B2 |
Image forming device, information processing device, and recording medium storing N-up printing program
An image forming device includes: a storing unit that stores image data of plural pages, an operating unit and a setting unit that sets the number of sheets used for N-up printing of the plural pages. A determining unit determines the number of pages aggregated on a single side of a single sheet when N-up printing is performed using the number of sheets set by the setting unit. An orientation selecting unit selects a paper orientation that lowers a reduction ratio of a page when N-up printing is performed on the number of pages determined by the determining unit. An image forming unit uses the image data stored in the storing unit to form images of the plural pages onto sheets according to the number of sheets set by the setting unit, the number of pages determined by the determining unit, and the selected paper orientation. |
| US08654389B2 |
Image forming apparatus, installation method, and storage medium
Installing an application that is executed by an image forming apparatus includes detecting connection of an external storage device, requesting, if the external storage device whose connection is detected contains application data and device data including apparatus identification information identifying an image forming apparatus in which the application is installed and application identification information identifying the application installed in the image forming apparatus, license data on the application data identified based on the application identification information to the image forming apparatus identified by the apparatus identification information, and installing, in response to the request, the application data stored in the external storage device by using the license data if the license data is successfully acquired from the image forming apparatus identified by the apparatus identification information. |
| US08654388B2 |
Information processing apparatus that transforms an output setting of a predetermined format into a setting described in an original format
A printer driver includes an assigning unit that assigns a setting value based on storage location information specifying a storage location for each setting value; a compressing unit that converts each of the setting values thus assigned to have a format identifying each storage location, and generates compressed data therefrom; a storage unit that stores each piece of the compressed data compressed by the compressing unit in a storage location specified by the storage location information; a first decompressing unit and a second decompressing unit that decompress the compressed data stored in the storage location; a setting window displaying unit that displays a print setting window using each of the setting values obtained by decompression performed by the first decompressing unit; and a print data generating unit that generates print data using each of the setting values obtained by decompression performed by the second decompressing unit. |
| US08654384B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming system
An image forming apparatus to be network-connected is provided with an acquirer for requesting event information indicating a specific event having occurred in another image forming apparatus via a network and acquiring the event information transmitted via the network in response to this request, and a processor for performing a predetermined process to deal with the specific event when the event information is acquired by the acquirer. |
| US08654382B2 |
Printing apparatus and control method thereof, and printing system
This invention has as its object to allow an authentication process that avoids unnecessary information from being stored in a digital camera irrespective of whether or not a digital camera connected to the printer has a direct print function. To this end, in this invention, in an early stage of connection between a digital camera DSC and PD printer, the PD printer side requests an object which contains a keyword as authentication information of those which are stored and held by the DSC (S29). As a result, after it is determined the returned information contains authentication information, the printer notifies the DSC of its own authentication information (S33). |
| US08654379B2 |
Data processing apparatus and recording medium
A data processing apparatus includes a virtual printer driver unit configured to receive job data of a job from an application executing unit, generate image data based on the job data, and generate print setting data by describing a print setting extracted from the job data; an output condition control unit configured to rewrite the image data and the print setting data generated by the virtual printer driver unit and determine an output destination from which the image data is to be printed out, in accordance with a rule including conditions for selecting the output destination and making a change in output contents of the job; and a transmission unit configured to select a printer driver corresponding to the determined output destination and transmit, to the selected printer driver, a print command relevant to a changed job corresponding to the image data and the print setting data that have been rewritten. |
| US08654377B2 |
Data communication device, communication control method, and program
A data communication device includes: a communication execution unit that executes serial communication of an asynchronous type; a bit variance detection block that detects a variance between bits in communication data which the communication execution unit receives from a remote communicating party; a timer that measures a low-level pulse width which is a low-level pulse duration and which is determined with the position of the variance between bits detected by the bit variance detection block; and a control unit that performs transmission speed recognizing processing on the communication data according to the low-level pulse width measured by the timer, wherein based on the confirmation that the low-level pulse width is a low-level pulse width equivalent to a bit width compatible with low-speed communication data, the control unit recognizes the transmission speed for the communication data as a low speed. |
| US08654375B2 |
Resource partitioning in a print system
A printing system is provided comprising a plurality of resources including idle and non-idle resources having a plurality of image marking engines and a user interface for inputting user determinable priority criteria for a first print job. All of the non-idle resources are assigned to the first print job when the first print job is the only print job; and, a resource fraction of the non-idle resources is assigned to the first print job when there is at least a second print job. |
| US08654374B2 |
Data transmission apparatus and method
A data transmission apparatus acquires transmission processing information that includes a transmission destination for transmitting data, notification information related to transmission of data to the transmission destination, and a notification destination for notifying the notification information. The data transmission apparatus transmits data to the transmission destination included in the transmission processing information, and notifies the notification information to the notification destination included in the transmission processing information. |
| US08654370B2 |
Image forming apparatus, printing system and computer-readable storage medium with adjustable image quality
An image forming apparatus accepts input of transfer sheet identification information, forms an image on a transfer sheet based on a control value corresponding to the accepted transfer sheet identification information, and accepts input of a correction value of the control value and stores the correction value in correspondence with the transfer sheet identification information in a storage unit. The image is formed on the transfer sheet based on the control value that is corrected by the correction value when the control value is stored in correspondence with the accepted transfer sheet identification information. |
| US08654366B2 |
Management apparatus for managing facsimile apparatuses, control method thereof, and storage medium
A management apparatus by which one of facsimile apparatuses that externally receives facsimile data is selected based on current power modes of the facsimile apparatuses. Facsimile data can be transmitted from any of a FAX and MFPs on an IP communication network. One of MFPs which are not in a power saving mode is selected by the management apparatus, and a URI of the selected MFP is registered in an SIP server. When facsimile data whose original transmission destination is an MFP which is in a power saving mode is transmitted, the facsimile data is transferred to and alternatively received by the selected MFP. |
| US08654364B2 |
Document feeding device and image forming apparatus in which even small-sized documents can be properly transported
A document feeding device of the present invention includes: a discharge roller pair that includes a first drive roller and a first idler roller; and a transport roller pair that includes a second drive roller and a second idler roller. Either one of the second drive roller and the second idler roller moves between a contact position where said roller is in contact with the other roller and a separation position where said roller is separated from the other roller. The transport roller pair is disposed on the other side of the discharge roller pair from a discharge tray. The transport roller pair transports a document that has passed through the reading position to the discharge roller pair by positioning said roller at the contact position in a case where the first drive roller rotates forward. |
| US08654362B2 |
Processing multi-page segments in a parallel RIP environment with a serial RIP
Systems and methods are provided for error correction in a parallel RIP environment. The system comprises parallel RIPs and a serial RIP. The system receives a print job comprising logical pages, separates the print job into segments of logical pages, and distributes the segments to the parallel RIPs for interpretation and rasterization. The system further determines that a parallel RIP has encountered an error indicating that a segment includes multiple logical pages, and instructs the serial RIP to rasterize the segment responsive to detecting the error. |
| US08654358B2 |
Image data processing device including image data treating units
An image data processing device includes a plurality of image data treating units, a storing unit, and a setting unit. The plurality of image data treating units treats image data. The storing unit stores a plurality of conditions relating to a property of image data to be treated by each of the image data treating units. The setting unit is configured to set a condition in the storing unit to each of at least two of the image data treating units at a time. The conditions set to the at least two of the image data treating units is associated with one another so that the at least two of the image data treating units treat image data with same concept of processing. |
| US08654355B2 |
Method and apparatus for using gestures to control a laser tracker
A laser measurement system includes a laser tracker having a structure rotatable about first and second axes, a first light source that launches a light beam from the structure, a distance meter, first and second angular encoders that measure first and second angles of rotation about the first and second axes, respectively, a processor, and a camera system. Also, a communication device that includes a second light source and an operator-controlled device that controls emission of a light from the second light source; a retroreflector target not disposed on the communication device. Also, the camera system is operable to receive the second light and to convert it into a digital image, and the processor is operable to determine a command to control operation of the tracker based on a pattern of movement of the second light source between first and second times and the digital image. |
| US08654336B2 |
Optical measuring device
A device, system and method to measure an optical characteristic of a fluid, the device including a plurality of components consecutively arranged and coupled together via quasi kinematic or kinematic coupling. The consecutively arranged components define a void within the device. The void encloses a measuring set-up for measuring at least one optical characteristic of a fluid passing through a gap. The gap is located at an intersection between an optical path of the measuring set-up and a flow path of the fluid. |
| US08654334B1 |
Incoherent cavity ringdown spectroscopy gas analyzer coupled with periodic chemical scrubbing
An incoherent cavity ringdown spectroscopy (iCRDS) gas analyzer is provided with a gas flow path to introduce a sample gas into an enclosed volume bounded by a pair of mirrors defining an optical cavity. A pulsed broadband incoherent light source with a wavelength band that coincides with an absorption band of a specified gas species to be detected (e.g., NO2 or SO3) directs pulses of light into the optical cavity, while a photodetector is positioned to detect light exiting the cavity. A scrubber in an alternate flow path into the enclosed volume periodically scrubs the sample gas of the specified gas species. A processor determines the concentration of the specified gas species from the ringdown decay time of the photodetector measurement signals, with the periodic scrubbing of the sample gas providing a calibration reference from its slower decay time. |
| US08654329B2 |
Parallel multisensor optical particle sensors for flowing fluid systems
An optical fluid monitoring system for imaging debris and other particles in a flowing fluid. The system can have multiple sensors (camera and viewing port) connected to a single, remotely located, laser and computer. The system can also include multiple lasers, viewing ports and cameras to be located at different locations in a flow, with each sensor being configured to image a different particle size range. The system can simultaneously image fluid flows on different pieces of equipment. Optical sensors can be arranged on parallel flow conduits, with each sensor configured to image a different particle size range. |
| US08654323B2 |
Analyzing apparatus
An analyzing apparatus includes a microchip, a detecting unit and an analyzing-measuring unit. The microchip is formed of a light transmissive material formed with a separation fluid channel that is a light measuring part. The detecting unit includes an emitted-light guiding unit that emits light to the separation fluid channel, and a received-light guiding unit that receives light through the separation fluid channel. The emitted-light guiding unit or the received-light guiding unit placed at a position facing a microchip support table via the microchip abuts the microchip, and pushes the microchip in a direction toward the microchip support table. The analyzing-measuring unit includes the detecting unit, the emitted-light guiding unit and the received-light guiding unit, and detects a constituent of a sample filled in the separation fluid channel. |
| US08654321B2 |
Testing of optical cable using optical time domain reflectometry
Methods for testing optical equipment are disclosed. One method includes connecting an optical time domain reflectometer to optical equipment to be tested, the optical equipment including at least one optical connector. The method includes injecting an optical signal onto the optical equipment from the optical time domain reflectometer, and observing an amount of reflected light at the connector. Based on the observed reflected light, an amount of loss attributable to the optical equipment is determined. |
| US08654319B2 |
Chlorophyll and turbidity sensor system
A low cost sensing system that can measure both chlorophyll concentration and turbidity is provided. The system is an optical system that utilizes at least three light sensors for measuring side-scattered and forward scattered light, as well as fluorescence. The system is able to take optical density measurements, steady state fluorescence measurements and maximum fluorescence measurements, and can be configured for wireless control and data transmission. The system may also be housed in one or more fluidtight housings so as to make it submersible. |
| US08654318B2 |
Cassette-based method and apparatus for measuring the presence and concentration of pharmaceutical substances in a medical fluid
A medical fluid delivery system includes a medical fluid delivery machine including a light source configured to generate a light beam; a polarizer configured to receive the light beam and to allow a portion of the light beam within the medical fluid to be transmitted through the polarizer, a photodetector to provide a measurement of an intensity of the light beam transmitted through a medical fluid and the polarizer; a medical fluid cassette operating with the medical fluid machine to pump the medical fluid, the medical fluid cassette loaded onto the medical fluid delivery machine such that the light source resides on a first side of the cassette and the photodetector resides on a second side of the cassette; and a computer configured to use the measurement of the intensity to determine whether the medical fluid can be delivered to a patient. |
| US08654317B2 |
Optical fiber sensor, pressure sensor, end effector and stress detecting method using the same
In an FBG (Fiber Bragg Grating) sensor, a stress direction converter includes a flat portion to which stresses are applied from the exterior, and stress transmitting sections that are bridged from the flat portion to an optical fiber cable. An inclined portion of the optical fiber cable, through which reflected light reflected by gratings is transmitted, is disposed along an inclined section that makes up one of the stress transmitting sections. |
| US08654316B1 |
Methods and systems for target detection
Various aspects of the disclosure provide a target system that is small and low power. In one embodiment, the target system transmits an intensity modulated light beam to a target (which may be tagged with a fluorescent taggant), collects the resulting return light from the target, and separates out elastic light scatter and fluorescent light in the collected light. The intensities of the elastic light scatter and the fluorescent light are then separately detected by first and second photodetectors, respectively. The first photodetector generates an elastic scatter detection signal based on the detected elastic light scatter and the second photodetector generates a fluorescent detection signal based on the detected fluorescent light. The elastic scatter detection signal and/or the fluorescent detection signal are used to provide one or more of the following functions: 1) target detection, 2) range determination, 3) taggant detection, and 4) taggant discrimination/confirmation. |
| US08654312B2 |
Optical component for maskless exposure apparatus
Disclosed relates to an optical component for a maskless exposure apparatus, and more particularly, to a micro-prism array or a micro-mirror array which is an optical component capable of screening diffused light such that the image of a pixel of a digital micro-mirror display (DMD) formed by a first image-forming lens in the maskless exposure apparatus has no influence on the image of a neighboring pixel and of totally reflecting the light after reflection or diffraction at the same time, thus improving exposure performance by using the quantity of light being transmitted without a loss and increasing numerical apertures (NAs) at the same time. |
| US08654309B2 |
Fluid extraction system, lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
An immersion lithographic apparatus typically includes a fluid handling system. The fluid handling system generally has a two-phase fluid extraction system configured to remove a mixture of gas and liquid from a given location. Because the extraction fluid comprises two phases, the pressure in the extraction system can vary. This pressure variation can be passed through the immersion liquid and cause inaccuracy in the exposure. To reduce the pressure fluctuation in the extraction system, a buffer chamber may be used. This buffer chamber may be connected to the fluid extraction system in order to provide a volume of gas which reduces pressure fluctuation. Alternatively or additionally, a flexible wall may be provided somewhere in the fluid extraction system. The flexible wall may change shape in response to a pressure change in the fluid extraction system. By changing shape, the flexible wall can help to reduce, or eliminate, the pressure fluctuation. |
| US08654307B2 |
Scanning type exposure apparatus, method of manufacturing micro-apparatus, mask, projection optical apparatus, and method of manufacturing mask
It is disclosed a mask on which a pattern for transfer is formed. The mask comprising a first row pattern part and a second row pattern part which are arranged along a first direction on the mask. The whole region of the first row pattern part and the whole region of the second row pattern part region are arranged to deviate from each other by a predetermined amount in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. |
| US08654306B2 |
Exposure apparatus, cleaning method, and device fabricating method
An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate with exposure light that passes through an exposure liquid. The exposure apparatus comprises: an optical member, which has an emergent surface wherefrom the exposure light emerges; a first supply port, which supplies the exposure liquid; a liquid immersion member, which is capable of forming an immersion space so that an optical path of the exposure light that emerges from the optical member is filled with the exposure liquid; a second supply port, which supplies a cleaning liquid so that it contacts the liquid immersion member; and a preventive apparatus, which prevents the cleaning liquid and the optical member from contacting one another. |
| US08654305B2 |
Systems and methods for insitu lens cleaning in immersion lithography
An immersion lithography apparatus is provided that includes an energy source, a projection optical system, a stage, a showerhead including an immersion liquid supply device and an immersion liquid discharge device that produces a flow of liquid within an exposure zone, and a cleaning device that cleans a portion of the projection optical system having been contacted with the immersion liquid by means of a cleaning gas. In an embodiment, the cleaning device includes a gas supply device and a gas discharge device that produce a flow of cleaning gas into the exposure zone. In embodiments, the apparatus includes a stage that includes a dose sensor and/or an ultra-violet light source. A method for insitu cleaning of a final lens element within an immersion lithography system having an immersion fluid showerhead that provides immersion fluid to an exposure zone of the immersion lithography system is also provided. |
| US08654299B2 |
Active matrix substrate manufacturing method and liquid crystal display device manufacturing method
Provided is an active matrix substrate manufacturing method, including the steps of: selectively forming a laminated structure pattern, by forming the laminated structure on a glass substrate (2), by forming a first photosensitive resin pattern (PR) on the laminated structure, and by selectively forming the laminated structure pattern using the first photosensitive resin pattern (PR), the laminated structure including a metal layer (a scanning signal line (11) material), a gate insulative layer (30), and a semiconductor layer (31, 33) (transistor material); fluorinating a surface of the first photosensitive resin pattern (PR) by dry-etching with fluorine gas; applying a coating-type transparent insulative resin (60) onto the glass substrate (2) to fill a space in the laminated structure pattern; and removing the fluorinated first photosensitive resin pattern (PR). This enables to form, in an active matrix substrate manufacturing process, a scanning signal line and a semiconductor layer with a single mask process. |
| US08654295B2 |
Pixel structure
A pixel structure includes a scan line, a first data line, a second data line, a first active device, a second active device, a first pixel electrode, a second pixel electrode, a common line, and a first capacitance upper electrode. The first and the second data lines intersect the scan line. The common line is parallel to the scan line. The first pixel electrode is electrically connected to the first data line through the first active device. The second pixel electrode is electrically connected to the second data line through the second active device. A difference between a first voltage of the first pixel electrode and a second voltage of the second pixel electrode constitutes a driving electric field to drive a display medium. The first capacitance upper electrode is electrically connected to the first pixel electrode and located above the common line to form a first storage capacitor. |
| US08654293B2 |
Liquid-crystal apparatus, method for manufacturing the same, and electronic device
A liquid-crystal apparatus has an element substrate. This element substrate contains depressions inside, and these depressions are sealed with an insulating film, a silicon dioxide coating. To this end, the insulating film is formed by chemical vapor deposition, and this coating process lasts until voids formed in the depressions are closed at the top by the insulating film. Then, the insulating coating is ground. This grinding process lasts until the insulating film is flat, but should be terminated before the voids are opened. |
| US08654289B2 |
Method of fabricating liquid crystal display device using a mixture of rubbing alignment material and UV alignment material
An LCD device includes first and second substrates, an alignment layer formed over at least one of the substrates, and a liquid crystal layer formed between the substrates. The alignment layer is formed of a mixture of rubbing alignment and UV alignment materials. A method of fabricating the LCD device includes preparing first and second substrates; coating an alignment layer over at least one of the substrates; performing a rubbing process on the substrate coated with the alignment layer; and irradiating polarized UV rays onto the substrate coated with the alignment layer, wherein the alignment layer is formed of a mixture of rubbing alignment a UV alignment materials. The rubbing process obtains high anchoring energy is obtained, thereby preventing afterimages. Also, the process of irradiating the polarized UV rays eliminates the problem of light leakage. |
| US08654287B2 |
Acryl-base polymer film, optical compensation film, and liquid-crystal display device having the same
The invention relates to an optical compensation film for IPS or FFS-mode liquid crystal display devices, having the tilt angle β[°] not equal to zero, β[°] being defined as φ giving the minimum value of retardation R[φ] which is retardation measured for incident light coming in a direction tilted by φ° from a normal line relative to the film-plane, the direction being in a plane including the direction perpendicular to the in-plane slow axis thereof and the normal line; and having retardation along the thickness direction at a wavelength of 550 nm, Rth(550), not equal to zero. |
| US08654283B2 |
Electro-optical device and electronic device
An electro-optical device includes a pair of substrates bonded together via a seal member disposed in a seal region, and a plurality of light-shielding layers formed so as to overlap with each other on one of the substrates, and one of the plurality of light-shielding layers is larger in outer shape than another light-shielding layer formed at a level higher than the one of the light-shielding layer, in plan view from above the one of the substrates. |
| US08654281B2 |
Photo-patterned pre-tilt liquid crystal cells, lenses and methods
Liquid crystal cells and lenses having a variable resulting pre-tilt across two or more areas of the cell, and in particular, cells and lenses are provided wherein a resulting pre-tilt is varied across the cell according to any desired birefringence profile that can be utilized in liquid crystalline optical elements and liquid crystal displays. Methods of fabrication of the liquid crystal cells with variable resulting pre-tilt are disclosed. |
| US08654279B2 |
Manufacturing method of planar light source
A method of manufacturing a planar light source includes disposing a plurality of light emitting devices on a substrate and disposing an optical sheet to be separated from the light emission surface formed by the plurality of light emitting devices by an optical length l, the step of disposing the plurality of light emitting devices on the substrate including determining a degree of pitch S between two adjacent light emitting devices among the plurality of light emitting devices, and the step of determining the degree of pitch S including: calculating a degree of luminance of the light emitting device in the optical sheet, and determining a distance between one region in the optical sheet directly above the light emitting device, and another region in the optical sheet having a half of maximum luminance, to be S/2. |
| US08654277B2 |
Liquid crystal display module, backlight module and back plate thereof
The present invention discloses a liquid crystal display module, a backlight module and a back plate thereof. The back plate has a back-plate mainbody disposed on a bottom of the backlight module, and two bent structures integrally and symmetrically arranged on two opposite sides of the back-plate mainbody for supporting an optical film assembly of the backlight module. The present invention is applied to a LCD module with a separate-type backlight module design for saving the used number of housing strips, simplifying the structure of the backlight module, and enhancing the stability thereof. |
| US08654276B2 |
Electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus includes: a display panel, a retention member retaining the display panel, and an external case covering the retention member. The retention member has a retention main body portion retaining the display panel and a plurality of fastening portions for fixing to the external case. At least one of the plurality of fastening portions has a displacement absorbing portion absorbing displacement of the retention member. |
| US08654274B2 |
Backlight assembly and liquid crystal display device including the same
A backlight assembly is provided. The backlight assembly includes a mold frame having a tetragonal frame shape and including four side parts and a bottom part extending from bottoms of the side parts, a printed circuit board disposed on the bottom part of the mold frame, at least one light source disposed on the printed circuit board, and a light guide sheet disposed at a side of the light source and accommodated in the mold frame. |
| US08654269B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display panel capable of reducing a capacitance of a parasitic capacitor between a data line and a pixel electrode. The liquid crystal display panel comprises: a thin film transistor at a crossing of a gate line and a data line, liquid crystal cells including a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor; first shield patterns in the liquid crystal cells, each shield pattern being parallel to the data line without overlapping the data line, wherein the shield patterns are insulated from and overlap with an outer portion of the pixel electrode; and a common line arrayed to connect the shield patterns for each the liquid crystal cell. |
| US08654266B2 |
Optical sensor and display device provided with same
An optical sensor is provided with a photodiode (D1) which receives light in a first range, including light to be detected, and a photodiode (D2) which receives light in a second range other than the light to be detected. For instance, the photodiode (D1) receives light at all the incident angles, and the photodiode (D2) has a light blocking film on an incident light path so as to selectively receive only the incident light from the oblique directions. The differential between the output from the photodiode (D1) and that from the photodiode (D2) is read out as sensor output. |
| US08654263B2 |
