| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08908589B2 |
Repeater device
A repeater device that achieves remote activation without fail by increasing the probability of an activation instruction frame reaching a to-be-activated communication device. The repeater device includes an activation signal generation unit that generates an activation signal, which activates a first communication device, when a frame, which is to be transmitted to the first communication device that is one of communication devices connected to a network managed by the repeater device, is received and when the first communication device is not in operation; and an annunciation signal generation unit that generates an annunciation signal, which sets up a non-communication section in which no communication takes place for a certain period of time with a communication device connected to the network. The repeater device sets up a non-communication section using an annunciation signal, and transmits, with the non-communication section set up, an activation signal. |
| US08908585B2 |
Methods and devices for mitigating power consumption in slotted mode communication protocols
Methods and devices for mitigating power consumption in CDMA slotted mode are aspects of the present disclosure. A method for controlling an access terminal includes entering an awake state of a slotted idle mode, adjusting a reacquisition time for acquiring a pilot signal from a first cell in accordance with a pilot signal quality from the first cell recorded in a prior awake state, and acquiring the pilot signal. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described. |
| US08908584B2 |
Method and apparatus of sleep mode operation in a multi-carrier system
A method and apparatus of sleep mode operation in a multi-carrier system are discussed. The method of establishing a sleep mode operation through active primary and secondary carriers according to an embodiment of the present invention may include transmitting a sleep cycle ID, a listening window, and traffic indication inactive information indicating that an indication as to whether traffic is generated is not transferred to a terminal through the primary carrier, sending downlink data to the terminal through the active primary or secondary carrier during the listening window, and sending a listening window early termination indication indicating to early terminate the listening window of the primary or secondary carrier that has received the downlink data through the primary carrier to the terminal if the data sending is completed. |
| US08908581B2 |
Extended microsleep for communications
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate operating an access terminal in an LTE based wireless communication environment utilizing extended microsleep. While in non-DRX mode, an access terminal can operate in on state for a first period of time and in extended microsleep state for a second period of time. Further, the first and second periods of time can form a repeating pattern where these periods of time alternate. Thus, the access terminal can turn on its receiver for the first period of time (e.g., decode downlink information while in on state) and turn off its receiver for the second period of time (e.g., inhibit decoding of downlink information while in extended microsleep state). Further, the first period of time in the repeating pattern can be one TTI (e.g., 1 ms) and the second period of time in the repeating pattern can be a plurality of TTIs (e.g., 5 ms). |
| US08908576B2 |
Bi-directional digital interface for video and audio (DIVA)
A communication system, comprising a first node, a second node, a serial communication link between the first node and the second node, configured to transmit digital video data from the first node to the second node over one or more video channels of the link. The communication system further including a hybrid link between the first node and the second node, wherein the first node and the second node are configured to transmit at least one stream of data to the other through a hybrid channel over the hybrid link. In the communication system, the bandwidth of the serial communication link is scaled according to a video pixel frequency. Further, the initial locking of the serial communication link is aided by clock information delivered over the hybrid link. |
| US08908575B2 |
Methods and systems for calibrating a frequency-division duplexing transceiver
A frequency-division duplexing (FDD) transceiver includes a first mixer to up-convert a transmit signal and a first switch, coupled to the first mixer, to selectively provide a transmit local oscillator signal or a receive local oscillator signal to the first mixer. The transmit local oscillator signal has a first frequency and the receive local oscillator signal has a second frequency distinct from the first frequency. The FDD transceiver also includes a second mixer to down-convert a receive signal and a second switch, coupled to the second mixer, to selectively provide the transmit local oscillator signal or the receive local oscillator signal to the second mixer. |
| US08908574B2 |
Generation of HARQ-ACK information and power control of HARQ-ACK signals in TDD systems with downlink of carrier aggregation
Methods and apparatus are provided for a User Equipment (UE) configured to have multiple cells in a DownLink (DL) of a Time Division Duplex (TDD) communication system so as to determine a power of an acknowledgement signal that the UE transmits in a control channel and to determine a number of acknowledgement information bits that the UE multiplexes with data information bits in a data channel. A transmission power of the control signal is determined based on DL Assignment Index (DAI) Information Elements (IEs) in DL Scheduling Assignments (SAs) that the UE detects through multiple transmission time intervals and through the multiple configured DL cells. The number of acknowledgement information bits in the data channel is determined based on a DAI IE of an UpLink (UL) SA associated with the transmission of the data channel. |
| US08908573B1 |
Data communication systems and methods
The present invention provides systems and methods for improved data communication between communication terminals such as a base station and an unmanned aerial vehicle. In some instances, the systems and methods described herein provide robust transmission uplink data such as control data and wideband transmission of downlink data such as image data or other sensor data, while avoiding interference between the uplink data transmission and the downlink transmission. |
| US08908570B2 |
Control signal management system and method
A user equipment (UE) including a processor configured to transmit control plane data irrespective of on-duration/off-duration status. |
| US08908569B2 |
Multiple-termination routing in a wireless network environment with an internet protocol core
Methods for multiple-termination routing in a wireless network environment that includes an Internet Protocol (“IP”) core are described herein. One method includes receiving a call delivery request. The call delivery request includes a called number. The call features associated with the called number are determined. A determination is made whether the call features include multiple-termination routing information for a plurality of potential terminating devices. When the call features include the multiple-termination routing information including at least one termination to be routed utilizing Session Initiation Protocol (“SIP”), a call setup is initiated to each of the plurality of potential terminating devices. |
| US08908566B2 |
Communication management device, communication device, and communication method
The communication management device includes a logical-ring configuring unit that determines a transmission order of a token frame in a network and configures a logical ring; a multicast-address generating unit that generates a multicast address from a MAC address of the communication management device; a multicast-address notifying unit that notifies a slave station configuring the logical ring of the multicast address; and a token-frame processing unit and a data-frame-communication processing unit that transmit a frame having a destination address to which the multicast address is set, and not performing a receiving process of a frame when a destination address of the received frame does not coincide with the multicast address. |
| US08908563B2 |
Method for acquiring information, user equipment, and network equipment
A method for acquiring information includes: receiving an Internet Protocol (IP) address acquisition request or Packet Data Network (PDN) address allocation information sent by User Equipment (UE); determining a PDN address capability according to the IP address acquisition request or the PDN address allocation information; and sending the determined PDN address capability to the UE. An UE and network equipment are also provided. The PDN address capability is determined by the network and is sent to the UE, so as to indicate to the UE the IP address information that may be acquired in a current PDN connection, such that when the network cannot provide an IP address for the UE any more, the UE is prevented from acquiring other IP addresses in other manners, avoiding service abnormality. |
| US08908561B2 |
Enhanced mobile network system acquisition using scanning triggers
A system and method for executing network acquisition employ a triggered scan for network acquisition regardless of the recorded optimal nature of the current network. In general, when one or more predefined conditions occur, a network scan is initiated to identify another network, if any, that is more optimal than the current network. Example trigger conditions include failed registration attempts, exceeding a predetermined distance threshold, entry to or exit from a pre-determined region, excess CDMA Chip delay, and others. Triggers may be used singly or in Boolean combinations. In this way, network scanning occurs when it may be beneficial, but will not be initiated too frequently or in situations where connectivity may not actually be suboptimal. This triggered scan provides improved connectivity, and can allow the device to make and receive calls in locations where it would otherwise not have been possible. |
| US08908553B2 |
IP flow based offload for subscriber data optimization and scheduling at the basestation in a mobile data network
Mobile network services are performed at the edge in a flat mobile data network in a way that is transparent to most of the existing equipment in the mobile data network to reduce the load and increase efficiency on the mobile data network by breaking out data at the edge based on specific IP data flows. The mobile data network includes a radio access network and a core network. A first service mechanism in the radio access network breaks out data coming from a basestation based on breakout conditions, and performs one or more mobile network services. The second service mechanism determines what traffic satisfies breakout authorization criteria and informs the first service mechanism. The message from the second service mechanism triggers the first service mechanism to perform IP flow based breakout. An overlay network allows the first and second mechanisms to communicate with each other. |
| US08908551B2 |
Self adaptive multi-level downlink power control for noise-limited wireless cellular networks
The invention provides a self-adaptive downlink power control scheme for OFDMA-based wireless cellular networks suitable for noise-limited environments. Downlink power levels are assigned in a distributed manner in the absence of any requirement for coordination or cooperation between cells. Distributed assignment allows for more optimal usage of the available transmit power at the base stations and more complete exploitation of the flexibility of frequency domain scheduling. In one embodiment, base stations in a cellular network service mobile user equipment within the respective base station coverage areas, and categorize the user equipment in a plurality of power levels according to certain criteria in accordance with such factors as channel experience and quality. A load-balancing self-adjustment mechanism allows automatic balancing of the load between different power levels. |
| US08908549B2 |
Resource allocation in a communication network
The present invention relates to a method for operating a network comprising a primary station communicating with a plurality of secondary stations, the method comprising the primary station communicating with a secondary station in a discontinuous mode; the secondary station transmitting to the primary station a control message based on the current status of the secondary station; the primary station changing a parameter of the discontinuous mode based on the control message. |
| US08908544B1 |
Multiple power modes for 802.11N radio
Example apparatus and methods provide multiple power modes for an 802.11N radio. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a radio frequency (RF) unit including a transmit circuit configured to transmit RF signals to an antenna, and a receive circuit configured to receive RF signals from the antenna. The apparatus may also include a baseband unit configured to analyze RF signals received by the RF unit. The baseband unit may also be configured to provide signal strength information concerning the RF signals received by the RF unit and/or channel quality information concerning a channel associated with the RF signals received by the RF unit. The apparatus may also include a MAC logic configured to control the RF unit to operate in either a power save mode or in a high power mode based on the signal strength information or the channel quality information provided by the baseband unit. |
| US08908539B1 |
Systems and methods for testing network connections of a centrally-controlled network
A computer network testing process to determine whether, given a network node that is unreachable by communication attempts from a controller on a control-plane network, the network node is still functioning to forward data packets on a data-plane network, or if the network node is fully non-functional on both the control-plane network and data-plane network. In order to make this determination, the testing process identifies a network node that is still reachable by the controller on the control-plane network, identifies a route between the controller and unreachable node, passing through the reachable node, and constructs an encapsulated test packet that is sent along this route. In response to sending the encapsulated test packet, the controller may, upon receipt of a confirmation packet, determine that the unreachable node is still functional on the data-plane network, or if no confirmation packet is received, mark the unreachable node as fully non-functional. |
| US08908526B2 |
Controlled interconnection of networks using virtual nodes
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for controlling interconnections between nodes using virtual nodes are described. A physical node—such as a router, bridge, switch, etc. —stores a virtual cost associated with a virtual link that links virtual nodes of the physical node. A first physical port and a second physical port of the physical node are designated as belonging to a first virtual node and a third physical port of the physical node is designated as belonging to the second virtual node. The first physical port is associated with a first network partition and the second physical port is associated with a second network partition. The physical node transmits a routing information packet that includes the virtual cost. |
| US08908524B2 |
Method of congestion detection in a cellular radio system
A method for detecting congestion in a transport network is provided. The congestion detection utilizes flow control including relative bitrate. The method comprises counting the number of detected frame loss events for a flow. The method further comprises determining if the number of detected frame losses is greater than or equal to a corresponding threshold, wherein the threshold used is an individual threshold for the flow set taking into account relative bitrate weights of the flow, and detecting transport network congestion for the flow when the number of detected frame losses is greater than or equal to the corresponding threshold. |
| US08908523B2 |
Apparatus and methods for improved packet flow mobility
Methods and apparatus for improved packet data flow mobility and packet data distribution and collection across heterogeneous networks. In one embodiment, a source device with one or more wireless interfaces receives data to be transmitted to a target device. The device sequences the received data with corresponding packet sequence numbers according to characteristics of the service providing the data. The sequenced data is classified according to application/service requirements (e.g., minimum Quality of Service requirements, service type, etc.). The classified data is assigned to available network interfaces, which can support the classifications of the data. The data is transmitted over the assigned network interfaces to the corresponding receiving interface. The data is collected and reassembled according to the packet sequence number at the target destination. |
| US08908517B2 |
Traffic distribution across a plurality of attachment circuits of a multihome site with a computer network using hashing algorithm
In one embodiment, an edge device of a core network may receive a plurality of packets from a peripheral network having a plurality of active connections to the core network, where each packet has a destination address and a source address. The edge device may compute a hash on the destination address or the source address of each packet, and determine whether the computed hash corresponds to the edge device. In response to the computed hash not corresponding to the edge device, the edge device may drop the packet, and in response to the computed hash corresponding to the edge device, the edge device may process the packet to forward the packet, where the dropping and processing load balances the plurality of packets over the active connections and prevents formation of loops in the core network. |
| US08908514B2 |
Method for supporting handover mechanisms
A method for supporting handover mechanisms, in particular Media Independent Handover (MIH) mechanism according to the IEEE 802.21 standard, wherein a user equipment (UE) attaches to an access network (AN) via points of attachment (PoAs), wherein signalling messages are exchanged between the entities participating in the handover process, in particular between the user equipment and the points of attachment, and wherein the handover mechanism supports changing the network connection of the user equipment from one of the points of attachment—current point of attachment (PoA)—to another one of the points of attachment—target point of attachment—while maintaining all ongoing communication of the user equipment, is characterized in that information about the user equipment's ongoing communication is added to the signalling messages exchanged in the handover process, wherein the information is employed to treat individual traffic flows of the user equipment's ongoing communication selectively during the handover process. |
| US08908511B2 |
Scheduling method and system for communication networks; corresponding devices, network and computer program product
In a method of scheduling transmission services over a high speed packet access communication link such as a HSDPA and/or a HSUPA link a list of queues is created for transmission services to be provided over the link. The queues, which include both Real Time and Non Real Time queues, are allotted respective service priorities based e.g. on a channel quality indicator and/or a Quality of Service indicator to produce an ordered list of queues based on the service priorities. The link resources needed for serving at least one set of queues having higher priorities in the ordered list are estimated and a check is made. If these resources are available, the set of queues having higher priorities in the ordered list are served. If the resources required are not available, at least one queue is removed from the ordered list of queues. |
| US08908510B2 |
Communication link with intra-packet flow control
A method for communication includes transmitting a data packet from a first port to a second port over a communication link. After transmission of a first portion of the data packet, the transmission is temporarily suspended, a flow-control message is sent from the first port to the second port over the communication link while the transmission is temporarily suspended, and then the transmission is resumed so as to transmit a second portion of the data packet. |
| US08908509B2 |
Flow admission control in an IP network
A flow admission control module for IP traffic types monitors network topology and usage. A new flow is not admitted if it is determined that the flow would push the utilization of available bandwidth reserved for the traffic type on a link in the associated path beyond a predetermined threshold. The admission control module may, as a result of dynamic changes to network topology capacity, re-compute the link utilization for effected active flows The admission control module may also account for protection regimes in flow admission calculations. |
| US08908508B2 |
Utilizing a replacement pathway for lost packet delivery during media reception in a set-top box (STB)
A replacement pathway in an STB is utilized to determine loss of packets and delivery error during reception of media broadcasts, and to retrieve replacement data from one or more replacement media servers. The retrieval of the replacement data is performed during playback of the received media broadcasts. The communication of media broadcast incorporates delays to accommodate the retrieval of replacement data. Alternatively, received broadcast media streams are buffered to enable retrieval of replacement data and to provide seamless presentation of media content in the media broadcasts. The replacement media server performs access authentication operations during replacement data retrieval. The replacement media server is accessed via markup language, for example, HTML and/or XML, based interfaces and/or dedicated APIs. The replacement media server may deny replacement data based on plurality of service criteria such as acceptance and denial criteria, which may comprise allowable bandwidth and/or error rates. |
| US08908507B2 |
RAN analytics, control and tuning via multi-protocol, multi-domain, and multi-RAT analysis
The present invention identifies methods and procedures for correlating control plane and user plane data, consolidating and abstracting the learned and correlated data in a form convenient for minimizing and exporting to other network devices, such as those in the Core Network and the Access Network, or the origin server, CDN devices or client device. These correlation methods may use Control Plane information from a plurality of interfaces in the RAN, and User plane information from other interfaces in the RAN or CN. IF the device is deployed as an inline proxy, this information may be exported using in-band communication, such as HTTP extension headers in HTTP Request or Response packets, or another protocol header, such as the IP or GTP-U header field. Alternatively, this information can be exported out-of-band using a separate protocol between the RAN Transit Network Device (RTND) and the receiving device. |
| US08908506B2 |
Method and system for switching APS service channel and automatic protection switching device
A method and a system for switching an APS service channel, and an automatic protection switching device are disclosed. The method includes: a first recovered side reaches a wait-to-restore (WTR) state when the first recovered side receives information about transition to the WTR state from a second recovered side if a current state of the first recovered side is a first No Request (NR) state and if a state prior to transition to the first NR state is a Signal Fail (SF) state; and the first recovered side reaches a second NR state upon expiry of a WTR time of the first recovered side after receiving WTR time expiry information sent by the second recovered side. Therefore, the user can know the WTR state of the first recovered side clearly. |
| US08908505B2 |
Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to monitor communication paths in communication systems
Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to monitor communication paths in communication systems are disclosed. An example method includes identifying links of a communication system, the links communicatively coupling router pairs, identifying communication paths in the communication system, each of the communication paths being routed via one or more of the links, testing the links during a first interval by testing at least a first portion of the communication paths, testing the links during the second interval by testing at least a second portion of the communication paths, changing the first portion of the communication paths to include at least one of the communication paths from the second portion of the communication paths such that testing the first portion of the communication paths and testing the second portion of the communication paths collectively test each of the links, and identifying a link failure based on the testing. |
| US08908503B2 |
Method and apparatus of performing a multi-channel data transmission
Disclosed are an apparatus and method of performing a data channel change-over procedure. One example method of operation may include detecting an abnormality in an active data communication channel established between at least two endpoint devices. The method may further provide selecting a next available data communication channel based on at least one data channel metric and transmitting at least one change-over message via an active control channel established between the at least two endpoints. The method may further include transmitting subsequent data messages over the next available data communication channel. |
| US08908499B1 |
System and method for handling packets in a stackable network switch
A network switch including a plurality of stack units sequentially linked to each other. Each stack unit includes a port, a forwarding engine, a first interface, and a second interface. The second interface of each stack unit is linked to the first interface of a subsequent stack unit. The second interface of a last stack unit is linked to the first interface of a first stack unit. In response to a packet traveling in a first direction from the first stack unit to the last stack unit and a link between a second stack unit and a third stack unit being inoperative, the forwarding engine of the second stack unit returns the packet in a second direction to a preceding stack unit. The packet travels in the second direction from the preceding stack unit to the first stack unit, to the last stack unit, and to the third stack unit. |
| US08908494B2 |
Sequence-generating method, and apparatus for same
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for enabling a transmitter to transmit a sequence in a wireless communication system, and to an apparatus for the same. A sequence-transmitting method comprises the steps of: performing at least one of a complex conjugate operation and a reverse operation on a first sequence to generate a second sequence; mapping the second sequence to a plurality of subcarriers in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) symbol; and transmitting the OFDMA symbol to a receiver. The invention also relates to an apparatus for the sequence-generating method. |
| US08908489B2 |
Method and device for data processing and communication system comprising such device
Method and device for data processing and communication system with such a device. The method and the device allow data processing via at least one channel. The method includes the following step of transmitting an idle pattern across the at least one channel when no information is conveyed. The idle pattern is created such that interference and/or crosstalk resulting from the idle pattern can be reduced at the receiving side. |
| US08908484B2 |
Recording/reproducing device and optical disk library device
In a recording/reproducing device for recording and reproducing an optical disk, when performing verify processing of inspecting a quality of recorded data and compare processing of inspecting whether the recorded data can be read without errors, a time is taken because the same area needs to be reproduced two times. The verify processing and the compare processing are performed at one time reproduction. To perform the verify processing and the compare processing simultaneously, a recording quality storage part is provided in the recording/reproducing device, and reproduced data is transmitted to a host controller while storing quality information at the time of reproduction by an instruction of the host controller. The host controller performs the compare processing by comparing transmitted data and data at the time of recording and inspects the recording quality by acquiring the quality information of a reproduced area from the recording/reproducing device at intervals set in advance. |
| US08908483B1 |
Implementing contact sensing with near field transducer (NFT) and in-drive NFT characterization diagnostics in heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) HDD
A method, apparatus, and system for implementing contact sensing are provided using a near field transducer (NFT) and in-drive NFT characterization diagnostics for heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) hard disk drives (HDDs). NFT resistance is monitored and used to determine head to disk contact and spacing. NFT resistance is used to detect NFT head wear. |
| US08908479B2 |
Electronic wrist watch having wireless charging function
An electronic wrist watch having wireless charging function is provided. The watch includes a body, a watch strap portion, at least one chargeable battery and a wireless charging module. The watch strap portion includes two watch straps respectively connected to opposite ends portions of the body, and used to wear the electronic wrist watch on wrist. The rechargeable battery and the wireless charging module are arranged in the watch-strap portion, and the wireless charging module is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery. The wireless charging module is configured to wirelessly collect external energy to charge the rechargeable battery. With such a configuration of the rechargeable battery and the wireless charging module arranged in the watch-strap portion, capacity of the rechargeable battery can be effectively expanded, and charging process of the rechargeable battery can be effectively simplified, without changing the size of the electronic wrist watch. |
| US08908478B2 |
Tap sensitive alarm clock
A tap sensitive alarm clock has a housing (20), a vibration sensor (22) mechanically coupled to the housing for receiving a shock due to a user tapping the housing, and a control circuit (24) coupled to the vibration sensor for controlling a function of the alarm clock. An audio unit (26) is coupled to an audio circuit (25) for generating sound, e.g. a loudspeaker in an alarm clock or a wake up light. To avoid interference of the sound and the vibration sensor, the alarm clock is provided with a filter (23) coupled to the vibration sensor and the control circuit. The filter has a filter curve matched to block frequencies occurring in the sound. Advantageously it is avoided that the sound frequencies trigger the function, while the sensor is sensitive to other frequencies up to the frequency range of the sound for reliably detecting the tapping. |
| US08908475B2 |
Acoustic positioning system and method
An acoustic positioning device includes an acoustic emitter and receiver. The device emits a sequence of at least one first acoustic signal (S1) and one second acoustic signal (S2), separated by a time interval T, and to receive and measure the arrival phase φ1 of S1 and the arrival phase φ2 of S2. The device measures a relative displacement between the acoustic emitter and the acoustic receiver and determines the approximate difference (R2−R1)AUX between the distance R1 traveled by S1 between the acoustic emitter and receiver, and the distance R2 traveled by S2 between the acoustic emitter and the acoustic receiver, and calculates the relative displacement (R2−R1) between the acoustic emitter and the acoustic receiver as a function of the approximate difference (R2−R1)AUX, of the time interval T and of the arrival phases φ1, φ2 respectively of S1 and of S2. |
| US08908463B1 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and control method thereof
A semiconductor memory device of this embodiment comprises: a plurality of memory chips each including a plurality of memory cells; and a controller that controls the plurality of memory chips. The controller transmits to any of the plurality of memory chips a drive instruction command instructing an operation. The drive instruction command is transmitted sequentially to the plurality of memory chips with at least a first time interval. Each of the plurality of memory chips, when the memory chip itself is in a standby state of waiting for an instruction for one operation execution of an operation loop for a certain operation, starts the operation of the operation loop in response to the drive instruction command, while when the memory chip itself is in operation execution of the operation loop, ignores the drive instruction command. |
| US08908462B2 |
Semiconductor device including current compensator
The present technology relates to an electronic device, and more particularly, to a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a peripheral circuit, a power output line connected to the peripheral circuit and configured to transmit an operation voltage to the peripheral circuit, a current compensator including an OP-amplifier connected to the power output line, and a capacitor connected between an output terminal of the OP-amplifier and the power output line. |
| US08908460B2 |
Nonvolatile memory systems using time-dependent read voltages and methods of operating the same
An elapsed time with respect to a programming operation on a memory cell of a nonvolatile memory is determined, a read voltage is adjusted based on the determined elapsed time and a read operation is performed on the memory cell using the adjusted read voltage. Determining the elapsed time may be preceded by performing the programming operation in response to a first access request and determining the elapsed time may include determining the elapsed time in response to a second access request. Memory systems supporting such operations are also described. |
| US08908458B2 |
Sense amplifier circuit for nonvolatile memory
A sense amplifier circuit for a nonvolatile memory that includes a first amplifier to perform a switching operation to output a first signal on a sense amplifier based logic (SABL) node depending on the state of a sensing enable signal, a second amplifier to perform a switching operation to output a second signal on the SABL node depending on the state of the sensing enable signal, a current mirror that sinks current on the SABL node depending on the sensing enable signal and a bit line signal, and an inverter arranged to output the signal on the SABL node as a data signal. |
| US08908457B2 |
Semiconductor device
A device may include, but is not limited to, a bit line; a power line supplied with a power voltage; a sense amplifier circuit amplifying a voltage of the bit line by using the power voltage of the power line; and a control circuit configured to respond to an active command and supply, as the power voltage, the power line with a first voltage during a first period and a second voltage lower than the first voltage during a second period. The control circuit is further configured to respond to a refresh command and supply, as the power voltage, the power line with the second voltage during both the first and second periods. |
| US08908451B2 |
Data output circuit of semiconductor device
A data output circuit of a semiconductor device includes: a pattern data generation unit configured to generate pattern data in response to a bank selection signal, a variable delay unit configured to delay a source signal, which is generated in response to the bank selection signal, by a delay time corresponding to a delay control signal, a pattern control signal generation unit configured to generate a pattern control signal in response to an output signal of the variable delay unit, and a delay time control block configured to generate the delay control signal in response to the phases of the pattern control signal and the pattern data. |
| US08908447B2 |
Semiconductor device and data output circuit therefor
A semiconductor device includes a memory cell array configured to include a plurality of memory cells connected between a plurality of bit lines and a plurality of word lines, a bit line sense amplifier connected to a bit line of the bit lines and configured to amplify data stored in a selected memory cell and transfer the amplified data to a segment I/O line, a control signal generator configured to determine a level of an I/O switch control signal in response to a level of a power source voltage, and a local sense amplifier connected between the segment I/O line and an local I/O line and configured to couple or separate the segment I/O line and the local I/O line in response to the I/O switch control signal, amplify the data transferred to the segment I/O line, and supply the amplified data to the local I/O line. |
| US08908446B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of driving thereof
A semiconductor device includes a first latch unit that latches write data based on a strobe signal, a second latch unit that receives the write data latched in the first latch unit based on a first clock signal, and a strobe generation unit that generates the strobe signal and supplies it to the first latch unit. The strobe generation unit includes a bit shift counter, which receives a second clock signal and outputs a bit shift signal having a logic level that is inverted every plural clock cycles of the second clock signal, and a logic gate that outputs the second clock signal as the strobe signal according to the bit shift signal. The latch period of the write data in the first latch part is determined by the period of the strobe signal and also the period of the bit shift signal. |
| US08908444B2 |
Erase for 3D non-volatile memory with sequential selection of word lines
An erase operation for a 3D stacked memory device adjusts a start time of an erase period and/or a duration of the erase period for each storage element based on a position of the storage element. A voltage is applied to one or both drive ends of a NAND string to pre-charge a channel to a level which is sufficient to create gate-induced drain leakage at the select gate transistors. With timing based on a storage element's distance from the driven end, the control gate voltage is lowered to encourage tunneling of holes into a charge trapping layer in the erase period. The lowered control gate voltage results in a channel-to-control gate voltage which is sufficiently high to encourage tunneling. The duration of the erase period is also increased when the distance from the driven end is greater. As a result, a narrow erase distribution can be achieved. |
| US08908443B1 |
Storage device and method for performing a self-refresh operation
A storage device and method for performing a self-refresh operation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a storage device determines that the self-refresh operation needs to be performed. In response to that determination, the storage device performs the self-refresh operation by reading data from the memory and writing the data back to the memory without transferring the data outside of the storage device. |
| US08908441B1 |
Double verify method in multi-pass programming to suppress read noise
Memory cells which have read noise are identified during a programming pass and an amount of programming is increased for noisy memory cells compared to non-noisy cells. The read noise is indicated by a decrease in the threshold voltage of a cell when the cell is repeatedly read. In one approach, during the programming pass, a cell enters a temporary lockout state when it passes a first verify test and is subject to one or more additional verify tests. Data is stored to identify the cell as a noisy cell or a non-noisy cell based on the one or more additional verify tests. Or, the cells are subject to the one or more additional verify tests at the end of the programming pass. In a subsequent programming pass, the noisy cell is programmed using a stricter verify condition. Or, the noisy cell is kept in an erased state. |
| US08908437B2 |
Methods and devices for determining sensing voltages
The present disclosure includes methods and devices for determining sensing voltages. One such method includes comparing data associated with a number of template distributions to data associated with a first threshold voltage distribution and a second threshold voltage distribution associated with a number of memory cells programmed to particular adjacent program states, determining an intersection of the first and second threshold voltage distributions based on a template distribution of the number template distributions which most closely compares to the first and second threshold voltage distributions, and using the determined intersection to determine a sensing voltage used to sense the number of memory cells programmed to the particular adjacent program states. |
| US08908434B2 |
Operating methods of flash memory and decoding circuits thereof
A FLASH memory cell includes a control gate over a floating gate over a substrate. A wall line and an erase gate each is disposed adjacent to a respective sidewall of the control gate. A first source/drain (S/D) region is disposed in the substrate and adjacent to a sidewall of the wall line. A second S/D region is disposed in the substrate and adjacent to the sidewall of the floating gate. A method of operating the FLASH memory cell includes applying a first voltage level to the control gate. A second voltage level is applied to the word line. The second voltage level is lower than the first voltage level. A third voltage level is applied to the first S/D region. A fourth voltage level is applied to the second S/D region. The fourth voltage level is higher than the third voltage level. The erase gate is electrically floating. |
| US08908433B2 |
Semiconductor memory system including a plurality of semiconductor memory devices
A communication line is connected to first and second chips, and held at a first signal level. A monitor circuit changes a signal level of the communication line from the first signal to a second signal level while one of the first and second chips uses a current larger than a reference current. When the signal level of the communication line is the second signal level, the other of the first and second chips is controlled to a wait state that does not transfer to an operating state of using a current larger than the reference current. |
| US08908428B2 |
Voltage assisted STT-MRAM writing scheme
An embodiment includes a three terminal magnetic element for a semiconductor memory device. The magnetic element includes a reference layer; a free layer; a barrier layer disposed between the reference layer and the free layer; a first electrode; an insulating layer disposed between the electrode and the free layer; and a second electrode coupled to sidewalls of the free layer. |
| US08908427B1 |
Phase change memory with flexible time-based cell decoding
Methods and systems for time-based cell decoding for PCM memory. Generally, the higher the PCM element resistance, the longer it takes for a read output to change state. PCM memory output is determined using differentiated timings of read outputs changing state, rather than differentiated values of read outputs. In some single-bit single-ended sensing embodiments, a reference, with resistance between the resistances corresponding to a pair of adjacent logical states, is stored in multiple reference cells; a “vote” unit emits a clock signal when a majority of the reference cell read outputs transition at the vote unit. Timing units produce different binary outputs depending on whether a data read output or the clock signal changes state first at the timing unit. Time-based decoding provides advantages including improved temperature and drift resilience, improved state discrimination, improved reliability of multibit PCM, and fast and reliable sensing. |
| US08908426B2 |
Cell sensing circuit for phase change memory and methods thereof
A cell sensing circuit for a phase changing memory and methods thereof are provided. A specific one of the proposed methods includes: providing a sensing circuit having a sense amplifier, and two identical stable currents respectively received by a reference cell and a target cell; establishing a cell voltage on a cell side and a reference voltage on a reference side respectively via the two identical stable currents; and using the sense amplifier to determine a logic state of the target cell based on a voltage difference between the reference voltage and the cell voltage. |
| US08908419B2 |
Semiconductor storage device and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor storage device includes a memory cell array, a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit lines, a first gate wiring element 3a, 3b, a second gate wiring element 3c, 3d, a first connector 5a, 5b, and a second connector 5c, 5d. Each memory cell 10 has first and second sets having a driver transistor 11, a load transistor 12, and an access transistor 13. The word lines are arranged in parallel to each other along a first direction. The bit lines are arranged in parallel to each other along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first gate wiring element comprises a gate electrode of the first driver transistor and the first load transistor, and has a rectangular shape having straight line on opposite sides. The second gate wiring element comprises a gate electrode of the access transistor and has a rectangular shape having straight line on opposite sides. |
| US08908418B2 |
Semiconductor device
There is provided, for example, a write assist circuit for controlling the voltage level of a memory cell power supply line coupled to an SRAM memory cell to be written in the write operation. The write assist circuit reduces the voltage level of the memory cell power supply line to a predetermined voltage level, in response to a write assist enable signal that is enabled in the write operation. At the same time, the write assist circuit controls the reduction speed of the voltage level of the memory cell power supply line, according to the pulse width of a write assist pulse signal. The pulse width of the write assist pulse signal is defined in such a way that the greater the number of rows (or the longer the length of the memory cell power supply line), the greater the pulse width. |
| US08908416B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