Broadcast receiving apparatus to minimize standby power and method thereof
A broadcast receiving apparatus to minimize standby power and a method thereof. The broadcast receiving apparatus includes a sensor to detect variation in an inputted alternating current (AC) voltage and outputting a direct current (DC) voltage corresponding to the detection result, and a controller to detect variation in currents based on a digital voltage corresponding to the DC voltage and to determine the on/off state of an external apparatus, connected to the broadcast receiving apparatus, according to the detection result of the controller. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether the external apparatus is switched on or off according to a variation in power supplied to the external apparatus, to cut off a power supplied to the external apparatus based on the determination result, and to selectively control a power supplied to components of the broadcast receiving apparatus based on power saving data. |
| US08654261B2 |
Video and audio processing device and program thereof
A video and audio processing device comprises: a switching unit that switches a video input and output pathway at least between “analog video input terminal—analog video output terminal” and “specific-standard digital input terminal—specific-standard digital output terminal”; an input determining unit that determines whether the specific-standard digital data is fed into the specific-standard digital input terminal; and a pathway determining unit that determines whether the video input and output pathway is “analog video input terminal—analog video output terminal”. The receiving unit produces only the audio data from the specific-standard digital data, when the specific-standard digital data is fed into the specific-standard digital input terminal while the video input and output pathway is “analog video input terminal—analog video output terminal”. |
| US08654257B2 |
Image processing apparatus, projector, image processing method, and method for controlling image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus includes an image signal input unit that receives an input of an image signal representing an image to be displayed, a noise reduction unit that performs noise reduction for reducing the noise contained in the image signal, and an image quality adjustment unit that performs image quality adjustment for adjusting the displayed image quality of the image on the image signal that has undergone the noise reduction. |
| US08654252B2 |
Electronic device and information processing program
There is provided an electronic device and an information processing program, which may provide a user with information about functions of the electronic device without stress to the user. The electronic device includes: a holding section holding plural pieces of function-introductory information each concerning a plurality of functions of the electronic device; a determination section selecting one out of the plural pieces of function-introductory information, and determining the selected piece of function-introductory information as transmission information to be transmitted to an external display device; and an output section outputting the transmission information. |
| US08654251B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating and transmitting synchronized video data
Problem. Current systems for generating synchronized video sequences from multiple video sources are too complex, too restrictive, too cumbersome or too imprecise. There are also few practical ways of faithfully transmitting highly synchronized multivideo between video sources and video sinks. Solution. A system and a method for ensuring precise synchronization of high speed stereovision or multivision systems is disclosed. This method involves the use of matched video sources such as cameras or image sensors which are subjected to a common clock as well as identical operating conditions thereby guaranteeing an identical internal state and synchronized output timing behaviour without relying on the provision of a frame reset pulse or a line reset pulse generated by any one of the video sources in order to guarantee synchronization. This avoids the delays associated with the transmission of such pulses and hence allows much higher frames rates to be achieved. In addition, a system and a method for transferring multivideo, and enabled by the use of highly synchronized video produced by the previously mentioned method, are disclosed. This allows the combined and faithful transmission of the synchronized outputs of a plurality of matched video sources over a single digital interface such as Camera-Link®. In the latter embodiment, this method extends, without violating, the provisions for multi-tap video as laid out in the Camera-Link® specification. |
| US08654250B2 |
Deriving visual rhythm from video signals
A method and a system for deriving visual rhythm from a video signal are described. A feature extraction module receives the video signal and extracts a two-dimensional feature from the video signal. A one-dimensional video feature computation module derives a one-dimensional feature from the extracted two-dimensional feature. A visual rhythm detector module detects a visual beat and a visual tempo from the one-dimensional feature. |
| US08654249B2 |
Image processing apparatus
An image processing apparatus includes a resolution determining section that determines, for a selected combination of an input terminal and an output terminal, an input set resolution set for an input terminal to be a processing resolution, when an output set resolution of an output terminal is set to “Source”; and ignores the input set resolution set for the input terminal and determines the output set resolution set for the output terminal to be a processing resolution, when the output set resolution of the output terminal is set to other than “Source”. |
| US08654248B2 |
Apparatus and method for handling video aspect ratios of video content
A system and method for displaying video content in a proper aspect ratio may include, in response to video content being received from a personal computer, determining if the video content is configured to be displayed in the first aspect ratio. If the video content is configured to be displayed in the first aspect ratio, the video content is displayed in the first aspect ratio. Otherwise, if the video content is not configured to be displayed in the first aspect ratio, the video content is displayed in the second aspect ratio. |
| US08654243B2 |
Image pickup apparatus and control method thereof
An apparatus includes a display unit configured to display a captured image, an object region detection unit configured to detect the main object region in a photographic screen, a determination unit configured to determine whether the main object region is in a focused state, an enlarge unit configured to enlarge and display the main object region in focus on the display unit larger than when the main object region is not in focus, an object movement detection unit configured to detect whether the main object in the main object region moves in the photographic screen, and an enlarge control unit configured to, when the object movement detection unit detects that the main object is moving, limit the enlarge from performing enlargement and display. |
| US08654234B2 |
Bi-directional screen
A bidirectional screen alternately switches between a display mode showing conventional graphics and a capture mode in which the LCD backlight is disabled and the LCD displays a pinhole array or a tiled-broadband code. A large-format image sensor is placed behind the liquid crystal layer. Together, the image sensor and LCD function as a mask-based light field camera, capturing an array of images equivalent to that produced by an array of cameras spanning the display surface. The recovered multi-view orthographic imagery is used to passively estimate the depth of scene points from focus. |
| US08654231B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
In a CMOS image sensor in which a plurality of pixels is arranged in a matrix, a transistor in which a channel formation region includes an oxide semiconductor is used for each of a charge accumulation control transistor and a reset transistor which are in a pixel portion. After a reset operation of the signal charge accumulation portion is performed in all the pixels arranged in the matrix, a charge accumulation operation by the photodiode is performed in all the pixels, and a read operation of a signal from the pixel is performed per row. Accordingly, an image can be taken without a distortion. |
| US08654227B2 |
Focus detection apparatus, focus detection method, and image sensing apparatus
A focus detection apparatus includes: an image sensor that has a first pixel group which receives a luminous flux passing a first pupil area of an imaging optical system, and a second pixel group which receives a luminous flux passing a second pupil area different from the first pupil area; a storage unit that stores first and second distribution functions corresponding to the first and second pupil areas, respectively; a calculation unit that generates a first image signal by performing calculations on a first subject image, obtained from the first pixel group, using the second distribution function, and generates a second image signal by performing calculations on a second subject image, obtained from the second pixel group, using the first distribution function; and a focus state detection unit that detects a focus state of the imaging optical system based on the first and the second image signals. |
| US08654222B2 |
Imaging device, signal processing method, and computer program
An imaging device includes a main image sensor configured to obtain an image used for recording, a sub-image sensor configured to obtain a live view image, an input switching unit, and a signal processor. The input switching unit receives a plurality of sensor outputs including an output of the main image sensor and an output of the sub-image sensor, switches the plurality of received sensor outputs in a time-division manner, and outputs time-division switched signals of the plurality of sensor outputs to the signal processor. The signal processor receives the time-division switched signals from the input switching unit, and executes signal processing on the received time-division switched signals. |
| US08654219B2 |
Method and apparatus for restoring dead pixel using light intensity map in a time-of-flight camera
Disclosed herein is an image display apparatus including a display unit; a camera unit configured to capture a subject, and to acquire a depth image from the captured subject; and a controller operatively connected to the display unit and the camera unit, the controller configured to control the camera unit to restore an interest region based on depth information and light intensity information when the interest region exists in the acquired depth image. |
| US08654217B2 |
Device and method for detecting dust on an image sensor
A system and method for detecting dust (18) on an image sensor (20) from a single captured image (14) of an actual scene (12) includes a control system (22) that evaluates at least one of a hue channel (466), a value channel (470), and a saturation channel (468) of the captured image (14) to determine if there is dust (18) on the image sensor (20). For example, the control system (22) can evaluate the hue channel (466) and the value channel (470) of the captured image (14) to determine if there is dust (18) on the image sensor (20). With information from the hue channel (466) and the value channel (470), the control system (22) can compute a computed probability (572) of dust (18) for a plurality of pixels (362) of the captured image (14). |
| US08654216B2 |
Camera system, camera body, and lens unit
A camera system includes a lens unit, a mount, a camera body, and a control unit. The lens unit includes at least one lens unit operation portion and changes the magnification of an optical image electrically. The mount supports removably the lens unit. The camera body includes at least one camera body operation portion. The control unit controls the lens unit so as to change the magnification of an optical image electrically in response to either one of the operation of the camera body operation portion or the operation of the lens unit operation portion. The control unit controls the lens unit so as to execute an operation that is different from the operation which changes the magnification of an optical image, in response to the other of the operation of the camera body operation portion or the operation of the lens unit operation portion. |
| US08654210B2 |
Adaptive color imaging
An image capture device includes an imaging assembly having a spectral sensitivity tunable in accordance with a spectral capture mask. A pre-capture captures a sample image of a scene using the imaging assembly tuned by a first spectral capture mask. A second spectral capture mask is constructed by calculations which use image data of the sample image. The second spectral capture mask is constructed to tune the spectral sensitivity of the imaging assembly so as to adjust respective capture parameters for different objects in the scene. The second spectral capture mask is applied to the imaging assembly. An image of the scene is captured with the second spectral capture mask applied to the imaging assembly. |
| US08654209B2 |
Photography control method and apparatus for prohibiting use of flash
A photography control method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for prohibiting the use of a flash. The method includes recognizing a sensitive face from an obtained image and prohibiting the use of the flash when the recognized face is a sensitive face. The method may include determining whether or not the image is taken from a dark environment and if the image is taken from a dark environment, then increasing the optical sensitivity and optionally performing advanced shake reduction. |
| US08654208B2 |
Imaging device and imaging method
An imaging device is provided which includes a hue value setting portion that sets at least one hue value from among a plurality of hue values, a color component region detection portion that detects a region having a color component that includes the set hue value, from image data of a photographic subject, and a color component region display portion that, based on the image data of the photographic subject, converts, of the photographic subject, the detected region having the color component to a first color, converts regions other than the detected region having the color component to a second color different from the first color, and displays the photographic subject on a display portion. |
| US08654207B2 |
Imaging pickup apparatus, image pickup method, image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image processing program
An image pickup apparatus includes a color component acquiring unit that acquires picked-up-image color-component signals representing color components of a picked-up image, a face detecting unit that detects a face, a skin-color-region color-component acquiring unit that, when the picked-up image includes a face, acquires skin-color-region color-component signals based on a face detection result, a skin-color-eliminated-component-signal-information creating unit that creates skin-color-eliminated component-signal information obtained by eliminating the skin-color-region color-component signals, obtained by the skin-color-region color-component acquiring unit, from the picked-up-image color-component signals obtained by the color component acquiring unit, a white-balance-gain setting unit that sets a white balance gain by using the skin-color-eliminated component-signal information, and a white balance control unit that performs white balance adjustment of the color components of the picked-up image by using the white balance gain. |
| US08654204B2 |
Digtal photographing apparatus and method of controlling the same
A digital photographing apparatus includes a handshake correction module and a method of controlling the digital photographing apparatus. As a first image and a second image that is input by minutely adjusting a photographing direction from the first image are captured by using a pre-mounted handshake correction module, the second image that is accurately continuous from the first image may be obtained. As such, highly reliable panorama shooting may be enabled and an ultra-wide-angle image having a viewing angle greater than that of a currently mounted lens may be obtained without exchanging the currently mounted lens for an expensive lens used in wide-angle shooting. |
| US08654202B2 |
Correction of captured and stabilized images
In a system for capturing a series of images of a scene comprising an image capture device having a matrix of flux detectors which is oriented along a sighting axis (z), comprising a stabilizing module which stabilizes the sighting axis of the captured images, the sighting axis being instilled with a defined, cyclic, motion, the following steps are applied to a series of successive images (N1−K) captured during a cycle. Steps /i/ and /ii/ are repeated from the first image captured up to the last image captured of the series and an intermediate image (IIntermediate) is obtained •−/i/ registering a subsequent image (Ni+i) on a preceding image (Ni) as a function of the defined motion; −/ii/ correcting spatial noise relating to the flux detectors and affecting the common part of the images. Next, a corrected captured image of the scene is obtained by applying a convolution product between the intermediate image and a correction point spreading function (PSFglobal) which is determined on the basis of the defined motion. |
| US08654192B2 |
Inter-image effect array for previewing digital motion picture content
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to calculating an inter-image effect array capable of tuning an effect of spectral dye density curves for use in a preview of digital motion picture content. |
| US08654191B2 |
Defect inspection device and defect inspection method for silicon wafer
A defect inspection device for a silicon wafer comprises: an infrared light illumination which illuminates the silicon wafer with a light power that has been adjusted in accordance with a specific resistance value of the silicon wafer; and an imaging unit constituted by a line sensor array that is sensitive to infrared light, which captures the silicon wafer. |
| US08654190B2 |
Imaging position correction method, imaging method, and substrate imaging apparatus
An imaging method for imaging an image on a substrate at an accurate position while relatively moving the substrate and the imaging unit. The imaging method includes the steps of taking an image while relatively moving the substrate and a camera, predicting a shift amount of the imaging position and the position of the actual imaging when generating an imaging trigger without a correction, based on the relative moving speed and moving distance of the substrate and camera, and correcting the imaging trigger for shifting the timing of generating the imaging trigger only for the time corresponding to the predicted shift amount. |
| US08654189B1 |
Anchor surveillance for maritime vessels
Anchor surveillance for maritime vessels involving the use of an underwater video camera and a remote video display to enable indirect inspection of an anchor during and/or after the process of deploying and/or setting the anchor. The remote video display may be on and/or off the maritime vessel and may comprise a software application (“app”) on a smart-phone and/or computer tablet to help control some or all of the anchor surveillance system. |
| US08654188B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing system, information processing method, and program
An image processing apparatus includes an interface connected to a microscope having a stage having a placement surface on which a sample including a target is placed, an objective lens that zooms in an image of the sample, and an image pickup element that forms the image of the sample, a controller, and a memory. The controller causes a focus of the objective lens to shift in a vertical direction to the placement surface, and causes the image pickup element to be exposed, thereby obtaining a first image. The controller performs a uniform shift of the focus in the vertical direction and a uniform linear shift thereof in a parallel direction to the placement surface, and causes the image pickup element to be exposed, thereby obtaining a second image. The controller calculates a position of the target in the vertical direction based on the first and second images. |
| US08654187B2 |
Work recognition system, work recognition device, and work recognition method
A work recognition device, which recognizes processes in a user's work, includes a whole-state observation time determination unit that determines, as a whole-state observation time, from among observation times of chronological first observation values generated by a first sensor to represent movements of a user's hand, an observation time of observing a first observation value representing a predetermined movement of the hand; and an observation value selection unit that selects a second observation value corresponding to the time determined by the determination unit from among chronological second observation values generated by a second sensor to represent scenes in the user's work. Additionally, a process recognition unit specifies a process in the work, by comparing the second observation value selected by the selection unit to pieces of knowledge data associated with work processes in which the user performs predetermined movements of the hand. |
| US08654186B2 |
Light source system for detecting oral cavity
A light source system for detecting oral cavity has an illumination module and a filter module. A spectral range of light is illuminated from the illumination module and filtered through the filter module. When light of such spectral range is irradiated onto a diagnostic area, high chromatic difference and contrast existing between areas with pathological change and normal areas is employed to enhance correctness of diagnoses and operations. |
| US08654180B2 |
Method and a system for reducing artifacts
A method for preparing an article of lenticular imaging. The method comprises receiving a plurality of source images, superimposing at least one deghosting element on the plurality of source images, the deghosting element being formed to reduce an estimated ghosting artifact from the article, interlacing the plurality of processed source images so as to form a spatially multiplexed image, and preparing the article by attaching an optical element to the spatially multiplexed image. |
| US08654177B2 |
Flexible image photographing apparatus with a plurality of image forming units and method for manufacturing the same
A flexible image photographing apparatus includes a plurality of image photographing units to photograph a photographing object. A flexible body receives the plurality of image photographing units and may be transformed when a force is applied. A control portion is disposed at the flexible body to control each of the plurality of image photographing units to photograph the photographing object. The control portion stores images of the photographing object and performs various kinds of photography. |
| US08654176B2 |
Operating system that includes an image data receiving device and an operation device for processing image data sets
A television (100) includes: an image data receiving section (105) for receiving, from the outside, image data storing therein process specifying information; and a controlling section (107) for controlling an image processing section (103) so as to carry out a process specified by the process specifying information stored in the received image data. Thus, it is possible to cause the television (100) to carry out the desired process by causing the television (100) to receive the image data including the process specifying information for specifying the process which should be carried out by the television (100). |
| US08654173B2 |
Optical scanning apparatus and image forming apparatus
A housing (30) includes a base portion (30a) for installation of an optical beam emission unit (31), a light guiding unit (35a-39a, 35b-39b), and a deflection unit (32, 33), and a cover portion (30b, 30c) that includes an indented heat emission channel (30b1, 30c1) that transmits heat in an inner portion of the housing (30) to a fluid. |
| US08654170B2 |
Optical device, image forming apparatus, and method for controlling optical device
An optical device includes a drive unit configured to drive a light source that outputs a laser beam; a detecting unit configured to detect the laser beam output from the light source; a converting unit configured to convert an output of the detecting unit into a value within a predetermined range; and a control unit configured to control the drive unit to switch a light quantity of the laser beam output from the light source from a first light quantity within an imaging light quantity range for forming an image to a second light quantity outside the imaging light quantity range, or vice versa. The converting unit converts an upper limit light quantity in the imaging light quantity range into a maximum value in the predetermined range, and converts a lower limit light quantity in the imaging light quantity range into a minimum value in the predetermined range. |
| US08654168B2 |
Optical scanning device, image forming apparatus, and optical scanning device designing method
An optical scanning device including a light source having multiple light emitters; an optical element to reflect and transmit the emitted light beams; a photodetector to receive the reflected light beams; an aperture having an opening to shape the transmitted light beams; a light deflector to deflect the transmitted light beams; and a scanning optics to guide the deflected light beams to a scanning surface. The quantity of each of the light beams received by the photodetector is not less than 0.01 mW, and the size of a light receiving surface of the photodetector is determined such that even when the full width at half maximum of the emitted light beams changes, the rate of change of the ratio of the quantity of the light beams detected by the photodetector to the quantity of the light beams passing through the opening of the aperture is not greater than 4%. |
| US08654166B2 |
Receiving device, driving unit, and image forming apparatus
Disclosed is a receiving device that includes a differential input circuit having an inverting input terminal and a non-inverting input terminal to which the differential signal is input; an abnormality detection circuit that detects an abnormality in a wiring connected to the inverting input terminal and the non-inverting input terminal; and a control circuit that sets an output signal of the receiving device in a predetermined status when the abnormality is detected. The abnormality detection circuit detects the abnormality if a status, in which a potential difference between a voltage of the inverting input terminal and a voltage of the non-inverting input terminal is less than a minimum potential difference in a predetermined range of the potential difference between the voltage of the inverting input terminal and the voltage of the non-inverting input terminal, continues for a predetermined time or more. |
| US08654165B2 |
Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus
An optical scanning device includes: a light source that emits light rays; an aperture member that adjusts a diameter of the light rays; a deflector including a plurality of reflecting surfaces that deflect the light rays; a scanning optical system that guides a light ray, of the light rays incident on the deflector and deflected by the deflector so as to be subjected to scanning onto a to-be-scanned surface; and a synchronization detector that performs synchronization detection by using a light ray, of the light rays, reflected to the aperture from the deflector is provided. |
| US08654160B2 |
Printing control apparatus
In a printing control apparatus, there are arranged one pulse application period of which from-start-to-end is series of sub-pulse application time, main-pulse application time and non-heating time and other pulse application periods which follow the one pulse application period and of which from-start-to-end is repeated series of main-pulse application times and non-heating times. As temperature is higher, proportion of applied-for-sub-pulse energy amount to total energy amount in one pulse application period is made larger. As temperature is higher, proportion of applied-for-main-pulse energy amount to total energy amount in other pulse application periods that follow one pulse application period is made smaller. |
| US08654157B2 |
Image display device and image display method
Disclosed is an image display device including an image signal input section (2), an overshoot operation section (3) that, when an image signal is inputted from outside one frame at a time, corrects the gradation level of the inputted image signal for a frame, a frame memory (4) that stores the corrected image signal of the frame, and a sub-frame division processing section (5) that time-divides the corrected and stored image signal of the frame into a plurality of sub-frame periods. The overshoot operation section (3) corrects the gradation level of an image signal of a frame according to a relation between the corrected gradation level of the image signal of a frame immediately preceding the frame, which is stored of the frame memory (4), and the gradation level of the image signal of the frame. Thus, the costs can be reduced, the device can be made compact, and the power consumption can be suppressed. |
| US08654152B2 |
Compartmentalizing focus area within field of view
A system and method are disclosed for selectively focusing on certain areas of interest within an imaged scene to gain more image detail within those areas. In general, the present system identifies areas of interest from received image data, which may for example be detected areas of movement within the scene. The system then focuses on those areas by providing more detail in the area of interest. This may be accomplished by a number of methods, including zooming in on the image, increasing pixel density of the image and increasing the amount of light incident on the object in the image. |
| US08654150B2 |
External fixator deformity correction systems and methods
Systems and methods for planning and optimizing bone deformity correction treatments using external fixators. A computer system generates a display of a tiltable ellipse superimposed on digital medical image(s) (radiograph), the ellipse representing a ring of an external fixator attachable to the patient's bone. Based on axial and azimuthal ring rotation user input, the system calculates a 3D position of the resulting graphical representation of the ring. User input controls translation of ring(s). Strut position user input identifies 3D positions for the external fixator struts. Based on graphical input defining 3D biological rate-limiting points for treatment, the system calculates a 3D bone correction speed and/or a number of treatment days, and generates a graphical simulation of this treatment. Further, the system generates a correction plan specifying for each strut a daily sequence of strut lengths and preferred strut sizes, to minimize strut replacements. |
| US08654149B2 |
System and method for displaying enhanced vision and synthetic images
A vehicle display system displays enhanced vision images augmented with selected features of synthetic vision images that correspond to features of the enhanced vision images. The selection of the features may be predetermined, made by the pilot, or based on the operational status of the aircraft. |
| US08654147B2 |
Apparatus for generating raster images, raster image generating method, and storage medium
An apparatus segments an image region of raster image data. The apparatus converts an image region where same-colored data continues in a range of equal to or greater than a threshold value into solid-colored data. The apparatus switches between compositing processing procedures for each image region. |
| US08654146B2 |
Method and apparatus for rendering a computer-generated image