A memory cell array includes memory cells disposed at intersections of first lines and second lines, and each having a rectifying element and a variable resistance element connected in series. A control circuit, when performing an operation to change retained data, applies a first voltage to a selected first line and applies a second voltage to a selected second line; furthermore, applies a third voltage to a non-selected first line; and, moreover, applies a fourth voltage larger than the third voltage to a non-selected second line. An absolute value of a difference between the third voltage and the fourth voltage is set smaller than an absolute value of a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage by an amount of an offset voltage. A value of the offset voltage increases as the absolute value of the difference between the first and second voltages increases. |
| US08908415B2 |
Resistive memory reset
A resistive memory cell includes a switch and a resistive switching device. The switch includes a first terminal connected to a select line and a gate terminal connected to a word line. The resistive switching device is connected between a second terminal of the switch and a bit line. The resistive switching device is resettable by having a positive bias applied to the word line and a negative bias applied to the bit line. |
| US08908412B2 |
Array architecture for reduced voltage, low power, single poly EEPROM
An Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) memory array (FIG. 7) is disclosed. The memory array includes a plurality of memory cells arranged in rows and columns. Each memory cell has a switch (714), an access transistor (716), and a sense transistor (720). A current path of each access transistor is connected in series with a current path of each respective sense transistor. A first program data lead (706) is connected to the switch of each memory cell in a first column. A bit line (718) is connected to the current path of each access transistor in the first column. A read select lead (721) is connected to a control terminal of each access transistor in the first row. A first row select lead (700) is connected to a control terminal of the switch in each memory cell in a first row. |
| US08908406B2 |
Cache memory and method for driving the same
A cache memory which can operate with less power consumption and has an improved cache hit rate and a method for driving the cache memory are provided. Two data storage portions (a first storage portion and a second storage portion) and one data transfer portion are provided in one memory cell in a memory set included in a cache memory, and arranged so that data can be transferred between the two storage portions via the data transfer portion. One of the two data storage portions can store data input from the outside and output data to a comparison circuit paired with the memory set. |
| US08908401B2 |
Multiphase soft-switched DC-DC converter
A high-frequency DC to DC converter comprising n transient converter circuits (1, 2 . . . n) operating in parallel. The converter has constant transfer characteristics, and the transient converter circuits are operated phase-shifted by 360°/n and with interleaved duty cycles, which results in a continuous energy transfer through the circuit. The circuit is also soft-switched, with very low switching losses. In particular, the active semiconductors only switch off a relatively small magnetization current, during a recovery phase which can last as long as (n−1)/n of the switching phase period. |
| US08908399B2 |
Regulation device for a charge pump generator and corresponding regulation method
A regulation device may be configured for regulating an output voltage of a charge pump voltage generator. The regulation device may include a first regulation loop capable of generating and delivering, to a first input of the voltage generator, an input voltage depending on the difference between the output voltage and a first reference voltage. The regulating device may also include a charger capable of generating and delivering, to a second input of the voltage generator, a substantially constant charge voltage. An electronic device may include the regulation device. |
| US08908393B2 |
Soft transition apparatus and method for switching power converters
An embodiment apparatus comprises a secondary synchronous rectifier and a secondary gate drive controller. The secondary gate drive controller coupled to a transformer winding comprises a secondary synchronous rectifier soft start signal generator configured to generate a plurality of soft start pulses, a pulse width modulation generator configured to generate a forward switch drive signal and a freewheeling switch drive signal based upon a signal across the transformer winding and a soft transition generator configured to generate a soft start freewheeling switch drive signal by gradually releasing the freewheeling switch drive signal during a soft start process. |
| US08908390B2 |
Switching converter systems with isolating digital feedback loops
A switching converter system includes a feedback path with at least one comparator arranged to provide a digital error signal in response to a comparison of an output voltage to a reference voltage. A first isolation channel can be configured to isolatably transport a clock signal to digitally gate the error signal, and a second isolation channel can be configured to isolatably transport the error signal. A controller can be coupled to the first and second isolation channels and configured to control a duty cycle in response to the error signal. A transformer is preferably inserted into the first and second isolation channels to enhance isolation and the first and second isolation channels respectively can include first and second digital gates that each have an output port coupled to an input port of the other. |
| US08908389B2 |
Power distribution system and helmet and method employing the same
An integrated accessory mounting and electrical interconnection device are provided which can be embedded or attached to the surface of a ballistic or non-ballistic helmet. The helmet system herein includes a flexible circuit substrate that may be embedded between a ballistic shell and an outer skin or shell. The helmet system and method allow a secure connection of helmet mounted accessories to the helmet without the need to penetrate any one or more layers of the ballistic shell with mounting hardware, fasteners, wiring vias, and so forth. |
| US08908385B2 |
Interface module
An interface module has an integrated component for replacing a component on a circuit board, the terminal contacts on the bottom side of the interface module being designed as provided for the contacts of the component on the circuit board, the interface module being divided into an adaptor part as a base module and a protocol converter part as a tool access module. |
| US08908383B1 |
Thermal via structures with surface features
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe apparatuses, methods, and systems of thermal via structures with surface features. In some embodiments the surface features may have dimensions greater than approximately one micron. The thermal via structures may be incorporated into a substrate of an integrated circuit device. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed. |
| US08908378B2 |
System including a plurality of encapsulated semiconductor chips
A solid state drive is disclosed. The solid state drive includes a circuit board having opposing first and second surfaces. A plurality of semiconductor chips are attached to the first surface of the circuit board of the solid state drive, and the plurality of semiconductor chips of the solid state drive include at least one memory chip that is at least substantially encapsulated in a resin. An in-line memory module-type form factor circuit board is also disclosed. The in-line memory module-type form factor circuit board has opposing first and second surfaces. A plurality of semiconductor chips are attached to the first surface of the in-line memory module-type form factor circuit board, and these semiconductor chips include at least one memory chip that is at least substantially encapsulated in a resin. |
| US08908374B2 |
Electronic device and power converter provided with electronic device
This electronic device includes a filter circuit including a coil, a resistor, and a condenser, and a heat radiating member radiating heat generated from the coil and the resistor, arranged in proximity to the coil and the resistor of the filter circuit. |
| US08908372B1 |
Cooling a chassis by moving air through a midplane between two sets of channels oriented laterally relative to one another
Heat dissipating electronic components and circuitry in a communication chassis are cooled by moving air at least through a midplane, between two groups of channels that are laterally oriented relative to one another. In an illustrative embodiment, channels of one group are oriented vertically while channels of another group are oriented horizontally. Each channel, regardless of whether it is vertical or horizontal, is defined by space in the chassis between adjacent circuit boards. Circuit boards on one side of the midplane are electrically connected to circuit boards on the other side of the midplane by orthogonal connectors on the midplane. The midplane additionally has openings that enable movement of air between vertically-oriented channels and horizontally-oriented channels. Circuit boards of the two orientations are cooled by increasing air pressure in vertically-oriented channels or by decreasing air pressure in horizontally-oriented channels or both, depending on the embodiment. |
| US08908368B2 |
Rack level hot aisle containment system
A method and system of cooling a server rack unit is described herein. A server rack for housing certain devices may be configured to receive a first air flow at a server rack front. Each device may form a wall at the back of the device creating a channel between the wall and the server rack back. The camber may collect warm air created by the first air flow as it extends over the at least one server. A first surface of the server may define at least one server rack opening allowing the warm air in the channel to exit the server rack. |
| US08908367B2 |
Electronic device enclosure
An electronic device enclosure includes a chassis and a cover. The chassis includes a fixing post and defines a receiving space configured to receive a storage device. The cover defines a latching hole. The fixing post is engaged in the latching hole to engage the cover with the chassis and cover the receiving space when no storage device is in the receiving space. |
| US08908364B2 |
Portable computer
A portable computer comprises a base, a display module, at least one support element and at least one sliding assembly. The base comprises a first area and a second area. The display module comprises a connect end and a display face. Each support element comprises a first end pivoted on a portion of the display module other than the display face and a second end pivoted on the rear end of the base. Each sliding assembly comprises a slide rail disposed at least in the second area and a sliding block connected with the connect end and moved along the slide rail. Each sliding block includes at least one stable structure for at least decreasing gaps between the slide rail and the sliding block. |
| US08908362B2 |
Foldable keyboard
A foldable keyboard includes a first input module, a second input module, a folding support member, a magnetic element and a ferromagnetic element. The magnetic element and the ferromagnetic element put on the second input module and the folding support member separately that the folding support member can close with the second input module. Using magnetic element avoid wearing away by traditional fastener and reducing the complexity of production. |
| US08908354B2 |
Electrical instrument having configurable input terminal block
An electrical instrument includes an input terminal block that allows customers to configure input power as either single-phase, three-phase delta, or three-phase wye, using shorting bars to connect appropriate line and/or neutral terminals to each other without the need for an external adaptor or converter, and without modifying the internal circuitry or programming of the instrument. |
| US08908352B2 |
Chip type laminated capacitor
There is provided a chip type laminated capacitor including: a ceramic body formed by laminating a dielectric layer having a thickness equal to 10 or more times an average particle diameter of a grain included therein and being 3 μm or less; first and second outer electrodes; a first inner electrode having one end forming a first margin together with one end surface of the ceramic body at which the second outer electrode is formed and the other end leading to the first outer electrode; and a second inner electrode having one end forming a second margin together with the other end surface of the ceramic body at which the first outer electrode is formed and the other end leading to the second outer electrode, wherein the first and second margins have different widths under a condition that they are 200 μm or less. |
| US08908351B2 |
Conductive paste composition for internal electrode, multilayer ceramic electronic component, and method of manufacturing the same
There are provided a conductive paste composition for an internal electrode, a multilayer ceramic electronic component including the same, and a method of manufacturing the same, the conductive paste composition including: a metal powder; and an additive including at least one selected from glutamic acid, amino acids, thiols, and hydrocarbons. |
| US08908343B2 |
System for electric distribution system protection and control and method of assembling the same
An electric distribution system includes at least one feeder and a protection and control system. The feeder includes at least one segment including a first end and an opposing second end. The protection and control system includes a protective device and an electric current measuring device coupled to the segment proximate each end. The system further includes at least one processor coupled in communication with the electric current measuring devices. The at least one processor is programmed to determine a difference between a synchronized first electric current measured proximate the first end and a synchronized second electric current measured proximate the opposing second end and determine a switching condition of the protective devices as a function of the difference between the synchronized first and second electric currents. |
| US08908342B2 |
Systems, methods and apparatus for protecting power distribution feeder systems
A power distribution feeder system includes a plurality of power sources, a plurality of switching components coupled to the power sources by a plurality of line sections, and an IED coupled to each switching component and configured to monitor any line section coupled to the switching component, each IED containing protection logic configured to detect a jump in current on a faulted line section, communicate the jump in current to other IEDs coupled to the faulted line section, receive information from the other IEDs coupled to the faulted line section regarding any jump in current detected by the other IEDs, employ the received information from the other IEDs to confirm a fault in the faulted line section, and issue a trip command to isolate the faulted line section based on the current jump detected by the IED and current jump information received from other IEDs coupled to the line section. |
| US08908341B2 |
Power clamp for high voltage integrated circuits
A clamp circuit includes both nmos and pmos devices connected in series between a voltage source terminal, such as an integrated circuit pad, and ground. A trigger unit, connected between the voltage source and ground, includes a plurality of output terminals coupled to the clamp circuit. The trigger unit is responsive to a voltage threshold, such as caused by an ESD occurrence, between the voltage source and ground to apply clamping signals at its output terminals to couple the voltage source terminal to ground through both nmos and pmos devices. |
| US08908332B2 |
Suspension assembly having a microactuator grounded to a flexure
Disclosed is a suspension assembly for a disk drive that includes: a mounting plate having a through-hole; a microactuator mounted on the mounting plate; a flexure attached to the mounting plate, the flexure including a trace layer that includes a ground trace; and a conductive epoxy bonded to the microactuator extending through the through-hole to bond to the flexure, wherein the epoxy extends to the ground trace of the flexure such that the microactuator is grounded to the flexure. |
| US08908328B2 |
Perpendicular magnetic write head and magnetic recording device having additional magnetic layer contacting front yoke and shield
A perpendicular magnetic write head includes: a magnetic pole having an end surface exposed on an air bearing surface, and extending in a height direction perpendicular to the air bearing surface; a first yoke having an end surface exposed on the air bearing surface, and facing a forward section of the magnetic pole with a gap layer in between; a second yoke located behind the first yoke with an insulating layer in between in the height direction, and connected to a backward section of the magnetic pole; a shield connecting the first yoke to the second yoke; and an additional magnetic layer located behind a boundary between the first yoke and the insulating layer, and in contact with the first yoke. |
| US08908327B1 |
Hard disk drive mounting frame and electronic device using same
A hard disk drive mounting frame for supporting hard disk drive includes a bottom plate and two side plates extending upwardly from the bottom plate. The side plates and the bottom plate corporately define a receiving space to receive the hard disk drive. Each of the side plates defines a plurality of hard disk drive supporting holes. Hard disk drive securing screws pass through the hard disk drive supporting holes to engage with the hard disk drive. The bottom plate defines a plurality of frame supporting holes, the frame supporting holes is located directly under the hard disk drive and covered by the hard disk drive, frame securing screws pass through the frame supporting holes to secure the hard disk drive mounting frame to outer environment. An electronic using the hard disk drive mounting frame is also provided. |
| US08908326B1 |
Hard disk drive mechanical modules with common controller
A system for storing data includes two or more drive mechanical modules configured to store data, one or more drive control modules coupled to the drive mechanical modules, and a data control module. The drive control modules control mechanical operations in the drive mechanical modules. The data control modules access data on the drive mechanical modules. |
| US08908324B1 |
Spindle motor for use in disk drive apparatus, disk drive apparatus, and method of manufacturing stator
A motor includes a base portion including a plurality of base through holes passing there through and a stator arranged on an upper side of the base portion. A plurality of coils of the stator include three coil groups including one or more of the coils defined by a single conducting wire. A joint portion where at least two of three common wires are joined together to define a single common wire is provided on the upper side of the base portion. Each common wire is one end portion of the conducting wire defining a separate one of the three coil groups. Each of the common wire elements and lead wire elements passes through a separate one of the base through holes. Each base through hole includes a circular sealing portion between an inner circumference and an entire circumferential extent of a corresponding one of the wire elements. |
| US08908323B2 |
Rotating device
A rotating device comprises: a hub on which magnetic recording disks are to be mounted; a shaft which extends along a rotational axis of the hub; a shaft surrounding member which surrounds one end of the shaft so as to rotatably support the shaft; and a base which fixedly supports the shaft surrounding member. A lubricant agent is interposed between the shaft and the shaft surrounding member. A radial gap between the shaft and the shaft surrounding member includes radial dynamic pressure generating portions which generate a dynamic pressure applied to the lubricant agent in a radial direction when the shaft is rotated with respect to the shaft surrounding member. A hub fixation screw hole is provided to the other end face of the shaft along the rotational axis. The hub is fixed to the shaft by coupling a hub fixation screw with the hub fixation screw hole. |
| US08908320B2 |
Spindle motor having lower thrust member with fitting protrusion and hard disk drive including the same
There are provided a spindle motor and a hard disk drive including the same, the spindle motor including: a lower thrust member fixedly attached to a base member; a shaft fixedly attached to the lower thrust member and including an expansion groove formed in an outer peripheral surface thereof in a circumferential direction; a sleeve disposed above the lower thrust member and rotatably attached to the shaft; and a rotor hub coupled to the sleeve and rotating together therewith, wherein the lower thrust member includes a fitting protrusion protruded upwardly from an inner portion thereof in an axial direction and press-fitted into a fixing groove provided in a lower end portion of the shaft upwardly in the axial direction. |
| US08908319B1 |
Disk drive with slow acting desiccant
A disk drive includes a disk drive enclosure and a disk rotatably mounted to and within the disk drive enclosure. A desiccant canister is in fluid communication with the disk drive enclosure. The desiccant canister includes a canister housing and a desiccant material within the canister housing. The desiccant canister includes a water absorption restriction that limits a steady-state hourly water absorption rate of the desiccant to not exceed 2% of the desiccant's total capacity for water absorption. |
| US08908318B2 |
Hard disk drive and method for manufacturing a base plate which includes a component receiving part
There is provided a base plate including: a base body; and a component receiving part penetrating through the base body so as to receive a circuit component mounted on a substrate therein at the time of coupling the substrate and the base body, wherein the component receiving part includes a step part formed in an outer edge thereof so that a sealing member is seated on the step part to seal the component receiving part. |
| US08908315B2 |
Evaluation method of magnetic disk, manufacturing method of magnetic disk, and magnetic disk
An evaluation method that can easily evaluate properties of a carbon protective film and a lubricant on a magnetic-disk surface or particularly, an evaluation method of a magnetic disk in which the properties of the magnetic-disk surface can be evaluated accurately so that a strict demand for interactions between the magnetic-disk surface and a head can be met is provided. In a state in which an element portion of the magnetic head provided with the head element portion that projects by thermal expansion is projected, after being brought into contact with a predetermined radial position on the surface of the rotating magnetic disk, the head is further made to perform seeking in a state in which the element portion is projected by a specified amount, whereby the properties of the carbon film or the lubricant formed on the magnetic-disk surface is evaluated. |
| US08908313B2 |
Transport system for transporting magnetic tape
A transport system for transporting magnetic tape includes at least one roller for guiding the magnetic tape having at least one electrode and a controller being configured to apply a voltage to the at least one electrode so as to produce a force of attraction between the magnetic tape and the at least one electrode. |
| US08908306B1 |
Disk drive measuring channel transition response by averaging isolated transitions in a read signal
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk, and control circuitry operable to measure a transition response of the disk drive. A test pattern is written to the disk in order to write a plurality of substantially isolated magnetic transitions on the disk. The test pattern is read from the disk to generate a read signal, and the read signal is sampled to generate signal samples. A first plurality of the signal samples is extracted representing a first magnetic transition, and a second plurality of the signal samples is extracted representing a second magnetic transition. A transition response of the disk drive is measured in response to the first and second plurality of signal samples. |
| US08908302B2 |
Exposure method for color filter substrate
An exposure method for color filter substrate is provided. As shown in FIG. 7(a), exposure is performed while a substrate 20 to which a photoresist has been applied is being transported in the Y direction, to simultaneously form first layers 81 and layers 91 in first non-display regions 51 (regions indicated by hatching sloping upward to the right) and the display region, respectively, on the substrate 20. Next, as shown in (b), the substrate 20 is rotated by 90 degrees, and exposure is performed while the substrate 20 is being transported in the X direction, to form second layers 82 in second non-display regions 52 (regions indicated by hatching sloping upward to the right). Thus, dummy PSs 71 and dummy PSs 72 arranged with desired pitches and having desired shapes can be formed in the first non-display regions 51 and the second non-display regions 52, respectively. |
| US08908301B2 |
Vibration actuator, lens barrel, and camera
Disclosed is a vibration actuator which can be arranged in a limited space, and which has excellent drive performance. Also disclosed are a lens barrel and a camera, which are provided therewith. Specifically disclosed is a vibration actuator which includes: a piezoelectric body which has a first surface, and which is excited by an electrical signal; a vibration body which is joined to the first surface, and which has a second surface on which vibration waves are generated by the excitation; and a moving body which is brought into pressure contact with the second surface, and which moves relatively to the vibration body, wherein the thickness of the piezoelectric body is different in the direction of the relative movement of the moving body. |
| US08908300B2 |
Apparatus and method for clamping and handling ophthalmic lenses
An apparatus for clamping and handling an ophthalmic lens (A) in one or a plurality of stations throughout a manufacturing process, comprising: a main actuator (5); a loading platform (3) on which the lens is laid down with its concave surface downwards; a grip composed of two arms (1, 2) for clamping the lens on its edge, a first arm (1) being bound to said main actuator (5) and a second arm (2) being guided so that to allow for a movement parallel to the main actuator displacement; a first means for attracting the second arm (2) towards the first arm (1) so that to close the grip onto the lens edge; a second means (8) for blocking the second arm (2) at a fixed position when the first arm (1) is moved to a rest position so that to open the grip; holding fingers (6) mounted on at least one of the first arm (1) and the second arm (2) and partly sliding along parallel grooves (4) machined in said platform (3), said grooves (4) being also parallel to the actuator displacement. |
| US08908295B1 |
Optical image capturing lens assembly
An optical image capturing lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, and a sixth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region. The second lens element with negative refractive power has an object-side surface being concave in a paraxial region and an image-side surface being convex in a paraxial region. The third lens element has refractive power. The fourth lens element with refractive power has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region. The fifth lens element with positive refractive power has an image-side surface being convex in a paraxial region. The sixth lens element with refractive power has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region. |
| US08908289B2 |
Image capturing lens and image capturing apparatus
Arranging a negative first lens, a positive second lens, a negative third lens, a positive fourth lens, and a negative fifth lens from the object side, in which the image side surface of the fifth lens has an aspherical shape with one or more inflection points and a concave shape toward the image side in a paraxial region, and, when the focal length of the entire lens system, radius of curvature of the image side surface of the first lens, radius of curvature of the image side surface of the second lens, overall optical length, focal length of jth lens, and Abbe number of jth lens are taken as f, R2, R4, TL, fj, and νj respectively, the image capturing lens is configured to simultaneously satisfy conditional expressions (1a): −1.5 |
| US08908284B2 |
Zoom lens and optical apparatus equipped with zoom lens
A zoom lens includes, in order from object side to image side, a positive first lens unit, a negative second lens unit, a positive third lens unit, a negative fourth lens unit, and a rear lens unit including, in order from object side to image side, a positive first lens subunit, a negative second lens subunit, and a positive third lens subunit. The relationship between the combined focal length of the first and second lens units at wide-angle end, the combined focal length of the third lens unit and the lens units on the image side of the third lens unit at wide-angle end, the focal length of the second lens subunit, and the focal length of the rear lens unit at telephoto end is appropriately set. |
| US08908281B2 |
Optical splitting device, optical multiplexing device and method, and optical add-drop multiplexer
Embodiments of the present invention provide an optical splitting device, an optical multiplexing device and method, and an optical add-drop multiplexer, which relate to the technical field of communications, and are invented for improving the performance and decreasing the cost. The optical splitting device includes a substrate, where an anti-reflective coating is disposed on an upper surface of the substrate and a filter membrane is disposed at a lower surface of the substrate; and further includes a light redirecting portion disposed opposite to the filter membrane. An optical signal is incident to the filter membrane at a first specified angle, a light wave of a first wavelength in the optical signal penetrates the filter membrane, so that the light wave of the first wavelength is separated from the optical signal. |
| US08908280B2 |
Optical device, image display apparatus, and method for manufacturing optical device
A head-mounted display that guides image light displayed by an image formation unit and focuses the image light on a viewer's side includes a light guide member that angularly converts the image light incident from the image formation unit based on reflection at a plurality of transflective layers, and a light absorption layer is disposed on each of the transflective layers. The light guide member has a light incident surface through which the image light is introduced into the light guide member, a prism reflection surface that is disposed at an end of the light guide member, serves as one of the plurality of transflective layers, and reflects the image light introduced through the light incident surface, and the light absorption layers disposed between the light guide member and the prism reflection surface. |
| US08908277B2 |
Lens array projector
Optical apparatus includes a matrix of light sources arranged on a substrate with a predetermined, uniform spacing between the light sources. A beam homogenizer includes a first optical surface, including a first microlens array, which has a first pitch equal to the spacing between the light sources and which is aligned with the matrix so that a respective optical axis of each microlens in the array intercepts a corresponding light source in the matrix and transmits light emitted by the corresponding light source. A second optical surface, including a second microlens array, is positioned to receive and focus the light transmitted by the first microlens array and has a second pitch that is different from the first pitch. |
| US08908276B2 |
Moire magnification device
A moiré magnification device includes a transparent substrate carrying: a regular array of micro-focusing elements, that define a focal plane, on a first surface; a corresponding first array of microimage elements in a first color located in a plane substantially coincident with the focal plane; and a corresponding second array of microimage elements, in a second color, located in a plane substantially coincident with the focal plane. The pitches of the micro-focusing elements and first and second arrays and their relative locations are such that the array of micro-focusing elements cooperates with each of the first and second arrays to generate magnified versions of the microimage elements due to the moiré effect. The magnified version of the first array is viewed against a background defined by the magnified version of the second array, the first array exhibiting movement relative to the background when the device is tilted. |
| US08908274B2 |
Microstructure manufacturing method and microstructure
A microstructure manufacturing method includes: preparing a mold having on a front side thereof a plurality of fine structures, with conductivity being imparted to a bottom portion between the plurality of fine structures; forming a first plating layer between the plurality of fine structures by plating the bottom portion; and forming a second plating layer of larger stress than the first plating layer on the first plating layer between the plurality of fine structures, wherein the stress of the second plating layer is used to curve a back side surface of the mold. |
| US08908271B2 |
Laser scanning microscope and its operating method
Laser scanning microscope and its operating method in which at least two first and second light distributions activated independently of each other and that can move in at least one direction illuminate a sample with the help of a beam-combining element, and the light is detected by the sample as it comes in, characterized by the fact that the scanning fields created by the light distributions on the sample are made to overlap mutually such that a reference pattern is created on the sample with one of the light distributions, which is then captured and used to create the overlap with the help of the second light distribution (correction values are determined) and/or a reference pattern arranged in the sample plane or in an intermediate image plane is captured by both scanning fields and used to create the overlap (correction values are determined) and/or structural characteristics of the sample are captured by the two scanning fields as reference pattern and used to create the overlap in which correction values are determined. |
| US08908263B2 |
Large mode area optical waveguide devices
A very large more area active double clad optical waveguide doped with Nd3+ at a concentration of at least 0.1% by weight can be used to effectively amplify light at a wavelength of between 1050 nm and 1120 nm. At a doping concentration sufficient to provide a net optical absorption of at least 3 dB/m for the pump light at the wavelength of 795 to 815 nm or 883 to 887 nm, Nd3+ operates under much lower inversion levels than Yb3+. Due to the lower inversion levels, the Nd3+ doped waveguide is subject to reduced pump bleaching or photodarkening. |
| US08908260B2 |
Focusing mechanism
A focusing mechanism for focusing a lens module includes a base seat, a movable platform, a positioning assembly, a support bracket and a plurality of arms. The positioning assembly is fixed to the base seat and passes through a center of the movable platform, a lens of the lens module is detachably mounted on the positioning assembly. The support bracket is fixed to the movable platform. A sensor of the lens module is detachably mounted on the support bracket. Each of the plurality of arms rotatably interconnects the movable platform and the base seat, the movable platform drives the support bracket to rotate relative to the positioning assembly to enable the lens to rotate relative to the sensor via a drive of the arms. |
| US08908258B2 |
Electrophoresis device and display unit
There are provided an electrophoresis device and a display unit which are capable of realizing high contrast. The electrophoresis device includes a plurality of electrophoretic particles and a porous layer that are contained in an insulating liquid, the porous layer being formed using a fibrous structure including a plurality of non-migrating particles. An average particle size of the electrophoretic particles is equal to or less than one-fifth of an average pore size of the porous layer. |
| US08908253B2 |
Passively variable emittance device and method for making the same
There is described a passive variable emittance device comprising: a substrate having a receiving surface adapted to reflect radiations having a given wavelength; an intermediary layer deposited on the receiving surface of the substrate and being substantially transparent to the radiations having the given wavelength; and a thermochromic layer deposited on top of the intermediary layer, the thermochromic layer being substantially transparent to the radiations having the given wavelength for a first temperature below a given transition temperature, and presenting both reflection and absorption for the radiations for a second temperature above the given transition temperature, a total optical thickness for the intermediary and thermochromic layers being substantially equal to one quarter of the given wavelength so that radiations reflected by the thermochromic layer at the second temperature destructively interfere with radiations transmitted by the thermochromic and intermediary layers and reflected by the substrate in order to obtain a first emittance for the passive variable emittance device at the second temperature being greater than a second emittance for the passive variable emittance device at the first temperature. |
| US08908249B2 |
Wide angle hologram device illuminated with a near field source and method for manufacturing same
A method of manufacturing a master for producing a hologram device is provided. The holographic image reconstructs when the photosensitive film of the hologram device is struck by a beam of light from a wide angle being defined relative to a perpendicular line to a surface of the photosensitive film. |
| US08908242B2 |
Image reading apparatus and medium conveying device
An image reading apparatus includes a roller that rotates about a rotating axis and conveys a particular medium in a conveying direction, a reader that reads the particular medium, and a body. The body includes a first port formed in the body, and a lid pivotably attached to the body and pivots about a pivoting axis, which is perpendicular to the conveying direction and the rotating axis. The lid pivots between a first position, in which the lid covers at least a portion of the first port, and a second position, in which the lid is separated from the first port. |
| US08908239B2 |
Image reading device
Since a light emitting surface in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a light guide is formed to have a smaller width than a reflecting surface, light of an LED, which is incident from an end surface of the light guide and is scattered throughout the entirety of the longitudinal direction in the reflecting surface, is condensed toward the light emitting surface, and is then emitted in the form of a band toward a document from the light emitting surface. Therefore, it is possible to provide a CIS module including an illumination unit having a new configuration capable of illuminating a portion where the document and an optical axis of the lens array included in the lens unit intersect, in the form of a band with high efficiency using the illumination unit. |
| US08908228B2 |
Method and system for changing physical page properties in a poster printing application
A method for changing physical page properties in a large format printing application on a client device, the client device having executable instructions for creating a print job for producing a printout of an image, which includes the steps of: selecting the image for the print job; selecting a logical page size for the printout of the image; dividing the logical page size into a plurality of physical pages based on a selected medium; and selecting at least one physical page from the plurality of physical pages and changing at least one print property on the at least one physical page. |
| US08908226B2 |
Information processing device, control method of an information processing device, and storage medium storing a program executed by a control unit of the information processing device
When a recording device that records according to a template is replaced with a new recording device, the new recording device can also record according to the template of the replaced recording device. A template terminal can connect to a first printer storing a first template database related to a first template and records according to the first template. A control unit acquires the first template database from the first printer, processes the first template database according to a difference in the structure of the first printer and a second printer that records according to a second template, and generates a second template database related to a second template stored in the second printer. |
| US08908225B2 |
Image forming apparatus in which tone correction setting is controlled
An apparatus includes a forming unit; a reading unit; a conversion unit converting a signal corresponding to the image read by the reading unit into a signal indicating a density value; a correction unit performing tone correction on the density value of the signal output by the conversion unit; and a control unit controlling a tone correction setting in the tone correction unit by controlling the reading unit to read a tone correction image that was formed on a recording material by the forming unit. When controlling the tone correction setting, the control unit further changes a setting for image formation in the forming unit and a setting for conversion into a density value in the conversion unit according to the recording material used in the control of the tone correction setting. |
| US08908222B2 |
Apparatus that inhibits leaving and forgetting of originals
Each user can use an image forming system by performing authentication through an ID card. In a case where a first user does not remove an original even though reading of the original has finished, a user ID of the first user is stored. Next, when a second user removes the original, the user ID of the second user is stored associated with the user ID of the first user. The user ID of the first user who forgot the original and the user ID of the second user who removed this original are outputted, and therefore the first user can more easily discover the original by inquiring to the second user of the whereabouts of the original. |
| US08908219B2 |
Image forming apparatus including an automatic preview display print condition storage portion for storing preset print conditions
An image forming apparatus is provided that automatically performs preview display of a document image data before printing if a print condition set by a user includes a preset print condition. When an instruction for print execution is given, a preview display control portion automatically performs preview display of document image data if a print condition set by a user includes a print condition for automatic preview display stored in an automatic preview display print condition storage portion. |
| US08908213B2 |
Virtual printer interface node
A virtual printer interface node enables a non-cloud-ready printer to communicate with a cloud-based service, residing on an internet. The virtual printer interface node includes a housing; a communication interface to provide communication directly to the network router; and a microcontroller operatively connected to the communication interface. The microcontroller converts commands, received through the communication interface, from the cloud-based service, residing on the internet, to native protocols of the non-cloud-ready networked printer and communicates the converted native protocols to the non-cloud-ready networked printer. |
| US08908212B2 |
Image processing apparatus, method for controlling image processing apparatus, and storage medium
When an image processing apparatus performs a transmission function of transmitting image data generated by reading a document with a scanner, to a cost management apparatus, the image processing apparatus registers cost information and the image data in the cost management apparatus, the cost information corresponding to user's operation time incurred to perform the transmission function. |
| US08908211B2 |
Printing system, printing control apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable recording medium stored with printing control program
A printing system includes a terminal apparatus and a printing control apparatus. The terminal apparatus includes a setting unit for setting a printing condition for a document, a generating unit for generating print data containing data of the document, setting data indicating the printing condition, and instruction information instructing to register the printing condition, and a transmitting unit for transmitting the print data. The printing control apparatus includes a storage unit for storing the printing condition and name information specifying the printing condition, a receiving unit for receiving the print data, a recognizing unit for recognizing that the print data contains the instruction information, and a registering unit for causing the printing condition indicated by the setting data to be stored in the storage unit if it is recognized that the print data contains the instruction information. |
| US08908207B2 |
Print server, print control system and print control method having a raster image processor (RIP) function
A print server is linked through a communication network to a client device for sending PDL data, and an image forming apparatus provided with a RIP section for creating raster data by rasterizing the PDL data and a printer section for executing printing according to the raster data. This print server is provided with at least a RIP section for creating raster data by rasterizing the PDL data received from the client device, and a control section that compares the time to be taken before output when the PDL data received from the aforementioned client device is sent to the image forming apparatus with the time to be taken before output when the raster data created by the RIP section of the printer server is sent to the image forming apparatus, whereby the data whose length of time before the output is shorter is sent to the image forming apparatus. |