A method and apparatus for rendering a computer generated image using a stencil buffer is described. The method divides an arbitrary closed polygonal contour into first and higher level primitives, where first level primitives correspond to contiguous vertices in the arbitrary closed polygonal contour and higher level primitives correspond to the end vertices of consecutive primitives of the immediately preceding primitive level. The method reduces the level of overdraw when rendering the arbitrary polygonal contour using a stencil buffer compared to other image space methods. A method of producing the primitives in an interleaved order, with second and higher level primitives being produced before the final first level primitives of the contour, is described which improves cache hit rate by reusing more vertices between primitives as they are produced. |
| US08654144B2 |
3D/2D multiprimary color image device and method for controlling the same
A 3D /2D multiprimary color image device is provided with an optical unit to direct one image to the left eye and another image to the right eye. Each color dot of the multiprimary color image device comprises at least two color sections controlled independently. To display a 3D image, one section of a color dot is for displaying a left eye image while another section of the same color dot is for displaying a right eye image. To display a 2D image, both sections of a color dot for the left eye and for the right eye displaying the same image independently. |
| US08654142B2 |
Accurate color display device
A color accurate display device is configured to receive an encoded first color space having a first gamut from a set of encoded primaries {R, G, B} and a first white point. The device includes a display panel having an active area configured for an encoded second color space having a second white point and a set of native primaries each with a characterized tone response with respect to the second color space and a measured tone response from the display panel, the primaries having a second gamut larger than and including the first gamut. Also included is a color space conversion circuit configured to convert the set of encoded primaries {R, G, B} and first white point of the first color space to the set of native primaries and second white point compensating for each characterized tone response of the second color space. |
| US08654141B2 |
Techniques for adapting a color gamut
Techniques are described that can be used to provide color space conversion for images and video to a display color gamut space. Some techniques provide for accessing an sRGB gamut color table, determining a color conversion matrix based on the sRGB gamut color table and chromaticity values of RGBW primary and gamma stored in the display or associated with the display, applying color space conversion to the pixels for pixels using the color conversion matrix, and applying linear correction of pixels by applying a normalization factor to the color conversion matrix. In addition, some techniques provide analysis of content gamut with respect to display gamut in HSV space, adjustment in HSV space, and conversion back to RGB space before applying color space conversion. |
| US08654140B2 |
Image processor, image display device, and image processing method
An image processor that corrects an image signal supplied to an image display section, includes: a luminance component correction amount calculating section that calculates the amount of correction of a luminance component of the image signal according to visual environment only for an image signal in a predetermined luminance level range in a predetermined spatial frequency band; and a luminance component correcting section that corrects the luminance component of the image signal using the amount of correction calculated by the luminance component correction amount calculating section. |
| US08654134B2 |
Command remoting
Various techniques for remoting graphics are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. |
| US08654131B2 |
Video image processing apparatus and video image processing method
To present relevant information about an object of interest to a viewer in an appropriate timing based on the display state of objects that appear in a video image. A video image processing apparatus 10 processes the additional information including content data and relevant information about the respective objects. A display feature information calculation unit 107 acquires frame data indicating the display state of an object to be displayed in each frame constituting video data and calculates display feature information about the object to be displayed in each frame. A frame evaluation unit 108 evaluates a frame using an evaluation criteria relating to the degree of attention of the object within a frame based on the calculated display feature information. A display timing determination unit 109 determines a frame at which displaying relevant information about the object is to be started in accordance with the frame evaluation result. A display data generation unit 110 generates data for displaying relevant information about an object, and a superimpose unit 104 superimposes the data with video data, and output the superimposed data to a display unit 105. |
| US08654128B2 |
Method and arrangement for outputting residual errors for a function customized to a set of points
The invention is directed to a method and an arrangement for displaying residual errors of a function which is fitted to a set of points. In the prior art, the residual errors are displayed in a separate graph apart from the function graph so that it is difficult for an observer to discern the quality of the fit of the function to the data points. An improved method and an improved arrangement make it possible to visually assess the quality of the fit in a simple, accurate manner. According to the invention, visual codes are assigned to the fitted function or to the data points of the point set piecewise or pointwise depending on the residual errors, and the fitted function is displayed graphically at an interface, wherein the fitted function is displayed piecewise or pointwise in the form of the assigned visual codes. The invention is preferably used for raster image spectroscopy with laser scanning microscopes. |
| US08654127B2 |
Method, device arrangement and computer program product for producing identity graphs for analyzing communication network
A method, a device arrangement and a computer program product for examining and analyzing the functioning of a communication network. In one or more taps of the examined communication network there is a network probe which examines communication packets flowing in the communication network via a tap and searches for identities and their relations from their header information. Identities and relations between them are used to create an identity flow which is used to create an identity graph for describing the operation of the communication network. A network probe(s) sends all or a part of the data of the traffic of the communication network it has collected or analyzed to a supervisor unit. The data is sent according to previously given instructions or by a request sent by the supervisor unit. The identities and relations between them to be included in the identity graph are chosen according to predetermined modifiers. |
| US08654125B2 |
System and method of chart data layout
A chart data layout system and method of processing chart data in a report is provided. An example chart data layout system comprises a query module for decomposing required data into required data queries, a chart layout module for rendering a chart based upon chart data received from the queries, a category module for displaying category aggregate information in a category location of a chart, and a series module for displaying series aggregate information in a series location of the chart. An example method comprises decomposing required data into queries, retrieving queried data, rendering a chart based upon the queried data, rendering category information on a category label of the chart based upon queried data, and rendering series information on a series label of the chart based upon queried data. |
| US08654122B2 |
Method, apparatus, and computer program product for improved graphics performance
This relates to a generation of digitally represented graphics. A first representation of a group of vertices is received. A second representation of said group of vertices is determined based on said first representation. A first set of instructions is executed on said second representation of said group of vertices for providing a third representation of said group of vertices, said first set of instructions being associated with vertex position determination. The third representation of said group of vertices is subjected to a culling process. |
| US08654120B2 |
Visualizing a custom product in situ
Techniques are described for visualizing a product at the actual location in the environment at which the product is to be used or displayed. An embodiment of the approaches described herein may be used in the context of a computer-based system that can receive and store digital images, receive a request to manufacture a custom framed product including an identification of an image to be framed and a type of mat and/or frame, and display a preview image of the custom framed product that simulates the actual appearance of the product as closely as possible. With such a system, the preview image may be highly realistic under idealized lighting and display conditions. |
| US08654113B2 |
Ultra-low-power display control circuit and associated method
An ultra-low-power display control circuit and associated method is provided. The ultra-low-power display control circuit comprises a power conversion controller, a first capacitor, a transforming device, a second capacitor, a regulator, an opto-coupler and a display controller. The first capacitor couples to the power conversion controller and the transforming device. The transforming device converts the relatively-high voltage to a relatively-low voltage. The second capacitor stabilizes the relatively-low voltage. The regulator regulates the relatively-low voltage to generate a regulated voltage output. The display controller is powered by the regulated voltage output. The display controller controls the magnitude of a coupling current of the opto-coupler to activate or deactivate the power conversion controller. |
| US08654107B2 |
Shading signal generating circuit
A shading signal generating circuit includes an output port, a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, a first control unit, a second control unit, and a resistor. The output port is electrically connected to the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch. The first switch is electrically connected to a first voltage source and switched on according to a clock signal. The second switch is electrically connected to a second voltage source. The first control unit converts the clock signal to an inverse clock signal, thereby outputting a switch signal for switching on the second switch. The resistor is connected between a third voltage source and the third switch in series. The third switch controls the electric connection between the output port and the third voltage source. The second control unit switches on the third switch according to the inverse clock signal and the switch signal. |
| US08654106B2 |
Stylus based haptic peripheral for touch screen and tablet devices
A system, method, and computer program product for automatically providing a haptic stylus based interface for enhanced user interaction with touch screen devices are disclosed. The stylus communicates with the touch screen device to report stylus operating information from onboard sensors, and to receive application program instructions defining feedback and friction forces to be applied by onboard actuators. The applied feedback and friction forces may be independently controlled. Friction forces are provided via a rolling contact ball gripping mechanism that mimics varying physical engagement between the contact ball and a touch screen display surface by controlling the relative rotational freedom of the contact ball. Embodiments of the invention enable a haptic stylus to mimic three-dimensional interactions for gaming, object manipulation and sculpting, and non-contact proximity-based stylus operation scenarios. |
| US08654097B2 |
Electrostatic capacitive touch sensor device
An electrostatic capacitive touch sensor device includes sensing electrode provided at a plurality of positions, a high-frequency signal source that applies a high-frequency signal to the sensing electrode through a predetermined impedance element, a wiring portion that connects the sensing electrode and the impedance element, a shield portion provided to embrace the sensing electrodes and the connecting pattern, and a shield signal source that applies a shield signal to the shield portion and has the same phase and amplitude as the high-frequency signal source. |
| US08654093B2 |
Information processing apparatus
An information processing apparatus includes a touch panel which displays pieces of identification information including letters, figures, and symbols and detects a contact of the panel with a finger of a user or other object. When the touch panel detects the contact of the panel, a detection unit specifies identification information of one or more of the multiple pieces of identification information displayed on the touch panel, indicated by a position at which the contact in question occurred. The detection unit also detects an area of part of the panel where the contact occurred. A storage unit stores reference identification information and a reference area range. A control unit performs particular processing upon matching of the detected identification information with the stored reference identification information and the area of the contact detected by the detection unit falling within the stored reference area range. |
| US08654092B2 |
Touch panel incorporating display device
In a touch panel incorporating a display device, a first sensor line (120) narrower than a first dummy line (130) is disposed on an interlayer insulating film (240) formed on an insulating substrate (100) at a location corresponding to a first dummy line (130), and a second sensor line (150) narrower than the data line (140) is formed on the interlayer insulating film (240) at the location corresponding to the data line (140). The first sensor line (120) and the second sensor line (150) are disposed such that they do not extend beyond the widths of the first dummy line (130) and the data line (140), respectively, when observed in a plan view. Provided is a touch panel incorporating a display device in which the locations of the first sensor line (120) and the second sensor line (150) are adjusted to prevent the aperture ratio reduction in the display element section (11). |
| US08654091B2 |
Mobile terminal and method for controlling mobile terminal
A mobile terminal is provided. The mobile terminal comprises: a touchscreen controllable to display at least one home screen or a lock screen; and a controller configured to: control the touchscreen to display the at least one home screen when the mobile terminal is in a standby state, one of the at least one home screen displaying at least one application object including one or more widget objects; and control the touchscreen to display the lock screen when the mobile terminal is switched from the standby state to a locked state. The lock screen displays a specific widget object of the one or more widget objects if the specific widget object was selected by a user for the lock screen. |
| US08654088B2 |
Display, display driving method, and electronic apparatus
A display includes: a display section having a plurality of pixels provided in a region where a first substrate and a second substrate are disposed opposite to each other; a switch provided in the region where the first substrate and the second substrate are disposed opposite to each other, the switch having two electrodes closed by a pressure from outside; a detecting section comparing a signal from the switch with a reference signal to determine whether the switch is closed or not; and a precharge section applying a precharge potential to a wiring in continuity with one of the electrodes of the switch prior to the detection at the detecting section. |
| US08654083B2 |
Touch screen liquid crystal display
Disclosed herein are liquid-crystal display (LCD) touch screens that integrate the touch sensing elements with the display circuitry. The integration may take a variety of forms. Touch sensing elements can be completely implemented within the LCD stackup but outside the not between the color filter plate and the array plate. Alternatively, some touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates with other touch sensing elements not between the plates. In another alternative, all touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates. The latter alternative can include both conventional and in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. In some forms, one or more display structures can also have a touch sensing function. Techniques for manufacturing and operating such displays, as well as various devices embodying such displays are also disclosed. |
| US08654082B2 |
Digital book
A digital book comprising a casing which is adapted to be folded open and shut like a book and which has at least one folding axis (A), a main part (1) and at least one secondary part (2), said parts together forming a book back part (BR). A display unit consists of at least two parts and is arranged in such a way that when the casing is folded out, the main part (1) and the at least one secondary part (2) are each presented to the user with at least one screen each, like pages of a book, for looking at or optionally, for working on as required. The digital book contains a control unit with means for receiving, storing, processing and reproducing information, and at least one operating unit (6) with operating elements for using the digital book as a device for receiving/processing/reproducing information. Furthermore, there is provided a supply unit (VE) which is designed such that it has a receiving opening (VE′) and a guide and supply pin (7), by means of which the digital book can be plugged in when the casing is folded shut, for inputting and outputting information, for supplying energy and for storing the digital book. |
| US08654079B1 |
Inputting data into a mobile device using a dynamically configured number pad
Systems, products, and methods are disclosed for facilitating a method of mapping a numerical keypad to keys of a keyboard on a mobile communications device based on an initial selection of an edge key. One embodiment of the method includes receiving input by way of a given key of the keypad and then dynamically configuring that given key to be a numerical key of a numerical keypad. In particular, input received by way of the numerical key is interpreted as a corresponding numeral regardless of a prior configuration associated with the numerical key. Further, keys of a keyboard within a proximity of the numerical key are mapped to remaining numerical keys of the numerical keypad. |
| US08654078B2 |
Power saving system for a handheld communication device having a reduced alphabetic keyboard
Method and arrangement that provides a power-saving mode for a handheld electronic device having a reduced alphabetic keyboard. The power-saving mode is enabled through disabling a sensor that detects motion of a ball of the trackball navigation tool and disabling the display screen of the handheld electronic device. The power-saving mode may be exited before disablement of the sensor when the display screen is disabled first. |
| US08654077B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting tap
Provided is an apparatus and method for detecting a tap. The apparatus includes a sensor configured to detect a motion and output a signal corresponding to the motion, a gradient calculating unit connected to the sensor to calculate a gradient of the output signal from the sensor, a similarity determining unit connected to the gradient calculating unit to determine a similarity between a rising gradient and a falling gradient of a curve of the output signal, a tap determining unit connected to the similarity determining unit to determine detection of a tap according to the determination result of the similarity determining unit, and an output unit configured to output the determination result of the tap determining unit. |
| US08654071B2 |
Electronic paper display device and method of manufacturing the same
There are provided an electronic paper display device and a method of manufacturing the same. The electronic paper display device includes first and second substrates disposed to be opposite to each other with a predetermined interval therebetween; barrier ribs formed between the first and second substrates and providing a plurality of cell spaces; first display units disposed in the cell spaces; and second display units inserted into at least one region of the first substrate, the second substrate, and the barrier ribs. Whereby, the image precision of the electronic paper display device may be improved and the contrast and brightness thereof may be improved. |
| US08654069B2 |
Display device
In a display device, pixel electrodes I, II and III corresponding to color filters R, G and B are coupled to TFTs which are turned on in accordance with signals on gate lines G, and the drain (source) of the TFT coupled to the pixel electrode II is connected with the source (drain) of the TFT coupled to the pixel electrode III. A signal voltage is written in the pixel electrode I when the gate line G1a is in the “on” state, a signal voltage is written in the pixel electrode II when the gate line G1b is in the “on” state, and a signal voltage is written in the pixel electrode III when the gate lines G1a and G1b are both in the “on” state. Signal voltages are written in the pixel electrodes III, I and II in this order mentioned. |
| US08654068B2 |
Enhanced resolution of luminance levels in a backlight unit of a display device
Disclosed embodiments relate to techniques for enhancing luminance resolution in a backlight unit. A backlight unit may have light-emitting diode (LED) light sources arranged in strings. In one embodiment, a backlight controller provides enhanced luminance resolution by drive each LED string at either first or second consecutive luminance values corresponding to first and second duty cycles of a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal. The outputs of the LED strings are optically mixed to achieve intermediate luminance values between the first and second luminance values. In another embodiment, a reference voltage is adjusted using slight voltage offsets to achieve intermediate luminance values between the first and second luminance values |
| US08654063B2 |
Photo-sensing type touch panel embedded liquid crystal display device and method for driving the same
A photo-sensing type touch panel embedded liquid crystal display device and a method for driving same are disclosed, where the device includes a liquid crystal panel includes a touch sensor provided in each of n pixels, where n is a Natural Number; a ROIC readout part which receives a readout voltage value from readout lines provided in the touch panel embedded liquid crystal panel; an ADC conversion part which converts an analog voltage value transmitted to the ROIC readout part into a digital value; a calculation part which calculates a calculated value by subtracting a corresponding value detected from the ADC conversion part when no-backlight is applied from a value detected from the ADC conversion part when a backlight is applied; and a position detection part for detecting a touch point on the photo-sensing type touch panel if the calculated value from the calculation part is beyond a predetermined value. |
| US08654058B2 |
Apparatus and method for enhancing image contrast
An apparatus for enhancing image contrast includes a micro-processor which presets a plurality of thresholds, such as a black threshold and a white threshold. When determining the brightness of an image is lower than the black threshold, the micro-processor decreases the illumination level of a light source. When determining the brightness of an image is higher than the white threshold, the micro-processor increases the illumination level of the light source. A method for enhancing image contrast includes the steps of receiving an image data; determining whether the brightness of an image is lower than the black threshold; if yes, decreasing the illumination level of the light source; determining whether the brightness of the image is higher than the white threshold; and if yes, increasing the illumination level of the light source. |
| US08654055B2 |
Gate driving circuit and display device having the gate driving circuit
A gate driving circuit includes a first shift register and a second shift register for driving odd gate lines. The first shift register includes a first plurality of cascade-connected stages that sequentially output a plurality of first gate signals. A first stage of the first shift register receives a first vertical start signal. The second shift register includes a second plurality of cascade-connected stages to sequentially output a plurality of second gate signals. The first stage of the second shift register receives an output signal of the first stage of the first shift register as its vertical start signal. A data charging rate may be improved by ensuring the timing margin of each gate signal, so that the driving reliability of the gate driving circuit may be improved. |
| US08654054B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and driving method thereof
Disclosed herein are a liquid crystal display device which is capable of driving a liquid crystal using image signals supplied to two adjacent data lines, and a driving method thereof. The liquid crystal display device has a plurality of liquid crystal cells formed respectively in pixel areas defined by intersections of n gate lines and m data lines. Each of the liquid crystal cells includes a thin film transistor connected to any one of the gate lines and any one of two data lines adjacent respectively to left and right sides of a corresponding one of the liquid crystal cells, among the data lines, and a liquid crystal capacitor and a storage capacitor each formed between the other one of the two adjacent data lines and the thin film transistor. |
| US08654053B2 |
Liquid crystal display device, manufacturing method and repair method thereof
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device is provided. The LCD device comprises a data signal line in a first plane and a common electrode line in a second plane, and the common electrode line comprises an intersection region, which is a region where a projection of the common electrode line in the first plane overlaps with a region of the data signal line. The intersection region comprises a plurality of narrow common electrode lines. |
| US08654051B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method of driving the same
A liquid crystal display device includes: a liquid crystal panel; a temperature sensing means configured to measure a real-time temperature of the liquid crystal panel; a backlight unit configured to supply a light to the liquid crystal panel; a control unit configured to convert an image signal into an RGB signal and to convert a first dimming signal to a second dimming signal according to the real-time temperature; and an inverter unit configured to adjust the backlight unit using the second dimming signal. |
| US08654049B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
Each of pixels of a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention includes a reflective region R and a transmissive region T. A pixel electrode 14 includes a reflective pixel electrode 15 and a transparent pixel electrode 14. The liquid crystal display device includes a pair of vertical alignment films 32a, 32b respectively provided between the pixel electrode 14 and a liquid crystal layer 42 and between a counter electrode 24 and the liquid crystal layer 42; and a pair of alignment sustaining layers 34a, 34b respectively provided on surfaces of the pair of vertical alignment films on the liquid crystal layer side and formed of a photopolymerization product. The first substrate or the second substrate has a plurality of protrusions 23A provided in correspondence with the reflective regions of the plurality of pixels and protruding toward the liquid crystal layer. Regarding any row, a distance between two protrusions adjacent to each other in a row direction is larger than a distance between two pixels adjacent to each other. According to the present invention, a transreflective type liquid crystal display device having a multi-gap structure, in which light spots are not generated even when the PSA technology is applied, is provided. |
| US08654048B2 |
Apparatus and method for displaying a video image
A method of displaying a video image comprises receiving sequential image frames at a processor. Each image frame is processed to obtain a kinoform. A programmable diffractive element such as an SLM represents the sequence of kinoforms allowing reproduction of the image using a suitable illumination beam. |
| US08654045B2 |
Display and method for manufacturing display
According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a display that includes a pixel array part having a plurality of pixel circuits that are arranged in a matrix and each have at least one transistor of which conduction state is controlled through reception of a drive signal to a control terminal, and a scanner including a plurality of buffers that are formed of transistors. The buffers correspond to a pixel arrangement and output a drive signal to the control terminals of the transistors included in the pixel circuits. The transistors in the pixel circuits and the transistors in the buffers are formed through irradiation with laser light that is moved for scanning in a predetermined direction and has a predetermined wavelength. The transistors in the buffers are formed in such a way that the channel length direction of the transistors is set parallel to the scan direction of the laser light. |
| US08654044B2 |
Display device, picture signal processing method, and program
There is provided a display device including a display unit having pixels, each of which includes a luminescence element that individually becomes luminous depending on a current amount and a pixel circuit for controlling a current applied to the luminescence element according to a voltage signal, where the pixels are arranged in a matrix pattern. The display device includes an average luminance calculator (200) for calculating average luminance for a predetermined period of the input picture signal, and also includes a luminous time setter (202) for setting an effective duty depending on the calculated average luminance by the average luminance calculator (200), the effective duty regulating for each one frame a luminous time for which the luminescence element is luminous. The luminous time setter (202) sets the effective duty such that a luminescence amount regulated by a preset reference duty and possible maximum luminance of a picture signal. |
| US08654043B2 |
Organic electroluminescence display device and method for driving the same
In an organic electroluminescence display device (30) comprising an organic EL element (26) having a structure wherein an organic luminescent medium (24) is sandwiched between a top electrode (20) and a bottom electrode (22), and a driving circuit (14) for driving the organic EL element (26), the organic luminescent medium (24) comprises a host compound and a triplet-related luminous compound and the driving circuit (14) applies a electric pulse voltage or pulse current having a frequency of 30 Hz or more and a duty ratio of 1/5 or less. In this way, it is possible to provide an organic EL display device which consumes a low electric power and has a long luminous life span, and a method for driving the same. |
| US08654042B2 |
Display apparatus and display driving method