| US08908202B2 |
Image recording device and computer accessible storage storing program therefor
An image recording device is provided with a first memory which is a volatile memory, a second memory, an input unit through which authentication information is input, an authentication judging unit. The recording unit is controlled to print an image on the printing sheet based on the drive data, which is converted from the image data stored in the first memory or the second memory and is stored in the first memory or the second memory. The drive data or the image data is stored in each of the first memory and the second memory is transmitted therebetween. The image recording device further includes a restricting unit capable of restricting power supply to the converting unit and the first memory in a sleep mode. |
| US08908198B2 |
System and method for automatically rendering labeling service prints with print engine parameters
A system and method for automatically rendering labeling service prints with print engine parameters. An auto-labeling application can be configured in association with a print engine controller for labeling the service prints with the print engine parameters via a built-in marker integrated with a fault multi-function device. A portable inline marker can also be separately attached to a baffle assembly of the fault device and connected to the print engine controller via a connector in order to receive the print engine parameters from the print engine controller. A setup routine configured with the auto-labeling application can be employed to customize the service print labels in a modular format and the parameters can be appended to each other based on the information required to troubleshoot the fault multi-function device. Such an approach effectively provides labeling of the service prints with enhanced service proficiency and customer satisfaction and reduces service time with respect to the fault multi-function device. |
| US08908197B2 |
System and method for determining top of form
A system and method for determining top of form while printing on continuous feed media. In one embodiment, a computer-readable storage device is encoded with instructions that when executed cause a processor to: 1) cause a selected printer to produce a print on continuous feed media; 2) determine, based on a compensation factor that accounts for movement of the continuous feed media through the printer in excess of a length of the data of the print, the distance to advance the continuous feed media such that a succeeding print starts at a top of form location of the continuous feed media; and 3) cause the selected printer to advance the continuous feed media in accordance with the determined distance to advance such that the succeeding print starts at the top of form location of the continuous feed media. |
| US08908191B2 |
Method for zero-contact measurement of topography
A method for zero-contact measurement of the topography of a spherically or aspherically curved air-glass surface of an optical lens or lens combination, distinguished in that the surface (S1) to be measured is sampled on its glass rear side with an optical measurement beam through the air-glass surface (S2) lying before it in the measurement direction. A device for carrying out the method is characterized in that a) the optical lens (2) or the lens system is fastened on the end side of a rotatably mounted hollow shaft (1) such that the optical axis of the lens or lens system is at least approximately aligned with the rotation axis (3) of the hollow shaft (1), b) focusing optics (6) for an optical measurement beam (10) are arranged inside the hollow shaft, c) the measurement unit (7) for generating the measurement beam (10) is arranged so as to be displaceable perpendicularly to the rotation axis (3) of the hollow shaft (1), d) at least one beam splitter (11) for separating a partial beam and forwarding it onto at least one optical sensor (12) is inserted into the measurement beam (10), and e) an optoelectronic transducer and evaluation electronics are assigned to the sensor (12). |
| US08908190B2 |
System and method for focus tracking optical coherence tomography
The invention relates to a system and a corresponding method for optical coherence tomography having at least one interferometer for emitting light with which a specimen is irradiated, a specimen arm comprising a specimen objective by means of which light emitted by the interferometer is focused in a focus lying within the specimen, a detector for collecting light which is reflected by the specimen, and a control unit for controlling the system such that during the collection alight, which is respectively reflected at different depths of the specimen, the imaging properties of the specimen objective are changed. |
| US08908185B2 |
Coupling prism and optical detection system thereof
The present invention provides a prism. The prism includes a lower surface, an upper surface, a first side surface and a second side surface. The first side surface and the second side surface are disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface. The first side surface and the second side surface of the prism are one-dimensional parabolic surfaces. The lower surface is used to receive light. The first side surface is used to reflect the light from the lower surface to the upper surface. The second side surface is used to reflect the light from the upper surface to the lower surface for further analysis in the process unit afterwards. |
| US08908184B2 |
Absorption measurement system
An absorption measurement system, flexibly usable over a large measuring range, for measuring at least one property of a medium reflected in its absorption behavior, especially a property such as an absorption coefficient (μ). The absorption measurement system comprises: a measuring chamber filled with the medium in measurement operation, in which radiatable beam paths usable as measuring paths and of different lengths, extend completely through the medium; a transmitting unit, which transmits radiation along the measuring paths through measuring chamber in measurement operation; a measuring and receiving unit, which receives radiation passing through measuring chamber on the measuring paths and measures its radiation intensities dependent on the property of the medium and the lengths of the measuring paths; and a measuring electronics, which determines the property based on the measured radiation intensities and the lengths of measuring paths. |
| US08908183B2 |
Check-tile for colour measurement instruments
The invention relates to a check-tile for validating instrument scales of color measurement instruments, in particular goniospectrophotometers, said check-tile comprising a transparent substrate coated with a multi-layer coating, said multi-layer coating comprising: A) a pigmented mid-coat applied to the transparent substrate, wherein said pigmented mid-coat is translucent and made of a base coat coating composition I comprising at least one transparent interference pigment, and B) a pigmented ground coat, wherein said pigmented ground coat is opaque and made of a base coat coating composition II comprising at least one opaque solid colored pigment. |
| US08908178B1 |
Method for atmospheric laser beam detection using remote sensing of off-axis scattering
A method involves obtaining a first beam image on a focal plane of a first camera and a second beam image on a focal plane of a second camera from light scattered by ambient atmospheric aerosols in the path of a laser beam. First and second projected beam images are formed, representing the respective first and second beam images in the projected scenes of the respective first and second cameras. First and second ambiguity planes are then formed from the respective first and second projected beam images. An intersection of the first and second ambiguity planes is then determined, identifying the position of the laser beam. A source of the laser beam is then determined, along with a camera-source plane. A beam elevation angle with respect to this plane is then determined, as well as beam azimuth angles with respect to lines between the respective camera and the source. |
| US08908171B2 |
Defect inspection method and defect inspection device
When the intensity of scattering light from a defect on a sample becomes very low according to the diameter of the defect, the dark noise from a sensor device itself accounts which a large proportion of the detected signal outputted from the sensor and thus it is difficult to detect minute defects. Furthermore, since a laser light source is pulsed into oscillation, pulse components from the laser light source are superimposed on the detected signal outputted from the sensor, and therefore it is difficult to detect defects with high accuracy. The present invention is a defect inspection device having irradiation means which producing pulsed operation and irradiating a surface of a sample with a laser beam, detection means which detecting scattering light generated at the surface of the sample in response to the irradiation provided by the irradiation means, and a processing portion which generating a delay signal based on the laser beam emitted by the irradiation means and processing the scattering light detected by the detection means using the delay signal. |
| US08908169B2 |
Measuring method and measuring instrument
The invention provides a measuring method for performing monitoring measurement on a plurality of measuring points by using a measuring instrument, which comprises a telescope unit, a distance measuring unit, an image sensor, angle detecting units for detecting a directional angle in sighting direction, and an arithmetic unit. The monitoring measurement comprises a coarse monitoring measurement for acquiring a digital image in measuring direction and for performing angle measurement on the measuring point, and a precise monitoring measurement for performing sighting of the measuring point by the telescope unit and for performing distance measurement and angle measurement, and wherein the coarse monitoring measurement is executed on each of the measuring points, a deviation of a result of the coarse measurement by the coarse monitoring measurement from the initial value is determined, and the precise monitoring measurement is executed on the measuring point where the deviation exceeds a first threshold value. |
| US08908168B2 |
Systems and methods for the angular orientation and detection of containers in labelling machines
Systems and methods for the angular orientation and detection of containers being processed in labeling machines are provided. An apparatus is provided comprising a rotating turntable, a plurality of motor-driven pans each having a controller, an optical sensor and an illuminating device. Also discussed are methods for the detection and angular orientation of containers in labeling machines with such an apparatus. |
| US08908164B2 |
Method for the detection of defects in gas-barrier films using quantum dots
By forming nanoparticles from gas-phase precursors within cracks or defects in a gas-barrier film, crack-width may be determined from the diameter of the nanoparticles formed within. The optical absorption and emission wavelengths of a quantum dot are governed by the particle size. For a particular material, the absorption and/or emission wavelengths may therefore be correlated to the particle size (as determined from techniques such as transmission electron microscopy, TEM). Thus, fluorescence measurement techniques and/or confocal microscopy may be used to determine the size of quantum dots formed within a gas-barrier film, allowing both the size and nature of a defect to be determined. The method may be used to assess the potential effects of defects on the integrity of the gas-barrier film. |
| US08908163B2 |
System and method for verifying the contents of a filled, capped pharmaceutical prescription
A system for verification of dispensed pharmaceuticals includes: a housing; a bar code scanning station mounted on the housing; a vision station mounted on the housing; a spectroscopy station mounted on the housing; an offloading station mounted on the housing; one or more conveyors mounted on the housing to convey pharmaceutical vials between the bar code scanning, vision, spectroscopy and offloading stations, and a controller associated with the bar code scanning, vision, spectroscopy and offloading stations and the conveyors to control their operations. A system of this configuration can use both vision and spectroscopy to verify the identity of the pharmaceutical in the container. |
| US08908154B2 |
Laser tracker that combines two different wavelengths with a fiber-optic coupler
Coordinate measurement device configured to send a first beam of light to a target includes first and second light sources configured to emit first and second lights having differing first and second wavelengths; fiber-optic coupler that includes three ports, a first port configured to accept a first portion of the first light, a second port configured to accept a second portion of the second light, a third port configured to transmit a third light which includes a portion of the first and second portions; first and second angle measuring devices configured to measure first and second angles of rotation; distance meter configured to measure a first distance from the device to the target based at least in part on a third portion of the second beam received by an optical detector; and a processor configured to provide 3D coordinates of the target. |
| US08908148B2 |
Calibration method and inspection apparatus
A method of calibrating an inspection apparatus. Obtaining a surface level measurements (LS) at respective level sensing locations LS(x,y). Determining focus settings (LPA, LPB) for exposure field regions (EFA, EFB) in accordance with surface level measurements (LSA, LSB) having level sensing locations corresponding to the respective exposure field region. Exposing exposure field regions (EFA, EFB) with focus offsets (FO1, FO2) defined with reference to the respective focus settings (LPA, LPB) to produce target patterns at respective target locations. Obtaining focus-dependent property measurements, such as Critical Dimension (CD) and/or side wall angle (SWA) of the target patterns measured using the inspection apparatus; and calibrating the inspection apparatus using the focus-dependent property measurements (CD/SWA) and the respective focus offsets (FO1, FO2). The calibration uses surface level measurements (e.g., LSB(3)) having a level sensing location (e.g., LSLB(3)) corresponding to the respective target location (TLB). Each offset value is thus corrected in the calibration for the local wafer stack unflatness present during exposure. |
| US08908142B2 |
Liquid crystal panel and manufacturing method thereof
A manufacturing method of a liquid crystal panel, including: manufacturing a first substrate and a second substrate; mixing sealant with alloy particles having low melting points, coating the mixture on the first substrate, and dropping liquid crystals on the first substrate; and bonding the first substrate and the second substrate, heating the two bonded substrates, and then cooling the substrates. Therefore, the manufacturing method can prevent the present golden balls from piercing the common electrodes and further prevent the short circuit of the circuit on the substrate, which improves the yield rate of the liquid crystal panel. Additionally, since the alloy particles are small sized, after the separate alloy particles melt, contacting points between the alloy particles and the common electrodes are increased. Also, contacting resistance between alloy particles, and the contacting resistance between the alloy particles and the substrate are reduced, which improves the conductivity between the common electrodes. |
| US08908140B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and liquid crystal display device
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display panel that has an enhanced liquid crystal alignment controlling force irrespective of the external conditions or environments. The enhanced liquid crystal alignment controlling force sufficiently prevents surface roughness or color unevenness that can occur depending on the viewing angle, so that favorable display qualities and excellent transmittance can be achieved. The liquid crystal display panel includes a pair of substrates comprising a pixel electrode and a counter electrode; and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the substrates, the liquid crystal display panel comprising spacers at at least four corners of a pixel defined by the pixel electrode. |
| US08908139B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus
A liquid crystal display apparatus is disclosed. The liquid crystal display apparatus includes: a plurality of sub-pixels, a first substrate on which at least one first thin film is disposed, a second substrate facing the first substrate and on which at least one second thin film is disposed, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a spacer unit disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate to maintain a space where the liquid crystal layer is disposed, and continuously formed across at least two sub-pixels from among the plurality of sub-pixels, where the spacer unit includes a contact unit and an isolation unit including a plurality isolation sub-units, where the contact unit is formed to contact the first thin film closest to the liquid crystal layer and the second thin film closest to the liquid crystal layer, where the isolation unit is formed to be spaced apart from the first thin film closest to the liquid crystal layer and to contact the second thin film closest to the liquid crystal layer, and where a distance between the plurality of isolation sub-units and the first thin film closest to the liquid crystal layer is not uniform. |
| US08908138B2 |
Contact structure
There is disclosed a contact structure for electrically connecting conducting lines formed on a first substrate of an electrooptical device such as a liquid crystal display with conducting lines formed on a second substrate via conducting spacers while assuring a uniform cell gap among different cells if the interlayer dielectric film thickness is nonuniform across the cell or among different cells. A first conducting film and a dielectric film are deposited on the first substrate. Openings are formed in the dielectric film. A second conducting film covers the dielectric film left and the openings. The conducting spacers electrically connect the second conducting film over the first substrate with a third conducting film on the second substrate. The cell gap depends only on the size of the spacers, which maintain the cell gap. |
| US08908136B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel with multi-domain pixel layout
The invention provides a liquid crystal display panel with a multi-domain pixel layout, including: a plurality of pixel units arranged in a matrix formed by columns and rows, wherein each pixel unit is divided into a plurality of domains; a first alignment layer aligned to directions along the columns; and a second alignment layer aligned to directions along the rows. For two adjacent pixel units arranged in the column direction, the domains adjacent to a boundary between the two adjacent pixel units are defined with the same directions which liquid crystal molecules tilt toward by the first and second alignment layers. |
| US08908135B2 |
Manufacturing apparatus, manufacturing method, optical element, display device, and electronic apparatus
A manufacturing method includes providing a structural element that provides a predetermined gap between a first substrate and a second substrate to at least one of the first and second substrates, forming an alignment film on each of the first and second substrates, and subjecting the alignment film formed on each of the first and second substrates to a rubbing process. The structural element is formed after the alignment film is formed and before or after the rubbing process is performed. |
| US08908133B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof
A liquid crystal display device has a liquid crystal display panel including pixels each having an active device, a pixel electrode, a common electrode and a liquid crystal layer arranged in a dot matrix array. The liquid crystal display panel has a first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate has the active device, the pixel electrode, the common electrode and a first alignment film. The second substrate has a second alignment film. The first alignment film and the second alignment film are respectively a photo alignment film formed by irradiating a photo decomposition type insulating film with light. The second alignment film has a thickness of at least 10 nm and no greater 50 nm and is thinner than the first alignment film. |
| US08908132B2 |
Blue phase mode liquid crystal display device and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed is a liquid crystal display device that includes: a blue phase mode liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates, and has an optical anisotropy when an electric field is applied and not applied; polarizing plates on outer surfaces of first and second substrates, respectively; and one of a first optical compensation film including a +C plate, and a second optical compensation film including a biaxial phase retardation layer, between the polarizing plate and the liquid crystal panel. |
| US08908121B2 |
Slim bezel liquid crystal display device
The present invention provides a slim bezel liquid crystal display device, which includes a rear enclosure, a front enclosure mating the rear enclosure, and a liquid crystal display module arranged in the rear enclosure. The liquid crystal display module is fixed inside the rear enclosure by means of hook-and-loop fasteners. The hook-and-loop fasteners each include a first fastening section and a second fastening section. The first fastening section includes hooks and the second fastening section includes hoops, whereby the hooks of the first fastening section are entangleable with the loops of the second fastening section to have the first and second fastening sections coupled to each other thereby fixing the liquid crystal display module in the rear enclosure. The slim bezel liquid crystal display device uses hook-and-loop fasteners to fix the liquid crystal display module in the rear enclosure. The structure is simple and the assembling operation is easy. |
| US08908120B2 |
Back frame of flat panel display device, backlight system, and flat liquid crystal display device
The present invention provides a back frame of flat panel display device, which includes at least first and second primary assembling pieces. The at least two primary assembling pieces are joined to form the back frame. The primary assembling pieces have a snap-on engagement section, and the snap-on engagement section mates a front frame of the flat panel display device. The present invention provides a back frame of front panel display device, a backlight system, and a flat liquid crystal display device that form a snap-on engagement section on a primary assembling piece to mate a snap-on engagement of a front frame of the flat panel display device to fix the front frame of the flat panel display device and also to allow of easy disassembling of the flat panel display device. |
| US08908118B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and liquid crystal lens
In a liquid crystal display device enabling three-dimensional display using a liquid crystal lens, both mechanical strength and a liquid crystal lens effect are satisfied. The liquid crystal lens is bonded onto an upper polarizing plate of a liquid crystal display panel with a bonding material. The liquid crystal lens includes an upper substrate, a lower substrate and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched therebetween. The upper substrate of liquid crystal lens has a thickness larger than a total of the thickness of the lower substrate of the liquid crystal lens and the thickness of the liquid crystal display panel. Thereby, it is possible to realize a liquid crystal display device satisfying both the mechanical strength and liquid crystal lens effect. |
| US08908117B2 |
Thin film transistor array substrate and liquid crystal display apparatus comprising a transparent conductive film pattern having a first type pattern and a second type pattern
A thin film transistor array substrate of the present invention having an array area, and a frame area, the thin film transistor array substrate includes: a thin film transistor; an upper metal pattern formed by the same material as source and drain electrodes at the same layer; a transparent conductive film pattern; and an upper layer insulation film, wherein the transparent conductive film pattern has: a first-type transparent conductive film pattern provided to located within one of a pattern of the electrode pattern and a pattern of the metal pattern, as viewed from the top side, and to not cover pattern end faces of the electrode pattern or the metal pattern; and a second-type transparent conductive film pattern provided to stick out from an inside of at least a portion of one of the patterns, as viewed from the top side and to cover the pattern end faces. |
| US08908114B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
An IPS liquid crystal display device with a reduced number of layers, in which the variation of pixel electrode potential due to ON/OFF operation of a gate voltage is suppressed. A pixel electrode is formed on a TFT substrate formed of glass. A gate insulating film is formed to cover the pixel electrode, an inorganic passivation film is formed on the gate insulating film, and a common electrode is formed on the passivation film. A liquid crystal molecule is driven with an electric line of force in a slit formed in the common electrode. A capacitive electrode, which is connected to the common electrode, is formed on the gate insulating film. The capacitive electrode forms an added capacitance with the pixel electrode via the gate insulating layer. The variation of pixel electrode potential due to ON/OFF operation of a gate voltage is suppressed with the added capacitance. |
| US08908107B2 |
Remote control system and remote control method thereof
A remote control system includes a remote control device and an electronic device. The remote control device includes an input element, a wireless transmitter to transmit an absolute coordinate signal and a motion signal and a control unit electrically connected to the input element and the wireless transmitter. The electronic device includes a wireless receiver and a display screen. The wireless receiver receives the absolute coordinate signal and the motion signal, and displays the absolute coordinate signal at the display screen via a cursor. When the electronic device does not receive the motion signal, the absolute coordinate signal is not operated on an application program of the electronic device. When the electronic device receives the motion signal, the absolute coordinate signal is operated on the application program. |
| US08908105B2 |
Wireless display system, wireless display device and method for switching working mode
A wireless displaying system, a wireless displaying device and a method for switching working mode are provided. The method includes: determining whether a video signal is received from a source device by a wireless module of the wireless displaying device during a waiting time when a processing module of the wireless displaying device works in a normal working mode; switching the processing module into a power-saving mode when the video signal is not received by the wireless module during the waiting time; receiving a specified packet from the source device by the wireless module, so as to generate a wake-up signal according to the specified packet when the processing module is in the power-saving mode; and recovering the processing module to work in the normal working mode according to the wake-up signal. |
| US08908104B2 |
Radio frequency communication
A point-to-point radio frequency (RF) communication system having one or more communication units coupled to respective television cameras and displays; and a further communication unit; wherein the units transmit video data to the further communication unit at frequencies greater than or equal to 50 GHz and at data rates greater than or equal to 1 gigabit/second; and the units receive video data transmitted by the further communication unit at frequencies greater than or equal to 50 GHz and at data rates 250 megabits/second. The units can each include an antenna with a waveguide diplexer and an RF transceiver circuit board having sufficient transmit/receive isolation for the transmitting and receiving to take place point-to-point at distances greater than or equal to 1 km. |
| US08908103B2 |
Content supplying apparatus, content supplying method, content reproduction apparatus, content reproduction method, program and content viewing system
Disclosed herein is a content supplying apparatus for supplying a video content to a content reproduction apparatus, including: a production section adapted to produce a video switch command for causing the content reproduction apparatus to execute a process regarding changeover of a video content to be reproduced; a broadcasting section adapted to broadcast a video content, in which the produced video switch command is embedded, through a broadcasting network; and a delivery section adapted to deliver the video content through the Internet. |
| US08908101B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing noise of video
A method and apparatus for reducing noise of a video image are provided. The method includes: reducing noise in a difference between a current frame and a previous frame in which temporal noise is reduced; detecting motion information about the current frame based on the difference in which the noise is reduced; reducing temporal noise in the current frame via a weighted sum of the current frame and the previous frame in which the temporal noise is reduced, according to the motion information; and reducing spatial noise in the current frame based on an edge direction of the current frame in which the temporal noise is reduced. |
| US08908098B2 |
Method and apparatus for interacting with television screen
A method of interacting with a television screen using a remote control having a viewing screen. The method includes the following: (1) displaying a boundary-identifier, on the viewing screen that is substantially transparent, to specify the boundary of an effective input-area; (2) detecting one or more positions being touched on the viewing screen after the boundary-identifier is displayed on the viewing screen; and (3) determining at least one mapped position on the television screen, wherein the at least one mapped position is mapped from a position among the one or more touching positions on the viewing screen of the remote control under a mapping operative to map one of an irregular quadrilateral and a trapezoid to a rectangular. The method also includes determining the effective input-area, which includes analyzing the image of the television screen obtained with a camera on the remote control. |
| US08908094B2 |
Standby picture displaying method, mobile terminal and control program
A TV receiver is activated at the time of a transition to a standby condition of a mobile terminal (100) with the TV receiver, data on a standby screen saved beforehand is synthesized with data on a predetermined image, and the synthesized image is displayed. Thereafter, the predetermined image in the synthesized image is switched to, at a predetermined timing, a real-time TV image received by the TV receiver and the real-time TV image is displayed. Accordingly, an image is displayed on the standby screen even in a blank period that a TV image cannot be displayed well because of a preparation for displaying a TV image right after the transition to the standby condition, thereby promoting utilization of a TV broadcasting through the mobile terminal. |
| US08908090B2 |
Method for enabling manual adjustment of a pointing direction of an actively stabilized camera
A method for adjusting a pointing direction of a camera housed by an active stabilization system is disclosed. The active stabilization system executes a stabilization process to stabilize the pointing direction of the camera. The method comprises: detecting an externally applied force, disabling the stabilization process upon detecting a manual adjustment condition, adjusting the pointing angle of the camera in a direction of the externally applied force, measuring a current pointing angle of the camera; and re-enabling the stabilization process to stabilize the pointing direction of the camera based on the measured pointing angle of the camera in response to detecting that the detected manual adjustment condition failed. |
| US08908084B2 |
Electronic device and method for focusing and measuring points of objects
In an electronic device, an image point A on an image of an object is selected. A spectral confocal sensor is controlled to move to a position above a measuring point A′ on the object, where the measuring point A′ corresponds to the image point A, and a Z-coordinate of the measuring point A′ is computed using the spectral confocal sensor. A focal position of the measuring point A′ is computed according to the Z-coordinate of the measuring point A′, and a CCD lens is controlled to move to the focal position. The Z-coordinate of the measuring point A′ is stored into a storage unit of the electronic device. |
| US08908083B2 |
Dynamic autofocus operations
Systems, methods, and computer readable media for dynamically adjusting an image capture device's autofocus (AF) operation based, at least in part, on the device's orientation are described. In general, information about an image capture device's orientation may be used to either increase the speed or improve the resolution of autofocus operations. More particularly, orientation information such as that available from an accelerometer may be used to reduce the number of lens positions (points-of-interest) used during an autofocus operation, thereby improving the operation's speed. Alternatively, orientation information may be used to reduce the lens' range of motion while maintaining the number of points-of-interest, thereby improving the operation's resolution. |
| US08908072B2 |
Eclipse elimination by monitoring the pixel signal level
An anti-eclipse circuit for an imaging sensor monitors the photo signal level output by a pixel to determine whether the photo signal corresponds to the pixel being operated at a saturated state. If so, there is a risk that the pixel may be susceptible to an eclipse distortion. When the pixel is detected as being operated in a saturated state, the anti-eclipse circuit pulls up the reset signal level previously stored in a sample and hold circuit to an appropriate voltage level in order to prevent an eclipse distortion from arising. |
| US08908071B2 |
Pixel to pixel charge copier circuit apparatus, systems, and methods
Methods, apparatus and systems may operate to copy pixel charge, compensating for image subject shift within in an imaging array during exposure time of an imaging device. Activities may include transferring charge from one or more source pixels to one or more buffer pixels within the same pixel array, and copying the charge to destination pixels within the same pixel array prior to an end of the image integration time. Charge transfer may include transfer of charge from more than one array on a single die. Additional activities may include transferring charge from one or more source pixels to one or more destination pixels multiple times prior to the end of the image integration time. |
| US08908069B2 |
Handheld imaging device with quad-core image processor integrating image sensor interface
A handheld imaging device includes an image sensor for sensing an image; a processor for processing the sensed image; a quad-core processing unit provided in the processor, the quad-core processing unit having four processing units connected in parallel by a crossbar switch; and an image sensor interface for converting signals from the image sensor to a format readable by the quad-core processing unit, the image sensor interface sharing a wafer substrate with the processor. A transfer of data from the image sensor interface to the quad-core processing unit is conducted entirely on the shared wafer substrate. |
| US08908066B2 |
Solid state imaging device
According to one embodiment, a solid state imaging device includes an imaging unit that outputs imaging data by performing an imaging operation, a temperature sensor that outputs a diode voltage according to a diode current, and an output circuit that shares a part of a circuit with the imaging unit and outputs temperature data based on the diode voltage outputted from the temperature sensor in the same semiconductor chip. |
| US08908064B2 |
Imaging apparatus and imaging method
An imaging apparatus includes: a device control unit that performs a driving in which a first captured image signal during a first exposure period and a second captured image signal during each of second exposure periods are read by sequentially exposing second photoelectric conversion elements for the second exposure periods while exposing first photoelectric conversion elements for the first exposure period, and an image processing unit that performs a processing in which a captured image signal with a dynamic range is generated by using the first captured image signal and at least one of the second captured image signals, and the processing includes plural types of processings where numbers of the second captured image signals to be used are different. |
| US08908063B2 |
Method and apparatus for a time-of-flight sensor with charge storage
A time-of-flight sensor device includes analog memory to store one or more sets of charges associated with a time-of-flight image frame captured by a time-of-flight pixel array. So configured, the time-of-flight sensor device greatly reduces or eliminates the need for digital memory otherwise required to store image data prior to processing. |
| US08908060B2 |
Imaging apparatus generating evaluation values at a high frame rate and having a live view function of displaying a video smoothly at a low frame rate
An imaging apparatus includes an image data interface unit that outputs first image data according to a pixel signal input from a solid-state imaging device, an image data reading unit that reads image data from a storage unit and outputs the read image data as second image data, an image synthesis unit that outputs third image data obtained by synthesizing the first image data with second image data, an evaluation value generation unit that generates an evaluation value based on image data, a first image data selection unit that inputs selected image data to the evaluation value generation unit, an image data writing unit that stores image data in the storage unit, a second image data selection unit that inputs selected image data to the image data writing unit, and a display unit that displays an image according to the third read image data read from the storage unit. |
| US08908059B2 |
Imaging apparatus and imaging apparatus control method for automatically setting a finishing state of a photograph
An imaging apparatus is capable of allowing a user of the apparatus to execute a photographing setting for implementing an expression of a photograph with the finishing requested by the user and for achieving a quality of an image which the user requested with a wide variety of expression ambiences even if the user is not very conversant with digital image processing. The user selects and executes three settings, such as the type of a scene to be photographed, a state of an object to be photographed, and a finishing. The photographing conditions and image processing parameters are set and executed in interlock with the selected settings. As a result, the imaging apparatus can implement the finishing of a photograph desired by the user. |
| US08908055B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating high-dynamic-range (HDR) images
A low dynamic range (LDR) image data storage stores LDR image sets each of which includes a plurality of LDR segmented images captured with a camera panned. Here each LDR image set is of a different exposure level, respectively. A high-dynamic-range (HDR) synthesizing unit combines and merges a plurality of LDR segmented images of different exposure levels so as to generate an HDR segmented image set including a plurality of HDR segmented images of different pan angles or tilt angles. A panoramic image synthesizing unit generates an HDR panoramic image by stitching together adjacent HDR segmented images. |
| US08908053B2 |
Digital camera with integrated accelerometers
A digital camera system has integrated accelerometers for determining static and dynamic accelerations of the digital cameral system. Data relating to static and dynamic accelerations are stored with recorded image data for further processing, such as for correcting image data for roll, pitch and vibrations and for displaying recorded images with a predetermined orientation using information about, e.g., roll. Data may also be used on-the-fly for smear suppression caused by vibrations. |
| US08908052B2 |
Method and apparatus for correcting shakiness
Provided is a method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for correcting shakiness, in which the method includes generating using a hall sensor a hall sensor signal corresponding to displacement caused by a shock; determining whether the hall sensor signal exceeds a first threshold value; generating a shakiness correction control signal according to a result of the determination; and performing shakiness correction according to the shakiness correction control signal. |
| US08908051B2 |
Handheld imaging device with system-on-chip microcontroller incorporating on shared wafer image processor and image sensor
A handheld imaging device includes an image sensor for sensing an image; and a micro-controller provided on a wafer substrate, the micro-controller integrating on the same wafer substrate as a system-on-chip device, a plurality of processing units and an image sensor interface for effecting data communication between the image sensor the plurality of processing units. |
| US08908047B2 |
Method and apparatus for obtaining video quality parameter, and electronic device
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and an apparatus for obtaining a video quality parameter and an electronic device. The method includes dividing a target video segment into at least one video subsegment, where duration of every video subsegment is at least time perceivable by human eyes; obtaining a video quality parameter of the video subsegment; and processing the video quality parameter of the video subsegment, and obtaining a video quality parameter of the target video segment. |
| US08908043B2 |
System and method for location-based operation of a head mounted display
A location-based operating method for a head mounted display apparatus is provided. The method can be performed by one or more components of a mobile computing system and remote computing systems. The method obtains location data corresponding to the head mounted display apparatus, and processes the location data to determine a geographic position of the head mounted display apparatus. The method continues by controlling display characteristics of the head mounted display apparatus in response to the geographic position of the head mounted display apparatus. |
| US08908038B2 |
Vehicle detection device and vehicle detection method
A vehicle detection device having an imaging device to capture two respective polarized images from two polarized light beams having different polarization directions contained in light received from an imaging area including a road surface on which one's own vehicle is traveling and a vehicle traveling on the road surface and a polarization difference calculation device to calculate a polarization difference indicating the ratio of a luminance difference between the two respective polarized images to the luminance total thereof for respective identification processing areas formed by dividing the two respective polarized images taken by the imaging device, and a vehicle area detection device to conduct a vehicle area detection process of detecting a vehicle area displaying the vehicle in the imaging area based on the polarization difference of the respective identification processing areas calculated by the polarization difference calculation device. |
| US08908033B2 |
Utilizing presence information for the purpose of enhanced surveillance
Surveillance system endpoints communicate with each other to send and receive presence information. The surveillance endpoints may react to the received presence information. For example, if one surveillance camera stops functioning, one or more other cameras can react to the presence information, or lack thereof, sent from the malfunctioning camera. Thus, one or more of the other cameras can cover the area normally covered by the malfunctioning camera. Thus, the surveillance endpoints can automatically react to presence events in a network of surveillance endpoints. |
| US08908027B2 |
Asymmetric drag force bearings for use with push-cable storage drums
A pipe inspection system may include a cable storage drum and a length of resilient flexible push-cable. An asymmetric bearing device supports the cable storage drum for rotation about the rotational axis in a pay-out direction and an opposite pay-in direction. In one embodiment, the asymmetric bearing device automatically decreases, without the for manual adjustment, an amount of friction exerted against rotation of the cable storage drum upon reversal of the direction of rotation of the cable storage drum from the pay-out direction to the pay-in direction. |
| US08908019B2 |
System and method for controlling shutters of a shutter glass viewing device
There are provided a transmitter, a display, a shutter eyeglass device, a transmission/reception system, a display system and a transmission/reception method allowed to achieve highly reliable communication between a transmission side and a reception side. The transmitter includes: a transmission section holding plural kinds of commands each represented by a plurality of bits and repeatedly transmitting a command set, the command set being configured of one or more kinds of commands which are selected from the plural kinds of commands and combined in predetermined order, in which a bit pattern representing a whole of the command set is the same as a bit pattern held in a receiver. |
| US08908012B2 |
Electronic device and method for creating three-dimensional image