A display apparatus includes: a pixel array in which pixel circuits each having a light emitting device, a drive transistor, a sampling transistor, and a retention capacity; a signal selector that supplies threshold correction reference voltages and a video signal voltages as to signal lines arranged in columns on the pixel array; a drive control scanner that provides power supply pulses to power supply control lines arranged in rows on the pixel array and applies drive voltages to the drive transistors; and a write scanner that provides scan pulses to write control lines arranged in rows on the pixel array to control the sampling transistors and executes input of the threshold correction reference voltages and the video signal voltages to the pixel circuits, and brings the sampling transistors into conduction by the scan pulses at plural times when the signal line voltages are the threshold correction reference voltages in order to execute plural threshold corrections in non-emission periods of one light emission cycles of the pixels circuits. |
| US08654041B2 |
Organic light emitting display device having more uniform luminance and method of driving the same
An organic light emitting display device includes a scan driver for sequentially supplying a scan signal through scan lines; a data driver for supplying an initial power through data lines during a first period of a time period when the scan signal is supplied through a corresponding scan line of the scan lines, and for supplying data signals to the data lines during a second period of the time period when the scan signal is supplied through the corresponding scan line, the second period following the first period; and pixels at crossing regions of the scan lines and the data lines. |
| US08654036B2 |
Data processing apparatus which transmits data for display to external display device, data output method, and data output program
In order to easily display data on a display device, an MFP connected to a plurality of television conference terminal devices each displaying data stores device information in an HDD for a respective one of the television conference terminal devices, to store a format in which the corresponding terminal device inputs data. The MFP includes a data acquiring portion to acquire data, an output destination accepting portion to accept an output destination of data, a conversion portion, when one of the television conference terminal devices is accepted as an output destination device which is the output destination of data, to convert a format of the acquired data to the format stored corresponding to the output destination device in the device information, and a communication control portion to output the data converted by the conversion portion to the output destination device. |
| US08654035B2 |
Reflector latching mechanism for segmented reflectors used in satellite communication systems
There is provided an antenna reflector including at least first and second reflector segments, each having first and second sides. The first and second reflector segments being configured to be connected together wherein the first sides of the first and second reflector segments define a substantially continuous surface of an antenna reflector. A first latch member is attached to the second side of the first reflector segment and a second latch member is attached to the second side of the second reflector segment. Each latch member includes an abutting surface which contacts one another when the first and second reflector segments are connected together. At least one protrusion extends from the abutting surface of the first latch member. There is at least one recess in the abutting surface of the second latch member. The protrusion is received in the recess when the respective abutting surfaces contact one another. |
| US08654034B2 |
Dynamically reconfigurable feed network for multi-element planar array antenna
A dynamically-reconfigurable feed network antenna having a microstrip patchwork radiating surface wherein individual radiating patches and elements of a stripline feed structure can be connected to and disconnected from each other via photoconductive interconnections. Commands from software alternately turn light from light emitting sources on or off, the light or lack thereof being channeled from an underside layer of the antenna so as to enable or disable the photoconductive interconnections. The resultant connection or disconnection of the radiating patches to each other and to the stripline feed structure will vary the antenna's frequency, bandwidth, and beam pointing. |
| US08654032B2 |
Apparatus for multiple antennas in wireless communication system
An apparatus for multiple antennas having a low coupling coefficient in a wide frequency bandwidth in a wireless communication system is provided. To obtain the low coupling coefficient in the wide frequency bandwidth by minimizing interference between antennas which are close to each other, without an additional device, in the wireless communication system, the apparatus includes a transceiver and a line for decreasing a coupling coefficient. The transmitter includes a first antenna and a second antenna for transmitting and receiving signals over a radio channel and the line is indirectly connected the first antenna and the second antenna using a physically disconnected line. |
| US08654027B2 |
Antenna arrangement
An antenna arrangement (200, 300, 400) with antenna units (220, 230) comprising an input port (201, 202), a power divider (202, 204) for dividing an input signal into a major and a minor part with a ratio 11, a network (211, 216) with a sum input port, a difference input port, and first and second output ports, first (215, 217) and second antenna (214, 218) elements of a first and a second polarization. Signals to the sum input port are output with a first relation between them and signals to the difference input port are output with a second phase relation. The antenna units are arranged so that the major part of an input signal is connected to the sum port of a network and the minor part of an input signal is connected to the difference port of another network, and the first and second output ports of a network are connected to first and second adjacent antenna elements of the same polarization. |
| US08654026B2 |
Antenna module
An antenna module includes a substrate, a main radiation structure, a strip-shaped radiation structure, a grounding structure, a shorting structure, a parasitic radiation structure and a metal radiation member. An acute angle is included between a first edge of the main radiation structure and a longitudinal edge of the substrate. The main radiation structure has a signal feeding portion and a connecting portion. The strip-shaped radiation structure is extended from a second edge of the main radiation structure. The shorting structure is U-shaped. A first end of the shorting structure is connected to the signal feeding portion and a second end of the shorting structure is connected to the grounding structure. The parasitic radiation structure is extended from the grounding structure and parallel to the first edge. A constant distance is between the parasitic radiation structure and the first edge. The metal radiation member is connected to the connecting portion. |
| US08654020B2 |
Antenna having capacitive element
An antenna having a capacitive element is disclosed. Herein, the antenna is configured of a radiator, a ground plane being spaced apart to a predetermined distance from the radiator, a ground pin electrically connected to the radiator and the ground plane, a capacitive element located between the radiator and the ground plane, a first branch arm electrically connecting the capacitive element and the radiator, and a second branch arm electrically connecting the capacitive element and the ground plane. Thus, multiple band and broad band characteristics can be realized by the simple structure of the antenna. |
| US08654017B1 |
Antenna tile device and cold plate
A method, system, and device relating to a broad-band fragmented aperture tile and antenna system are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, an aperture tile comprises a plurality of unit cells. The plurality of unit cells individually comprise a driven radiating element layer, a module layer having a printed circuit board, wherein the module layer comprises one or more of a time delay module, a radio frequency distribution module, a radio frequency module, or a digital signal processor. Furthermore the aperture tile is coupled to a cold plate configured for heat transfer. |
| US08654015B2 |
Antenna, adjustment method thereof, and electronic device in which the antenna is mounted
An antenna used in wireless communication, provided with an antenna element and a GND portion on a dielectric board and mounted in an electronic device, includes a open conductor having a high-frequency connection to the GND portion at an end of the dielectric board in the opposing corner direction from a power supply point of the antenna element. The length of the GND portion in the vertical direction relative to the propagation direction of a high-frequency signal is less than ¼ the wavelength of the operating frequency of the antenna element. |
| US08654013B2 |
Multi-band antenna
An antenna includes a base, a first radiating element, and second radiating element. The first radiating element is open at a first end thereof, is connected to a ground point at a second end thereof, and resonates in a substantially ¼ wavelength mode in a first communication frequency band. A feed line is connected between a first feed point and a predetermined position between the first end and the second end of the first radiating element. The second radiating element has a first end that is a second feed point, a second end that is connected to the ground point, and resonates in a substantially ½ wavelength mode in a second communication frequency band. A distance from the ground point to the second feed point is longer than a distance from the ground point to the first feed point. |
| US08654012B2 |
Tag antenna using microstrip line, method of manufacturing the same and radio frequency identification tag
Disclosed is a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag antenna. The tag antenna includes a lower dielectric substrate and an upper dielectric substrate. The lower dielectric substrate is provided at a lower surface thereof with a ground plane and at an upper surface thereof with two microstrip lines. The microstrip lines each have an open-end, the open ends spaced apart from each other from a middle of the lower dielectric substrate while facing each other to form a radiating slot from which radiation of electromagnetic waves occurs. The upper dielectric substrate is provided at an upper surface thereof with at least one electric capacitive device and is stacked on the lower dielectric substrate. The RFID tag antenna enhances radiation efficiency while achieving miniaturization. |
| US08654009B2 |
Prediction refresh method for ephemeris extensions
Systems, methods and devices for using ephemeris data in GNSS receivers and systems are provided. Receivers using synthetic ephemeris data for longer ephemeris availability under poor reception conditions are updated using a variety of techniques that allow for the transfer of accurate information onto degraded synthetic ephemeris information. |
| US08654006B2 |
Integrated circuit comprising frequency generation circuitry for controlling a frequency source
An integrated circuit comprises frequency generation circuitry for controlling a frequency source for an automotive radar system. The frequency generation circuitry comprises a Phase Locked Loop (PLL) arranged to generate a control signal for controlling the frequency source, a fractional-N divider located within a feedback loop of the PLL, and frequency pattern control logic operably coupled to the fractional-N divider and arranged to control the fractional-N divider, by way of a frequency control signal, such that the PLL generates a Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) control signal. |
| US08654000B2 |
Time-interleaved analog-to-digital converter for signals in any Nyquist zone
Processing a signal by receiving an analog input signal located outside of a first Nyquist zone that is between 0 and fs/2; passing the analog input signal through an M-channel time-interleaved analog-to-digital converter (TI-ADC) to generate a TI-ADC output signal; and estimating and correcting a timing skew error in the TI-ADC output signal. Alternatively, an electronic circuit that includes an input for an analog input signal, an M-channel time-interleaved analog-to-digital converter (TI-ADC) and a timing skew error estimating and correcting circuitry. The analog input signal is located outside of a first Nyquist zone that is between 0 and fs/2. The TI-ADC receives the analog input signal and generates a TI-ADC output signal. The timing skew error estimating and correcting circuitry estimates and corrects a timing skew error in the TI-ADC output signal. |
| US08653992B1 |
Data compression optimization
Systems and methods for optimizing the compression of data using a dictionary coding compression system are described. A system performs an initial compression operation, such as by using a dictionary or other coder. The system then refines the compression by performing an iterative backward reference search for an optimized compressed file. |
| US08653990B2 |
Stall management system
A method and system for indicating a potential stall condition for an aircraft during flight. An alert lift coefficient is identified for the aircraft. The alert lift coefficient is adjusted in response to a number of changes in a current state of the aircraft. A set of thresholds is identified for use in generating an alert indicating that the aircraft has reached the potential stall condition using the alert lift coefficient. |
| US08653989B1 |
External adaptive control systems and methods
An external adaptive control system and method control a traffic signal controller assembly. The external adaptive control system determines a non-linear schedule with one or more states corresponding to one or more individual phases with each state having a start time and a duration. The external adaptive control system generates presence data for reception by the controller assembly for each state and its associated duration. |
| US08653985B2 |
Shutdown system
A production shutdown system for an underwater hydrocarbon production facility, comprising, on the topside:a safety system, anda communications module;and, underwater;drive control means, andan underwater communications component;wherein in use safety signals are passed from the safety system to the drive control means via the topside communications module and the underwater communications component, and wherein the safety system and drive control means are rated according to a prescribed safety level but the communications module and underwater communications component are not so rated. |
| US08653979B2 |
Gas flow and pressure error alarm
A gas flow warning alarm device to produce an alarm indication when the gas flow rate in a pressurized gas system violates at least one predetermined limit. The alarm device includes a gas flow sensing and error signaling subassembly to generate an error signal upon sensing a violative gas flow rate, and an indicator subassembly activatable by an error signal to produce an alarm indication. The gas flow warning alarm device responds both to the depletion of a pressurized gas reservoir and to blockages and disconnections in a gas line downstream of a regulator. A method for detecting gas flow malfunctions in a pressurized gas system. A reservoir changing device to open a filled reserve reservoir of gas to a pressurized gas system upon receiving an alarm indication that pressure in a primary gas reservoir has fallen below a predetermined limit. |
| US08653976B2 |
Combination of a portable monitoring device and a portable drip infusion set and a method of monitoring a portable drip infusion set
There is provided a combination of a portable monitoring device for monitoring a portable drip infusion set for use in hospitals and the like and the portable drip infusion set, preferably being of the type comprising a liquid supply, a drip chamber downstream of the liquid supply for forming liquid drops and a flexible tube connecting the drip chamber with an injection needle. |
| US08653973B2 |
Device and its use for deterring wearing and returning of merchandise
Provided is a device for deterring purchase-wear-return of merchandise, particularly women's dresses, by a consumer. |
| US08653972B2 |
Compact wireless recessed sensor with plunger switch
A compact wireless security sensor having a magnetically operated plunger switch. The compact nature of the sensor of the present invention makes it ideal for being substantially concealing into a door frame or window as part of a wireless security system. The sensor unit includes a housing having an inner end, an outer end, and a magnet positioned within a moveable plunger, and an antenna, preferably a flexible wire antenna. The housing further contains a sensor switch, a microprocessor with a PCB, a wireless transmitter, such as an RF transmitter, and a power source, such as a small coin cell battery, for emitting signals to a master station or controller when the plunger switch is depressed and activates the internal sensor switch. |
| US08653971B2 |
Sensor tape for security detection and method of fabrication
A sensor in the form of an elongated flexible tape has a signal path made from electrical wire or optical fiber which extends between one end and another end of the tape. The electrical wires or optical fibers are disposed in spaced relation across the width and along the length of the tape and are terminated in connectors at the endpoints of the tape. The connectors may be integrated into a signal detector to interface with communication links. The tape is a material that is non-conductive and in which the wires or optical fibers may be woven, disposed or embedded in some manner. One or more layers of flexible material can be laminated on respective sides of the sensor tape to provide a robust laminated or bonded structure that can be rolled and unrolled from a reel. An adhesive layer and a removable layer can be provided to protect the adhesive layer prior to use. An overcoat of outer layer resin may be applied. |
| US08653966B2 |
System for seamless and secure networking of implantable medical devices, electronic patch devices and wearable devices
A system level scheme for networking of implantable devices, electronic patch devices/sensors coupled to the body, and wearable sensors/devices with cellular telephone/mobile devices, peripheral devices and remote servers is described. |
| US08653964B2 |
Anticipatory responses to commands
Responsive to intercepting an outbound command, a command interceptor may, upon determining that the command is associated with a particular category of commands, transmit an anticipatory response to the source of the command, for example, to prematurely indicate that the command has met with success. Accordingly, a given application whose further execution is dependent upon the successful completion of the command may further execute earlier than would be the case if the given application was to await the transmission of the command, the generation of a response indicating success and the receipt of the response indicating success. |
| US08653960B2 |
Vehicle gauge for displaying electric mode status and method of doing the same
A vehicle gauge and method for displaying an electric mode status of a vehicle that can operate in both an electric mode and one or more alternative modes. According to one exemplary embodiment, the method evaluates a number of throttle and non-throttle conditions and allocates portions of the total range of the vehicle gauge to these conditions. Based on these allocations, the method determines an overall vehicle gauge position that is representative of the electric mode status of the vehicle and provides this to the vehicle gauge so that the electric mode status can be displayed to the driver. |
| US08653953B2 |
Odometer verification and reporting using a telematics-equipped vehicle
A system and method for providing an odometer verification for a vehicle. The method carried out by the system includes the steps of: (a) receiving authorization from a customer to periodically store odometer information obtained from the customer's vehicle; (b) configuring at least one processing device such that it automatically stores odometer readings and associated correlation parameter values for the vehicle; (c) receiving a request for an odometer verification; (d) analyzing the odometer readings and associated correlation parameter values in response to the request; (e) determining a verification result based on the analysis; and (f) sending the verification result to a recipient in response to the determination. |
| US08653945B2 |
Apparatus for managing the operation of a ship block
Provided is an apparatus for managing the operation of a ship block, including a ship block size and location measuring system, a transporter monitoring system, a block transportation monitoring system and a transportation lot number management system. The ship block size and location measuring system includes a direction angle sensor, a range finder, a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader and a control system, and the control system includes a block size and location measuring server, a vector calculating module, a coordinate calculating module, a size and location extracting module, and a memory module. |
| US08653944B2 |
RFID device and methods for controlling power supply according to connection with host and operation mode
A radio frequency identification (RFID) device and method for controlling power supply are provided. The RFID device controls power supply to its elements based on its connection with a host and its operation mode, thereby reducing power consumption. |
| US08653939B2 |
Coded wireless key card sensor unit
A coded wireless sensor unit has a slot sized to receive a key card. When a key card is inserted into the slot, the act of insertion generates a energy-harvested power pulse, which powers circuitry that reads electrical device control information coded on the key card and creates a first information packet signal that is transmitted by an on-board transmitter. The signal can be read by a receiver and relayed to a control unit which controls certain electrical devices which consume line power in response to received information packet signals. The control unit decodes received information packet signals and either turns on or activates the electrical devices in accordance with the decoded device control information. Removal of a key card can also be used to generate a power pulse, which creates a second information packet signal that is used to turn off or deactivate the electrical devices. |
| US08653938B2 |
Method of protection in a contactless radiofrequency communication
A method of protection of a near-field contactless communication system against malicious attacks. The method includes exchange of information between a reader and a contactless card of duration T, measured with respect to a starting instant t0 seen from the reader, decoding of this information by the card, sending by the card a return signal temporally set with respect to an instant t′0+T, where t′0 is the starting instant as seen by the card taking into account delays in propagation or processing of signals received from the reader, detection of the return signal by the reader, determination of the temporal setting of the return signal with respect to the starting instant t0, and interruption of communication by the reader if the temporal setting of the return signal detected is not equal to the instant t0+T with a predetermined margin of error. The return signal is a pseudo-random sequence. |
| US08653937B2 |
System and method for prosthetic/orthotic device communication
A system and method for prosthetic/orthotic (PO) device and/or PO system communication. PO devices of the present invention may employ common communications and/or communications/control modules that allow for wireless communication between PO devices and other devices, such as remote controls and data transfer devices. The present invention also provides for a methodology of determinant and non-interfering simultaneous communication between multiple PO devices of a PO system. |
| US08653935B2 |
Low-power wireless network beacon for turning off and on fluorescent lamps
A low-power wireless network involves a plurality of RF-enabled fluorescent lamp starter units. In each of a plurality of intervals, a receiver of a starter unit operates in a receive mode during a beacon slot time, and for the majority of the rest of the interval operates in a low-power sleep mode. The starter unit wakes up and listens for a beacon each beacon slot time, regardless of whether a beacon is transmitted during that interval or not. A starter unit can be commanded to schedule a future action (for example, for a time between widely spaced synchronizing beacons) by making one of the beacons a scheduling beacon. The scheduling beacon includes a field that the starter unit uses to schedule the future action. If the scheduled action is to be canceled before the next widely spaced synchronizing beacon, then an action-canceling beacon is communicated in the next interval. |
| US08653932B2 |
Conductive composite material with positive temperature coefficient of resistance and overcurrent protection component
A PTC conductive composite material and the overcurrent protection device made of the material are disclosed. The PTC conductive composite material includes: (a) A matrix of crystalline polymer material at least, occupies 20%-70% of the volume fraction of the PTC conductive composite material, (b) One kind of conductive filler occupies 30%-80% of the volume fraction of the material. The solid solution conductive filler is uniformly dispersed in the polymer material, whose average particle size ranges from 0.1 μm to 10 μm, and the volume resistivity is no more than 300 μΩ·cm. The overcurrent protection device prepared by using the PTC conductive composite material as described above includes two metal foils, which are made into a sandwich, separated by a layer of the PTC conductive composite material.And the advantages of the overcurrent protection device of the invention are low resistance, good reproducibility of resistance and well PTC intensity. |
| US08653930B2 |
Apparatus and method for reducing inductor saturation in magnetic fields
This document discusses, among other things, an inductive component that can include a core having two portions: (1) a first portion composed of a first material having a first magnetic saturation level; and (2) a second portion composed of a second material selected to provide inductance for the inductive component when an external magnetic field is greater than the first magnetic saturation level. In an example, the first portion can be composed of a material having a relatively low magnetic saturation level (e.g., a ferrite), and the second portion can be composed of a material having a relatively high magnetic saturation level (e.g., a high permeability iron alloy). |
| US08653929B2 |
Stereo-triangular wound-core power transformer with a voltage class more than or equal to 110kV
A stereo-triangular wound-core power transformer with a voltage class more than or equal to 110 kV is disclosed, which includes a stereo-triangle wound-core and windings, wherein the core includes iron yokes and core pillars which are arranged in a stereo-triangle shape, with every two adjacent core pillars connected through an iron yoke. The power transformer further includes angle rings, end rings, insulating end rings, insulating end plates and a frame-type clamp, wherein the angle rings, insulating end rings, end rings and insulating end rings are arranged at both ends of the core pillars in sequence, respectively, and the ends of the core pillars are arranged on the insulating end plates. The frame-type clamp covers the iron yokes, and the supporting boards of the frame-type clamp are connected with the insulating end plates through pressing screws. |
| US08653928B2 |
Common mode noise filter
A common mode noise filter includes: a first magnetic body and a second magnetic body; a non-magnetic body sandwiched between the first magnetic body and second magnetic body; and a first coil conductor and a second coil conductor of planar shape which are embedded in the non-magnetic body and positioned on the first magnetic body side and second magnetic body side in the non-magnetic body in a manner facing each other in a non-contact state; wherein a first lead conductor that connects one end of the first coil conductor to a first external terminal is embedded in the non-magnetic body 13, while a second lead conductor that connects one end of the second coil conductor to a third external terminal is embedded in the non-magnetic body. |
| US08653924B2 |
Reactor
The invention provides a reactor to be built in a power converter. In the reactor, an induction component composed of a coil being a winding of a conductor wire, a core in which interior a magnetic path is formed and an insulation bobbin positioning and engaging a wire wound part of the coil is housed in a case to be soaked with a mold resin. Inner bottom face of the case has a plurality of surfaces having not less than two different heights letting the outside bottom of the case a reference surface, and the lower end face of the core is in contact with any of the case inner bottom surfaces excluding the lowest inner bottom surface. As a result, the reactor is suitable for on-vehicle applications to achieve reduced article variation as well as a longer service life, a shorter operation time and decreased cost. |
| US08653918B2 |
Single coil actuator for low and medium voltage applications
A single-coil actuator for low or medium voltage applications which comprises a first assembly which comprises a first casing having a first half-casing and a second half-casing coupled to each other. The first casing defines an internal space housing an electromagnet having a coil and an armature movable between two positions. The first half-casing has a first opening for the mechanical coupling of the armature with an external element, while one of the first or second half-casing has a second opening for the electrical connection of the electromagnet. The electrical connection comprises a first connection element of the socket and plug-type connection which is electrically connected to the coil and positioned in correspondence of the second opening. |
| US08653917B2 |
Contact device and electromagnetic switch using contact device
A contact device includes a pair of fixed contactors fixed to one side of an insulation container with a predetermined space therebetween and having a columnar shape with a tip end contact surface protruding at lease inside the insulation container, and a movable contactor disposed to be capable of contacting with and separating from the pair of fixed contactors. Surfaces of the pair of fixed contactors facing the movable contactor are formed of annular peripheral walls having a concave part at a center thereof. An annular arc is formed between the annular peripheral wall and the movable contactor when the contact device is in an open state. |
| US08653916B2 |
Electromagnetic contactor
Provided is an electromagnetic contactor (20) which transmits an attraction movement of a movable core (8d) of an electromagnet (8), via a drive lever (9), to a movable contact support (7a) that is movable in parallel with the movable core (8d), wherein an urging portion (21) for applying an urging force to the movable core (8d) is provided such that the movable core (8d) is held at a movable core initial position which is apart from a fixed core (8c) and does not allow engagement with the movable contact support (7a). |
| US08653907B2 |
Resonated bypass capacitor for enhanced performance of a microwave circuit
The present invention relates to microwave circuits, and more particularly to bypass circuits for bias connections. The bypass circuit comprises a capacitor in series with an inductor, the series combination being connected between the bias conductor and ground. This series combination provides low return loss at the operating frequency. A de-queueing circuit may be included in the bypass circuit to provide loss at other frequencies. |
| US08653902B2 |
Transmission circuit, communication apparatus, and transmission method
Provided is a transmission circuit that operates highly efficiently by avoiding deterioration of the linearity of an output signal and suppressing occurrence of distortion of the output signal, when using the envelope tracking method. In this transmission circuit, offset control section (160) sets voltage that makes the corrected envelope signal level equal to or higher than the delayed envelope signal level, as offset voltage. By this means, the corrected envelope signal level becomes equal to or higher than the delayed envelope signal level, so that it is possible to prevent the power supply voltage from being lower than the optimal power supply voltage, making it possible to prevent the linearity of an output signal from deteriorating in power amplifier (130). |
| US08653894B2 |
Push-pull amplifier having inductive common mode decoupling
A push-pull amplifier is provided for amplifying an input signal, having first and second amplifier elements. Each of the amplifier elements has a current-emitting electrode, a current-collecting electrode, and a current-controlling electrode. The input signal is supplied to the current-controlling electrodes of the amplifier elements via a respective input connection and a respective input inductor arranged between the respective input connection and the respective current-controlling electrode. The current-collecting electrodes are connected via a respective supply inductor having a common supply voltage. The current-emitting electrode of each amplifier element is connected to the current-collecting electrode of the other amplifier element via a respective capacitor. The current-emitting electrodes are connected to output connections on which the output signal can be picked up, and to a reference potential via a respective output inductor. The supply inductors of the amplifier elements are inductively coupled to the input inductors and the output inductors of the respectively other amplifier element. |
| US08653893B2 |
Output circuit, data driver circuit and display device
An output circuit includes a differential input stage, an output amplifier stage, a current control circuit; an input terminal, an output terminal. The current control circuit includes a first circuit that includes a second current source connected between a first power supply terminal and the second current mirror, and exercises control of switching between activating the second current source to couple a current from the second current source to a current on an input side of the first current mirror, and deactivating the second current source, depending on whether or not the input voltage is higher by more than a first preset value than the output voltage; and a second circuit that includes a third current source connected between the second power supply terminal and the first current mirror, and exercises control of switching between activating the third current source to couple a current from the third current source to a current on an input side of the second current mirror, and deactivating the third current source, depending on whether or not the input voltage is lower by more than a second preset value than the output voltage. |
| US08653892B2 |
Systematic intermodulation distortion calibration for a differential LNA
Systematic IM2 calibration for a differential LNA is disclosed. In an aspect, an apparatus includes an amplifier configured to output an amplified signal having a level of systematic pre-mixer IM2 distortion, a detector configured to detect the level of the systematic pre-mixer IM2 distortion in the amplified signal, and a bias signal generator configured to generate at least one bias signal configured to adjust the amplifier to reduce the level of the systematic pre-mixer IM2 distortion. |
| US08653885B2 |
Device for generating a reference current proportional to absolute temperature, with low power supply voltage and large power supply rejection rate
The device for generating a reference current proportional to absolute temperature comprises processing means connected to the terminals of a core and designed to equalize the voltages across the terminals of the core, the core being designed to then be traversed by an internal current proportional to absolute temperature, and an output module designed to deliver to an output terminal the said reference current on the basis of the said internal current; the processing means comprise a self-biased amplifier possessing at least one first stage arranged according to a folded setup and comprising first PMOS transistors arranged in a setup of the common-gate type, and a feedback stage whose input is connected to the output of the amplifier and whose output is connected to the input of the first stage as well as to at least one terminal of the core. |
| US08653882B2 |
Controlling over voltage on a charge pump power supply node
A charge pump driver circuit has a first charge switch that couples a first node of a flying capacitor to a first power supply node, and a second charge switch that couples a second node of the capacitor to a second power supply node. Control circuitry is coupled to open the second charge switch and discharge the second node of the capacitor, in response to a control signal. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US08653881B2 |
Half bridge flyback and forward
A circuit includes a high-side switch, a low-side switch, a diode, a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary windowing, and an input connected to a first terminal of the primary winding. The high-side switch has a source, a gate connected to a drive source and a drain connected to a second terminal of the primary winding. The low-side switch has a source connected to ground, a gate connected to a drive source and a drain connected to the source of the high-side switch. The diode is connected between the gate of the high-side switch and the first terminal of the primary winding. The diode forms a current loop with the primary winding and the high-side switch to circulate current when low side switch is off until the high side switch turns off. |
| US08653880B2 |
Switch circuit having improved RF power characteristics
A switch circuit includes: first, second, and third input-output terminals; a first switching element connected between the first and second input-output terminals; a second switching element connected between the third input-output terminal and a grounding point; a third switching element connected between the first and third input-output terminals; a fourth switching element connected between the second input-output terminal and the grounding point; a first control voltage applying terminal connected to control terminals of the first and second switching elements; a second control voltage applying terminal connected to control terminals of the third and fourth switching elements; first and second resistors connected between the control terminals of the first and second switching elements and the first control voltage applying terminal, respectively; and first and second diodes connected in parallel with the first and second resistors, respectively, and having cathodes connected to the first control voltage applying terminal. |
| US08653876B2 |
Clamp circuit, semiconductor device, signal processing system, and signal clamping method
The present invention provides a clamp circuit including, a switching section including first and second switching elements connected parallel between a current supply source and a clamp capacitor; a first control section that controls the first switching element to connect the current supply source and the clamp capacitor, when the voltage of an input signal input through the clamp capacitor is lower than a first reference voltage; and a second control section that stores voltage information based on the input signal when the voltage of the input signal is lower than a second reference voltage, and that controls the second switching element to connect the current supply source and the clamp capacitor for a period predetermined based on the voltage information, when the input signal is equal to or higher than the first reference voltage. |
| US08653875B2 |
Semiconductor device, a method of improving a distortion of an output waveform, and an electronic apparatus
Provided is a semiconductor device which inputs an input clock signal of predetermined frequency and outputs a plurality of clock signals of the same frequency, the semiconductor device including: an input unit configured to input the input clock signal of the predetermined frequency; and a delay unit configured to generate a plurality of clock signals of the same frequency by providing predetermined delay time period to the input clock signal to be delayed in order to reduce load applied to a power supply in common with the plurality of the clock signals. According to the semiconductor device, output waveform distortion of the clock signals can be improved even with simple structure. |
| US08653866B2 |
Semiconductor device and operating method thereof
A semiconductor device includes a control voltage generating block configured to generate a control voltage corresponding to a phase difference between a reference clock signal and an internal clock signal, a control voltage restoring block configured to store the control voltage as a restoring voltage when entering into a low power mode and to supply the restoring voltage to a control voltage node when exiting from the low power mode, and an internal clock signal generating block configured to generate the internal clock signal corresponding to a voltage level of the control voltage. |
| US08653858B2 |
Signal operating circuit
A signal operating circuit includes: a loading device, having a loading value, wherein the loading value is deviated from a predetermined loading value by a loading deviation value; an input stage coupled to the loading device, for converting an input signal into an output signal according to a controlling signal; a latching stage coupled to the loading device and the input stage for latching the output signal according to the controlling signal; and a controlling circuit coupled to the latching stage for adjusting an operating current flowing through the latching stage and an operating current flowing through the input stage to compensate the loading deviation value according to the loading deviation value of the loading device. |
| US08653849B2 |
Voltage margin testing device and method
A voltage margin testing device for testing voltage margin of a unit under test including a voltage terminal includes a button module that selectively allows adjustment of a constant voltage value of a voltage of the voltage terminal, a microcontroller and a digital potentiometer. Selection of the button module causes the microcontroller to adjust a resistance of the digital potentiometer causing the voltage of the voltage terminal to change in increments of the constant voltage value according to the resistance of the digital potentiometer. When the voltage of the voltage terminal is not within the voltage margin, the unit under test works abnormally and sends an error signal to the microcontroller. The microcontroller receives the error signal and adjusts the resistance of the digital potentiometer to change the voltage of the voltage terminal in increments of the constant voltage value until the unit under test works normally. |
| US08653847B2 |
Testable integrated circuit, system in package and test instruction set
Consistent with an example embodiment, there is integrated circuit (IC) die responsive to a reset signal. The IC die includes a detector coupled to a power supply of the die for generating the reset signal in response to the detection of a voltage increase of the power supply. Coupled to the detector, a reset signal output, coupled to the detector, provides the reset signal to an external device. |
| US08653845B2 |
Test handler and method for operating the same for testing semiconductor devices
A test handler is provided, which comprises a test tray, at least one opening unit, and a position changing apparatus. The test tray aligns a plurality of inserts on its side. Each insert loads at least one semiconductor device thereon. The opening unit opens inserts at one part of the one side of the test tray. The position changing apparatus moves at least one opening unit in such a way that the at least one opening units can be located at another part of the one side of the test tray, such that the at least one opening units can open inserts at said another part of the one side of the test tray. The present invention can reduce the number of replaced parts according to change in the semiconductor device size, production cost, and part replacement time. |
| US08653839B2 |
Zinc oxide sulfur sensors and method of using said sensors
A sensor is disclosed for determining a sulfur concentration in a liquid, such as a liquid fuel. The sensor includes a substrate that is at least partially coated with zinc oxide and, more specifically, zinc oxide microstructures. The zinc oxide microstructures have a crystal lattice structure that is oriented in the (002) plane, are oxygen-deficient and have a rod-like microstructure. If the substrate is conductive, it may be connected directly to a working electrode which is connected to a potentiometer which, in turn, is connected to a reference electrode. If the substrate is non-conductive, the conductive layer can be deposited on the substrate prior to deposition of the zinc oxide to form a working electrode. An application of a constant current (or voltage) to either electrode will result in a voltage across (or current flow between) the working and reference electrodes. |
| US08653838B2 |
Soot sensor
A soot sensor for the detection of soot particles in an exhaust gas flow, having interdigitally engaged measurement electrodes applied on a substrate. An electrical resistance between the measurement electrodes is a measure of soot load of the exhaust gas flow. The measurement electrodes are divided into two regions, a first region in which no soot particles can be deposited and a second region where soot particles are deposited from the exhaust gas flow. The first region and the second region are exposed simultaneously to the other conditions prevailing in the exhaust gas flow. |
| US08653835B2 |
Device for measuring distance between headrest and head, method for measuring distance between headrest and head, headrest position adjusting device, and headrest position adjusting method
A headrest position adjusting device 100 includes a distance measuring device 10 and a drive motor unit 30, and the distance measuring device 10 includes a plurality of sensing electrodes 11 to 15 and a detecting circuit 20. The detecting circuit 20 includes a plurality of capacitance sensing circuits 21 to 25 connected one-to-one to the sensing electrodes 11 to 15 and an arithmetic processing circuit 28, and the drive motor unit 30 includes a motor driving circuit and a drive motor. Based on the detected capacitance values, the detecting circuit 20 calculates a distance calculation angle θ formed by points representing the positions and output values of the sensing electrodes 15 and 11 located at the highest and lowest positions and a point representing the position and output value of the largest output value, and thereby measures an electrode-head distance L. A position adjusting operation for a headrest 43 is performed based on the measurement result. |
| US08653834B2 |
Input device with floating electrodes having at least one aperture
Devices and methods are provided that facilitate improved input device performance. The devices and methods utilize a transmitter sensor electrode and a receiver sensor electrode that are capacitively coupled to form a transcapacitance for capacitively sensing input objects in a sensing region. A measure of the transcapacitance may be used to determine positional information for the input objects in the sensing region. In accordance with the various embodiments, the devices and methods include a floating electrode that is ohmically insulated from other electrical elements during operation. A first portion of the floating electrode overlaps a portion of the transmitter sensor electrode and a second portion of the floating electrode overlaps a portion of the receiver sensor electrode. The floating electrode additionally includes at least one aperture within the first portion of the floating electrode, where the at least one aperture at least in part overlaps the transmitter sensor electrode. |
| US08653833B2 |
Self calibrating high throughput integrated impedance spectrometer for biological applications
Advances in a variety of fields such as micromachined silicon in conjunction with MEMS and other devices and attaching biosensors to electrode structures have allowed discrete or continuous monitoring devices to be implemented for biological systems, chemical processes, environmental monitoring etc. However, such devices are typically analysed within controlled laboratory environments due to bulky and large electrochemical impedance measurement systems. In many situations deployment in field, clinic, point-of-care, or consumer scenarios would be beneficial. Accordingly it an intention of the invention to provide a measurement system which offers potential for low cost implementations via multiple technologies to address the different cost targets of these applications as well as number of measurement cells within each. Additionally embodiments of the invention are self-calibrating and self-referencing allowing their use in such scenarios absent highly trained technicians. |
| US08653832B2 |
Array element circuit and active matrix device
An array element circuit with an integrated impedance sensor is provided. The array element circuit includes an array element which is controlled by application of a drive voltage by a drive element; writing circuitry for writing the drive voltage to the drive element; and sense circuitry for sensing an impedance presented at the drive element. |
| US08653827B2 |
Active matrix substrate, display device, method for inspecting active matrix substrate, and method for inspecting display device
Provided is an active matrix substrate having improved display quality without forming an inspection line in a terminal arrangement region for inspecting short circuit between connection lines. Scanning lines (40) include first scanning lines having input ends for a scanning signal on one end side, and second scanning lines having input ends for a scanning signal the other end side. In a display region (4), the first scanning lines and the second scanning lines are formed alternately one by one. An active matrix substrate (2) includes a first inspection line (70) and a second inspection line (72) that cross each of a plurality of first connection lines (61), and a third inspection line (75) and a fourth inspection line (77) that cross each of a plurality of second connection lines (64). The first to the fourth inspection lines (70, 72, 75, 77) are formed in a frame-shaped wiring region (6), excluding the terminal arrangement region (5) and the display region (4). |
| US08653826B2 |
Connector monitoring assembly and a detector assembly including the same
A method of monitoring the voltage transmitted through a pair of electrical connector devices is provided. The pair of electrical connector devices include a source connector coupled to a power supply and a load connector coupled to a load, the source connector being coupled to the load connector. The method includes determining the voltage utilized by the load, determining the voltage generated by the power supply, and determining an electrical resistance of the pair of electrical connectors using the determined voltage utilized by the load and the voltage generated by the power supply. A connector monitoring circuit and a portable X-ray detector including the connector monitoring circuit is also provided. |
| US08653817B2 |
Accelerated pseudo-random data magnetic resonance imaging system and method
The present disclosure is intended to describe embodiments for improving image data acquisition and processing in accelerated dynamic magnetic resonance imaging sequences. One embodiment is described where a method includes an acquisition sequence configured to acquire an undersampled set of magnetic resonance data. The undersampled set of magnetic resonance data has a pseudo-random sampling pattern within a data space acquired at a first time, the pseudo-random sampling pattern being influenced by other pseudo-random sampling patterns within the data space arising from the acquisition of additional undersampled sets of magnetic resonance data at respective times. In some embodiments, the pseudo-random sampling patterns of the undersampled sets of magnetic resonance data interleave to yield a desired sampling pattern. |
| US08653816B2 |
Physical motion information capturing of a subject during magnetic resonce imaging automatically motion corrected by the magnetic resonance system
Systems, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for compensating for motion of a subject during an MRI scan of the subject. k-space data may be received from the MRI scan of the subject. Motion information may be received for the subject. Based on the received motion information, a translational motion of the subject may be determined between a first point in time and a second point in time. A search space for motion correction may be reduced using the determined change and an error margin of the capturing technique. A motion-compensated, graphical image of the subject may be generated using the reduced search space. |
| US08653814B2 |
Housing for a magnetometer, a combination including a magnetometer within a waterproof housing, and a system and method for location and removal of unexploded ordinance underwater
A waterproof housing that encloses a hand-held magnetometer for underwater use and includes a first portion open at one end and connected to a second portion with one end open and accessible through the first portion and terminating at a closed end. The magnetometer has first and second housings and is inserted into the first portion open end so that the second housing is received into the second portion and the first housing is received into the first portion. A base seal is inserted into the first portion open end to provide a fully functional magnetometer protected from water incursion at depth. |
| US08653801B2 |
Wide input voltage range power factor correction circuit
A boost circuit is used for power factor correction (PFC). In a low power application, transition mode control is utilized. However, switching frequency varies with different input voltages, and over a wide input voltage range, the switching frequency can become too high to be practical. To address this issue, a boost circuit is provided whose effective inductance changes as a function of input voltage. By changing the inductance, control is exercised over switching frequency. |
| US08653796B2 |
Portable electronic device power manager with current Limit feedback control loop modification for stabilizing an external power supply
A portable electronic device has a battery to provide power to operate the device, a connector including a power supply pin to be coupled to an external power supply, and a power manager having a battery charger circuit that draws power through the power supply pin to charge the battery. The power manager has a current limit feedback control loop that limits the drawn current in accordance with a predetermined output current rating of the external power supply. The power manager automatically changes the behavior of its control loop to stabilize operation of the coupled external power supply. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US08653795B2 |
Charger circuit
The present invention discloses a charger circuit. The charger circuit comprises a control circuit and at least two charging paths. The control circuit determines to activate or inactivate each charging path according to a battery feedback signal representing the charging status. Accordingly, the battery is charged by input power in an optimal way so that the charging efficiency is improved and the overheating problem is solved. |
| US08653794B2 |
Apparatus and method for estimating voltage of secondary battery including blended cathode material
Disclosed is an apparatus for estimating a voltage of a secondary battery which includes a cathode comprising a first cathode material and a second cathode material with different operating voltage ranges, an anode comprising an anode material and a separator for separating the cathode from the anode. The apparatus comprises a control unit configured to estimate a voltage of a secondary battery based on a circuit model including a first cathode material circuit, a second cathode material circuit and an anode material circuit, each circuit modeled to change its voltage according to State Of Charge (SOC) of the electrode material corresponding the circuit and a current flowing through the circuit. |
| US08653792B2 |
Power storage system including a plurality of battery modules and on/off devices or voltage converters
An object is to reliably conduct cell balancing operation while suppressing deterioration of batteries and maintaining operating efficiency. When the cell balance control by the cell balancing circuit 3 is started, the system control device 30 sets an on/off device corresponding to the arm where the cell balance control is conducted to the open state; and when the cell balance control is completed, and the difference between the terminal voltage of a battery pack of the arm where the cell balance control has been conducted and the terminal voltages of the battery packs of the other arms falls within a preset allowable range, sets the on/off device, which has been in the open state, to the closed state. |
| US08653786B2 |
Cordless mower including battery with two charging connectors
A battery-powered lawn mower includes a deck, a latch assembly, a battery, a motor and a blade. The deck is supported by wheels and defines a pocket. The latch assembly is coupled to the deck and is movable between a locked position and a fully opened position. The battery is secured within the pocket by the latch assembly in a first configuration and is removable from the pocket in a second configuration. The motor is supported by the deck and electrically coupled to the battery in the first configuration. The blade is coupled to the deck and driven by the motor. During operation, the battery powers the motor to drive the blade. |
| US08653785B2 |
System and method of managing power at a portable computing device and a portable computing device docking station
A method of managing power distribution between a portable computing device (PCD) and a PCD docking station is disclosed and may include determining that the PCD is docked with the PCD docking station, switching a power supply to the PCD from a PCD battery to a PCD docking station battery, and powering the PCD and the PCD docking station from the PCD docking station battery. Further, the method may include determining whether a PCD battery power equals a charge condition and charging the PCD battery when the PCD battery power equals the charge condition. The method may also include monitoring a PCD docking station battery power, determining whether the PCD docking station battery power equals a warning condition, and transmitting a first warning when the PCD docking station battery power equals the warning condition. |
| US08653779B2 |
Rotating electrical-machine control system and method of operating magnet temperature of rotating electrical-machine
A rotating electrical-machine control system is provided with: a rotating electrical-machine comprising a rotor further comprising permanent magnets that are divided into a dividing-number of sections; an inverter circuit that drives the rotating electrical-machine by PWM control, using a carrier wave having a carrier frequency; a storage unit that has stored therein a relationship file that indicates the relationship between the dividing-number of the magnets, the magnet temperature, and the carrier frequency; and a control apparatus. The control apparatus comprises a condition acquisition processing unit for acquiring the target magnet temperature, a rotational-speed acquisition processing unit for acquiring the rotational speed of the rotating electrical-machine, and a carrier-frequency setup processing unit for providing the dividing-number of the magnets and the target magnet temperature to the storage unit and conducting a search therein, and giving the corresponding carrier frequency to an inverter control unit as an instruction. |
| US08653778B2 |
Inverter-integrated electric compressor
Provided is an inverter-integrated electric compressor having high heat resistance, which is capable of suppressing thermal interference among a plurality of power devices. Specifically provided is an inverter-integrated electric compressor which comprises a built-in motor and a substrate provided with a motor drive circuit including an inverter, an electric component including the substrate being affixed in a housing space surrounded by a compressor housing, wherein a plurality of power semiconductor elements which constitute the motor drive circuit are disposed radially around a drive shaft of the motor in a plane crossing the drive shaft. For example, the planar shape of the power semiconductor element is formed into a rectangle, and a gap having a sectorial planar shape is formed between the power semiconductor elements adjacent to each other. |
| US08653775B2 |
Method and device for controlling an electric motor
A method and a device for controlling and/or regulating an electric motor. Such electric motors are used for example in motor vehicles in the form of pump motors. In general, the electric motor is supplied with electrical energy from a battery and/or using a generator. The controlling and regulation take place using a high-frequency pulse width modulation (PWM). When the electric motor is started, the PWM is used to continuously increase the motor current required for the operation of the electric motor, e.g. beginning from 0. |
| US08653770B2 |
Motor control system
A motor control system includes a power supply to supply current to a motor, a shunt resistor provided at one side of the motor to measure the magnitude of current supplied to the motor, a differential amplifier to receive a voltage applied to both ends of the shunt resistor as an input signal and amplify the input signal, an Analog/Digital Converter (ADC) to convert an analog signal generated from the differential amplifier into a digital signal, a switch to switch current applied to the motor by the power supply, and a microcontroller to generate a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) control signal so as to control ON or OFF of the switch and generate an operation start signal of the ADC by considering the PWM control signal and a hardware delay value of the differential amplifier. |
| US08653769B2 |
Calculating airflow values from HVAC systems
A method of calculating a control parameter for a component in an HVAC system includes receiving a plurality of input signals, and calculating a value of the control parameter using a control parameter equation having a plurality of predetermined coefficients and a plurality of variables, each variable corresponding to one of the input signals. This equation is stored in and subsequently fetched from memory associated with a component of the HVAC system, such as a blower motor controller or a system controller. In some embodiments, the equation is stored in a device for interfacing a system controller with a blower motor assembly. |
| US08653767B2 |
Method for controlling refrigerator
The embodiment relates to a method for controlling a refrigerator. The method for controlling a refrigerator including: inputting an opening signal to open a selected door of a plurality of doors; rotating a driving motor to open a selected door; and opening the selected door by pushing the selected door of the plurality of doors by one of a plurality of push members by the rotation of the driving motor. |
| US08653761B2 |
Cascade accelerator
A cascade accelerator (1), with two sets (2, 4) of capacitors (26, 28) which are each connected in series, interconnected by diodes (24, 30) in the form of a Greinacher cascade (20), is to have in a compact construction a particularly high attainable particle energy. Therefore, the cascade accelerator has an acceleration channel (8) which is formed through openings in the electrodes of the capacitors of a set (2), directed to a particle source (6) arranged in the region of the electrode with the highest voltage (12), wherein the electrodes are insulated to each other apart from the acceleration channel (8) with a solid or liquid insulation material (14). |
| US08653757B2 |
DC-DC converter