An electronic device for creating a three-dimensional image includes a number of image capturing units, an outline detecting unit, a coordinate determining unit, and an image synthesizing unit. Each image capturing unit captures an object located in one corresponding direction of a three-dimensional scene with different focal length and then captures a number of images of the object in each direction. The outline detecting unit detects an outline of the object in each captured image. The coordinate determining unit determines three-dimensional coordinates of each point on the detected outline. The image synthesizing unit synthesizes the detected outlines of objects from the captured images captured in the same direction together according to the three-dimensional coordinates of the outlines, creates a three-dimensional image along each direction with the corresponding synthesized outlines, and stitches the three-dimensional images of different directions together to obtain a combined image. |
| US08908008B2 |
Methods and systems for establishing eye contact and accurate gaze in remote collaboration
In one aspect, a method includes capturing images of a first participant through a display using a camera. The display is located between the first participant and the camera. A video stream of images of a second participant is also received. The images of the second participant are shifted in accordance with a shift vector. The shift vector places the images of the second participant's face in approximate alignment with the eyes of the first participant and the lens of the camera. The shifted images are projected on the display using a projector. |
| US08908003B2 |
Remote communication system and method
A method comprises determining a status of an object on a first device and sending an indicator of the status of the object to a remote device, the indicator being configured to allow the remote device to present the status of the object. The method may further comprise establishing audio and video communication with the remote device. The audio and video communication with the remote device may be established over a network. The object may be a book, and the status may be associated with a page number of the book. The method may further comprise displaying animated content based on the determined status of the object. The displaying of animated content may include displaying an animated character providing commentary or asking questions related to content associated with the object. |
| US08908001B2 |
Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus
An optical scanning device includes a plurality of stations, each of which includes an light source, a deflector (polygon scan), a scanning optical element, and a housing. The light source emits a light beam to a plurality of surfaces to be scanned. The deflector deflects light beams emitted from the light source. The scanning optical element scans the surfaces to be scanned with light spots of the optical beams deflected by the deflector. The housing houses therein the light source, the deflector, and the scanning optical element. The scanning optical element is secured to the housing so that directions of scanning-line curves caused by temperature change match between the surfaces to be scanned. |
| US08908000B2 |
Light-emitting device, driving method of light-emitting device, light-emitting chip, print head and image forming apparatus
A light-emitting device includes: plural light-emitting chips each having plural light-emitting elements, and each being designated, as a control target for lighting up or not lighting up, by two to Q designation signals (Q is an integer of two or more); and a selection signal generating part that selectively transmits P selection signals (P is an integer of three or more where P>Q) as the designation signals to designate each of the plural light-emitting elements as the control target, the designation signals for each of the plural light-emitting chips including a combination of two to Q selection signals taken from the P selection signals. |
| US08907996B2 |
Thermal head and thermal transfer printer using thermal head
A thermal head in a thermal transfer printer in which a tension is given to an ink ribbon that has warped as being heated by the thermal head to reduce friction force generated between the thermal head and the ink ribbon. A ribbon transport direction changing member 30 pushes the ink ribbon 13 away from a heat generator 21, as a transport direction of the ink ribbon 13 is slightly moved toward a platen roller 10, so a constant tension is given to a film layer 24 of the ink ribbon immediately after being heated. |
| US08907994B2 |
Printer characterization of print media
A printer has a heat source disposed adjacent a temperature sensor to transfer heat upon activation across a portion of an introduced print media to the temperature sensor and a controller to receive a signal from the temperature sensor and to obtain a temperature signature generally identifying attributes of the introduced print media and to adjust print head settings in response to the identified attributes. The printer may further comprise a sensor to detect access to a print media storage compartment and to initiate examination of the heat transfer properties of the introduced print media upon detecting that the print storage compartment has been accessed. |
| US08907985B2 |
Image display device and image display method
An image display device is configured to cut out and display a moving object within an omnidirectional image. The image display device includes: a moving object position acquisition unit configured to acquire a position of the moving object within the omnidirectional image; a determination unit configured to determine whether to correct an upward direction of a cutout image; a parameter correction unit configured to correct a cutout parameter when the determination unit determines to correct the upward direction of the cutout image; a cutout unit configured to cut images including the moving object out of the omnidirectional image based on the cutout parameter corrected by the parameter correction unit; and a display unit configured to display the images including the moving object, which are cut out by the cutout unit. |
| US08907977B2 |
Mobile terminal having a display configured to display multiple zones and control method thereof
A mobile terminal and a method for controlling the same are provided which may allow for enhanced icon and widget manipulation and use. The mobile terminal may include a display module configured to display a first zone and a second zone. The first zone may include at least one execution zone where an application is executed. The mobile terminal may also include a user input module configured to receive a command from a user, and a controller configured to control at least one icon corresponding to an application executed in the at least one execution zone. |
| US08907974B2 |
Image processing apparatus, display apparatus, and image processing method
When a single pixel is displayed by four color sub-pixels, or R (red), G (green), B (blue), and G, in a Bayer array, this invention sets the scaling rate of a scaling process to 3/2 times when executing the scaling process on image data having three color components, or R, G, and B, and then executes a color conversion process for finding four color components from the three color components; after this, a decimation process for reducing the number of pixels is carried out. Setting the scaling rate of the scaling process to an integer proportion, moirés caused by the scaling process can be made less noticeable. Note that it is desirable for the scaling rate of the scaling process to be close to √2 and for the denominator of the integer proportion to be lower. |
| US08907971B2 |
Local definition of global image transformations
A global image adjustment, such as dynamic range adjustment is established based on image characteristics. The image adjustment is based more heavily on pixel values in image areas identified as being important by one or more saliency mapping algorithms. In one application to dynamic range adjustment, a saliency map is applied to create a weighed histogram and a transformation is determined from the weighted histogram. Artifacts typical of local adjustment schemes may be avoided. |
| US08907970B2 |
Apparatus and method of viewing electronic documents
A method of generating an e-book document comprises representing some or all of a page of an electronic document as a graphic textures sequence derived from the document page. The sequence comprises successively smaller graphic textures, arranging them to form a first mip-map suitable for use by 3D graphics hardware, and outputting an e-book document comprising the first mip-map representing some or all of the document page. A method of reading an e-book document includes accessing at least a portion of the mip-map comprising the sequence of graphic textures, constructing a surface in a 3D virtual space comprising one or more polygons, applying to the polygon surface a graphic texture derived from the accessed part of the mip-map responsive to scaling of the polygon surface with respect to an e-book reader display, and displaying the textured polygon surface on the display, thereby displaying some or all of the page. |
| US08907966B2 |
Methods, apparatuses and computer program products for providing adaptive rendering quality degradation
An apparatus is provided for adaptively adjusting the rendering quality of one or more images. The apparatus may include at least one memory and at least one processor configured to adjust a rendering quality associated with display of one or more images to degrade the images based in part on a determined distance corresponding to a predetermined threshold. The processor is further configured to cause the apparatus to enable rendering and display of the degraded images in response to receipt of the degraded images from a device or retrieval of the degraded images from a locally stored memory. The degraded images include images having a size that is smaller than a size of corresponding original images. Corresponding computer program products and methods are also provided. |
| US08907963B2 |
Concurrent graphic content on multiple displays
Concurrent display of graphic content on multiple displays is described. A frame of graphic content to be displayed on multiple displays can be written to a single memory location. Previously written graphic content can be read to multiple displays having misaligned synchronization signals and new graphic content can be written to a different memory location concurrently. |
| US08907962B2 |
Display system with display panel and display controller and driver having moving picture interface
No flicker is displayed on the display screen during display of moving pictures and power consumption can be reduced by adding a high quality moving picture display function. Moreover, the number of times of transfer of moving pictures by comprising a still-picture • text • system • I/O bus • interface and a moving picture interface (external display interface), providing a display operation change register (DM) and a RAM access change register (RM) which are changed selectively depending on display content (display mode) displayed on a display device and displaying the display data on the display device via a picture memory even in the moving picture display mode. |
| US08907957B2 |
Automatic animation generation
Some embodiments of the invention provide a method that receives a selection of an animation to apply to two or more graphical objects in a scene over a particular time duration. The method identifies parameters for each of the graphical objects. Based on the selected animation, the method generates modifications to at least one parameter for each of the graphical objects over the particular time duration. The parameter of a first graphical object is modified differently than the parameter of a second graphical object. The method stores the modifications as data for the scene. |
| US08907955B2 |
Vector image drawing device, vector image drawing method, and recording medium
A vector image drawing device has the following configuration. A contour generation unit (104), based on vector data, generates contour data that represents the starting pixels on a scan line in a drawing area where fill-in starts, and the ending pixels where fill-in ends. An outline buffer (106) stores the number of starting or ending pixels in the contour data for fill-in for each drawn pixel. An error judgment unit (2), when storing the contour data in the outline buffer (106), determines in which pixel there is overflow in the outline buffer of contour data. A pixel position transfer unit (3) adds the numerical value of the overflow portion of a pixel that the error judgment unit (2) determined to have overflow to the numerical value of contour data that corresponds to a pixel. |
| US08907954B2 |
Method for visualizing a complicated metro map in a limited displaying area
The prevented invention provides a method to visualize complicated metro maps in a limited displaying area, in which the route to the passenger's destination is highlighted. In order to achieve high readability, it sets 1) the distance between neighboring stations to be equal, 2) the transportation lines to lie in octilinear directions, 3) the angles of incident edges at each station to be maximized, and 4) the station positions to be inside the displaying area. It also labels the names of stations that passenger will pass by to make the route navigation easy and intuitive. |
| US08907953B2 |
Unfolding dataset with on-demand resolution on a non-linear fixed length graph axis
A system and method are provided for unfolding large datasets with an on demand resolution in one or more points of interest on a non-linear fixed length graph axis. The system includes one or more integrable function families configured to provide one or more integrable functions. The system further comprises a client application configured to capture and/or evaluate data unfold resolution requirements, adjust the axis resolution in a point-by-point fashion while preserving the physical axis dimensions, render axis tickmarks, adjust the axis upon data point selection, and display the selection to the user. |
| US08907948B2 |
Occlusion reduction and magnification for multidimensional data presentations
A method in a computer system for generating a presentation of a region-of-interest in an original image for display on a display screen, the original image being a collection of polygons having polygons defined by three or more shared edges joined at vertex points, the method comprising: establishing a lens for the region-of-interest, the lens having a magnified focal region for the region-of-interest at least partially surrounded by a shoulder region across which the magnification decreases, the focal and shoulder regions having respective perimeters; subdividing polygons in the collection of polygons proximate to at least one of the perimeters, as projected with the polygons onto a base plane, by inserting one or more additional vertex points and additional edges into the polygons to be subdivided; and, applying the lens to the original image to produce the presentation by displacing the vertex points onto the lens and perspectively projecting the displacing onto a view plane in a direction aligned with a viewpoint for the region-of-interest. |
| US08907943B2 |
Sensor based display environment
A three-dimensional (“3D”) display environment for mobile device is disclosed that uses orientation data from one or more onboard sensors to automatically determine and display a perspective projection of the 3D display environment based on the orientation data without the user physically interacting with (e.g., touching) the display. |
| US08907942B2 |
Server for providing three-dimensional contents and method thereof, and terminal for three-dimensional display
The present invention relates to a 3D contents providing service. A 3D contents providing server includes a 3D contents providing request receiver for receiving a 3D contents providing request through a communication network, a subscriber manager for checking a communication terminal to which the 3D contents will be provided when the 3D contents providing request is received, a 3D contents selecting extractor for receiving 3D contents selecting information to be provided to the checked communication terminal and extracting the selected 3D contents, and a 3D contents provider for providing the extracted 3D contents to the communication terminal, and the 3D contents include side information provided to the communication terminal and output by the communication terminal. |
| US08907940B2 |
Driving method for organic electroluminescence light emitting section
A driving method for an organic EL light emitting section is provided which achieves optimization of a mobility correction process for a transistor of a driving circuit in response to luminance. The light emitting section may include a driving circuit with a driving transistor, an image signal writing transistor and a capacitor section having a pair of electrodes (corresponding to a first node ND1 and a second node ND2). A variable correction voltage which relies upon an image signal voltage is applied to the first node ND1 and a voltage which is higher than a potential of the second node ND2 in a threshold voltage cancellation process is applied to the drain electrode of the driving transistor, between the threshold voltage cancellation process and a writing process, to raise the potential of the second node ND2 in response to a characteristic of the driving transistor. |
| US08907936B2 |
Liquid crystal display, control method thereof and electronic device with reduced flicker
A liquid crystal display includes liquid crystal elements in which a liquid crystal layer is sandwiched by a first electrode and a second electrode, a driving circuit configured to alternately apply higher and lower voltages than a predetermined voltage to the first electrode, and, at the same time, to apply the predetermined voltage to the second electrode, and a control circuit configured to compare a first current with a second current, the first current being obtained by excluding an instantaneous current due to a related higher voltage from currents flowing through the second electrode after the higher voltage is applied to the first electrode, and the second current being obtained by excluding an instantaneous current due to a related lower voltage from currents flowing through the second electrode after the lower voltage is applied to the first electrode, and to control the predetermined voltage based on the comparison result. |
| US08907935B2 |
Backlight calibration and control
A system and method for characterizing the power and luminance values for a display. This may include testing a device to determine a luminance value for a display of a given device at a given current and determining whether the first current is to be adjusted during future uses based on a comparison of the luminance with at least one threshold value. This may also include storing an adjusted current value if it is determined that the first current is to be adjusted. |
| US08907934B2 |
Pixel array substrate and display panel using the same
A pixel array substrate includes a substrate, a plurality of center pixel units, a plurality of edge pixel units, at least one conductive pattern, at least one passive electrode and a driving circuit. The substrate includes a main display area and a sub-display area around the main display area. The center pixel units and the edge pixel units are arrayed in the main display area. The conductive pattern and the passive electrode are disposed in the sub-display area, and the conductive pattern is electrically connected to the driving circuit and the passive electrode. The driving circuit is electrically connected to the edge pixel units and the passive electrode and configured to output a plurality of edge pixel signals to the edge pixel units and the passive electrode. A display panel using the pixel array substrate is provided. The pixel array substrate and the display panel have an advantage of increasing display area. |
| US08907930B2 |
Methods and devices for determining user input location using acoustic sensing elements
Methods and devices are provided for determining location of an input on a surface of a device using an acoustic sensing element. An exemplary method begins by determining an anticipated acoustic response resulting from an output generated by a component of the device at the acoustic sensing element. The method continues by subtracting the anticipated acoustic response from a measured acoustic response at the acoustic sensing element to obtain a nominal acoustic response, and determining the location of the input based on the nominal acoustic response. |
| US08907927B2 |
Camera based hover detection for touch-based mobile devices
The disclosure generally describes computer-implemented methods, software, and systems for providing camera-based hover detection for touch-based mobile devices. One computer-implemented method includes receiving image data from at least one image capture device associated with a particular client device, comparing, by operation of a computer, the received image data to existing image data, wherein the existing image data partially includes extrapolated imaged data, determining that the received image data does not compare with existing image data and transmitting the received image data to a server for post-processing, processing, by operation of a computer, post-processed image data received from the server, wherein the processing includes updating a user configuration with the post-processed image data, and generating a hover event based upon the received image data. |
| US08907926B2 |
Method for calibrating accuracy of optical touch monitor
A method for calibrating the accuracy of an optical touch monitor is provided. The optical touch monitor has a first lens and a second lens disposed at the same side of the optical touch monitor and faced towards the other side thereof. In the present method, one of a plurality of control points (CPs) on the optical touch monitor is touched by using a touch object. A first position and a second position of the touch object in images captured by the first lens and the second lens are substituted into a non-linear transformation function to calculate a weight matrix for system transformation. When the touch object touches a touch point on the optical touch monitor, a touch position of the touch object on the optical touch monitor is detected and transformed into screen coordinates of the optical touch monitor by using the weight matrix and the non-linear transformation function. |
| US08907923B2 |
Photo sensor, method of forming the same, and optical touch device
The present invention provides a photo sensor, a method of forming the photo sensor, and a related optical touch device. The photo sensor includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a first silicon-rich dielectric layer and a second silicon-rich dielectric layer. The first silicon-rich dielectric layer is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode for sensing infrared rays, and the second silicon-rich dielectric layer is disposed between the first silicon-rich dielectric layer and the second electrode for sensing visible light beams. The multi-layer structure including the first silicon-rich dielectric layer and the second silicon-rich dielectric layer enables the single photo sensor to effectively detect both infrared rays and visible light beams. Moreover, the single photo sensor is easily integrated into an optical touch device to form optical touch panel integrated on glass. |
| US08907922B2 |
Touch sensitive IPS liquid crystal display
A touch sensitive in-plane switching (IPS) liquid crystal display (LCD) includes a liquid crystal layer, an active-matrix transistor layer with an electrode pair, a color filter substrate, and a sensing electrode layer. The sensing electrode layer may be disposed above or below the color filter substrate, and the sensing electrode layer may include two parts that are disposed above and below the color filter layer respectively. |
| US08907918B2 |
Electrochromic touchscreen
The present invention relates to a touchscreen, comprising an electronic visualization structure made of a deposition of layers of: electrically conductive material; on which is deposited electrochromic material; on which is deposited electrolyte material; on which is deposited electrochemically active material, on which is deposited electrically conductive material, wherein the electronic visualization structure is simultaneously an electronic touch detection structure, which touch detection depends on the continuous application of a modulated electrical stimuli; and operates based on variations in the electric capacity of the electronic structure. |
| US08907916B2 |
Terminal, controlling method thereof and recordable medium for the same
A mobile terminal is provided including a touchscreen and a controller. The controller is configured to display, on the touchscreen, a moving picture and a subset of a plurality of key frame pictures for the moving picture. |
| US08907912B2 |
Touch panel and display device with a built-in touch panel
Provided is a touch panel including: a plurality of scanning electrodes formed on a display panel; a plurality of detecting electrodes intersecting with the plurality of scanning electrodes, the plurality of detecting electrodes being formed on the display panel; a first unit for sequentially connecting a constant current source to each of the plurality of scanning electrodes for each one scanning period; and a second unit for detecting a touch position on the display panel based on a variation of a current detected at each of the plurality of detecting electrodes. One of the each of the plurality of scanning electrodes and the each of the plurality of detecting electrodes is formed on the display panel surface on a viewer side, and another of the each of the plurality of scanning electrodes and the each of the plurality of detecting electrodes is formed inside the display panel. |
| US08907908B2 |
Method for identifying multiple touch objects
A method for identifying multiple touch objects has steps of reading at least one touched cluster to be identified in a sensing frame, determining a range of each one of the at least one touched cluster to be identified, comparing the range of each touched cluster to be identified with a first preset division range, if the range of the touched cluster to be identified exceeds the first preset division range, reducing a sensing value of each one of at least one middle sensing point within the first touched cluster to be divided, determining a count of center sensing points of each first touched cluster to be divided, and dividing the first touched cluster to be divided containing multiple center sensing points. Accordingly, the present invention correctly identifies multiple touch objects from a single touched cluster arising from an excessively large line-to-line space. |
| US08907905B2 |
Sensing device, touch sensing system, and display device
A sensing device placed in a touch sensing system of a display device includes a selector, a sensing module, and a detection module for determining touch signals generated by the touch sensing system. The selector selects two of the touch signals according to at least one selection control signal. The sensing module comprises a first differential amplifier for comparing the selected touch signals and producing a first differential signal according to first control signals. According to second control signals, the detection module receives the first differential signal, generates an averaged sensing value and a reference value, and compares the averaged sensing value with the reference value to produce a second differential signal. Thereby, the touch sensing system uses the second differential signal to generate the first control signals and the second control signals to control the operation of the touch sensing system. |
| US08907901B2 |
Motion sensor data processing and interface and method thereof
A motion sensor comprises a touch screen, and a motion indictor proximate to the touch screen, the touch screen displaying: an adjusting bar indicating a threshold at which motion is detected, and a level bar indicating an amount of currently measured motion. |
| US08907898B2 |
Tablet computer overlay membrane
A tablet computer device comprises a overlay membrane detachably couplable to the tablet computer device to protect a display element of the tablet computer device, the overlay membrane having an integrated keyboard. |
| US08907897B2 |
Optical capacitive thumb control with pressure sensor
A small sensor surface designed to control a smart phone or Mobile Internet Device (MID). The sensor surface may be mounted on the side of the proposed device in a position where a user's thumb or finger naturally falls when holding the device in his/her hand. The sensor surface is simultaneously convex and concave, providing both visual and physical cues for the use of the sensor surface. The sensor may include capacitive sensing, optical sensing and pressure sensing capabilities to interpret thumb gestures into device control. |
| US08907893B2 |
Rolling gesture detection using an electronic device
An electronic device with one or more processors and memory detects a button press of a respective button of a plurality of buttons that include a first button that corresponds to a first type of operation and a second button that corresponds to a second type of operation. The device determines, in conjunction with detecting the button press, a rolling gesture metric corresponding to performance of a rolling gesture comprising rotation about a longitudinal axis of the electronic device. After determining the rolling gesture metric, when the respective button is the first button, the device initiates performance, in a respective user interface, of an operation of the first type in accordance with the rolling gesture metric and when the respective button is the second button, the device initiates performance, in the respective user interface, of an operation of the second type in accordance with the rolling gesture metric. |
| US08907891B2 |
Methods and systems for playing video games with a controller having a display that shares content with a main display
Methods and systems for playing video games with a controller having a display that shares content with a main display are provided. According to embodiments of the invention, a method is provided for interactive gameplay of a video game. The method initiates with executing a video game, the video game providing a virtual environment. A primary view of the virtual environment is rendered on a primary display. A location and orientation of a handheld device in a vicinity of the primary display are tracked. A secondary view of the virtual environment is rendered on the handheld device based on the tracked location and orientation of the handheld device. |
| US08907887B2 |
Methods and systems for operating avionic systems based on user gestures
Methods and systems for operating an avionics system are provided. A predefined set of movements of a headset is detected. In response to the detection of the set of movements, one or more various functions are performed. |
| US08907884B2 |
LED backlight system
A method and system for modifying the pulse width modulation frequency for controlling the backlit illumination intensity of a liquid crystal display. The modified pulse width modulation frequency may be selected to reduce distortion in the display while allowing for a wide range of dimming settings for the display. A pulse width modulation signal may be also be phase shifted such that a string of light sources may be sequentially activated to generate a effective frequency greater than that of the frequency of the pulse width modulation signal. |
| US08907883B2 |
Active matrix type liquid crystal display device and drive method thereof
An active matrix type liquid crystal display device may include a black signal insertion device to apply a voltage corresponding to a black display as a voltage for data signal lines only during a black signal insertion period that is a part of one frame period, a black insertion ratio change device to change the insertion period, and an unchanged-storage-capacitor-phase-keeping device to control the insertion period after the change. The control makes a time difference the same, before and after the change, between (i) a timing, among timings at which signal voltages of the first or second storage capacitor line rise, at which a storage capacitor voltage rises that is both prior to a start timing of the insertion period and a closest timing to the start timing of the insertion period, and (ii) the start timing of the insertion period. |
| US08907880B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device (100) according to the present invention includes: first and second pixel transistors (130a, 130b); a gate driver (210) that supplies a gate signal to a gate line (G); a source driver (220) that supplies a source signal to first and second branch lines (225a and 225b); a first source transistor (180a), which includes a source that is electrically connected to the first branch line (225a) and a drain that is electrically connected to a first source line (Sa); and a second source transistor (180b), which includes a source that is electrically connected to the second branch line (225b) and a drain that is electrically connected to a second source line (Sb). |
| US08907876B2 |
Pixel circuit, image display apparatus, driving method therefor and driving method of electronic device
A pixel circuit has a light emitting element and a driver electrically connected to the light emitting element. A reverse bias voltage is applied to the driver to reduce a shift amount of a threshold voltage of the driver. |
| US08907875B1 |
Pixel circuit, display and driving method thereof
The invention provides a pixel circuit that can cancel the influence of the mobility of a drive transistor. A drive transistor supplies a light-emitting element with an output current dependent upon an input voltage. The light-emitting element emits light with a luminance dependent upon a video signal in response to the output current supplied from the drive transistor. The pixel circuit includes a correction unit that corrects the input voltage held by a capacitive part in order to cancel the dependence of the output current on the carrier mobility. |
| US08907873B2 |
Organic light emitting display panel and method for driving the same
The present invention provides an organic light-emitting display (OLED) panel and a method for driving the same. The OLED panel comprises pixel rows, data lines, scan lines and power lines, and each of the pixel rows includes pairs of first and second pixels, and the data lines cross the scan lines, and the power lines are arranged parallel to the pixel rows. When driving the first or second pixel, two of the scan lines are turned on at the same time, and the two turned-on scan lines are positioned at two opposite sides of the driven first or second pixel. |
| US08907868B2 |
Display device and electronic apparatus
According to one feature of the invention, a display device comprises a pixel including a first sub-pixel having a first light-emitting element and a second sub-pixel having a second light-emitting element, a first source driver connected to a first source line included in the first sub-pixel, and a second source driver connected to a second source line included in the second sub-pixel. The first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel are provided over one surface of a light-transmitting substrate, and a first display region using the first sub-pixel over one surface of the substrate and a second display region using the second sub-pixel over the opposite surface the substrate are provided. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a display device that realizes sophistication and a high added value, which includes a display region in each of one and the opposite sides. |
| US08907867B2 |
Don and doff sensing using capacitive sensors
Methods and devices for determining whether a head-mountable computing device is donned or doffed are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes receiving from at least one capacitive sensor data indicating a rate of change of capacitance, making a comparison of the rate of change of capacitance to a threshold rate of change of capacitance and, based on the comparison, determining whether the head-mountable computing device is donned or doffed. The method further includes, if the head-mountable computing device is donned, causing the head-mountable computing device to operate in a first state, and if the head-mountable computing device is doffed, causing the head-mountable computing device to operate in a second state, where the head-mountable computing device consumes less power in the second state than in the first state. |
| US08907865B2 |
Head mounted display and optical position adjustment method of the same
Disclosed herein is an optical position adjustment method of a head mounted display, the head mounted display including (a) an eyeglass type frame worn on the head of a viewer, and (b) two image display devices for the right and left eyes attached to the frame, and each of the image display devices including (A) an image forming device, and (B) an optical device adapted to receive, guide and emit light emitted from the image forming device, wherein the optical position adjustment method includes the step of: controlling an image signal that is supplied to the image forming device making up at least one of the image display devices so as to control the position of the image displayed on the optical device making up at least one of the image display devices and adjust the mutual positions of the two images. |
| US08907854B2 |
Antenna structure and wireless communication device employing same
An antenna structure includes a first circuit board having a first antenna unit and a second antenna unit, a second circuit board having a first radio member and a second radio member, and a sliding mechanism. The first antenna unit and the second antenna unit are configured for receiving and transmitting different wireless signals. The sliding mechanism slides the second circuit board relative to the first circuit board, to separate or connect the first antenna unit with the first radio member and the second antenna unit with the second radio member, thus enabling the first antenna unit or a combination of the second antenna unit and the second radio member to receive and transmit a first wireless signal; the second antenna unit or a combination of the first antenna unit and the first radio member receive to transmit a second wireless signal. |
| US08907849B2 |
Wafer-level RF transmission and radiation devices
Method for constructing a dipole radio frequency antenna includes depositing on a dielectric substrate at least one layer each of a conductive material, a dielectric material, and a sacrificial material. The deposit of conductive material is controlled to form a transmission line, antenna radiating element and associated antenna feed. The transmission line includes a shield formed of one or more walls and a center conductor disposed coaxially within the shield. An antenna feed portion is electrically connected to the center conductor and extends through a feed port on the transmission line to connect with an antenna radiating element. The radiating element has an elongated form which extends a first predetermined length transverse to an axis of the transmission line. The method also includes dissolving at least one layer of the sacrificial material to form a clearance space between the surface of the dielectric substrate and the antenna radiating element. |
| US08907847B2 |
Directional antenna system for portable communication device
A directional antenna system for portable communication device that provides user control on the transmit antennas. The directional antenna system is made by two or more directional antennas with the directional antennas arranged in the pattern such that one of the directional antenna is pointing towards the user and the other directional antenna(s) are pointing away from the user. The directional antenna system is designed to cover a 360 degree circle in both the receiving and transmitting mode. In one of the transmitting mode, the portable communication device transmits RF signal on the directional antenna(s) that is pointing away from the user to minimize the electromagnetic energy exposure to the user. In the case when the RF receiving signal is below the desired operating condition on the outward pointing directional antenna(s), the portable communication device will generate an alert to the user. |
| US08907845B2 |
Antenna failure compensation
A method for compensating for the failure of an element in a phased array antenna assembly is provided. After failure of an element of the assembly, a composite pattern is generated from signals received by respective elements in the antenna assembly. This generated pattern is then compared to a standard composite pattern which was generated prior to the failure. Thus the necessity for remedial action can be assessed. If necessary, initial values for parameters associated with each element are assumed and an optimization is performed on the parameters. Consequently, a composite pattern can be generated which approximates the standard composite pattern. Once optimization has been achieved, the optimized parameters are applied to base settings for the assembly and operation of the phased array antenna assembly can be continued. |
| US08907840B2 |
Electronic scanning radar apparatus, received wave direction estimating method, and received wave direction estimating program
An electronic scanning radar apparatus mounted on a moving object includes a receiver unit including a plurality of antennas receiving a received wave arriving from a target having reflected a transmitted wave, a beat signal generating unit generating a beat signal from the transmitted wave and the received wave, a frequency resolving unit resolving the beat signal into beat frequencies having a predetermined frequency bandwidth and that calculates complex data based on the beat signal resolved for each beat frequency, and an azimuth detecting unit estimating a wave number of the received wave based on singular values calculated from a matrix created based on the complex data calculated based on the beat signal and calculating a direction of arrival of the received wave based on coefficients calculated based on a pseudo-inverse matrix of the matrix included in a signal subspace determined by the estimated wave number. |
| US08907839B2 |
Method and system for recognizing space of shoulder of road
Disclosed herein are a method and a system for recognizing a space of a road shoulder using an ultrasonic wave sensor, a radar and an imaging device. The method includes: controlling the radar to transmit a radar beam within a preset range based on the vehicle location; detecting a fixed object located within the preset range using a reflective wave of the radar beam received by the radar; calculating a distance between the fixed object and the vehicle using the radar when the fixed object is located within the preset range; detecting a solid line lane marking in a front image of a travel lane obtained from the imaging device; and recognizing the calculated distance between the fixed object and the vehicle as a space width of the road shoulder when the solid line lane is in the front image of the travel lane. |
| US08907836B2 |
Switched-capacitor input circuit and analog-to-digital converter including the same
A switched-capacitor input circuit which receives an analog input signal, and samples and holds the analog input signal, comprising a differential amplifier, a first capacitor, one terminal of the first capacitor being connected to a non-inverting input terminal of the differential amplifier, a second capacitor, one terminal of the second capacitor being connected to an inverting input terminal of the differential amplifier, a first switch configured to connect the other terminal of the first capacitor to one of a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage, a second switch configured to connect the other terminal of the second capacitor to one of the first reference voltage and the second reference voltage, and a third switch configured to connect the other terminal of the first capacitor to the other terminal of the second capacitor. |
| US08907835B2 |
A/D conversion circuit and solid-state image pickup device
An A/D conversion circuit may include: a delay circuit that includes a plurality of delay units having a first pulse input terminal, a pulse output terminal, and an analog signal input terminal, wherein each first pulse input terminal of the plurality of delay units is connected to one of the pulse output terminals corresponding to the plurality of delay units, and a pulse output signal input to the first pulse input terminal is delayed in accordance with an analog signal input to the analog signal input terminal and output from the pulse output terminal, and one of the plurality of delay units has a second pulse input terminal to which a pulse signal is input from outside; a state variation detection circuit; and an encoding signal latch circuit. |
| US08907828B2 |
Method and device for testing the material of a test object in a nondestructive manner
A method for testing the material of a test object (8) in a nondestructive manner, said test object being moved relative to a probe (1) at a variable relative speed, comprises the following steps: detecting a probe signal (US) by means of the probe (1), subjecting the probe signal (US) to analog-to-digital conversion in order to generate a digitized probe signal (USD) in the form of a sequence of digital words with a predefined, in particular constant, word repetition rate, n-stage decimation of the word repetition rate of the digitized probe signal (USD) or of a digital demodulation signal (UM) derived from the digitized probe signal by means of n cascaded decimation stages (5_1 to 5_n), where n≧2, selecting an output signal (UA_1 to UA_n) of one of the n decimation stages (5_1 to 5_n) depending on the instantaneous relative speed and filtering the selected output signal by means of a digital filter (7), which is clocked with the word repetition rate of the selected output signal. |
| US08907827B2 |
A/D converter reference calibration
Calibrating of A/D converters is carried out by obtaining adjustable reference voltages which are used in A/D conversion, comparing a first divided reference voltage of a full range voltage Vref, with a second divided reference voltage of Vref using analog to digital converters that are used in the A/D conversion; and adjusting at least one of said reference voltages to obtain a set ratio between said multiple ones of said reference voltages. The compared values can include a divided version of Vref, e.g., 3/8 Vref. |
| US08907820B2 |
Manufacturing method of metal keyboard for a computer
A metal keyboard for a computer and the method thereof are provided. The keyboard includes an aluminum panel in which a plurality of nano-micro-pores is defined by nano-molding process T; a plastic body disposed on the aluminum panel and made through injection molding based on above nano-molding process, one side of the plastic body being combined with the nano-micro-pores and then secured onto the underside of the aluminum panel, while the other side of the plastic body being provided with plural plastic pins which are formed by injection molding and projected from the surface of the plastic body; and a metal key tray in which a number of locating holes are defined at locations corresponding to the plastic pins, these pins passing through the corresponding locating holes, being hardened after hot melting process and finally being locked with the metal key tray. The invention can effectively reduce manufacture cost of the metal keyboard and significantly improve productivity. |