A DC-DC converter for driving one or more LED (38), which converter comprises an integrated circuit (12) having a switch mode power circuit (24) and a 5 temperature sensing circuit (40) for providing an output indicating a temperature of said integrated circuit (12), the arrangement being such that, in use, said integrated circuit consumes power, some of which power is dissipated in said integrated circuit as heat causing a rise in said internal temperature, and wherein a change in said output from said temperature sensing circuit (40) is used by said integrated circuit to 10 adjust said consumed power whereby said internal temperature may be controlled. |
| US08653751B2 |
LED drive circuit and LED illumination component using the same
An LED drive circuit is provided that can be connected to an alternating current power source via a phase-control light controller and drives an LED load. The LED drive circuit includes: a switching power source portion having a switching element, a switching current detection portion that detects a switching current, and an LED current detection portion that detects an LED current; a first subtraction portion that subtracts a given value from an output of the switching current detection portion; a first determination portion that determines, through computation on a plurality of externally inputted voltages, a target value to which the switching current is limited; a second subtraction portion that subtracts a given value from an output of the LED current detection portion; a second determination portion that determines, through computation on a plurality of externally inputted voltages, a target value of the LED current; a switching current limitation portion that, if a result of the subtraction by the first subtraction portion exceeds a result of the determination by the first determination portion, switches off the switching element so as to limit the switching current; and an LED current control portion that drives the switching element to control the LED current so that a result of the subtraction by the second subtraction portion coincides with a result of the determination by the second determination portion. |
| US08653745B2 |
Brightness control of a status indicator light
An apparatus and method for controlling the brightness and luminance of a light, such as an LED. The embodiment may vary the brightness and luminance of the LED in a variety of ways to achieve a variety of effects. The exemplary embodiment may vary the rate at which the LED's luminance changes, such that an observer perceives the change in the LED's brightness to be smooth and linear as a function of time, regardless of the ambient light level. Changes to the LED's luminance may be time-constrained and/or constrained by a maximum or minimum rate of change. |
| US08653741B2 |
Multiple capacitive (button) sensor with reduced pinout
A capacitive touch sensor and LED driver device achieves a reduction in pin count by multiplexing LED drive functionality and capacitive sense functionality on each input/output pin. A control circuit switches between LED drive mode and capacitive sense mode at a frequency of approximately 200 Hz, although other switching frequencies can be used. A bias driver functions as a current sink for LEDs in LED drive mode and can also be used to drive a bias voltage to the LEDs during capacitive sense mode to improve noise immunity. |
| US08653740B2 |
Load control circuit
A switch device controls a voltage applied to a load element according to an electric power supply from a power source. A driver circuit controls activation and deactivation of the switch device. A circuit portion sets a duty ratio and output the duty ratio to the driver circuit for causing the driver circuit to activate the switch device according to the duty ratio to control a voltage applied to the load element. The circuit portion sets the duty ratio according to a duty ratio characteristic curve. In the duty ratio characteristic curve, the duty ratio decreases gradually with increase in a voltage of the power source, and decrease in the duty ratio with increase in the voltage of the power source becomes small gradually. |
| US08653731B2 |
Metal halide lamp with stabilized lamp lighting
It is an object of the present invention to provide a metal halide lamp in which arc discharge in the initial stage of lamp lighting can be stabilized. A metal halide lamp includes a translucent outer tube with a base formed at one end thereof and a light-emitting portion disposed in the outer tube. This metal halide lamp is configured as a vertical mounting type such that the base thereof looks toward the upper side. The discharge tube has mercury and metal halides enclosed therein. Assuming that a lamp rated power is P [W], then a mercury concentration d(Hg) [μmol/cm3] in the discharge tube falls within a range of values of ±10% of a mercury concentration d(Hg) obtained by the following equation “d(Hg)=0.0007P2−0.4113P+99.557”. |
| US08653729B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention relates to an organic light emitting device and a manufacturing method thereof. The present invention discloses an organic light emitting device including: a plurality of scanning signal lines; a first and second contact assistant; a plurality of data lines crossing the scanning signal lines; a driving voltage line; and a first pixel, a second pixel, and a third pixel alternately arranged, wherein each pixel includes: a switching transistor, a driving transistor including an output terminal, a pixel electrode connected to the output terminal, the pixel electrode including at least two layers including a transflective electrode, an organic light emitting member arranged on the pixel electrode, and a common electrode arranged on the organic light emitting member, wherein the first pixel further includes a supplementary member arranged on the pixel electrode, and wherein the first and second contact assistants include the same material as the supplementary member. |
| US08653726B2 |
Spark plug
A spark plug includes a ground electrode. The cross sectional area S of a ground electrode base member of the ground electrode satisfies a relation 1.8 mm2≦S≦3.2 mm2. The embedment depth A of a noble metal tip embedded in a second base member surface and the tip thickness B of the noble metal tip measured along the direction in which the noble metal tip is embedded in the second base member surface satisfy a relation 0.4≦(A/B)≦0.8. |
| US08653723B2 |
LED light bulbs for space lighting
The invention discloses a three dimensional LED arrangement and heat management method using a heat transfer or conduction pipe to enable rapid heat transfer from a three dimensional cluster of LEDs to a heatsink with or without active cooling, the light emitted from the three dimensional cluster not being obstructed by a heat sink arrangement such that the light beam profile generated by the light appears similar to that generated by traditional incandescent bulbs. |
| US08653717B2 |
Vibration power generator, vibration power generating device, and electronic device and communication device having vibration power generating device mounted thereon
A vibration power generator includes a first substrate, a first electrode disposed on a lower surface of the first substrate and including a film retaining electric charges, a second substrate opposing the lower surface of the first substrate, a second electrode disposed on an upper surface of the second substrate, a third electrode disposed on the upper surface of the first substrate and including a film retaining the electric charges, a third substrate opposing the upper surface of the first substrate, and a fourth electrode disposed on a lower surface of the third substrate and opposing the third electrode. The film of the first electrode has a polarity different from a polarity of the film of the third electrode, and the vibration power generator includes a restoring force generation member giving a restoring force when an external force is not exerted to the first substrate. |
| US08653716B2 |
Method and device for suppressing hysteresis of resonators through simultaneous resonance
An electromechanical resonator including: at least one deformable element, and at least one electrode that simultaneously supplies, to the at least one deformable element, at least one first actuating force at a first frequency, and a second actuating force at a second frequency, the first and the second frequencies creating at least two simultaneous resonances with a primary resonance at a frequency ω0 equal to the first frequency and the second frequency being equal to a subharmonic resonant frequency (kω0, with k>1) of the resonator, or to a superharmonic resonant frequency (ω0/k, with k>1). |
| US08653715B1 |
Radioisotope-powered energy source
A radioisotope-powered energy source comprising: a flexible center substrate coated with the radioisotope, wherein the substrate comprises upper and lower surfaces; and two substantially identical sequences of layers bonded to each other and to the upper and lower surfaces via electrically insulating mesh barriers, wherein each sequence comprises the following layers bonded together in a y-direction in the following order: a first low-density alpha particle impact layer, a first high-density beta particle impact layer, a second low-density alpha particle impact layer, a second radioisotope-coated substrate, a third low-density alpha particle impact layer, a second high-density beta particle impact layer, and a photovoltaic layer. |
| US08653714B2 |
Stator for electric rotating machine
A stator for an electric rotating machine includes a stator core that has an annular yoke portion, a plurality of tooth portions, a plurality of connecting portions and a plurality of slots. The tooth portions are separately formed from and assembled to the yoke portion. Each of the tooth portions extends radially inward from a radially inner periphery of the yoke portion. The tooth portions are arranged in the circumferential direction of the yoke portion at predetermined intervals. Each of the connecting portions circumferentially extends to connect a corresponding circumferentially-adjacent pair of the tooth portions. Each of the slots is formed between a circumferentially-adjacent pair of the tooth portions. Moreover, each of the slots is partitioned by a corresponding one of the connecting portions into a radially-outer section and a radially-inner section. |
| US08653710B2 |
Permanent magnet electric motor
A rotor has rotor cores divided in the axial direction. A permanent magnet is mounted at the position of each of the magnetic poles of cores. The permanent magnet of each magnetic pole is configured by a single tabular member that penetrates the two divided cores in the axial direction. Convex parts are respectively provided on the outer peripheries of the respective magnetic poles of the rotor cores along the axial direction of the rotor. The convex parts are provided to positions that are displaced for each of the two divided cores. The magnetic flux density increases in the convex parts, which becomes the magnetic pole center. Since the convex parts positions are displaced to each other, a skew function can be exhibited even if the permanent magnet is mounted at the same position. |
| US08653709B2 |
Rotating electrical machine, linear motion electrical machine, and wind generator system
This disclosure discloses a rotating electrical machine comprising: a stator; and a rotor; one of said stator and said rotor having a coil, the other having a plurality of magnetic pole units each forming first and second magnetic poles configured to be aligned alternately and to have mutually opposite polarities at a side of the one of said stator and said rotor, each of said magnetic pole units comprising: a unit core that a projecting part configured to protrude toward the side of the one of said stator and said rotor is formed; and a permanent magnetic provided between each of said projecting parts on the side of the one of said stator and said rotor from said unit core, said first magnetic pole being formed by said permanent magnet, and said second magnetic pole being formed by each of said projecting parts. |
| US08653706B2 |
Method of operating an electric machine having an integrated coolant level sensor
A method of operating an electric machine includes flowing a coolant into an interior portion of a housing of the electric machine, and sensing a level of coolant in a coolant collection area within the interior portion with a coolant level sensor arranged at the housing. |
| US08653704B2 |
Vehicle drive system
A vehicle drive system configured with a dynamo within a case. The case is disposed on at least one axial side of the dynamo, and includes a wall portion overlapping the dynamo, which has a section that overlaps with the dynamo as viewed from the axial direction. The wall portion overlapping the dynamo includes a supply flow passage through which lubricating-cooling fluid flows, and which is formed with a first supply portion that supplies lubricating-cooling fluid to a rotor support bearing for the dynamo electric. The first supply portion includes a throttle portion whose flow passage cross-sectional area is small when compared to an upstream-side flow passage cross-sectional area in the flow direction of lubricating-cooling fluid. The supply flow passage includes a second supply portion that is a portion supplying lubricating-cooling fluid to the dynamo and higher than the first supply portion. |
| US08653703B2 |
Permanent magnetic rotating electric machine and wind power generating system
The permanent magnet rotating electric machine comprising a stator with a stator coil wound on a stator iron core, a rotor with a plurality of permanent magnets disposed in the circumferential direction in a rotor iron core, which is disposed opposite to the stator iron core of the stator with a predetermined spacing therebetween and is fixed to a shaft, a water-cooling unit disposed around the outer circumference of the stator iron core, and a fan fixed to the shaft on the same side as at least one axial end of the rotor iron core to circulate cooling air in the permanent magnet rotating electric machine; further comprising ventilation paths, through which the cooling air flows, formed around the outer circumference of the water-cooling unit; wherein after the cooling air has been circulated by the fan in the machine for cooling, the cooling air is led to the ventilation paths to perform heat exchange between the cooling air flowing in the ventilation paths and the water-cooling unit, after which the cooling air is circulated again in the machine. |
| US08653702B2 |
Hands-free light controller for headgear mounted illumination device
A control device is provided, for controlling the supply of power from a remote power source to a headgear mounted illumination device to selectively turn the corresponding illumination source on and off. The control device includes an attachment feature that facilitates donning the control device on the body of a user. To operate the control device, the wearer causes hands-free, tactile contact with a switch contact surface of the control device, e.g., by bumping, pressing or otherwise engaging the switch contact surface against a limb or external structure. |
| US08653698B2 |
Inductive power supply system with multiple coil primary
An inductive power supply including multiple tank circuits and a controller for selecting at least one of the tank circuits in order to wirelessly transfer power based on received power demand information. In addition, a magnet may be used to align multiple remote devices with the inductive power supply. In one embodiment, different communication systems are employed depending on which coil is being used to transfer wireless power. |
| US08653695B2 |
Power switching device and method thereof, and projection device using the power switching device
A power switching device, a power switching method, and a projection device using the power switching device are provided. In the power switching method, a first power and a second power are received, and the voltage level of the first power is compared with the voltage level of the second power. One of the first power and the second power having the higher voltage level is sustained by using one of the first power and the second power having the lower voltage level until one of the first power and the second power having the higher voltage level stabilizes. At least one of the first power and the second power having the higher voltage level and being already stabilized is output as an output voltage. |
| US08653689B2 |
Method and system for current-mode power line communications
An apparatus and method includes a solar panel. A power bus is coupled to the solar panel, and supports transmission of AC communication signals. The power bus includes a high current power wire. A current transformer is coupled to the power bus adjacent the solar panel. A capacitor, coupled to the power bus, is connected in parallel with the solar panel, and connected between the solar panel and the current transformer. |
| US08653688B2 |
Submerged ram air turbine generating system
A submerged ram air turbine generating system adapted for use in a pod mounted to the wing of an aircraft comprises a submerged inlet extending substantially entirely around the outer surface of the pod housing, a stator in the form of adjustable or fixed inlet guide vanes which direct an air stream to a hybrid ram air turbine having alternating turbine blades and splitters, and, a number of adjustable exhaust panels which are movable with respect to one or more exhaust openings in the pod housing. |
| US08653687B2 |
Liquefied gas expander nozzle ring having adjustable guide vanes
The present disclosure provides an improved multistage cryogenic liquefied gas expander for transforming the energy of a pressurized liquefied gas into electric energy, capable of operating at variable speeds, the improvement being a multistage cryogenic liquefied gas expander having at least two stages where only the first stage has a non-rotating nozzle ring having a plurality of adjustable position guide vanes. |
| US08653681B2 |
Power equipment apparatus having flywheel assembly
A power equipment apparatus includes an engine, a starter switch, a battery, a flywheel assembly, a power regulator, and a controller. The engine includes a crankshaft. The starter switch is configured for selective actuation by an operator. The flywheel assembly comprises a rotor and a stator. The power regulator is coupled with each of the battery and the stator. The power regulator is configured to regulate power transfer between the battery and the stator in response to a control signal. The controller is coupled with each of the battery, the starter switch, and the power regulator. The controller is configured to generate the control signal. |
| US08653675B2 |
Package including at least one topological feature on an encapsulant material to resist out-of-plane deformation
Embodiments include but are not limited to apparatuses and systems including semiconductor packages, e.g. memory packages, including a die and an encapsulant material formed over the die, and at least one topological feature formed on an external surface of the encapsulant material, and configured to resist out-of-plane deformation of the package. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08653672B2 |
Three dimensional structure memory
A Three-Dimensional Structure (3DS) Memory allows for physical separation of the memory circuits and the control logic circuit onto different layers such that each layer may be separately optimized. One control logic circuit suffices for several memory circuits, reducing cost. Fabrication of 3DS memory involves thinning of the memory circuit to less than 50 μm in thickness and bonding the circuit to a circuit stack while still in wafer substrate form. Fine-grain high density inter-layer vertical bus connections are used. The 3DS memory manufacturing method enables several performance and physical size efficiencies, and is implemented with established semiconductor processing techniques. |
| US08653671B2 |
System for relieving stress and improving heat management in a 3D chip stack
The present disclosure provides a system and method for relieving stress and providing improved heat management in a 3D chip stack of a multichip package. A stress relief apparatus is provided to allow the chip stack to adjust in response to pressure, thereby relieving stress applied to the chip stack. Additionally, improved heat management is provided such that the chip stack adjusts in response to thermal energy generated within the chip stack to remove heat from between chips of the stack, thereby allowing the chips to operate as desired without compromising the performance of the chip stack. |
| US08653664B2 |
Barrier layers for copper interconnect
A copper interconnect includes a copper layer formed in a dielectric layer, having a first portion and a second portion. A first barrier layer is formed between the first portion of the copper layer and the dielectric layer. A second barrier layer is formed at the boundary between the second portion of the copper layer and the dielectric layer. The first barrier layer is a dielectric layer, and the second barrier layer is a metal oxide layer. |
| US08653662B2 |
Structure for monitoring stress induced failures in interlevel dielectric layers of solder bump integrated circuits
A structure and method for monitoring interlevel dielectric stress damage. The structure includes a monitor solder bump and normal solder bumps; a set of stacked interlevel dielectric layers between the substrate and the monitor solder bump and the normal solder bumps, one or more ultra-low K dielectric layers comprising an ultra-low K material having a dielectric constant of 2.4 or less; a monitor structure in a region directly under the monitor solder bump in the ultra-low K dielectric layers and wherein the conductor density in at least one ultra-low K dielectric layer in the region directly under the monitor solder bumps is less than a specified minimum density and the conductor density in corresponding regions of the ultra-low K dielectric layers directly under normal solder bumps is greater than the specified minimum density. |
| US08653661B2 |
Package having MEMS element and fabrication method thereof
A package structure having an MEMS element is provided, which includes: a protection layer having openings formed therein; conductors formed in the openings, respectively; conductive pads formed on the protection layer and the conductors; a MEMS chip disposed on the conductive pads; and an encapsulant formed on the protection layer for encapsulating the MEMS chip. By disposing the MEMS chip directly on the protection layer to dispense with the need for a carrier, such as a wafer or a circuit board that would undesirably add to the thickness, the present invention reduces the overall thickness of the package to thereby achieve miniaturization. |
| US08653660B2 |
Semiconductor device and package
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side and a second side, wherein the lower surface has a slope so that the first side is thicker than the second side, and a circuit pattern including a bonding pad on the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate. |
| US08653657B2 |
Semiconductor chip, method of manufacturing semiconductor chip, and semiconductor device
There are provided a semiconductor device capable of accurately determining whether a semiconductor chip is bonded to a solid-state device such as the other semiconductor chip parallelly with each other, a semiconductor chip used for the semiconductor device, and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip includes a functional bump projected with a first projection amount from the surface of the semiconductor chip and electrically connecting the semiconductor chip to the solid-state device, and a connection confirmation bump projected with a second projection amount, which is smaller than the first projection amount, from the surface of the semiconductor chip and used for confirming the state of the electrical connection by the functional bump. |
| US08653656B2 |
Semiconductor device having multiple external electrodes
The semiconductor device has the CSP structure, and may include a plurality of electrode pads formed on a semiconductor integrated circuit in order to input/output signals from/to exterior; solder bumps for making external lead electrodes; and rewiring. The solder bumps may be arranged in two rows along the periphery of the semiconductor device. The electrode pads may be arranged inside the outermost solder bumps so as to be interposed between the two rows of solder bumps. Each trace of the rewiring may be extended from an electrode pad, and may be connected to any one of the outermost solder bumps or any one of the inner solder bumps. |
| US08653655B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
Of three chips (2A), (2B), and (2C) mounted on a main surface of a package substrate (1) in a multi-chip module (MCM), a chip (2A) with a DRAM formed thereon and a chip (2B) with a flash memory formed thereon are electrically connected to wiring lines (5) of the package substrate (1) through Au bumps (4), and a gap formed between main surfaces (lower surfaces) of the chips (2A), (2B) and a main surface of the package substrate (1) is filled with an under-fill resin (6). A chip (2C) with a high-speed microprocessor formed thereon is mounted over the two chips (2A) and (2B) and is electrically connected to bonding pads (9) of the package substrate (1) through Au wires (8). |
| US08653654B2 |
Integrated circuit packaging system with a stackable package and method of manufacture thereof
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: forming a base assembly having a cavity and a through conductor adjacent to the cavity; connecting a first device to the base assembly with the first device within the cavity; connecting a second device to the base assembly with the second device within the cavity; and connecting an interposer substrate having an exposed external side over the through conductor with the exposed external side facing away from the through conductor and exposed to ambient. |
| US08653653B2 |
High density three dimensional semiconductor die package
A semiconductor package is disclosed including a plurality semiconductor die mounted on stacked and bonded layers of substrate, for example polyimide tape used in tape automated bonding processes. The tape may have a plurality of repeating patterns of traces and contact pads formed thereon. The traces each include aligned interconnect pads on the respective top and bottom surfaces of the substrate for bonding the traces of one pattern to the traces of another pattern after the patterns have been singulated from the substrate, aligned and stacked. Semiconductor die such as flash memory and a controller die are mounted on the traces of the respective patterns on the substrate. In order for the controller die to uniquely address a specific flash memory die in the stack, a group of traces on each substrate supporting the memory die are used as address pins and punched in a unique layout relative to the layout of the traces other substrates. By providing each flash memory semiconductor die on a substrate with a unique layout of address traces, each memory die may be selectively addressed by the controller die. |
| US08653647B2 |
Plastic package and method of fabricating the same
A plastic package includes a plurality of terminal members each having an outer terminal, an inner terminal, and a connecting part connecting the outer and the inner terminal; a semiconductor device provided with terminal pads connected to the inner terminals with bond wires; and a resin molding sealing the terminal members, the semiconductor device and the bond wires therein. The inner terminals of the terminal members are thinner than the outer terminals and have contact surfaces. The upper, the lower and the outer side surfaces of the outer terminals, and the lower surfaces of the semiconductor device are exposed outside. The inner terminals, the bond wires, the semiconductor device and the resin molding are included in the thickness of the outer terminals. |
| US08653633B2 |
Semiconductor device packages with electromagnetic interference shielding
Described herein are semiconductor device packages with EMI shielding and related methods. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device package includes: (1) a substrate unit including a grounding element; (2) a semiconductor device disposed adjacent to an upper surface of the substrate unit; (3) a package body disposed adjacent to the upper surface of the substrate unit and covering the semiconductor device; and (4) an EMI shield disposed adjacent to exterior surfaces of the package body and electrically connected to a connection surface of the grounding element. A lateral surface of the package body is substantially aligned with a lateral surface of the substrate unit, and the connection surface of the grounding element is electrically exposed adjacent to the lateral surface of the substrate unit. The grounding element corresponds to a remnant of an internal grounding via, and provides an electrical pathway to ground electromagnetic emissions incident upon the EMI shield. |
| US08653625B2 |
Interposer structure with embedded capacitor structure, and methods of making same
A device is disclosed which includes an interposer, at least one capacitor formed at least partially within an opening formed in the interposer and an integrated circuit that is operatively coupled to the interposer. A method is disclosed which includes obtaining an interposer having at least one capacitor formed at least partially within an opening in the interposer and operatively coupling an integrated circuit to the interposer. A method is also disclosed which includes obtaining an interposer comprising a dielectric material, forming an opening in the interposer and forming a capacitor that is positioned at least partially within the opening. |
| US08653624B2 |
Semiconductor device comprising metal-based eFuses of enhanced programming efficiency by enhancing metal agglomeration and/or voiding
Metal fuses in semiconductor devices may be formed on the basis of additional mechanisms for obtaining superior electromigration in the fuse bodies. To this end, the compressive stress caused by the current-induced metal diffusion may be restricted or reduced in the fuse body, for instance, by providing a stress buffer region and/or by providing a dedicated metal agglomeration region. The concept may be applied to the metallization system and may also be used in the device level, when fabricating the metal fuse in combination with high-k metal gate electrode structures. |
| US08653622B2 |
Semiconductor device including transistor and fuse circuit and semiconductor module including the same
A semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first node impurity region, a second node impurity region, a third node impurity region, and an insulating layer. The first through third node impurity regions are disposed in the semiconductor substrate. Each of the first through third node impurity regions has a longitudinal length, a transverse length and a thickness respectively corresponding to first through third directions, which are perpendicular with respect to each other. The first node impurity region is parallel to the second and third node impurity regions, which are disposed in the substantially same line. The insulating layer is located between the first through third node impurity regions in the semiconductor substrate. |
| US08653614B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method for manufacturing the same
According to one embodiment, a memory device with magnetroresistive effect element is disclosed. The element includes first metal magnetic film (MMF) with nonmagnetic element and axis of easy magnetization perpendicular (EMP), first insulating film, first intermediate magnetic film between the first MMF and the first insulating film, second MMF on the first insulating film and including nonmagnetic elements, the second MMF having axis of EMP, second intermediate magnetic film between the first insulating film and the second MMF, and diffusion preventing film including metal nitride having barrier property against diffusion of the nonmagnetic elements between the first MMF and the first intermediate magnetic film. |
| US08653613B2 |
Electromechanical transducer and method of manufacturing the same
An electromechanical transducer includes multiple elements each including at least one cellular structure, the cellular structure including: a semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor diaphragm, and a supporting portion for supporting the diaphragm so that a gap is formed between one surface of the substrate and the diaphragm. The elements are separated from one another at separating locations of a semiconductor film including the diaphragm. Each of the elements includes in a through hole passing through a first insulating layer including the supporting portion and the semiconductor substrate: a conductor which is connected to the semiconductor film including the diaphragm; and a second insulating layer for insulating the conductor from the semiconductor substrate. |
| US08653611B2 |
Semiconductor device with metal gates and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes a gate insulation layer formed over a substrate and having a high dielectric constant, a gate electrode formed over the gate insulation layer and a work function control layer formed between the substrate and the gate insulation layer and inducing a work function shift of the gate electrode. |
| US08653610B2 |
High performance non-planar semiconductor devices with metal filled inter-fin gaps
A non-planar semiconductor transistor device includes a substrate layer. Conductive channels extend between corresponding source and drain electrodes. A gate stack extending in a direction perpendicular to the conductive channels crosses over the plurality of conductive channels. The gate stack includes a dielectric layer running along the substrate and the plurality of conductive channels and arranged with a substantially uniform layer thickness, a work-function electrode layer covers the dielectric layer and is arranged with a substantially uniform layer thickness, and a metal layer, distinct from the work-function electrode layer, covers the work-function electrode layer and is arranged with a substantially uniform height with respect to the substrate such that the metal layer fills a gap between proximate conductive channels of the plurality of conductive channels. |
| US08653602B2 |
Transistor having replacement metal gate and process for fabricating the same
A transistor is fabricated by removing a polysilicon gate over a doped region of a substrate and forming a mask layer over the substrate such that the doped region is exposed through a hole within the mask layer. An interfacial layer is deposited on top and side surfaces of the mask layer and on a top surface of the doped region. A layer adapted to reduce a threshold voltage of the transistor and/or reduce a thickness of an inversion layer of the transistor is deposited on the interfacial layer. The layer includes metal, such as aluminum or lanthanum, which diffuses into the interfacial layer, and also includes oxide, such as hafnium oxide. A conductive plug, such as a metal plug, is formed within the hole of the mask layer. The interfacial layer, the layer on the interfacial layer, and the conductive plug are a replacement gate of the transistor. |
| US08653598B2 |
Electrical switch using gated resistor structures and three-dimensional integrated circuits using the same
An electrical switch using a gated resistor structure includes an isolation layer, a doped silicon layer arranged on the isolation layer and having a recessed portion with reduced thickness, the doped silicon layer having a predetermined doping type and a predetermined doping profile; a gate layer arranged corresponding to the recessed portion. The recessed portion in the doped silicon layer has such thickness that a channel defined under the gate can be fully depleted to form a high resistivity region. The recessed channel gated resistor structure can be advantageously used to achieve high interconnect density with low thermal budget for 3D integration. |
| US08653583B2 |
Sensing FET integrated with a high-voltage transistor
In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a main vertical field-effect transistor (FET) and a sensing FET. The main vertical FET and the sense FET are both formed on a pillar of semiconductor material. Both share an extended drain region formed in the pillar above the substrate, and first and second gate members formed in a dielectric on opposite sides of the pillar. The source regions of the main vertical FET and the sensing FET are separated and electrically isolated in a first lateral direction. In operation, the sensing FET samples a small portion of a current that flows in the main vertical FET. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. |
| US08653580B2 |
Semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating the same
Semiconductor devices and a methods of fabricating the semiconductor devices are provided. The semiconductor devices may include a pattern on a substrate. The semiconductor devices may also include a capping dielectric layer on the pattern. The semiconductor devices may further include a first nitride layer on the capping dielectric layer. Moreover, the semiconductor devices may include a second nitride layer on the first nitride layer. A concentration of nitrogen in the first nitride layer may be greater than that in the second nitride layer. |
| US08653579B2 |
Semiconductor storage device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor storage device includes a charge storage layer, a control gate. The charge storage layer is formed above a semiconductor substrate with first insulating film disposed therebetween. The control gate is formed above the charge storage layer with second insulating film disposed therebetween. The control gate includes a nickel silicide region. The side surface expands outwardly in at least a partial region thereof, and height of the control gate from a portion at which the side surface thereof starts to expand outwardly to a top of the control gate is greater than maximum width of the control gate in a region above the portion at which the side surface starts to expand outwardly. |
| US08653576B2 |
Method of fabricating a SONOS gate structure with dual-thickness oxide
A method of forming a SONOS gate structure. The method includes forming a gate pattern with sidewalls on a substrate, wherein the gate pattern includes a gate dielectric layer patterned on the substrate and a gate electrode patterned on the gate dielectric layer, forming a first oxide layer on the gate pattern and the substrate; etching back the first oxide layer to expose the substrate and the top of the gate electrode, leaving oxide spacers along the sidewalls of the gate pattern respectively; forming a second oxide layer on the substrate and the oxide spacers; and forming trapping dielectric spacers on the second oxide layer adjacent to the sidewalls of the gate pattern respectively. |
| US08653574B2 |
Flash memory and method for fabricating the same
A flash memory and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The flash memory comprises: a semiconductor substrate; a storage medium layer formed on the semiconductor substrate and comprising from bottom to top: a tunneling oxide layer, a silicon nitride layer and a blocking oxide layer; a semiconductor layer formed on the storage medium layer and comprising a channel region and a source region and a drain region located on both sides of the channel region respectively; and a gate stack formed on the channel region and comprising a gate dielectric and a gate formed on the gate dielectric. |
| US08653570B2 |
Solid-state image capturing element and driving method for the same, method for manufacturing solid-state image capturing element, and electronic information device
A solid-state image capturing element includes, disposed in a surface portion from an upper part of the photodiode region to the electric charge detecting section: a second conductivity type first region; a second conductivity type second region; and a second conductivity type third region, one end of which is adjacent to the second conductivity type second region and the other end of which is adjacent to the electric charge detecting section, where each impurity concentration of the first, second and third regions is set in a manner to form an electric field being directed from the second conductivity type first region through the second conductivity type second region to the second conductivity type third region. |
| US08653566B2 |
Solid-state imaging device
The present invention provides a solid-state imaging device in which high S/N is achieved. A solid-state imaging device includes a photodiode, a transfer transistor, a floating diffusion, a floating diffusion wiring, an amplifying transistor, a power line, and first output signal lines, in which the first output signal lines are formed one on each side of the floating diffusion wiring in a layer having the floating diffusion wiring formed on a semiconductor substrate, and the power line is formed above the floating diffusion wiring. |
| US08653564B1 |
Millimeter-wave transistor device
A millimeter-wave transistor device includes a plurality of sub-cells arranged in matrix array, each of the sub-cells having a longitudinal gate finger elongating along a reference y-axis, a source doping region disposed at one side of the longitudinal gate finger and a drain doping region at the other side of the longitudinal gate finger opposite to the source doping region; and at least three parallel connecting bars extending along a reference x-axis, electrically connecting with respective distal ends of the longitudinal gate finger of each of the sub-cells. |
| US08653561B2 |
III-nitride semiconductor electronic device, and method of fabricating III-nitride semiconductor electronic device
A III-nitride semiconductor electronic device comprises a semiconductor laminate provided on a primary surface of a substrate, a first electrode in contact with the semiconductor laminate, and a second electrode. The semiconductor laminate includes a channel layer and a barrier layer making a junction with the channel layer. The channel layer comprises first III-nitride semiconductor containing aluminum as a Group III constituent element, and the barrier layer comprises second III-nitride semiconductor containing aluminum as a Group III constituent element. The semiconductor laminate including first, second and third regions arranged along the primary surface, and the third region is located between the first region and the second region. The barrier layer includes first to third portions included in the first to third regions, respectively. A concentration of impurity in the first portion is the same as that of impurity in the second portion, and the first and second electrodes is provided on the first and second regions, respectively. The first electrode includes a drain electrode or a source electrode. An aluminum composition of the first III-nitride semiconductor is not less than 0.16, and a bandgap of the second III-nitride semiconductor being larger than that of the first III-nitride semiconductor. |
| US08653553B2 |
Light-emitting element, light-emitting device, display device, electronic device, and lighting device
An object is to provide a light-emitting element which uses a plurality of kinds of light-emitting dopants and has high emission efficiency. In one embodiment of the present invention, a light-emitting device, a light-emitting module, a light-emitting display device, an electronic device, and a lighting device each having reduced power consumption by using the above light-emitting element are provided. Attention is paid to Förster mechanism, which is one of mechanisms of intermolecular energy transfer. Efficient energy transfer by Förster mechanism is achieved by making an emission wavelength of a molecule which donates energy overlap with a local maximum peak on the longest wavelength side of a graph obtained by multiplying an absorption spectrum of a molecule which receives energy by a wavelength raised to the fourth power. |
| US08653552B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting device
The light-emitting device includes a groove passing through a second semiconductor layer and a light-emitting layer to reach a first semiconductor layer; a first ohmic electrode in contact with the first semiconductor layer within the groove; a connection electrode passing through the first semiconductor layer from the surface thereof and electrically connected to the first ohmic electrode; an insulating layer for covering the second semiconductor layer on a surface thereof opposing the first semiconductor layer, the insulating layer having an opening; a second ohmic electrode in contact with the second semiconductor layer in the opening; a metal layer formed over the insulating layer, and connected to the second ohmic electrode; and a support bonded to the metal layer. |
| US08653549B2 |
Phosphor, phosphor manufacturing method, and white light emitting device
Provided are a phosphor, a phosphor manufacturing method, and a white light emitting device. The phosphor is represented as a chemical formula of aMO-bAlN-cSi3N4, which uses light having a peak wavelength in a wavelength band of about 350 nm to about 480 nm as an excitation source to emit visible light having a peak wavelength in a wavelength band of about 480 nm to about 680 nm. (where M is one selected from alkaline earth metals (0.2≦a/(a+b)≦0.9, 0.05≦b(b+c)≦0.85, 0.4≦c/(c+a)≦0.9)). |
| US08653547B2 |
Light emitting device and light emitting device package
Provided are a light emitting device and a light emitting device package. The light emitting device includes a first electrode, a light emitting structure including a first semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second semiconductor layer on the first electrode, a second electrode on the light emitting structure, and a reflective member on at least lateral surface of the second electrode. |
| US08653544B2 |
OLEDs connected in series
OLED device (1) comprising a substrate (4) with multiple light emitting OLED segments (5, 6, 7) on top of the substrate (4) each comprising an electroluminescent layer stack (6) of at least an organic light-emitting layer sandwiched between a substrate electrode (5) facing towards the substrate (4) and a counter electrode (7), which are connected in series and are separated from the adjacent OLED segment (5, 6, 7) by an interconnect region (3) located between the adjacent OLED segments comprising a first isolating layer (10) of an electrically non-conducting material between the substrate electrodes (5) of adjacent OLED segments to electrically isolate the adjacent substrate electrodes (5) from each other and a conductive layer (9) of an electrically conducting material to connect the counter electrode (7) of the OLED segment to the substrate electrode (5) of the adjacent OLED segment, wherein the electrically non-conducting material and/or the conducting material is suitable to redirect the light emitted by the adjacent OLED segments out of the substrate (4) to emit light (81) from the interconnect regions (3). |
| US08653541B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device including a plurality of circuits that includes a transistor, where a semiconductor layer forming the transistor includes a first contact pad, a first part that is connected to the first contact pad and that extends in a direction intersecting a short direction of a pitch with which the circuits are arranged, a second part that extends from the first part in the short direction, and a second contact pad including the first part and the second part that are provided between the first contact pad and the second contact pad, where the second part overlaps an electrode layer across an insulating layer. |
| US08653539B2 |
Failure mitigation in arrays of light-emitting devices
In accordance with certain embodiments, an illumination system comprising a plurality of power strings features elements facilitating compensation for failure of one or more light-emitting elements connected along each power string. |
| US08653538B2 |
Rod type light emitting device and method for fabricating the same
Disclosed herein is a rod type light emitting device and method for fabricating the same, wherein a plurality of rod structures is sequentially formed with a semiconductor layer doped with a first polarity dopant, an active layer, and a semiconductor layer doped with a second polarity dopant. |
| US08653537B2 |
Layer assembly for a light-emitting component
The invention relates to a layer assembly for a light-emitting component, in particular a phosphorescent organic light-emitting diode, having a hole-injecting contact and an electron-injecting contact which are each connected to a light-emitting region, wherein, in the light-emitting region, one light-emitting layer is made up of a material (M1) and another light-emitting layer is made up of another material (M2), where the material (M1) is ambipolar and preferentially transports holes and the other material (M2) is ambipolar and preferentially transports electrons; a heterotransition is formed by the material (M1) and the other material (M2) in the light-emitting region; an interface between the material (M1) and the other material (M2) is of the staggered type II; the material (M1) and the other material (M2) each contain an appropriate addition of one or more triplet emitter dopants; and an energy barrier for transfer of holes from the material (M1) into the other material (M2) and an energy barrier for transfer of electrons from the other material (M2) into the material (M1) are each less than about 0.4 eV. |
| US08653528B2 |
Thin film transistor, display device thereof, and manufacturing method thereof
A thin film transistor including: an active layer formed on a substrate; a gate insulating layer pattern formed on a predetermined region of the active layer; a gate electrode formed on a predetermined region of the gate insulating layer pattern; an etching preventing layer pattern covering the gate insulating layer pattern and the gate electrode; and a source member and a drain member formed on the active layer and the etching preventing layer pattern. |
| US08653527B2 |
Thin film transistor and method for manufacturing the same
Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a thin film transistor in which a semiconductor film in a channel portion is provided between a source electrode and a drain electrode, wherein a partition layer (a bank) can be appropriately formed. The method comprises the steps of: forming two underlying electrodes on an underlying layer; forming a partition layer on the surface of the underlying layer containing the two underlying electrodes so as to surround an area where the source electrode and the drain electrode are to be formed; forming the source electrode and the drain electrode by a plating method on the surfaces of the two underlying electrodes, which are surrounded by the partition layer; and applying semiconductor solution, in which a semiconductor material is dissolved or dispersed, to the area surrounded by the partition layer so that a semiconductor film is formed in the area. |
| US08653521B2 |
Liquid crystal display array substrate and method for manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display array substrate and a method for manufacturing the same are discussed. The liquid crystal display array substrate includes a gate line arranged on a substrate in one direction, a data line which crosses the gate line and defines a plurality of pixel areas, a thin film transistor formed at a crossing of the gate line and the data line, a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor, and a common electrode which is positioned opposite the pixel electrode and forms an electric field. The common electrode includes a shield line overlapping the data line, and the shield line includes at least two cutting portions having a width less than other portion of the shield line. |
| US08653519B2 |
Electronic device and method for manufacturing same
The electronic device includes a substrate, a first electrode formed over a surface of the substrate, a second electrode located on an opposite side of the first electrode from the substrate so as to face the first electrode, and a functional layer interposed between the first electrode and second electrode and formed by means of anodizing a first polycrystalline semiconductor layer in an electrolysis solution so as to contain a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals. The electronic device further includes a second polycrystalline semiconductor layer interposed between the first electrode and the functional layer so as to be in close contact with the functional layer. The second polycrystalline semiconductor layer has an anodic oxidization rate in the electrolysis solution lower than that of the first polycrystalline semiconductor layer so as to function as a stop layer for exclusively anodizing the first polycrystalline semiconductor layer. |
| US08653518B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device has a floating gate structure in which charge storage layers are stacked on a SiO2 layer formed on a substrate made of n-type Si. The charge storage layer has quantum dots made of undoped Si and an oxide layer that covers the quantum dots. The charge storage layer has quantum dots made of n+-Si and an oxide layer that covers the quantum dots. Electrons originally existing in the quantum dots migrate between the quantum dots and the quantum dots via tunnel junction and are distributed in the quantum dots and/or the quantum dots according to the voltage applied to a gate electrode via pads. The distribution is detected in the form of a current (ISD). |
| US08653517B2 |
Thin-film transistor and method for manufacturing the same
In a TFT that adopts an oxide semiconductor as an active layer and has a resistance layer interposed between the active layer and one of a source and drain electrode, while Vth close to 0 V and a small off current are sustained, an on-current is increased. In a thin-film transistor including a gate electrode, a gate insulating film, a semiconductor layer, a source electrode, and a drain electrode, the semiconductor layer that links the source electrode and drain electrode is made of a metal oxide. The semiconductor layer includes three regions of first, second, and third regions. The first region is connected with the source electrode, the third region is connected with the drain electrode, and the second region is connected between the first region and third region. The resistivities of the three regions have the relationship of the first region>the second region>the third region. |
| US08653514B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
An object is to manufacture a semiconductor device with high reliability by providing the semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor with stable electric characteristics. In a transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer, a gallium oxide film is used for a gate insulating layer and made in contact with an oxide semiconductor layer. Further, gallium oxide films are provided so as to sandwich the oxide semiconductor layer, whereby reliability is increased. Furthermore, the gate insulating layer may have a stacked structure of a gallium oxide film and a hafnium oxide film. |
| US08653512B2 |
Thin film transistor compositions, and methods relating thereto
The present disclosure is directed to a thin film transistor composition. The thin film transistor composition has a semiconductor material and a substrate. The substrate is composed of a polyimide and a sub-micron filler. The polyimide is derived from at least one aromatic dianhydride component selected from rigid rod dianhydride, non-rigid rod dianhydride and combinations thereof, and at least one aromatic diamine component selected from rigid rod diamine, non-rigid rod diamine and combinations thereof. The mole ratio of dianhydride to diamine is 48-52:52-48 and the ratio of X:Y is 20-80:80-20 where X is the mole percent of rigid rod dianhydride and rigid rod diamine, and Y is the mole percent of non-rigid rod dianhydride and non-rigid rod diamine. The sub-micron filler is less than 550 nanometers in at least one dimension; has an aspect ratio greater than 3:1; is less than the thickness of the film in all dimensions. |
| US08653508B2 |
Conjugated polymer, insolubilized polymer, organic electroluminescence element material, composition for organic electroluminescence element, polymer production process, organic electroluminescence element, organic EL display and organic EL lighting
An object of the present invention is to provide a conjugated polymer which has a high hole transportability and is excellent in solubility and depositability. Another object of the present invention is to provide an organic electroluminescence element which is capable of low voltage driving and has a high luminous efficiency and drive stability. The conjugated polymer of the present invention is a conjugated polymer containing a specific structure as the repeating unit, where the conjugated polymer contains an insolubilizing group as a substituent, the weight average molecular weight (Mw) is 20,000 or more and the dispersity (Mw/Mn) is 2.40 or less. |
| US08653506B2 |
Organic Electroluminescence device including organic layer arranged between transparent electrode and metal electrode, and manufacturing method thereof
An organic electroluminescence device includes: a first electrode layer; an insulating film arranged on the first electrode layer; an organic layer that is arranged on the insulating film, and is in contact with the first electrode layer at an opening portion provided in the insulating film; a second electrode layer arranged on the organic layer; and a metal layer that is in contact with an end surface of the organic layer and an end surface of the second electrode layer, and is arranged on the second electrode layer. |
| US08653499B2 |
Light-emitting diode with strain-relaxed layer for reducing strain in active layer
A light-emitting diode (LED) includes a first conductivity type semiconductor layer, a strain-relaxed layer over the first conductivity type semiconductor layer, an active layer over the strain-relaxed layer, and a second conductivity type semiconductor layer over the active layer. The strain-relaxed layer includes a strain-absorbed layer over the first conductivity type semiconductor layer and a surface-smoothing layer on the strain-absorbed layer filling the cavities. The strain-absorbed layer includes a plurality of cavities in a substantial hexagonal-pyramid form. |
| US08653498B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes: a stacked structural body, a first electrode; and a second electrode. The stacked structural body includes a first semiconductor layer of n-type, a second semiconductor layer of p-type, and a light emitting portion provided therebetween. The first electrode includes a first contact electrode portion. The second electrode includes a second contact electrode portion and a p-side pad electrode. A sheet resistance of the second contact electrode portion is lower than a sheet resistance of the first semiconductor layer. The p-side pad electrode is provided farther inward than a circumscribed rectangle of the first contact electrode portion, and the first contact electrode portion is provided farther outward than a circumscribed rectangle of the p-side pad electrode. |
| US08653494B2 |
Integrated circuitry, methods of forming memory cells, and methods of patterning platinum-containing material
Some embodiments include methods of patterning platinum-containing material. An opening may be formed to extend into an oxide. Platinum-containing material may be formed over and directly against an upper surface of the oxide, and within the opening. The platinum-containing material within the opening may be a plug having a lateral periphery. The lateral periphery of the plug may be directly against the oxide. The platinum-containing material may be subjected to polishing to remove the platinum-containing material from over the upper surface of the oxide. The polishing may delaminate the platinum-containing material from the oxide, and may remove the platinum-containing material from over the oxide with an effective selectivity for the platinum-containing material relative to the oxide of at least about 5:1. Some embodiments include methods of forming memory cells. Some embodiments include integrated circuitry having platinum-containing material within an opening in an oxide and directly against the oxide. |
| US08653493B2 |
Variable resistance memory devices and methods of manufacturing the same
According to example embodiments, a variable resistance memory device include an ohmic pattern on a substrate; a first electrode pattern including a first portion that has a plate shape and contacts a top surface of the ohmic pattern and a second portion that extends from one end of the first portion to a top; a variable resistance pattern electrically connected to the first electrode pattern; and a second electrode pattern electrically connected to the variable resistance pattern, wherein one end of the ohmic pattern and the other end of the first portion are disposed on the same plane. |
| US08653484B2 |
Detection of emission radiation of UV light emitting diode by structurally identical UV light receiving diode
A UV light emitting diode (UV-LED) is arranged in a weathering chamber and a UV light receiving diode, which is constructed on the same material basis as the UV LED, is arranged relative to the UV LED in such a way that a portion of the radiation emitted by the UV LED impinges on the UV light receiving diode during the operation of the device. |
| US08653481B2 |
UV disinfectant device for biofilm flow cell
A UV (ultraviolet) light disinfectant apparatus useful with a biofilm flow cell for in-line, non-invasive disinfecting of medium flow to and from the flow cell is provided. The disinfectant apparatus includes a UV chamber having a UV light source therein and one or more UV light-transmissive tubes that extend through the UV chamber and through which the fluid medium flows through the UV chamber for exposure to UV light for purposes of disinfectation. |
| US08653479B2 |
Method and apparatus for tagging individuals for identification and tracking
A method and apparatus that are useful for tagging personnel for identification and tracking is disclosed. The apparatus may include a taggant, the taggant being a chemical substance that adheres to at least one of human skin, clothing and equipment of personnel and is undetectable by the human eye, and a taggant deployment mechanism that includes the taggant and is configured to release the taggant upon activation of a triggering mechanism, wherein the taggant deployment mechanism is configured such that when the triggering mechanism is activated, the taggant is released from the taggant deployment mechanism and adheres to at least one of human skin, clothing and equipment of personnel within a radius of a point that the taggant is released, the taggant being detectable only by a taggant detection unit. |
| US08653477B2 |
Lithography apparatus and lithography method
A lithography apparatus includes a stage on which a target object is placed; a chamber in which the stage is arranged and which has one side surface in which an opening having a size which is enough to carry the stage in or out is formed, the opening being closed with an independent lid; an electro-optic lens barrel arranged on the chamber; and a rib portion formed to have a shape that is convex on an upper portion of the side surface of the chamber in which the opening is formed. |
| US08653470B2 |
Neutron energy spectrometer
A neutron spectrometer is disclosed, which consists of a Helium-3 proportional counter connected by cable to signal and data processing circuits, and a series of moderator shells and moderator lids. The series of cylindrical moderator shells are designed to fit within one another, like Russian Matryoshka dolls, with the counter at the center. Small air gaps are introduced between the shells so that removal of one shell from another is facilitated. The counter is placed within the smallest cylindrical moderator shell, and then a circular lid matching the smallest shell is placed on the opening of the first shell to close the first shell. This first closed shell is then placed within a second shell, which shell is closed with its corresponding circular lid. The cable is routed through the series of shells. A method for using the invention is also disclosed, wherein the counter reading is taken from the fully-assembled neutron spectrometer. Then the outer cylindrical shell and circular lid pair is removed, and another measurement of the counter is recorded. This is continued until the last shell is removed, and a measurement is recorded using the bare counter. |