| US08907819B2 |
Portable electronic device and state notification method thereof
A portable electronic device comprises a key input unit including a plurality of keys or buttons. A plurality of key backlight LEDs are arranged right below or close to predetermined keys or buttons of the plurality of keys or buttons. The key backlight LEDs are capable of selecting and setting a plurality of colors for light emission. A light emission control unit provides a notification of a state of the portable electronic device with a lighting pattern of the plurality of key backlight LEDs. |
| US08907817B1 |
System for and method of displaying levels of turbulence
A aircraft hazard warning system or method can be utilized to determine a location of turbulence, hail or other hazard for an aircraft. A processor can process weather radar data representative of weather conditions. An avionic display can display graphical elements representing the weather conditions in response to the processor. The display can provide at least one first graphical element representing a size and a location of the turbulence at a first level. The display can provide at least one second graphical element representing a size and a location of the turbulence at a second level. The size of the second graphical element can have a minimal displayable size or can be determined using an inflation factor. |
| US08907816B2 |
Vehicle information collection system and module therefor
A method for managing vehicle check in at an automotive service center comprising the steps of connecting a device to the diagnostic port of an unknown vehicle and, without user input to the device, automatically downloading vehicle identification data and odometer data from the vehicle, transferring the vehicle identification data and odometer data from the device to work station at the service center, wherein the work station include a database, programmatically populating the vehicle identification data and odometer data into the database, the work station retrieving information based on one or both of the vehicle identification data and the odometer; and displaying the retrieved data on one or both of a computer and a paper printout. |
| US08907805B2 |
Method for sensing connection port, connection port sensing apparatus and computer system using the same
The present disclosure relates to a method for sensing a connection port and a connection port sensing apparatus thereof. The method includes the steps of: providing a sensing device nearing a connection port; providing a lighting device nearing the connection port; lighting the lighting device by a connection port sensing apparatus when the sensing device detects that an object is nearing the connection port, concurrently, displaying a message through the operating system to notify the user of the corresponding information about the connection port. |
| US08907804B2 |
Alternating current contactor with electronic short circuit self-locking function
An alternating current contactor (AC contactor) with an electronic short circuit self-locking function, includes an AC contactor body (a). The AC contactor body (a) includes a shell body. A short circuit self-locking portion is provided inside the shell body. The short circuit self-locking portion includes a current collecting unit (b) for collecting a current signal of phase lines (A, B, C); a short circuit detecting unit (c) for obtaining a voltage signal which characterizes a current signal, comparing with a reference signal, and outputting a short circuit detecting signal when short circuit occurs; a short circuit self-locking executing unit (d) for obtaining the short circuit detecting signal to trigger the AC contactor body (a) to generate and maintain a circuit-breaking action; and a self-locking releasing unit (e) for releasing self-locking of the AC contactor body (a) and resetting the alternating current contactor body (a). |
| US08907803B2 |
Networked air quality monitoring
Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media for continuously monitoring residential air quality and providing a trend based analysis regarding various air pollutants are presented herein. The system comprises an air quality monitor located in a residential house, wherein the air quality monitor is configured to measure the level of an air pollutant. The system also includes a server that is communicatively coupled to the air quality monitor, wherein the server is configured to generate a unique environmental fingerprint associated with the residential house. |
| US08907798B2 |
Supercooled large drop icing condition detection system
An ice detection system comprising a first group of sensors and a second group of sensors. The first group of sensors is located in a first group of locations on an aircraft. The first group of sensors in the first group of locations is configured to detect a first type of icing condition for the aircraft. The second group of sensors is located in a second group of locations on the aircraft. The second group of sensors in the second group of locations is configured to detect a second type of icing condition for the aircraft. |
| US08907795B2 |
System and method for detecting movement of a tagged article including traffic pattern determination
A system for determining motion of a tagged article may include a tag detection sub-system, a traffic pattern determination sub-system, and a monitoring sub-system. The tag detection sub-system is configured to output tag data regarding movement of the tagged article with respect to a tag detector proximate an exit portal of a location. The traffic pattern determination sub-system is configured to output traffic data regarding movement of an individual with respect to the exit portal of the location. The monitoring sub-system may include a correlation module configured to compare the tag data with the traffic data to accurately determine one or both of motion or path of the tagged article. |
| US08907793B2 |
Transportation security system and associated methods
A security system for monitoring a shipping container being transported on a cargo transport vehicle and methods for making and using same. A mounting device removably couples a container security device (CSD) to the cargo container. Monitoring cargo inside the container and detecting vehicle intrusions and container damage, the CSD includes an anti-tamper sensor, a microcontroller, a communication device, and a plurality of accelerometers and strain gages. The microcontroller generates an alarm signal based on output data from the anti-tamper sensor and records container events. The anti-temper sensor undergoes individual and integrated sensor processing procedures; whereas, the integrated sensor processing procedure determines a container alert status. The accelerometers and strain gages define a moment of inertia of the cargo container. Communicating with a telecommunications network, a network operations center of the security system receives data from the CSD for storage and creating an archive of the container events. |
| US08907787B2 |
Sensor and transmission control circuit in adaptive interface package
A programmable interface module includes a linear power regulator to control and provide power to interfaced components on an as needed basis. The interface module is implemented in, for example, a sensor pack and multiplexed to a plurality of sensor modules. In a first mode, the linear voltage regulator provides a relatively small amount of power which allows a sensor module to output a signal responsive to detecting an environmental condition (e.g., gamma or x-ray radiation, extreme temperatures, etc.). The interface module can switch the linear voltage regulator to a second mode in which the linear voltage regulator ramps up the amount of power provided to a detecting sensor module. The sensor module can then provide a level indicative of a concentration or intensity of the environmental condition. If the level surpasses a predetermined threshold, the sensor pack can output an alert signal to security server. |
| US08907785B2 |
Locator system using disparate locator signals
The present disclosure relates generally to locating systems, and more particularly, to handheld locator systems for locating personnel or other objects in buildings or other environments. In one illustrative embodiment, a tag is attached to an object to be located (e.g. firefighter). The tag may be configured to emit a first signal and a second signal, where the first signal and the second signal having disparate propagation characteristics in the environment. In some cases, the first signal may be an acoustic signal and the second signal may be an RF signal, but this is not required in all embodiments. By using a first signal or set of signals, and then automatically switching to another signal or set of signal(s) when the first signal or set of signals are not received clearly, the tag/receiver system may help mitigate the failure modes/weaknesses of any single technology, and may provide advantages over use of any of the technologies used singly. |
| US08907773B2 |
Image processing for image display apparatus mounted to vehicle
An image display apparatus capable of allowing a user to stably and conveniently check an image provided from a mobile terminal while driving a vehicle, by extracting a text corresponding to a screen image provided from the mobile terminal, by converting the extracted text into an audio signal according to a vehicle speed, and then by outputting the audio signal. The image display apparatus mounted to a vehicle includes a communication unit configured to receive an image from a mobile terminal, a display unit configured to display the received image, a controller configured to acquire a text corresponding to the displayed image, to acquire a vehicle speed, and to convert the acquired text into an audio signal when the speed exceeds a threshold speed, and an audio output unit configured to output the audio signal. |
| US08907770B2 |
System and method of controlling vehicle functions
A method of controlling vehicle functions is provided that includes receiving at a service provider, security data from a vehicle function system. The security data is related to a security code required to activate one or more functions controlled by the vehicle function system. The method also includes receiving a vehicle function request at the service provider from a remote device. The vehicle function request indicates a request to activate a particular function of a vehicle. In addition, the method includes sending a vehicle function command from the service provider to a mobile wireless device. The vehicle function command is adapted to cause the mobile wireless device to transmit a wireless signal to activate the particular function of the vehicle and the vehicle function command includes the security code or authentication information related to the security code. |
| US08907767B2 |
Methods and apparatus for distance determination for radiofrequency identification devices
Systems and techniques for reading radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and determining the distance between a reader and a tag being read. A plurality of interrogation signals are transmitted to an RFID tag, with signals at a first frequency being transmitted at a plurality of antenna polarizations and signals at a second frequency being transmitted at a plurality of antenna polarizations. The antenna polarizations are chosen such that return signals resulting from the signals and traveling along reflective paths will sum to zero. Return signals received from the tag are averaged, and phase shift information exhibited by the return signals is determined. The phase shift information for the return signals and frequency information for the interrogation signals is used to compute the distance between the reader and the tag. |
| US08907766B2 |
Method and system for secure communication
A communications system including a receiver and a first transmitter, wherein the first transmitter transmits noise signals across a range of communication channels used by the receiver, the receiver being adapted to receive a transmission transmitted by a second transmitter over one or more of said range of communication channels, and to distinguish the transmission made by the second transmitter from the noise signals using information from the first transmitter about the noise signals. |
| US08907765B2 |
RFID tag detection method and system
An RFID tag detection method and system are described. The method comprises transmitting, in a predetermined area, a predetermined number of RFID tag request signals. The method also comprises determining that an RFID tag is positioned within the predetermined area based on a comparison of a count of zero or more received RFID tag response signals from the RFID tag with the predetermined number of RFID tag request signals. |
| US08907761B2 |
Authentication of an electromagnetic terminal-transponder couple by the terminal
A method of authentication, by a terminal generating a magnetic field, of a transponder located in this field, wherein: first data, relative to the current in an oscillating circuit of the terminal, measured by the terminal for a first value of the resistive load of the transponder, are transmitted to the transponder; second corresponding data are evaluated by the transponder for a second value of the resistive load and are transmitted to the terminal; and said second data are compared with third corresponding data, measured by the terminal for the second value of the resistive load. |
| US08907760B2 |
Multiple-frequency solutions for remote access systems
Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward a system in which a three-dimensional low-frequency (3D-LF) antenna and a high frequency (HF) antenna are used. The 3D-LF antenna includes three coils each oriented relative to X, Y and Z axes that define a Cartesian coordinate system for a three-dimensional space. The HF antenna is oriented along one of the axes of the LF coils and in the same antenna package as the 3D-LF antenna. The 3D-LF antenna is configured to be used in connection with an LF signal of between 3 kHz and 300 kHz. The HF antenna is configured to be used in connection with an HF signal between 3 MHz and 30 MHz. |
| US08907753B2 |
Rotary solenoid
The invention provides a rotary solenoid, comprising a stator and rotor that can rotate around a rotational axis, wherein the rotor has a rotor shaft on which a rotor disc is arranged, and the rotor disc, seen in the direction of circumference, has alternating magnetically polarized magnetic poles. The stator carries at least one coil carrying windings for conducting electric current. Between the coil and the rotor disc is a pole face having at least of two partial pole faces for guiding the magnetic flux of the magnetic field generated by the windings when current is applied. Elements of the magnetic system (the magnetic poles, the partial pole faces and the air gap) are configured along the direction of circumference depending on the rotational angle changeable in such a way that a torque results that returns the rotor in the starting position, when the current is switched off. |
| US08907747B2 |
Device using a filter with resonators
A filter device including an input electronic circuit having an input load admittance Yin, an output electronic circuit having an output load admittance Yout, a lattice filter with two types of two piezoelectric resonators having a characteristic impedance Zc; those of the first type have a resonant frequency Fr1 and an antiresonant frequency Fa1; those of the second type have a resonant frequency Fr2 different from Fr1 and an antiresonant frequency Fa2 different from Fa1. The input and output impedances are matched to the reciprocal of the real part Re{Yin} of the admittance Yin and the reciprocal of the real part Re{Yout} of the admittance Yout, which are at least two to five times greater than the characteristic impedance Zc of the resonators. The frequency differences Fa1−Fr1 and Fa2−Fr2 are at least two to three times greater than the absolute value of the difference Fr1−Fr2. |
| US08907745B2 |
Transistor switches with single-polarity control voltage
Contrary to phase shifters which require complimentary polarity control voltages, a phase shifter may be driven with a single polarity control voltage. The phase shifter comprises an input node in communication with both a high pass network and a low pass network which are both in communication with an output node, where the phase shifter further comprises a first single pole double throw switch and a second single pole double throw switch configured to selectively pass an RF signal from the input node to the output node by way of one of said high pass network and said low pass network. Furthermore, the first and second single pole double throw switches are configured to select between the high pass network and the low pass network based on a single control signal having a voltage greater than or less than a reference voltage. |
| US08907744B2 |
Multi-line phase shifter having a fixed plate and a mobile plate in slideable engagement to provide vertical beam-tilt
A Multi-Line Phase Shifter (MLPS) for a vertical beam tilt-controlled antenna is provided, in which a housing is shaped into an elongated rectangular box, a fixed plate is attached on an inner bottom surface of the housing and has transmission lines printed thereon, the transmission lines forming part of a plurality of phase shifting patterns and a plurality of signal division patterns, for dividing an input signal and shifting phases of divided signals, and a mobile plate is installed within the housing, movably along a length direction at a position where the mobile plate contacts a surface of the fixed plate, and has transmission lines printed thereon, the transmission lines forming a remaining part of the plurality of phase shifting patterns for phase shifting by forming variable lines through coupling with the part of the plurality of phase shifting patterns. |
| US08907742B2 |
Electrostatic discharge control for a multi-cavity microwave filter
A multi-cavity RF filter has at least one electrically conductive coupling probe disposed between two resonator cavities. The coupling probe is provided with an ESD protective arrangement such that the coupling probe is electrically connected to a metallic housing of the RF filter only by the ESD protective arrangement. The ESD protective arrangement is configured to provide (i) a low resistance electrical path from the coupling probe to the metallic housing and (ii) a high impedance to RF energy having wavelengths proximate to a center frequency wavelength of the RF filter. |
| US08907739B2 |
Differential signal line structure
A differential signal line structure is disposed on a substrate including a signal layer, a filter layer and a grounding layer. The signal layer, the filter layer and the grounding layer are arranged from up to down and in parallel manner. The differential signal line structure accordingly includes a differential signal line group, a first wire and a first grounding circuit; the differential signal line group is disposed in the signal layer; and the first wire is disposed in the filter layer and is arranged in a corresponding position right underneath the differential signal line group. The first grounding circuit is disposed in the grounding layer and is electrically connected to an end point of the first wire through a first via. |
| US08907736B2 |
Digital pulse width modulation controller
A digital pulse width modulation controller includes a pulse width modulation controller, a selection unit having at least one selector, a comparison unit having at least one comparator, and a signal conversion unit having at least one digital-to-analog converter. The digital-to-analog converter generates a reference current and/or voltage. The comparator receives the reference current and/or voltage, and performs a comparison operation to generate a comparison signal based on a feedback signal. The selector selects one selection signal to input into the pulse width modulation controller, which receives other parameters set by a user or the system at the same time so as to control characteristics of the digital pulse width modulation signals, thereby improving the electric properties of a loading circuit. |
| US08907731B2 |
Self-resonant circuit
A digitally-controlled oscillator circuit receives a digital value and generates a driving signal for driving an oscillator at a frequency according to the received digital value. A time-to-digital converter circuit receives a detection signal of oscillation of the oscillator, receives the driving signal, and detects a phase difference between the detection signal and the driving signal. A control circuit receives the detected phase difference and controls the frequency of the driving signal generated by the digitally-controlled oscillator circuit, such that the detected phase difference coincides with a predetermined resonant phase difference to resonate the oscillator. |
| US08907722B2 |
Traveling wave amplifier with suppressed jitter
A traveling wave amplifier (TWA) with suppressed jitter is disclosed. The TWA includes a plurality of unit amplifiers with the differential arrangement comprised of a pair of transistors and a cascade transistors connected in series to the switching transistors. The unit amplifiers further includes current sources to provide idle currents to the cascade transistors. Even when the switching transistors fully turn off, the idle currents are provided to the cascade transistors, which set the operating point of the cascade transistor in a region where an increase of the base-emitter resistance is suppressed. |
| US08907721B2 |
Offset cancellation for audio amplifier
An audio amplification circuit is provided having an amplifier that receives an input signal, an output, and a digital control input for receiving a control value in a number n of bits; a comparator having a first input that receives the amplifier's output signal image, a second input that receives a reference potential, and an output; and a thermometer counter having a selection input coupled to the comparator output, and an output delivering an n-bit digital value to the amplifier control input. The amplifier comprises a differential input stage having a first and a second differential branch, each traversed by a bias current, the current in the first branch being modifiable by n basic current sources which each deliver either a current identical for all current sources, or no current, as a function of one respective bit of the digital control value received at the control input. |
| US08907713B2 |
Device and method for removing harmonic components
An apparatus of a Harmonic Rejection Mixer (HRM) for removing a harmonic component and an operating method thereof are provided. The HRM includes a Local Oscillator (LO), at least one frequency converter, at least two mixers, at least one phase converter, and a combiner. The LO generates an LO signal. The at least one frequency converter multiplies the LO signal using different variables to provide the same to at least two mixers. The at least two mixers convert a frequency band of an input signal using the LO signal provided from the LO and the at least one frequency converter. The at least one phase converter controls a phase of an output signal of at least one other mixer excluding one of the at least two mixers. The combiner combines an output signal of the one mixer with an output signal of the at least one phase converter. |
| US08907703B1 |
Isolated high voltage sampling network
Methods and systems for sampling a differential signal. The sampling circuit includes a differential input and a differential output. A logic control block, which is powered by VDD and VSS sources, controls the state of switches used to sample and store differential signals. The logic control block is AC coupled to the switches. The sampling circuit is configured to sample a common mode voltage at the differential input of a level that exceeds that of the VDD and VSS sources. |
| US08907700B2 |
Clock-delayed domino logic circuit
A clock-delayed domino logic circuit includes a first pre-charge circuit configured to pre-charge a first dynamic node with a pre-charge voltage in response to a first clock signal received via a first control terminal during a pre-charge operation; a first logic network configured to determine a logic level of the first dynamic node in response to first input data signals during an evaluation operation; and a first storage circuit which is connected between the first control terminal and the first dynamic node. |
| US08907695B2 |
Detecting method and detecting device of abnormality of differential signal receiving terminal of liquid crystal displaying module
A detecting method of abnormality of a differential signal receiving terminal of a liquid crystal displaying module, including: inputting high level signals to LVDS0+, LVDS0−, LVDS1+, LVDS− in order, in which only one high level signal is inputted to one of the differential signal lines and the other differential signal lines are kept in high impedance states simultaneously; and receiving feedback signals from all the differential signal lines and determining whether the differential signal lines of detecting units are abnormal or not according to the received feedback signals. The abnormality of the differential signal lines includes terminal resistive opens of the differential signal lines, a short circuit between two adjacent groups of differential signal lines, and short circuits of the differential signal lines to ground or to a power supply caused by abnormal power supplying sequence. By inputting high level signals to the differential signal lines in order and receiving the feedback signal from each differential signal line, the abnormality of the receiving terminal can be detected quickly according to the received feedback signals. This not only reduces the labor cost and time cost, but also improves the detecting efficiency of the abnormality. |
| US08907687B2 |
Integrated circuit with stress generator for stressing test devices
An integrated circuit device includes at least one test device and a stress generator coupled to the test device and operable to cycle the at least one test device to generate an AC stress. A method for testing an integrated circuit device including at least one test device and a stress generator coupled to the test device includes enabling the stress generator to cycle the at least one test device to generate an AC stress and measuring at least one parameter of the test device to determine an effect of the AC stress. |
| US08907682B2 |
System and method for calibration of measurements of interacted EM signals in real time
A method of calibrating a measurement of electromagnetic (EM) signals. The method comprises separating at least one reference signal component from an EM signal, delaying at least one of the EM signal and the at least one reference signal component, extracting the EM signal after an interaction with a target object and the at least one reference signal component after at least one interaction with at least one reference element from different time slots in a reception, and calibrating a measurement of the interacted EM signal by a signal analysis of the extracted and interacted at least one reference signal component. |
| US08907681B2 |
Timing skew characterization apparatus and method
A timing skew characterization apparatus comprises a coarse timing skew characterization circuit, a fine timing skew characterization circuit and a coarse delay cell calibration circuit. The coarse timing skew characterization circuit comprises a plurality of coarse delay cells whose delays can be calibrated through the coarse delay cell calibration circuit. The calibration of fine delay cells can be implemented through a trail and error process. Both coarse delay step and fine delay step can be characterized through a single measurement setup. As a result, the timing skew characterization apparatus provides a high resolution setup and hold time measurement. |
| US08907680B2 |
Voltage detector, malfunction detecting device, contactless power transmitting device, contactless power receiving device, and vehicle
A voltage detector for detecting a voltage generated in a second resonant coil that is disposed to face a first resonant coil and that performs at least one of electric power transmission and electric power reception to and from the first resonant coil in a contactless manner by means of electromagnetic resonance includes: a first high-impedance element having one end connected to one end of the second resonant coil; a second high-impedance element having one end connected to the other end of the second resonant coil; a low-impedance element connected between the other end of the first high-impedance element and the other end of the second high-impedance element and having an impedance smaller than each of those of the first and second high-impedance elements; and an output terminal for outputting a signal associated with a voltage applied across the low-impedance element. |
| US08907674B2 |
System and method for determining degradation of rechargeable lithium ion battery
An MPU performs a degradation diagnosis based on an open circuit voltage characteristic of a rechargeable lithium ion battery indicating how the battery varies in open circuit voltage as the battery varies in capacity to obtain a capacity ratio of a positive electrode, a capacity ratio of a negative electrode, and a deviated capacity of the battery. The MPU applies the capacity ratio of the positive electrode and the capacity ratio of the negative electrode to a predetermined map for degradation attributed to wear to estimate a deviated capacity resulting from degradation attributed to wear and separates the deviated capacity into the deviated capacity resulting from degradation attributed to wear and a deviated capacity resulting from deposition of lithium. The MPU uses at least the deviated capacity resulting from deposition of lithium to determine whether a rechargeable lithium ion battery subject to determination of degradation is reusable and/or recyclable. |
| US08907673B2 |
Dynamic frequency drift correction method in magnetic resonance imaging
For magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a dynamic frequency drift correction method for binomial water excitation method includes collecting the reference one-dimensional navigation signal by an MRI device; acquiring one current one-dimensional navigation signal after scanning N images, wherein N is a positive integer; calculating the frequency drift according to the reference one-dimensional navigation signal and the current one-dimensional navigation signal; calculating and setting the initial phase of the next radio frequency signal by the MRI device according to the frequency drift. The method provides real-time calculation of the main magnetic field frequency drift according to the one-dimensional navigation signal during the scanning period and corrects the phase of the radio frequency signal to ensure that the direction of the gradient field is always perpendicular to the plane formed by the spinning of fat protons, so there is only water signal remaining after excitation so that water images can be obtained. |
| US08907662B2 |
System, aircraft or spacecraft, and method for measuring a current position of a second vehicle part relative to a first vehicle part
An arrangement for transmitting data and/or power between a chassis and a seat that is movably disposed on said chassis by means of a guide rail. Several primary iron half-cores that support at least one primary winding are arranged in a fixed manner within the guide rail while at least one secondary iron half-core comprising at least one secondary winding is placed on the seat. The primary half-cores are disposed within the guide rail in such a way that at least one primary and one secondary iron half-core are positioned relative to each other so as to transmit data and/or power. |
| US08907659B2 |
Retractable test probe
The retractable test probe includes a main sleeve, a needle and a rotation positioning mechanism. The needle is rooted in the main sleeve. The rotation positioning mechanism includes an eccentric incoaxially fastened to the needle and a flexible sleeve around the eccentric and in the main sleeve. When the needle is turned towards a specific direction, the eccentric will be firmly fastened in the main sleeve through the flexible sleeve, when the needle is turned reversely, the eccentric will be released from the flexible sleeve to be retractably movable. |
| US08907658B2 |
System and method of measuring power produced by a power source
Some embodiments relate to a system for measuring power produced by a power source. The system includes a first voltage sensor for sensing a first voltage difference between a first voltage and a second voltage and a second voltage sensor for sensing a second voltage difference between a third voltage and the second voltage. The system further includes a first current sensor for sensing a current difference between a first current and a second current, and a second current sensor for sensing a current difference between a third current and the second current. The system further includes a power measuring device that determines the power produced by the power source using the first and second voltage differences and the first and second current differences. |
| US08907657B2 |
Intelligent electronic device for providing broadband internet access
An intelligent electronic device for monitoring and determining an amount of electrical power usage by a consumer, or end user, and for providing broadband Internet access to the consumer. The intelligent electronic device includes at least one sensor coupled to an electric circuit configured for measuring at least one power parameter of the electrical circuit and generating at least one analog signal indicative of the at least one power parameter; at least one digital to analog converter coupled to the at least one sensor configured for receiving the at least one analog signal and converting the at least one analog signal to at least one digital signal; a processor configured for receiving the at least one digital signal and calculating energy consumption in the electrical circuit; and a gateway configured for receiving data transmissions imposed on the electrical circuit and for demodulating the imposed data transmission for providing data communications. |
| US08907656B2 |
Integrated current sensing apparatus
An integrated current sensing apparatus includes a magnetic-field sensing element, a power supply circuit, an offset adjustment circuit, a gain adjustment circuit and a regulating unit. The magnetic-field sensing element is configured for sensing magnetic field, and correspondingly generating a sensing voltage. The power supply circuit is electrically coupled to the magnetic-field sensing element, for generating a constant current to the magnetic-field sensing element to control the sensing voltage. The offset adjustment circuit is electrically coupled to the magnetic-field sensing element, for adjusting an offset of the sensing voltage. The gain adjustment circuit is electrically coupled to the offset adjustment circuit, for amplifying the sensing voltage to a rated output voltage. The regulating unit is electrically coupled to the power supply circuit, the offset adjustment circuit and the gain adjustment circuit, for controlling the constant current, the offset and a gain value. |
| US08907648B2 |
Power factor correction circuit, control circuit therefor and method for driving load circuit through power factor correction
The present invention discloses a power factor correction circuit, a control circuit therefor and a method for driving a power factor correction circuit. The power factor correction circuit receives rectified power obtained by rectifying AC power, and corrects the power factor thereof. The power factor correction circuit includes an inductor, and it generates a reference signal as a limit for the inductor current. The reference signal is proportional to Comp/Vin, wherein Comp is a signal relating to a feedback signal, and Vin is a voltage signal relating to the AC power or the rectified power. |
| US08907646B2 |
Power converting circuit and feedback control circuit
A power converting circuit and a feedback control circuit for the power converting circuit are disclosed. The feedback control circuit comprises a feedback controller and a level controlling unit. The feedback controller generates a feedback control signal according to a reference voltage signal and a feedback signal. The level controlling unit receives one of the reference voltage signal and the feedback signal and modules a level of the received signal from a first level to a second level with time according to a level adjusting signal. |
| US08907645B2 |
Safe electric power regulating circuit
A safe electric power regulating circuit is connected between a power supply and a voltage boost/buck circuit to regulate the output voltage by the power supply to have a target voltage through the voltage boost/buck circuit. A switching device includes a switch unit, a first diode, and a first capacitor. The switch unit includes a first end, a second end, and a third end. The first end is connected to the power supply, and the second end is connected to the voltage boost/buck circuit. The switch unit is controlled to connect the third end to the first end or the second end. The first diode has an anode connected to the first end of the switch unit. The first capacitor has one end connected to the third end of the switch unit and the other end connected to circuit ground. |
| US08907644B2 |
Synchronization of hysteretic power converters
A novel method to synchronize the switching frequency of hysteretic power converters is presented. The method includes the generation of a clock signal and the injection of a periodic disturbance signal operating at the frequency of the generated clock in the main loop of the converter to synchronize the hysteretic power converter to switch at the frequency of the clock.The presented approach provides significant advantages with respect to the more traditional means of utilizing Frequency Lock Loop, Phase Lock Loop or Delay Lock Loop circuits, mainly for its simplicity, faster locking and much reduced phase error.The switching frequency can be higher or lower than the free running frequency of the power converter provided that the free running frequency is close enough to the desired switching frequency.The method is presented for buck and boost hysteretic high frequency switching power converters. |
| US08907643B2 |
Power supply circuitry and adaptive transient control
A power supply system includes a PID control circuit, a signal shaping circuit, and a PWM control circuit. The PID control circuit generates a signal based on an error voltage of the power supply system. The signal shaping circuit receives and converts the signal outputted from the PID control circuit into a linear control signal. To reduce cost, the shaping circuit can include a piecewise linear implementation. During non-transient load conditions, the PWM control circuit utilizes the linear control signal outputted from the signal shaping circuit to adjust a switching period of a power supply control signal. The switching period of the power supply control signal is maintained within a desired range. During transients, settings of the PID control circuit are modified to provide a faster response. The switching period of the power supply control signal may be adjusted outside of the desired frequency range. |
| US08907642B1 |
Systems and methods for DC-to-DC converter control
A regulated, power supply system is described using multiphase DC-DC converters with dynamic fast-turnon, slow-turnoff phase shedding, early phase turn-on, and both load-voltage and drive-transistor feedback to pulsewidth modulators to provide fast response to load transients. In an embodiment, a system master can automatically determine whether all, or only some, slave phase units are fully populated. The programmable system includes fault detection with current and voltage sensing, telemetry capability, and automatic shutdown capability. In an embodiment, these are buck-type converters with or without coupled inductors, however some of the embodiments illustrated include boost configurations. |
| US08907639B2 |
Boost power converter with high-side active damping in discontinuous conduction mode
A boost power converter system according to one embodiment includes an input voltage high-side node; an inductor coupled to the input voltage high-side node at a first terminal of the inductor; a power switch coupled to the inductor at a second terminal of the inductor; a drive circuit configured to control the power switch such that the boost power converter system operates in a discontinuous conduction mode when a load current drops below a critical conduction threshold; and a damping switch configured to enable current flow from the power switch at the second terminal of the inductor to the input voltage high-side node, wherein the damping switch is closed when the power switch is open and the damping switch is opened when the power switch is closed. |
| US08907637B2 |
Reactive power compensator having a booster transformer
A reactive power compensator. The reactive power compensator includes a power transformer having an AC bus side and a compensator bus side, wherein the power transformer is connectable to an AC grid at the AC bus side. The reactive power compensator further includes a thyristor-switched capacitor and a thyristor-controlled reactor connected to the compensator bus side. The reactive power compensator includes a booster transformer connected in series with the power transformer and to the compensator bus side. The invention also relates to computer programs and computer program products. |
| US08907635B2 |
Charging circuit and charging method employing the same
A charging circuit includes a transistor, a current regulating resistor, a field effect transistor (FET) and a main controller. The transistor includes an emitter, a base and a collector, the FET includes a source, a gate and a drain. The emitter is connected to the battery charger; the drain is connected to the battery. The main controller includes a current control unit, a charge control unit and a voltage detection unit. The current control unit transmits current signals to the base of the transistor to turn on the transistor and regulate the current values of the collector, the voltage detection unit detects the voltage of the battery and controls the charge control unit according to detection result, and the charge control unit sends a command signal to the gate to switch the FET on or off. |
| US08907633B2 |
Method and system for sampling multiple profiles in a charging port without host intervention
An emulation system for charging any arbitrary portable device through a communication port on the portable device. The system includes a receptacle port for communicating with the portable device and a profile database for storing multiple charging profiles. Each charging profile including a set of parameters and at least one exit condition. Further, an emulation module applies a first charging profile to the portable device and monitors the set of parameters associated with the charging profile to identify an associated exit condition. Upon a determination that the exit condition for the first charging profile is met, the emulation module applies a next charging profile to the portable device. |
| US08907628B2 |
Automotive bipolar electrical system
Applicant has disclosed a method and apparatus for a bipolar automotive electrical system. In the preferred “apparatus” embodiment, Applicant's bipolar electrical system comprises: two (e.g., 12 V) batteries of equal, but opposite voltage (e.g., +12 V, −12 V), with bipolar outputs; an alternator, responsive to the batteries, which controls electrical charge to the batteries individually; an automotive DC motor connected by a single lead wire to the bipolar outputs from the batteries; and, wherein the reversible motor is run off the bipolar output without the need for any intervening devices between the bipolar command outputs and the motors. Alternatively, the alternator can inherently charge the batteries sequentially with the lowest voltage battery being addressed first. This approach allows heavy loads to be powered by 24 V or 48 V DC, yet the arc voltage to ground is still only 12 V or 24 V DC. |
| US08907622B2 |
Vehicle charging system and electrically powered vehicle provided with the same
An AC/DC converter is configured to perform voltage conversion on power supplied from an AC power supply and supply the power to an auxiliary load during external charging in which a main power storage device is charged by the AC power supply. An auxiliary power storage device stores power to be supplied to the auxiliary load. A diode permits discharging of the auxiliary power storage device while preventing charging of the auxiliary power storage device during the external charging. A current sensor detects discharging of the auxiliary power storage device. A controller adjusts an output voltage of the AC/DC converter while confirming whether or not the auxiliary power storage device discharges, based on a detection value of the current sensor. |
| US08907619B2 |
Wireless charger installed with a two-dimensional moving mechanism
A wireless charger installed with a two-dimensional moving mechanism which is simply configured, inexpensive and can be easily miniaturized is provided wherein a table is freely moved in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. In the two dimensional moving mechanism, each pair of X axis pinions are arranged to simultaneously mesh with teeth near both ends of each rack arranged on an X axis slider and Y axis slider respectively. Each pair of pinions are driven by each motor and rotated in synchronization. |
| US08907615B2 |
Systems and methods for dynamic power compensation, such as dynamic power compensation using synchrophasors
An electrical power generation system, such as a solar power inverter, can provide dynamic real-time power compensation, so as to mitigate the effects of voltage sags and swells (e.g., on a utility grid) and thereby provide voltage support functionality to a local grid. The electrical power generation system can do so by receiving first synchrophasor measurements that are taken at a point on the utility grid and transmitted to the electrical power generation system and by taking second synchrophasor measurements. The first and second synchrophasors indicate voltage magnitude and frequency of the alternating current (AC) at their respective measurement points. The electrical power generation system can compare the first synchrophasors with the second synchrophasors and based upon the comparison, vary the power factor of the power the electrical power generation system generates (e.g., by either supplying or absorbing reactive power). |
| US08907610B2 |
Motor control device
A motor control device has a motor driving unit that drives a motor, a current detecting unit that detects a motor current flowing through the motor, a control unit that compares a detected current value of the motor current detected by the current detecting unit with a target current value to obtain a deviation, to control the motor driving unit based on the deviation, and a compensation unit that sets as a current offset value a detected current value of a drift current detected by the current detecting unit in a state where the motor current is regarded as zero, to compensate the detected current value of the motor current by the current offset value. The compensation unit sets a target offset value according to the current value of the detected drift current to correct the current offset value stepwise until the current offset value reaches the target offset value. |
| US08907609B2 |
Electronic device and method for monitoring fan
A method of monitoring a fan of a second electronic device. A first electronic device controls a baseboard management controller (BMC) of the second electronic device to return parameter values, the returned parameter values including temperature values of the second electronic device, and actual speed values of a fan of the second electronic device. The first electronic device records the returned parameter values and returned time of the returned parameter values. Upon acquiring standard speed values corresponding to the temperature values, the first electronic device draws a graph representing a relation between the actual speed values and the determined standard speed values corresponding to the returned time to monitor the fan. |
| US08907608B2 |
Predictive thermal protection for motors in barrier operator systems
Disclosed are alternate embodiments of various components of a barrier operator system. and methods of operation, including of the mechanical drive subsystem with segmented and self-locking rail unit, rail mounting supports, belt and chain drive tensioning, and drive assembly carriage and interface; the electronics and software routines for controlled operation of the various barrier operator functions; wall console communications with the barrier operator; encryption and decryption of access codes; establishment and monitoring of travel limits and barrier speed and force profiles; thermal protection of barrier operator drive motors; and establishment and control of communications from the barrier operator to accessories by way of a wireless adapter. |
| US08907607B1 |
Soft start circuit for a forward/reverse rotation fan
A soft start circuit for a forward/reverse rotation fan includes a forward/reverse switch unit, a soft start activation unit, a soft start control unit, a Hall IC and a driver IC, wherein the soft start activation unit comprises a first signal transmission loop and a second signal transmission loop. The soft start circuit activates the soft start control unit via a first instantaneous signal outputted by the first signal transmission loop or a second instantaneous signal outputted by the second signal transmission loop to make the soft start control unit output a control signal to a speed control terminal. When the rotating direction of fan is switched from one direction into another, the fan starts rotation in a soft start mode owing to high level of the control signal transmitted from the soft start control unit to the speed control terminal during initial rotation of the fan. |
| US08907606B2 |
Method and device for determining a rotor position of a synchronous machine
A method for determining a rotor position of a two-phase synchronous machine including two strands. The method is useful for electronically commuting the synchronous machine. The method includes alternately actuating each of the strands in a first actuating time window with an actuating value of positive polarity and in a second actuating time window with an actuating value of negative polarity, where the first and the second actuating time window alternately follow each other. The method further includes applying an actuating value of 0 during a measuring time window which is provided within at least one of the actuating time windows of a strand. The method further includes applying a measuring pulse to the corresponding strand within the measuring time window in order to measure the inductance of the corresponding strand as an indication of the rotor position. In general, the strand inductance is dependent on the rotor position. |
| US08907604B2 |
PWM frequency pattern optimization for NVH
An optimized pseudo-random period pattern can reduce audible noise in a system that includes an inverter circuit configured to provide power to an electric machine. A system can include a PWM optimization module (POM) comprising the PPP. A carrier period for a carrier signal used to provide PWM inverter drive signals can be selected in accordance with the PPP. The PPP can be expressed as an array of 200-400 elements, each element a period belonging to a finite set of 2 or more predetermined periods. A period can be selected by index from the array, and the index incremented to progress through the PPP, which can be repeated upon its completion. The PPP can be optimized to reduce audible noise while mitigating inverter losses. Modeling techniques can determine the number of array elements, the number of possible periods, and the period values that optimize the PPP. |
| US08907603B2 |
Steering control apparatus
A steering control apparatus includes a direct current power source, a three-phase alternating current motor, and a motor driving circuit. An emergency switching element is provided on at least two phases of a three-phase power supply line connected to the three-phase alternating current motor within the motor driving circuit, and the emergency switching element is turned off when an abnormality occurs such that the motor driving circuit is disconnected from the three-phase alternating current motor. The emergency switching element is a MOSFET, and the MOSFETs are provided in pairs in each of the two phases of the three-phase power supply line. Further, parasitic diodes of the pairs of MOSFETs are disposed in opposite orientations to each other. |
| US08907602B2 |
Control apparatus of rotating device
In a control apparatus of a rotating device, a voltage command value setting section sets terminal command values on the basis of a command value of a control amount of the rotating device. Individual correcting sections calculate feedback operation amounts on the basis of history information of electric currents flowing in respective terminals of the rotating device and corrects the terminal voltage command values with the feedback operation amounts. A prohibiting section prohibits difference corresponding amounts, which correspond to differences of the feedback operation amounts and an average of the feedback operation amounts, from being reflected in correcting the terminal voltage command values with maintaining polarities when a determining section determines that it is a switching time from one of a power-running control and a regeneration control to the other. |
| US08907601B2 |
Braking apparatus for a vehicle
A braking apparatus for a vehicle includes a permanent magnet synchronous motor including a rotor having a permanent magnet, and a stator capable of driving the rotor to rotate and configured to couple the rotor to each of at least a pair of wheels of the vehicle; a power accumulating portion that accumulates power to be supplied to the permanent magnet synchronous motor; a conversion control portion that converts the power of the power accumulating portion to excite the stator and control the rotation of the rotor; and an in-phase excitation control portion that applies exciting brake to the wheel by exciting the stator by supplying power in the same phase as the excitation with respect to the stator in the direction of rotation of the rotor according to the control performed by the conversion control portion, wherein the wheel is stopped by the exciting brake. |
| US08907598B2 |
Method for operating an actuator for manoeuvring a windable mobile element of a home automation appliance and actuator operating according to this method
Method for operating an actuator for maneuvering a windable mobile element of a home automation appliance, the mobile element being able to be displaced between two extreme positions, the method comprising a first step for definition of a first angular speed setpoint of the actuator in a first docking area and a second step for definition of a second angular speed setpoint of the actuator in a second docking area, the first and second angular speed setpoints being different. |
| US08907596B2 |
Method and system for controlling electric motors of a common assembly
A first motor controller generates commanded speeds of a first rotor of a first electric motor for a first time interval and a second time interval. A first speed monitor detects observed speeds of the first rotor for the time intervals. A first ratio is determined based on a relationship between respective commanded speeds and corresponding observed speeds for the first time interval and the second time interval. A first data processor increments a persistence counter for the first motor if the first ratio increases or changes during the time intervals. A first motor deceleration is estimated if the persistence counter exceeds a stall limit count. A target rotor speed of a second motor is adjusted based on the estimated first motor rate of change to track the first motor rate of change (or first rotor speed) if the persistence counter exceeds the stall limit count. |
| US08907595B2 |
Aircraft engine nacelle comprising a mobile cowl moved by electric motors
A nacelle for receiving an aircraft engine, the nacelle having a tubular stationary cover and at least one movable portion connected to the stationary cover via movement means for moving the movable portion between a position close to the stationary cover and a position spaced apart therefrom. The movement means have asynchronous motors, each having a stator with windings connected in parallel to a power supply circuit and a rotor having windings, each connected to a resistive load in parallel with a winding of the rotor of each of the other motors. |
| US08907588B2 |
Transformer voltage detection in dimmable lighting systems
An illumination system detects a peak value of a voltage of a transformer supplying an LED module by analyzing the current value of the voltage and an on-time of the voltage. Based on the detected peak value, a property of the illumination system is adjusted. |
| US08907587B2 |
Stand-alone synchronization for a runway light
A method of providing synchronous control for a number of light-emitting diode (LED) units within a LED fixture is described herein. The method can include receiving an input signal. The method can also include sending, in response to receiving the input signal and for a period of time, a power-on delay signal to the LED units, wherein each LED unit includes a counter, a toggle, and a LED driver, where the power-on delay signal resets the counter, initializes the toggle, and disables the LED driver. The method can also include terminating, after the period of time, the power-on delay signal. A LED fixture and a LED unit within a fixture, having one or more components performing the aforementioned method, is also described herein. |
| US08907585B2 |
Method of driving light source, light source module for performing the method and display apparatus having the light source module
A method of driving a light source includes receiving an alternating current (“AC”) voltage from outside, generating a first direct current (“DC”) voltage based on the AC voltage, generating a second DC voltage, corresponding to a difference between a driving voltage of a light source part and the first DC voltage, based on the first DC voltage, and outputting a sum of the first DC voltage and the second DC voltage to the light source part. |
| US08907582B2 |
Kickstart for dimmers driving slow starting or no starting lamps
A method for providing a kickstart pulse to a dimmer circuit for a light source that is slow starting. The method includes receiving an initial power signal for a light source electrically coupled to a dimmer circuit, and generating, using the initial power signal, a pulse signal. The method also includes sending, for a period of time, the pulse signal to a load control circuit for the light source. In such a case, the light source is illuminated by the pulse signal for the period of time, and the magnitude of the pulse signal is greater than the magnitude of a steady-state signal generated by the dimmer circuit for the light source. The method can be performed using discrete components, integrated circuits, software, some other electrical device, or any combination thereof. A kickstart circuit and a dimmer circuit, using substantially the method described above, is also disclosed herein. |
| US08907581B2 |
Method and circuit for LED driver dimming
An LED driver includes a transformer, current control loop and current adjustment circuit. The primary side of the transformer transfers energy to the secondary side of the transformer responsive to an input signal. The secondary side delivers output current to one or more LEDs at a magnitude corresponding to the amount of energy transferred to the secondary side. The current control loop controls current in the primary side so that the output current equals a reference current signal. The current adjustment circuit injects a current adjustment signal into the current control loop responsive to a phase-cut signal which removes a portion of the input signal. The current control loop also decreases the current in the primary side responsive to the current adjustment signal so that a brightness of each LED connected to the secondary side is decreased by an amount corresponding to the magnitude of the current adjustment signal. |
| US08907578B2 |
Autonomous method and system for minimizing the magnitude of plasma discharge current oscillations in a hall effect plasma device
An autonomous method for minimizing the magnitude of plasma discharge current oscillations in a Hall effect plasma device includes iteratively measuring plasma discharge current oscillations of the plasma device and iteratively adjusting the magnet current delivered to the plasma device in response to measured plasma discharge current oscillations to reduce the magnitude of the plasma discharge current oscillations. |
| US08907576B2 |
Linear bypass electrical circuit for driving LED strings
An electrical circuit for driving a light emitting diode (LED) string is described. The electrical circuit includes a first LED string having one or more color LED strings. A first current control transistor is coupled in series with the first LED string. A color bypass transistor may couple in parallel to one of the one or more color LED strings. A second LED string may also be coupled to the first LED string at an anode terminal of both LED strings. The second LED string may be coupled in parallel with a string bypass transistor and in series with a second current control transistor. Connection interfaces to control terminals of the first current control transistor, the color bypass transistor, the second current control transistor, and the string bypass transistor enable a control device to operate these transistors in linear mode to drive the LED strings. |
| US08907575B2 |
Light source device with light-emitting diode module
A light source device with an LED module includes a load module. The load module includes a voltage-regulating unit and a constant current controlling unit parallel-connected between a first output end and a second output end of the voltage-regulating unit. An input end of the voltage-regulating unit is connected to a positive end of a voltage source. The voltage-regulating unit generates a stable voltage difference of less than 1.6V between the first and second output ends. The LED module receives a residual voltage equal to the result of subtracting from the output voltage of the voltage source the voltage difference consumed by the load module. The amount by which the residual voltage exceeds the operating voltage required for the entire LED string never exceeds safe voltage values. Even if a voltage source changes, the voltage-regulating unit can still generate a stable voltage difference and a stable current. |
| US08907573B2 |
LED current control system for LED drive system with multiple dimming inputs
A LED current control system for use with an LED drive system which includes LED strings connected in series with respective current sink circuits, each of which causes a current to be conducted by the LED string to which it is connected. The drive system includes 3 or more ‘dimming’ inputs with which the LED string currents can be adjusted. The LED current control system comprises at least one minimum circuit which receives two or more dimming inputs and produces an output which is proportional to the lesser of the inputs, a multiplier circuit which receives the outputs of the minimum circuits and at least one other dimming input and produces an output ILED which is proportional to the product of the received signals, and a sink control circuit which receives ILED and controls the current sink circuits such that the string currents vary with ILED. |
| US08907569B2 |
Lighting device for an AC power supply
A lighting device for an AC power supply comprising at least two lighting groups, wherein each lighting group has a group input and a group output and at least one LED, wherein the at least one LED is arranged between the group input and the group output, wherein the lighting groups are connected to one another in series. |
| US08907567B2 |
Plasma light source and plasma light generation method
A plasma light source includes a pair of coaxial electrodes 10 facing each other, a radiation environment sustaining device 20 that supplies a plasma medium into the insides of the coaxial electrodes and holds the coaxial electrodes at a temperature and a pressure suitable for plasma generation, and a voltage application device 30 that applies a discharge voltage of an inverted polarity to each of the coaxial electrodes. Tubular discharge 4 is formed between the pair of coaxial electrodes and plasma 3 is confined in an axial direction of the coaxial electrodes. |
| US08907564B2 |
Microwave excited ultraviolet lamp system with data logging and retrieval circuit and method
A microwave excited ultraviolet lamp system with a data logging and retrieval circuit and method for operating the same. The data logging and retrieval circuit stores operational data in a cache memory using a FIFO data storage protocol. The contents of the cache memory are periodically copied to a larger removable memory so that the removable memory contains a relatively long historical record of the system operational parameters. The data logging and retrieval circuit includes a data port configured to load the contents of the cache memory into an external device when the device is coupled to the data port. A second data port allows the external device to supply power to the data logging and retrieval circuit so that data may be retrieved when the internal power supply is malfunctioning. Data stored in the removable memory may be protected so that it may only be accessed by authorized personnel. |
| US08907558B2 |
White light emitting device with red and green-yellow phosphor
A white light emitting device includes a light emitting element having a peak wavelength at from 430 nm to 460 nm; and a fluorescent layer on the light emitting element containing a red fluorescent material and a green-yellow fluorescent material. The white light emitting device achieves high color rendering properties, a high average color rendering index Ra and a high luminescent efficiency, or a high white efficiency. |
| US08907555B2 |
Field emission electron source and field emission device using the same
A field emission electron source includes a carbon nanotube micro-tip structure. The carbon nanotube micro-tip structure includes an insulating substrate and a patterned carbon nanotube film structure. The insulating substrate includes a surface. The surface includes an edge. The patterned carbon nanotube film structure is partially arranged on the surface of the insulating substrate. The patterned carbon nanotube film structure includes two strip-shaped arms joined at one end to form a tip portion protruded from the edge of the surface of the insulating substrate and suspended. Each of the two strip-shaped arms includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes parallel to the surface of the insulating substrate. A field emission device is also disclosed. |
| US08907551B2 |
Light emitting device package
A light emitting device package including a substrate; a light emitting device on the substrate; a first heatsink between the substrate and the light emitting device to transfer heat generated from the light emitting device; a second heatsink disposed below the first heatsink; and an electrode between the first heat sink and the light emitting device. Further, the substrate is disposed between the first and second heatsinks and is narrower at a position between the first and second heatsinks than at a position not between the first and second heatsinks, a material of the substrate is the same at the position between the first and second heatsinks as not between the first and second heatsinks, and the substrate at the position not between the first and second heatsinks surrounds the first and second heat sinks. |
| US08907549B2 |
Tuning fork configured to generate flexural vibration in reverse phase to the contour vibration of first and second vibrating bodies
A vibrator includes a base substrate, a tuning fork type vibrating body, a first vibrating body, a second vibrating body, a first extraction electrode at the one vibration arm portion, a second extraction electrode at the other vibration arm portion, and an input/output port at the base portion. The input/output port is configured to input/output an electric signal to/from each of the first extraction electrode, the second extraction electrode, and the excitation electrodes of the vibration arm portions. The tuning fork type vibrating body is configured to generate a flexural vibration in reverse phase to the contour vibration of the first and second vibrating bodies, so as to absorb the contour vibration of the first and second vibrating bodies. |
| US08907542B2 |
Rotating electrical machine with notched slots for bending of stator core
An alternator of high quality and high performance includes a rotor, a stator core arranged so as to surround the rotor and having a plurality of axially extending slots arranged at a predetermined circumferential pitch, and a stator having a stator winding fitted into the slots. The stator core includes element iron cores of a hexahedral shape which are deformed to curve, with their adjacent end faces being abutted and bonded to each other, each of the element iron cores being composed of thin steel plates laminated and integrated with one another, with concave and convex portions formed on the thin steel plates being fitting with each other. The concave and convex portions are formed on a borderline between a compressive region of the stator core at an inner diameter side thereof and a tensile region of the stator core at an outer diameter side thereof. |
| US08907541B2 |
Slot liner for electro-dynamic machine
A slot liner is configured for association with a tooth of an electro-dynamic machine core having an annular rim and circumferentially spaced teeth radially extending from the annular rim. The slot liner includes sidewalls configured to line circumferential surfaces of the tooth, first and second tabs formed by bends in the sidewalls, the first tab being configured to line a portion of the annular rim adjacent to the tooth and the second tab being configured to overlap with a tab of an adjacent slot liner and a retainer configured to retain the sidewalls against a radially inward portion of the tooth. |
| US08907535B2 |
Electric motor and method for its production
An electric motor (10) for a machine tool or the like. The electric motor (10) is provided with a shaft (12) on which an encoder disk (15) is arranged. A first bushing (17) is provided and is connected to the encoder disk (15). The encoder disk (15) is arranged with a sliding fit on the shaft (12), and rests on a stop in the axial direction. A second bushing (18) is provided, which is arranged adjacent to and at a distance from the first bushing (17) on the shaft (12), and is arranged with an interference fit on the shaft (12). A compression spring (19) is arranged between the first bushing (17) and the second bushing (18) such that the first bushing (17) is pushed against the stop. |
| US08907530B1 |
System for reducing power consumption in a structure
A local voltage adjustment apparatus for connection to a power utilization meter comprising a line in for connection to the meter, a line out, a transformer connected to the line in and line out. The transformer has an adjustable voltage conversion ratio of an output voltage level to an input voltage level. The transformer may comprise an autotransformer. A control device is in electrical communication with the line out to sense the level of the output voltage, and is configured to adjust the voltage conversion ratio of the transformer based upon the output voltage level. The control device is configured to select the voltage conversion ratio for the transformer that reduces the output voltage level from the input voltage level to a voltage in a target voltage range. The target voltage range may be from approximately 100 volts to approximately 112 volts. |
| US08907527B2 |
Contactless power-feed equipment
In order to provide contactless power-feed equipment that can avoid excessive energy consumption upon switching, a primary side includes a DC power-supply device 11, a power-feed device 12, and a power-feed unit 13 and a secondary side includes a power-receiving unit 15. The power-feed device 12 includes: an insulating transformer 24 including a primary coil 22 with a center tap 22a fed with a DC current and a secondary coil 23 connected to the power-feed unit 13; a resonance capacitor 25 connected in parallel with the secondary coil 23 of the insulating transformer 24; a first diode 26 and a first Zener diode 29 that are connected to one end 22b of the primary coil 22; a second diode 27 and a second Zener diode 32 that are connected to the other end 22c of the primary coil 22; a first transistor 35 connected to the first diode 26, and a second transistor 36 connected to the second diode 27. |
| US08907526B2 |
Power supply system, and fixed body and movable body therefor
Provided is a power supply system which makes it possible to stably supply power regardless of changes in placement of electrodes. The power supply system for supplying power to a load (24). The fixed body (10) includes: a first power-transmitting electrode (12) and second power-transmitting electrode (13); and an AC power supply (11) to supply AC power to the first power-transmitting electrode (12) and second power-transmitting electrode (13). The movable body (20) includes: a first power-receiving electrode (21a) and second power-receiving electrode (21b) to form a first coupling capacitor (30) and a second coupling capacitor (31), respectively, by being placed in a manner opposed to and not contacting corresponding ones of the first power-transmitting electrode (12) and second power-transmitting electrode (13) while facing one side of an interface, the one side not being faced by these power-transmitting electrodes, and a first capacitor (22a) and first coil (22b) connected to one another in parallel between the first power-receiving electrode (21a) and second power-receiving electrode (21b). The AC power supply (11) transmits power to the load (24) via the first and second coupling capacitors under a condition that causes parallel resonance between the first capacitor (22a) and first coil (22b). |
| US08907524B2 |
Systems and methods of semi-centralized power storage and power production for multi-directional smart grid and other applications
Systems and methods of semi-centralized power storage and distributed power generation comprise at least one power storage facility at a first location, at least one distributed power generation facility at a second location different than the first location, and at least one mobile stored power transportation unit. The power storage facility includes a power storage medium comprising liquid air, nitrogen, oxygen, or a combination thereof. The mobile stored power transportation unit is configured to carry at least a portion of the power storage medium to the distributed power generation facility. In exemplary embodiments, the power storage facility is an air separation plant. The power storage facility may also function as an energy service company. |
| US08907521B2 |
Assembly of actuators and of a system for supplying electrical power from a network
An assembly having actuators and an electricity power supply system. The assembly includes an input unit connecting the actuators to a three-phase AC electricity network and to a control system. The input unit includes a transformation member arranged to transform the AC into DC at high voltage and connected to a bidirectional power line having connected in series therewith at least one protective switch, a communications interface, and at least one of the actuators. The communications interface is arranged and connected to a central unit to exchange signals over the power line with a signal communications interface of at least one of the actuators. The input unit also includes a charger/discharger unit that connects an energy store to the power line. |
| US08907518B1 |
Hybrid aerogenerator
Disclosed therein is a hybrid aerogenerator including: blades rotating by winds; a main rotary shaft disposed on a fixed structure to rotatably mount the blades; an engine part having an engine shaft and generating rotary power using fossil fuel; a generation part having a generation shaft and generating electric currents by rotary power of the generation shaft; transferring means adapted to connect at least one of the main rotary shaft and the engine shaft to the generation shaft; a sensor adapted to measure RPM (Revolution Per Minute) of the blades; a controlling part adapted to control the transferring means and the engine part according to the RPM measured by the sensor; and an electricity storing part adapted to store the electric currents of the generation part. |
| US08907517B2 |
Wind turbine power transmission system
A power transmission system for a wind turbine comprises a gearbox and generator. The gearbox includes a gearbox housing and gearbox output member. The generator includes: a generator housing having a drive-end side and non-drive-end side, the drive-end side being coupled to the gearbox housing; a stator supported by the generator housing; a rotor having a rotor shaft coupled to the gearbox output member and a rotor body coupled to the rotor shaft; a non-drive-end shield coupled to the non-drive-end side; a spindle extending from the non-drive-end shield in the axial direction; and at least one generator bearing positioned between the rotor shaft and spindle. The generator bearing(s) support the gearbox output member and rotor shaft. A method of assembling or servicing such a power transmission system is also provided. |
| US08907515B2 |
Wind energy transfer system
An energy transfer system comprising a central shaft, a set of vanes mounted to the central shaft, at least one pump, at least one pulley system, mounted between the central shaft and the pump and an electromagnetic generator located within the central shaft, whereby rotation of the set of vanes by the wind causes the pulley system to generate power and the electromagnetic generator to generate electricity. |
| US08907513B2 |
Wave energy converter
A wave energy converter has a shell, a pendulum pivotally positioned in the shell and having either a magnet or a coil connected or interconnected thereto, a variable inductor for varying an inductive capacity and positioned in the shell, and a pendulum adjuster operatively connected to the pendulum so as to change a center of gravity of the pendulum. The variable inductor has either a magnet and a coil connected or interconnected thereto. At least one of the magnet and the coil oscillates relative to the magnet or the coil of the variable inductor. A shaft is connected to the pendulum so as to move in relation to the pivotal movement of the pendulum. |
| US08907509B2 |
Current controller device and vector control method for controlling power conversion
A current controller device using a vector control algorithm for controlling conversion of DC power into AC power is provided. The controller device has an open loop control loop gain and produces a first and a second voltage demand signals based on a first and a second current demand signals, a first and a second current feedback signals, a first and a second voltage feedback signals. The open loop control loop gain depends on frequencies of the first and second current feedback signals. A first and a second filters are provided at a first and a second current feedback inputs respectively. The first and second filters each have a filter characteristics to reduce the frequencies of the first and second current feedback signals at which the open loop control loop gain is greater than unity and has a phase less than or equal to minus 180°. |
| US08907508B2 |
Load protection system for a turbine
A load protection system for a turbine is provided. The turbine has a load floor representing a lowest allowable load the turbine generally operates above. The turbine supplies power to an electrical grid. The grid has a grid frequency where as the grid frequency increases the turbine sheds load. The load protection system includes a controller in communication with the turbine and the electrical grid. The controller has a memory for storing a commanded target turbine load. The commanded target turbine load is the load the turbine operates at the load floor. The controller includes control logic for sending a flag to a variable rate limiter and a commanded load control block. The variable rate limiter and the commanded load control block generally prevent the turbine from shedding load and operating below the load floor once the flag is received. |
| US08907504B2 |
Molecular mill method and apparatus for its use
The invention relates to electric energy generation from wind energy in a much more efficient way than current ones. This is done by means of passing the air or other humidity holding gas through an electric field which must be below the dielectric rupture limit of the gas. There must be no great divergence of electric field lines. The free electrons contained in the gas, of greater mobility than the ions, are attached to the greater mass water molecules, which will diminish their mobility and their detachment from negative ions which are at the center of clusters. Thus, the wind will tend to move the charges in the same sense and direction as the mass of the gas, resulting in an increase of electric potential across the field. The method allows collecting the charges and allows the increase in the electric potential to be available for its utilization. |
| US08907503B2 |
Manufacturing an underfill in a semiconductor chip package
A method for manufacturing an underfill in a semiconductor chip stack having a cavity between a first surface and a second surface includes providing at least one access hole in one of the first or second surface; providing at least one vent hole in the one of the first or second surfaces; and applying a viscous filling material through the at least one access hole into the cavity thereby squeezing out air or gas through the at least one vent hole. |
| US08907501B2 |
Method of packaging a die
A method of attaching a die to a substrate is disclosed. A major surface of the die has an array of electrical contacts, and is covered with a tape segment having an array of apertures in register with the contacts. Solder balls are inserted into the apertures. The die is positioned against a substrate with the solder balls in register with the die pads on the surface of the substrate, and a heat treatment process is performed to bond the conductive elements to the corresponding bond pads. |
| US08907499B2 |
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 microns 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. |
| US08907496B1 |
Circuit structures and methods of fabrication with enhanced contact via electrical connection
Circuit structures and methods of fabrication are provided with enhanced electrical connection between, for instance, a first metal level and a contact surface of a conductive structure. Enhanced electrical connection is achieved using a plurality of contact vias which are differently-sized, and disposed over and electrically coupled to the contact surface. The differently-sized contact vias include at least one center region contact via disposed over a center region of the contact surface, and at least one peripheral region contact via disposed over a peripheral region of the contact surface, where the at least one center region contact via is larger than the at least one peripheral region contact via. |
| US08907495B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including semiconductor elements formed thereon, a graphene wiring structure stuck on the substrate with a connection insulating film disposed therebetween and including graphene wires, and through vias each formed through the graphene wiring structure and connection insulating film to connect part of the semiconductor elements to the graphene wires. |
| US08907494B2 |
Electrical leakage reduction in stacked integrated circuits having through-silicon-via (TSV) structures
The formation of TSVs (through substrate vias) for 3D applications has proven to be defect dependent upon the type of starting semiconductor substrate employed. In addition to the initial formation of TSVs via Bosch processing, backside 3D wafer processing has also shown a defect dependency on substrate type. High yield of TSV formation can be achieved by utilizing a substrate that embodies bulk micro defects (BMD) at a density between 1e4/cc (particles per cubic centimeter) and 1e7/cc and having equivalent diameter less than 55 nm (nanometers). |
| US08907493B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A first through hole 16 and a second through hole 17 are formed which penetrate from a rear surface 10a side of an element formation surface 10b of a semiconductor substrate (silicon substrate 10) in which an element section Ra is formed, to the element formation surface. An outer circumference insulation film 12 is formed on the side wall of the bottom of the second through hole 17 to surround the outer circumference of the second through hole 17 having a larger opening diameter among these through holes. |
| US08907489B2 |
Wiring substrate, method of manufacturing the same, and semiconductor device
A wiring substrate includes: a substrate layer made of glass or silicon and including: a first surface formed with a first hole; and a second surface formed with a second hole and being opposite to the first surface, wherein the first hole is communicated with the second hole; a connection pad formed in the second hole; a first wiring layer formed in the first hole and electrically connected to the connection pad; a first insulation layer formed on the first surface of the substrate layer to cover the first wiring layer; and a second wiring layer formed on the first insulation layer and electrically connected to the first wiring layer. A diameter of the first hole is gradually decreased from the first surface toward the second surface, and a diameter of the second hole is gradually decreased from the second surface toward the first surface. |
| US08907487B2 |
Electronic device packages having bumps and methods of manufacturing the same
An electronic device package includes a bump having a post disposed on a contact portion of a semiconductor chip and an enlarged portion laterally protruded from an upper portion of the post; an interconnection portion having a locking portion that substantially surrounds the enlarged portion and an upper sidewall of the post; and a dielectric layer substantially surrounding the bump and the locking portion to separate the interconnection portion from the semiconductor chip. |
| US08907482B2 |
Integrated circuit package including wire bond and electrically conductive adhesive electrical connections
A system may include a package defining a cavity and an integrated circuit (IC) disposed within the cavity. The package may include a first electrically conductive package contact and a second electrically conductive package contact. The IC may include a first electrically conductive IC contact and a second electrically conductive IC contact. The system also may include a wire bond extending between and electrically connecting the first electrically conductive package contact and the first electrically conductive IC contact. The system further may include an electrically conductive adhesive extending between and electrically connecting the second electrically conductive package contact and the second electrically conductive IC contact. Use of wire bonds and electrically conductive adhesive may increase an interconnect density between the IC and the package, while not requiring an increase in size of the IC or a decrease in pitch between wire bonds. |
| US08907481B2 |
Stack of semiconductor structures and corresponding manufacturing method
A stack of a first and second semiconductor structures is formed. Each semiconductor structure includes: a semiconductor bulk, an overlying insulating layer with metal interconnection levels, and a first surface including a conductive area. The first surfaces of semiconductor structures face each other. A first interconnection pillar extends from the first surface of the first semiconductor structure. A housing opens into the first surface of the second semiconductor structure. The housing is configured to receive the first interconnection pillar. A second interconnection pillar protrudes from a second surface of the second semiconductor structure which is opposite the first surface. The second interconnection pillar is in electric contact with the first interconnection pillar. |
| US08907480B2 |
Chip arrangements
A chip arrangement may include: a first chip including a first contact, a second contact, and a redistribution structure electrically coupling the first contact to the second contact; a second chip including a contact; and a plurality of interconnects electrically coupled to the second contact of the first chip, wherein at least one interconnect of the plurality of interconnects electrically couples the second contact of the first chip to the contact of the second chip. |
| US08907477B2 |
Unit for semiconductor device and semiconductor device
A semiconductor device has a single unit capable of improving adhesion to a cooling body and a heat dissipation performance, and an aggregate of the single units is capable of configuring any circuit at a low cost. A single unit (101) includes copper blocks (1, 8), an insulating substrate (6) with a conductive pattern, an IGBT chip (10), a diode chip (13), a collector terminal pin (15), implant pins (17) fixed to the chips (10) by solder (11), a printed circuit board (16) having the implant pins (17) fixed thereto, an emitter terminal pin (19), a control terminal pin (20), a collector terminal pin (15), and a resin case (21) having the above-mentioned components sealed therein. The copper blocks (1, 8) make it possible to improve adhesion to a cooling body and the heat dissipation performance. A plurality of single units (101) can be combined with an inter-unit wiring board to form any circuit. |
| US08907476B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of forming sacrificial protective layer to protect semiconductor die edge during singulation
A semiconductor wafer contains a plurality of semiconductor die separated by a saw street. An insulating layer is formed over the semiconductor wafer. A protective layer is formed over the insulating layer including an edge of the semiconductor die along the saw street. The protective layer covers an entire surface of the semiconductor wafer. Alternatively, an opening is formed in the protective layer over the saw street. The insulating layer has a non-planar surface and the protective layer has a planar surface. The semiconductor wafer is singulated through the protective layer and saw street to separate the semiconductor die while protecting the edge of the semiconductor die. Leading with the protective layer, the semiconductor die is mounted to a carrier. An encapsulant is deposited over the semiconductor die and carrier. The carrier and protective layer are removed. A build-up interconnect structure is formed over the semiconductor die and encapsulant. |
| US08907473B2 |
Semiconductor device having a diamond substrate heat spreader
In accordance with one or more embodiments, a semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor die having a heat region disposed on at least one portion of the semiconductor die, and a diamond substrate disposed proximate to the semiconductor die, wherein the diamond substrate is capable of dissipating heat from the diamond substrate via at least one or more bumps coupling the diamond substrate to the heat region of the semiconductor die. |
| US08907467B2 |
PCB based RF-power package window frame
A semiconductor package includes a baseplate having a die attach region and a peripheral region, a transistor die having a first terminal attached to the die attach region, and a second terminal and a third terminal facing away from the baseplate, and a frame including an electrically insulative member having a first side attached to the peripheral region of the baseplate, a second side facing away from the baseplate, a first metallization at the first side of the insulative member and a second metallization at the second side of the insulative member. The insulative member extends outward beyond a lateral sidewall of the baseplate. The first metallization is attached to the part of the first side which extends outward beyond the lateral sidewall of the baseplate. The first and second metallizations are electrically connected at a region of the insulative member spaced apart from the lateral sidewall of the baseplate. |
| US08907464B2 |
Helix substrate and three-dimensional package with same
A three dimensional (3D) package includes a helix substrate having a columnar part including a top surface, a bottom surface and a sidewall, and a plurality of steps arranged along the sidewall of the columnar part in the form of a helix. Semiconductor integrated circuits (dies) may be attached on supporting surfaces of the steps. The columnar part, the steps and the dies can be covered with a mold compound. I/Os are formed at either the sides of the steps and/or the top and/or bottom of the columnar part. |
| US08907463B2 |
Semiconductor device including stacked semiconductor chips
A semiconductor device comprising a plurality of semiconductor chips and a plurality of through-line groups is disclosed. Each of the through-line groups consists of a unique number of through-lines. The numbers associated with the through-line groups are mutually coprime to each other. When one of the through-lines is selected for the each through-line group, one of the semiconductor chip is designated by a combination of the selected through-lines of the plurality of the through-line groups. |
| US08907462B2 |
Integrated circuit package
An integrated circuit package includes a digital logic die disposed on a substrate; and an interposer die stacked vertically with the digital logic die on the substrate. The interposer die includes at least one vertical transistor configured to selectively provide electrical power to a portion of the digital logic die. |
| US08907459B2 |
Three-dimensional semiconductor integrated circuit device and method of fabricating the same
A three-dimensional semiconductor integrated circuit device is provided. A first semiconductor chip includes a solid-state circuit and is smaller than a base, and is stacked on the base. The first chip is buried by a first filling material having approximately the same contour as the base. Buried electrodes that penetrate through the first chip along its thickness direction are formed in the first chip. A second semiconductor chip includes a solid-state circuit and is smaller than the base, and is stacked on the first chip. The second chip is buried by a second filling material having approximately the same contour as the base. Buried electrodes that penetrate through the second chip along its thickness direction are formed in the second chip. The first and second filling materials have processibilities required for forming the buried electrodes and thermal expansion coefficients equivalent to those of the first and second chips, respectively. |
| US08907448B2 |
Small size and fully integrated power converter with magnetics on chip
An integrated circuit has a semiconductor die provided in a first IC layer and an inductor fabricated on a second IC layer. The inductor may have a winding and a magnetic core, which are oriented to conduct magnetic flux in a direction parallel to a surface of a semiconductor die. The semiconductor die may have active circuit components fabricated in a first layer of the die, provided under the inductor layer. The integrated circuit may include a flux conductor provided on a side of the die opposite the first layer. PCB connections to active elements on the semiconductor die may progress through the inductor layer as necessary. |
| US08907443B2 |
Semiconductor device
In order to suppress an off leak current of an off transistor for ESD protection, in an NMOS for ESD protection whose isolation region has a shallow trench structure, a drain region is placed apart from the shallow trench isolation region so as not to be in direct contact with the shallow trench isolation region in a region where the drain region of the NMOS transistor for ESD protection is adjacent to at least a gate electrode of the NMOS transistor for ESD protection. |
| US08907439B1 |
Focal plane array with modular pixel array components for scalability
A modular, scalable focal plane array is provided as an array of integrated circuit dice, wherein each die includes a given amount of modular pixel array circuitry. The array of dice effectively multiplies the amount of modular pixel array circuitry to produce a larger pixel array without increasing die size. Desired pixel pitch across the enlarged pixel array is preserved by forming die stacks with each pixel array circuitry die stacked on a separate die that contains the corresponding signal processing circuitry. Techniques for die stack interconnections and die stack placement are implemented to ensure that the desired pixel pitch is preserved across the enlarged pixel array. |
| US08907438B1 |
Semiconducting organic photovoltaic sensor
An organic diode operated in photovoltaic mode is used as a sensor for nitroaromatic electron accepting compounds. While illuminated by a light source with a wavelength within the organic materials absorption the device produces a small photovoltaic response due to inefficient separation of charges. Upon exposure to an electron accepting compound, the device produces an increase in photovoltaic activity due to more efficient charge separation, producing a larger measurable open circuit voltage. Upon removal of the compound the measured voltage decreases and returns to near its baseline value. |
| US08907434B2 |
MEMS inertial sensor and method for manufacturing the same
A MEMS inertial sensor and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The method includes: depositing a first carbon layer on a semiconductor substrate; patterning the first carbon layer to form a fixed anchor bolt, an inertial anchor bolt and a bottom sealing ring; forming a contact plug in the fixed anchor bolt and a contact plug in the inertial anchor bolt; forming a first fixed electrode, an inertial electrode and a connection electrode on the first carbon layer, where the first fixed electrode and the inertial electrode constitute a capacitor; forming a second carbon layer on the first fixed electrode and the inertial electrode; and forming a sealing cap layer on the second carbon layer and the top sealing ring. Under an inertial force, only the inertial electrode may move, the fixed electrode will almost not move or vibrate, which improves the accuracy of the MEMS inertial sensor. |
| US08907430B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a memory transistor including a first side wall insulating film and a second side wall insulating film disposed on the outside; a high-voltage transistor including a third side wall insulating film having the same composition as that of the first side wall insulating film, and a fourth side wall insulating film having the same composition as that of the second side wall insulating film, the fourth side wall insulating film being disposed on the outside; and a low-voltage transistor including a fifth side wall insulating film having the same composition as that of the second and fourth side wall insulating films. The memory transistor, the high-voltage transistor, and the low-voltage transistor are disposed on the same substrate. A total side wall spacer width of the low-voltage transistor is smaller than that of the high-voltage transistor by a thickness corresponding to the third side wall insulating film. |
| US08907429B2 |
Semiconductor device, semiconductor integrated circuit, SRAM, and method for producing Dt-MOS transistor
A semiconductor device includes a silicon substrate; an element isolation region; an element region including a first well; a contact region; a gate electrode extending from the element region to a sub-region of the element isolation region between the element region and the contact region; a source diffusion region; a drain diffusion region; a first insulating region contacting a lower end of the source diffusion region; a second insulating region contacting a lower end of the drain diffusion region; and a via plug configured to electrically connect the gate electrode with the contact region. The first well is disposed below the gate electrode and is electrically connected with the contact region via the silicon substrate under the sub-region. The lower end of the element isolation region except the sub-region is located lower than the lower end of the first well. |
| US08907428B2 |
Cell circuits and layouts used in write tracking circuits and read tracking circuits
A circuit includes a first transistor and a second transistor of a first type, a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, and a fourth transistor of a second type. The first and second transistors of the first type, and the first transistor and the second transistor of the second type form a cross latch having a first node and a second node. A first terminal of the third transistor of the second type is coupled with the first node. A first terminal of the fourth transistor of the second type is coupled with the second node. At least one of a second terminal of the third transistor of the second type or a second terminal of the fourth transistor of the second type is configured to receive a signal sufficient to turn off the third transistor or the fourth transistor that is not directly from a power source. |
| US08907423B2 |
Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device and the semiconductor device
A high withstand voltage transistor is formed in a high withstand voltage region, and a low withstand voltage transistor is formed in a low withstand voltage region in a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a thermal oxide film and a silicon nitride film over the surface of a silicon substrate; forming an opening to the thermal oxide film and the silicon nitride film in each of the high withstand voltage region and the low withstand voltage region; etching the silicon substrate to form trenches; burying a buried oxide film in each of the trenches; removing the thermal oxide film and the silicon nitride film; and forming a thick gate oxide film and a thin oxide film. The depth of a tapered portion of the trench in the low withstand voltage region is shallower than that in the high withstand voltage region. |
| US08907422B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate including a first semiconductor layer on the semiconductor substrate; multiple semiconductor elements in the semiconductor substrate; and an ineffective region. Each semiconductor element includes: a second semiconductor layer in a surface portion of the first semiconductor layer; a third semiconductor layer disposed in another surface portion of the first semiconductor layer and spaced a part from the second semiconductor layer; and a control layer disposed on a portion of the first semiconductor layer between the second semiconductor layer and the third semiconductor layer. The ineffective region is disposed in the semiconductor substrate between at least two adjacent semiconductor elements; and does not provide a function of the semiconductor elements. |
| US08907421B2 |
Superjunction structure, superjunction MOS transistor and manufacturing method thereof
A superjunction structure with unevenly doped P-type pillars (4) and N-type pillars (2a) is disclosed. The N-type pillars (2a) have uneven impurity concentrations in the vertical direction and the P-type pillars (4) have two or more impurity concentrations distributed both in the vertical and lateral directions to ensure that the total quantity of P-type impurities in the P-type pillars (4) close to the substrate (8) is less than that of N-type impurities in the N-type pillars close to the substrate; the total quantity of P-type impurities in the P-type pillars close to the top of the device is greater than that of N-type impurities in the N-type pillars close to the top. A superjunction MOS transistor and manufacturing method of the same are also disclosed. The superjunction structure can improve the capability of sustaining current-surge of a device without affecting or may even reduce the on-resistance of the device. |
| US08907418B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a transistor array, including first transistors and second transistors. Gate electrodes of the first transistors are disposed in first trenches in a first main surface of a semiconductor substrate, and gate electrodes of the second transistors are disposed in second trenches in the first main surface. The first and second trenches are disposed in parallel to each other. The semiconductor device further includes a first gate conductive line in contact with the gate electrodes in the first trenches, a second gate conductive line in contact with the gate electrodes in the second trenches, and a control element configured to control the potential applied to the second gate conductive line. |
| US08907417B2 |
Semiconductor devices including vertical transistors, electronic systems including the same and methods of manufacturing the same
Semiconductor devices are provided. The semiconductor device includes word lines on a semiconductor substrate, common gates connected to each of the word lines and vertically disposed in the semiconductor substrate, buried bit lines intersecting the word lines at a non-right angle in a plan view, and a pair of vertical transistors sharing each of the common gates. The pair of vertical transistors are disposed at both sides of one of the word lines, respectively. Further, the pair of vertical transistors are electrically connected to two adjacent ones of the buried bit lines, respectively. Electronic systems including the semiconductor device and related methods are also provided. |
| US08907411B2 |
Semiconductor element and manufacturing method and operating method of the same
A memory device and a manufacturing method of the same are provided. The memory device includes a substrate, a memory material layer, a first dielectric layer, a first gate layer, a second gate layer, and a source/drain (S/D) region. The substrate has a trench, and the memory material layer is formed on a sidewall of the trench. The first gate layer, the second gate layer, and the first dielectric layer, which is formed between the first gate layer and the second gate layer, are filled in the trench. The source/drain region is formed in the substrate and adjacent to the memory material layer. The first gate layer is extended in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the source/drain region is extended. |
| US08907409B2 |
Semiconductor device having buried bit lines and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes semiconductor bodies formed substantially perpendicular to a semiconductor substrate, buried bit lines formed in the semiconductor bodies and including a metal silicide; and barrier layers formed under and over the buried bit lines and containing germanium. |
| US08907408B2 |
Stress-reduced field-effect semiconductor device and method for forming therefor
A field-effect semiconductor device is provided. The field-effect semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body with a first surface defining a vertical direction. In a vertical cross-section the field-effect semiconductor device further includes a vertical trench extending from the first surface into the semiconductor body. The vertical trench includes a field electrode, a cavity at least partly surrounded by the field electrode, and an insulation structure substantially surrounding at least the field electrode. Further, a method for producing a field-effect semiconductor device is provided. |
| US08907407B2 |
Semiconductor device covered by front electrode layer and back electrode layer
The invention prevents a semiconductor device from warping due to heat when it is used. The invention also prevents a formation defect such as peeling of a resist layer used as a plating mask and a formation defect of a front surface electrode. A source pad electrode connected to a source region is formed on a front surface of a semiconductor substrate forming a vertical MOS transistor. A front surface electrode is formed on the source pad electrode by a plating method using a resist layer having openings as a mask. The semiconductor substrate formed with the front surface electrode is thinned by back-grinding. A back surface electrode connected to a drain region is formed on the back surface of the semiconductor substrate. The front surface electrode and the back surface electrode are made of metals having the same coefficients of linear expansion, preferably copper. The front surface electrode and the back surface electrode preferably have the same thicknesses or almost the same thicknesses. |
| US08907404B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device and a method of manufacturing the same
Semiconductor device including a memory cell featuring a first gate insulating film over a semiconductor substrate, a control gate electrode over the first gate insulating film, a second gate insulating film over the substrate and a side wall of the control gate electrode, a memory gate electrode over the second gate insulating film arranged adjacent with the control gate electrode through the second gate insulating film, first and second semiconductor regions in the substrate positioned on a control gate electrode side and a memory gate side, respectively, the second gate insulating film featuring a first film over the substrate, a charge storage film over the first film and a third film over the second film, the first film having a first portion between the substrate and memory gate electrode and a thickness greater than that of a second portion between the control gate electrode and the memory gate electrode. |
| US08907403B2 |
Memory devices capable of reducing lateral movement of charges
Memory devices are provided, the memory devices include a tunneling insulating layer disposed on a substrate, a charge storage layer disposed on the tunneling insulating layer, a blocking insulating layer disposed on the charge storage layer and a control gate electrode disposed on the blocking insulating layer. The control gate electrode may have an edge portion spaced farther apart from the blocking insulating layer than a central portion of the control gate electrode to concentrate charge density distribution on a central portion of a memory cell. |
| US08907400B2 |
3-D non-volatile memory device and method of manufacturing the same
A three dimensional (3-D) non-volatile memory device includes a pipe gate including a first pipe gate, a second pipe gate formed on the first pipe gate, and a first interlayer insulating layer interposed between the first pipe gate and the second pipe gate, word lines alternately stacked with second interlayer insulating layers on the pipe gate, a pipe channel buried within the pipe gate, and memory cell channels coupled to the pipe channel and arranged to pass through the word lines and the second interlayer insulating layers. |
| US08907396B2 |
Source/drain zones with a delectric plug over an isolation region between active regions and methods
Devices, memory arrays, and methods are disclosed. In an embodiment, one such device has a source/drain zone that has first and second active regions, and an isolation region and a dielectric plug between the first and second active regions. The dielectric plug may extend below upper surfaces of the first and second active regions and may be formed of a dielectric material having a lower removal rate than a dielectric material of the isolation region for a particular isotropic removal chemistry. |
| US08907393B2 |
Semiconductor device having buried bit lines and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device including buried bit lines formed of a metal silicide and silicidation preventing regions formed in a substrate under trenches that separate the buried bit lines. |
| US08907389B2 |
Semiconductor device including an electrode lower layer and an electrode upper layer and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
The semiconductor device according to the present invention includes a ferroelectric film and an electrode stacked on the ferroelectric film. The electrode has a multilayer structure of an electrode lower layer in contact with the ferroelectric film and an electrode upper layer stacked on the electrode lower layer. The electrode upper layer is made of a conductive material having an etching selection ratio with respect to the materials for the ferroelectric film and the electrode lower layer. The upper surface of the electrode upper layer is planarized. |
| US08907387B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and manufacturing method thereof
According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device includes a photodiode includes an N-type region and a P-type region, a floating diffusion region, and a transfer transistor. The N-type diffusion region of the photodiode comprises a first semiconductor region and a second semiconductor region formed shallower than the first semiconductor region. An end portion of the first semiconductor region is positioned on the floating diffusion region side rather than an end portion of a gate electrode of the transfer transistor. An end portion of the second semiconductor region is set in substantially the same position as that of the end portion of the gate electrode of the transfer transistor. |
| US08907383B2 |
Stack packages having token ring loops
Stack packages are provided. The stack package includes a substrate having first and second bond fingers and a plurality of semiconductor chips stacked on the substrate. Each of the plurality of semiconductor chips has an input bonding pad and an output bonding pad. A first interconnection electrically connects the first bond finger to the input bonding pad of a lowermost semiconductor chip of the plurality of semiconductor chips. A second interconnection electrically connects the output bonding pad of a lower semiconductor chip of the plurality of semiconductor chips to the input bonding pad of an upper semiconductor chip stacked on the lower semiconductor chip. A third interconnection electrically connects the output bonding pad of an uppermost semiconductor chip of the plurality of semiconductor chips to the second bond finger. |
| US08907379B2 |
Semiconductor device with a gate electrode having a shape formed based on a slope and gate lower opening and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor region including a gate electrode disposed over the semiconductor region, a first electrode portion, a second electrode portion standing substantially perpendicular to a surface of the semiconductor region and a substantially constant dimension in a direction parallel to the surface of the semiconductor region. The semiconductor device has a tapered portion disposed between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion and has a dimension parallel to the surface of the semiconductor region increasing in the direction from the second electrode portion to the first electrode portion. Further, the semiconductor device includes a source and a drain electrode at both sides of the gate electrode over the semiconductor region and an insulating layer that covers a portion of the surface of the semiconductor region. Additionally, the second electrode portion may be positioned closer to one of the drain electrode and the source electrode. |
| US08907376B2 |
Stretchable electronic circuit
A stretchable electronic circuit that includes a stretchable base substrate having a plurality of stretchable conductors formed onto a surface thereof, with both the stretchable base substrate and conductors being bendable together about two orthogonal axes. The stretchable circuit also includes a stretchable sensor layer attached to the base substrate with a cavity formed therein which has a contact point exposing one of the plurality of stretchable conductors. The stretchable electronic circuit further includes a surface mount device (SMD) package with a conductor contact protrusion installed into the cavity, and wherein a substantially constant electrical connection is established between the conductor contact protrusion and the stretchable conductor at the contact point by tensile forces interacting between the stretchable base substrate and the stretchable sensor layer. |
| US08907373B2 |
Electronic device for protecting from electrostatic discharge
A protection device includes a triac and triggering units. Each triggering unit is formed by a MOS transistor configured to operate at least temporarily in a hybrid operating mode and a field-effect diode. The field-effect diode has a controlled gate that is connected to the gate of the MOS transistor. |
| US08907372B2 |
Thyristor and method for the same
A thyristor includes a base region, a pair of first doping regions, at least one second doping region, at least one third doping region, and a pair of metal layers. The first doping regions are formed in two opposite sides of the base region and touch the base region. The second doping region is formed between the base region and one of the first doping regions. The second doping region touches the base region and the first doping region. The third doping region is formed in one of the first doping regions and touches the first doping region. The type of the first doping region is different from the types of the second doping region, the third doping region, and the base region. The metal layers touch the first doping regions respectively. The first doping regions and the third doping region are located between the metal layers. |
| US08907369B2 |
Optoelectronic semiconductor component
An optoelectronic semiconductor component includes a substrate that has an upper side and an under side lying opposite the upper side. The substrate is formed with an electrically conductive mounting region, an electrically conductive connection region and an electrically isolating oxidation region. An optoelectronic part is arranged on the upper side of the substrate in the region of the mounting region. The oxidation region electrically isolates the mounting region from the connection region. The oxidation region extends, without interruption, from the upper side of the substrate to the underside of the substrate. The mounting region and the connection region are formed with aluminum and the oxidation region is formed with an oxide of the aluminum. The mounting region, the oxidation region and the connection region being are designed contiguously to form an entity. |
| US08907362B2 |
Light-emitting dies incorporating wavelength-conversion materials and related methods
In accordance with certain embodiments, semiconductor dies are embedded within polymeric binder to form, e.g., freestanding white light-emitting dies and/or composite wafers containing multiple light-emitting dies embedded in a single volume of binder. |
| US08907355B2 |
Display apparatus having a double sided emission organic light emitting diode comprising a composite anode, and a composite cathode including a non-transparent metal layer
The present invention discloses a diode and a manufacturing method thereof and a display apparatus. The diode comprises a composite anode, a transparent metal oxide layer, a basic stack layer, and a composite cathode. The composite anode comprises a transparent anode layer and a first transparent metal layer. The first transparent metal layer is formed on the transparent anode layer. The transparent metal oxide layer is formed on the first transparent metal layer. The basic stack layer is formed on the transparent metal oxide layer. The composite cathode comprises two second transparent metal layers. The two second transparent metal layers are formed on the basic stack layer. Both transmittance and efficiency of the diode are significantly improved. The reliability of the diode is improved to elongate the lifetime of the diode. |
| US08907354B2 |
Optoelectronic device having an elastic electrode
The present disclosure relates to an optoelectronic device, in particular to an arrangement for contacting an optoelectronic device. The optoelectronic device (200) includes an elastic electrode (208). A method for forming the elastic electrode (208) is described. |
| US08907350B2 |
Semiconductor devices having improved adhesion and methods of fabricating the same
Wide bandgap semiconductor devices are fabricated by providing a wide bandgap semiconductor layer, providing a plurality of recesses in the wide bandgap semiconductor layer, and providing a metal gate contact in the plurality of recesses. A protective layer may be provided on the wide bandgap semiconductor layer, the protective layer having a first opening extending therethrough, a dielectric layer may be provided on the protective layer, the dielectric layer having a second opening extending therethrough that is narrower than the first opening, and a gate contact may be provided in the first and second openings. The metal gate contact may be provided to include a barrier metal layer in the plurality of recesses, and a current spreading layer on the barrier metal layer remote from the wide bandgap semiconductor layer. Related devices and fabrication methods are also discussed. |
| US08907338B2 |
Semiconductor device
There is provided a semiconductor device including a first conductive layer, an insulating layer, a second conductive layer, a channel layer, a passivation layer and a third conductive layer. The insulating layer covers the first conductive layer. The second conductive layer is formed on the insulating layer and has an inner opening. The channel layer is formed on the inner opening of the second conductive layer to fully cover the inner opening. The passivation layer is formed upon the channel layer to cover the channel layer and has a contact hole inside the inner opening of the second conductive layer. The third conductive layer is formed in the contact hole. |
| US08907337B2 |
Inorganic-organic hybrid thin-film transistors using inorganic semiconducting films
Inorganic semiconducting compounds, composites and compositions thereof, and related device structures. |
| US08907333B2 |
Pyrogenic zinc oxide-comprising composite of layers and field-effect transistor comprising this composite
Composite of layers which comprises a dielectric layer and a layer which comprises pyrogenic zinc oxide and is bonded to the dielectric layer. Process for producing the composite of layers, in which the pyrogenic zinc oxide is applied to the dielectric layer in the form of a dispersion in which the zinc oxide particles are present with a mean aggregate diameter of less than 200 nm, and the zinc oxide layer is dried and then treated at temperatures of less than 200° C. Process for producing the composite of layers, in which the pyrogenic zinc oxide is applied to a substrate layer or a composite of substrate layers in the form of a dispersion in which the zinc oxide particles are present with a mean aggregate diameter of less than 200 nm to form a zinc oxide layer, and then the zinc oxide layer and the substrate layer are treated at temperatures of less than 200° C., and then a dielectric layer is applied to the zinc oxide layer. Field-effect transistor which has the composite of layers. |
| US08907328B2 |
Organic light emitting diode having polymide-containing flexible substrate and having surface with bulge and groove structure
Disclosed is an organic light emitting diode (OLED), including a flexible substrate having a surface with a bulge and groove structure. The OLED also includes a first electrode on the flexible substrate, an organic light emitting layer on the first electrode, and a second electrode on the organic light emitting layer. The flexible substrate includes polyimide. |
| US08907327B2 |
Display device and organic light-emitting display device having connection part for electronically connecting different levels of conductors
A display device and organic light-emitting display device, the display device including a substrate; a first line on the substrate; a first pad electrically connected to the first line, the first pad being on a same layer as the first line; a second line on another layer different from the layer on which the first line is formed, an insulation layer being interposed between the first line and the second line; a second pad on a same layer as the first pad; and a connection part electrically connecting the second line and the second pad. |
| US08907326B2 |
Organic light-emitting display device and thin film deposition apparatus for manufacturing the same
A thin film deposition apparatus that can be used to manufacture large substrates on a mass scale and that improves manufacturing yield, and an organic light-emitting display device manufactured using the thin film deposition apparatus. The organic light-emitting display device includes: a substrate including a plurality of sub-deposition areas arranged parallel to each other; at least one thin film transistor formed on the substrate, the at least one thin film transistor comprising a semiconductor active layer, a gate electrode insulated from the semiconductor active layer, and source and drain electrodes contacting the semiconductor active layer; a plurality of pixel electrodes formed on the thin film transistor; a plurality of organic layers formed on each of the pixel electrodes; and a counter electrode formed on the organic layers, wherein the plurality of organic layers lie in each of the sub-deposition areas and have a larger shadow zone the further a distance from a center of the corresponding deposition area. |
| US08907324B2 |
Organic light emitting display device having solar cell polarizing film
An organic light emitting display not only display images but also generates power by employing a dye-sensitized solar cell as a polarizing film of the organic light emitting display. The organic light emitting display includes: a substrate; an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) including an anode arranged on an upper surface of the substrate, an organic thin film arranged on an upper surface of the anode, and a cathode arranged on an upper surface of the organic thin film; and a solar cell layer arranged on an upper surface of the cathode. |
| US08907321B2 |
Nitride based quantum well light-emitting devices having improved current injection efficiency
A III-nitride based device provides improved current injection efficiency by reducing thermionic carrier escape at high current density. The device includes a quantum well active layer and a pair of multi-layer barrier layers arranged symmetrically about the active layer. Each multi-layer barrier layer includes an inner layer abutting the active layer; and an outer layer abutting the inner layer. The inner barrier layer has a bandgap greater than that of the outer barrier layer. Both the inner and the outer barrier layer have bandgaps greater than that of the active layer. InGaN may be employed in the active layer, AlInN, AlInGaN or AlGaN may be employed in the inner barrier layer, and GaN may be employed in the outer barrier layer. Preferably, the inner layer is thin relative to the other layers. In one embodiment the inner barrier and active layers are 15 Å and 24 Å thick, respectively. |
| US08907320B2 |
Light-emitting diode for emitting ultraviolet light
An ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diode including an n-type semiconductor layer, an active layer disposed on the n-type semiconductor layer, a p-type semiconductor layer disposed on the active layer and formed of p-type AlGaN, and a p-type graphene layer disposed on the p-type semiconductor layer and formed of graphene doped with a p-type dopant. The UV light-emitting diode has improved light emission efficiency by lowering contact resistance with the p-type semiconductor layer and maximizing UV transmittance. |
| US08907318B2 |
Resistance change memory
A resistance change memory includes a first conductive line extending in a first direction, a second conductive line extending in a second direction which is crossed to the first direction, a cell unit including a memory element and a rectifying element connected in series between the first and second conductive lines, and a control circuit which is connected to both of the first and second conductive lines. The control circuit controls a voltage to change a resistance of the memory element between first and second values reversibly. The rectifying element is a diode including an anode layer, a cathode layer and an insulating layer therebetween. |
| US08907316B2 |
Memory cell access device having a pn-junction with polycrystalline and single crystal semiconductor regions
A memory device includes a driver comprising a pn-junction in the form of a multilayer stack including a first doped semiconductor region having a first conductivity type, and a second doped semiconductor region having a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type, the first and second doped semiconductors defining a pn-junction therebetween, in which the first doped semiconductor region is formed in a single-crystalline semiconductor, and the second doped semiconductor region includes a polycrystalline semiconductor. Also, a method for making a memory device includes forming a first doped semiconductor region of a first conductivity type in a single-crystal semiconductor, such as on a semiconductor wafer; and forming a second doped polycrystalline semiconductor region of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type, defining a pn-junction between the first and second regions. |
| US08907311B2 |
Charged particle radiation therapy
A system includes a patient support and an outer gantry on which an accelerator is mounted to enable the accelerator to move through a range of positions around a patient on the patient support. The accelerator is configured to produce a proton or ion beam having an energy level sufficient to reach a target in the patient. An inner gantry includes a robotic arm capable of directing an aperture for directing the proton or ion beam towards the target. |
| US08907307B2 |
Apparatus and method for maskless patterned implantation
A method of implanting a workpiece in an ion implantation system. The method may include providing an extraction plate adjacent to a plasma chamber containing a plasma, such that the extraction plate extracts ions from the plasma through at least one aperture that provides an ion beam having ions distributed over a range of an angles of incidence on the workpiece. The method may include scanning the workpiece with respect to the extraction plate and varying a power level of the plasma during the scanning from a first power level to a second power level, wherein at a surface of the workpiece, a first beam width at a first power level is greater than a second beam width at a second power level. |
| US08907304B2 |
Ultraviolet autonomous trolley for sanitizing aircraft
A mobile body is configured to travel over a surface inside an aircraft cabin. A source of UV radiation is mounted to the mobile body and configured to direct UV radiation to the surface at a predetermined dosage. At least two articulated arms are mounted to the mobile body, and UV lamps mounted respectively on the arms. The mobile body is a trolley or cart for negotiating an aircraft aisle. |
| US08907299B2 |
Film member, film target for laser-driven ion acceleration, and manufacturing methods thereof
The present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing film member for laser-driven ion acceleration, a film target, and a method of manufacturing the same, so that only the film member exists at a laser focusing point on the film target, allowing repeated ion acceleration from the film member by focusing high power laser beams thereon. The method includes preparing a film member solution containing a film material to be used for laser-driven ion acceleration; forming a film member on a base substrate by using the film member solution; and separating the film member from the base substrate by dipping the base substrate having the film member formed thereon into a film parting solvent. |
| US08907290B2 |
Methods and systems for gain calibration of gamma ray detectors
A method for gain calibration of a gamma ray detector includes measuring signals generated by one or more light sensors of a gamma ray detector, generating one or more derived curves using the measured signals as a function of bias voltage and identifying a transition point in the one or more derived curves. The method also includes determining a breakdown voltage of the one or more light sensors using the identified transition point and setting a bias of the one or more light sensors based on the determined breakdown voltage. |
| US08907288B2 |
Digitally scanned multi-cell electro-optic sensor
A digitally scanned multi-cell EO sensor comprises a low-resolution multi-cell imaging detector. An array of optical focusing elements decomposes the sensor's FOV into at least four sub-fields. A sub-field directing array and focusing optic direct the optical radiation onto the imaging detector. In a first tilt mode, the optical radiation from the sub-fields is directed into at least four spatially separated sub-regions that each map to a different detector cell. A high-resolution spatial light modulator (SLM) digitally scans the FOV to select different portions of the FOV to map onto the different detector cells to time demultiplex spatially overlapping portions of the FOV onto each detector cell to stitch together a sub-image of a selected area of the FOV up to the native resolution of the SLM. |
| US08907281B2 |
System and method for controlling charge-up in an electron beam apparatus
The present invention provides means and corresponding embodiments to control charge-up in an electron beam apparatus, which can eliminate the positive charges soon after being generated on the sample surface within a frame cycle of imaging scanning. The means are to let some or all of secondary electrons emitted from the sample surface return back to neutralize positive charges built up thereon so as to reach a charge balance within a limited time period. The embodiments use control electrodes to generate retarding fields to reflect some of secondary electrons with low kinetic energies back to the sample surface. |
| US08907278B2 |
Charged particle beam applied apparatus, and irradiation method
Provided is a charged particle beam applied apparatus for observing a sample, provided with: a beam-forming section that forms a plurality of charged particle beams on a sample; an energy control unit that controls the incident energy of the plurality of charged particle beams that are irradiated onto the sample; a beam current control unit that controls the beam current of the plurality of charged particle beams that are irradiated onto the sample; and a beam arrangement control unit that controls the arrangement in which the plurality of charged particle beams is irradiated onto the sample. The beam-forming section includes a beam splitting electrode, a lens array upper electrode, a lens array middle electrode, a lens array lower electrode and a movable stage, and functions as the beam current control unit or the beam arrangement control unit through selection, by the movable stage, of a plurality of aperture pattern sets. |
| US08907276B2 |
Measuring the populations in each hyperfine ground state of alkali atoms in a vapor cell while limiting the contribution of the background vapor
A method for measuring the population of atoms in a vapor cell comprises collecting a sample of atoms, applying radio frequency (RF) spectroscopy to the sample such that a first portion of the atoms are in an upper ground state and a second portion of the atoms are in a lower ground state, and applying light to the sample to produce a first fluorescence such that all atoms are left in the lower ground state. The method further comprises measuring a population of the atoms in the upper ground state based on the first fluorescence, applying an RF pulse to the sample to transfer the atoms in the lower ground state to the upper ground state, and applying light to the sample after the RF pulse is applied to produce a second fluorescence. A population of all the atoms in the sample is then measured based on the second fluorescence. |
| US08907274B2 |
Quadrupole mass spectrometer
A quadrupole power source which applies a voltage to each electrode (2a-2d) of a quadrupole mass filter (2) receives inputs of an m/z-axis correction coefficient Mcomp1 and a V-voltage correction coefficient Vcomp1 in addition to a power supply controlling voltage Qcont according to the m/z of a target ion. Vcomp1 is a reciprocal of the ratio by which a frequency is changed, while Mcomp1 is the square of the ratio by which the frequency is changed. In a detection gain adjuster section (4C), a multiplier (421) multiplies an output Vdet′ of a V-voltage adjusting amplifier (405) by Vcomp1, whereby the radio-frequency voltage produced by a radio-frequency power supply section (4A) is maintained at the same level even when the set frequency of a signal generator (411) is changed in order to tune an LC resonance circuit. |
| US08907270B2 |
Method and apparatus for gain regulation in a gamma detector
Methods and systems to determine and regulate the gain of gamma-ray detectors in tools equipped with neutron sources are provided. Gain regulation may be based on the gamma ray background generated in the tool by interaction of neutrons with the nuclei of some elements constituting the tool structure. Some chemical elements that are used in construction of the tool's mechanical parts and structure result in characteristic gamma ray lines in a measured energy spectrum. These lines can be used to calibrate the energy scale of the response of the detector, without any added calibration radio isotopic source. |
| US08907265B2 |
Frequency selective electromagnetic detector
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a frequency selective electromagnetic detector. In particular, the frequency selective electromagnetic detector includes a nanowire array constructed from a plurality of nanowires of different compositions. At least one nanoparticle-sized diameter thermoelectric junction is formed between the nanowires of different compositions. When a nanoparticle-sized diameter thermoelectric junction senses a photon, the nanoparticle-sized diameter thermoelectric junction emits an electrical pulse voltage that is proportional to an energy level of the sensed photon. In one or more embodiments, the frequency selective electromagnetic detector is a frequency selective optical detector that is used to sense photons having optical frequencies. In at least one embodiment, at least one of the nanowires in the nanowire array is manufactured from a compound material including Bismuth (Bi) and Tellurium (Te). |
| US08907264B2 |
Motion and simple gesture detection using multiple photodetector segments
An optoelectronics apparatus selectively drives a light source, and includes four electrically isolated photodetector (PD) segments that detect light that has reflected off an object. Each of the four PD segments produces a corresponding signal, referred to as signals A, B, C and D, indicative of the light detected by the respective PD segment. Circuitry is used to produce a first motion signal indicative of a sum of the signals A plus B minus a sum of the signals C plus D, i.e., the first motion signal is indicative of (A+B)−(C+D). Further circuitry produces a second motion signal indicative of (B+C)−(A+D). Additional circuitry produces a signal and/or data that is indicative of a direction and/or rate of motion of an object, in dependence on the first and second motion signals. |
| US08907257B2 |
Contactlessly chargeable heater
The present invention relates to a contactlessly chargeable heater. In one example, the contactlessly chargeable heater includes: an induction patch emitting magnetic field by means of current applied to an inner coil; and a heating body, receiving the magnetic field from the charging patch to perform a contactless charging operation, and including a conductive metal yarn for emitting heat via the power generated through the contactless charging operation. The conductive metal yarn is woven together using threads within the heating body. |
| US08907255B2 |
Method for deicing a power supply line for railway vehicles
This method for deicing a direct current power supply line for railway vehicles is provided for a line extending between at least a first and a second reversible substations able to supply an electrical current circulating on the electrical power supply line, the first substation being controlled in a current supply mode, to supply an electrical current to the electrical power supply line and the second substation being controlled in a current recovery mode, to recover the electrical current from the electrical power supply line and send it back on an electrical power supply network. The method comprises establishing a voltage difference between the output terminals of the first and second substations such that a current circulates on the electrical power supply line between the two substations and that the heat produced by the circulation of the current causes the deicing of the power supply line between the two substations. |
| US08907251B2 |
Personal thermal regulating device
A personal thermal regulating device (PTRD) typically includes a heat generating device, a power source, a switchable control operably coupled with each of the heat generating device and the power source, and a head retention device coupled with the heat generating device and configured to retain the heat generating device positioned centrally at and in thermally conductive contact with a user's forehead. The present invention affects a tangible warming of the extremities, particularly the hands and feet, extending retention of manual dexterity and peripheral comfort under cold conditions. |
| US08907250B2 |
Pane with heatable optically transparent sensor array
A pane having a heatable, optically transparent sensor array comprising at least: a) a pane, b) at least one optically transparent sensor array on the surface of the pane, c) at least one heatable film which is fitted to the optically transparent sensor array, comprising at least: c1) a support film, c2) a heatable coating, printed conductors, meshes and/or heating wires on the support film, d) at least one electrical contact-making means, which is fitted to the heatable coating and/or to the heating wires, and e) encapsulation, which is fitted to the optically transparent sensor array and to the heatable film, and a sensor which is fitted in the encapsulation. |
| US08907248B2 |
Aluminum deoxidizing welding wire
Provided is a welding method and electrodes (wires) with aluminum as a primary deoxidizer and a basic flux system for joining a workpieces with weld metal of comparable strengths and enhanced toughness. For instance, provided is a welding wire, comprising an aluminum content configured to act as a primary deoxidizer, and an overall composition configured to produce a weld deposit comprising a basic slag over a weld bead, wherein the aluminum content is configured to kill the oxygen in the weld pool, and wherein the oxygen comprises oxygen provided by a shielding gas or produced by heating of welding filler materials. Further provided is a welding method comprising arc welding a workpiece using an electrode having aluminum as a primary deoxidizer under a gas shield to produce a bead of weld deposit and a basic slag over the weld bead. |
| US08907246B2 |
Flux-cored wire for welding different materials, method for laser welding of different materials and method for MIG welding of different materials
There are provided a flux-cored wire for welding different materials, a method for laser welding of different materials and a method for MIG welding of different materials which can improve tensile shear strength of a welded joint portion and peeling strength of a welded portion interface in welding aluminum or an aluminum alloy material and a steel material. The flux-cored wire has a cylindrical sheath comprising an aluminum alloy which contains Si in an amount of 1.5 to 2.5% by mass and Zr in an amount of 0.05 to 0.25% by mass, with the remainder being aluminum and inevitable impurities, and a flux filling inside this sheath and containing cesium fluoride in an amount of 20 to 60% by mass, and the packing fraction of the flux being 5 to 20% by mass of the total mass of the wire. |
| US08907245B2 |
Apparatus for removal of specific seed tissue or structure for seed analysis
An apparatus for reducing resources for selecting seed to be produced in commercial quantities or for research is disclosed. Samples of seed which are candidates for selection are collected and given an identifier. Specific tissue or structure from candidate seed is removed. A test or analysis is performed on the candidate seed or the removed tissue or structure. Results of the test or analysis are recorded and correlated to the seed's identifier. The results are evaluated and a decision is made whether to select a candidate seed for commercial production or for research. Time, space, and labor associated with growing plants in an experimental plot or greenhouse and taking tissue samples from growing plants is saved. |
| US08907243B2 |
Maintenance system for wire transport system of wire discharge processing machine
The tension measuring unit that measures a physical amount corresponding to tension of a wire in a wire transport system, the fluctuation recording unit that records the physical amount measured by the tension measuring unit, the fluctuation analysis unit that obtains an average value, variation, and frequency analysis data of the recorded physical amount as an analysis result of the physical amount, the maintenance necessity determining unit that compares the analysis result with a reference value and determines whether maintenance is needed based on a comparison result and the display unit that displays a determination result are included, and it is made possible to accurately determine the time for maintenance for various components used in the wire transport system without using a measuring instrument. |
| US08907242B2 |
Machine for flash-butt welding of rails
A machine for the flash butt welding of rails is provided. The machine comprises electric contacts yokes having controlled drives and further comprise holes through which guide pins are passed. |
| US08907238B2 |
Push button, method for the production thereof, and medical manipulating part
A push button of a medical manipulating part comprising: a first, pot-shaped, shell-shaped or box-shaped housing piece, at least some sections of which contain conductive material, with an integrally molded switching spring and a continuous wall, a second housing piece, the shape of which mates with the wall of the first housing piece and is inserted therein in a hermetically sealed manner such that a hollow space is formed between the first and second housing pieces underneath the switching spring and at least one mating contact for the switching spring, said mating contact being hermetically sealed and electrically isolated relative to the first housing piece, being led through the second housing piece and extending into the hollow space underneath the switching spring. |
| US08907230B2 |
Solar photovoltaic junction box assembly
The invention discloses a solar photovoltaic junction box assembly having a housing having a housing body and a housing cover, a cable extending into the housing body and joined to the housing body, and an electrical connector disposed in the housing body and including at least a metal piece electrically connected to a solar cell and a terminal electrically connected to the cable, wherein a chamber for filling gel therein is formed between the terminal and the joint of the cable with the housing body. A part of the cable extending into the housing is fixed to and sealed in the housing by filling gel in the chamber, and first and second over-molded structures can further prevent the cable from being loosened relative to the housing of the junction box, and further prevent water from entering into the housing of the junction box. |
| US08907228B2 |
Circuit structure of electronic device and its manufacturing method
The present disclosure related to circuit structure of an electronic device, wherein the circuit structure comprises of a main line formed on a substrate; and at least an auxiliary line electrically connected to the main line to form a conductive return circuit used for a signal to pass through the auxiliary line when the main line is disconnected. Addition of the auxiliary line avoids any breaking of signal transmission due to partial disconnection of the main line. The present disclosure also relates to a method for manufacturing the circuit structure, wherein the method simplifies the manufacturing process and also reduces the rate of deformation or disconnection of lines. |
| US08907218B2 |
Cable and polymer composition
The invention relates to a cable having a conductor surrounded by at a least one polymer layer having a polymer composition of the invention which has a polymer component and optionally a carbon black (CB) component, to a production process of the cable and to a polymer composition of the invention which has a polymer component and optionally a carbon black (CB) component and which is for use in a cable layer. |
| US08907217B2 |
Compositions for riser and plenum cables
Materials for making cable jackets, particularly riser and plenum cables, are provided. The materials provide low flammability and allow the cable to meet UL 910 or NFPA 262 or UL 1666 specifications. The material contains PVC resin, a plasticizer, a metal oxide particle, and optionally a brominated phthalate. Preferably, the metal oxide particle is spherical amorphous silicon dioxide. More preferably, the spherical amorphous silicon dioxide has a mean particle size of about 100-200 nm and/or a BET surface area of about 10-30 m2/g. The metal oxide particle is also preferably metal oxide particle non-porous, non-ionic, and/or non-hydrated. |
| US08907215B2 |
Corrugated tube protector
A box-shape corrugated tube protector includes a side wall including an opening with a guide part at each both sides of the opening; a bottom wall including an insertion depression adapted to receive and support a corrugated tube, in communication with the opening; and a cover adapted to close the opening including a slide part slidably engaging with the guide part, and also including a projecting ridge and a rib inside, wherein the projecting ridge has an end face along a circumference of the corrugated tube, the rib has a projecting end face formed curved or sloped, continuous from the projecting ridge in a sliding direction of the cover, and the end face of the projecting ridge and the projecting end face of the rib smoothly intersects to each other. |
| US08907214B1 |
Stackable electrical box
A method and structure of a system of electrical boxes including differing patterns of interference structures, such as ribs and/or grooves, to prevent identical boxes from being nested but permit non-identical boxes from being nested for more space-efficient storage of electrical boxes. |
| US08907211B2 |
Power cable with twisted and untwisted wires to reduce ground loop voltages
An improved power cable having an untwisted ground wire and at least two current carrying wires twisted about one another. The at least two current carrying wires make up a group having a central axis located at the cross sectional rotation axis of the current carrying wires and at a fixed distance from a cross sectional center of the untwisted ground wire, and wherein the current carrying wire group central axis and a ground wire central axis helically rotate around a common axis. |
| US08907209B2 |
Photoelectric conversion element
Disclosed is a photoelectric conversion element which includes a semiconductor electrode, an opposite electrode, and an electrolyte layer held between the semiconductor electrode and the opposite electrode, and which is a photoelectric conversion element of high practical use using a redox couple which has high transparency and ease of enclosure and exhibits high performance compared to an iodine redox couple. An electrolyte layer includes a redox couple formed of compounds represented by General Formula (1) and Formula (2), and ionic liquid having bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide anion represented by Formula (3). |
| US08907208B2 |
Dye-sensitized solar cell including a collector
Disclosed is a dye-sensitized solar cell. The dye-sensitized solar cell includes a working electrode and a counter electrode configured to join the working electrode. The working electrode includes a photo electrode having a plurality of photo electrode cells coated on a transparent conductive substrate and arranged in linear rows and a collector having a plurality of collector cells coated on the transparent conductive substrate and arranged along perimeters of the photo electrode and between the photo electrode cells and a collector bottom portion integrally interconnecting the collector cells. The collector cells have a same length or the collector cells arranged along the perimeters have a different length from the collector cells arranged between the photo electrode cells to increase an active area of the photo electrode. |
| US08907203B2 |
Integrated thin-film solar battery
An integrated thin-film solar battery is disclosed. The integrated thin film solar battery includes a plurality of series connected solar cell strings with one or more power collecting electrodes electrically joined to the string. The thin-film photoelectric conversion elements have a first transparent electrode layer and a second transparent electrode layer sandwiching a photoelectric conversion layer. The string has an element separating groove and the first electrode layer has an extending section having one end that crosses the element separating groove and extends to a region of an adjacent element. At least a portion of the first electrode layer just below the power collecting electrodes and another portion of the first electrode layer are insulated and separated from each other by at least one of an electrode separating line and an insulating line. |
| US08907198B2 |
Electric stringed musical instrument standard electronic module
A standard electronic module for an electric stringed musical instrument is provided. The standard electronic module is mounted within the main body of the electric stringed musical instrument in a module cavity in the back of the electric stringed musical instrument. The standard electronic module comprises two printed circuit boards, a main printed circuit board and a connector circuit board, wherein the standard electronic module provides rapid exchange of the main printed circuit board without changing the wiring harness of the electric stringed musical instrument, which is directly connected to the connector printed circuit board. |
| US08907196B2 |
Method of sound analysis and associated sound synthesis
A sound analysis and associated sound synthesis method is provided. A first input sound signal is received and analyzed, to determine its corresponding impulse response representative of a timbre of the input sound signal. A second input sound signal is received and processed into a form which the corresponding impulse response is susceptible to being applied, wherein the processing includes generating a “pink noise” equivalent frequency spectrum of the second input sound signal. The impulse response is applied to the processed second input sound signal to generate an output signal, wherein the output sound signal includes at least timbral nuances of the first input sound signal. |
| US08907192B2 |
Waveform data generating apparatus and waveform data generating program
The waveform data generating apparatus has a waveform data generating circuit WP which inputs a digital signal formed of a plurality of bits which form a control signal for controlling an external apparatus, and generates waveform data indicative of a waveform of a control tone which corresponds to the input digital signal, is formed of tones corresponding to respective values of the bits of the input digital signal, and is formed of frequency components included in a certain high frequency band. The waveform data generating circuit WP has a basic waveform data extraction portion WP7 which extracts a part or a whole of the intermediate portion which is situated at an intermediate portion of the waveform data, and corresponds to the intermediate portion of the digital signal whose bit pattern coincides with a certain bit pattern as basic waveform data. |
| US08907190B2 |
Switch device and electronic musical instrument
The present invention includes a first rotating operation unit which is arranged in one end section of an instrument main body such that a portion thereof protrudes from the top surface of the instrument main body, and switch-operated by the protruding portion being rotated by the thumb of a left hand, and a second rotating operation unit which is arranged posterior to the first rotating operation unit such that a portion thereof is exposed on a side surface side of the end section, and switch-operated by the exposed portion being rotated by a finger other than the thumb. Accordingly, when the left hand is placed on the end section, the thumb is placed corresponding to the first rotating operation unit, and the other finger is placed corresponding to the second rotating operation unit, whereby these rotating operation units can be rotated separately by only the left hand. |
| US08907187B2 |
Stringed musical instrument with a guitar-banjo combination sound
A stringed musical instrument with a guitar-banjo combination sound is an apparatus that is designed to be played in the same manner as a typical guitar but is also designed to be more portable than a typical guitar. The apparatus includes a sound box coupled to a guitar neck, which allows a plurality of strings to tensioned and connected along the apparatus. The sound box is configured to produce the guitar-banjo combination sound. The sound box includes a stretched membrane, a pot chamber, a channel, and a sound chamber. The stretched membrane is perimetrically connected around the pot chamber and is used to create the banjo portion of the apparatus's sound. stretched membrane resonates the air within the pot chamber, whose sound waves travel through the channel in order to be modified by the sound chamber. A bridge is used to connect the plurality of strings to the stretched membrane. |
| US08907186B1 |
Maize inbred PH13JW
A novel maize variety designated PH13JW and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH13JW with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH13JW through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH13JW or a locus conversion of PH13JW with another maize variety. |
| US08907185B2 |
Cotton variety ST 4288B2F
The cotton variety ST 4288B2F is disclosed. The invention relates to seeds, plants, plant cells, plant tissue, harvested products and cotton lint as well as to hybrid cotton plants and seeds obtained by repeatedly crossing plants of variety ST 4288B2F with other plants. The invention also relates to plants and varieties produced by the method of essential derivation from plants of ST 4288B2F and to plants of ST 4288B2F reproduced by vegetative methods, including but not limited to tissue culture of regenerable cells or tissue from ST 4288B2F. |
| US08907182B1 |
Soybean variety BG4272
A novel soybean variety, designated BG4272 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety BG4272, cells from soybean variety BG4272, plants of soybean BG4272, and plant parts of soybean variety BG4272. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety BG4272 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety BG4272, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety BG4272, and methods of characterizing soybean variety BG4272. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety BG4272 are further provided. |
| US08907180B2 |
Soybean variety A1037425
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1037425. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1037425. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1037425 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1037425 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08907178B2 |
Soybean variety A1037405
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1037405. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1037405. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1037405 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1037405 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08907176B2 |
Soybean variety A1037390
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1037390. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1037390. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1037390 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1037390 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08907172B2 |
Soybean variety A1035361
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1035361. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1035361. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1035361 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1035361 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08907169B2 |
Soybean variety A1037510
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1037510. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1037510. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1037510 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1037510 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08907168B2 |
Soybean variety A1037490
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1037490. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1037490. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1037490 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1037490 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US08907164B2 |
Regulating nutrient allocation in plants
The invention provides coding and promoter sequences for a VS-1 and AP-2 gene, which affects the developmental process of senescence in plants. Vectors, transgenic plants, seeds, and host cells comprising heterologous VS-1 and AP-2 genes are also provided. Additionally provided are methods of altering nutrient allocation and composition in a plant using the VS-1 and AP-2 genes. |
| US08907163B2 |
Transgenic plants expressing galactosyltransferase and sialyl transferase
The invention relates to the field of glycoprotein processing in transgenic plants used as cost efficient and contamination safe factories for the production of recombinant biopharmaceutical proteins or pharmaceutical compositions comprising these. The invention provides a plant comprising functional mammalian β1,4-galactosyltransferase and mammalian sialyl transferase for producing complex N-linked glycans that are galactosylated and sialylated, said plant additionally comprising at least a second mammalian protein or functional fragment thereof that is normally not present in plants. |
| US08907159B1 |
Maize inbred PH24DM
A novel maize variety designated PH24DM and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH24DM with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH24DM through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH24DM or a locus conversion of PH24DM with another maize variety. |
| US08907157B2 |
Methods for producing transgenic rodents having recombinant immunoglobulin loci
The invention provides methods for the production of transgenic animals comprising a recombinant Ig locus, as well as transgenic antibodies derived therefrom. The methods involve meganuclease cleavage-stimulated homologous recombination in mammalian embryos. |
| US08907156B2 |
Absorbent article having a multifunctional containment member
An absorbent article such as a diaper, training pant, and the like comprises a containment member that has a central zone and a barrier zone. The central zone has greater air flow according to the Air Permeability Test than the barrier zone. The bather zone a greater hydrohead according to the Hydrostatic Head Pressure Test than the central zone. The containment member may be used for absorbent core formation and may have portions configured to serve as barrier leg cuffs for the finished absorbent article. |
| US08907150B2 |
Biogenic fuel and method of making same
A method of producing from a biomass mesitylene-isopentane fuel is provided. A biomass may be fermented to form acetone. The acetone is converted in a catalytic reactor to mesitylene and mesityl oxide. The mesitylene is separated in a phase separator and the organic face containing mesityl oxide is sent to a dehydration reactor, then to a demethylation reactor, and finally to a hydrogenation reactor from which isopentane is recovered. This isopentane is then mixed with the mesitylene to form the final mesitylene-isopentane fuel. The catalytic reaction with acetone employs catalysts of either niobium, vanadium or tantalum. |
| US08907148B2 |
Process for the production of chlorinated propenes
Processes for the production of chlorinated propenes are provided. The present processes make use of a feedstock comprising 1,2,3-trichloropropane and chlorinates the 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropane generated by the process prior to a dehydrochlorination step. Production of the less desirable pentachloropropane isomer, 1,1,2,3,3-pentachloropropane, is thus minimized. The present processes provide better reaction yield as compared to conventional processes that require dehydrochlorination of 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropane prior to chlorinating the same. The present process can also generate anhydrous HCl as a byproduct that can be removed from the process and used as a feedstock for other processes, while limiting the production of waste water, thus providing further time and cost savings. |
| US08907146B2 |
Process for the preparation of 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene using a phase transfer catalyst
Disclosed is a process in which the fluorination of an organic reactant comprising 1,1,1,3,3-pentachloropropane (240fa) with anhydrous HF is conducted in the presence of an effective amount of a phase-transfer catalyst which facilitates the reaction between these incompatible reaction components to produce 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-propene (1233zd). Other organic reactant materials include 1,1,3,3-tetrachloropropene (HCO-1230za), 1,3,3,3-tetrachloropropene (HCO-1230zd), and various mixtures with or without 240fa. |
| US08907145B2 |
Aerosol propellants comprising unsaturated fluorocarbons
Disclosed herein are propellants comprising fluorocarbons and/or hydrofluorocarbons. Also disclosed are sprayable compositions comprising the propellants. |
| US08907134B2 |
Perfuming ingredient of the galbanum family
The present invention relates to 1-(5-ethyl-5-methyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-4-penten-1-one and its use as perfuming ingredient. |
| US08907133B2 |
Electrolyte compositions and electrochemical double layer capacitors formed there from
The invention generally encompasses phosphonium ionic liquids, salts, compositions and their use in many applications, including but not limited to: as electrolytes in electronic devices such as memory devices including static, permanent and dynamic random access memory, as electrolytes in energy storage devices such as batteries, electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs) or supercapacitors or ultracapacitors, electrolytic capacitors, as electrolytes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), as electrolytes in fuel cells, as a heat transfer medium, among other applications. In particular, the invention generally relates to phosphonium ionic liquids, salts, compositions, wherein the compositions exhibit superior combination of thermodynamic stability, low volatility, wide liquidus range, ionic conductivity, and electrochemical stability. The invention further encompasses methods of making such phosphonium ionic liquids, salts, compositions, operational devices and systems comprising the same. |
| US08907132B2 |
Process for preparing (R)-2-acetamido-N-benzyl-3-methoxy-propionamide
Processes for preparing and purifying (R)-2-acetamido-N-benzyl-3-methoxy-propionamide of formula-1 and intermediates thereof are provided. |
| US08907129B2 |
Process for preparing decanecarboxylic acids
The invention relates to a process for preparing a mixture of isomeric decane-carboxylic acids, which comprises the following steps: a) hydroformylation of a hydrocarbon mixture containing linear C4-olefins using a rhodium-containing catalyst system; b) aldol condensation of a mixture of aliphatic C5-aldehydes obtained from step a); c) selective hydrogenation of the mixture of unsaturated C10-aldehydes from step b) to aliphatic C10-aldehydes; d) uncatalysed oxidation of the mixture of aliphatic C10-aldehydes from step c) to give a mixture having a proportion of at least 70% by mass of 2-propylheptanoic acid, based on the total content of isomeric decanecarboxylic acids. |
| US08907126B2 |
Tyrosine derivative and method for producing tyrosine derivative
The objective of the present invention is to provide a tyrosine derivative which is useful as a melatonin MT1 receptor antagonist, and a method for producing a specific tyrosine derivative with high yield by efficiently introducing an iodine atom at the para position of the phenolic hydroxy group in the benzene ring of tyrosine with good regioselectivity. The tyrosine derivative of the present invention is characterized in being represented by the following formula (I): wherein R1 is a protective group of the amino group and the like; R2 is a protective group of the carboxy group and the like; R3 is a hydrogen atom and the like; R4 is a halogen atom and the like; A is —(CH2)l—[Z(CH2)m]n—; X is a leaving group. |
| US08907122B2 |
Method of preparing photoacid generating monomer
A method of preparing a monomer comprises reacting a sultone of the formula (I): wherein each R is independently F, C1-10 alkyl, fluoro-substituted C1-10 alkyl, C1-10 cycloalkyl, or fluoro-substituted C1-10 cycloalkyl, provided that at least one R is F; n is an integer of from 0 to 10, and m is an integer of 1 to 4+2n, with a nucleophile having a polymerizable group. Monomers, including a photoacid-generating monomer, may be prepared by this method. |
| US08907116B2 |
Process for removing an alkanol impurity from a dialkyl carbonate stream
The invention relates to a process for removing an alkanol impurity from a stream containing a dialkyl carbonate and the alkanol impurity, comprising contacting the stream with an aryl group containing ester and a catalyst to effect reaction of the alkanol impurity with the aryl group containing ester. |
| US08907106B2 |
Process for the resolution of enantiomers by preferential evaporative crystallization
A process for the resolution of two enantiomers which involves inducing the preferential crystallization of one enantiomer by adjusting the composition of a suspension or solution including a racemic mixture of the two enantiomers and a solvent, by evaporation of the latter. |
| US08907105B1 |
1,2,3-triazolium ionic liquids
The present invention relates to compositions of matter that are ionic liquids, the compositions comprising substituted 1,2,3-triazolium cations combined with any anion. Compositions of the invention should be useful in the separation of gases and, perhaps, as catalysts for many reactions. |
| US08907103B2 |
Glucagon antagonists
Provided herein are compounds, including enantiomerically pure forms thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts or co-crystals and prodrugs thereof which have glucagon receptor antagonist or inverse agonist activity. Further, provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same as well as methods of treating, preventing, delaying the time to onset or reducing the risk for the development or progression of a disease or condition for which one or more glucagon receptor antagonist is indicated, including Type I and II diabetes, insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. Moreover, provided herein are methods of making or manufacturing compounds disclosed herein, including enantiomerically pure forms thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts or Co-crystals and prodrugs thereof. Formula I |
| US08907101B2 |
Sulfonamide derivatives
The present invention relates to compounds of the formula and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates or tautomers thereof, to processes for the preparation of, intermediates used in the preparation of, and compositions containing such compounds, and the uses of such compounds, in particular for the treatment of pain. |
| US08907095B2 |
Bicyclic heterocycle derivatives and their use as modulators of the activity of GPR119
The present invention relates to Bicyclic Heterocycle Derivatives, compositions comprising a Bicyclic Heterocycle Derivative, and methods of using the Bicyclic Heterocycle Derivatives for treating or preventing obesity, diabetes, a metabolic disorder, a cardiovascular disease or a disorder related to the activity of GPR119 in a patient. |
| US08907091B2 |
Processes and intermediates for preparing fused heterocyclic kinase inhibitors
This invention relates to processes and intermediates for manufacturing fused heterocyclic-type kinase inhibitor compounds, such as thienopyridine-based compounds, and to processes and intermediates for preparing intermediates that are useful in the manufacture of fused heterocyclic-type kinase inhibitor compounds, such as thienopyridine-based compounds, particularly at an industrial level. |
| US08907088B2 |
Methods of making cyclic, N-amino functional triamines
The present invention provides strategies for making cyclic triamines. Reactant media including certain precursors and/or certain types of catalysts can be converted into cyclic triamines with improved conversion and selectivity. The strategies can be incorporated into reactions that involve transamination schemes and/or reductive amination schemes. In the case of transamination, for instance, using transamination to cause ring closure of higher amines in the presence of a suitable catalyst leads to desired cyclic triamines with notable conversion and yield. In the case of reductive amination, reacting suitable polyfunctional precursors in the presence of a suitable catalyst also yields cyclic triamines via ring closure with notable selectivity and conversion. Both transamination and reductive amination methodologies can be practiced under much milder temperatures than are used when solely acid catalysts are used. Preferred embodiments can produce reaction mixtures that are generally free of salt by-products. |
| US08907086B2 |
Fused bicyclic heterocycles useful as dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors
The present invention is directed to novel bicyclic heterocycles of structural formula (I) which are inhibitors of the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme and which are useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases in which the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme is involved, such as diabetes and particularly Type 2 diabetes. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme is involved. |
| US08907085B2 |
Hydrate of sulfonylurea compound, process for producing the same and suspension formulation containing the same
The present invention relates to a hydrate of sulfonylurea compound represented by formula (I): having herbicidal activity, a process for producing the same, a suspension formulation containing the same, and the like. |
| US08907080B2 |
Process for imparting water solubility or water dispersibility to hydrophobic cluster compound
Provided is a complex comprising a hydrophobic cluster compound and a β-1,3-1,6-D-glucan having a degree of branching (a ratio of β-1,6 linkages to β-1,3 linkages) of 50 to 100%. |
| US08907079B2 |
Crosslinking reagents, macromolecules, therapeutic conjugates, and synthetic methods thereof
The invention provides novel chemical entities based on sugar alcohols. These new chemical entities are biocompatible and biodegradable. The molecules can be made in a single and pure form. The molecular weights of these molecules range from small (<1000 Da) to large (1000-120,000 Da). The sugar alcohol-based molecules can have functional groups throughout the molecule for crosslinking compounds, such as the preparation of antibody-drug conjugates, or to facilitate the delivery of therapeutic proteins, peptides, siRNA, and chemotherapeutic drugs. Also provided are new conjugate entities prepared through sugar alcohol molecules. Methods of synthesizing sugar alcohol-based molecules and conjugates are also within the scope of the invention. |
| US08907077B2 |
siRNA targeting TIE-2
Efficient sequence specific gene silencing is possible through the use of siRNA technology. By selecting particular siRNAs by rational design, one can maximize the generation of an effective gene silencing reagent, as well as methods for silencing genes. Methods, compositions, and kits generated through rational design of siRNAs are disclosed. |
| US08907074B2 |
Laticiferous tissue-specific SRPP promoter from Hevea brasiliensis and uses thereof
A laticiferous tissue-specific SRPP (small rubber particle-associated protein) promoter derived from Hevea brasiliensis, consists of nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. A recombinant plant expression vector includes the promoter. A plant is transformed with the recombinant plant expression vector and seed of the transformed plant is obtained. A method for laticiferous tissue-specific expression of a foreign gene in a transformed plant includes performing recombination of a foreign gene into the recombinant plant expression vector. The transformed plant produced by the method shows laticiferous tissue-specific expression of a foreign gene. |
| US08907073B2 |
Nucleic acids encoding FOXD3 promoter and methods to isolate FOXD3 expressing cells
DNA enhancer sequences are provided for use in constructs to identify early stage embryonic cells. The enhancer sequences can be used in parallel with short-hairpin RNA in a vector construct for endogenously regulated gene knockdowns. The disclosed enhancer sequences can be used to isolate a selected population of early stage embryonic cells. |
| US08907069B2 |
Complex of bi-specific antibody and digoxigenin conjugated to a therapeutic or diagnostic agent
The present invention relates to complexes of a) bi-specific antibodies and antibody fragments against a target protein and b) a digoxigenin conjugated to a therapeutic or diagnostic agent, methods for their production, their use as a delivery platform for therapeutic or diagnostic agents, pharmaceutical compositions containing said antibodies, and uses thereof. |
| US08907065B2 |
Polypeptides that modulate the interaction between cells of the immune system
The present invention relates to amino acid sequences that block the interaction between (a target on) an antigen presenting cell (APC) and (a target on) a T-cell. More particularly, the present invention relates to amino acid sequences that are directed against (as defined herein) a target on an APC (also referred to herein as “APC target”) or a target on a T-cell (also referred to herein as “T-cell target”). The invention further relates to compounds or constructs, and in particular proteins and polypeptides, that comprise or essentially consist of one or more such amino acid sequences. |
| US08907062B2 |
Method of producing and purifying soluble recombinant COQ5 protein and soluble recombinant COQ5 protein thereof
The present invention relates to a producing and purifying method of soluble recombinant coenzyme Q5 homolog (COQ5) protein, which is expressed in soluble form by Escherichia coli (E. coli), under native conditions. The method is characterized by pre-treating bacterial lysate with low concentration of ionic detergent, such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), before purification; and the purifying method is performed under native condition without using urea to avoid the problems of requiring lengthy processes to remove urea in purified protein solution or re-aggregation and precipitation of protein after removal of urea. |
| US08907061B2 |
Nanolipoprotein particles and related methods and systems for protein capture, solubilization, and/or purification
Provided herein are methods and systems for assembling, solubilizing and/or purifying a membrane associated protein in a nanolipoprotein particle, which comprise a temperature transition cycle performed in presence of a detergent, wherein during the temperature transition cycle the nanolipoprotein components are brought to a temperature above and below the gel to liquid crystalling transition temperature of the membrane forming lipid of the nanolipoprotein particle. |
| US08907060B2 |
Mutated Pseudomonas exotoxins with reduced antigenicity
The invention provides mutated Pseudomonas exotoxins (PE) that have reduced immunogenicity compared to PEs containing the native sequence. The PEs of the invention have one or more individual mutations of positions of the native sequence of PE that reduce antibody binding to one or more PE epitopes. Nucleic acids encoding the mutated PEs, chimeric molecules comprising them, compositions comprising the chimeric molecules and methods of using them, are also provided. |
| US08907059B2 |
Phosphopeptide enrichment of compositions by fractionation on ceramic hydroxyapatite
Phosphorylated peptides are extracted from digests of biological liquids and other peptide mixtures by fractionation on ceramic hydroxyapatite. The ceramic hydroxyapatite is readily usable in a centrifuge, allowing for rapid fractionations of a large number of small volume samples, and accordingly high throughput. |
| US08907058B2 |
PSMA binding ligand-linker conjugates and methods for using
Described herein are prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) binding conjugates that are useful for delivering therapeutic, diagnostic and imaging agents. Also described herein are pharmaceutical composition containing them and methods of using the conjugates and compositions. Also described are processes for manufacture of the conjugates and the compositions containing them. |
| US08907054B2 |
Dpy-30 binding peptides
Disclosed are compositions and methods for modulating Dpy-30 binding activity. The compositions may include peptides or peptidomimetics thereof that are related to radial spoke protein 3 (RSP3) or absent, small, homeotic discs 2-like protein (Ash2L) and that bind to Dumpy-30 protein (Dpy-30). |
| US08907051B2 |
Process for forming an aramid copolymer
The invention concerns processes for forming a polymer comprising residues of 2-(4-amino phenyl)-5(6) amino benzimidazole (DAPBI), paraphenylene diamine (PPD), and terephthaloyl dichloride, comprising the steps of: (a) forming a solution of oligomers having amine end groups from two moles of DAPBI and one mole of terephthaloyl dichloride in a solvent system comprising an organic solvent and an inorganic salt; (b) adding PPD to the solution of oligomers; and (c) adding additional terephthaloyl dichloride to form a polymer. |
| US08907049B2 |
Thermoset resin compositions with increased toughness
A block copolymer (M) suitable for toughening a thermoset resin (R). The block copolymer (M) has at least one block derived from a thermoplastic aromatic polymer (A) which exhibits a glass transition temperature (Tg) of at least about 150° C., and at least one block derived from a low Tg polymer (B) wherein: (i) the low Tg polymer (B) exhibits a Tg in the range of from about −130° C. to about +40° C.; (ii) the aromatic polymer (A) is soluble in the uncured thermoset resin precursor(s) (P) of the thermoset resin (R), and (i) the low Tg polymer (B) is insoluble in the uncured thermoset resin precursor (P). |
| US08907045B2 |
Biocompatible adhesive polymers
Block co-polymers including a hydrophilic block and a hydrophobic poly(amino acid) block which further includes dihydroxyphenyl moieties are provided, as well as methods of making and using the same. Such block copolymers may be used to prepare biocompatible adhesives which display good adhesives properties in aqueous environments, including in in vivo applications. |
| US08907044B2 |
Polycarbonate resin and transparent film comprising the same
The polycarbonate resin of the present invention comprises a structural unit derived from a dihydroxy compound represented by a specific formula (1), a structural unit derived from a dihydroxy compound represented by a specific formula (2), and a structural unit derived from a dihydroxy compound represented by any one of specific formulae (3) to (6), wherein the content of structural units derived from dihydroxy compounds represented by the specific formulae (3) to (6) is within a specific range based on the total of structural units derived from dihydroxy compounds in the polycarbonate resin. |
| US08907043B2 |
Preparation and uses of polyarylates
The present invention is directed to polyarylates comprising repeating units having the structure: as well as their preparation and use as cell growth substrates. |
| US08907042B2 |
Polyetherimides, methods of manufacture, and articles formed therefrom
A polyetherimide manufactured by reaction of an alkali metal salt of a dihydroxy aromatic compound of the formula MO—Z—OM wherein M is an alkali metal salt and Z is an aromatic C6-24 monocyclic or polycyclic moiety optionally substituted with 1 to 6 C1-8 alkyl groups, 1 to 8 halogen atoms, or a combination thereof, with a bis(halophthalimide) composition comprising, based on the weight of the bis(halophthalimide) composition, from more than 45 to less than 75 weight percent of a 3,3′-bis(halophthalimide) of the formula less than 10 weight percent of a 3,4′-bis(halophthalimide) of the formula and from more than 45 to less than 75 weight percent of a (4,4′-bis(halophthalimide) of the formula |
| US08907039B2 |
Method for preparing (hydroxymethyl)polysiloxanes
Lateral hydroxymethyl-substituted organopolysiloxanol are prepared by reacting a silanol-stopped organosiloxane with a hydrolyzable methyleneoxy-group-containing organosilicon compound. |
| US08907038B2 |
Typical metal containing polysiloxane composition, process for its production, and its uses
A material suitable for sealing an LED element or for a gas barrier layer for a resin component, and an LED device, an FPD device and a semiconductor device using it. A process for producing a polymer composition, which includes mixing and reacting as component (A), an unsaturated group-containing siloxane compound of the following formula (1): wherein the siloxane structure is a chain or cyclic structure, as component (B), a siloxane compound having a structure of the following formula (2) wherein hydrogen is directly bonded to silicon, wherein the siloxane structure is a chain or cyclic structure, as component (C), at least one member selected from the group consisting of organic metal compounds of Group 1, 2, 12, 13 and 14 metals of the periodic table, and as component (D), a metal catalyst of Group 8, 9 or 10 metal of the periodic table. |
| US08907036B2 |
Self-adhesive silicone compositions which can be crosslinked to form elastomers
Self-adhesive crosslinkable silicone compositions may be transparent and prepared without conventional adhesion promoters, and contain (1) an organopolysiloxane having a minimum of two aliphatically unsaturated carbon-carbon bond-containing groups, (2) a pendant Si—H functional organopolysiloxane having at least 3 Si—H groups and a minimum of 0.7 weight percent of Si-bonded hydrogen, and (3) a linear organopolysiloxane bearing terminal Si—H groups, wherein the mol ratio of silicon-bonded hydrogen in (2) to that in [(2) and (3)] is from 0.05 to 1. |