| US08653466B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and method of manufacturing the same, radiological imaging apparatus and method of manufacturing the same, and method of testing solid-state imaging device
A solid-state imaging device according to one embodiment includes a plurality of signal output units. Each of the plurality of signal output units includes a first input terminal electrode group that includes a plurality of terminal electrodes for inputting a reset signal, a hold signal, a horizontal start signal, and a horizontal clock signal and a first output terminal electrode that provides output signals. The solid-state imaging device further includes a second input terminal electrode group that includes a plurality of terminal electrodes for receiving the reset signal, the hold signal, the horizontal start signal, and the horizontal clock signal, a plurality of switches that switch an electrode group which is connected with integrating circuits, holding circuits, and a horizontal shift register between the first input terminal electrode group and the second input terminal electrode group, and a second output terminal electrode. |
| US08653465B2 |
Radiation detection apparatus and radiation imaging system
A radiation detection apparatus including: a sensor panel having a first face on which a pixel region is formed and a second face that is opposite the first face and including a connecting portion at one or more sides; a scintillator layer formed over the pixel region; and a protective film covering the scintillator layer and a portion of the sensor panel is provided. The protective film has a hot-pressed part. At the side of the sensor panel where the connecting portion is formed, the hot-pressed part is formed in a portion of the protective film covering the first face. At other sides of the sensor panel, the hot-pressed part is formed in at least one of a portion of the protective film covering a lateral face of the sensor panel and the second face. |
| US08653462B2 |
Methods and systems for detecting terahertz radiation by radiation enhanced emission of fluorescence
Methods and systems for detecting radiation, particularly, terahertz (THz) radiation, are disclosed. The methods and systems disclosed include directing an optical beam in a volume of gas; ionizing at least a portion of the volume of gas with the optical beam to produce a plasma; and detecting a fluorescence produced from an interaction of a radiation wave with the plasma. The information contained in the characteristics of the detected fluorescence, for example, the amplitude and/or phase are used to characterize the radiation wave. Aspects of the invention may be used for homeland security, medicine, and astronomy, among other fields. |
| US08653459B2 |
Scanning electron microscope
There is provided a technique that is capable of attracting a sample without making the voltage applied to an electrostatic chuck unnecessarily large. Attraction experiments with respect to the electrostatic chuck are performed using a testing sample whose degree of warp and pattern of warp are known, and a critical application voltage at which the attraction state changes from “bad” to “good” is found. When measuring an inspection target sample, the flatness of the inspection target sample is measured, and the degree of warp and pattern of warp of the inspection target sample are detected. Based on the degree of warp and pattern of warp of the inspection target sample and on the known critical application voltage, the application voltage for the electrostatic chuck is set. |
| US08653457B2 |
Spectroscopy technique using merged spectral data
A method of examining a sample using a spectroscopic apparatus, comprising the following steps: Mounting the sample on a sample holder; Directing a focused input beam of radiation onto a location on the sample, thereby producing an interaction that causes a flux of stimulated photonic radiation to emanate from said location; Examining said flux using a multi-channel photon-counting detector, thus accruing a measured spectrum for said location; Automatically repeating said directing and examining steps for a series of successive locations on the sample, which method comprises the following steps: Choosing a beam parameter of the input beam that will influence a magnitude of said flux of stimulated photonic radiation; For each location within a first set of locations on the sample, accruing a spectrum using a first value of said beam parameter; For each location within a second set of locations on the sample, accruing a spectrum using a second value of said beam parameter, different from said first value. |
| US08653454B2 |
Electron-beam image reconstruction
A technique for reconstructing an electron-beam (EB) image, which can be a scanning-electron-microscope (SEM) image or an EB-inspection image, is described. This reconstruction technique may involve an inverse electro-optical calculation that corrects for the influence of an electro-optical transfer function associated with an EB system on the EB image. In particular, in the inverse calculation a multi-valued representation of an initial EB image is at an image plane in the model of the electro-optical transfer function and a resulting EB image is at an object plane in the model of the electro-optical transfer function. Furthermore, the model of the electro-optical transfer function may have an analytical derivative and/or may be represented by a closed-form expression. |
| US08653443B2 |
Neutral particle microscope
The invention includes a source stream of neutral particles (neutral atoms and neutral molecules, but not neutrons) in free molecular flow, a beam forming element disposed within the source stream having at least one small aperture located proximal to the sample allowing part of the source stream to pass through the aperture as a beam of neutral particles directed at the sample for revealing the sample, a control positioner for scanning the beam of neutral particles over or through portions of said sample surface, optionally one or more detector nozzles having an inlet positioned to collect neutral particles proceeding from or through the sample surface in free molecular flow, at least one detector, the detector arranged to sense neutral particles proceeding from the sample, and a processor connected to the detector and control positioner for generating an image of said sample. |
| US08653442B2 |
Multiple laminar flow-based particle and cellular separation with laser steering
The invention provides a method, apparatus and system for separating cellular components, and can be combined with holographic optical trapping manipulation or other forms of optical tweezing. One exemplary method includes providing a first flow having a plurality of components; providing a second flow; contacting the first flow with the second flow to provide a first separation region; and differentially sedimenting a first cellular component of the plurality of components into the second flow while concurrently maintaining a second cellular component of the plurality of components in the first flow. The second flow having the first cellular component is then differentially removed from the first flow having the second cellular component. Holographic optical traps may also be utilized in conjunction with the various flows to move selected components from one flow to another, as part of or in addition to a separation stage. |
| US08653439B2 |
Image forming apparatus having optical sensor system, optical sensor system having heating module for removing deposit formation of volatile organic compounds there from, and method thereof
An optical sensor system is disclosed including a source module, a detection module, and a heating module. The source module includes a source housing unit having a source window member to emit a detection signal through the source window member. The detection module includes a first detection housing unit having a first detection window member spaced apart from the source module. The detection signal received by the detection module corresponds to an amount of volatile organic compounds (VOC) present in a path of the detection signal between the detection module and the source module. The heating module heats the source window member and the detection window member to remove deposit formation of the VOC there from. |
| US08653437B2 |
EUV light source with subsystem(s) for maintaining LPP drive laser output during EUV non-output periods
A device is disclosed herein which may comprise a droplet generator producing droplets of target material; a sensor providing an intercept time signal when a droplet reaches a preselected location; a delay circuit coupled with said sensor, the delay circuit generating a trigger signal delayed from the intercept time signal; a laser source responsive to a trigger signal to produce a laser pulse; and a system controlling said delay circuit to provide a trigger signal delayed from the intercept time by a first delay time to generate a light pulse that is focused on a droplet and a trigger signal delayed from the intercept time by a second delay time to generate a light pulse which is not focused on a droplet. |
| US08653433B2 |
Transimpedance amplifier and PON system
In a gain-switching-type transimpedance amplifier, in order to provide a technique capable of preventing unnecessary gain switching caused when noise is received, and preventing decrease in sensitivity caused when noise with a large input level is received, and then, a burst signal with a small input level is received, a transimpedance amplifier 5 includes: a pre-amplifier 200 to which the burst signal is inputted; an average detection start determination unit 300 for comparing an output of a pre-amplifier 200 with a first threshold voltage; an average detection circuit 400 for detecting and outputting an average value of the output of the pre-amplifier 200 during a certain period of time from a time point when the output of the pre-amplifier 200 exceeds the first threshold voltage; and a gain switching control unit 500 for determining whether to switch a gain of the pre-amplifier 200 based on an output of the average detection circuit 400. |
| US08653430B2 |
Optical projector with beam monitor including sensing intensity of beam pattern not projected toward an object
Optical apparatus includes a device package, with a radiation source contained in the package and configured to emit a beam of coherent radiation. A diffractive optical element (DOE) is mounted in the package so as to receive and diffract the radiation from the radiation source into a predefined pattern comprising multiple diffraction orders. An optical detector is positioned in the package so as to receive and sense an intensity of a selected diffraction order of the DOE. |
| US08653423B2 |
Thick film high temperature thermoplastic insulated heating element
The present invention provides an integrated thick film heating element on a substrate made from high temperature melt-flowable thermoplastic polymer/powder additive formulations which form an electrically insulating thermoplastic dielectric coating on the substrate, and electrically resistive lead free films and electrically conductive film formulations that are deposited and fired to form an integrated thick film heating element on a substrate at a processing temperature well below 600° C. This thick film heating element is formed on a substrate material coated first with the electrically insulating, filled melt flowable high temperature thermoplastic polymer/powder composite layer on which is deposited the electrically resistive lead free thick film that is capable of operating over a wide range of power densities for consumer and industrial heating element applications, with suitable electrical insulation properties under temperature cycling to for example 250° C. |
| US08653421B2 |
Apparatus for heating weather masts
The invention relates to a device for heating weather masts on wind turbines. The object of the invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art and to keep the weather masts of a wind turbine free of ice. The device according to the invention for heating a weather mast on a wind turbine is that the weather mast comprises interconnected pipings. In the pipings, there is arranged a heating system which is formed by one or a plurality of electric heating wires. |
| US08653415B2 |
Engine-driven air compressor/generator load priority control system and method
A system, in one embodiment, may include a portable unit having an engine, a generator coupled to the engine, a compressor coupled to the engine, and a priority load controller. The controller may be configured to adjust various loads on the engine, the generator, or the compressor, or a combination thereof, in response to sensor feedback and a priority control scheme. A computer-implemented method, in another embodiment, may include adjusting power output to various loads on an engine, a welding generator coupled to the engine, or an air compressor coupled to the engine, or a combination thereof, in a portable welding unit in response to sensor feedback and a priority control scheme. |
| US08653413B2 |
Welding power supply with digital control of duty cycle
A welding power supply including power conversion circuitry adapted to receive a primary source of power, to utilize one or more power semiconductor switches to chop the primary source of power, and to convert the chopped power to a welding output is provided. The provided welding power supply includes a pulse width modulated (PWM) digital controller including gate drive circuitry that generates a PWM output signal that controls the switching of the one or more power semiconductor switches. The PWM output signal includes a duty cycle term corrected for one or more sources of error in the welding system. |
| US08653411B2 |
Optimized machining of a contour using a pulsed tool
A pulsed machining method for the optimized machining of a contour which is characterized in that the instantaneous frequency ratio of φ of the pulse frequency of tool fL and of the rotational frequency of tool fCNC is optimized to achieve a highest possible degree of coverage of the individual machining pulses in the context of a shortest possible machining duration and without a direct concatenation of the machining pulses. It is especially preferred that this be achieved in that frequency ratio φ is an irrational number, thus cannot be expressed by the ratio of two whole numbers. By applying the method according to the present invention, a considerable time savings is achieved since there is no longer a need for time-consuming preliminary trials to ascertain an at least sufficient frequency ratio φ. |
| US08653409B1 |
Selective surface smoothing using lasers
A micro melting process to melt surface irregularities or features on a surface of a substrate. The method includes providing a laser and a control mechanism associated with the laser. The control mechanism is used to melt the surface irregularities on the substrate. The control mechanism varies the laser intensity and direction by varying and monitoring the power of the laser. The approach direction of the laser is used to control the manner in which irregularities or surface features are melted, ambient atmospheric conditions, induced motion between the laser and the surface being processed. |
| US08653406B2 |
Laser operating process and laser device
A device and a process for processing and/or joining work pieces via laser radiation, with an effective power laser and a pilot target laser that emit laser beams of different wavelengths, with the laser beams being directed at the work pieces by laser optics. Regarding the laser beams, by the laser optics that comprise at least one diffractive optical element (DOE) as a masking system, the beam pattern of the pilot target laser is adjusted to match the beam pattern of the effective laser beam. This is accomplished preferably by removing the pilot laser beam from the effective laser beam for part of the path length by dichroic mirrors, and by expanding the diverging pilot laser beam on said part of the path length by deflecting mirrors whose distance from the dichroic mirrors is variable. |
| US08653402B2 |
Joining system head, joining system, and method of feeding and joining elements
A joining method head is proposed for fixation to a movable frame, in particular to a robot, having a holding means for an element to be joined to a part, a joining drive means to move the holding means along a joining direction for joining, and a feeding means for feeding elements to the joining method head. Here a control means to control the joining drive means is arranged at the joining method head spatially distanced from the holding means and the joining drive means, so that the holding means and the joining drive means form a joining tool of small dimensions, and means are provided to pass on the elements fed to a transfer station of the feeding means in each instance to the holding means from in front. |
| US08653399B2 |
Steel sheet heat treatment/stamp system and method
An apparatus and related method are provided for a manufacturing process including heating of a processed part. A resistance heating assembly applies an electrical current to a work part comprising a sheet of high-tensile steel having a heat-resistant plating to improve formability. A heating control system regulates the electrical current to the work part in order to control the temperature of the work part. A temperature detector detects a temperature of the work part and generates feedback to the heating control system in order to regulate the electrical current. An electrical resistance detector measures an electrical resistance within the work part and generates feedback to the heating control system in order to regulate the electrical current. |
| US08653398B2 |
Electrical device with a multi-chamber housing
An electrical circuit-breaker device includes at least one pole part with a respective housing arrangement for encapsulating an interrupter insert having two corresponding electrical contacts, and an adjacent actuator part for mechanically moving one of the electrical contacts via an intermediate operating mechanism. A method of producing the device includes molding a multi-chamber housing by injection molding of plastic material with a first chamber and at least one further chamber, assembling the actuator part in the first chamber and the at least one respective interrupter insert in its own further chamber, and assembling the intermediate operating mechanism through an assembly opening in a common side wall between the first chamber and the at least one further chamber. |
| US08653395B2 |
Circuit breaker with two aligned breaker chambers, a common transmission, and reduced size
A very high voltage circuit breaker comprising, for each phase, at least two breaker chambers aligned with each other, each chamber including a pair of main contacts, a pair of arcing contacts that are stationary relative to the main contacts, and a nozzle for blowing out hot gases resulting from the breaking operations, the pairs of contacts being partly of complementary male and female forms, each comprising at least one movable contact, the nozzle being stationary relative to the movable main contact and arcing contact. |
| US08653391B2 |
Manual tripping device for circuit breaker
A permanently installed manual trip mechanism is mounted internally to a circuit breaker with a user operated handle extending to the outside of the enclosure. The mechanism converts a relatively small operator input to larger spring charge. Upon triggering, the mechanism provides the required operating velocity of the circuit breaker during the opening stroke for load break operation. |
| US08653387B2 |
Rotary adjustment for dual switch assembly
The present disclosure provides for systems and methods for fabricating sensing and/or control device assemblies, e.g., a dual pressure switch sensing and/or control device, a dual temperature switch sensing and/or control device or the like. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for systems and methods for fabricating sensing and/or control device assemblies (e.g., dual switch sensing and/or control device assemblies) with adjustment features and/or functionalities for switch calibration and/or adjustment. In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides for systems and methods for fabricating sensing and/or control device assemblies (e.g., dual switch sensing and/or control device assemblies) with rotary adjustment features/functionalities wherein the switches of the sensing device may be calibrated or adjusted via the rotary adjustment features/functionalities. |
| US08653383B2 |
Electric device and production method therefor
An electric device includes a support substrate 12, an electric circuit 14 provided in a sealing region set on the support substrate 12, an electric wiring provided on the support substrate 12 for electrically connecting an external electrical signal input/output source with the electric circuit 14, a sealing member 16 provided on the support substrate 12 to surround the sealing region, and a sealing substrate 17 bonded to the support substrate 12 with the sealing member 16 interposed therebetween. the electric circuit 14 includes an electronic element 24 having an organic layer, and a width of the sealing member 16 differs between an intersection region in which the electric wiring 15 and the sealing member 16 intersect each other and a non-intersection region excluding the intersection region. |
| US08653382B2 |
Electrostatic capacitive type touch screen panel
A touch screen panel according to an embodiment includes a substrate; an electrode forming part including a plurality of first electrode serials arranged in parallel in a first direction and a plurality of second electrode serials arranged in parallel in a second direction to cross the first direction, and each of the first electrode serials including a plurality of first electrode patterns, each of the second electrode serials including a plurality of second electrode patterns; and a routing wire forming part formed on the substrate outside the electrode forming part, and including a plurality of first routing wires connected to the plurality of first electrode serials, respectively and a plurality of second routing wires connected to the plurality of second electrode serials, respectively. |
| US08653380B2 |
Solar cell lead, method of manufacturing the same, and solar cell using the same
A solar cell lead includes a strip plate conductive material that a surface thereof is coated with solder plating. The coated solder plating includes a concavo-convex portion on a surface thereof and a 0.2% proof stress of not more than 90 MPa by a tensile test. The coated solder plating includes a hot-dip solder plating layer formed by supplying a molten solder on the surface of the strip plate conductive material. A plating temperature is set to be not higher than a liquidus-line temperature of the used solder plus 120° C., and an oxide film on a surface of the hot-dip solder plating layer is set to be not more than 7 nm in thickness. |
| US08653378B2 |
Structure of bridging electrode
In a structure of a bridging electrode, the structure of a bridging electrode applied to a capacitive touchpad, the structure comprising: a substrate; a plurality of first electrode blocks disposed on the substrate and electrically connected together in series through a first wire; a plurality of second electrode blocks disposed on the substrate and respectively disposed on two sides of the first wire; and a bridging insulation unit, which is perpendicular to and disposed on the first wire and having a bridging groove; wherein the second electrode blocks connecting electrically together in series through the bridging insulation unit having a second wire. |
| US08653377B2 |
Microelectronic assemblies
Embodiments enable for the creation of microelectronic modules that may be configured in any order within a microelectronic assembly. The microelectronic modules provide for point-to-point interconnects between the modules using a standardized connector that is the same for each module. This, thereby, eliminates the need for a backplane. The modules may be configured in any order within a microelectronic assembly. No prior knowledge regarding the functions of an individual microelectronic module is required if the microelectronic modules conform to the standardized I/O of the standardized connector. |
| US08653376B2 |
Corona shield and composite insulator with corona shield
A composite insulator comprises a rod with an insulating jacket and ribs and at least one end fitting and at least one corona shield. The latter is integrally manufactured from plastic material. It is configured to be coaxially disposed on the composite insulator at the transition from the rod to the end fitting. The corona shield forms a cavity, which is open towards the inside and which can be filled with sealant compound through at least one filling channel and which comprises a closing cuff in axial direction on both sides for sealing the cavity. The diameter of the rod side closing cuff is adapted to the diameter of the insulating jacket, and the diameter of the fitting side closing cuff is adapted to the diameter of the end fitting. The filling channel leads to the cavity from the outside. |
| US08653373B2 |
Differential signal transmission cable and method for fabricating the same
A differential signal transmission cable has a pair of insulated wires, a first tape and a second tape. Each of the first and second tapes is made of a base material having an electrical insulating property and an electrical conductive film formed on at least one surface of the base material. The first tape is spirally wound around the insulated wires such that the electrical conductive film is provided outside. The second tape is spirally wound around the first tape such that the electrical conductive film of the second tape contacts with the electrical conductive film of the first tape. Among angles made by an upper edge of the insulated wires and an edge of the first tape in a side view, a first angle made on one end side of the insulated wires is an acute angle in the first tape. |
| US08653365B1 |
Overfill warning wiring system for tank trucks
An overfill warning wiring system has a plurality of fluid tight connectors integrally molded to a first fluid tight cabling, the connectors in turn connected to fluid tight connectors protruding from fluid tight sensor modules in manhole covers of a tank truck, the first fluid tight cabling connected to a main fluid tight cabling which is in turn connected in a fluid tight manner to a fluid tight monitor. |
| US08653362B2 |
Cover opening and closing mechanism and image processing device
A cover opening/closing mechanism, including a housing having an opening; a flexible cover movable between a closed position and an opened position; a first locking mechanism; and a second locking mechanism, wherein a first distance by which a pair of members of the first locking mechanism slide and move with respect to each other in order to bring the first locking mechanism to a locked state is longer than a second distance by which a pair of members of the second locking mechanism slide with respect to each other in order to bring the second locking mechanism to a locked state. An external force for causing the pair of the members of the first locking mechanism to slide and move with respect to each other is weaker than an external force for causing the pair of members of the second locking mechanism to slide with respect to each other. |
| US08653360B2 |
Compositionally-graded band gap heterojunction solar cell
A photovoltaic device includes a composition modulated semiconductor structure including a p-doped first semiconductor material layer, a first intrinsic compositionally-graded semiconductor material layer, an intrinsic semiconductor material layer, a second intrinsic compositionally-graded semiconductor layer, and an n-doped first semiconductor material layer. The first and second intrinsic compositionally-graded semiconductor material layers include an alloy of a first semiconductor material having a greater band gap width and a second semiconductor material having a smaller band gap with, and the concentration of the second semiconductor material increases toward the intrinsic semiconductor material layer in the first and second compositionally-graded semiconductor material layers. The photovoltaic device provides an open circuit voltage comparable to that of the first semiconductor material, and a short circuit current comparable to that of the second semiconductor material, thereby increasing the efficiency of the photovoltaic device. |
| US08653358B2 |
Thermoelectric device architecture
A thermoelectric device (100, 220) includes a plurality of conductor portions (120-124) including a first angled side portion (134) and a second angled side portion (135). The thermoelectric device (100, 220) also includes a plurality of conductor members (170-174) including a first angled side section (181) and a second angled side section (182). A plurality of P-type thermoelectric members (210-213) interconnect corresponding ones of the first angled side portions (134) with the first angled side sections (181). A plurality of N-type thermoelectric members (200-204) interconnect corresponding ones of the second angled side portions (135) with the second angled side sections (182). Electric flow through the plurality of conductor portions (120-124) and the plurality of conductor members (170-174) passes along a first predefined curvilinear path and a heat flux passes along a second predefined curvilinear path. |
| US08653357B2 |
Method for heat dissipation on semiconductor device
A device and method wherein a thermo electric generator device is disposed between stacks of a multiple level device, or is provided on or under a die of a package and is conductively connected to the package. The thermo electric generator device is configured to generate a voltage by converting heat into electric power. The voltage which is generated by the thermo electric generator can be recycled back into the die itself, or to a higher-level unit in the system, even to a cooling fan. |
| US08653355B2 |
Chord-playing robot system and method for controlling the same
A chord-playing robot system is disclosed. The robot system includes a computer including an anti-collision program, two linear motors, two moving devices, and two finger-like devices. The finger-like devices are respectively connected with the moving devices. The anti-collision program is executed to prevent the moving devices from colliding with each other. The linear motors are controlled by the computer and are operable to drive the moving devices. Each finger-like device includes a plurality of tubular solenoids and a plurality of electromagnetic bars. The tubular solenoids are disposed in alternating sequence in two rows. The computer is operable to determine if there is any one of the tubular solenoids shall be switched on. The at least one tubular solenoid, upon switched on, is configured to move the associated electromagnetic bar toward for pressing a key on a piano. |
| US08653347B1 |
Headjoint crown assembly with extension unit
Crown assemblies are described, having novel extension units, selectable vibrational lengths, stoppers with flexible coupling to the crown and regulated pressure against a headjoint tube, and crowns with radial-arm contact surfaces. The novel extension units are situated between the embouchure and the crown and extend the vibrational length between those points. This extension gives the flute tone greater depth and resonance and gives the player greater control over the vibration of the flute tube. A selectable extension unit features distinct vibrational lengths at indexed points of rotation of the crown, providing a means for rapidly changing the tone and response of the instrument in a fashion heretofore unknown on flutes. Improvements to crown and stopper design allow freer vibration of the headjoint tube between embouchure and crown, further enhancing the benefits of the novel extension unit. |
| US08653342B2 |
Soybean variety A1026473
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1026473. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1026473. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1026473 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1026473 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |