| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07672954B2 |
Method and apparatus for configuring a plurality of server systems into groups that are each separately accessible by client applications
A method and apparatus for configuring a plurality of server systems. In one implementation, the method includes configuring the plurality of server systems as a first database having a group name and a group port, and configuring a subset of the plurality of server systems as a second database having a subset name and a subset port. The first database is accessible by a client application via the group name and the group port for storage of data in the first database, and the second database is accessible by a client application via the subset name and the subset group for storage of data in the second database. |
| US07672952B2 |
System and method of semantic correlation of rich content
Content of interest to a user is identified. A first semantic abstract is generated for the content of interest using a state vector representation of the content of interest. The first semantic abstract is compared to a second semantic abstract representing another prospective content. If the first semantic abstract is within a threshold distance of the second semantic abstract, then the prospective content is recommended to the user. |
| US07672950B2 |
Method and apparatus for selecting, analyzing, and visualizing related database records as a network
A method and apparatus for selecting and converting database records or sets of related documents into network data and presenting that data in a network visualization system that enables users to select among, and move between various network displays by selecting one or more attributes of the data to be represented as the nodes and links of the network. |
| US07672949B2 |
Connection manager having a common dispatcher for heterogeneous software suites
A connection manager includes a dispatcher that dispatches requests to two or more heterogeneous software suites. The connection manager receives client requests and dispatches the request to either of the software suites coupled by a request/response shared memory to the connection manager. |
| US07672946B2 |
Information processor, database search system and access rights analysis method thereof
An access rights analysis including a query automaton generation unit for generating a query automaton from a path expression in which retrieval conditions for a database. An access control automaton generation unit generates an access control automaton from an access control policy; a schema automaton generation unit generates a schema automaton from a schema; and a logic operation unit performs a logic operation related to each of the generated automatons. By use of the above components, access rights in database retrieval using the path expressions are decided without checking the XML document itself in the XML database and checking by each node. |
| US07672944B1 |
Method and system for multiple column/row data sorting in a display table
A method and system for multiple column/row data sorting includes a process for multiple column/row data sorting whereby a user is provided with a simple and visually intuitive interface for prioritizing the progressive sorting of data displayed in data tables by multiple columns or rows. |
| US07672943B2 |
Calculating a downloading priority for the uniform resource locator in response to the domain density score, the anchor text score, the URL string score, the category need score, and the link proximity score for targeted web crawling
A web crawler system as described herein utilizes a targeted approach to increase the likelihood of downloading web pages of a desired type or category. The system employs a plurality of URL scoring metrics that generate individual scores for outlinked URLs contained in a downloaded web page. For each outlinked URL, the individual scores are combined using an appropriate algorithm or formula to generate an overall score that represents a downloading priority for the outlinked URL. The web crawler application can then download subsequent web pages in an order that is influenced by the downloading priorities. |
| US07672938B2 |
Creating search enabled web pages
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for creating search enabled Web pages. A search engine crawler requests a Web page. A Web server receives the request and constructs a Web page that includes client-side script configured to obtain a portion of content at a Web browser. The Web server inserts textual (e.g., HTML) hinting data for the client-side script into the Web page. When analyzed at the search engine, the textual hinting data provides similar analysis results to analysis results obtained from analyzing the portion of content that is to be obtained at through execution of the client-side script. Thus, the Web server can provide the search engine with information to sufficiently index the Web page even when the search engine lacks the capability to execute the client-side script. |
| US07672935B2 |
Automatic index creation based on unindexed search evaluation
A method and apparatus for maintaining indices for a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) repository. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving requests for data from a lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) repository. The method further includes evaluating queries performed for the requests and generating an LDAP index based on an evaluated query. |
| US07672933B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, program, and storage medium
In an information processing apparatus which can encrypt a file and can store the encrypted file at a predetermined location, an input file is separated into a header field and data field, and the separated data field is encrypted and saved in association with information included in the header field. In the meantime, a keyword required to specify the file is extracted from the separated data field, and the extracted keyword is converted into a hash value. The obtained hash value is stored in association with the information included in the header field. Upon storing a file, the contents of the file after storage can be prevented from being easily recognized by a third party. |
| US07672931B2 |
Searching for content using voice search queries
A system, method and computer-readable media are disclosed for searching for content from a device. The system, method, and computer-readable media are adapted to transmit a voice search query from a device and can in return allow the device to receive corresponding non-voice search result data. Once non-voice search result data is received it can be displayed to the user on a display of the device. |
| US07672929B2 |
Database modification history
A database system including an encoder module and a revision control archive module is disclosed. The encoder module receives signals representing a database access request, generates database access commands, and executes the database access command against a revision control archive module if the database access command causes a change to a data record in the database. |
| US07672925B2 |
Accelerating queries using temporary enumeration representation
A system, method, and computer program product for processing a database query are presented. Steps for identifying a value expression comprising information needed in order to resolve a query, associating enumerated values with the set of distinct values for the value expression, evaluating the query utilizing the enumerated values, and deleting the association are disclosed. |
| US07672920B2 |
Apparatus and method for embedding recurrent neural networks into the nodes of a self-organizing map
A learning system is provided, which includes network storage means for storing a network including a plurality of nodes, each of which holds a dynamics; and learning means for self-organizationally updating the dynamics of the network on the basis of measured time-series data. |
| US07672919B2 |
Determination of graph connectivity metrics using bit-vectors
Determination of a connectivity-metrics for graphs representative of networks of interest. A graph that represents a network of interest is accessed. The graph includes nodes representing points in the network of interest, and edges corresponding to the nodes. Bit-vectors are generated corresponding to the nodes and/or edges, wherein individual bits in the bit-vectors respectively provide a logical indication of connectedness. The connectivity-metric is then determined by applying a logical bit operation to the plurality of bit-vectors. Examples of connectivity metrics include a connected components, shortest paths, betweenness, clustering, and tree-based determinations. |
| US07672915B2 |
Method and system for labelling unlabeled data records in nodes of a self-organizing map for use in training a classifier for data classification in customer relationship management systems
The described embodiments relate to methods and systems for data classification using a self-organizing map. Certain embodiments relate to a method of labeling data for training a classifier, comprising: obtaining data, the data comprising labeled data and unlabeled data; generating a self-organizing map of the data; and a labeling at least some of the unlabeled data based on proximity of the unlabeled data to labeled data within the self-organizing map to generate self-labeled data. The method may include training a classifier based on the labeled and self-labeled data. Other embodiments relate to systems and computer readable media configured to perform, or allow performance of, the method embodiments. |
| US07672914B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating coefficient data, apparatus and method for generating coefficient-seed data, information-signal processing apparatus, program, and medium having recorded the program thereon
A coefficient-data generating apparatus generates coefficient data of an estimating equation used to convert a first information signal including pieces of information data into a second information signal including pieces of information data. The coefficient-data generating apparatus includes a determining unit determining whether a subject point in a second learning signal corresponding to the second information signal is a feature point having a predetermined feature; a data selector selecting pieces of information data at adjacent points of the subject point in the second learning signal, based on a first learning signal corresponding to the first information signal; and a calculator calculating the coefficient data using information data at the subject point in the second learning signal, the subject point being determined as the feature point by the determining unit, and the pieces of information data selected in association with the subject point by the data selector. |
| US07672911B2 |
Graph-based cognitive swarms for object group recognition in a 3N or greater-dimensional solution space
An object recognition system is described that incorporates swarming classifiers. The swarming classifiers comprise a plurality of software agents configured to operate as a cooperative swarm to classify an object group in a domain. Each node N represents an object in the group having K object attributes. Each agent is assigned an initial velocity vector to explore a KN-dimensional solution space for solutions matching the agent's graph. Further, each agent is configured to search the solution space for an optimum solution. The agents keep track of their coordinates in the KN-dimensional solution space that are associated with an observed best solution (pbest) and a global best solution (gbest). The gbest is used to store the best solution among all agents which corresponds to a best graph among all agents. Each velocity vector thereafter changes towards pbest and gbest, allowing the cooperative swarm to classify of the object group. |
| US07672908B2 |
Intent-based information processing and updates in association with a service agent
In various embodiments, a method for processing a request made by a requester is provided. The method may include receiving at least one request from at least one requester, the request being in the form of natural language; analyzing the request with an agent; selecting at least one form based on analyzing the request; permitting a service agent to perform at least one step in association with the request; executing at least one update based on at least one form; and, forwarding information regarding processing of the request to a learning module operatively associated with the agent. |
| US07672907B2 |
Postage meter having a vertical path
In a postage meter including a print module for printing on mail items, a feed tray for feeding in mail items to said print module, and a collection tray for receiving the mail items once they have been franked by the print module, said feed tray is inclined in two directions so that the mail items disposed on said tray are brought by gravity against a retractable jogging flap into the same determined position at which said print module affixes a postal imprint. |
| US07672904B2 |
System and method to facilitate and support electronic communication of ideas
A method and apparatus effectuates bilateral commerce in ideas. An originator and user-driven on-line commercial network system is designed to facilitate idea submission, purchase, and licensing, and is easily adapted to business-to-business transfers of innovation as well as consumer-to-business transfers of innovation. The invention allows originators of ideas to communicate nondisclosing synopses of ideas globally to potential users, for users conveniently to search for relevant ideas and for users potentially to bind an originator to a limited duration license granting user the exclusive right to access and consider confidentially the originator's fully disclosed idea. The invention also allows users to communicate confidentially or nonconfidentially unsolved problems or needs globally to potential originators, for originators conveniently to search for relevant unsolved problems or needs, and for originators to submit and communicate confidentially proposed solutions to the soliciting user. |
| US07672903B2 |
Revocation method and apparatus for secure content
A system and method is provided for revoking a device. A method includes receiving a certificate from the device, the certificate including one or more of fields, at least one of the fields holding a signature, attempting to verify the signature, receiving a revocation list from a source, the revocation list identifying one or more data on the certificate as valid or invalid, the data including at least one of the fields of the certificate; and if one of one or more signatures identified unsuccessfully verified and one or more data is identified as invalid, preventing the transmission of a session key to the device, the session key being required to establish a secure communication channel. |
| US07672901B1 |
System and method for holdback procedure for after-hours transactions
A method, program product and system for managing a group of aggregated accounts, each aggregated account held in a different one of a plurality of deposit institutions, each of the aggregated accounts associated with at least one financial entity and holding funds of a plurality of clients of the at least one financial entity, the method comprising: (a) conducting an allocation process to allocate net deposits of funds to and net withdrawals of funds from the aggregated accounts, the allocation process comprising: (1) determining for each request for a net withdrawal of funds from or a net deposit of funds to at least one of the aggregated accounts whether the request occurred after a cut-off time; (2) receiving or calculating for at least one request that occurred before the cutoff time a holdback amount from the net deposit to or net withdrawal from the one aggregated account relating to funds to be heldback that may be used in covering post cut-off time transactions; (3) holding back the holdback amount of funds for the at least one request that occurred before the cutoff time by requesting withdrawal of an amount of funds from or depositing of an amount of funds to the aggregated account based at least in part on the holdback amount; and (b) initiating a post cut-off time procedure that transfers an amount of funds required to satisfy the request for withdrawal from the holdback amount of funds when it is determined that the request for withdrawal or deposit of funds occurred after the cut-off time. |
| US07672900B2 |
Write input transaction apparatus and method
A method and system for generating a completed payment document ready for signature in image form and enabling signature in image form, storing the image and providing a printed copy of the document including the signature. A write input device for showing the image and enabling the signature includes a transparent interactive digitizing element with writing stylus, a display module positioned beneath the digitizing element and visible therethrough, and optionally a magnetic stripe reader for providing document-related information for the display. The device is embodied in a system which also includes a point of sale terminal, a printer for printing records of transactions processed by the system and a controller operatively coupled to other elements of the system. |
| US07672899B2 |
Hedge transactions using variable order prices
Systems and methods are provided for executing a hedge transaction in connection with the execution of a derivative product order in which the price of the derivative product is defined by one or more variables. The hedge transaction may be executed at an exchange or match engine that is different from the exchange or match engine executing the derivative product order. The execution of derivative product transaction may be contingent on the existence of an appropriate hedge transaction. Alternatively, a best efforts approach may be used to fill the hedge transaction order after executing the derivative product transaction. |
| US07672898B1 |
Regulating order entry in an electronic trading environment to maintain an actual cost for a trading strategy
A system and method for regulating order entry based on an acceptable slop range for a trading strategy are described. According to one example embodiment, a trader may define an acceptable slop range for a trading strategy as a percentage. The trader may also define a variable to associate with the trading strategy. Using a spread trading algorithm, a spread price axis is generated and the trader may place an order for the trading strategy at a desired price, comprising placing an order in one leg market dependent on the market conditions of another leg market. Using the acceptable slop range, the system keep the net cost to the trader within the acceptable slop range, by regulating orders in the leg markets. Defining an acceptable slop range as a percentage allows the trader to monitor and regulate their profits and loss, regardless of the type of spread trading algorithm used or the placement of an order o the spread price axis. |
| US07672896B2 |
System and method for order placement in an electronic trading environment
A system and associated methods are provided for intelligent placement and movement of orders in an electronic trading environment. According to one example method, in addition to submitting a leg order at a calculated price level, additional orders, queue holder orders, are submitted for the leg order at prices either below or above the calculated price level. Based on this configuration, if the conditions change such that it is necessary to re-price the leg order, there will be already an order resting in the exchange order book at the re-calculated price that can be used in the strategy. Upon re-pricing the leg order, one or more additional queue holder orders will be placed in the market. Other tools are provided as well. |
| US07672889B2 |
System and method for providing customizable investment tools
Computer-implemented methods and systems to help investors determine the fair value and ratings of assets (such as equity or debt instruments, etc.), and thereby make better informed investment decisions, through: automatically consolidating selected asset historical performance, forecasting and rating information; automatically computing asset valuations based on default and/or customized valuation parameters; and automatically determining asset under or over valuation. |
| US07672888B2 |
Construction payment management system and method with automated electronic document generation features
A system and method for managing a construction payment process. One method embodying the invention can include generating a budget for a construction project, receiving an invoice amount from at least one participant in the construction project, generating at least one of an automated invoice and an automated sworn statement based on the invoice amount and the budget, generating at least one automated lien waiver based on at least one of the automated invoice and the automated sworn statement, and electronically executing at least one of the automated invoice, the automated sworn statement, and the at least one automated lien waiver to create at least one of a legally-binding invoice, a legally-binding sworn statement, and a legally-binding lien waiver. Another method embodying the invention can include electronically receiving a lien waiver from a participant in a construction project, electronically transmitting payment to the participant in response to receipt of the lien waiver, and releasing the lien waiver in response to the payment. |
| US07672880B2 |
Automated accounting system, method and computer-readable medium for MFP devices
The present invention is directed to a system and method for automated accounting of document reading device usage. The system and method include a configurable accounting agent adapted to automatically generate usage reports of the document generating device and transmit the reports to one or more destinations. |
| US07672874B2 |
Contextual presentation of information about related orders during browsing of an electronic catalog
An electronic catalog system, which may be implemented as a web site or another type of interactive system, presents context-sensitive account information to customers during browsing of an electronic catalog of products. In one embodiment, when a customer accesses a detail page for a particular product, the detail page is supplemented with information, such as status information, about a related order placed by the customer. The related order may be an order for the product represented in the detail page or may be for a related product. Information about related orders may additionally or alternatively be added to other types of pages, such as product category pages and shopping cart pages. In one embodiment, a customer's related order information is maintained in a cache during the customer's browsing session, and the cache is updated in real time to reflect actions performed by the customer. |
| US07672866B2 |
Econometric optimization engine
A preferred set of prices for a plurality of products, generally demand coefficients is provided. Cost data including activity-based costs is also received. A preferred set of prices that will provide a local optimum for the preferred set of prices which maximizes profit is then determined. In one embodiment, a sales model and a cost model are created. A plurality of rules is specified. The preferred set of prices is then determined based on the sales model, the cost model, and the plurality of rules. |
| US07672864B2 |
Generating and displaying level-of-interest values
Attendees or viewers of a presentation provide input marking specific points corresponding to a high level of interest. Received bookmarks are aggregated to generate overall level-of-interest values for various points in the presentation. A graphical depiction of these level-of-interest values is provided; users can navigate using this graphical depiction to find specific parts of the presentation having the highest level of interest or importance. User interface elements provide access to various filtering, display, and configuration options for the graphical depiction. |
| US07672862B1 |
Generating a supply chain plan
Generating a supply chain plan includes accessing data describing a supply chain network having buffers. Each buffer is operable to store items and is associated with a corresponding time variable. The supply chain network is constrained by a constraint. A linear programming problem is generated for the supply chain network. The linear programming problem is approximated by discretizing the time variables of the buffers to yield discretized time variables and by relaxing the constraint to yield a relaxed constraint. An optimized supply chain plan is calculated for the approximated linear programming problem. The optimized supply chain plan describes a quantity of items at each buffer for at least one time value of the corresponding time variable. The optimized supply chain plan is adjusted to satisfy the constraint. |
| US07672855B2 |
Transportation planning with drop trailer arrangements
Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with transportation planning in light of drop trailer arrangements are described. One exemplary computer-implemented method embodiment includes receiving orders that describe items to be delivered to facilities as controlled by order requirements. The method may also include accessing a transportation planning model that includes information concerning shipping modes and carriers by which an order can be delivered to a facility. The transportation planning model may also include data concerning drop trailer arrangements between facilities and the carriers. The method may also include selectively consolidating orders into shipments based on the transportation planning model and the availability of a drop trailer arrangement. The method may also include selectively assigning shipments to loads based on the transportation planning model and the availability of a drop trailer action. The method may output an actionable plan of loads stored, for example, on a computer-readable medium. |
| US07672854B2 |
Data storage management driven by business objectives
Storage organization of data according to business objectives is provided to manage data storage consumption among data storage consumers. Data is not managed at the file level, but organized, coordinated and enforced at a global level based on business logic. The business objectives typically include customer information, priority information, marketing information, manufacturing information, recorded contract and documentary information or information regarding the revenue generation or potential of data. The logical representation enforces data storage consumers to work according to the definitions in the logical representation. The data storage consumers will have the opportunity to define storage parameters for each of the data defined in the logical representation. The placement and determination of where the data should be stored is accomplished according to these defined storage parameters. Data organization based on business logic provides a higher degree of intelligence to the organization of data storage compared to prior art solutions. |
| US07672846B2 |
Speech recognition system finding self-repair utterance in misrecognized speech without using recognized words
A voice recognition system and a voice processing system in which a self-repair utterance can be inputted and recognized accurately, as in a conversation in which a human user makes a self-repair utterance. A signal processing unit converts speech voice data into a feature, a voice section detecting unit detects voice sections in the speech voice data, and a priority determining unit selects a voice section that includes a self-repair utterance from among the voice sections according to a priority criterion without using any result of recognizing a speech vocabulary sequence. Priority criteria can include a length of the voice section, signal to noise ratio, chronological order of the voice section as well as speech speed. A decoder calculates a matching score with a recognition vocabulary using the feature of the voice section and an acoustic model. |
| US07672842B2 |
Method and system for FFT-based companding for automatic speech recognition
A method and system processes a speech signal. A fast Fourier transform is performed on a speech signal to produce a speech signal having a plurality of frequency bands in a frequency domain. For each frequency bands, filter the speech signal in the frequency domain with a spatial broadband filter, compress the broadband filtered speech signal, filter the compressed speech signal with a spatial narrowband filter; and, expand the narrowband filtered signal to an expanded signal |
| US07672840B2 |
Voice speed control apparatus
A voice speed control apparatus comprising: an utterance/non-utterance judging unit judging whether a processing target segment in inputted a voice signal is an utterance segment or a non-utterance segment; a non-utterance continuation length acquiring unit acquiring a non-utterance continuation length representing a length of the voice signal judged continuously to be the non-utterance; a determining unit determining a reproducing speed of the processing target segment in the voice signal in accordance with the non-utterance continuation length so that the reproducing speed gets higher as the non-utterance continuation length gets larger and so that an increase in reproducing speed is restrained to a greater degree as the non-utterance continuation length becomes smaller; and a changing unit changing the reproducing speed of the voice signal, corresponding to the reproducing speed. |
| US07672838B1 |
Systems and methods for speech recognition using frequency domain linear prediction polynomials to form temporal and spectral envelopes from frequency domain representations of signals
In accordance with the present invention, computer implemented methods and systems are provided for representing and modeling the temporal structure of audio signals. In response to receiving a signal, a time-to-frequency domain transformation on at least a portion of the received signal to generate a frequency domain representation is performed. The time-to-frequency domain transformation converts the signal from a time domain representation to the frequency domain representation. A frequency domain linear prediction (FDLP) is performed on the frequency domain representation to estimate a temporal envelope of the frequency domain representation. Based on the temporal envelope, one or more speech features are generated. |
| US07672837B2 |
Method and device for adaptive bandwidth pitch search in coding wideband signals
A pitch search method and device for digitally encoding a wideband signal, in particular but not exclusively a speech signal, in view of transmitting, or storing, and synthesizing this wideband sound signal. The new method and device which achieve efficient modeling of the harmonic structure of the speech spectrum uses several forms of low pass filters applied to a pitch codevector, the one yielding higher prediction gain (i.e. the lowest pitch prediction error) is selected and the associated pitch codebook parameters are forwarded. |
| US07672836B2 |
Method and apparatus for estimating pitch of signal
A pitch estimating method and apparatus in which mixture Gaussian distributions based on candidate pitches having high period estimating values are generated, a mixture Gaussian distribution having a high likelihood is selected and dynamic programming is executed so that the pitch of the speech signal can be accurately estimated. The pitch estimating method comprises computing a normalized autocorrelation function of a windowed signal obtained by multiplying a frame of a speech signal by a window signal and determining candidate pitches from a peak value of the normalized autocorrelation function of the windowed signal, interpolating a period of the determined candidate pitches and a period estimating value representing a length of the period, generating Gaussian distributions for the candidate pitches for each frame for which the interpolated period estimating value is greater than a first threshold value, mixing the Gaussian distributions which are located at a distance less than a second threshold value to generate mixture Gaussian distributions and selecting at least one of the mixture Gaussian distributions that a likelihood exceeding a third threshold value, and executing dynamic programming for the frames to estimate the pitch of each frame, based on the candidate pitches of each of the frames and the selected mixture Gaussian distributions. |
| US07672830B2 |
Apparatus and methods for aligning words in bilingual sentences
Methods are disclosed for performing proper word alignment that satisfy constraints of coverage and transitive closure. Initially, a translation matrix which defines word association measures between source and target words of a corpus of bilingual translations of source and target sentences is computed. Subsequently, in a first method, the association measures in the translation matrix are factorized and orthogonalized to produce cepts for the source and target words, which resulting matrix factors may then be, optionally, multiplied to produce an alignment matrix. In a second method, the association measures in the translation matrix are thresholded, and then closed by transitivity, to produce an alignment matrix, which may then be, optionally, factorized to produce cepts. The resulting cepts or alignment matrices may then be used by any number of natural language applications for identifying words that are properly aligned. |
| US07672829B2 |
Pivot translation method and system
A method and system for translating text from a source language into a target language is described. A source word table and a source structure analysis table corresponding to the source language can be generated based on the text to be translated. A target word table and a target structure analysis table corresponding to the target language can be generated based on the source word table and the source structure analysis table. A translation of the text from the source language into the target language is then generated using the target word table and the target structure analysis table. |
| US07672828B2 |
Memory access to virtual target device
A software development technique is provided using target system virtualization software simulating behaviour of a target system. A target device driver running on a host system issues memory access commands to the target system virtualization software rather than to a memory interface unit of the host system. The memory interface unit may be an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) interface. The target system may be an EGPRS (Enhanced General Packet Radio Service) modem. |
| US07672827B1 |
Method and system for simulation of analog/digital interfaces with analog tri-state ioputs
A system and method for simulating the electrical operation of a mixed analog/digital system includes the capability for analog circuit block inputs to respond to the condition in which digital gate outputs connected to the analog circuit block input are presented in high-impedance or floating signal states, thereby providing for simulation of a wide variety of mixed analog/digital designs in which this condition occurs. In a simulated design, an analog input of one or more analog circuit blocks is transformed into an analog tri-statable input-output referred to as an ioput. The ioput is capable of driving an analog signal when the digital gate outputs connected to the analog block input are presented in a high-impedance Z state; otherwise, the ioput acts as an analog input to the analog circuit block. |
| US07672826B2 |
Methods of modeling physical properties of chemical mixtures and articles of use
Included are methods for modeling at least one physical property of a mixture of at least two chemical species. One or more chemical species of the mixture are approximated or represented by at least one conceptual segment. The conceptual segments are then used to compute at least one physical property of the mixture. An analysis of the computed physical properties forms a model of at least one physical property of the mixture. Also included are computer program products and computer systems for implementing the modeling methods. |
| US07672821B2 |
Computer readable medium having a program using particle method
Finite element methods are unsuitable for a dispersed system. Particle methods suitable for a dispersed system are limited in their particle shapes of only spheres that require many particles to model a complicated shape especially in 3D. Proposed procedures for a particle method are roughly as follows. 1): Judging the existence of the contact between particles as that between mathematically-smooth closed surfaces representing particle shape and size. 2): Assuming an imaginary contact point and an imaginary contact plane the same as when both closed surfaces are reduced with the same scale to touch at one point. 3): Calculating imaginary contact area and imaginary contact stiffness using the above point and plane. Based on these procedures, particle shapes are not limited but smooth. Therefore, a more complicated shaped problem in a dispersed system can be analyzed with a smaller number of particles. Additionally, combined use with finite elements enlarges usability. |
| US07672815B2 |
Method and apparatus for evaluating a proposed solution to a constraint problem
A method of evaluating constraint functions, the evaluation being based at least in part on a control blade movement criteria. |
| US07672814B1 |
System and method for baseline threshold monitoring
The present invention provides a system for identifying exceptional behavior of a hardware or software component. According to one embodiment, the system comprises an operational metric calculator that is operative to sample a first behavior of an operational metric and a second behavior of the operational metric. The operational metric may be any metric that quantifies the operation of a hardware or software component, as well as combinations thereof. A baseline threshold calculator is operative to calculate a baseline threshold on the basis of the first sampled behavior of the operational metric. The baseline threshold is applied by a baseline threshold analyzer to the second operational metric to generate an alarm when the second sampled behavior of the operational metric deviates from the baseline threshold. |
| US07672811B2 |
System and method for production system performance prediction
Disclosed herein are a system, method and apparatus for reporting, making alerts and predicting fault codes generated by machines in a line. Historical fault code data is received and filtered according to particular criteria to generate filtered fault code data. Classification of the filtered fault code data into physical groups and into logical groups is followed by sorting the groups to produce fault trend data. Processing the fault trend data with a plurality of analyzers generates output including reports, alerts, and predictions of future fault code occurrences. |
| US07672807B2 |
Ultrasonic color imaging characterizing ultra-fine structures and continuously distributed physical conditions
This invention discloses methods and apparatus for ultrasonic color imaging that characterizes ultra-fine structures and distributional physical conditions within the target under inspection. The disclosed complementarily incorporates information arising from a plurality of repeated sound trips forced by repeated reflections of exterior and interior interfaces of target, and expresses the information into an image segment representing the main path that ultrasonic signals traveled within the target. The image produced is substantially more discriminative, descriptive, and position-sensitive to both acoustic interfaces and distributional acoustic characteristics of the target. The invention is especially useful for thin sheet targets most vulnerable to both non-continuous and continuous interior defects. The continuous interior conditions and effects of ultra-thin layered structures, that traditional ultrasonic inspection has been unable to express, are effectively expressed by linking their effects of deforming the waveform of passing ultrasonic signals to color image details. |
| US07672802B2 |
Apparatus and method for calibrating earphones for audiometric testing
A system and method for performing audiometric testing utilizes an independently normalized audiometer and independently calibrated earphones. |
| US07672797B2 |
Flow measurement in partially filled pipes using pulsed peak velocity doppler
The present invention relates to a system and method for measurement of flow velocity using the transmission of a sequence of coherent pulsed ultrasonic signals into the flow, and sampling the received response signal at a predetermined delay time relative to the pulse transmission that does not correspond to the signal transmission time. The sampling may be coherent with a frequency offset from the coherency frequency of the pulses. The received signal samples are then spectrally processed, typically by a Fourier process, to generate a frequency domain data set. A threshold technique is used on the frequency domain data set to determine a peak Doppler shift. Average velocity is then obtained by multiplying the peak Doppler shift by a factor, for example, 0.90. In one embodiment, the transmit pulse and receive samples are interleaved by alternating between transmitting a pulse and, after a delay, sampling the received signal. |
| US07672792B1 |
Methods and systems for classifying mass spectra
Methods and systems are disclosed for classifying mass spectra to discriminate the absence or existence of a condition. The mass spectra may include raw mass spectrum intensity signals or may include intensity signals that have been preprocessed. The method and systems include determining a first or higher order derivative of the signals of the mass spectra, or any linear combination of the signal and a derivative of the signal, to form a mass spectra data set for training a classifier. The mass spectra data set may be provided as input to train a classifier, such as a linear discrimination classifier. The classifier trained with the derivative-based mass spectra data set then classifies mass spectra samples to improve discriminating between the absence or existence of a condition. |
| US07672790B2 |
System and method for stochastic DT-MRI connectivity mapping on the GPU
A graphics processing unit implemented method for fiber tract mapping from diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging data includes providing a diffusion tensor magnetic resonance brain image volume, initializing a set of fiber positions in a 3D set of points, fiber displacements, and a posterior distribution for an updated fiber displacement in terms of the initial displacements and diffusion tensors, randomly sampling a set of updated fiber displacements from said posterior distribution, computing a new set of fiber positions from said initial fiber positions and said updated fiber displacements, wherein a fiber path comprises a set of fiber points connected by successive fiber displacements, accumulating connectivity values in each point of said 3D set of points by additive alpha-blending a scaled value if a fiber path has passed through a point and adding zero if not, and rendering said connectivity values. |
| US07672789B2 |
Least-Square Deconvolution (LSD): a method to resolve DNA mixtures
Least Square Deconvolution (LSD) uses quantitative allele peak area derived from a sample containing the DNA of more than one contributor to resolve the best-fit genotype profile of each contributor. The resolution is based on finding the least square fit of the mass ratio coefficients at each locus to come closest to the quantitative allele peak data. Consistent top-ranked mass ratio combinations from each locus can be pooled to form at least one composite DNA profile at a subset of the available loci. The top-ranked DNA profiles can be used to check against the profile of a suspect or be used to search for a matching profile in a DNA database. |
| US07672786B2 |
Non-equilibrium capillary electrophoresis of equilibrium mixtures (NECEEM)—based methods for drug and diagnostic development
The invention discloses a Non-Equilibrium Capillary Electrophoresis of Equilibrium Mixtures (NECEEM) method and NECEEM-based practical applications. The NECEEM method is a homogeneous technique, which, in contrast to heterogeneous methods, does not require affixing molecules to a solid substrate. The method of the invention facilitates 3 practical applications. In the first application, the method allows the finding of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of complex formation. It advantageously allows for revealing two parameters, the equilibrium dissociation constant, Kd, and the monomolecular rate constant of complex decay, koff, in a single experiment. In the second practical application, the method of this invention provides an approach for quantitative affinity analysis of target molecules. It advantageously allows for the use of affinity probes with relatively high values of koff. In the third practical application, the method of this invention presents a new and powerful approach to select target-binding molecules (ligands) from complex mixtures. Unique capabilities of the method in its third application include but not limited to: (a) the selection of ligands with pre-determined ranges of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of target-ligand interactions, (b) the selection of ligands present in minute amounts in complex mixtures of biological or synthetic compounds such as combinatorial libraries of oligonucleotides, and (c) the selection of ligands for targets available in very low amounts. In particular, the method of this invention provides a novel approach for the selection of oligonucleotide aptamers. The NECEEM-based method can be used for discovery and characterization of drug candidates and the development of new diagnostic methods. |
| US07672785B2 |
Method and system for evaluating and displaying depth data
A method and apparatus for displaying depth of positional data with tubing analysis data obtained by instruments analyzing tubing sections being withdrawn from a well includes an apparatus for communicably linking an encoder or other positional or depth sensors to the tubing analysis data processor. In addition, sensors capable of detected collars holding pieces of tubing section together can transmit signals to the analysis data processor that a collar has been detected and insert collar location information into the analysis data. Furthermore, information based on the length of the individual pieces of tubing or the data from the encoder or other positional sensor can be analyzed or associated with the analysis data and displayed with the analysis data by overlaying a depth component on a display of the analysis data. |
| US07672784B2 |
Using statistics of a fitting function for data-driven dispersion slowness processing
Dispersive array acoustic data are acquired. A histogram is determined from the semblance-frequency coherence of the data. The low frequency limit of the data is estimated by matching the statistics of the histogram to the statistics of a modeling function. |
| US07672769B2 |
Device for longitudinal guidance of a motor vehicle by intervention in the brake system
A device for longitudinal guidance of a motor vehicle, including a driver assistance system which outputs a brake request signal to a brake control unit. The driver assistance system is designed to output a brake request signal in the form of a distance signal which specifies the distance to be traveled by the vehicle within which the vehicle is to reach a predefinable target velocity. The brake control unit has a conversion unit for converting the distance signal into a brake operation signal. |
| US07672767B2 |
Method and device for controlling an occupant protection device in a vehicle
A method for triggering an occupant protection device in a vehicle including the steps: detecting a first measured variable and simultaneously generating a corresponding first signal for indicating a necessity for triggering at least one occupant protection device; detecting an acceleration value in the z direction and simultaneously generating a corresponding second signal; calculating a trigger signal for triggering at least one occupant protection device as a function of the first and second signals, and triggering the at least one occupant protection device as a function of the calculated trigger signal. An appropriate device is also described. |
| US07672765B2 |
Enhanced roll stability indicator for vehicle rollover control
A system and method for providing a vehicle roll stability indicator that dynamically estimates the probability for vehicle rollover. The system determines vehicle kinematics from various vehicle sensors. From these kinematic values, the system estimates a roll angle of the vehicle and a bank angle of the vehicle. The estimated bank angle is used to correct the roll angle. The system determines a roll energy of the vehicle and a roll energy rate of the vehicle from the corrected roll angle. The system also calculates a tire lateral load transfer of the relative forces on the vehicle tires, and the duration that any of the tires have been off of the ground. From the roll energy, the roll energy rate, the tire lateral load transfer and the wheel airborne duration, the system calculates the roll stability indicator. |
| US07672762B2 |
Hybrid vehicle and control method thereof
In an OFF condition of an ECO switch, a stop decision reference value Wstop is set to a value W1 (step S420). In an ON condition of the ECO switch, the stop decision reference value Wstop is set to a value W2 (step S430). When an output limit Wout of a battery set according to a battery temperature and a state of charge of the battery is not less than the set stop decision reference value Wstop, the engine is permitted to stop (step S450). When the output limit Wout is less than the set stop decision reference value Wstop, the engine is prohibited from stopping (step S460). The value W1 is specified as a value of electric power required for a smooth restart of the engine after its stop during a drive of the vehicle. The value W2 is specified to be close to a value of minimum electric power required for a restart of the engine after its stop during a drive of the vehicle and is set to be smaller than the value W1. |
| US07672758B2 |
Method and a device for assisting the piloting of a rotary wing aircraft in the vicinity of a landing or takeoff point
The invention relates to a method for assisting the piloting of an aircraft in the vicinity of a landing or takeoff point, by: determining the locus of entry and/or exit points for a given approach and/or departure altitude that are not safe for reaching the landing and/or takeoff point; and presenting a diagram including said locus on a display device. |
| US07672753B1 |
Optimized library device management
Various embodiments of a system and method for optimizing storage library operations. In one embodiment a method may comprise storing a plurality of efficiency values indicative of relative efficiencies of storage targets in a storage library, and executing a storage library operation based on the plurality of efficiency values. Efficiency values may include, for example, information on a physical layout of the storage library. In one embodiment storage targets may include at least the following classes: a slot class, a portal class, a drive class, a picker class, and a media class. In one embodiment, executing a storage library operation based on the plurality of efficiency values may comprise selecting one or more storage targets to implement the storage library operation based on the plurality of efficiency values. For example, a drive closest to a given media unit may be selected to read the media unit. |
| US07672752B2 |
Sorting workpieces to be portioned into various end products to optimally meet overall production goals
A method is provided for sorting incoming products (e.g., chicken butterflies) to be portioned into two or more types of end products (e.g., sandwich portions, strips, nuggets, etc.) to meet production goals. The method includes generally four steps. First, information on incoming products is received. Second, for each incoming product, a parameter value (e.g., the weight of an end product to be produced from the incoming product) is calculated for each of the two or more types of end products that may be produced from the incoming product. Third, the calculated parameter values for the incoming products for the two or more types of end products, respectively, are normalized so as to meet the production goals while at the same time achieving optimum parameter values. Fourth, for each incoming product, the end product with the best (e.g., largest) normalized parameter value is selected as the end product to be produced from the incoming product. |
| US07672748B2 |
Automated manufacturing systems and methods
An efficient manufacturing automation system and method is described. The system and method include bays, with each bay having a group of tools. Temporary storage locations are provided. A transport system facilitates movement of materials from the tools. The system and method enable direct transfer of materials from a first tool to a second tool or transfer of materials from a first tool to a temporary storage location when a second tool is unavailable. |
| US07672746B1 |
Systems and methods for automatic scheduling of a workforce
Systems and methods are disclosed for scheduling overtime and time-off for a workforce. In one embodiment, the method comprises: receiving a workforce schedule including assignments of workers to shifts; receiving a template describing alterations to shifts; and applying schedulable objects to the workforce schedule in accordance with a workload forecast and schedule constraints. In one embodiment, the system comprises: a user interface and a scheduler. The user interface allows creation of shift alteration templates and associating templates with workers. The scheduler uses the shift alteration templates to modify an existing schedule of assignments of workers to shifts. |
| US07672745B1 |
Manufacturing process analysis and optimization system
Methods, apparatuses and systems that facilitate the design, production and/or measurement tasks associated with manufacturing and other processes. The present invention, in one implementation, provides methods, apparatuses and systems directed to facilitating the optimization or improvement of manufacturing processes relative to one or more criteria. In some implementations, the present invention facilitates the optimization of manufacturing processes relative to one or more attributes—such as cycle time, cost, and performance—while still optimizing process output relative to design specifications for a given article characteristic. |
| US07672739B2 |
System for multiresolution analysis assisted reinforcement learning approach to run-by-run control
A new multiresolution analysis (wavelet) assisted reinforcement learning (RL) based control strategy that can effectively deal with both multiscale disturbances in processes and the lack of process models. The application of wavelet aided RL based controller represents a paradigm shift in the control of large scale stochastic dynamic systems of which the control problem is a subset. The control strategy is termed a WRL-RbR controller. The WRL-RbR controller is tested on a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) process of wafer fabrication for which process model is available. Results show that the RL controller outperforms EWMA based controllers for low autocorrelation. The new controller also performs quite well for strongly autocorrelated processes for which the EWMA controllers are known to fail. Convergence analysis of the new breed of WRL-RbR controller is presented. Further enhancement of the controller to deal with model free processes and for inputs coming from spatially distributed environments are also addressed. |
| US07672735B2 |
Two-part implantable cardiac lead
Methods of implanting a two-part cardiac lead in a heart are disclosed. The two-part cardiac lead has inner and outer portions and a pin. The inner and outer lead portions are separately advanced to a location of interest within the vasculature of a patient. The pin is attached to a proximal end of the inner lead portion and can provide a connection between the inner and outer lead portions. |
| US07672733B2 |
Methods and apparatus for sensing cardiac activity via neurological stimulation therapy system or medical electrical lead
According to the present invention at least a pair of neurological stimulation electrodes are disposed in, on, about, adjacent and/or within excitable neural tissue of a subject. Cardiac activity of a patient is detected using one or more electrodes adapted for delivery of a neurological stimulation therapy (NST). Following detection of certain types of cardiac activity one or more of the plurality of stimulation electrodes deliver or withhold NST, if desired in synchrony with the cardiac activity or in response to the detected cardiac activity. The NST delivered includes without limitation subcutaneous stimulation, peripheral, TENS and/or vagal nerve stimulation therapy or the like. |
| US07672731B2 |
Implantable device including multiple communication antennas
An implantable device, such as an implantable medical device (IMD) includes at least two radio frequency (RF) antennas and may additionally include an RF communication circuit. The RF antennas are spatially diverse, are disposed adjacent a housing, and are each configured to receive RF signals transmitted to the IMD from a remote RF signal source. The RF communication circuit, if included, is disposed within the housing and is configured to selectively receive the RF signals received by one or more of the spatially diverse RF antennas. |
| US07672729B2 |
Multi-variable feedback control of stimulation for inspiratory facilitation
An exemplary method includes delivering stimulation according to one or more stimulation parameters to cause contraction of the diaphragm, monitoring chest activity related to respiration and, in response to the monitoring, adjusting one or more of the one or more stimulation parameters during contraction of the diaphragm and continuing the delivering. Various other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed. |
| US07672727B2 |
Neural electrode treatment
An apparatus for applying a signal to a nerve for the treatment of a disorder includes a first electrode and a second electrode. Each of the electrodes is adapted to be secured to a nerve of a patient. A signal generator is electrically connected to each of the first and second electrodes. The signal generator is adapted to create a signal having a first waveform at the first electrode and a second waveform at the second electrode. The waveforms have parameters selected to block propagation of neural action potentials. The waveforms have a repeating pattern of cycles of pulses with a delay period between at least selected ones of said pulses. In one embodiment, the first and second waveforms are out of phase for a cycle of one of the waveforms to occur during a delay period of the other of the waveforms. |
| US07672726B2 |
System and method for controlling an implantable medical device subject to magnetic field or radio frequency exposure
A system for controlling an implantable medical device (e.g., a drug delivery device) susceptible to malfunctioning during exposure to a magnetic field and/or Radio Frequency field (e.g., during a magnetic resonance imaging procedure) and a method for operating the same. Exposure of the implantable device to the magnetic field and/or the Radio Frequency field is detected using the sensing device. When the detected magnetic field and/or Radio Frequency field exceeds a corresponding predetermined threshold level, an input signal is generated at the microcontroller. In response to the generated input signal, the microcontroller automatically triggers (i) a safety mode enabling a predetermined safety mode operation that alters some operation, without ceasing all operation, of the implantable medical device and/or (ii) after expiration of a predetermined safety mode time interval when the at least one field being detected falls below its corresponding predetermined threshold level or a predetermined period of time elapses, a self testing mode enabling a predetermined self testing operation to verify proper operation of the implantable medical device. Preferably, both the safety and self testing modes are automatically triggered. |
| US07672723B2 |
Implantable medical device for biventricular stimulation
A heart stimulator for biventricular pacing comprises at least one stimulation pulse generator connected or connectable to a right ventricular or atrial stimulation electrode lead and a left ventricular or atrial electrode lead, respectively. The heart stimulator is adapted to generate right chamber stimulation pulses for a right atrium or ventricle and left chamber stimulation pulses for a left ventricle or atrium. A high rate protection unit connected to said stimulation pulse generator is adapted to trigger, upon any right or left chamber stimulation pulse, a protection time window having a predetermined duration in time and comprising an early part immediately followed by a late part. The protection unit is further adapted to only allow atrial or ventricular stimulation pulses in said early part of said protection time window and to suppress any atrial or ventricular stimulation pulse in said late part. |
| US07672721B2 |
System and method of AV interval selection in an implantable medical device
An implantable medical device provides ventricular pacing capabilities and optimizes AV intervals for multiple purposes. In general, intrinsic conduction is promoted by determining when electromechanical systole (EMS) ends and setting an AV interval accordingly. EMS is determined utilizing various data including QT interval, sensor input, and algorithmic calculations. |
| US07672720B2 |
Resuscitation and life support system, method and apparatus
A method of applying electrotherapy to the heart of a patient includes positioning electrodes in communication with the heart of the patient; monitoring the patient's heart to determine if its fibrillating; and providing a first signal with a current generator to the heart through the electrodes in response to an indication that the heart is fibrillating. The first stimulus signal reduces the amount of fibrillation. |
| US07672717B1 |
Method and system for the denoising of large-amplitude artifacts in electrograms using time-frequency transforms
The present invention relates to a method of signal processing of electrograms for use in medical devices, preferably by time-frequency transforms. The present invention additionally relates to a system for receiving and analyzing such signals. The present invention preferably is a method utilizing the time-frequency transforms, such as wavelet transforms, for the purpose of artifact removal from EGs. These transforms decompose a signal in both time and frequency domains, and therefore, are well suited for non-stationary signal analysis. As a result, dissimilar signal features are well localized both in time and frequency, which potentially provides a good separation between the signal of interest and artifacts. This particularly applies to large-amplitude artifacts corrupting EGs. |
| US07672716B1 |
QT-based system and method for detecting and distinguishing dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure using an implantable medical device
Techniques are provided for detecting dilated cardiomyopathy within a patient using a pacemaker or other implantable medical device. Briefly, values representative of QT duration and QT dispersion are detected within the patient and then the risk of dilated cardiomyopathy is evaluated based on the values of QT duration and QT dispersion. In one particular example, the implanted device calculates an index representative of the extent to which individual QT duration and QT dispersion values deviate from a daily mean. The device then compares the index against a threshold indicative of a substantial likelihood of the presence of dilated cardiomyopathy within the patient. Additional techniques described herein relate to distinguishing dilated cardiomyopathy from heart failure within patients that may have one or both conditions. |
| US07672715B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining excitation-physiologic response delays
An implantable medical device system and associated method are provided for measuring an excitation-physiological response delay. The method includes sensing a first signal responsive to electrical activity in a first cardiac chamber, sensing a second signal responsive to a physiologic response to the electrical activity in the first cardiac chamber; and determining an excitation-physiologic response delay in response to the first signal and the second signal. |
| US07672714B2 |
Miniature wireless apparatus for collecting physiological signals
A miniature wireless apparatus for collecting physiological signals comprises an electrode pair, an amplifier module, a microcontroller, a wireless module, and a battery. The electrode pair collects a pair of physiological signals of a person under test. The amplifier module amplifies the pair of physiological signals. The microcontroller performs an analog-to-digital conversion and a data compression for an amplified physiological signal generated by the amplifier module. The wireless module modulates a digital physiological signal generated by the microcontroller and transmitting the modulated digital physiological signal to a receiver at the far end. The apparatus can be implemented by a structure of multilayered circuit boards. With the progress of semiconductor technology, all the components of the miniature wireless apparatus can be further integrated to one circuit board, or even one chip. |
| US07672710B2 |
Data communication and control for medical imaging systems
A system for producing a contrast-enhanced medical image of a patient includes a source of a contrast or enhancement medium, a pressurizing unit in fluid connection with the source of contrast or enhancement medium, an energy source operable to apply energy to a region of the patient, an imaging unit providing a visual display of an internal view of the patient based upon a signal resulting from the energy applied to the region of the patient, and a control unit. In an embodiment, the signal is affected by a condition of the contrast or enhancement medium in the patient. To control the procedures, the control unit adjusts the condition of the contrast or enhancement medium in the patient based upon the signal. A communication interface preferably enables information between an injector subsystem and an imaging subsystem. |
| US07672702B2 |
Noninvasive in vivo measuring system and noninvasive in vivo measuring method by correcting influence of Hemoglobin
A noninvasive in vivo measuring system and a noninvasive in vivo measuring method are provided. In the noninvasive in vivo measuring system, a Raman-fluorescence measuring unit measures blood sugar concentration, which is measured using Raman spectra before and after applying a pressure on a finger, and outputs a final blood sugar level by correcting the blood sugar concentration measurement according to a Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration measured by an Hb measuring unit. |
| US07672696B2 |
Periodic ranging in a wireless access system for mobile station in sleep mode
A method of performing a ranging process between a base station and a mobile station in sleep mode in a wireless access system, wherein the base station provides the mobile station with an initial notification of a periodic ranging time that occurs during a sleep time interval and during which the mobile station is to perform the ranging process, the initial notification included in a first message, the first message indicating whether the mobile station should terminate sleep mode to receive downlink data, and wherein the base station provides the mobile station with subsequent notifications of periodic ranging times that occur during the sleep time interval, the subsequent notifications indicated in a second message, the second message transmitted to the mobile station as part of the ranging process such that the mobile station performs a plurality of ranging processes within the sleep time interval. |
| US07672693B2 |
Controlling method, secondary unit and radio terminal equipment
Radio terminal equipment of a communication system, the communication system comprising one or more secondary units coupled to the radio terminal equipment, the radio terminal equipment comprising: means for receiving information on audio characteristics optimising an audio signal of the secondary unit, means for converting the audio characteristics information into a form of an audio control algorithm used in the radio terminal equipment for performing a secondary unit audio control algorithm, means for optimising an audio signal of the secondary unit by using the secondary unit audio control algorithm. |
| US07672688B2 |
Radio communication equipment and method used in said equipment
The present invention relates to a radio communication equipment comprising a first antenna 1, a first RF unit 2 for wireless communication, the first RF unit 2 being connectable to said first antenna 1, wherein a first frequency band is used by said first RF unit 2 for reception of a signal via said first antenna 1 and a second frequency band is used by said first RF unit 2 for transmission of a signal via said first antenna 1, said first and second frequency bands being used alternatively by said first RF unit 2 and a second RF unit 3 for wireless communication, the second RF unit 3 being connectable to said first antenna 1, wherein a third frequency band is used by said second RF unit 3 for reception of a signal and a fourth frequency band 3T is used by said second RF unit 3 for transmission of a signal, said third and fourth frequency bands being used simultaneously by said second RF unit 3. According to the present invention the radio communication equipment 0 further comprises a second antenna 4, wherein said second RF unit 3 is simultaneously connectable to both the first antenna 1 and the second antenna 4 and reception of a signal is performed by said second RF unit 3 via either the first or second antenna 1, 4 and transmission of a signal is performed by said second RF unit via the other antenna 1, 4. |
| US07672686B2 |
Method for adjusting a transmitting power in a wireless communications network
Entities of a wireless communication network adjacent to a given sending entity, i.e. entities of the network from which the sending entity is able to receive messages are identified. Among the adjacent entities, a minimum constellation associated with the sending entity is further identified as the smallest set of entities adjacent to the sending entity and included in a circle centered on the sending entity such that at least three of the entities of the set form a convex polygon circumscribing the sending entity. The transmitting power of the sending entity is then adjusted to a value sufficient for the messages sent by the sending entity to reach all the entities of the minimum constellation associated therewith. |
| US07672684B2 |
Answer modes in push-to-talk mobile communication services
A method of operating a push-to-talk service over a mobile wireless communication network, where a user of a mobile wireless terminal may select an automatic or manual answer mode for incoming session invitations for at least some other users. The method comprises including in the push-to-talk session invitation sent from a calling party to a called party, a manual answer mode request, upon receipt of the session invitation at a push-to-talk server serving the called party, forwarding the invitation including the manual answer mode request to the called party regardless of any auto-answer mode setting for the called party, and receiving the invitation at the called party, and generating a ringing alert at the called party's terminal. |
| US07672682B2 |
Managing page cycle periods of access terminals
In a radio access network, techniques for determining how often an aces terminal in communication with the network is to monitor a channel of the network based on trigger information received from the access terminal that is specific to one or more of the following: a state of the terminal, a state of a premium application, and a user of the terminal. The trigger information includes information about one or more of the following: a power mode of the access terminal, a user profile identification, an activation of a premium application on the terminal, and a terminal of a premium application on the terminal. |
| US07672678B2 |
Location-based communication system
A communication system for limiting communication between communication terminals based, at least in part, upon a separation between communication terminals is disclosed. A first communication channel is coupled with a first communication terminal, where the first communication terminal includes a transmitter. A second communication channel coupled with a second communication terminal, where the second communication terminal includes a receiver. A separation determining function finds a distance between the first and second communication terminals. A distance squelch analyzes the distance to prevent use of a message by the receiver. |
| US07672672B2 |
Methods and techniques for penalty-based channel assignments in a cellular network
A cellular network configuration tool is described that performs frequency assignments for use in a cellular network. The channels are assigned in accordance with input configuration data such as a channel separation matrix, geographic data, and requested channel assignments for each sector included in the cellular network being configured. The configuration is performed in accordance with predetermined constraints and criteria and quality of service input. The tool uses frequency assignment techniques to perform the channel assignments in accordance with varying constraints and criteria. A penalty function is used to determine a figure of merit for a particular set of frequency assignments. |
| US07672671B2 |
Method and apparatus for enabling operators with operators with unused bandwidth to acquire users
A first access network [500] has a servicing element [525] for servicing a mobile station 105]. A negotiation element [530] negotiates with a second access network [115] for a right for the second access network [115] to provide wireless service to the mobile station [105]. The negotiation comprises sending an offer of a benefit from the second access network [115] to the first access network [500]. A processor [505] accepts the offer of the benefit from the second access network [115] and transmits a first token [515] to the second access network [115]. |
| US07672667B2 |
Broadcast-centric cellular communication system
A broadcast-centric cellular communication system improves broadcast channel performance by exploiting the benefits of macro-diversity in a cellular communication system having a plurality of base stations that transmit signals within a plurality of associated cells. System-specific control information common to all cells is synchronously and simultaneously broadcast from multiple base stations using a broadcast channel that is identical across the entire system. Cell-specific control information is transmitted individually from each base station. Mobile stations use the broadcast information for initial synchronization to the system, and to obtain most relevant system information. After system synchronization, the mobile stations identify the connected cell through a physical layer characteristic, and perform initial access to the system. |
| US07672664B2 |
Printing a reminder list using mobile device
A system for printing a reminder list on a print medium is disclosed. The system includes a mobile telecommunications device having a printer module to print the reminder list on the print medium and a sensor module to sense a print media identifier of the print medium. |
| US07672663B2 |
Method and apparatus for dynamic session placeholder for message collection user interface
A method and apparatus for representing a conversation of related messages is provided. In a message collection user interface for displaying messages sent and received by a communications device, a dynamic session placeholder is used for a respective conversation of related messages. The message collection user interface is displayed including any dynamic session placeholders in the list of messages. As messages from the conversation are occasioned, the dynamic session placeholder is updated. When the message collection is displayed, it is displayed in accordance with the updated session placeholder. |
| US07672659B2 |
Mixer with feedback
A method and system for increasing the compression point of a receiver by deriving a feedback signal from mixer output signals. The feedback signal prevents the receiver from going into compression on strong out-of-band or blocking signals, while enhancing the receiver gain at the desired frequency. The desired frequency coincides with the local oscillator (LO) signal and is therefore particularly applicable for, but not limited to, homodyne receivers where selectivity can be made quite narrowband. Since the selectivity is coupled to the LO, a tunable receiver may be achieved that enables selectivity over a wide range of input frequencies. |
| US07672656B2 |
Systems and methods to provide wideband magnitude and phase imbalance calibration and compensation in quadrature receivers
Systems and methods for passively calibrating and correcting for I/Q mismatch in a quadrature receiver without the necessity of modifying the analog portion of the receiver by adding calibration signals or correction circuitry are presented. The passive I/Q mismatch calibration system proceeds using normally received incoming transmitted data signals to obtain statistical information on which to base I/Q mismatch compensation factors. The I/Q mismatch compensation factors can be used to adjust the magnitude and phase response in the time domain or the frequency domain, the analog or the digital portion of the receiver. Depending on the embodiment, the passive I/Q mismatch calibration system can calibrate frequency dependent gain or magnitude imbalance, frequency independent magnitude imbalance, frequency dependent phase imbalance, and frequency independent phase imbalance or combinations or these. |
| US07672655B1 |
Frequency-selective and adaptive I/Q mismatch digital compensation
A phase mismatch compensation system includes a first summer that has a first input that communicates with a first phase of a received signal and an output. A second summer has a first input that communicates with a second phase of the received signal and an output, wherein the second phase is offset from the first phase. A first filter selectively filters the output of the first summer. An adaptive control module determines a predicted shift between the first and second phases of the received signal based on an output of the first filter and an actual shift between the first and second phases of the received signal. A correction module communicates with an output of the adaptive control module and the first phase and second phase of the received signal. The correction module outputs a mismatch correction to second inputs of the first and second summers respectively. |
| US07672651B2 |
Tuner circuit
A high frequency signal selected via a pre-filter is inputted to first and second frequency conversion circuits together with a local oscillation signal. The first and second frequency conversion circuits each output a difference frequency component between both input signals. An output signal of the first frequency conversion circuit is inputted to an intermediate frequency filter while an output of the intermediate frequency filter is inputted to an amplifier. An output signal of the first frequency conversion circuit is inputted to an amplifier. The amplifier selects and amplifies any one of an intermediate frequency signal outputted from the intermediate frequency signal and an output signal of the second frequency conversion circuit, and thereafter, output it. |
| US07672650B2 |
Systems and methods of RF power transmission, modulation, and amplification, including multiple input single output (MISO) amplifier embodiments comprising harmonic control circuitry
Methods and systems for vector combining power amplification are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals are individually amplified, then summed to form a desired time-varying complex envelope signal. Phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time-varying complex envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying complex envelope signal is decomposed into a plurality of constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified equally or substantially equally, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal. Embodiments also perform frequency up-conversion. |
| US07672639B2 |
Method and system for routing telemetry in a simplex mode
A satellite based communication system in a low-earth-orbit (LEO) has multiple beams and FDM channels within each beam for voice/data communication between user terminals and multiple gateways. The satellite based communication system has two links for duplex communication, i.e., a forward link between the gateway and the user terminals through the satellites and a return link between the user terminals and the gateway through the satellites. Low volume telemetry data from remotely located assets, such as liquid petroleum gas tanks, water tanks, oil storage tanks, rail cars is gathered, processed, and transferred to a customer over an Internet link. A remote telemetry unit with a sensor and a simplex transmitting unit transmits remote telemetry data. A gateway receives data and directs the data to a gateway applique for demodulating and decoding. Resulting messages are sent to the customer via a back office over an Internet connection. |
| US07672636B2 |
Image reader for image-forming device
An image reader including a main body with a document bed for supporting an original document; and a document cover rotatably supported at one edge with respect to the main body and capable of rotating between a closed position for covering the document bed and an open position for exposing the document bed. The document cover has a main cover body and a document pressing plate formed of a synthetic resin. The pressing plate is supported on the main cover body with vertical clearance (in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the pressing plate) through the engagement of engaging pieces having through-holes. When the document cover is in the closed position, pressing parts press the center part of the pressing plate against the document bed. |
| US07672634B2 |
Addressable fusing for an integrated printing system
A printing system (10) includes at least one marking device (22A, 22B, 22C, 22D). Each of the marking devices is configured for applying images to print media. A primary fusing device (24A, 24B, 24C, 24D) is associated with each of the marking devices for applying a primary fusing treatment to the applied images to form printed media. A portion of the printed media may be only partially fused in the primary fusing treatment. A secondary fusing device (26) receives the printed media from the at least one marking device. The secondary fusing device and/or primary fusing device is addressable. A control system (90) may be operably coupled with the secondary fusing device. The control system evaluates whether the printed media is only partially fused and instructs the secondary fusing device to apply a further fusing treatment to the printed media evaluated as being only partially fused. |
| US07672632B2 |
Fixing apparatus using induction heating system for image forming apparatus
A heat roller of a fixing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention has a slidable metal belt on an outer side of an elastic roller. The width of the metal belt is made larger than that of the elastic roller. Flanges, each of which regulates a sliding movement of the metal belt by being in contact with an edge of the metal belt, are provided on both sides of a press roller opposite the metal belt. |
| US07672628B2 |
Post-fixing support unit and image forming apparatus using the same
A post-fixing support unit which is disposed between a fixing roller including a heating roller having a heat generator and a pressure roller so disposed opposite to the heating roller as to form a nip portion and a plurality of sheet discharge rollers which are disposed on the downstream side relative to the fixing roller and corrugation rollers disposed respectively between the adjacent two sheet discharge rollers, such that the post-fixing support unit is located on the upstream side relative to the corrugation rollers at the same position as at least the corrugation rollers in the width direction. |
| US07672623B2 |
Electrographic distributed replenishment apparatus and method
A developer station and related method for distributed replenishment of toner as well as powder coatings and related materials. The developer station is divided into a first space adjacent or within a second space, the first space located adjacent a toner supply and the second space including a developer sump. The first space includes a toner-conveying device located in the first space, the toner-conveying device having a tapered body with a first end and a second end. A conveyance housing is located adjacent to and disposed such that the toner conveying device conveys the toner toward the developer sump as it travels from the first end of the toner conveying device to the second end of the toner conveying device, the housing having slots or openings so that the toner is deposited in the developer sump along the length of the conveying device. |
| US07672620B2 |
Developer purification station or structure
This is a magnetic developer purification structure that is used along with other stations positioned in the path of an electrostatic moving belt or drum in an electrostatic marking system. This purification structure may be a separate station or may be part of the development station provided it supplies purified developer to the development station prior to developer contacting the latent image on the drum or belt. The purification structure will agitate the developer mix to form a homogenous mixture of toner and carrier. This mixture is magnetically treated to separate less magnetically attracted contaminants from the remainder of the mixture. The contaminants are removed from the mix and substantially pure developer is then available for contact with the latent image. |
| US07672618B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method using liquid development in which toner density is determined based on patch image density
A CPU 113 executes a control program stored in a memory 116 thereby forming a plurality of patch images with a developing bias increased for each of the patch images; detecting a density of each of the patch images by means of a patch sensor 17; and comparing the image densities to determine whether the image density is saturated or not. Then, an image forming condition in which an image density is substantially saturated is determined and is stored in the memory 116. When a print command signal is inputted from an external device via a main controller 100, a printing operation is performed under the image forming condition stored in the memory 116. |
| US07672616B2 |
Toner usage control between differing image regions
A control part provides a first region in which an image is formed on an image carrier using only a dark-color toner. The control part provides a second region, which is adjacent to the first region, in which an image is formed using a dark-color toner and a light-color toner. The control part provides a third region in which an image is formed using only a light-color toner at the boundary of the first and second regions. The control part controls a latent-image forming unit, a light-color developing unit and a dark-color developing unit so as to form an image in which these regions are provided. The control part may provide a third region in which neither a light-color toner nor a dark-color toner is used at the boundary of the first and second regions. |
| US07672612B2 |
Electrophotographic photosensitive member, and image forming apparatus using same
The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photosensitive member including a substantially cylindrical body rotated by rotation power transmitted via an first end portion from in an image forming apparatus and a photosensitive layer including a latent image forming area formed on an outer circumference of the body. The present invention also relates to an image forming apparatus provided with the electrophotographic photosensitive member. In the photosensitive layer, when the body is charged with a constant charging ability in the axial direction, dark electric potential at the latent image forming area gradually becomes larger as proceeding in the axial direction of the body, from the first end portion to a second end portion opposite to the first end portion. |
| US07672610B2 |
Systems and methods for remanufacturing imaging components
Techniques for attaching a replacement chip to an imaging cartridge are described. An exemplary method of modifying a toner hopper assembly for use in a toner cartridge consists of providing the toner hopper assembly having a generally cylindrical shape and an at least partially non-functioning electronic chip with electrical contacts disposed in an endplate section of the generally cylindrical shape. The method further modifies the toner hopper assembly by affixing a replacement chip to the toner hopper assembly to form a modified toner hopper assembly. The replacement chip includes replacement electrical contacts which allow the replacement chip to communicate with a printer when the modified toner cartridge is installed in the printer. |
| US07672609B2 |
Toner container and toner supply device unit using the same
A toner bottle that is composed of a main body filled with toner and a bottle-side toner discharges port for discharging toner from the main body is adapted to discharge the toner in the main body out of the container whilst the toner bottle is being rotated in the toner bottle's peripheral direction. The toner bottle has a sealing element that seals the bottle-side toner discharge port. This sealing element is formed of a flexible member, and is peeled off the main body of the toner bottle as the toner bottle is rotated so as to open the bottle-side toner discharge port. |
| US07672606B2 |
Method for transfer voltage adjustment and image forming apparatus using the same
A method for transfer voltage adjustment for use in an image forming apparatus includes forming first and second halftone reference patterns, transferring the halftone reference patterns to a transfer element at respective first and second saturated transfer voltages, calculating first and second amounts of adhering toner on the transfer element, and setting up a saturated transfer voltage based on the first and second transfer voltages, the amounts of adhering toner, and a saturated amount of adhering toner obtained from stored data. |
| US07672604B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method using electrostatic transport and hopping
An image forming apparatus having a developing apparatus using a development system in which toner is moved by means of a traveling wave electric field. The image forming apparatus comprises a plurality of developing apparatuses having toner conveyance members which convey toner by means of a phase-shift electric field created by voltages of n phases applied to a plurality of electrodes, to a region opposing an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed; and a voltage application device which applies a voltage having an average potential value between the potential of the image portions of the latent image on the image carrier and the non-image portions of same, to the electrodes of the toner conveyance members of the respective developing apparatuses. |
| US07672601B2 |
Image forming apparatus and output setting method of consumed status of consumable items of the image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus which uses a consumable item is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a consumed status detecting unit which detects a value of the consumed status of the consumable item, a determining unit which determines whether to output an exchange message of the consumable item by comparing the value of the consumed status of the consumable item detected by the consumed status detecting unit with a predetermined value, an exchange message output setting unit which sets presence or non-presence of an output of the exchange message, and a consumed status output setting unit which sets presence or non-presence of an output of the consumed status of the consumable item detected by the consumed status detecting unit. |
| US07672599B2 |
Intra-channel nonlinearity compensation for optical data communications
An arrangement is described for compensating intra-channel nonlinearities in an optical communications system which combines optical dispersion compensation with electronic pre-distortion (EPD). EPD with moderate lookup table size can effectively suppress intra-channel nonlinearities over optical transmission links incorporating optical dispersion compensation. The arrangement can be implemented for a variety of optical communications systems, including 10 Gb/s, 40 Gb/s and higher bit rate systems as well as single-channel and wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) systems. |
| US07672597B2 |
Optical transmitter with external modulator, optical transceiver including optical transmitter with external modulator, and methods of driving the same
An optical transmitter with an external modulator includes a light-emitting unit emitting a continuous wave light, a modulation unit modulating the continuous wave light in accordance with an electric signal, a first terminal applying a first positive voltage to a cathode of the light-emitting unit and a cathode of the modulation unit, a second terminal applying a second positive voltage of a constant value to an anode of the light-emitting unit, and a third terminal applying a third positive voltage with the electric signal to an anode of the modulation unit. The second positive voltage is set to a value higher than the first positive voltage, and the third positive voltage is set to a value lower than the first positive voltage. |
| US07672593B2 |
OTDM transmission method and apparatus
An OTDM transmitting method and transmitter realizing an OTDM distortion-free transmission substantially not relying upon dispersion. A time division multiplexed OTDM signal from an OTDM signal transmitter (1) enters an optical Fourier transform unit (2). Optical Fourier transform can be carried out most accurately so long as the optical pulse is a chirp-free Fourier transform limit pulse. The optical Fourier transform unit (2) converts the time waveform of the pulse into a signal on the frequency axis, and an optical inverse Fourier transform unit (2′) converts a spectral shape on the frequency axis into a time waveform (pulse). An optical fiber transmission line (3) is a transmission line having an arbitrary dispersion and a polarization mode dispersion. These dispersions may involve a time variation. An OTDM signal receiver (4) demultiplexes a transmission signal into low-speed optical signals, in a light region, receives optical pulses for respective channels and converts them into electric signals. |
| US07672592B2 |
Optical transmitter system
An optical transmitter system supplies a plurality of different wavelength optical radiation components to a transmission element which, in operation, is connected to the transmitter system for conveying the different wavelength radiation components to a respective receiver. The supply of the wavelength components is interrupted, preferably in response to a loss of the wavelength components at the respective receiver. A timer provides respective restart times which differ one to another for the wavelength radiation components. The supply of the wavelength components is restarted, following an interruption, at the respective restart times provided by the timer. |
| US07672591B2 |
System and method for a subscriber-powered network element
A system for powering a network element of a fiber optic communication network. When communication data is transferred between a central office (CO) and a subscriber gateway using a network element to convert optical to electrical (O-E) and electrical to optical (E-O) signals between a fiber from the central office and copper wires or coax cable from the subscriber gateway, techniques related to local powering of a network element or drop site by a subscriber or customer remote device or gateway are provided. Certain advantages and/or benefits are achieved using the present invention, such as freedom from any requirement for additional meter installations or meter connection charges. Additionally the system is free of monthly meter charges and does not require a separate power network. |
| US07672588B2 |
Ring optical transmission network access node
A ring optical transmission network access node (ANi) comprises: two identical band splitters (BSa, BSb), each provided with homologous first, second and third ports (Ba, BWa, BPa; Bb, BWb, BPb), a first coupler (CW) coupling the second port (BWb) of the second splitter (BSb), on the one hand, to the second port (BWa) of the first splitter (BSa) via a first channel and, on the other hand, to an access point (A2) via a second channel, a second coupler (CP) coupling the third port (BPa) of the first splitter (BSa), on the one hand, to the third port (BPb) of the second band splitter (BSb) via a first channel and, on the other hand, to another access point (A1) via a second channel. Such nodes enable the implementation of a passive ring network comprising only one fiber and in which the coupling ratios of the couplers (CW, CP) are optimized for two opposite traffic propagation directions.Application in particular to optical fiber metropolitan access networks, with broken fiber protection device. |
| US07672583B2 |
Camera including a slip-proof section
A camera includes a base section, and a grip section which is provided in at least one lateral end of the camera, bending to a rear side of the camera. The grip section is disposed with a slip-proof section adjacent to a zoom key which is longitudinally arranged. Additionally, a slip-proof section to prevent finger slipping is positioned on a back surface of the grip section. |
| US07672582B2 |
Portable electronic device with attachable camera module
A portable electronic device is described that includes a main body 1, an attachable camera module 2 and a connecting mechanism 12. The attachable camera module 2 comprises a sleeve barrel 20, a lens module 22, a focusing mechanism 24, an image sensor module 26, and a signal linker 212 that transfers image signal from the image sensor module 26 to the main body 1. The connecting mechanism 12 connects to the main body 1 and the attachable camera module 2; the connecting mechanism 12 is installed on one side of the main body 1 to support the attachable camera module 2. |
| US07672580B2 |
Imaging apparatus and method for controlling display device
An imaging apparatus automatically detects an object and displays information on a display device based on a comparison between detected data and memorized (stored) data. The imaging apparatus includes a detecting circuit and a memorizing circuit. The detecting circuit detects the object based on the image data produced from an output of an imaging element and calculates a feature value representing a feature of the detected object. The memorizing circuit memorizes the feature value calculated by the detecting circuit. A feature value calculated by the detecting circuit based on the image data displayed on the display device is compared with the feature value memorized in the memorizing circuit. The display device displays information relating to the comparison result. |
| US07672578B2 |
Image capturing apparatus
An image capturing apparatus includes a calculation unit which converts shaking detected by a sensor unit into a shaking cancel amount, a correction/driving unit which drives a correction unit using the shaking cancel amount in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis, and corrects blurring of an image formed on an image capturing unit, a zoom position detection unit which detects the current zoom position of a zoom lens, and a center point change unit which changes a center point serving as a movable center of the correction unit in accordance with the zoom position set at either end of the zoom range, or an arbitrary position therebetween. This enables a position of a correction unit to be set which allows optimal image visibility and image blurring correction irrespective of the zoom state. |
| US07672577B2 |
Lock mechanism for stage apparatus
A lock mechanism for a stage apparatus, includes a movable stage provided on a stationary member which is movable in a reference plane; a pair of engaging members which are provided on the movable stage; a pair of lock members which are positioned between the engaging members and are movable so as to move toward and away from corresponding the engaging members; a lock driving device which moves the lock members to an engaged position wherein the lock members mutually move away from each other and engage with the corresponding engaging members; and an unlock driving device which moves the lock members to a disengaged position wherein the lock members mutually move toward each other so as to disengage with the corresponding engaging members. |
| US07672574B2 |
Data broadcast playback control device, data broadcast playback control method data broadcast playback control program, and recording medium recording program thereon
During reception of data broadcast, the control information is created by a control information creator for storage into a first storage. During normal reproduction of the data content stored in the first storage, the data content of the data broadcast being reproduced and the control information are stored in a second storage. During special reproduction of the data content stored in the first storage or after the special reproduction is stopped, the control information stored in the second storage is compared with the control information read out from the first storage during the special reproduction or after the special reproduction is stopped. When the control information stored in the second storage and the control information read out from the first storage coincide with each other, the data broadcast continues to be reproduced using the data content stored in the second storage. |
| US07672571B2 |
Reproduction apparatus for selectively switching between first information and second information
In a reproduction apparatus (100A), an information signal generation unit (Pa) generates a first information signal (Sav) from a recording medium (11). An information signal input unit (1, 8a) inputs a second information signal (Stv) which is provided from an external information source via a requested channel. When switching between the information signals, a control unit (8a) stores the current state of reproduction, so that reproduction will be restarted from the stored state when switching back to the original information signal. |
| US07672570B2 |
Reproducing apparatus, program and reproducing method
An Interactive Graphics Decoder 13 decodes a graphics stream, and overlays a Page including a plurality of Buttons on a moving picture. The Interactive Graphics Decoder 13 then executes a command corresponding to one of the plurality of Buttons on the Page, to thereby perform (1) a control of switching the Page to another Page and (2) a control of specifying a Button to be set in a selected state on the other Page. A judgment is made as to whether a button number of the specified Button is invalid. If the button number is invalid, an alternative value is written in a status register. |
| US07672569B2 |
Moving picture recording and sending device having zoom processing capability
To mix video signals of plural channels in time division and record these video signals onto a recording medium, as well as to select and transmit the video signal of a specific channel to a terminal device at a remote location, there is a video signal switching unit for mixing the video signals of the plural channels in time division; a first video signal compressing unit for compressing the mixed video signals from the video signal switching unit; a unit for recording the video signal compressed by the first video signal compressing unit into the recording medium; second video signal compressing units for selecting a channel from the mixed video signals and compressing the video signals with a compressibility higher than that of the first video signal compressing unit; and a unit for transmitting the video signal compressed by the second video signal compressing unit to a remote location. |
| US07672567B2 |
Recording medium having data structure for managing reproduction of multiple reproduction path video data for at least a segment of a title recorded thereon and recording and reproducing methods and apparatuses
The recording medium includes a path management area storing path management information. The path management information identifies clips of video data associated with each reproduction path of at least a segment of a title. |
| US07672565B2 |
Recording control apparatus and recording control method
If it is detected that moving image data stored in a buffer increases in size beyond a first size and then reaches a second size, a portion of the moving image data from a head thereof stored in the buffer, corresponding to the first size, is retrieved and output as a moving image object. If it is detected that the final moving image data belonging to a chapter is stored in the buffer, the whole moving image data stored in the buffer is retrieved and output as a moving image object. Even immediately after the moving image data corresponding to the first size is retrieved from the buffer, the moving image object of the second size for seamless connection between chapters is acquired. |
| US07672564B2 |
Information processing apparatus for automatically recording video data from a first recording medium in a first format to a second recording medium in a second format
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a program for executing a sequence of processing operations including the recording of video data recorded to a first recording medium in a first format to a second recording medium in a second format without user's manual intervention. If the information processing apparatus determines that the recording time of a frame just reproduced by a predetermined reproduction device is earlier than the recording time of a frame reproduced by said reproduction device immediately before the above-mentioned frame (step S89) or an unrecorded area has been reproduced by the reproduction device for more than a predetermined period of time (step S90), the information processing apparatus stops the acquisition of the data recorded to a digital video tape reproduced by the reproduction device (step S92), thereby stopping the reproduction of the digital video tape (step S93). The present invention is applicable to information processing apparatus for recording data from digital cassette video tape to DVD, for example. |
| US07672563B2 |
Fiber service blocker
A device and method of blocking customer access to a fiber optic distribution cable. A service blocker is positioned between a fiber distribution cable and a customer drop cable within a fiber optic adapter. The service blocker includes a unitary body which does not permit optical transmission between the fiber distribution cable and the customer drop cable. The service blocker includes a first end configured to be inserted within the fiber optic adapter and a second end configured receive a fiber optic cable connector. A system for mounting fiber optic cables including a service blocker positioned within a bulkhead mounted adapter between two fiber optic cables. |
| US07672559B2 |
Optical waveguide device and fabricating method thereof
Optical waveguide device has waveguide strip-shaped in the depth direction of the drawing and protruding from peripheral portion. A core (not illustrated) is disposed inside waveguide. Wall to be cut is integrated with waveguide to form one core layer. No unevenness occurs in a cutting line of wall indicated with broken line. Accordingly, high-precision cutting is enabled by cutting wall along the cutting line. |
| US07672555B2 |
Cable with a coating layer made from a waste material
A cable including at least one core having at least one transmissive element and at least one coating layer made from a coating material, wherein the coating material has at least a first polyethylene having a density not higher than 0.940 g/cm3, preferably not lower than 0.910 g/cm3, more preferably 0.915 g/cm3 to 0.938 g/cm3, and a Melt Flow Index (MFI), measured at 190° C. with a load of 2.16 Kg according to ASTM D1238-00 standard, of 0.05 g/10′ to 2 g/10′, preferably 0.1 g/10′ to 1 g/10′; the first polyethylene being obtained from a waste material; at least a second polyethylene having a density higher than 0.940 g/cm3, preferably not higher than 0.970 g/cm3, more preferably 0.942 g/cm3 to 0.965 g/cm3. Preferably, the coating layer is a cable external layer having a protective function. |
| US07672553B2 |
High speed semiconductor optical modulator
The present invention provides an optical waveguide modulator. In one embodiment, the optical waveguide modulator includes a semiconductor planar optical waveguide core and doped semiconductor connecting paths located adjacent opposite sides of the core and capable of applying a voltage across the core. The optical waveguide core and connecting paths form a structure having back-to-back PN semiconductor junctions. In another embodiment, the optical waveguide modulator includes a semiconductor optical waveguide core including a ridge portion wherein the ridge portion has at least one PN semiconductor junction located therein. The optical waveguide modulator also includes one or more doped semiconductor connecting paths located laterally adjacent the ridge portion and capable of applying a voltage to the ridge portion. |
| US07672552B2 |
Achieving gaussian outputs from large-mode-area-higher-order mode fibers
A mode conversion technique to convert higher-order-mode into a nearly fundamental Gaussian shape by using a beam expander is developed and is particularly useful in high-power lasers and amplifiers. By using a beam expander between a transmitted fiber and a conventional mode conversion system, the strict lateral tolerance requirement can be overcome with high conversion efficiency. |
| US07672547B2 |
Printed circuit board including optical waveguide and method of manufacturing the same
A printed circuit board including an optical waveguide and a method of manufacturing the board. In the board, the optical waveguide includes a metal layer extending portion integrally connected to a metal layer constituting a mirror formed in the optical waveguide. Since the method creates the mirror using electroless plating, which is typically used in a process of manufacturing general printed circuit boards, it is suitable for the manufacture of printed circuit boards having a large area, and the mirror has high reflectivity and is efficient in terms of material consumption. |
| US07672545B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for obtaining information regarding sensors in optical paths
Methods and apparatuses for obtaining information, such as location and/or identification information, regarding sensors in optical paths such as optical fibers. One embodiment provides a method for identifying a location of a tag in an optical path. The tag is (1) adapted for producing a response to an optical signal propagating along the optical path; and (2) responsive to a variation of a physical parameter to vary the response to the optical signal. The method comprises causing a variation of the physical parameter and identifying the location of the tag at least in part by observing the response of the tag to the optical signal. The tag may be associated with a sensor such that a location of the sensor may be derived based on the location of the tag. |
| US07672544B2 |
Optical fiber sensor
An optical fiber sensor that can detect a liquid level or detect a property of liquid with high reliability even under a frequently vibrational environment. The optical fiber sensor includes an optical fiber that includes a core having an area where a grating is formed and a clad, the optical fiber being disposed so that at least a part of the area with the grating is immersed in liquid, a light source for making light incident to the optical fiber so that a cladding mode light having a wavelength band is generated by the grating, and a light receiving unit for detecting the intensity of light which is incident from the light source to the optical fiber and transmitted through the grating. |
| US07672542B2 |
Image frame abstraction model for image codecs
A method and architecture for obtaining a desired frame and identifying a selected frame in an image container. A request for a frame of an image is received. The request may include an identifier that identifies a type of frame. In response thereto, a frame is located corresponding to the identifier and a reference to the frame is provided. In another aspect, a request is received to identify a frame of an image. A determination is made as to what identifier identifies the frame. The identified frame is returned to the requesting component. |
| US07672540B2 |
Nonrigid registration of cardiac perfusion MR images using adaptive local template matching
Motion of the heart during contrast enhancement is modeled at two hierarchical levels: global translation and local deformation. Large-scale, i.e., global, translational motion is identified using global template matching, while the local deformation of a portion of the object (e.g., the left ventricle where the object is a heart) is obtained using an adaptive local template matching scheme which adapts to the local edge distributions by varying the height and the width of the template as well as the location of the template followed by spatial regularization. To address the difficulty of rapid intensity changes across the image sequence as the contrast agent perfuse into the tissue, an edge-based similarity measure is used for template matching. |
| US07672539B2 |
Method and apparatus for scaling selected areas of a graphics display
A method (30) and apparatus (10) for scaling selected areas of a graphics display. The method (30) includes removing distortion-sensitive information from the graphics display, scaling or converting the format of the distortion-nonsensitive information, such as from one aspect ratio to another, and then compositing the removed distortion-sensitive information with the scaled distortion-sensitive information. Alternatively, the removed distortion-sensitive is scaled, distortion-free, before combining it with the scaled distortion-nonsensitive information. The apparatus (10) uses a recognition comparator (16) to identify distortion-sensitive information, a graphics remover (18) to remove the distortion-sensitive information, a first scaler (22) to scale the distortion-nonsensitive information, a second scaler to provide distortion-free scaling of the distortion-sensitive information, and a compositer (26) to combine the distortion-sensitive information with the scaled distortion-nonsensitive information. A graphics display can be converted using a conversion process that introduces distortion, yet distortion-sensitive information, such as logos, are not subject to such distortion. |
| US07672536B2 |
Signal processing device, signal processing method, program, and recording medium
A signal processing device, signal processing method, and program and recording medium which provide images and the like closer approximating real world signals. The signal processing device includes a processing region setting unit, a motion vector setting unit, a model generator, a normal equation generator, a weighting change unit, and a real world estimating unit. |
| US07672534B2 |
Image processing device, method, and program
An image processing device, method, and program capable of obtaining processing results which are even more accurate and even more precise as to events in the real world by taking into consideration the real world where data has been acquired. The image processing device may include a computer configured to calculate a product-sum coefficient and a recorder configured to record the product-sum coefficient. The image processing device may also include a data continuity detector, a recorder, and a real world estimating unit. |
| US07672530B2 |
Method and system for identifying illumination flux in an image
In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for determining an illumination boundary in an image. The method comprises the steps of performing dynamic sampling in preselected local areas of the image to determine spectral ratio information for the image at each of the preselected local areas, and utilizing the spectral ratio information to identify an illumination boundary. |
| US07672526B2 |
Signal processing device, signal processing method, program, and recording medium
The present invention relates to a signal processing device and signal processing method, and program and recording medium, whereby images and the like closer approximating real world signals can be obtained. With regard to an input image of dimensions fewer than the dimensions of actual world light signals, wherein actual world light signals have been projected and a part of the continuity of the actual world light signals has been lost, actual world signals are estimated at an actual world signal estimating unit 10003 from the input image within a processing region set at a processing region setting unit 10001, corresponding to continuity set at a continuity setting unit 10002. On the other hand, information relating to at least one of processing region, continuity, and actual world signals, is supplied from a user I/F 10006 to the processing region setting unit 10001, continuity setting unit 10002, or actual world signal estimating unit 10003, according to user operations. The present invention can be applied to, for example, cases of removing movement blurring from an image, for example. |
| US07672523B2 |
Efficient rate allocation for multi-resolution coding of data
Methods, systems, and apparatuses for defining a target bit rate and collections of coefficients of source data, as well as a global coding order of the collections of coefficients. A plurality of coding units and corresponding allowable truncation points for each of said collections of coefficients and a local coding order of said coding units can be defined. A rate value and a distortion value for each of said coding units can be defined along with an adaptive threshold value for each of said coding units. The encoding of the collections of coefficients is performed in turn according to the global coding order. During the encoding, if a predetermined termination criterion is not met for a particular coding unit, the particular coding unit will be included in an output code-stream, and if the termination criterion is met, an encoding of the one of the collection of coefficients will be terminated. |
| US07672520B2 |
Method and device for coding and decoding a sequence of images
The invention relates to a method for coding N+1 images comprising a step of temporal analysis of these images generating a low-frequency image and N high-frequency images. It furthermore comprises the following steps: dividing each of the N+1 low-frequency and high-frequency images into N+1 parts; interleaving the N+1 low-frequency and high-frequency images so as to generate N+1 interleaved images and so that the N+1 parts of the low-frequency image are distributed between the N+1 interleaved images, each of the N+1 interleaved images comprising a single part of the low-frequency image; and coding the N+1 interleaved images independently of one another, each of the interleaved images being coded with one and the same number of bits. |
| US07672516B2 |
Statistical priors for combinatorial optimization: efficient solutions via graph cuts
Methods of statistical learning for Bayesian inference in the context of efficient optimization schemes for image restoration are presented. Second and third order priors that may be learned while maintaining graph representability are identified. A framework to learn and impose prior knowledge on the distribution of pairs and triplets of labels via graph cuts is presented. The disclosed methods optimally restore binary textures from very noisy images with runtimes in the order of seconds while imposing hundreds of statistically learned constraints per node. |
| US07672515B2 |
Opposing edge trapping
Apparatus are provided, which include a color image processor, an edge distinguisher, and an edge trapping mechanism. The color image processor processes color images, including a given color image. The given color image includes plural color separations each having a set of color values for respective image pixels. The edge distinguisher distinguishes some edges of the given color image as opposing edges. An edge is a transition in the color separation of the given color image from a non-white color intensity value, at one side of the edge, to a white intensity value, at the other side of the edge. A given edge is an opposing edge when a transition of the given edge goes, for a separation of the given color image, in one direction from a non-white color value to a white value, and goes, for another separation of the given color image, in the same direction from a white value to a non-white color value. |
| US07672513B2 |
Methods, apparatus, computer program and storage medium for position decoding
A method, in an apparatus for position decoding, operates to extract a sequence of positions from a sequence of images of a position-coding pattern, as recorded by a sensor. The method, which may be embodied as a computer program on a computer-readable storage medium, involves the steps of retrieving at least one reference position (P1, P1′); and extracting the sequence of positions solely by matching information obtained from each of the images with a corresponding pattern reference area (MA), which represents a known subset of the position-coding pattern with a given, direct or indirect, spatial relation to the reference position(s). |
| US07672503B2 |
Direction-recognizing apparatus, direction-recognizing method, direction-recognizing system, and robot apparatus
A direction-recognizing apparatus has a photographing unit, an image database, an image-recognizing unit, and a direction-recognizing unit. The database stores registered images and direction-data items associated with the registered images. The image-recognizing unit receives an input image and compares the input image with the registered images stored in the database. The image-recognizing unit selects one registered image that is identical or similar to the input image. The direction-recognizing unit recognizes a direction from the direction data associated with the registered image selected by the image-recognizing unit. The database may store N direction-data items associated with N surface segments SN of the circumferential surface of a pole. If so, the images registered in the database represent direction-recognition regions ASN that are larger than the N surface segments SN. |
| US07672499B2 |
Method and apparatus for currency discrimination and counting
A U.S. currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of U.S. currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack. According to one embodiment the device comprises an input receptacle positioned to receive a stack of bills to be evaluated and at least one output receptacle positioned to receive bills after evaluation. A transport mechanism transports the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the at least one output receptacle. The device also comprises a denomination discriminating unit adapted to denominate bills of a plurality of U.S. denominations. According to some embodiments, the device is adapted to deliver any bill that has been denominated to one and only one of the at least one output receptacle. According to some embodiments, the device has a single output receptacle. |
| US07672494B2 |
Processing medical image information to detect anatomical abnormalities
A method, system, and related computer program products are provided for processing a medical image of a body part according to a computer-aided detection (CAD) algorithm, the medical image having an image border, the body part comprising imaged tissue appearing inside the image border and outlying tissue not appearing in the medical image, wherein likely anatomical abnormalities in the outlying tissue near the imaged tissue border are detected by the CAD algorithm. In one example, the detected likely abnormalities in the outlying tissue are located within a first distance from the imaged tissue border, wherein the first distance corresponds to a spatial ambit of a neighborhood-based feature computed by the CAD algorithm. |
| US07672491B2 |
Systems and methods providing automated decision support and medical imaging
Systems and methods are provided for processing a medical image to automatically identify the anatomy and view (or pose) from the medical image and automatically assess the diagnostic quality of the medical image. In one aspect a method for automated decision support for medical imaging includes obtaining image data, extracting feature data from the image data, and automatically performing anatomy identification, view identification and/or determining a diagnostic quality of the image data, using the extracted feature data. |
| US07672489B2 |
Method and apparatus for offender supervision using digital encoding of images of skin-covered body parts
Apparatus that includes a communication interface capable of communication with a management entity over a network; a biometric module adapted to acquire an image of a skin-covered body part submitted thereto; an output device; and a processing unit. The processing unit is adapted for releasing a prompting signal via the output device, the prompting signal prompting submission of a skin-covered body part at the biometric module. Furthermore, responsive to acquisition of an image by the biometric module further to releasing the prompting signal, the processing module is adapted for producing a candidate code based on geometric measures of respective combinations of pixels taken from a plurality of subsets of like-shaded pixels in the image. Finally, the processing module is adapted for releasing the candidate code via the communication interface for comparison at the management entity with an expected code, thereby to verify presence of a person associated with the expected code. |
| US07672488B2 |
Personal identification device and method
A personal identification device including: an image pickup unit; a light source which emits the light adapted to be transmitted through a finger and incident on said image pickup unit; an image operating unit which generates a pattern from an image picked up by said image pickup unit and matching the pattern of said image with a pattern registered in advance; a storage which holds said registered pattern; a guide unit which indicates the position where the image of said finger is picked up; and a detection unit which detects a contact between said finger and said guide unit. |
| US07672486B2 |
Method for evaluating the quality of a printed matter, provided by a printing machine
The quality of printed matter, which is one of several copies of the same printed matter produced by a printing machine, is evaluated. An amount of copies of the printed matter is selected from the total production of this printed matter. The selected amount of these copies are evaluated with regard to at least one error type which belongs to an amount of different error types or with regard to at least one feature of the error. Within the selected amount of copies, an error of a defined error type or of a defined feature, which is detected on at least one of the copies, is evaluated in relation to at least one error of another type or feature detected on the same copy, or another copy of the selected amount. The printed matter is classified as having good or bad quality based on that evaluation. A common reading, producing image data, is obtained by an image sensor from the selected copies. All of the errors to be evaluated in relation to each other are detected from image data gathered during the same common recording. |
| US07672484B2 |
Method and apparatus for automatic identification of linear objects in an image
A method and system for processing image data to identify objects in an image. The method and system operate using various resolutions of the image to identify the objects. Information obtained while processing the image at one resolution is employed when processing the image at another resolution. |
| US07672476B2 |
Bandlimited noise for computer graphics
Function spaces defined by scaling functions are used to generate bandlimited noise octaves and other attribute data sets. Scaling functions are basis functions that admit multiresolution analysis and include piecewise constant scaling functions, piecewise polynomial scaling functions, bandlimited scaling functions, Daubeschies scaling functions, as well as other multiresolution analysis scaling basis functions known to those of skill in the art. Scaling basis functions can be locally supported or have infinite support. The properties of the scaling basis functions used to construct bandlimited noise octaves may ensure that any bandlimited noise octave at resolution level N is orthogonal to bandlimited noise octaves and their associated scaling basis functions at all resolution levels less than N. Bandlimited noise octaves can be scaled to any resolution level and guaranteed to have no effect on images at any lower resolution level. |
| US07672472B2 |
Audio transducer
An audio transducer for use in a loudspeaker system. The transducer includes a rigid base, a pair of flexible, curved diaphragms and each diaphragm having a distal end and a proximal end. The curved diaphragms form hemi-cylindrical lobes being substantially tangent to one another at their proximal ends and are attached to energy absorbent dampers at their distal ends. The transducers can be employed in a line array as part of the loudspeaker system as well as some of the transducers facing forward while others rearward and, in doing so, their amplitudes and phases can be adjusted for fine tailoring the geometric coverage of acoustic energy radiating from the loudspeaker system. |
| US07672471B1 |
Light bulb loudspeaker and sound system
A light bulb loudspeaker and sound system where a wireless or wire receiver, amplifier and power supply can be mounted inside of the boundary defined by a light bulb and base where the glass bulb can be used as a sound radiating diaphragm, or alternatively, the bulb can be made to move as a plunger and this act as a sound diaphragm. A transducer can convert audio from the amplifier into sound and thereby excite the glass bulb or cause it to move. A baffle can optionally be provided in the form of a lamp shade or otherwise. Different channels can provide different audio signals to different light bulb loudspeakers in the same physical area, or an electrical signal could be multiplexed. A small base station unit can transmit radio or wire signals containing audio information from an audio source such as a stereo. The filament can optionally be used as a radio receiving antenna. |
| US07672468B2 |
Method for adjusting the transmission characteristic of a hearing aid
In a method for adjusting the transmission characteristic of a hearing aid, the characteristic being defined by hearing aid-specific parameters, a data processing device is used that has a screen and a pointer device. On a graphics user interface of the data processing device, an object displayed in a first area of the screen is selected and copied with the pointer device and the copy is moved into the second area of the screen and stored there, with the transmission characteristic of the hearing aid being able to be changed by the stored object. Settings selected for a hearing aid or a hearing program thus can be transferred quickly and easily to a second hearing aid or a second hearing program. |
| US07672467B2 |
Digital mixer capable of monitoring surround signals
In a digital mixer capable of forming a plurality of externally-input signals into multi-channel surround signals by a mixing bus section, a plurality of output channels are set which correspond to a multi-channel surround channel configuration and are connected to a monitoring speaker system. When the externally-input signals are multi-channel surround signals, the digital mixer permits a selection as to whether the externally-input signals are to be monitored. If the signals are to be monitored, they are patched or converted in such a manner that their surround channel configuration agrees with the surround channel configuration of monitoring output channels, and then the externally-input signals are distributed among the monitoring output channels. Further, the digital mixer permits another selection as to whether the multi-channel surround signals formed by the mixing bus section are to be monitored. If the signals are to be monitored, they are distributed among the monitoring output channels. |
| US07672464B2 |
Locating and correcting undesirable effects in signals that represent time-based media
The invention describes a graphical method for detecting and adjusting audio overload conditions. The graphical user interface provides a user complete playback control of several audio tracks, detection of overload conditions such as audio clipping, and graphical methods to correct the overload conditions. The graphical interface provides drag handles which the user can use to adjust the various characteristics of an audio file. The characteristics, such as amplitude and tempo, may be adjusted as a function of time. |
| US07672459B2 |
Key distribution and caching mechanism to facilitate client handoffs in wireless network systems
Methods, apparatuses, and systems directed to a key distribution and caching mechanism that facilitates roaming in wireless networks. In one implementation, the present invention reduces the latency associated with handoffs by reducing the time required to set up encryption or other secure access mechanisms between access points and clients in the wireless network infrastructure. In one implementation, the present invention operates proactively to distribute authentication credential information to selected components of the wireless network infrastructure before a client roams to another access point. |
| US07672455B2 |
Method and apparatus for data encryption
A method and apparatus for use in encrypting and decrypting digital communications converting an initial block to final block based on freely selectable control information and secret key information having double the length of prior art keys and maintaining compatibility with the prior art encryption system. |
| US07672453B1 |
Data encryption by nonlinear transfer function
A communication system includes an encryptor and a decryptor. For improved encryption security, the encryptor includes a multitap delay line to produce mutually delayed samples of the signal to be encrypted. Each sample is operated on by a key or function to produce modified signal samples, and the modified signal samples are summed or combined to produce the encrypted signal. According to one aspect of the invention, at least one of the keys or functions includes a nonlinear function. In some embodiments, the functions are time-variant for improved security. Decryption is accomplished in some embodiments by an equalizer. The preferred equalizer is the maximum-likelihood-sequence estimators matched to the encryption functions. A Viterbi algorithm makes it easy to implement the matched equalizer. |
| US07672446B2 |
Echo processing method and device
The invention concerns a method and device for processing echo between at least two communication devices in order to attenuate, in a picked-up signal of a communication device comprising at least one microphone, the components of the signal broadcasted by at least one other communication device comprising at least one loudspeaker, characterised in that the echo processing device comprises: means for receiving, by means of a connection with at least one other device, information representing at least one broadcasted signal of at least one other communication device, means for modifying the picked-up signal of the communication device according to information representing the broadcasted signal and information representing the coupling separating a loudspeaker of the said at least one other communication device from the microphone of the communication device. |
| US07672442B2 |
Signal relay device, method thereof, and system using the same
A signal relay device, method thereof, and system using the same. The system utilizes SCTP with multiple transmission addresses to share communication layers above the transmission layer in signal gateway cluster, automatically switching to an available signal gateway for maintaining online status and increasing availability of signal transmission. |
| US07672441B2 |
System and method for efficient call management for directory assistance services
A communication assistance system includes a first database having a plurality of listings, each listings has at least one contact name and a corresponding contact number. A means is provided for receiving communications from a user among a plurality of users desiring to access the listings. An operator terminal displays a search screen among a plurality of search screens, each of which maintain at least a partially different arrangement of content and search windows for receiving search terms to search for listings contained in the first database, where the displayed search screen is determined based on criteria contained in a search request from the user. The operator terminal is further configured to receive the communication from the user and retrieve a listing from the first database using the displayed search screen. |
| US07672440B2 |
Single point of contact personal communication system
A computer/telephony integrated single-point-of-contact system (CISS) enabling a user to contact another using multiple devices with a single contact attempt is disclosed. A plurality of computer programs residing in a computer use a subscriber database, authorization database, priority list database, and device attributes database to determine how to respond to a request to contact a subscriber. If the request is an emergency, the computer repeatedly contacts all of the subscriber's devices until a response is received. Otherwise, the computer contacts the subscriber's devices in a sequential order determined by the subscriber. The computer can also delete redundant un-received messages from a subscriber's devices and create a real-time connection between the requester and the subscriber, if it is technically possible, at the subscriber's request. |
| US07672435B2 |
Radiation therapy apparatus
A radiation therapy apparatus has a multi-leaf collimator device, a driving gear, a torque wire and a driving unit. The multi-leaf collimator device has a pair of collimator components which respectively comprise a plurality of leaves arranged close to one another such that the leaves face one another across an irradiation axis, and configured to set a desired irradiation field by individually moving the leaves. The driving gear is engaged with a gear tooth of the each leaf, respectively. The torque wire is connected to a shaft center of the driving gear, respectively. The driving unit is configured to drive the driving gears through the torque wire. |
| US07672434B2 |
X-ray tube
An X-ray tube equipped with a rotating anode cartridge comprising a reinforced sealing system. This sealing system is achieved in three complementary manners. Firstly, when the anode rotates, in order to confine the liquid alloy within the cartridge, the invention provides to equip the two surfaces of a leak-tight joint with grooves thereby obtaining a double sided joint with an improved efficiency. Secondly, the double sided joint makes it possible to obtain, for the vacuum tightness, when the anode shaft is not rotating, two spaces limited by the surface tension of the alloy of liquid metal. The more symmetrical these two spaces, the more the sealing is reinforced. Thirdly, the invention provides to separate the ring from the axis of rotation. This enables a joint centering the two spaces in an automatic and natural manner to be obtained. |
| US07672430B2 |
Area X-ray or UV camera system for high-intensity beams
A system in one embodiment includes a source for directing a beam of radiation at a sample; a multilayer mirror having a face oriented at an angle of less than 90 degrees from an axis of the beam from the source, the mirror reflecting at least a portion of the radiation after the beam encounters a sample; and a pixellated detector for detecting radiation reflected by the mirror. A method in a further embodiment includes directing a beam of radiation at a sample; reflecting at least some of the radiation diffracted by the sample; not reflecting at least a majority of the radiation that is not diffracted by the sample; and detecting at least some of the reflected radiation. A method in yet another embodiment includes directing a beam of radiation at a sample; reflecting at least some of the radiation diffracted by the sample using a multilayer mirror; and detecting at least some of the reflected radiation. |
| US07672425B2 |
Real-time digital X-ray imaging apparatus
A x-ray diagnostic apparatus and methods perform Real-Time Digital Radiography with particular application in dental x-ray imaging modalities, such as Orthopantomography, Scannography, Linear Tomography and Cephalography, by using a versatile and robotized mechanical structure, featuring projection movements in the required a real range and automatic adaptation of the same mechanical structure to serve the various x-ray imaging modalities foreseen. |
| US07672423B2 |
Short scan cardiac CT on a quasi axial trajectory
A short scan uses only data from about 180° gantry rotation instead of a full 360° turn. In the provided short scan cardiac CT, a periodical axial focal spot movement is performed during gantry rotation, wherein the acquired data used for image reconstruction results from a 180° rotation of the gantry. After the data acquisition, an approximate reconstruction is performed. In a preferred embodiment the focal spot moves on a short scan saddle trajectory. |
| US07672421B2 |
Reduction of streak artifacts in low dose CT imaging through multi image compounding
Disclosed is a method and system for constructing, from a computerized tomography (CT) scan, an image relating to a physical structure. Projection data associated with the image is obtained and divided into a plurality of subsets. Filtered back projection (FBP) is then applied to each subset in the plurality of subsets. The image is constructed based on the application of the FBP to each subset in the plurality of subsets. |
| US07672419B2 |
Pre-charge circuit and shift register with the same
A pre-charge circuit includes a receiving module, an enabling module, and a reset module. The receiving module receives the received driving signal of the pre-charge circuit and outputs the receiving driving signal according to a control signal. The enabling module outputs a pre-charge signal when receiving the driving signal. The reset module is electrically coupled between the receiving module and the enabling module for receiving a reset signal to reset the pre-charge signal. |
| US07672415B1 |
System and method for detecting a presence and frequency offset of a spread spectrum radio frequency signal
A system and method for detecting a presence and frequency offset of a spread spectrum radio frequency signal is disclosed. The method comprises receiving the spread spectrum radio signal. The signal can be sampled to form a plurality of signal samples. Each signal sample can be multiplied by a complex conjugate of a proximate signal sample to form a plurality of signal sample pairs. The signal sample pairs can be summed over a predetermined dwell time period to form a data vector having a magnitude and angle offset to enable detection of the signal and to enable a frequency offset between the spread spectrum radio frequency signal and a receiver frequency reference to be determined. |
| US07672413B2 |
Reception data synchronizing apparatus and method, and recording medium with recorded reception data synchronizing program
A synchronism pattern detecting timing recorder (20) records a synchronism pattern detecting timing at which a synchronism pattern is detected in reception data, a synchronism decider (12) collates the reception data with reference data to decide whether or not the reception data is consistent in phase with the reference data, and a timing generator (22) operates, when the synchronism decider (12) gives a decision for inconsistency in phase, for a match between the synchronism pattern detecting timing recorded in the synchronism pattern detecting timing recorder (20), as a subsequent one, and a timing of a synchronism pattern of the expectation data, and the subsequent synchronism pattern detecting timing in record is used to render the phases consistent, allowing for a rapid synchronization to be obtained, without the need of waiting a detection of synchronism pattern, even with an inconsistency in phase due to a false synchronism pattern. |
| US07672412B2 |
Method and receiver for estimating the channel impulse response using a constant modulus interference removal iteration
A receiver and associated method estimates a channel impulse response of the communications signal. A communications signal is received as a burst of transmitted symbols, including a known training sequence. The joint estimation of timing offset and initial channel impulse response is determined based on the cross-correlations of the known transmitted symbols and received communications signal. A constant modulus interference removal iteration is applied to improve the initial channel impulse estimation. |
| US07672406B2 |
Clock and data recovery circuit and SERDES circuit
Disclosed is a clock-and-data recover circuit in which a data sampling circuit, a phase comparator, a phase controller and a phase interpolator make up a loop. The data sampling circuit samples serial input data, and the phase comparator receives an output from the data sampling circuit to detect the phase relationship between clock and the data. The phase controller outputs a phase control signal based on the result of phase comparison of the phase comparator to output a phase control signal. The phase interpolator receives a multi-phase clock composed of plural clock signals with different phases and supplies a clock signal having the phase interpolated based on the phase control signal, to the data sampling circuit. The clock and data recovery circuit further includes a second phase interpolator and a second data sampling circuit. The phase controller generates and outputs a second phase control signal to the second phase interpolator. The second phase interpolator receives the multi-phase clock and outputs a second clock signal having the phase interpolated based on the second phase control signal and supplies the second clock signal to the second data sampling circuit. The second data sampling circuit samples the input data based on the second clock signal from the second phase interpolator. Preferably, the second phase interpolator has a variably set threshold level for sampling the data. |
| US07672401B2 |
System and method for data communication over multi-input, multi-output channels
System and method for estimating data transmitted by a plurality of transmit elements across a communications channel. The system comprises a plurality of receive interfaces, each operative to receive a signal via the channel and output a respective sequence of received data elements. The system also comprises a space matched filter connected to the plurality of receive interfaces and operative to (i) assemble the received data elements into sets of received data elements, each the set of received data elements including at least one received data element from each sequence of received data elements; and (ii) jointly process each set of received data elements with each of a plurality of channel data elements to produce a corresponding plurality of filtered data elements, each filtered data element being associated with one of the transmit elements, each channel data element being representative of a portion of the channel between an associated one of the transmit elements and the plurality of receive interfaces. Finally, the system comprises a detector connected to the space matched filter and operative to process each filtered data element to produce a corresponding decision data set therefor. |
| US07672400B2 |
Method of secure WLAN communication
Some demonstrative embodiments of the invention include a method device and/or system of secure communication in a wireless network using a spatial division multiple access transmission scheme. The method, according to some demonstrative embodiments may include allocating transmission power to N channels to be transmitted to one or more destination stations by N antennas, such that the power to be received by each one of the one or more destination stations is not greater, by more than a predefined power margin, than a minimum power required for reception at a desired quality of service. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US07672399B2 |
Apparatus, systems and methods for providing enhancements to ATSC networks using synchronous vestigial sideband (VSB) frame slicing
Systems, methods, apparatus and computer program products are provided for signaling to a receiver an availability of a service and a deterministic mapping of a service content corresponding to the service. A modulator receives a digital signal and generates a data frame from the digital signal, where the data frame is divided into segments, where at least one grouping of the segments contains the service content. The modulator modulates at least one grouping in accordance with the deterministic mapping. A receiving device receives a digital signal containing the availability of a service, the deterministic mapping corresponding to the service, and the service content, and performs an operation on the service content in accordance with the deterministic mapping. |
| US07672397B2 |
Method for producing a transmission signal
A method for producing a transmission signal, wherein an input signal (Vd(t)), which is to be amplified, is fed to a power amplifier (PA) which outputs the signal in an amplified form (va(t)). A reproduction thereof is made and allocates a specific pre-distortion input signal (vd(t)) value to a specific input signal (vd(t)) value. A corresponding pre-distortion value is then determined for the input signal (vd(t)) and the corresponding pre-distortion value is applied to the input signal (vd(t)) in order to feed the pre-distorted input signal to the power amplifier (PA). Subsequently, the crest factor (CF) is calculated from the output signal (vd(t)) of the power (PA) and the reproduction or the value thereof if the determined crest factor departs from a predetermined range of values. |
| US07672395B2 |
Digital predistorter and predistortion method therefor
A predistorter includes: a divider that divides an input signal and supplies the divided input signal to a linear transmission path and a distortion generating path; a (2k−1)th-order distortion generator that raises the signal supplied to the distortion generating path to the (2k−1)th power to generate a distortion component; a vector adjuster that adjusts the amplitude and phase of the output of the (2k−1)th-order distortion generator; and an adder that sums up the output of the vector adjuster and the output of the linear transmission path to generate a predistorted signal r(t), in which the (2k−1)th-order distortion generator comprises: a (2k−1)th-order multiplier (27B4) that raises the divided signal to the (2k−1)th power; a lower-than-(2k−1)th-order multiplier (27B3, 27B2, 27B1) that raises the divided signal to the 5th, 3rd and 1st power, respectively; a vector adjuster (27C3, 27C2, 27C1) that adjusts the amplitude and phase of the output of the lower-than-(2k−1)th-order multiplier; and an adder (27D) that sums up the output of the vector adjuster and the output of the (2k−1)th-order multiplier. |
| US07672393B2 |
Single-wire asynchronous serial interface
The present invention discloses a single-wire asynchronous serial interface, and a method for transmitting commands and data through one transmission wire, wherein the transmission wire is capable of transmitting signals of three level states. The disclosed interface comprises a signal level extraction circuit receiving signals transmitted through the wire and outputting logic or functional bits according to the received signals; a clock extraction circuit generating clock signals according to the functional bits, and a memory circuit controlled by the clock signals and storing the logic bits. The disclosed method comprises: using two of the level states to represent logic 0 and, logic 1, and the third of the states as a functional bit; and determining whether a group of signals is a command or data by the existence of a functional bit within the group. |
| US07672390B2 |
Low complexity scalable MIMO detector and detection method thereof
A scalable Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) detector, comprises an ordering block, a group interference suppression block, a core detector and a residual detector. The ordering block determines an order of the columns of a channel matrix including received streams based on the power thereof. The group interference suppression block coupled to the ordering block groups received streams into a core part and a residual part, the core part including a first received stream and a second received stream corresponding to the first two columns of the channel matrix in the order, the first received stream and the second received stream forming a received signal vector, and the residual part including the rest of the received streams. The core detector detects the core part based on a 2×2 Simplified Maximum Likelihood (SML) detection. The residual detector detects the residual part by Vertical Bell Laboratories Layered Space Time (VBLAST) detection. |
| US07672388B2 |
Method of providing signal diversity in an OFDM system
A method and apparatus is provided for transceiving an information signal in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) communication system that uses a plurality of radio frequency subcarriers modulated with the information signal and transceives the modulated plurality of radio frequency subcarriers through first and second antennas at a transmitter and first and second antennas at a receiver. The method includes the steps of providing first and second copies of the modulated plurality of radio frequency subcarriers that are transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver, phase rotating the first copy of the modulated plurality of radio frequency carriers with a subcarrier dependent phase rotation and summing the first rotated copy of the plurality of radio frequency subcarriers with the second copy of the modulated plurality of radio frequency carriers. |
| US07672386B2 |
Beam forming apparatus applied in multiple input multiple output system and related method
A beam-forming apparatus applied in a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) system and a related method where the MIMO system transmits signals through a plurality of channels. The method includes generating a plurality of channel estimations corresponding to the channels; determining a plurality of first candidate transmitting vectors; selecting a first transmitting vector from the first candidate transmitting vectors according to the channel estimations; determining a plurality of second candidate transmitting vectors orthogonal to the first transmitting vector; selecting a second transmitting vector from the second candidate transmitting vectors according to the channel estimations; generating a plurality of transmitted signals by combining a first data stream and a second data stream according to the first and second transmitting vectors; and respectively transmitting the transmitted signals through a plurality of antennas. The apparatus ensures that power of a data stream is distributed equally for each antenna. |
| US07672383B2 |
Noise variance estimation in wireless communications for diversity combining and log-likelihood scaling
Noise variance estimation in wireless communications. Noise variance estimation includes receiving a signal including an OFDM symbol having, in-band tones including in-band pilot tones, and band-edge tones including band-edge pilot tones and guard tones, estimating an effective noise variance for the in-band tones using the in-band pilot tones and channel estimates for the in-band pilot tones, and estimating an effective noise variance for the band-edge tones using the band-edge pilot tones, channel estimates for the band-edge pilot tones, and the guard tones. |
| US07672379B2 |
Audio signal processing, encoding, and decoding
Apparatus and methods for processing signals are disclosed. A data structure for processing a signal includes a payload part having at least one of data coding information including pilot coding information per a frame and entropy coding information. The data structure includes a header part having main configuration information for the payload part. In the data structure, the main configuration information includes a first time information part having time information for entire frames and a first frequency information part having frequency information for the entire frames. The main configuration information further includes a first internal grouping information part including information for internal-grouping a group having a plurality of data per the frame. |
| US07672371B2 |
Bit rate allocation in joint bit rate transcoding
The present invention relates to a multiplexing system comprising a set of transcoders (TC[1] to TC[n]), a controller (CONT) and a multiplexer (MUX). The set of transcoders comprises n transcoders, each transcoder (TC[i]) allowing an input compressed data signal (ICS[i]) encoded at an input bit rate (Rin[i]) to be converted into an output compressed data signal (OCS[i]) encoded at an output bit rate (Rout[i]). The controller (CONT) receives from each transcoder parametric information on the regulation process and the video coding complexity and subsequently computes the bit rate allocated (Rout[i]) to each transcoder (TC[i]) according to a total bit rate capacity available at the output of the multiplexer. The controller receives also parametric information derived from the input compressed data signal (ICS[i]), this information being used to improve the bit rate allocation strategy. Finally, the multiplexer (MUX) provides a multiplexed data signal (MS) by multiplexing of the output compressed data signals (OCS[1] to OCS[n]). |
| US07672370B1 |
Deep frame analysis of multiple video streams in a pipeline architecture
A pipeline architecture for analyzing multiple streams of video is embodied, in part, in a layer of application program interfaces (APIs) to each stage of processing. Buffer queuing is used between some stages, which helps moderate the load on the CPU(s). Through the layer of APIs, innumerable video analysis applications can access and analyze video data flowing through the pipeline, and can annotate portions of the video data (e.g., frames and groups of frames), based on the analyses performed, with information that describes the frame or group. These annotated frames and groups flow through the pipeline to subsequent stages of processing, at which increasingly complex analyses can be performed. At each stage, portions of the video data that are of little or no interest are removed from the video data. Ultimately, “events” are constructed and stored in a database, from which cross-event and historical analyses may be performed and associations with, and among, events may be made. |
| US07672369B2 |
Method and apparatus for acquisition, compression, and characterization of spatiotemporal signals
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for acquisition, compression, and characterization of spatiotemporal signals. In one aspect, the invention assesses self-similarity over the entire length of a spatiotemporal signal, as well as on a moving attention window, to provide cost effective measurement and quantification of dynamic processes. The invention also provides methods and apparatus for measuring self-similarity in spatiotemporal signals to characterize, adaptively control acquisition and/or storage, and assign meta-data for further detail processing. In some embodiments, the invention provides for an apparatus adapted for the characterization of biological units, and methods by which attributes of the biological units can be monitored in response to the addition or removal of manipulations, e.g., treatments. The attributes of biological units can be used to characterize the effects of the abovementioned manipulations or treatments as well as to identify genes or proteins responsible for, or contributing to, these effects. |
| US07672368B2 |
PHY control module for a multi-pair gigabit transceiver
A control module for controlling convergence of cancellers, a decision feedback equalizer (DFE) and a timing recovery module. The control module includes a state machine operable to decouple the timing recovery module from the cancellers and the DFE while converging the cancellers and the DFE at the same time. |
| US07672365B2 |
Apparatus and methods for communicating using symbol-modulated subcarriers
Apparatus and methods for selecting a transmit power level and subcarrier modulation assignments based on measured channel conditions to achieve a performance level for communications over a symbol-modulated subcarrier communication channel are provided. In some embodiments, the transmit power level may be changed depending on whether a desired packet error rate and/or a desired link data rate can be achieved based on selected subcarrier modulation assignments and a selected transmit power level. |
| US07672362B2 |
Communications apparatus, communications system, and communications method
A communications apparatus which ensures a predetermined communication quality even when an external environment changes dynamically, and enhances a throughput for overall system, thereby achieving favorable transmission efficiency. A communications apparatus having a receiver and a transmitter and carries out sending/receiving by use of a pulse train is provided with a communication environment measuring section to measure a communication status based on an output from the receiver. The transmitter is configured such that it transmits a transmission signal, in which the transmission rate of data to be transmitted and the pulse energy have been controlled in association with each other, according to a result of the measurement. |
| US07672361B2 |
System and method for despreading in a spread spectrum matched filter
Implementation of an improved matched filter system for despreading a PN code from a spread spectrum signal utilizes a matched filter system that may be broadly conceptualized as a system that optimizes the number of multipliers and adders utilized by the system in despreading a PN code from a spread spectrum signal. This lowers the power consumption of the improved matched filter system and increases the speed at which the system despreads the PN code from the spread spectrum signal. |
| US07672360B2 |
Channel estimation for time division duplex communication systems
A plurality of communication bursts are used to communicate data in a shared spectrum in a time slot of a time division duplex communication system. Each burst has an associated midamble sequence of a set of known sequences. A wireless communication apparatus has a receiver component configured to receive the plurality of communication bursts and to define a received vector corresponding to the received bursts. A channel estimator is provided that is configured to estimate channel information of the plurality of communication bursts by constructing a block matrix having a plurality of identical right circulant matrix blocks using the known midamble sequences and the received vector. A data detector then recovers data from the received communication bursts using the estimated wireless channel information. |
| US07672355B1 |
Metal vapor vacuum arc ion source
A two-wire metal vapor vacuum arc (MeVVA) vacuum head includes an upper housing and a lower vacuum housing. The lower vacuum housing includes a plurality of ports, a vacuum space, and a first grid positioned in the vacuum space. A plurality of electrodes are positioned in the ports with a first end with an electrical contact area extending into the upper housing, and a second end extending into the vacuum space with an exposed electrical discharge area spaced from the first grid. An electrode of opposite polarity is positioned in one of the lower housing ports with a first end extending into the upper housing and a second end attached to the first grid. An extractor grid is positioned adjacent to the first grid, an electrode selector is operatively connected to the plurality of electrodes, and a trigger generator circuit is connected to an input of the electrode selector. |
| US07672354B2 |
Electrically excited gas discharge laser for generating high-repetition frequency light pulses and method for the production thereof
A transversally electrically excited gas discharge laser for generating light pulses with a high pulse repetition rate. The gas discharge laser has components include a gas-tight discharge tube with opposed wall passages and front ends. The discharge tube includes ceramic material with laser gas sealed therein. The components also include partial metal layers disposed on the discharge tube. Decoupling and holding elements including support trays are disposed in the wall passages, with the support trays being adhered with solder to the discharge tube via the partial metal layers. The components also include a pair of electrodes extending axially and disposed in the decoupling and holding elements so as to form a gas discharge path. The components also include a pair of rod-shaped electrodes disposed in the discharge tube that are substantially parallel to the main electrodes and operable to control the starting conditions of gas discharge. The electrical excitation circuit includes a switch to generate a high-current discharge from an energy storage device. Support rings are joined to the front ends of the discharge tube and a pair of optical resonator mirrors are welded into the support rings. At least some of the components are usable with an ultrahigh vacuum and heatable to above a second water boundary. The support trays and the support rings are deformable so as to enable fine adjustment of the main electrodes and of the resonator mirrors. |
| US07672353B2 |
Semiconductor laser device and method for its production
A semiconductor laser device has an optically pumped, surface-emitting vertical emitter with a radiation-generating vertical emitter zone comprising a layer containing an organic material and a monolithically integrated pump radiation source for the optical pumping of the vertical emitter. The pump radiation source is designed to emit pump radiation in a main radiation direction transverse to the main radiation direction of the vertical emitter. |
| US07672349B2 |
Laser diode
A laser diode which can be easily assembled at low material cost is provided. A first light emitting device having a laser structure on a substrate, a second light emitting device having laser structures on a substrate, and a support base are provided. The first light emitting device and the second light emitting device are layered in this order on the support base in a manner that the respective laser structures of the first light emitting device and the second light emitting device are opposed to each other. A substrate side of the first light emitting device and a laser structure side of the second light emitting device are electrically connected to the support base. |
| US07672348B2 |
Semiconductor laser and method of manufacture
Disclosed is a laser (10) comprising a lasing cavity with a lasing medium and primary optical feedback means in the form of a facet (17) at either end of the cavity, the laser cavity defining a longitudinally extending optical path; and secondary optical feedback means formed by a plurality of refractive index perturbations (16, 22) in the laser cavity, each perturbation defining two interfaces (20, 21); characterized in that, for at least one perturbation, only one of the two interfaces contributes to optical feedback along the optical path. The present invention relaxes the lithographic tolerances for making single longitudinal mode devices and improves performance characteristics. |
| US07672344B2 |
Multi-laser system
A multi-laser system including a first laser oscillator for emitting a first laser beam, a second laser oscillator for emitting a second laser beam, a first scanner pair for receiving the first laser beam emitted by the first laser oscillator and deflecting the incident first laser beam to a desired location on a substrate to be processed, a second scanner pair for receiving the second laser beam emitted by the second laser oscillator and deflecting the incident second laser beam to a desired location on the substrate to be processed, and a scan lens for receiving laser beams that have been deflected from the first and second scanner pairs, focusing the received laser beams to spots having predetermined diameters so as to radiate the spots on the substrate. |
| US07672341B2 |
Transmission apparatus and reception interface apparatus
An ADM apparatus includes a first synchronism section for detecting synchronism when a reception frame received from a reception port is a first frame, a fault information detection section for detecting whether or not fault information is set in a first predetermined region of an overhead of the first frame and outputting a signal representative of whether or not the fault information is set, a second synchronism section for detecting synchronism when the reception frame is a second frame, a third synchronism section for detecting synchronism when the reception frame is a third frame accommodated in the second frame, and an inhibit section for invalidating the output signal of the fault information detection section if, when the synchronism is detected by the first and second synchronism sections, synchronism is detected with regard to the preceding frame by the second synchronism section. |
| US07672340B2 |
Built-in-self test for high-speed serial bit stream multiplexing and demultiplexing chip set
A bit stream multiplexer includes an input ordering block, a plurality of multiplexers, an output ordering block, and a Pseudo Random Bit Stream (PRBS) function. The input ordering block is operates to receive a first plurality of transmit bit streams at a first bit rate, order the first plurality of transmit bit streams based upon a first order select signal, and produce a first plurality of ordered transmit bit streams at the first bit rate. The input ordering block may also deskew the first plurality of transmit bit streams. The plurality of multiplexers operate to receive the first plurality of ordered transmit bit streams at the first bit rate and produce an interface plurality of transmit bit streams at an interface bit rate. The output ordering block operates to order the interface plurality of transmit bit streams based upon an interface order select signal. The PRBS function produces a PRBS that is coupled to at least one of the interface plurality of transmit bit streams. A bit stream demultiplexer is similarly constructed. |
| US07672339B2 |
Method of resolving overlaps in data transmission and user equipment therefor
A method of adjusting transmission timing, a method of continuously transmitting packets, and a mobile station are provided. The method of adjusting the transmission timing includes adjusting the transmission timing according to a transmission timing adjustment command when the transmission timing adjustment command is received from a receiving side; and creating a cyclic prefix (CP) in consideration of a part of a CP of a next symbol which overlaps with a previous symbol on a time axis on the basis of the adjusted transmission timing. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent deterioration in reception performance and minimize reception complexity even when packet transmission timing is adjusted at a transmitting side using an OFDMA or analogous radio access scheme. |
| US07672338B2 |
Passive optical network and ultrawide band adapter
An ultra wideband adapter and a system including the ultra wideband adapter are disclosed. The ultra wideband adapter includes a first input to receive video from a passive optical network element, a second input to receive data from the passive optical network element, an ultra wideband modulator to modulate the received data, a diplexer to diplex the received video with the modulated ultra wideband data to provide a diplexed video, and an output to transmit the diplexed video. |
| US07672337B2 |
System and method for providing a digital watermark
A method for capturing a broadcast is disclosed. The method for capturing a broadcast includes detecting an approximate start time of the broadcast, wherein said detecting includes monitoring for a broadcast trigger, identifying the broadcast and a timed length thereof, such that, based on the timed length and the approximate start time, an approximate end time may be calculated, and recording the broadcast from the trigger to the approximate end time, wherein said recording has captured the broadcast of radio advertising. |
| US07672336B2 |
Filtering and policing for defending against denial of service attacks on a network
Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for filtering and policing for defending against denial of service attacks on a network. A data packet is filtered by a multi-tiered filtering and transmission system. Data packets matching the first tier filter are discarded. Data packets matching the second tier filter are transmitted to an output module based on a criterion. Data packets in the third tier filter are hashed into bins and data packets matching an entry in the bin are transmitted to the output module based on a criterion for the bin. Data packets in the fourth tier transmission system are transmitted to the output module based on a criterion. Data packets that do not meet the criterion for transmission to the output module are transmitted to an attack identification module which analyzes the data packets to identify attacks. |
| US07672335B2 |
Non-integer word size translation through rotation of different buffer alignment channels
A method is described that involves loading X bits at a time into a shift register and shifting groups of older, loaded X bits up in the shift register with each new group of loaded X bits. Each group of X bits has been received from a serial data stream. The method further involves identifying an alignment key within the shift register and presenting aligned data from the serial data stream by rotating selection of a first group of Y contiguous bits from the shift register and a second group of Y contiguous bits from the shift register after the identifying. Y is greater than X. |
| US07672334B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus and transmission control method
A wireless communication apparatus includes a memory to store reference data including transmission rates usable for transmission of an aggregated frame including frames and reference frame lengths of the aggregated frame corresponding to the transmission rates, respectively, a throughput obtained with one of the transmission rates and a reference frame length of the reference frame lengths which corresponds to the one of the transmission rates is higher than any throughputs obtained with any frame length at another transmission rate lower than the one of the transmission rates, selects a trial transmission rate and corresponding reference frame length as a trial frame length, sets the trial transmission rate and the trial frame length, with which communication is determined to be possible by transmitting a trial aggregated frame, to initial/maximum values of a transmission rate for transmitting the aggregated frame and a frame length of the aggregated frame, respectively. |
| US07672333B2 |
Non-agile channelization method for multichannel MAC
A non-agile channelization method for multichannel medium access control (MAC) is provided, in which an available channel is categorized as an agile or non-agile channel, an operation mode of the channel categorized as the non-agile channel is selected, and multichannel switching is performed according to the selected operation mode. The non-agile channelization method for multichannel MAC enables non-agile channel switching to create a connected network, and allows agile and non-agile channel switching to coexist to avoid a change in existing hardware. |
| US07672326B1 |
Serial media independent interface with double data rate
A double data rate SMII circuit comprises a transmit circuit, responsive to a clock signal, that samples serial transmit data on a clock rising edge to generate a first transmit serial stream. The transmit circuit, responsive to the clock signal, samples the serial transmit data on a clock falling edge to generate a second transmit serial stream. A receive circuit, responsive to the clock signal, generates a receive serial stream from two receive data streams. The receive serial stream having a first operating frequency, each of the two receive data streams having a second operating frequency. The first operating frequency is about twice the second operating frequency. A transmit port, corresponding to the transmit circuit, includes a single terminal to communicate the serial transmit data to the transmit circuit. A receive port, corresponding to the receive circuit, includes a single terminal to communicate the receive serial stream from the receive circuit. |
| US07672322B2 |
Methods and system for fast session establishment between equipment using H.324 and related telecommunications protocols
Methods of establishing multimedia telecommunication (a multimedia “call”) between equipment (“terminals”). More particularly, the invention provides methods for reducing the time required to establish calls between terminals that implement the ITU-T H.324 Recommendation and other Standards and Recommendations derived from or related to this such as the 3G-324M recommendation developed and adopted by the Third Generation Partnership Projects (3GPP and 3GPP2). More specifically, it relates to (i) a method and apparatus for concatenating the H.245 messages that are required to pass between the terminals at the start of the call to establish the capabilities of both terminals and agree on the type and format of media and data to be exchanged (ii) a method and apparatus for using non-standard H.245 messages or standard H.245 messages with non-standard fields to accelerate such establishment and (iii) a method and apparatus of informing each terminal of the capabilities of the other and proposing the type and format of media and data to be exchanged by means of any user-defined fields that are inserted in the call signaling protocol that is used for bearer establishment prior to the start of the H.324 stage of the call. |
| US07672318B2 |
Adaptable network bridge
An adaptable network bridge such as an Ethernet bridge includes a Rule Engine that processes data frames according to a set of switching rules. Each switching rule identifies a type of frame to which the rule applies, and how the type of frame is to be processed. The bridge also includes means for dynamically adding, subtracting, or modifying the switching rules in response to changes in the bridge's state information, or changes in context information. If the bridge includes a plurality of input/output ports, the Rule Engine may include a plurality of sets of switching rules, with each set of switching rules being applicable to a different port in the bridge. In this way, different network providers can share the same equipment, but have different network behavior. |
| US07672316B2 |
Method for processing overhead of optical network and device thereof
A method for overhead processing of optical network and device thereof are disclosed, the device includes: an overhead memory, an overhead processor, and an overhead processor control module. The overhead processor control module is used for controlling the operation of the overhead memory and the overhead processor. The method includes: a system chip inputs the time slots of all overhead bytes that will be processed and descrambled data, and corresponding virtual container numbers, the overhead processor encodes the byte and stores all overhead byte of the same channel in the address of the same overhead memory; at the same time it stores in turn the overhead byte of different channels in different address spaces based on the virtual container numbers, so that an overhead processing logic performs a polling process. The method and device only use a set of overhead processing logic for the overhead of large capacity chips, and save the area and power consumption greatly, thereby reduce the production cost. |
| US07672315B2 |
Methods and apparatus for deskewing VCAT/LCAS members
Write logic and read logic are coupled to SDRAM and a frame status table. VCG members are written into SDRAM by the write logic and an entry (based on the MFI and SQ) in the frame status table is maintained by the write logic for each member. The read logic scans the frame status table to identify the earliest frame number for which data is available in SDRAM. Based on the frame status and the address pointer offset, the read logic maintains a state table entry for each VCG member and a state for each VCG. According to the preferred embodiment, the read logic is provided in two parts separated by a temporary buffer. The first part of the read logic performs the functions described above and writes chunk data into the temporary buffer. The second part of the read logic reads byte data from the temporary buffer according to a selectable leak rate. |
| US07672314B2 |
Scaling VLANs in a data network
In one embodiment, a technique for processing data packets in a data network comprising a plurality of virtual local area networks (VLANs) is disclosed. A data network is divided into a core network and a plurality of domain networks, each domain network coupled to one or more customer networks. A plurality of VLANs are apportioned between the domain networks and the core network. The VLANs that are allocated to the domain networks are local to each domain network. However, the VLANs allocated to the core network are global to the domain networks and core network. When a data packet is acquired at a domain ingress edge node in a particular domain network, the node generates a domain network packet from information contained in the data packet. The node then tags the domain network packet with a domain VLAN (DVLAN) tag associated with a VLAN allocated to the domain network. |
| US07672313B2 |
Method for realizing route forwarding in network
A method for realizing route forwarding in a network, including: establishing LSPs in a bearer network; setting an entrance label in the starting node of each LSP pointing to forwarding information of the LSP; a bearer control entity assigning a transfer path for the service flow and sending the information of all corresponding entrance labels of the transfer path to the ingress edge node of the transfer path; when the service flow needs to be forwarded, the ingress edge node puts the label stack into the data packet of the service flow to generate an MPLS exchange packet; and forwarding the MPLS exchange packet in the bearer network according to the label stack until the packet reaches the egress edge node of the transfer path. The present invention grants high compatibility to the network, minimizes the network investment, and reduces the difficulties in network implementation. |
| US07672311B2 |
Communication device suitable for setting IP address of server connected to network, network parameter setting method and network parameter setting program product
In order to easily set IP addresses required for communicating with apparatuses connected to a network, an MFP includes a port scan unit for acquiring, by port scanning, an IP address of a server having a predetermined port open from one of the servers connected to the network, and a network environment storage part for storing a set of acquired IP address and a port number of the predetermined port. |
| US07672309B1 |
System and method for providing dynamic bandwidth on demand
A system and method to adjust dynamically network speed or bandwidth allocation. A network connection is established at some initial speed. The bandwidth usage through the connection is monitored, and when the connection speed becomes congested with data, the connection is dropped and a higher-speed connection is established. |
| US07672307B2 |
Apparatus and method for transparent layer 2 routing in a mobile ad hoc network
For use in a mobile ad hoc network (MANET), a first MANET node for routing data packets using Layer 2 information. The first MANET node comprises: 1) a radio frequency (RF) transceiver for wirelessly communicating with other MANET nodes; and 2) a controller for receiving incoming data packets from the RF transceiver and sending outgoing data packets to the RF transceiver. The controller receives a first data packet from an Internet protocol (IP) layer associated with the first MANET node, determines a first medium access control (MAC) layer address associated with the first data packet, and adds the first MAC layer address to the first data packet. |
| US07672306B2 |
Method for secure reliable point to multi-point bi-directional communications
Systems and methods for sending secure reliable point to multi-point communication on any communication infrastructure. The infrastructure is not required to conform to any specifications of this inventions other that be capable point to point communications. The system consists of a protocol that allows for Secure Reliable point to multi-point communications irregardless of the support for such communications. This invention does not rely on the Internet or ATM or any other point to point or point to multi-point communications infrastructure. |
| US07672298B2 |
Hybrid fiber twisted pair local loop network service architecture
A new architecture capable of utilizing the existing twisted pair interface between customer premises equipment and an associated serving local switching office is used to provide a vast array of new services to customers. Using an intelligent services director (ISD) at the customer services equipment as an interface for the equipment to an existing twisted cable pair and a facilities management platform (FMP) at the serving local switching office as an interface to various networks and service opportunities, new services such as simultaneous, multiple calls (voice analog or digital), facsimile, Internet traffic and other data can be transmitted and received over the twisted cable pair by using digital subscriber loop transmission schemes. The new services include but are not limited to videophone, utility meter reading and monitoring, broadcasting and multicasting. The architecture provides for fault-tolerant, transparent interaction of components and services and supports a variety of standards for each level of the open systems interconnection layers and layers of TCP/IP. The FMP connects electronically or optically to the public switched telephone network, Internet backbone, a private Intranet as well as other possible network connections. |
| US07672296B2 |
Real-time communications system of high communications quality and media terminal apparatus
A VoIP system has plural CPE units connected to an IP network as parties to be connected with each other. Each CPE unit is composed of a VoIP-IF circuit and an audio codec circuit. The VoIP-IF circuit executes at least one of the coding process to the first audio frequency signal and the restoration process to the media information to transmit the media information generated by the process to the party connected and restore the first audio frequency signal from the media information supplied from the party connected to output it. The audio codec circuit performs at least one of the sending of the received music data to the party and the conversion of the music data supplied from the party into the second audio frequency signal. |
| US07672294B2 |
Methods and devices for achieving parallel operation between IP and analog phones
An IP bridge phone for operatively coupling one or more analog phones to a digital communications network to support parallel communications is disclosed. The IP bridge phone includes a phone handset interface adapted to connect to a phone handset, an analog phone interface, and a network interface. A mixing module is adapted to receive a first voice signal from the handset interface, a second voice signal from the analog phone, and a third voice signal from the data communications network; generate a plurality of combined signals from the first voice signal, the second voice signal, and the third voice signal; and transmit each of the plurality of combined signals to one of the plurality of interfaces. The plurality of combined signals provide parallel communications between the phone handset, the analog phone, and the remote calling party. |
| US07672287B2 |
Method for transmitting signal of medium access control sublayer in mobile communication system
A method for transmitting a signal of a medium access control sublayer in a mobile communication system which has mobile and base stations for providing a bearer service. A bearer service profile type is decided according to a bearer service combination type of the bearer service for the provision of the bearer service. A transport format indicator is set according to the decided bearer service profile type, and a transport format combination indicator is appended to a dedicated physical control channel. The most efficient data is transmitted on the basis of a service type and a measured radio environment result. Therefore, a data frame format most suitable to a channel environment can be produced, thereby providing the best service. |
| US07672286B2 |
Reverse-link structure for a multi-carrier communication system
A method and system for providing acknowledgment and/or data rate control (DRC) information with respect to data packets conveyed on a plurality of active forward link (FL) carriers. The number of reverse link (RL) carriers employed for the acknowledgment and/or DRC information may be less than the number of active FL carriers, and may be a single carrier, even when the signaling protocol is, in the limit, consistent with presently-supported standardized CDMA protocols. Code multiplexing techniques are employed inventively to convey information for up to fifteen FL carriers on a single, standard CDMA channel designed to provide such signaling for only a single FL carrier at a time. |
| US07672282B1 |
BSS selection using path loss
A wireless client station includes a received signal strength module to estimate N signal strengths of N signals received by the wireless client station from N access points, respectively, where N is an integer greater than one. The wireless client station further includes a control module to determine N path losses based on the N signal strengths and N transmit power signals included in the N signals. The control module selects and associates with one of the N access points based on a lowest one of the N path losses. The control module adjusts a minimum transmit power of the wireless client station based on a sum of the lowest one of the N path losses and a receiver sensitivity of the wireless client station. |
| US07672273B2 |
Heterogeneous network transmission apparatus, method, and computer readable medium capable of transmitting a packet with a plurality of network paths according to an assignment ratio
A heterogeneous network apparatus, method, computer program, and computer readable medium can detect path status parameters of heterogeneous networks. The path status parameters are used to calculate path priorities. The path priorities are used to determine an assignment ratio. The assignment ratio is used to assign network paths to transmit a packet, whereby the problem that the heterogeneous network apparatus of the prior art cannot utilize different network interfaces effectively at the same time is solved. |
| US07672268B2 |
Systems and methods for implementing double wide channels in a communication system
In a system utilizing double wide communication channels, if a particular CPE requires a sustained rate that is greater than the bandwidth of a single channel, data to and from the CPE may be split across Channels A and B. Also, when the bandwidth requirements of a particular CPE peaks at a data rate greater than the capacity of a single channel, the CPE's data may be split across the two channels. In one embodiment, a single-wide CPE may communicate with the base station without knowing that it is communicating with a base station configured to communicate using a double wide channel. |
| US07672265B2 |
Method for physical layer automatic repeat request for a base station
A physical automatic repeat request method implemented by a base station having a transmitter and a receiver. A physical layer, at the transmitter receives data and formats the received data into packets having a particular encoding/data modulation. The physical layer transmit the packets and retransmits packets upon failure to receive a corresponding acknowledgment for a given packet. An adaptive modulation and coding controller in the transmitter collects retransmission statistics and adjusts the particular encoding/data modulations using the collected statistics. |
| US07672263B2 |
Adaptive power save mode for short-range wireless terminals
The invention relates to a method for controlling power consumption in a short-range wireless terminal. In order that the power save mode could be adapted to the traffic pattern of the terminal, the data traffic of the terminal is monitored and at least one parameter describing the data traffic is defined. Based on said at least one parameter and the beacon interval information received in beacon frames, the power state of the terminal is dynamically controlled so that the terminal is maintained in one of at least two power states including an active state and a power save state. |
| US07672261B2 |
Communicating data block in wireless communication system
A method of transmitting/receiving a data block is disclosed. In receiving at least one data block multiplexed to one physical channel, the present invention includes the steps of receiving control information for a data block transmission, checking whether there is a necessity for configuring a table having combination information of data block sizes internally, and configuring the table having the combination information of the data block sizes for a data block reception according to a result of the checking step. Accordingly, the present invention internally configures the CTFC information without receiving separate CTFC information, thereby facilitating the reception of data blocks. |
| US07672259B2 |
Wireless communication system for allocating transmission period
A system is provided for efficiently allocating a transmission period in a wireless network system. An access point (AP) transmits a PSMP frame indicating a downlink period provided to each station (STA) and a minimum amount of an uplink period allocated to each STA, and at least one sub PSMP frame indicating an uplink period additionally provided for an STA that transmitted a resource request message for remaining queued data in the uplink period indicated by the PSMP frame. If the uplink period indicated by the PSMP frame is insufficient to transmit the queued data, the STA transmits a data unit including a part of the queued data and a resource request message for the remaining queued data in the uplink period. After transmitting the resource request message, the STA receives the sub PSMP frame after the full period indicated by the sub PSMP frame, and transmits the remaining queued data to the AP in the uplink period indicted by the sub PSMP frame. |
| US07672256B2 |
Wireless communication method and apparatus for generating a serving grant based on a received relative grant
A wireless communication method and apparatus for generating a scheduling grant based on a relative grant are disclosed. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) receives an absolute grant from a serving radio link set (RLS) and receives a relative grant from the serving RLS and at least one non-serving radio link (RL). The WTRU decodes enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) absolute grant channel (E-AGCH) signals to detect an absolute grant, and decodes E-DCH relative grant channel (E-RGCH) signals to detect at least one relative grant. The WTRU then calculates a serving grant based on the detected absolute grant and/or the relative grant(s). The relative grant may be detected by performing a hypothesis test on the E-RGCH signals. A multiple alternative hypothesis test is performed for detecting the E-RGCH signals from the serving RLS and a binary hypothesis test is performed for detecting the E-RGCH signals from the at least one non-serving RL. |
| US07672255B2 |
Mobile instant messaging conferencing method and system
A server-based architecture for instant messaging conferencing is presented. Session-based instant messaging conferencing is established by transmitting necessary server network address information through page-mode based messaging services to establish connections among the various mobile devices with the server. |
| US07672254B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing frame bridge of wireless local area network
The present invention relates to a wireless local area network (WLAN). In the present invention, an access point transmits and receives a probe frame including identity numbers of each access point with a near access point, determines a master access point, and establishes a connection with a near access point through a first radio channel. The master access point transmits a beacon frame, including time information, to a station through a second radio channel, and establishes a connection with the station. The master access point relays a wired internet service received from internet network to the station. Thereafter the master access point switches the connection to the first radio channel and transmits a data frame to the near access point connected with a target station. |
| US07672245B2 |
Method, device, and system for detecting layer 2 loop
A request-packet transmitting unit transmits a predetermined number of request packets having a non-unicast destination address that can be received by a target network including a network identified by a first network address, from a monitoring network identified by a second network address different from the first network address through a layer 3 relay device. A layer 2 loop detecting unit receives response packets corresponding to transmitted request packets through the layer 3 relay device, and detects a layer 2 loop in the target network based on number of received response packets and number of transmitted request packets. |
| US07672244B2 |
Converting a network device from data rate traffic management to packet rate
A network device that manages the flow rate of a stream of packets traveling within a network is converted from managing based on data rate to managing based on packet rate. In one embodiment, an interface receives from the device an actual length of a packet and provides to the device an effective length for the packet. A multiplexer generates the effective length by selecting the actual length during data rate mode and selecting a virtual length during packet rate mode. Various embodiments work with network devices that use various traffic management techniques. Such techniques include, but are not limited to: virtual time algorithms for determining excess packets; policing techniques that drop excess packets; and shaping techniques that buffer excess packets for possible later transmission. |
| US07672236B1 |
Method and architecture for a scalable application and security switch using multi-level load balancing
A switch architecture and method provides scaling through multi-level load balancing of flows across data and application processing planes. An input/output module receives a communication session flow (forward) from a client device and selects one of a plurality of data processors to process the flow. The selected data processor determines the level of processing needed for the forward flow and selects an application processor from a plurality of such application processors. The application processor generates a session structure identifying actions to be performed on the forward flow and transfers the session structure to the selected data processor to perform the actions on the forward flow. The application processor also predictively generates and offloads a session structure for the associated reverse flow. If the reverse session structure is offloaded to a different data processor, either the forward or reverse flow redirects packets, or is redirected, to the data processor hosting the other flow. Typically, the redirection is accomplished by offloading a redirection structure as the offloaded session structure. |
| US07672233B2 |
Traffic management for a passive optical network terminal
Techniques are described for managing traffic flow to an optical network terminal (ONT) on a passive optical network (PON) to prevent an individual ONT from being overrun. Specifically, the techniques involve reducing a transmission rate of a unique traffic flow and selectively denying access to a common traffic flow. By reducing the transmission rate of the unique traffic flow, sufficient bandwidth may be released to receive the unique traffic flow and the common traffic flow without overflowing the ONT. For example, the ONT or, alternatively, the OLT may send the requested common traffic flow without reducing the transmission rate of the unique traffic flow when sufficient bandwidth is available, send the common traffic flow but reduce the transmission rate of unique traffic flow by an appropriate amount, or deny access to the common traffic flow altogether without reducing the transmission rate of the unique traffic flow. |
| US07672231B1 |
System for multiplying communications capacity on a time domain multiple access network using slave channeling
A communications system comprising: at least two communications resource sets, wherein each resource set includes at least one communications resource; a communications terminal connected to each of the at least two communications resource sets for transmitting and receiving messages between the resource sets; a communications router operably coupled to each communications terminal; and a control processor configured to search within a periodic time frame comprising multiple time slots for an available time slot on a control channel at frequency fc or, if a time slot is not available on the control channel, to search within a periodic time frame comprising multiple time slots for an available time slot on a slave channel at frequency fc. |
| US07672227B2 |
Loop prevention system and method in a stackable ethernet switch system
A stackable Ethernet switch system (SESS) includes a number of stack switch elements in which loops are prevented. In one embodiment, logic is provided for monitoring control management traffic on a stacking port of a stack switch element of the SESS. Also included is logic, operable responsive to determining that there is a loss of control management traffic on a stacking port of a particular switch element of the SESS, for disabling user traffic data on that stacking port while keeping the control management traffic path open. The user data traffic on that stacking port of the particular switch element may be enabled upon detecting that the control management traffic on that stacking port has resumed. |
| US07672226B2 |
Method, apparatus and program storage device for verifying existence of a redundant fibre channel path
A method, apparatus and program storage device for verifying existence of a redundant Fiber Channel path is disclosed. The present invention verifies that a redundant path exists prior to moving the WWNN and WWPN. Thus, if the path being used for Fiber Channel communication is lost, connectivity can be restored when the source of the original connection can access the physical interface where the WWNN and WWPN have been moved. |
| US07672225B2 |
Swapping an operational networked electronic system for a nonoperational networked electronic system
A method of switching a network access configuration associated with a first electronic system to a second electronic system via a network is described. The first electronic system is inoperable. The second electronic system replaces the first electronic system such that a user seamlessly transitions from the first electronic system to the second electronic system. The user continues to access the network resources using the second electronic system rather than the first electronic system. According to an embodiment of the present invention, an application for switching the network access configuration is invoked using the second electronic system. During a first phase, the application transmits first data to a network infrastructure provider. The network infrastructure provider obtains approval for switching the network access configuration from the network service provider. If the network service provider approves switching the network access configuration, the network infrastructure provider updates its databases such that the network access configuration of the first electronic system is associated with the second electronic system. During a second phase, the network service provider updates its databases such that the network access configuration of the first electronic system is associated with the second electronic system if the network infrastructure provider successfully updates its databases. At the conclusion of the second phase, the second electronic system can access the network using the network access configuration. |
| US07672224B2 |
System and method for data multiplexing
To reduce the load on a host for controlling a data doubling. Between a host and two disk subsystems, there is connected a data doubling device. This data doubling device behaves as if it were a unit disk subsystem for the host. The data doubling device doubles a data I/O instruction from the host and issues the doubled data I/O instruction to two disk subsystems. In case either of the disk subsystems becomes faulty, the data doubling device sends the data I/O instruction from the host only to the normal disk subsystem. After the fault recovery, the data doubling device performs a data copy between the disk subsystems. |
| US07672221B2 |
Radio receiver and radio signal receiving method
An OFDM receiver includes a timing error detection unit that determines error information based on a difference between receiving timing of a desired signal from a counterpart transmitter and receiving timing of an undesired signal from a non-counterpart transmitter. The timing error detection unit includes a pilot signal detection unit configured to detect a pilot signal of the desired signal and a pilot signal of the undesired signal from an FFT-processed received signal; a first converting unit configured to convert a frequency-domain channel estimate derived from the pilot signal of the desired signal to a first time-domain channel impulse response; a second converting unit configured to convert a frequency-domain channel estimate derived from the pilot signal of the undesired signal to a second time-domain channel impulse response; and an error information determination unit configured to determine the error information based on the first and second channel impulse responses. |
| US07672217B2 |
Optical recording medium and optical recording/reproducing method
The present invention provides an optical recording medium that includes a recording layer composed mainly of an organic compound and can utilize blue-violet semiconductor laser light (390 to 420 nm in wavelength) as recording/reproducing laser light. The present invention also provides an optical recording/reproducing method using the optical recording medium. The optical recording medium 1 comprises at least a supporting substrate 2; a recording layer 3 on the supporting substrate 2, the recording layer 3 containing an organic compound as a major component; and a light-transmitting layer 5 on the recording layer 3, the light-transmitting layer 5 being capable of transmitting laser light with a wavelength of 390 to 420 nm for recording and reproducing information. The organic compound in the recording layer 3 includes a monomethine cyanine dye that has the minimum value nmin of its refractive index n (real part of the complex refractive index) within the range of 370 to 425 nm and has a refractive index n of 1.2 or lower with respect to the wavelength of the recording/reproducing laser light. The organic compound, when absorbing the laser light, melts or degrades to bring about a change in the refractive index, thereby effecting recording of the information. |
| US07672215B2 |
Optical recording medium and recording/reading method therefor
In a single-sided incident type optical recording medium having a plurality of dye containing recording layers, sufficient reflectance and excellent recording characteristics necessary to record or read information in or from a dye containing recording layer positioning farther from a side from which a light beam comes in can be obtained. The optical recording medium has a first substrate (21) having a guide groove, a first dye containing recording layer (22), a semitransparent reflective layer (23), an intermediate layer (24), a second dye containing recording layer (25), a reflective layer (26) and a second substrate (27) having a guide groove. Information is recorded or read in or from the first dye containing recording layer (22) and the second dye containing recording layer (25) by irradiating the light beam from the first substrate's side. The depth of the guide groove on the second substrate is within a range from 1/100 ×λ to 1/6 ×λ where λ represents the recording/reading wavelength. |
| US07672212B2 |
Optical pickup apparatus, objective optical element and optical information recording reproducing apparatus
An optical pickup apparatus according to the present invention includes: a first light source for emitting a first light flux; a second light source for emitting a second light flux; a third light source for emitting a third light flux; and an objective optical element. The objective optical element has an optical surface including at least two areas provided with optical path difference providing structures. The objective optical element converges the first to third light fluxes each passing through the predetermined areas on the objective optical element onto respective information recording surfaces of the first to third optical disks. The first optical path difference providing structure is a ring-shaped structure which includes a plurality of ring-shaped zones including respective steps having at least two kinds of amounts selected from the predetermined expressions. |
| US07672207B2 |
Recording medium, method and apparatus for recording data in the recording medium having a test area for an optimum power control
A method and apparatus for recording data in a recording medium are disclosed. The method for recording data in a recording medium including a wobble-shaped test area includes the steps of a) determining a pre-used test area, b) searching for a current OPC start position of the test area by counting the number of wobbles at a wobble-count reference position, c) performing an Optimum Power Control (OPC) process to calculate an optimum write power at the OPC start position, and d) recording data in a data area using the calculated the optimum write power. Therefore, the recording medium can be applied to a method for manufacturing a BD, and a disc test process and data recording/reproducing operations can be effectively performed. |
| US07672205B2 |
Method for variably controlling data read speed in optical disc drive
A method is provided for variably controlling a data read speed in an optical disc drive. The method includes determining whether or not a read command has been issued; if the determining step determines that the read command has been issued, examining additional information associated with the read command; and variably controlling a data read speed for an optical disc according to the additional information. |
| US07672201B2 |
Diffraction grating, light-receiving element, and optical head and optical recording/reproducing apparatus utilizing them
The invention relates to a diffraction grating, a light-receiving element, and an optical head and an optical recording/reproducing apparatus utilizing them and provides a diffraction grating and a light-receiving element capable of detecting a signal of high quality and an optical head and an optical recording/reproducing apparatus utilizing them. A diffraction grating includes a diffracting region which is formed only on a light exit surface and which diffracts and separates first laser light or second laser light emitted by a two-wavelength semiconductor laser to generate a main beam and positive and negative first order sub beams. The depth of concavity formed on the diffracting region is 220 nm. The irregularities are formed such that the pitch length thereof is 22 μm and such that a convexity thereof has a width of 17.6 μm. The ratio of the width of the convexity to the pitch length of the irregularities is 0.8. |
| US07672199B2 |
Close focus algorithm in a digital focus servo system
A focus servo system with a focus close algorithm is disclosed. The focus close algorithm provides a bias control effort to the focus servo system when focus is closed. A method of closing focus includes positioning an optical pick-up unit at a first position away from an optical medium, moving the optical pick-up unit towards a second position by altering a focus control effort, monitoring a sum signal obtained from signals received from the optical pick-up unit, and setting the bias control effort to the focus control effort when a closure criteria is satisfied. In some embodiments, the closure criteria includes that a sum signal exceeds a threshold value. In some embodiments, the closure criteria includes that a focus error signal is below a FES threshold. |
| US07672198B2 |
Optical pickup head and electromagnetic actuating device thereof
An optical pickup head and an electromagnetic actuating device thereof are provided. The electromagnetic actuating device is used to move an objective lens carrier having an objective lens assembly to form an optical pickup head. The electromagnetic actuating device includes at least a magnet, at least a coil, and at least a yoke. The magnet is spaced apart from the objective lens carrier by a distance, and the coil is disposed at the objective lens carrier, for generating an electromagnetic force to interact with the magnet. The yoke is spaced apart from the objective lens carrier by a distance, in which the yoke has a protruding part that extends towards the objective lens carrier and is used to attract magnetic flux lines produced by the magnet, and thus making the magnetic flux that passes through the coil be distributed evenly. |
| US07672194B2 |
Method of seismic surveying
The present invention provides a seismic surveying method in which vibrators in a first vibrator group are actuated at time T0 and vibrators in a second vibrator group are actuated at time T1, where T0 |
| US07672192B2 |
Method for computing and using timing errors that occur in multiples predicted by multiple prediction algorithm
Method for computing one or more timing errors that occur in one or more multiples predicted by a multiple prediction algorithm. The method includes the steps of generating one or more actual three-dimensional primary travel times and one or more actual three-dimensional multiple travel times, applying the multiple prediction algorithm to the actual three-dimensional primary travel times to generate one or more travel times for the multiples predicted by the multiple prediction algorithm, and subtracting the actual three-dimensional multiple travel times from the travel times for the multiples predicted by the multiple prediction algorithm. |
| US07672191B2 |
Data output control circuit
A data output control circuit includes a data output control circuit configured to compensate a delay amount of a system clock on a clock path when a delay locked loop (DLL) circuit is enabled in such a state that the semiconductor memory device exits a reset state in response to an active signal, and to determine an output timing of data corresponding to a read command by counting the system clock and a DLL clock outputted from the DLL circuit 0 when the DLL circuit 0 is disabled, without compensating the delay amount. |
| US07672187B2 |
Elastic power for read and write margins
An elastic power header device and methods of operation are provided to improve both the read and the write margin of static random access memory (SRAM) cells by increasing read stability, reducing read disturbance and improving the Signal to Noise Margin (SNM) figure of merit. For example, various implementations of an elastic power header device are utilized as programmable resistances to permit the power supply lines to reach a maximum voltage. Allowing the power supply lines to reach the reference voltage allows more flexibility in read margin, write margin and read stability. Furthermore, this additional flexibility can be controlled by means for adjusting a voltage. This adjustment voltage can fine-tune the programmable resistances so that the read margin and the write margin can be more conveniently controlled. |
| US07672186B2 |
Antifuse replacement determination circuit and method of semiconductor memory device
An antifuse replacement determination circuit of a semiconductor memory device, in which the address of a bad memory cell is stored by destroying the insulation of an antifuse element, includes a charging circuit for charging a node of the antifuse element to have a predetermined voltage, and making the charge at the node self-discharge via the antifuse element after the charging of the node is completed; a comparison and determination circuit for comparing the voltage at the node of the antifuse element with a plurality of reference voltages when a predetermined time has elapsed after the completion of the charging of the node; and a determination part for determining, based on a determination result with respect to the comparison using the plurality of reference voltages in the comparison and determination circuit, whether or not replacement of the bad memory cell has been performed normally by using the antifuse element. |
| US07672184B2 |
Semiconductor memory device with refresh signal generator and its driving method
A semiconductor memory device includes a level feedback circuit and a refresh signal generator. The level feedback circuit outputs a bulk voltage applied to a cell transistor as a feedback signal. The refresh signal generator generates an internal refresh signal for driving a refresh operation at predetermined intervals during a self refresh mode. A period of the internal refresh signal is adjusted according to a voltage level of the feedback signal. |
| US07672182B2 |
Read assist circuit of SRAM with low standby current
A SRAM memory with a read assist circuit is presented. The read assist circuit uses bitline voltage level switches, which are connected to a low power supply and a high power supply. The bitline voltage level switches have a write operation state, a read operation state, and a standby operation state. The write operation state selectively provides the high power supply to bitlines in columns selected for a write operation, and provides the low power supply to bitlines in the remaining columns. The read operation state selectively provides the low power supply to bitlines in columns selected for the read operation, and provides the low power supply to bitlines in the other columns. The standby operation state selectively provides the low power supply to bitlines in all columns when not in the read operation state or the write operation state. |
| US07672179B1 |
System and method for driving a memory circuit using a pull-up resistance for inhibiting a voltage decay on a transmission line
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for driving a memory circuit. In one embodiment, the memory circuit is driven utilizing a first resistance value in a first mode of operation. Further, in a second mode of operation, the memory circuit is driven utilizing a second resistance value. In another embodiment, a device is provided for driving a memory circuit without active termination utilizing a resistor. |
| US07672178B2 |
Dynamic adaptive read return of DRAM data
An integrated circuit communicates with memory devices. Data from the memory devices arrives at the integrated circuit with varying propagation delays. The integrated circuit detects the arrival of data from the memory devices, and stores the data in FIFOs. A FIFO drain signal is generated responsive to the detection of the data arrival. |
| US07672176B2 |
Writing circuit for a phase change memory
A writing circuit for a phase change memory is provided. The writing circuit comprises a driving current generating circuit, a first switch device, a first memory cell and a second switch device. The driving current generating circuit provides a writing current to the first memory cell. The first switch device is coupled to the driving current generating circuit. The first memory cell is coupled between the first switch device and the second switch device. The second switch device is coupled between the first memory cell and a ground, wherein when the driving current generating circuit outputs the writing current to the first memory cell, the second switch device is turned on after the first switch device has been turned on for a first predetermined time period. |
| US07672173B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor memory device and semiconductor memory device
For each memory block, a predecoder for predecoding an applied address signal, an address latch circuit for latching the output signal of the predecoder, and a decode circuit for decoding an output signal of the address latch circuit and performing a memory cell selecting operation in a corresponding memory block are provided. Propagation delay of latch predecode signals can be made smaller and the margin for the internal read timing can be enlarged. In addition, the internal state of the decoder and memory cell selection circuitry are reset to an initial state when a memory cell is selected and the internal data output circuitry is reset to an initial state in accordance with a state of internal data reading. Thus, a non-volatile semiconductor memory device that can decrease address skew and realize an operation with sufficient margin is provided. |
| US07672172B2 |
Memory configuration of a composite memory device
The present invention is related to a composite flash memory device comprises a plural sector flash memory array which is divided to plural sector that is a minimum erasing unit of the flash memory device, a flash memory array storing control commands which control a total system of the composite flash memory device and/or the only composite flash memory device in and sharing I/O line of the plural sector flash memory array, the read operation of the flash memory array is enable when the plural sector flash memory array is gained access. |
| US07672169B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory and driving method thereof
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory according to an aspect of the invention comprises a plurality of serially connected memory cells arranged on a P-well area within a semiconductor substrate, select gate transistors connected to one end and the other of the serially connected memory cells, a P-well control circuit which controls the P-well area, a plurality of word lines connected to the plurality of memory cells, a row control circuit which controls the plurality of word lines, and an operation control circuit which controls the P-well control circuit and the row control circuit, wherein, when writing to a selected one of the plurality of memory cells, the operation control circuit controls the P-well control circuit to apply a precharge potential to the P-well area and thus precharge channel areas of the plurality of memory cells. |
| US07672164B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device with a stacked gate including a floating gate and a control gate
A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes first and second nonvolatile semiconductor memories. The first memory has first and second select transistors and first memory cell transistors. The first memory cell transistor has a first floating gate on a first gate insulating film and a first control gate on a first inter-gate insulating film. The second memory has a third select transistor and a second memory cell transistor. The second memory cell transistor has a second floating gate on a second gate insulating film and a second control gate on a second inter-gate insulating film. The first and second gate insulating films have the same film thickness. The first and second floating gates have the same film thickness. The first and second inter-gate insulating films have the same film thickness. The first and second control gates have the same film thickness. |
| US07672162B2 |
Non-volatile memory device, memory system, and LSB read method
A non-volatile memory device and system as well as a LSB read method are disclosed. The LSB read method includes reading LSB data from a memory cell during a main LSB read operation making reference to a flag cell threshold voltage, determining whether the LSB data contains an error, and if the LSB data contains an error re-reading the LSB data during a LSB recover-read operation without making reference to the flag cell threshold voltage. |
| US07672160B2 |
3-level non-volatile semiconductor memory devices and related methods
A non-volatile semiconductor memory device may include a memory cell array and a controller coupled to the memory cell array. The memory cell array may include first and second memory cells coupled to respective first and second word lines. Each of the first and second memory cells may be configured to be programmed to one of a first, a second, or a third threshold voltage so that the first and second memory cells provide nine different threshold voltage combinations. The controller may be configured to provide a mapping of data of a set of three binary bits providing eight different data combinations to eight of the nine different threshold voltage combinations provided by the first and second memory cells. The controller may be further configured to write data of first, second, and third binary bits to the first and second memory cells by programming each of the first and second memory cells to a respective one of the first, second, or third threshold voltages using the mapping of data. Related methods are also discussed. |
| US07672158B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor memory device having non-selected word lines adjacent to selected word lines being charged at different timing for program disturb control
A non-volatile semiconductor memory device comprises a memory cell array of data-rewritable non-volatile memory cells or memory cell units containing the memory cells, and a plurality of word lines each commonly connected to the memory cells on the same row in the memory cell array. In write pulse applying during data writing, a high voltage for writing is applied to a selected word line, and an intermediate voltage for writing is applied to at least two of non-selected word lines. The beginning of charging a first word line located between the selected word line and a source line to a first intermediate voltage for writing is followed by the beginning of charging a second word line located between the selected word line and a bit line contact to a second intermediate voltage for writing. |
| US07672157B2 |
Gated diode nonvolatile memory cell array
A memory integrated circuit has memory arrays that are vertically layered. These memory arrays include word lines and bit lines. Intersections between the word lines and the bit lines include a diode and a memory state storage element. The diode and the memory storage element are connected in between a word line and a bit line. The diode at the intersections includes a first diode node and a second diode node. Various aspects of the memory integrated circuit are electrically interconnected in various ways, such as corresponding word lines, corresponding first diode nodes, or corresponding second diode nodes of different memory arrays being electrically interconnected. Various aspects of the memory integrated circuit are isolated in various ways, such as word lines, first diode nodes, or second diode nodes of different memory arrays being isolated. |
| US07672155B2 |
Resistive memory devices including selected reference memory cells
A magnetic memory cell array device can include a first current source line extending between pluralities of first and second memory cells configured for respective simultaneous programming and configured to conduct adequate programming current for writing one of the pluralities of first and second memory cells, a first current source transistor coupled to the first current source line and to a word line, a programming conductor coupled to the first current source transistor and extending across bit lines coupled to the one of the pluralities of first and second memory cells, configured to conduct the programming current across the bit lines, a second current source transistor coupled to the programming conductor and configured to switch the programming current from the programming conductor to a second current source transistor output, a second current source line extending adjacent the one of the pluralities of first and second memory cells opposite the first current source line, a first bias circuit configured to apply a first bias voltage to the first or second memory cells selected for accessed during a read operation, and a second bias circuit configured to apply a second bias voltage to the first or second memory cells unselected for access during the read operation. |
| US07672144B2 |
Fastening structure for expansion card
A fastening structure for an expansion card is provided. The card has a baffle and one end of the baffle is formed with a bending portion and a first long hole. The fastening structure includes a flat plate located at one side of a case and has a plane extending toward inside the case; a first supporting portion and a second supporting portion fastened at the plane of the flat plate; a fastening member having a pressing portion and at least one second long hole. The fastening member is disposed at the first supporting portion via the second long hole, and slidably leans against the plane. The pressing portion extends toward the bending portion. When the fastening member slides to a fixing position, the pressing portion presses the bending portion, and the baffle is fastened at the second supporting portion via the first long hole and leans against the plane. |
| US07672142B2 |
Grounded flexible circuits
Electronic devices may be provided with one or more electrical components that may be coupled to one or more circuit boards by flexible circuits that can have reduced ground lengths. Each flexible circuit can include at least one ground conductor that may run along its length and that may have at least one portion exposed for coupling to a grounding element that may also be coupled to a ground plane. |
| US07672141B2 |
Alignment and support apparatus for component and card coupling
A component and card coupling alignment and support apparatus includes a card. A primary component connector is mounted to the card. A primary component including a connection edge engages the primary component connector. A secondary component extends from the primary component. An alignment and support member is included on the secondary component, whereby the card engages the alignment and support member on the secondary component. The engagement of the alignment and support member with the card aligns the primary component with the primary component connector during their coupling and supports the primary component in the primary component connector after their coupling. The card may then be coupled to an information handling system connector in an information handling system. |
| US07672140B2 |
Circuit board configuration
A circuit board configuration and method of packaging electronic component embedded into the circuit board in a manner that supports the electronic component thermally, electrically, and mechanically thereof, comprising a circuit board having a first surface and a circuit trace on the first surface; a recess or slot formed on the first surface defined by at least one sidewall that is oblique to the first surface of the circuit board; two or more plated surfaces on the at least one oblique sidewall and electrically connected to the circuit trace; and an electronic component having two or more electrical contact surfaces mounted to the two or more plated surfaces such that the electronic component is physically mounted to the oblique sidewall and in electrical communication with the circuit trace. The circuit board configuration may further comprise an encapsulant at least one end of the electronic component and a conductive material between the oblique sidewall and the electronic component to seal the electronic component inside the slot. |
| US07672137B2 |
Plasma display module and plasma display apparatus including the same
A plasma display module that can optimize a position of an image board and connect an external image apparatus to a plasma display apparatus easily, and a plasma display apparatus including the plasma display module are disclosed. In one embodiment, the plasma display module includes: i) a chassis, ii) a plasma display panel supported by the chassis on a front portion of the chassis, the plasma display module comprising X electrodes and Y electrodes disposed parallel to each other, iii) an image board disposed on a rear portion of the chassis, and receiving and processing image signals input from an external device and iv) a Y electrode driving board disposed on the rear portion of the chassis, and electrically connected to the Y electrodes to apply the driving signals to the Y electrodes, wherein the Y electrode driving board and the image board are disposed on opposite sides of the chassis with respect to a center line crossing the chassis in a vertical direction. |
| US07672136B2 |
Heat sink assembly
An electronic assembly includes a printed circuit board mounted with an electronic component, a heat sink, and a clip securing the heat sink on the printed circuit board to enable the heat sink to have an intimate contact with the electronic component. The printed circuit board forms two engaging portions each defining a receiving hole therein. The heat sink includes a base and a plurality of fins. The clip includes a pressing member pressing the heat sink to the electronic component, two V-shaped operating members extending slantwise from ends of the pressing member, and two clasps extending outwardly from ends of the operating members. Height of each of the clasps is larger than that of each of the receiving holes of the engaging portions. The clasps of the clip lock with the engaging portions by manipulating the operating members. |
| US07672133B2 |
Retaining device for a heat sink
A retaining device for a heat sink includes a frame, at least an operation member and at least an engaging member. The frame is attached to an upper portion of the heat sink with a projection at two opposite sides thereof and the projection has a contact face. The operation member provides a main operation part and a stir part. The main operation part is disposed on top of the contact face and the stir part is actuated to rotate for the main operation part being capable of moving relative to the contact face. The engaging member further has a follower part piercing the projection with an end of the follower part connecting with the main operation part pivotally and another end of the follower part being joined to a first elastic part and a second elastic part respectively. The first elastic part and the second elastic part oppositely extend horizontally and free ends of both the elastic parts are joined to two opposite lateral sides of an engaging part for controlling the engaging force evenly and decreasing plastic deformation. |
| US07672128B2 |
Cold row encapsulation for server farm cooling system
Apparatuses, methods, and systems directed to efficient cooling of data centers. Some embodiments of the invention allow encapsulation of cold rows through an enclosure and allow server fans to draw cold air from the cold row encapsulation structure to cool servers installed on the server racks. In other particular embodiments, the systems disclosed can be used to mix outside cool air into the cold row encapsulation structure to cool the servers. In some embodiments, the present invention involves using multiple cold row encapsulation structures to cool the servers installed on the racks. |
| US07672123B2 |
Apparatus, data processing apparatus and heat radiating member
An apparatus includes: a first heat generating component; a second heat generating component arranged close to the side of the first heat generating component; a heat radiating member that absorbs heat from both the first heat generating component and the second heat generating component and radiates heat. The heat radiating member includes: a base section that extends horizontally and contacts the first heat generating component on the bottom surface of the base section; and a pair of arms that extend horizontally at both ends of the base section, have a fastener for fastening the heat radiating member, and contact the second heat generating component under one of the pair of arms. |
| US07672121B2 |
Flat panel display with detachable base
An exemplary flat panel display (200) includes a display module (22), a supporting member (25) for supporting the display module, and a base (27) detachably attaching to the supporting member. The supporting member includes a first hook (254) and a positioning groove (258). The base includes an elastic member (273) and a first through slot (274). When the first hook is latched in the first through slot and part of the elastic member is received in the positioning groove, the supporting member is detachably attached to the base. |
| US07672120B2 |
Interchangeable keyboard for computer systems
A keyboard is to be designed as a standardized keyboard having a certain length, width and thickness. The keyboard may be used interchangeably among different mobile computer systems. A keyboard cable associated with the keyboard may be designed such that it can accommodate an interface connector at any location relative to a bottom end of the keyboard. One or more control devices may also be used in conjunction with the keyboard. The control device may be designed with standardized dimensions, electrical interface, interface connector and cable length to enable it to accompany the keyboard among the different mobile computer systems. |
| US07672113B2 |
Polymer-ceramic composites with excellent TCC
Polymer-ceramic composite materials for use in the formation of capacitors, which materials exhibit very low changes in temperature coefficient of capacitance (TCC) in response to changes in temperature within the range of from about −55° C. to about 125° C. Specifically, these capacitor materials have a change in TCC ranging from about −5% to about +5%, in response to changes in temperature within the desired temperature range. The inventive composite materials comprise a blend of a polymer component and ferroelectric ceramic particles, wherein the polymer component includes at least one epoxy-containing polymer, and at least one polymer having epoxy-reactive groups. The inventive polymer-ceramic composite materials have excellent mechanical properties such as improved peel strength and lack of brittleness, electrical properties such as high dielectric constant, and improved processing characteristics. |
| US07672104B2 |
Current protection apparatus and method
A current protection apparatus (200) and current protection method (1000) that may include programmable current protection characteristics has been disclosed. A current protection apparatus (200) may include a power distribution unit (230) with power distribution outlets (PDO-1 to PDO-8), each having a corresponding circuit breaker unit (CB1 to CB8). Each circuit breaker unit (CB1 to CB8) may operate in response to a processing unit (236) that can sample current values flowing between a respective power distribution outlet (PDO-1 to PDO-8) and a load device (LD1 to LD8). Processing unit 236 may operate under control of software stored on a memory (238) to control a switching circuit (320). Current protection characteristics for each circuit breaker unit may be independently programmed and/or altered by a user, for example by way of a computer (250). In this way, each power distribution outlet (PDO-1 to PDO-8) may have current rating characteristics independently provided for a particular load device (LD1 to LD8). |
| US07672103B2 |
Circuit having low operating voltage for protecting semiconductor device from electrostatic discharge
A circuit for protecting a semiconductor device from electrostatic discharge by protecting an internal circuit from electrostatic current flowing into an input/output pad includes a first discharge unit that discharges the electrostatic current to a first power supply line or a second power supply line. A second discharge unit protects the internal circuit from electrostaticity flowing from the input/output pad or the second power supply line. A power clamp unit discharges the electrostatic current, which is discharged to the first power supply line or the second power supply line by the first discharge unit, to the opposite power supply line. A trigger unit drives the first discharge unit and the power clamp unit with first and second detection voltages generated in response to a voltage drop of the discharged electrostatic current. |
| US07672102B2 |
Electrical overstress protection
In one aspect, a method for protection of an integrated circuit device includes but is not limited to detecting a first current in the integrated circuit device, wherein the first current is caused by a second current; and shunting the second current away from the integrated circuit device in response to detecting the first current. Such detecting may include but not be limited to detecting the first current by detecting a voltage drop across a sensing resistor, which may include but not be limited to using at least two sensing transistors. Such shunting may include but not be limited to using at least one shunting transistor. |
| US07672093B2 |
Hafnium doped cap and free layer for MRAM device
A high performance MTJ, and a process for manufacturing it, are described. A capping layer of NiFeHf is used to getter oxygen out of the free layer, thereby increasing the sharpness of the free layer-tunneling layer interface. The free layer comprises two NiFe layers whose magnetostriction constants are of opposite sign, thereby largely canceling one another. |
| US07672090B2 |
Magnetic read sensor employing oblique etched underlayers for inducing uniaxial magnetic anisotropy in a hard magnetic pinning layer
A magnetoresistive sensor having a hard magnetic pinning layer with an engineered magnetic anisotropy in a direction substantially perpendicular to the medium facing surface. The hard magnetic pinning layer may be constructed of CoPt, CoPtCr, or some other magnetic material and is deposited over an underlayer that has been ion beam etched. The ion beam etch has been performed at an angle with respect to normal in order to induce anisotropic roughness for example in form of oriented ripples or facets oriented along a direction parallel to the medium facing surface. The anisotropic roughness induces a strong uniaxial magnetic anisotropy substantially perpendicular to the medium facing surface in the hard magnetic pinning layer deposited there over. |
| US07672084B2 |
Composite thin-film magnetic head with non-magnetic conductive layer electrically connected with lower pole layer to increase counter electrode area
Composite thin-film magnetic head includes a substrate; a first insulation layer on the substrate; an MR read head element on the first insulation layer and provided with a lower shield layer, an upper shield layer and an MR layer with a sense current flowing perpendicular to a surface of the MR layer though the upper and lower shield layers; a second insulation layer on the MR read head element; an inductive write head element on the second insulation layer and provided with a lower magnetic pole layer, a recording gap layer, an upper magnetic pole layer with end portion opposed to an end portion of the lower magnetic pole layer through the recording gap layer and a write coil; and a nonmagnetic conductive layer electrically conducted with the lower shield layer and opposed to the substrate to increase the electrode area between the lower shield layer and the substrate. |
| US07672083B1 |
Disk drive with translatable ramp
A disk drive having a translatable ramp is disclosed. The disk drive includes a head gimbal assembly having a proximate end that is attached to an actuator, and a distal end that includes a lift tab. The ramp includes a lift tab supporting surface located as close to a pivot axis of the actuator as is the lift tab. The ramp also includes a ramp guiding surface that is in contact with a mating surface of the disk drive base. A fastener selectively allows or prevents relative translation between the ramp and the disk drive base. The aforementioned contact constrains the relative translation so that the relative translation changes the distance between the lift tab supporting surface and the disk axis of rotation more than the relative translation changes the distance between the lift tab supporting surface and the actuator pivot axis. |
| US07672080B1 |
Laminated perpendicular writer head including amorphous metal
A writer pole for perpendicular recording and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The writer pole comprises a laminated structure of a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a non-magnetic amorphous metal spacer layer disposed between the first and second magnetic layers. Additional ferromagnetic and non-magnetic layers can be added, in an alternating fashion, to produce other laminated structures. Forming a perpendicular writer element includes forming a first magnetic layer, forming a spacer layer on the first magnetic layer, and forming a second magnetic layer on the spacer layer. Forming the perpendicular writer element can further include trimming the writer pole. |
| US07672079B2 |
Pole width control on plated bevel main pole design of a perpendicular magnetic recording head
A main pole layer is deposited within an opening in a patterned photoresist layer on a substrate. The photoresist is thinned to expose an upper portion of a pole tip region that is then trimmed to a rectangular shape while a lower portion retains an inverted trapezoidal shape. Thereafter, a second trimming process forms a pole tip with a first width in the upper rectangular portion and a second thickness and second width which is less than the first width in the lower portion. A CMP step subsequently thins the upper portion to a first thickness of 0.04 to 0.08 microns while the second thickness remains at 0.16 to 0.32 microns. The bottom surface of the lower portion along the ABS becomes the trailing edge in a recording operation. The pole tip has a consistent first width (track width) that is not influenced by CMP process variations. |
| US07672077B2 |
Auto loading device for data storage cartridges
A vertical autoloader design enables multiple data cartridges to be selectively loaded into a drive while minimizing the device footprint. The structure of the vertical autoloader incorporates Geneva steps into the walls of the autoloader. The Geneva steps interface with gearing on a drive carriage to move the drive vertically. The data cartridges are inserted into slots on the front of the vertical autoloader, and the data cartridges not currently loaded into the drive can be removed and replaced while the autoloader is in operation. Further, the vertical autoloader includes prevent devices in the cartridge slots to ensure the data cartridges are loaded correctly. |
| US07672063B2 |
Zoom lens, optical apparatus equipped with the zoom lens and method for forming an image of an object and varying a focal length
A zoom lens comprises the following lens groups in the order from an object side: a first lens group having a positive refracting power; a second lens group having a negative refracting power; a third lens group having a positive refracting power; and a fourth lens group having a positive refracting power; wherein, upon zooming, at least the first lens group and the fourth lens group move to the object side; and wherein, upon focusing, the fourth lens group comprises a front lens group, and a rear lens group arranged with an air space on an image side of the front lens group, and the rear lens group is moved in a direction of an optical axis of the zoom lens. |
| US07672056B2 |
Wavefront correction system
A wavefront correction system using a dual frequency liquid crystal spatial light modulator to vary phase relationships of a wavefront is disclosed. A light beam from the dual frequency liquid crystal spatial light modulator can be split into a reference beam and a plurality of measurement beams to enhance a speed and/or accuracy of phase measurement. A temperature of the dual frequency liquid crystal spatial light modulator can be sensed to facilitate temperature control and/or temperature compensation, so as to enhance the accuracy associated with use of the crossover frequency used to control the dual frequency liquid crystal spatial light modulator. |
| US07672055B2 |
Substrate-guided optical devices
There is provided an optical device, having a light-transmitting substrate having at least two major surfaces (26) parallel to each other and edges; optical means (16) for coupling light waves located in a field-of-view into the substrate by internal reflection, and at least one partially reflecting surface (22) located in the substrate which is non-parallel to the major surfaces of the substrate, characterized in that at least one of the major surfaces is coated with a dichroic coating. |
| US07672053B2 |
Print medium
A print medium of the present invention has a structure in which a substrate 30 has an extending portion 10b extending from the portion fixed to a lenticular sheet 10a to the right in the drawing and adjacent to the rectangular lenticular sheet 10a. Printing “parallactic images”, “an addressee”, and “a fold” on an ink permeating layer 50, a print paper 60, and the ink permeating layer 50 of the print medium 10, respectively, and folding the extending portion 10b with respect to the “fold” facilitates bonding the portion on which the addressee is printed to the back surface of the lenticular sheet 10a. |
| US07672046B2 |
Optical multilayer filter, method for manufacturing the same, and electronic apparatus
An optical multilayer filter comprises a substrate, and an inorganic thin film that is composed of a plurality of layers and formed on the substrate. An uppermost surface layer of the inorganic thin film is a silicon oxide layer having a density of from 1.9 g/cm3 to 2.2 g/cm3. |
| US07672042B2 |
Fast dynamic gain control in an optical fiber amplifier
The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for controlling a gain of an optical fiber amplifier. Gain circuitry operates in an opened loop configuration and uses a predetermined function relating a power variation of at least one wavelength region with a pump power adjustment for at least one optical pump. Two approximate linear relationships between the input signal power variations and the required pump power adjustments are utilized in controlling the Raman fiber amplifier. Each approximate linear relationship includes at least one linear coefficient that relates a power variation for a specific wavelength region and a power adjustment of a specific Raman pump. The dynamic gain control technique is applicable to an Erbium-doped fiber/waveguide amplifier. Also, a dynamic gain control technique controls a backward-pumped Raman amplifier, in which the power variation is determined at one geographical location and the optical pumps are controlled at another geographical location. |
| US07672037B2 |
Electrophoretic display device and manufacturing method thereof
Provided are an electrophoretic display device and a manufacturing method thereof, and more specifically, electrophoretic e-paper to which a high-k dielectric material is applied in order to improve a reaction rate. The electrophoretic display device of the present invention comprises a plurality of capsules comprising a dielectric fluid and at least one type of particles individually operating in response to an applied electric field and suspended in the dielectric fluid; first and second substrates respectively formed on and below the capsules and having electrodes formed thereon; and a dielectric layer formed on at least one of the first and second substrates to be in contact with the capsules. |
| US07672036B2 |
Non-linear optical bodies and devices
The need to have a large single crystal of photorefractive material for devices such as optical limiters, optical memory, and beam couplers, is avoided by providing a photorefractive body (42) comprising small photorefractive particles (44) coupled by a couplant (43), for example glass, which is refractive index-matched to the particles. Such a body may comprise a fiber (42), or a bulk body (80). For many uses it will be necessary to align the photorefractive particles in the body and this can be achieved using fluid flows or electrostatically. Methods of making the particles, and of making photorefractive bodies are disclosed. Devices incorporating particle-couplant matrix bodies are disclosed. |
| US07672033B2 |
Light modulating apparatus
In a light modulating apparatus of an external modulating type which is used in an optical communication system, there are provided an LN modulator, a light branching circuit, a photoelectric converter, a bias control circuit, a driver for an LN modulator which serves to drive the LN modulator in response to an input electric signal, a capacitor for cutting off DC and low frequency components of the input electric signal, a low frequency component compensating circuit for compensating the DC and low frequency components of the input electric signal, and an adding circuit for adding an output of the bias control circuit and that of the low frequency component compensating circuit and generating a bias control signal of the LN modulator. |
| US07672032B2 |
Optical scanner and image forming apparatus using optical scanner
An optical axis of at least one surface of a resin-made diffracting lens is shifted in a main scanning direction with respect to an incident beam. A synchronous detection can cancel a problem of a misalignment in the main scanning direction due to a temperature variation. A light reflected from a second surface of the resin-made diffractive lens condenses on a position that is displaced in an optical axis direction from an optical beam outgoing point of a semiconductor laser, and thereby the light reflected again from the semiconductor laser does not form an image on a scanned surface and an impact on the image becomes low. |
| US07672030B2 |
Holographic fine-line pattern
The present invention relates to a three-dimensional security feature using a hologram which can not be counterfeited with color copying machines or diffraction grating image forming devices. The three-dimensional security feature comprises a hologram which is recorded in such a manner that it can be reconstructed to comprise at least two three-dimensional linear patterns when locally viewed, at least one of these two three-dimensional linear patterns having at least one portion which crosses the other linear pattern at the inner side and at least one portion which crosses the other linear pattern at the outer side. |
| US07672025B2 |
Apparatus for detecting front edge of a document and determining the home position of an image scanning module
An apparatus for detecting front edge of a document and determining home position of an image scanning module has a detecting light source near an outlet end of a document feeding track and aligned with an image reader of the image scanning module. The detecting light source emits a detecting light to be received by the image reader. By detecting whether the detecting light is received by the image reader, the front edge of the document can be detected to activate the image scanning module. And it can also determine whether or not the image scanning module has arrived on a home position. |
| US07672023B2 |
Document handler systems and methods
Embodiments herein observe the backing of the document handler to determine if a document was left on the platen and would block the scan head from scanning the documents as they are moved by the document handler. An embodiment herein comprises a transparent platen and a document handler on a first side of the platen. The document handler has a backing, and the backing is adapted to move media within the document handler. A scan head is positioned on a second side of the platen. The scan head remains stationary when scanning the media being moved by the document handler and the scan head moves when scanning media on the platen. The backing of the document handler has a surface that is distinguishable from the media such that the scan head can detect whether the media is on the platen and would block the scan head from scanning the media being moved by the document handler. |
| US07672021B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method
The image forming apparatus comprises: an image forming section which includes an image forming device forming an image onto a recording medium; a plurality of recording medium supply sections which store recording media and supply the recording media to the image forming section; a conveyance device which conveys the recording media supplied from the plurality of recording medium supply sections; and an end timing control device which controls a timing at which the recording media of each of the plurality of recording medium supply sections come to an end, by controlling selection of supply source of the recording medium used for image formation by the image forming device, from among the plurality of recording medium supply sections. |
| US07672016B2 |
Predicting graininess index on printing medium when printing according to any ink quantity set based on a graininess profile
A color patch that was printed based on a plurality of test ink quantity sets prepared in advance is image inputted; a graininess index is calculated based on the inputted color patch image; the graininess index on a printing medium obtained when printing is performed according to an arbitrary ink quantity set is predicted based on a graininess profile produced based on the corresponding relationship between the test ink quantity set and the graininess index. |
| US07672015B2 |
Printing method and system for converting color tones to lighter and darker values for printing with light and dark inks
The present invention provides a printing method including: (A) converting a tone value indicating a tone of a certain color to a first light tone value indicating a tone of a light color using a predetermined number of tones, and a first dark tone value indicating a tone of a dark color using a predetermined number of tones; (B) converting the first light tone value to a second light tone value indicating a tone of the light color with a smaller number of tones than the predetermined number of tones, based on a table for the light color; (C) converting the first dark tone value to a second tone value indicating a tone of the dark color with a smaller number of tones than the predetermined number of tones, based on a table for the dark color other than the table for the light color; (D) ejecting a light ink based on the second light tone value to form a light dot in the light ink on a medium, ejecting a dark ink based on the second dark tone value to form a dark dot in the dark ink on the medium, and expressing a tone of the certain color on the medium with the light dot and the dark dot. |
| US07672013B2 |
Methods and apparatus for electronically trapping digital images
Methods and apparatus are provided for electronically trapping a selected digital color image pixel. A plurality of pixels that surround the selected pixel are identified, a colorant value of each of the surrounding pixels is compared with a corresponding colorant value of the selected pixel, one of the surrounding pixels is identified to control trapping of the selected pixel, and the selected pixel is trapped based on a relationship between a colorant value of the selected pixel and a corresponding colorant value of the identified controlling pixel. |
| US07672012B2 |
Display device for use as a computer monitor, having a printer controller and a pagewidth printhead
A display device for use as a computer monitor, the display device comprising: a flat panel display for displaying images from a computer; a printer, the printer including: (a) a printer controller configured to receive print data in a compressed form, decompress the print data, and output dot data based on the decompressed print data; (b) a pagewidth printhead for receiving the dot data and printing onto print media. |
| US07672001B2 |
Device and process for quantitative assessment of the three-dimensional position of two machine parts, shafts, spindles, workpieces or other articles relative to one another
An apparatus and a method that can be used for qualitative or quantitative determination of the three-dimensional location of two bodies relative to one another which can be used, for example, to determine the mutual position of two bodies according to angular or translational coordinates. Furthermore, the apparatus and method can be used in a measurement robot or in a coordinate measurement device. The device composed of a device for emitting a light beam which is fanned in several planes and at least three, preferably four or more, optoelectronic line sensors or linear sensors for determination of the incidence points of the light beam which has been flared in several planes on the line sensors or an upstream target surface. |
| US07671996B2 |
Surface plasmon resonance sensor and biochip
The present invention relates to a surface plasmon resonance sensor which has a first dielectric layer, a metal layer disposed on the first dielectric layer, and a second dielectric layer covering the metal layer. The surface plasmon resonance sensor includes: a sensor main body provided with an opening for exposing a part of a surface of the metal layer on a side facing the second dielectric layer, and for allowing a measurement sample to be brought into contact with this surface; a light source for introducing a beam into the metal layer from one end of the metal layer in a longitudinal direction of the metal layer; and a detection unit detecting a beam emitted from the other end of the metal layer, has high sensitivity in measurement, is downsized, and is usable in a simple manner. |
| US07671994B2 |
Method for measuring chemical levels using pH shift
A method of measuring the free chlorine level in a solution of chlorinated pool/spa water comprises a first sample of said solution having a first selected pH and a second sample of said solution having a second selected pH and determining first and second ultraviolet light (UV) transmissivity values for each of the first and second samples. The first and second transmissivity values are then used to determine the free chlorine level. |
| US07671984B2 |
Spectrometric measuring probe and method for recalibrating the same
An arrangement for measuring the diffuse reflection of samples and a method for internal recalibration of the measuring head. The spectrometric measuring head with a device for recalibration comprises a housing which is provided with a window and which contains an illumination source, a spectrometer arrangement and at least two standards for internal recalibration. The two standards can be swiveled into the beam path of the measuring head selectively so that the measurement light emitted by the illumination source can be used in its entirety for recalibration. A processor for acquiring and processing measured values and an interface to a bus system are arranged in the housing. Accordingly, relatively time-consuming calibration of the measuring head at the place of use is required only before putting into operation or at longer time intervals. By the internal recalibrations, it is possible to prevent changes in the measured values in long-term operation. |
| US07671983B2 |
Method and apparatus for an advanced optical analyzer
The present invention provides a sample tank having a window for introduction of electromagnetic energy into the sample tank for analyzing a formation fluid sample down hole or at the surface without disturbing the sample. Near infrared, mid infrared and visible light analysis is performed on the sample to provide a downhole in situ or surface on site analysis of sample properties and contamination level. The onsite analysis comprises determination of gas oil ratio, API gravity and various other parameters which can be estimated by a trained neural network or chemometric equation. A flexural mechanical resonator is also provided to measure fluid density and viscosity from which additional parameters can be estimated by a trained neural network or chemometric equation. The sample tank is pressurized to obviate adverse pressure drop or other effects of diverting a small sample. |
| US07671978B2 |
Scatterometer-interferometer and method for detecting and distinguishing characteristics of surface artifacts
A scatterometer-interferometer and method for detecting and distinguishing characteristics of surface artifacts provides improved artifact detection and increased scanning speed in interferometric measurement systems. A scatterometer and interferometer are combined in a single measurement head and may have overlapping, concentric or separate measurement spots. Interferometric sampling of a surface under measurement may be initiated in response to detection of a surface artifact by the scatterometer, so that continuous scanning of the surface under measurement can be performed until further information about the size and/or height of the artifact is needed. |
| US07671977B2 |
Personal identification system
A personal identification system, which uses a vein pattern of a finger, optimizes the amount of light of a light source based on a captured finger image and emphasizes the vein pattern during image processing for identification. |
| US07671975B2 |
Blood processing apparatus with dedicated stroboscopic controller for LED source
A centrifuge blood processing system for separating fluid components comprising a first light source comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes in optical communication with the centrifuge blood processing system for providing an incident light beam for illuminating an observation region on the centrifuge blood processing system, a light collection element in optical communication with the centrifuge blood processing system for collecting at least a portion of the light transmitted, scattered or both from the observation region, a programmable controller for providing an operational procedure for the monitoring system; and an independent dedicated control circuit in electrical communication with the programmable controller and electrically coupled to the light source, the control circuit receiving command parameters from the controller and controlling periods of illumination from the light source in response to the command parameters. Periods of illumination are controlled to prevent the failure of LEDs. |
| US07671966B2 |
Computer architecture for and method of high-resolution imaging using a low-resolution image transducer
Parallel data bus architecture, lithography system and method for substrate patterning with a high-resolution image by data generation transferring, display or printing high edge placement accuracy images from multiple exposures of plurality of predefined patterns with lower edge placement accuracy. Data bus architecture includes n predetermined patterns in n memory arrays each storing a low resolution pattern to be formed onto microelement array with a data bus connecting memory arrays to an image transducer memory array. Data bus includes switches allowing data transfer from any one memory array to the image transducer array with a memory control unit connected to memory arrays and one or more data bus switches so 2m−1 columns of pattern data stored in the mth memory array are sequentially transferred to 2m−1 memory cell columns of the image transducer memory array, m an integer begging at 1 incremented by 1 to n. |
| US07671964B2 |
Exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
An exposure apparatus for exposing a substrate to light via a reticle. A cooling device cools first water supplied from a facility by use of second water supplied for the facility, in which a temperature of the second water to be supplied from the facility is lower than a temperature of the first water to be supplied from the facility, a first supply path supplies the first water from the facility to the cooling device, a second supply path supplies the second water from the facility to the cooling device, and a third supply path supplies the first water cooled by the cooling device from the cooling device to a heat source inside the exposure apparatus. |
| US07671960B2 |
Method for producing a device defining a volume for retaining a fluid or a sensitive material
A method of manufacturing at least one device defining a volume for retaining fluid or sensitive material capable of changing physical properties, particularly optical properties, via application of voltage, or electrical properties via stress or radiation, the device including a first front substrate and a second back substrate maintained at a constant distance from each other, and joined by a sealing joint which defines the volume, wherein the method includes the steps of: structuring at least one wall, which defines, via its inner lateral face, the volume for retaining the sensitive medium or fluid, on one of the substrates; joining the second substrate to the first substrate; introducing a sealing material into a gap defined by the outer lateral face of the wall and the two superposed substrates until at least part of the gap is occupied by sealing material, and solidifying the sealing material to form the sealing frame. |
| US07671957B2 |
Display device
A TFT array substrate of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a plurality of scanning signal lines formed in a display region; a plurality of display signal lines formed in the display region; a plurality of TFTs arraigned in matrix in the display region; a plurality of scanning lead-out lines arranged in a frame region formed outside the display region in accordance with the scanning signal lines; a gate insulating film formed on the plurality of scanning lead-out lines; and a first conductive layer formed on the gate insulating film and applied with a predetermined potential, the first conductive layer being formed to cover the plurality of scanning lead-out lines outside the sealing material. |
| US07671956B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and fabricating method thereof
A liquid crystal display panel and a fabricating method thereof for minimizing a resistance of a silver dot caused by thickness of a silver dot and preventing distortion of a common voltage are disclosed. In the liquid crystal display panel, a common pad may be formed on a first substrate. A common electrode supplies a common voltage through a common pad to a second substrate opposite to the first substrate. A conductive dot is substantially formed between the common electrode and the common pad to electrically connect the common electrode and common pad. An organic protective film minimizes conductive dot height on the first substrate at an area substantially corresponding to the common pad. |
| US07671953B2 |
Substrate for liquid crystal display
A substrate for a liquid crystal display includes: a line-shaped fine groove formed on the substrate; and a metal line at least formed within the fine groove. The substrate enables a decrease in the height difference between the metal line and the surface of the substrate, thereby enhancing reliability in manufacturing the liquid crystal display. In addition, the aperture ratio of the pixel is enhanced, brightness is enhanced, and high resolution is realized. |
| US07671951B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes a plurality of pixel electrodes that are formed in a matrix shape and each of which includes at least two parallelogram electrode pieces each having a pair of lengthwise edges and a pair of oblique edges adjacent the lengthwise edges, and a common electrode that faces the pixel electrodes and that has tilt direction determining members. Transverse center lines of the pixel electrodes that are adjacent each other in a row direction alternate, and the tilt direction determining members that correspond to the pixel electrodes that are adjacent to each other in the row direction are connected to each other in the row direction. |
| US07671945B2 |
UV curable alignment material for fabrication of monolithic compensators for liquid crystal displays
A segmented, rigid-rod aromatic polyimide mixed with a UV curable acrylate photopolymer material comprises an alignment layer for aligning nematic polymeric liquid crystal compensator films. The material may also provide an out-of-plane retardation. The segmented, rigid-rod aromatic polyimide-based UV curable acrylate alignment layer, when applied in appropriate thickness, functions as a negative uniaxial C-plate compensator and causes alignment of the nematic liquid crystal molecules. The combination of the retardation provided by the alignment layer and the compensator film deposited on it provides a significant improvement in the contrast and color stability of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) at large viewing angles. |
| US07671943B2 |
Transflective liquid crystal display panel and fabricating method thereof
A transflective liquid crystal display (LCD) panel includes an active device array substrate, an opposite substrate, and a liquid crystal layer in between. The active device array substrate includes scan lines, data lines, and pixel units. Each pixel unit includes an active device, a reflective pixel electrode, and a transparent pixel electrode. The active device is electrically connected to the corresponding scan line and data line. The reflective pixel electrode and the transparent pixel electrode are respectively disposed in a reflective region and a transmissive region and both electrically connected to the active device. The liquid crystal molecules in the reflective region are pre-tilted at a pretilt angle. |
| US07671941B2 |
Liquid crystal display and electronic device
The invention provides a liquid crystal display capable of obtaining light and high-contrast display having a wide viewing angle in a transflective liquid crystal display. A liquid crystal display of the present invention employs a vertical alignment mode using a liquid crystal layer that is vertically aligned in the initial alignment state. A transparent display area is disposed to surround the periphery of a reflective display area in one dot, and an insulating film is provided in the area that corresponds to the reflective display area in the center of the dot. The insulating film makes the thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the reflective display area to be smaller than the thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the transparent display area. |
| US07671939B2 |
Liquid crystal display element
A liquid crystal display element includes: a first substrate having a first surface and including a pixel electrode; a second substrate having a second surface opposing to the first surface, and including a light-shielding film, a thickness adjusting film and a counter electrode arranged in sequence in a direction to the second surface; a sealing material having a frame-shape to bond the first substrate and the second substrate; a liquid crystal layer provided in a region surrounded by the sealing material and between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the thickness adjusting film is provided to cover the light-shielding film to define the thickness of the liquid crystal layer, and has a contact hole, wherein the counter electrode is provided to oppose to the pixel electrode, and electrically connected to the light shielding film via the contact hole. |
| US07671937B2 |
Polarizing plate
A polarizing plate comprising (a) a layer composed of a plurality of polyvinyl alcohol fibers adsorbing a dichroic pigment and having an aspect ratio of 10 or more, which are arranged in a planar form in one direction, or the above layer (a) and (b) a layer composed of a plurality of fibers having an aspect ratio of 10 or more and a difference between the refractive index of fiber in long axis and the refractive index of fiber in short axis of 0.05 or more and not adsorbing a dichroic pigment, which are arranged in a planar form in one direction, and/or (b′) a plurality of fibers having an aspect ratio of 10 or more and a difference between the refractive index of fiber in long axis and the refractive index of fiber in short axis of less than 0.05 and not adsorbing a dichroic pigment, which are arranged in a planar form in one direction, and (c) an optically transparent resin., |
| US07671936B2 |
Liquid crystal display comprising at least one LED and a PCB and a frame having an opening with a narrow portion and a broad portion on a side surface of the frame and backlight module having the same
A liquid crystal display has a light guide plate, a liquid crystal panel disposed on the light guide plate, a frame having a compartment for containing the light guide plate and a frame wall having an opening and a light bar cavity, and a light bar buried in the light bar cavity via the opening. |
| US07671935B2 |
Display
A display comprises: a transmissive pixellated spatial light modulator (21); and a backlight (22). The backlight has a light-transmissive waveguide (26), with a first face of the waveguide being opposed to the spatial light modulator (21). The first face of the waveguide comprises a plurality of regions that are not totally internally reflective for at least one polarisation of light propagating within the waveguide, and the remainder of the first face of the waveguide is totally internally reflective for light propagating within the waveguide. Light is extracted from the waveguide at the regions where first face of the waveguide is not totally internally reflective. The pitch of the regions where first face of the waveguide is not totally internally reflective is substantially an integer multiple of the pitch of the pixels of the spatial light modulator. |
| US07671928B2 |
Display apparatus including self-luminescent device and non-self-luminescent device
A display apparatus with a self-luminescent device and a non-self-luminescent device has a first substrate, a second substrate, and a pixel matrix with a plurality of pixels. Each pixel has a first switching device, a non-self-luminescent device controlled by the first switching device, a second switching device, and a self-luminescent device controlled by the second switching device. The first switching device and the second switching device are active devices, wherein the first switching device is disposed on the first substrate, and the second switching device is disposed on the second substrate. Alternatively, one of the first switching device and the second switching device is a passive device. Also, the first switching device is on the first substrate, and the second switching device is on the second substrate. An apparatus for controlling the disclosed display apparatus is also disclosed. |
| US07671926B2 |
Radio frequency modulator
Disclosed herein is a Radio Frequency (RF) modulator. The RF modulator includes a Chrominance-to-Luminance (C/L) delay compensation unit for receiving a video signal and compensating for a time delay between the chrominance and luminance signals of the video signal, and a modulation unit for receiving the video signal, which is compensated for by the C/L delay compensation unit, and an audio signal and converting the video and audio signal into a preset frequency-band RE signal. The C/L delay compensation unit and the modulation unit are packaged in a single package. |
| US07671921B2 |
Image pickup apparatus having a movable grip portion
An image pickup apparatus comprises: an image pickup unit for picking up an object image; an image display unit for displaying an image; a grip portion to be grasped by an operator; a moving portion for allowing the grip portion to move between a first position in which the grip portion overlaps part of the image display unit and a second position in which the grip portion does not overlap the image display unit. |
| US07671919B2 |
Camera
First to fourth lenses are aligned in an optical axis direction by a lens-barrel of a camera, an O-ring is disposed between the first lens and the lens-barrel, an O-ring is disposed between the fourth lens and the lens-barrel, a space is formed between the first and second lenses, a space is formed between the second and fourth lenses, a space is formed between the third and fourth lenses, and flow of air between the spaces is precluded. The camera thus configured is free of dewing on the lens or a protective plate exposed to the exterior, even when the inside temperature is raised due to heat generation in a CCD or a mounting substrate on which the CCD is mounted. |
| US07671917B2 |
Image taking apparatus, image taking system, and lens apparatus
The present invention discloses an image taking apparatus which can control image deterioration caused by the image size of an attached lens apparatus and image generating region of an image pickup element not corresponding. The image taking apparatus has an image pickup element which photoelectrically converts an object image formed by the attached lens apparatus; an image producing section which produces recording image data to be recorded based on an output from the image pickup element; and a controller which judges an image size of the attached lens apparatus and changes an image producing region for producing the recording image data within a light receiving region of the image pickup element based on the judged image size. |
| US07671910B2 |
Interpolator, method, and digital image signal processor for adaptive filtering of Bayer pattern color signal
An interpolator and method for high image resolution by interpolation with adaptive filtering of Bayer pattern color signals, and a digital image signal processor implementing the same. The digital image signal processor can generate interpolation data close to actual pixel data by applying a nonlinear low pass filter (LPF) that reflects the change rate of the data centered around a center pixel and the data of the center pixel, and by simultaneously applying a LPF, a band pass filter (BPF), and a high pass filter (HPF) having linear characteristics, and can generate interpolation data that reduces aliasing (at “edges”) and emphasizes a high frequency component. |
| US07671904B2 |
Apparatus and method for capturing images
An apparatus for capturing images is provided. The apparatus for capturing images includes a control unit that determines whether an internal memory is available for use, and a process-driving unit that loads background processes. |
| US07671898B2 |
Color-space transformation-matrix calculating method and image processing device
A color space transformation matrix calculating method is provided that calculates a color space transformation matrix which transforms colors in a first color space to colors in a second color space. The method optimizes a plurality of constant color-space transformation matrices, so that each of the constant color-space transformation matrices is adjusted to transform each standard color in the first color space to each goal color in the second color space, which correspond to each of the standard colors. The method further calculates interpolation functions for each matrix element of a color-space transformation matrix applied for the entire gamut of the first color space, based on the constant color-space transformation matrices. |
| US07671896B2 |
Image sensing apparatus
An object of this invention is to provide an image sensing apparatus which shortens the photographing interval in single shooting and sequential shooting. To achieve this object, an image signal corresponding to an object image is read from an image sensing element to output image data by the processes of a signal processing circuit and A/D converter. An image processing circuit integrates the image data output from the image sensing element for white balance processing. An image display circuit performs processing of displaying on a display an object image during imaging on the image sensing element. A system controller so controls as to cause the image processing circuit to perform integral processing of the image data for the white balance during read of an image signal from the image sensing element, and cause the display to display the object image after integral processing ends. |
| US07671893B2 |
System and method for interactive multi-view video
Interactive multi-view video presents a new type of video capture system. Many video cameras are allocated to capture an event from various related locations and directions. The captured videos are compressed in control PCs and are sent to a server in real-time. The compressed video can also be transcoded through an off-line compression approach to further reduce the data amount. Users can subscribe to a new type of service that allows users to connect to the servers and receive multi-view videos interactively. |
| US07671889B2 |
Autostereoscopic pixel arrangement techniques
An autostereoscopic display system wherein an interdigitated stereogram is generated and displayed on an electronic display. The display includes a lenticular screen over the surface of the display which allows the user to observe the stereogram on the display and obtain a true stereoscopic effect. In accord with the invention, the resolution of master images is minimized and then the pixels from the master images are mapped to form the interdigitated stereogram. The optimum minimization of the resolution is obtained when the ratio of horizontal resolution to vertical resolution for the master images approximates the screen aspect ratio of the display. In this way, less computation is involved in remapping the pixels to form an interdigitated stereogram. |
| US07671888B2 |
Stereoscopic-endoscope display control apparatus and stereoscopic endoscope system
The present invention provides a system including a stereoscopic endoscope having left and right image pickup units for picking up parallactic images of an object through objective lenses laterally arranged at a distance from each other and CCDs laterally arranged at a distance from each other. In the stereoscopic endoscope, the focal distance is variable by moving focusing lenses. A display control unit is constructed so as to mask image pickup areas in left and right images display in left and right display elements on the basis of information regarding the distance to an object, the image pickup areas being picked up-only by one of the left and right image pickup units. Thus, images corresponding to an area that is picked up in common by both the left and right image pickup units are displayed. |
| US07671887B2 |
System and method of navigating a medical instrument
A system for navigating an image-guided object through an imaged subject supported on table in relation to an image acquired by an image detector is provided. The system includes a first tracking element attached to the patient, and a second tracking element attached at the table. The first and second tracking elements define first and second coordinate systems. A controller is operable to register the second coordinate system with a third coordinate system defined by the image detector, measure a spatial relation between the first tracking element and the second tracking element, register the first coordinate system with the third local coordinate system defined by the image detector based on the spatial relation between the first and second tracking elements, and generating a composite image comprising a virtual image of the object in spatial relation to the image of the imaged subject acquired by the image detector. |
| US07671886B2 |
Video-phone terminal apparatus, image-shooting method, and computer product
A remote-operation authenticating unit determines whether to permit a remote operation of the video-phone terminal apparatus by other video-phone terminal apparatus via a video phone communication. A remote operation unit receives, from the other video-phone terminal apparatus, a request for a control including at least a shutter control of the image capturing device to shoot an image, and executes the control in response to the request. An image converting unit converts the image into an image for the video phone communication. A communicating unit transmits the image for the video phone communication to the other video-phone terminal apparatus. |
| US07671877B2 |
Multi-imager system using reflex writing and lateral image registration
A lateral position of a photoreceptor belt is detected by at least a first sensor and a second sensor, respectively located near a first imager and a second imager. The detected lateral positions of the photoreceptor belt by the first sensor is compared to the detected lateral position of the photoreceptor belt by the second sensor. Based on this compared difference, a correction is applied to the position of the second imager relative to the photoreceptor belt. To apply the correction, the location of the start of scan (SOS) of the respective imagers is moved. |
| US07671872B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining chrominance space
A method for determining which one of regions in a chrominance space an input point belongs to. The regions are defined by boundary lines. The method includes generating in the chrominance space a first line, extending through the input point and the origin of the chrominance space, and a second line, connecting a point on the Cb axis of the chrominance space and a point on the Cr axis of the chrominance space. The method further includes comparing coordinates of a first intersection point, at which the first line and the second line intersect, and coordinates of second intersection points, at which the second line and the boundary lines intersect, to determine the region to which the input point belongs. |
| US07671866B2 |
Memory controller with graphic processing function
A memory controller having graphic processing function that includes a graphic processing unit operating in response to a selection signal from a master, and a memory interface for storing outputs of the graphic processing unit in an external memory at and receiving graphic data from the external memory to provide the graphic data to the graphic processing unit. |
| US07671860B2 |
Representing implicit curves of procedural geometric surfaces
Compact and accurate piecewise parametric representations of implicit curves may be achieved by iteratively selecting ranges of parameterizing regions and testing each for satisfying an intervalized super convergence test. In one aspect, the implicit curves is represented as a compact form of one or more representations of such convergence regions. For memory and bandwidth constrained applications, starting points of convergence regions may not be stored but instead calculated at runtime prior to rendering a point on the implicit curve. Furthermore, not all endpoints relevant convergence regions of a selected implicit curve need be stored. Instead, based on at least one endpoint, the other endpoints can be derived via Newton iterations. To further reduce memory and bandwidth costs, coordinates can be stored in a quantized format and the points reflecting floating point accuracy can be derived at runtime again by Newton iteration. |
| US07671858B1 |
Unconstrained paving and plastering method for generating finite element meshes
Computer software for and a method of generating a conformal all quadrilateral or hexahedral mesh comprising selecting an object with unmeshed boundaries and performing the following while unmeshed voids are larger than twice a desired element size and unrecognizable as either a midpoint subdividable or pave-and-sweepable polyhedra: selecting a front to advance; based on sizes of fronts and angles with adjacent fronts, determining which adjacent fronts should be advanced with the selected front; advancing the fronts; detecting proximities with other nearby fronts; resolving any found proximities; forming quadrilaterals or unconstrained columns of hexahedra where two layers cross; and establishing hexahedral elements where three layers cross. |
| US07671857B2 |
Three dimensional image processing
A method of preparing on a first device object files used for rendering two-dimensional images of three-dimensional objects on a second device by processing object files containing data defining triangle primitives representing at least one three-dimensional object to determine a rendering order in which the triangle primitives may be rendered for creating a two-dimensional image in which the hidden surfaces are removed. A plurality of planar triangle primitives corresponding to a plurality of surface portions of the at least one object as vertex data are stored on the first device. |
| US07671856B2 |
Measuring timing parameters of RGBHV analog video
A unique test pattern is used for measuring timing parameters of RGBHV analog video signals. For horizontal timing a horizontal line includes within an active video region left and right portions at a first level and a central portion at a second level, the left, right and central portions having a defined percentage relationship to the number of pixels of the horizontal line within the active video region. Also optionally included are left and right border portions just prior to and just after the left and right portions respectively. Measurements are done in pixels for the horizontal line from a horizontal sync pulse to each transition of the unique test pattern, and the horizontal timing parameters are derived from such measurements. Likewise for vertical timing a frame includes within the active video region top and bottom portions made up of horizontal lines having a first level for a first half and a second level for the second half, the number of lines in the top and bottom portions having a defined percentage relationship to the number of lines in the active video region. Also optionally included are top and bottom border lines just prior to and just after the top and bottom portions respectively. Measurements are done in lines for the frame from a vertical sync pulse to each transition in line pattern of the unique test pattern, and the vertical timing parameters are derived from such measurements. |
| US07671853B2 |
Signal output adjustment circuit and display driver
A signal output adjustment circuit includes a decoder which decodes command data from a memory, a control register in which control data corresponding to first command data is set when the decoder determines that the command data is the first command data, a buffer in which the control data corresponding to second command data is stored when the decoder determines that the command data is the second command data, and an output adjustment circuit which reads the control data stored in the buffer and outputs the control data in synchronization with a data fetch signal, based on a value set in the control register. At least one of permission/rejection of inversion output of the data fetch signal and output timing of the data fetch signal is set based on the value set in the control register. |
| US07671852B2 |
Display device, display method, and computer product
A display device includes a display unit, a state detecting unit, and a setting unit. The display unit includes a display screen on which an image is displayed. The state detecting unit detects a light emission state of a pixel of the display screen. The setting unit sets the pixel to any one of a display mode and a charge mode based on a result of detection by the state detecting unit. |
| US07671844B2 |
Portable electronic reference device with pivoting light lid
A portable electronic reference device is disclosed that can be used by a user when reading a book. The electronic reference device functions as a dictionary for the reader to look up words as they read. It can also have various other functions that would be suitable for a portable electronic device. The device has a display section and a keyboard section. A pivoting transparent lid is provided on the display. The lid also contains a light to allow a user to clearly see the device and pages of a book. |
| US07671843B2 |
Virtual holographic input method and device
An input device for detecting input with respect to a three dimensional area in space. The input device includes an electromagnetic wave interference projector and receiver. The analysis of the difference between the projected interference pattern and the received interference pattern will determine the type and location of the user input. In addition, this holographic type of wave interference will display the image to be “manipulated” or “touched”. |
| US07671840B2 |
User interface control for changing a parameter
A user interface comprises a control for adjusting a numeric field value. The control includes controls for editing the numeric field text directly and for dynamically incrementing and decrementing the value. In addition, the control includes controls for combining several functions into one control, allowing for quicker numeric value editing, control of multiple parameters, and taking up less user interface space. |
| US07671839B2 |
Mechanism for electronic display devices
A computing device is provided that includes a display comprising a plurality of discrete elements. A memory is used to store a data collection of paginated content. A processor of the computing device is configured to retrieve each of the pages from the memory. The processor signals the display to individually present each of the pages. A sensor device is coupled to the processor. The sensor device is deflectable to signal the processor a deflection value that causes the processor to sequentially present at least portions of multiple pages on the display. |
| US07671838B2 |
Biomechanically low load multi-angle multi-dexterity computer mouse
A multi-angle, multi-dexterity mouse apparatus comprising: a base, configured to be placed on a working surface and having: a bottom surface configured to be placed on a working surface; a first inner surface; a second inner surface, the second inner surface being the mirror image of and opposed to the first inner surface, wherein the first inner surface and the second inner surface are in adjustable communication to receive a portion of the mouse users hand; a first housing in rotatable adjustable communication with the base, wherein the first housing has an inner surface with an actuation means and an outer surface. |
| US07671834B2 |
Electric writable media
An electric writable medium having islanded surface structures operationally configured to avoid tribocharging of the electric writable medium. |
| US07671833B2 |
Touch sensible display device
A display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a display panel; a plurality of pixels disposed on the display panel; a plurality of sensor data lines disposed on the display panel and disposed between two adjacent pixels; and a plurality of sensing units disposed on the display panel and disposed between two adjacent pixels. |
| US07671832B2 |
Multi-colored LED backlight with color-compensated clusters near edge
Various techniques are described for improving the color uniformity across a backlight for backlighting an LCD. In one embodiment, the backlight uses rows of red, green, and blue LEDs in a mixing chamber. The LEDs are arranged in clusters, such as GRBG or GBRG, each cluster having an associated white point. In order to achieve color uniformity along the left and right edges of the backlight, the LEDs in those edge clusters are specially selected to compensate for the color imbalance in the white point relative to the dimensions of the cluster. For example, a non-compensated cluster of GRBG along the left edge will produce a reddish tint along the left edge since the red peak intensity is to the left of the center of the cluster. To offset this reddish tint along the left side, the cluster's overall white point is blue-cyan shifted. As a result, the left edge of the backlight has the same white point as near the middle of the backlight, where the white point imbalance of a single cluster is offset by the white point imbalance of the surrounding clusters. Similarly, a GBRG cluster along the left edge will have its white point red-yellow shifted. |
| US07671831B2 |
Output buffer with improved output deviation and source driver for flat panel display having the output buffer
An output buffer with an improved output deviation and a source driver of a flat panel display which employs the output buffer wherein the output buffer includes a first input terminal to which a first differential input signal is applied, a second input terminal to which a second differential input signal is applied, an output terminal that generates an output signal based on the second differential input signal and feeds back the output signal to the first input terminal as the first input signal, a first power supply terminal to which a first power supply voltage is applied, a second power supply terminal to which a second power supply voltage is applied, and an amplification unit that amplifies a difference between the first differential input signal and the second differential input signal, pulls up the output signal to the first power supply voltage or pulls down the output signal to the second power supply voltage, and includes a plurality of transistors. |
| US07671827B2 |
Electro-optical device
An electro-optical device comprising a display drive system with the display timing related to the unit time t for writing-in a picture element and to the time F for writing-in one picture is disclosed. In the device, a gradated display corresponding to the ratio of the division can be obtained by time-sharing the signal during a write-in of time t without changing the time F. |
| US07671825B2 |
Method of driving organic EL device and display device
According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to sufficiently perform the discharging of charge without lowering the light emitting efficiency of an organic EL device and hence, the device can exhibit the light emitting efficiency higher than a conventional organic EL device and, at the same time, can prevent the degradation of the device. As an organic EL device to which the present invention is applied, on a glass transparent substrate, a transparent electrode, a hole injection layer and a hole transport layer which function as a hole transport function layer, a light emitting layer, an electron transport function layer, and a metal electrode are formed sequentially, and a drive power sources are connected to the transparent electrode and the metal electrode. Further, from the drive power source, as an applying voltage, a voltage which is obtained by overlapping any one of a sine wave, a pulse wave, a triangle wave and a sawtooth wave having two cycles or more to a drive signal or a voltage which is obtained by overlapping a sine wave having two cycles or more to the drive signal is supplied. |
| US07671815B2 |
Antenna device and portable radio communication device comprising such an antenna device
A multi-band antenna device for a portable radio communication device has first and second radiating elements (10, 20). A controllable switch (30) is arranged between the radiating elements for selectively interconnecting and disconnecting thereof. The state of the switch is controlled by means of a control voltage input (VSwitch). A filter (40) that blocks radio frequency signals is arranged between the feeding portion and the control voltage input. A DC blocking arrangement (50) is arranged between a grounding portion (14) on the first radiating element and ground wherein the first and second radiating element are generally planar and arranged at a predetermined distance above a ground plane. By means of this arrangement, two broad and spaced apart frequency bands are obtained with retained performance and small overall size of the antenna device. A communication device comprising such an antenna device is also provided. |
| US07671809B2 |
Antenna device with ion-implanted antenna pattern
Disclosed is an antenna device for transceiving a wireless signal with an ion-implanted antenna pattern implanted inside a casing of an electronic device. The ion-implanted antenna pattern is connected to an antenna module of a motherboard of the electronic device in order to feed the wireless signal transceived by the ion-implanted antenna pattern, while the connection could be either by an antenna signal feeding line connected to the ion-implanted antenna pattern and the antenna module, or by an antenna coupling element coupled with the ion-implanted antenna pattern and connected to an antenna signal feeding line. |
| US07671808B2 |
Communication device and an antenna therefor
A communications device, such as a cellular telephone, comprises a RF circuit and a PIFA antenna having feed and shorting terminations. An electrically conductive, self supporting member is provided to effect a connection between contact points of the RF circuit and the antenna. The member has at least one feed pillar and a shorting pillar which are substantially permanently connected to respective contact points of the RF circuit, and an antenna interface which forms a pressure connection with the terminations of the antenna. |
| US07671805B2 |
Antenna apparatus and article management system
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provide an antenna apparatus including: a conductive element including one end connected to a ground plane via a terminating resistor and the other end to which a power is supplied; and at least one branch conductive element branching from the conductive element and having a tip end which is short-circuited to the ground plane, and an element length of the branch conductive element being approximately a quarter wavelength of an operation frequency. |
| US07671803B2 |
Wireless communication system
A wireless communication system comprising a radio module. The radio module comprises a radio transceiver and an antenna electrically coupled to the radio transceiver. The radio module may also comprise an electromagnetic shield disposed relative to the antenna to enable the antenna to transmit a radio signal to a location external to the electrical device without electromagnetic interference from within the electrical device. |
| US07671799B1 |
Antenna calibration method and system
A phased array antenna system includes an RF front end, a radome, and an optical calibrator embedded in the radome for enabling in-situ calibration of the RF front end. The optical calibrator employs an optical timing signal generator (OTSG), a Variable Optical Amplitude and Delay Generator array (VOADGA) for receiving the modulated optical output signal and generating a plurality of VOADGA timing signals, and an optical timing signal distributor (OTSD). The in-situ optical calibrator allows for reduced calibration time and makes it feasible to perform calibration whenever necessary. |
| US07671797B1 |
Coordinate-based system, method and computer program product for adjusting an antenna
A system, method, and computer program product are provided. In use, a plurality of coordinates is identified. Further, at least one aspect of an antenna is adjusted based on the coordinates. In addition, the coordinates include source coordinates that indicate a location of a source of a signal received by the antenna. Additionally, the at least one aspect of the antenna is adjusted includes an orientation of the antenna, where the orientation is further determined based on a strength of the signal received by the antenna. |
| US07671796B2 |
Satellite search method
A method for searching satellites is disclosed. In the method of the present invention, the satellites are selected to consist of a group, and searching is conducted in this group. The group size is predetermined for each stage so as to be the most appropriate for various searching conditions. The member number of the group (i.e. group size) and the members of the group are updated as the searching results are continually obtained. The updates are done according to scanning times of the group, satellite hit number, searching time for the group and satellite priorities and the like, for example. The group size can be reduced or expanded. By using the method, satellites required to fix a position can be rapidly found. |
| US07671791B2 |
GPS receiver for use with differential-GPS signals
The present disclosure provides a system for converting differential-GPS signals to a format suitable for input to a conventional GPS receiver and combining the converted signal with GPS ranging signals. The combined signals are provided to a conventional GPS receiver via a cable. Circuitry for converting the augmentation signal and combining it with a GPS signal are co-located in a housing which supports both a standard GPS antenna and a differential GPS augmenting signal antenna. |
| US07671789B1 |
Method and system for target detection and angle estimation based on a radar signal
A method for target detection and angle estimation in a radar system includes receiving a signal from a radar array; based on the received signal, performing monopulse beamforming to obtain one or more monopulse beams; based on the monopulse beams, determining monopulse ratios; using maximum likelihood estimation based on the determined monopulse ratios to determine a monopulse ratio estimate corresponding to a maximum of a likelihood function; accessing a table correlating monopulse ratio estimates and target angle values and determining from the table an estimated target angle; accessing a complex target amplitude corresponding to the estimated target angle, comparing the complex target amplitude to a threshold; and if, based on the step of comparing, the target amplitude exceeds the threshold, providing an output signal indicative of target detection and the estimated target angle. |
| US07671779B1 |
System and method for reducing power consumption in a multi-channel signal processor
An analog front end for a multi-channel signal processor is provided. The analog front end includes a first stage that is operable to receive a plurality of channel inputs. The first stage includes a ping/pong capacitor array corresponding to each of the channel inputs and an operational amplifier that may be coupled successively to each of the ping/pong capacitor arrays. |
| US07671776B1 |
Input sampling network that avoids undesired transient voltages
Circuits, methods, and apparatus that provide sampling networks that avoid undesired transient voltages. One example provides a sampling network that includes a switch such that charge is transferred to an integrator in two separate steps instead of one. This switch connects the first side of a capacitor to an intermediate voltage after it is connected to an input voltage and before it is connected to a reference voltage, where the reference voltage is the output of a one-bit digital-to-analog converter. This intermediate switching allows charge to be transferred from a sampling capacitor to an integrating capacitor in two steps, thus avoiding undesirable transient voltages. |
| US07671773B2 |
Jitter insensitive single bit digital to analog converter
Systems and methods for a jitter insensitive 1-bit digital to analog converter (DAC) are described. The jitter insensitive 1-bit DAC employed in the feedback loop of a delta sigma analog to digital converter (ADC) converts a 1-bit digital data into the corresponding analog output. |
| US07671772B2 |
Method and apparatus for producing a linearized amplified continuous wave (CW) signal
In one embodiment, at least one parameter set for at least one harmonic of a continuous wave (CW) signal is digitally generated in response to a parameter set for the CW signal. In response to the parameter set for the CW signal, the CW signal is synthesized; and in response to the at least one parameter set for the at least one harmonic of the CW signal, at least one nulling tone is synthesized. The CW signal and the at least one nulling tone are amplified; and the amplified CW signal and the at least one amplified nulling tone are summed to produce a linearized amplified CW signal. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US07671771B2 |
Optical quantizing unit and optical A/D converter
An optical quantizing unit includes an optical divider dividing 1st optical pulses to be quantized and sending the divided 1st optical pulses into a plurality of paths; a plurality of optical filters passing with different transmittances the divided 1st optical pulses; and an optical threshold filter sequentially receiving the 1st optical pulses, and sending 2nd optical pulses when light intensities of the 1st optical pulses are above a preset threshold value. |
| US07671768B2 |
Digital-to-analogue converter system with increased performance
The invention relates to an N-bit digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) system, comprising—a DAC unit comprising an N-bit master DAC and a slave DAC, yielding a master DAC unit output signal and a slave DAC unit output signal, respectively, said N-bit master DAC having an output step size,—an adder unit combining the master DAC unit output signal and the slave DAC unit output signal, and—a means for storing correction values for at least the master DAC, said correction values being used by the slave DAC, whereby the DAC system is arranged for master DAC output corrections with a size in absolute value higher than half of the output step size. |
| US07671762B2 |
System and method for transceiving motor vehicle data
A system and method for transceiving vehicle data is provided. The system and method provide for transceiving situation data to or from a vehicle. The system includes a situation data generator for generating the situation data and a transceiver for transmitting the situation data. The system also includes a database for storing the transmitted situation data and a display for displaying the transmitted situation data. Further, a system for storing situation and/or vehicle identification data for real time or later analysis is also disclosed. |
| US07671758B1 |
Remote control programming system
A method and apparatus for programming a remote control is provided. Control data that identifies one or more mode codes is stored in a computing device that is operationally connected to a detector. A user presses a button on a source remote control to cause an input signal to be transmitted from the source remote control to be received by the detector. The detector decodes the input signal, and consults the control data to determine a particular IR code that is associated with the source remote control. The computing device may then display information identifying a particular mode code on a display to allow the user to manually program a target remote control with the particular mode code. Alternately, the computing device may transmit the particular mode code to the target remote control to allow the target remote control to automatically configure itself with the particular mode code. |
| US07671754B2 |
Sensor for detecting leakage of a liquid
A sensor for detecting the presence of a liquid. The sensor includes a housing having a concave upper surface, a concave lower surface, and a peripheral wall connecting the upper surface and the lower surface, the wall extending above the upper surface and below the lower surface. A plurality of apertures are formed in the wall. A plurality of electrically conductive members extend above the upper surface and below the lower surface and are separated from one another by a gap in which a liquid can accumulate. The electrically conductive members are configured to generate an output signal when a conductive liquid comes into contact with the electrically conductive members and bridges the gap. An output connector is coupled to the plurality of electrically conductive members and is configured to carry the output signal. |
| US07671753B2 |
Slurry monitoring system and method
System and method are disclosed for monitoring slurry from a central location and replenishing the slurry as needed. The method/system allows a slurry supplier to track various properties of the slurry, as well as monitor various aspects of the slurry storage and delivery system. When the volume of slurry at the remote location falls below a predetermined point, the slurry supplier can schedule both the production of the appropriate slurry and its timely delivery to the customer. Changes in the condition of existing slurry, as well as leaks and other malfunctions in the slurry storage system, may be promptly detected and the slurry supplier immediately notified so that corrective actions may be taken. Multiple slurry storage systems at several remote locations may be monitored simultaneously from the central location. Such an arrangement offers a complete, one-stop solution to customers whose businesses depend on a reliable supply of “field ready” slurry. |
| US07671750B2 |
High reliability pest detection
A pest detection device includes a housing with a sensor and one or more bait members. The sensor includes one or more of a chisel-shaped electrically conductive trace carried on a substrate, a low resistance electrically conductive ink defining an electrical pathway on a substrate with a pointed profile, and/or a substrate including a directional grain structure oriented in a predefined manner relative to an electrically conductive pathway. |
| US07671748B2 |
Radiofrequency identification device (RFID) affixed to an object to be identified
A radiofrequency identification device (RFID) featuring an antenna (10) connected to a chip designed to be affixed to an object to be identified by a remote reader transmitting to the identification device electromagnetic signals received by the antenna and containing the data allowing the identification as well as the supply voltage (VDC) of the device, the antenna transmitting in return to said reader signals provided by the chip by retromodulation by means of a switch (22) in the chip whose open or closed position defines the digital identification data transmitted by the device. The chip features a variable impedance (30) connected in series with the switch to the terminals of the antenna and a means for detecting (32) the supply voltage to adjust the impedance value so that this supply voltage is always greater than a predetermined value (Vthreshold) below which the device can no longer transmit digital identification data. |
| US07671742B2 |
Integrated electronic article surveillance (EAS) and point of sale (POS) system and method
A system and method for integrating point of sale (POS) data with electronic article surveillance (EAS) data, comprising a general-purpose computer for receiving and processing POS and EAS data is disclosed. The system and method preferable comprise reporting analyzed and collated data to a user. |
| US07671737B2 |
Monitoring and notification apparatus
The disclosure relates to monitoring and notification apparatus capable of monitoring events at various locations. The apparatus includes a sound receiving unit which receives audio content from various locations. A user can select which of the location is monitored at any one time. In one embodiment, this selection is made depending on the orientation of the sound receiving unit. |
| US07671735B2 |
Access, monitoring, and control of appliances via a media processing system
A device and method for accessing, monitoring, and controlling home appliances in a media exchange network by establishing a communication link between a communication initiation device and at least one home appliance and communicating at least one command from the communication initiation device to the at least one home appliance via the communication link. The at least one home appliance then generates at least one response to the at least one command. The commands may include turning the home appliance(s) on and off, parameter adjustment commands, access commands, monitoring commands, mode change commands, and programming commands. Appliance responses may include powering on, powering off, changing a mode of operation, sending a status to the communication initiation device, adjusting an operational parameter, and changing a programmed operational step. |
| US07671734B2 |
Footprint location system
A footprint location system installed on footwear is disclosed. A user simply has to wear the shoes to track his/her locations without any setup or calibration efforts. The footprint location system measures and tracks the displacement vectors along a trail of footprints. The position of a user can be determined by summing up the current and all previous displacement vectors. In addition to being infrastructure-free, the footprint location method does not have problems found in existing indoor location systems, such as obstacles, multi-path effects, signal noises, signal interferences, and dead spots. |
| US07671732B1 |
Emergency alert notification for the hearing impaired
An indication of an emergency alert message is provided to a user, potentially having a disability, via a networked enabled portable device. The emergency alert message is provided via sign language video images indicative of the emergency alert. A notification makes the user aware when broadcast emergency alerts are issued. In various embodiments, the portable device is enabled to receive information about an emergency alert broadcast of which the potentially disabled user should be aware, e.g., from the EAS, and to notify the user of the emergency alert. The user can be automatically taken to the emergency alert information by having the portable device automatically tune to the emergency broadcast information, the user can optionally retrieve the emergency information by tuning to the emergency broadcast channel, and/or the user can otherwise be presented with a reference to the emergency data, such as a link to the information. |
| US07671731B2 |
Warning system for a building with evaluation units
A warning system for buildings has evaluation units embodied as freely-programmable control units, and the evaluation units have at least one first interface with a building security bus, the evaluation units also have second interfaces for furnishing a high data transmission rate, and a data connection between a building management system and a first evaluation units is made by a series connection to at least one further evaluation unit via the second interfaces. |
| US07671727B2 |
Speed exceeded notification device for vehicle having a data bus and associated methods
A speed exceeded notification device is for a vehicle of a type including a vehicle data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle, and at least one vehicle device generating data related to vehicle speed on the vehicle data communications bus. The speed exceeded notification device may include a wireless communications device, and a controller to be coupled to the vehicle data communications bus. The controller may be for reading the data related to vehicle speed from the vehicle data communications bus, and determining when a vehicle speed exceeds a speed threshold for a first time period. Based thereon, the controller may cooperate with the wireless communications device to send a remote vehicle speed exceeded notification. |
| US07671725B2 |
Vehicle surroundings monitoring apparatus, vehicle surroundings monitoring method, and vehicle surroundings monitoring program
A vehicle surroundings monitoring apparatus, a vehicle surroundings monitoring method, and a vehicle surroundings monitoring program which can rapidly determine an object such as a pedestrian to be avoided which must be avoided from coming into contact with the vehicle from an image of the surroundings of the vehicle and can provide information to a driver or control the vehicle behaviors. The vehicle surroundings monitoring apparatus includes an object extraction process unit (11) which extracts objects existing around a vehicle (10) from images taken by infrared cameras (2R, 2L), a pedestrian extraction process unit (12) which extracts a pedestrian from the extracted objects, a posture determination process unit (13) which determines the posture of the extracted pedestrian, an object-to-be-avoided determination process unit (14) which determines whether the extracted object is an object to be avoided which must be avoided from coming into contact with the vehicle (10) by executing a determination algorithm including at least a first determination process on the posture of the pedestrian determined by the posture determination process unit (13), and a vehicle equipment control process unit (15) which controls equipment of the vehicle (10) at least according to the determination result of the object-to-be-avoided determination process unit (14). |
| US07671723B2 |
Device for activating an actuator system for protecting a pedestrian
A device for activating an actuator system for protecting a pedestrian is provided, the device being connected to an environment sensor system and a contact sensor system. The device compares a first signal from the contact sensor system to a threshold. The threshold or the first signal is changed as a function of a second signal of the environment sensor system and the actuator system is activated as a function of the comparison. |
| US07671716B2 |
Inductive module
An inductive module includes an electrically insulating basic substrate unit having opposite first and second trace-forming sides, a ferromagnetic core unit embedded in the basic substrate unit and having horizontal sides substantially parallel to and respectively spaced apart from the first and second trace-forming sides, and a coil unit. The coil unit includes first and second conductive vias respectively formed in the basic substrate unit adjacent to vertical sides of the core unit, and respectively spaced apart from the vertical sides, and first and second conductive traces, each of which is disposed on a corresponding one of the first and second trace-forming sides, and interconnects electrically a corresponding pair of the first and second conductive vias. The conductive traces and the conductive vias of the coil unit cooperate to form an electric current path that substantially winds around the core unit. |
| US07671714B2 |
Planar inductive component and a planar transformer
The invention relates to a planar inductive component (11) comprising at least a first and a second concentric inductor, which include a first and a second spiral pattern (12A, 12B), respectively. Both spiral patterns have a first end point (13A, 13B) and a second end point (14A, 14B), are electrically interconnected, interlaced, and interrupted at the outer side, and provided with two contacts (16A, 16B) on one side of the opening (15A, 15B) and two contacts (17A, 17B) on the other side of the opening (15A, 15B). By interconnecting the first two contacts (16A, 16B) and the second two contacts (17A, 17B), respectively, both spiral patterns are connected in parallel. The spiral patterns (12A, 12B), which are magnetically coupled, have identical electrical and magnetic properties. This leads to a reduction of eddy current losses at high frequencies. This results in a planar inductive component (11) which is suitable for high-frequency operation with a high maximum quality factor Q. The invention also relates to a planar transformer comprising two planar inductive components according to the invention. The first planar inductive component serves as the first winding of the planar transformer; the second planar inductive component serves as the second winding of the planar transformer. As a result of the above-mentioned reduction in eddy current losses at high frequencies, the planar transformer can suitable be used for high-frequency operation. |
| US07671707B2 |
Bandstop filter having a main line and ¼ wavelength resonators in proximity thereto
A bandstop filter where variation in characteristics is suppressed to minimum and which realizes an increased production yield. The physical length of a line joint portion between a main line and an oscillator can be enlarged by providing an impedance non-continuous structure portion in a strip conductor of the oscillator. In comparison to the case where the impedance non-continuous structure portion is not provided, the width of a joint slit required to obtain an equal joint amount can be enlarged. When the joint slit width is enlarged, variation in filter characteristics caused by pattern accuracy can be reduced because of the enlarged joint slip width, thus improving a filter yield. This means that pattern accuracy requirement for production is loosened. Freedom in selecting a dielectric substrate is increased, which also provides an advantage that a filter can be produced using a less expensive dielectric substrate with not very high pattern accuracy. |
| US07671704B2 |
LC resonant circuit
An LC resonant circuit. The LC resonant circuit comprises an inductor and a conductor. The inductor is an electrode plate of a capacitor. The conductor is over, under, or on both sides of the inductor and used as the other electrode plate of the capacitor. |
| US07671703B1 |
Coaxial orthomode transducer
A coaxial orthomode transducer with improved port to port isolation, low higher order mode (“HOM”) coupling, and low transverse electromagnetic mode (“TEM”) coupling is disclosed. |
| US07671699B2 |
Coupler
Various directional coupler arrangements are disclosed. For instance, an apparatus includes first, second, and third conductive patterns disposed on a substrate. Each of these conductive patterns includes a first end and an opposite second end. Moreover, each of these conductive patterns includes a first protrusion at its first end and a second protrusion at its second end. |
| US07671698B2 |
Wide-band directional coupler
A directional coupler having a first structure with distributed lines having a first conductive line intended to convey a main signal between two end terminals and having a second conductive line, coupled to the first one, intended to convey a secondary signal proportional to the main signal; and a second structure with local elements including, between a first terminal of the coupler intended to extract the secondary signal and a first end of the second line, two attenuators in series between which is interposed a low-pass filter and, between a second terminal of the coupler and the second end of the second line, at least one attenuator. |
| US07671692B2 |
Apparatus and method for compensating carrier feedthrough in quadrature modulation system
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for compensating carrier feedthrough in a quadrature modulation system. In order to suppress the carrier feedthrough, and minimize and compensate the carrier feedthrough, differences of baseband differential input DC voltages in an in-phase as well as a quadrature-phase are simultaneously adjusted to 0 or a certain slight voltage difference by a simple analog circuit. Therefore, it is possible to suppress carrier feedthrough using a simple analog type apparatus for compensating carrier feedthrough, and simply achieve an apparatus for carrier feedthrough using a variety of quadrature modulators. |
| US07671691B2 |
Quadrature modulator with phase controller apparatus and error detector
A quadrature modulator divides a first signal input as a local signal into an I channel signal and a Q channel signal orthogonal to each other and outputs a second signal having a desired phase delay corresponding to direct current voltages as for the first signal by giving the direct current voltages Vi and Vq to the I channel signal and the Q channel signal, respectively. A phase comparison unit detects a phase difference θ between the first signal and the second signal. A setting unit sets the desired phase delay. A controller section controls the direct current voltages supplied to the I channel signal and the Q channel signal respectively in the quadrature modulator so that an output value corresponding to the phase difference θ detected by the phase comparison unit is equal to a value corresponding to the desired phase delay set by the setting unit, and controls the direct current voltages to be the direct current voltages Vi and Vq satisfying the relation of Vi=cos θ and Vq=sin θ. |
| US07671690B2 |
Method and signal control system providing fast transitions in an oscillating signal
In one embodiment, a signal control system has a signal output and includes: 1) a phase-locked loop (PLL) having a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), a phase error detector, an oscillating output coupled to the signal output of the signal control system, and a programmable frequency divider coupled in a feedback path between the oscillating output and the phase error detector; 2) at least one automatic level controller (ALC), coupled to the oscillating output; and 3) a plurality of switchable integrators, including first and second switchable integrators that are respectively coupled between the phase error detector and the VCO, and in the at least one ALC. Each of the switchable integrators is switchable between a narrow bandwidth mode that provides for stable operation of the signal control system, and a wide bandwidth mode that enables fast signal transitions at the signal output. |
| US07671689B2 |
Transistor voltage controlled oscillator
A FET transistor voltage-controlled oscillator is provided that includes a crossed-coupled inductor capacitor tank (LC-Tank) transistor voltage-controlled circuit having a first transistor and a second transistor, as well as a transistor frequency multiplying circuit having a third transistor and a fourth transistor. In the design, the gate of the first transistor is connected to the drain of the second transistor, and the gate of the second transistor is connected to the drain of the first transistor. Then, the source of the third transistor is connected to the source of the first transistor, and the source of the fourth transistor is connected to the source of the second transistor. Last, the gate of the third transistor is connected to the gate of the fourth transistor, and the drain of the third transistor is connected to the drain of the fourth transistor. Therefore, the parasitic capacitance present in the first transistor and the parasitic capacitance present in the second transistor generate an effect similar to two capacitors connected in series, via the transistor frequency multiplying circuit. The effect reduces the total capacitance of the voltage-controlled oscillator, to increase the working frequency of the voltage-controlled circuit and allow a circuit having the voltage-controlled circuit to operate at a high frequency. |
| US07671688B2 |
Reference-less clock circuit
A programmable reference-less oscillator provides a wide range of programmable output frequencies. The programmable reference-less oscillator is implemented on an integrated circuit that includes a free running controllable oscillator circuit such as a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), a programmable divider circuit coupled to divide an output of the controllable oscillator circuit according to a programmable divide value. A non-volatile storage stores the programmed divide value and a control word that controls the output of the controllable oscillator circuit. The control word provides a calibration capability to achieve a desired output frequency in conjunction with the programmable divider circuit. Open loop temperature compensation is achieved by adjusting the control word according to a temperature detected by a temperature sensor on the integrated circuit. Additional clock accuracy may be achieved by adjusting the control word for process as well as temperature. |
| US07671686B2 |
Low noise amplifier
A low-noise amplifier circuit to convert a single-ended input into a dual-ended output includes an input transconductance stage circuit, including a first MOS transistor coupled in parallel with a second MOS transistor; a current buffer circuit, including a third MOS transistor coupled in parallel with a fourth MOS transistor; each of the first, second, third, and fourth transistors having a body, gate, source, and drain; the input transconductance stage circuit and the current buffer circuit being cascode coupled, forming a cascode amplifier configuration; the single-ended input being at the source of one of the first and second transistors in the input transconductance stage circuit; the dual-ended output being a differential output across the drain of the third transistor and the drain of the fourth transistor; the first and second transistors of the input transconductance stage circuit being cross-coupled, wherein the body of the first transistor is coupled to the source of the second transistor, and the body of the second transistor is coupled to the source of the first transistor; and the third and fourth transistors of the current buffer circuit being cross-coupled, wherein a first capacitance is coupled between the gate of the third transistor and the source of the fourth transistor, and a second capacitance is coupled between the gate of the fourth transistor and the source of the third transistor. |
| US07671685B2 |
Method and system for a low power fully differential noise cancelling low noise amplifier
Aspects of a method and system for a low power fully differential noise canceling low noise amplifier (NC LNA) are provided. The NC LNA may receive signals via a single ended input and may generate an amplified symmetric differential output from the received signals. The NC LNA may utilize capacitor dividers, such as a capacitor bank, in the single ended input in order to provide impedance transformation that enables low power operation and matching to an input port. The NC LNA may generate one portion of the amplified symmetric differential output via a voltage divider, which may comprise a plurality of capacitors, such as a capacitor bank. The NC LNA may be implemented utilizing one or more circuits. |
| US07671683B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit and method for adjusting a capacitance value of a phase compensating capacitor
A semiconductor integrated circuit has an amplifier circuit which includes a phase compensating capacitor and has a feedback loop, and a stability determining and adjusting circuit which measures an amplitude of a voltage outputted from the amplifier circuit at a predetermined plurality of frequencies and adjusts a capacitance value of the phase compensating capacitor on the basis of a ratio between measured values of the amplitude. |
| US07671679B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit and amplifier for suppressing pop sound while minimizing voltage transition settling time
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a capacitor element which defines a prescribed decay time constant with one or more resistors, an MOS transistor connected to the capacitor element via its gate, and a constant current generating element which generates a constant current. The capacitor element is charged with the constant current so as to create a linearly changing voltage. The linearly changing voltage is applied to the gate so that the MOS transistor can accordingly output a smoothly changing current. |
| US07671675B2 |
Output limiting circuit, class D power amplifier and audio equipment
An output limiting circuit includes a reference current generating portion for converting a predetermined constant voltage into a reference current by using a first resistor, an upper side clip voltage generating portion for converting the reference current into an upper side clip voltage with respect to a bias voltage of the operational amplifier by using a second resistor, a lower side clip voltage generating portion for converting the reference current into a lower side clip voltage with respect to the bias voltage of the operational amplifier by using a third resistor, and a gain adjusting portion for adjusting a gain of the operational amplifier so that a voltage level of the output signal does not exceed an upper side limit level corresponding to the upper side clip voltage and that the voltage level of the output signal does not exceed a lower side limit level corresponding to the lower side clip voltage. |
| US07671671B2 |
Device and method for the demodulation of modulated electric signals
A demodulation device (1) in semiconductor technology is disclosed. The device (1) is capable of demodulating an injected modulated current. The device (1) comprises an input node (IN1), a sampling stage (DG1, IG1, GS1, IG2, DG2) and at least two output nodes (D1, D2). The sampling stage DG1, IG1, GS1, IG2, DG2) comprises transfer means (GL, GM, GR) for transferring a modulated charge-current signal from the input node (IN1) to one of the output nodes (D1, D2) allocated to the respective time interval within the modulation period. The small size and the ability to reproduce the device (1) in standard semiconductor technologies make possible a cost-efficient integration of the device (1). |
| US07671666B2 |
Methods to reduce threshold voltage tolerance and skew in multi-threshold voltage applications
A circuit and a method for adjusting the performance of an integrated circuit, the method includes: comprising: (a) measuring the performance of a first monitor circuit having at least one field effect transistor (FET) of a first set of FETs, each FET of the first set of FETs having a designed first threshold voltage; (b) measuring the performance of a second monitor circuit having at least one field effect transistor (FET) of a second set of FETs, each FET of the second set of FETs having a designed second threshold voltage, the second threshold voltage different from the first threshold voltage; and (c) applying a bias voltage to wells of the FETs of the second set of FETs based on comparing a measured performance of the first and second monitor circuits to specified performances of the first and second monitor circuits. |
| US07671663B2 |
Tunable voltage controller for a sub-circuit and method of operating the same
The present invention provides a tunable voltage controller for use with a sub-circuit. In one embodiment, the tunable voltage controller includes a diode-connected MOS transistor contained in a doped well of a substrate and configured to provide a voltage for the sub-circuit. Additionally, the tunable voltage controller also includes a biasing unit configured to adjust the voltage by selectively connecting the doped well to one of a plurality of voltage sources or to a variable voltage source. |
| US07671660B2 |
Single threshold and single conductivity type logic
A logic assembly (400) is composed from circuit elements of a single threshold and single conductivity type and comprises a logic circuitry (410) having at least a set of switches each having a main current path and a control terminal. The main current path forms a series arrangement having first and second conducting terminals coupled to power supply lines. The main current paths being coupled to a common node that forms an output of logic assembly (400). The control terminals of said switches being coupled to clock circuitry for providing mutually non-overlapping clock signals to said control terminal. The logic assembly further comprises an output boosting circuit (420) for boosting the output of said logic assembly (400) including a capacitive means (421) for enabling supply of additional charge to the output of said logic assembly (400). It further includes a bootstrapping circuit (422) for enabling an additional supply of charge to a first end of said capacitive means, resulting in a boosted voltage at a second end of said capacitive means. |
| US07671655B2 |
Level conversion circuit for a semiconductor circuit
A level conversion circuit includes a high-potential-side level conversion unit which is connected between a first high-voltage power supply and a first low-voltage power supply, and converts a high-potential-side voltage of an input signal, a low-potential-side level conversion unit which is connected between a second high-voltage power supply with a lower voltage than the first high-voltage power supply and a second low-voltage power supply with a lower voltage than the first low-voltage power supply, and converts a low-potential-side voltage of the input signal, and an output unit to which an output of the high-potential-side level conversion unit and an output of the low-potential-side level conversion unit are input, and which outputs a voltage level of the first high-voltage power supply and a voltage level of the second low-voltage power supply. |
| US07671652B2 |
Logic circuit for use in a latch circuit and a data reading circuit or the like which includes such a latch circuit
A logic circuit is provided with a first differential transistor pair (Q1, Q2) operable in response to a data signal input thereto; a current source for supplying a current to the first differential transistor pair (Q1, Q2); a first transistor (Q5) connected between a common emitter of the first differential transistor pair (Q1, Q2) and the current source, and operable in response to a clock signal input thereto; and a first potential stabilizing circuit (30a) connected to a first junction between the common emitter of the first differential transistor pair (Q1, Q2) and a collector of the first transistor (Q5), for stabilizing a potential at said first junction. |
| US07671649B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating multi-phase clocks
An apparatus for generating multi-phase clocks in accordance with the present invention includes a clock delay configured to delay a source clock by a delay time corresponding to a control signal to generate a plurality of clocks; a clock multiplexer configured to output a first clock for a first locking region and a second clock for a second locking region sequentially as a selected clock in response to a locking detection signal; a phase detector configured to detect a phase of the selected clock in comparison to a phase of the source clock to output a phase detection signal; and a control voltage signal generator configured to generate the control signal corresponding to the phase detection signal. |
| US07671647B2 |
Apparatus and method for trimming static delay of a synchronizing circuit
A system and method for trimming an unadjusted forward delay of a delay-locked loop (DLL) and trimming a duty cycle of first and second output clock signals provided by a DLL. For trimming an unadjusted forward delay, delay is added to one of a feedback clock signal path and an input clock signal path and a feedback clock signal is provided from the feedback clock signal path and an input clock signal is provided from the input clock signal path for phase comparison. For trimming a duty cycle of first and second output clock signals, one of a first delayed input clock signal and a second delayed input clock signal is delayed. The first and second delayed input clock signals are complementary. The delayed clock signal and the other clock signal are provided as the first and second output clock signals. |
| US07671646B2 |
Delay locked loop
The digital duty cycle correction circuit according to the present invention includes a first conversion circuit for buffering an internal clock output from a delay locked loop (DLL), converting the buffered internal clock into first and second clocks through first and second terminals, delaying the second clock according to voltage supplied to the second terminal through a capacitor, converting the delayed second clock into a first signal, and converting the first clock into a third clock, which rises at a falling edge of the first clock and falls at a rising edge of the first signal; and a second conversion circuit for converting the third clock into an output clock, which rises at a falling edge of the third clock and falls at a rising edge of the third clock. |
| US07671644B2 |
Process insensitive delay line
A delay line including a phase detector having two inputs and one output. The first input of the phase detector is connected to an input of the delay line. The second input of the phase detector is connected to an output of the delay line. The output of the phase detector is connected to a control circuit which controls current flow at a control node to produce a control voltage at the node. A voltage-controlled delay unit is responsible to the control voltage to control a delay applied to a signal at an input of the delay line. |
| US07671643B2 |
Power-on-reset circuit having zero static power consumption
A power-on-reset (POR) circuit having a zero or substantially zero current state while the supply voltage is in a predetermined, valid range is disclosed. The POR circuit includes a state machine, an oscillator, and output circuitry that are electrically coupled to one another and to a supply voltage. Output from the output circuitry is also provided to the integrated circuit to which the POR circuit is coupled. The state machine includes a plurality of sequential circuits such as latches, flip-flops, and the like that are electrically coupled in a cascade, to provide a ripple counter. The output circuitry is structured and arranged to reset or initialize all of the logic elements on the chip by generating a POR output logic HI (1) signal by Boolean operation of the logic circuitry signal of the state machine for all Boolean states except one. The oscillator is disabled when the POR output logic signal is LO (0), which causes the POR circuit to enter a zero or substantially zero current state. |
| US07671641B1 |
Frequency divider
A frequency divider includes a first latch and a second latch. The first latch is configured to receive a clock signal. The first latch is cross-coupled to the second latch. The second latch includes a circuit configured as a low-pass filter. The second latch further includes a differential pair of transistors. Each of the transistors include a drain, a source and a gate. The gates of the at least two transistors configured to receive a signal generated by the first latch. Additionally, the gates of the at least two other transistors are coupled to a control signal for determining a low-pass characteristic of the second latch. |
| US07671637B2 |
Differential transistor pair current switch supplied by a low voltage VCC
The invention relates to current switches using a differential pair of transistors and being able to operate under a low supply voltage Vcc. According to the invention, provision is made for the current switch to include two differential pairs of two transistors each (T1, T1b; T2, T2b), cascaded together, the second pair (T2, T2b) having complementary current outputs (H, Hb) that flip according to the states of the inputs (E, Eb). The first pair (T1, T1b) is connected to a ground (GND) through a current source, supplying a current of value Io and comprising a transistor (Ts1) biased by a voltage Vbias, and it is supplied by a voltage equal to N·Vbe+Vbias, where N is a whole number (preferably equal to 1) and Vbe is the base-emitter voltage of the transistor (Ts1). The second pair (T2, T2b) is connected to ground directly through a resistance (R2). The invention can be applied to the on-off control of sample-and-hold circuits, multiplexers, fast low-voltage logic circuits, etc. |
| US07671634B2 |
Redundant clock switch circuit
A redundant clock switch circuit that includes two delay circuits and control logic is presented. The first delay circuit is configured to delay a first clock signal to produce a first delayed clock signal, while the second delay circuit is configured to delay a second clock signal to produce a second delayed clock signal. The control logic is configured to control the delay circuits to maintain phase alignment between the first and second delayed clock signals. The control logic is also configured to select one of the first and second delayed clock signals as an output clock signal. |
| US07671626B1 |
Versatile logic element and logic array block
An embodiment of this invention pertains to a versatile and flexible logic element and logic array block (“LAB”). Each logic element includes a programmable combinational logic function block such as a lookup table (“LUT”) and a flip-flop. Within the logic element, multiplexers are provided to allow the flip-flop and the LUT to be programmably connected such that either the output of the LUT may be connected to the input of the flip-flop or the output of the flip-flop may be connected to the input of the LUT. An additional multiplexer allows the output of the flip-flop in one logic element to be connected to the input of a flip-flop in a different logic element within the same LAB. Output multiplexers selects between the output of the LUT and the output of the flip-flop to generate signals that drive routing lines within the LAB and to routing lines external to the LAB. These output multiplexers are constructed such that the combinational output (output from the LUT) is faster than the output from the flip-flop. A collection of routing lines and multiplexers within the LAB are used to provide inputs to the LUTs. Each of the input multiplexers for each logic element is connected to a subset of the routing lines within the LAB using a specific pattern of connectivity of multiplexers to associated wires that maximizes the efficiency of use of the routing wires. Control signals for the set of logic elements within the LAB are generated using a secondary signal generation unit that minimizes contention for shared signals. One of the control signals is an “add-or-subtract control signal” that allows all of the LEs in a LAB to perform either addition or subtraction under the control of a logic signal. In a PLD supporting redundancy, the carry chain for the LABs is arranged in the same direction that redundancy shifts to remap defective LABs and a multiplexer on the carry input of a LAB is used to select the appropriate carry output from another LAB depending on whether redundancy is engaged. |
| US07671620B2 |
Testing system for solar cells
A testing system for optical and electrical monitoring of a production quality and/or for determining optical and electrical properties of solar cells, comprising a first conveyor device for conveying the solar cells to a test region, a second conveyor device for moving the solar cells through the test region, a third conveyor device for conveying the solar cells out of the test region, an optical checking device located in the test region for visual checking of the solar, and an electrical checking device also located in the test region for checking electrical functions of the solar cells, the electrical checking device including an illumination device for shining light on light-sensitive surfaces of the solar cells and also including an electrical contacting device for picking up voltages and/or currents and electrical contacts of the solar cells, the first, second and third conveyor devices including a common, linear conveyor belt system which passes through the test region and has a vacuum suction device for holding the solar cells on a surface of a conveyor belt system. |
| US07671615B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of electronic components
In a method and an apparatus for measuring temperature-controlled electronic components in a test station, a component to be measured is held and positioned using a chuck, has a temperature-controlled and directed fluid flow applied to it and is electrically contact-connected using probes and is measured. The setting of the temperature of the component to the temperature at which the measurement is intended to be carried out is effected solely using a directed fluid flow at a defined temperature. |
| US07671611B2 |
Apparatus, system and method for testing electronic elements
An electronic element testing apparatus for use with a number of probes. Each probe has a lower pole and an upper pole. The apparatus includes: a first plate having a first side and a second side, the first side having an array of lower pole regions disposed thereabout, each lower pole region configured to receive a lower pole of a probe; and a plurality of signal conductor regions disposed proximate the array of lower pole regions, each signal conductor region arranged to provide a non-cable electrical path between a lower pole region and a switching circuit. The switching circuits are operable to sequentially connect each electronic element to a testing circuit via the upper and lower poles. |
| US07671610B2 |
Vertical guided probe array providing sideways scrub motion
Improved probing of closely spaced contact pads is provided by an array of guided vertical probes that has a sideways scrub relative to the line of contact pads. With this orientation of scrub motion, the probes can be relatively thin along the contact line, and relatively thick perpendicular to the contact line. The thin dimension of the probes allows for probing closely spaced contact pads, while the thick dimension of the probes provides mechanical robustness and current carrying capacity. The probes have a predetermined curvature in a plane including the contact line, to help determine the amount of scrub motion during contact. In a preferred embodiment, an array of probes is provided for probing two closely spaced and parallel rows of contact pads, offset from each other by half the contact pad pitch. |
| US07671605B2 |
Large signal scattering functions from orthogonal phase measurements
The invention measures the X-parameters (or large-signal S and T scattering functions, sometimes called linearized scattering functions, which are the correct way to define “large-signal S-parameters”) with only two distinct phases for small-signals on a frequency grid established by intermodulation frequencies and harmonics of the large-tones, with guaranteed well-conditioned data from which the X-parameter functions can be solved explicitly, without the need for regression, and not limited by performance limits of the reference generator or phase-noise. |
| US07671601B2 |
Abnormal condition detecting system for engine
In an abnormal condition detecting system, an electronic control unit determines that a condition for carrying out a process for detecting an abnormal condition of an electric motor and/or electric supply lines for the motor is satisfied, when a position of a control valve is at its initial closed position. Then, the electronic control unit stops supply of the electrical power to the electric motor, to start a detection of the abnormal condition (electrical disconnection) in the motor and/or the electric supply lines. |
| US07671598B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing induction noise in measurements made with a towed electromagnetic survey system
A method for reducing motion induced voltage in marine electromagnetic measurements includes measuring an electromagnetic field parameter at at least one position along a sensor cable towed through a body of water. Motion of the sensor cable is measured at at least one position along the cable; Voltage induced in the cable is estimated from the motion measurements. The measured electromagnetic field parameter is corrected using the estimated voltages. |
| US07671593B2 |
RF body coil with acoustic isolation of conductors
A system for isolating vibration and reducing acoustic noise in the RF coil of an MR imaging apparatus is presented. The system positions an RF conductor in its operative position proximate to an RF support form. The RF conductor is sandwiched between a vibration decoupling layer and a mass loading layer. The vibration decoupling layer is affixed to the RF support form so that the vibration decoupling layer is positioned between the RF conduit and the RF support form while the mass loading layer is located exterior of the RF conductor. By this arrangement, the acoustic energy is decoupled from the RF support form by the vibration decoupling layer while the vibration is reduced by the mass loading layer located exterior of the RF conductor. |
| US07671592B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and magnetic resonance image displaying method
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a scan section which executes a diffusion weighted imaging pulse sequence on an imaging area of a subject within a static magnetic field space thereby to acquire magnetic resonance signals, an image generating part which generates an image with respect to the imaging area, based on the magnetic resonance signals acquired by the scan section, a display unit which displays the image generated by the image generating part on a display screen thereof, and a window setting part which sets a window level and a window width at the time that the display unit displays the image, based on diffusion parameters calculated from the magnetic resonance signals acquired by the scan section. The display unit displays the image on the display screen by the window level and the window width both set by the window setting part. |
| US07671579B1 |
Method and apparatus for quantifying and minimizing skew between signals
Delay associated with each of two signals along respective transmission paths is accurately measured using a delay measurement circuit that is fabricated in situ on the actual device where the circuitry for propagating the two signals is fabricated. Thus, the measured delay associated with each of the two signals is subject to the same fabrication-dependent attributes that affect the actual circuitry through which the two signals will be propagated during operation of the device. The skew between the two signals is quantified as the difference in the measured delays. Coarse and fine delay modules are defined within the transmission path of each of the two signals. Based on the measured skew between the two signals, the coarse and fine delay modules are appropriately set to compensate for the skew. The appropriately settings for the coarse and fine delay modules can be stored in non-volatile memory elements. |
| US07671573B1 |
Apparatus and method for projected on-time regulator
A projected on-time (POT) switching regulator is provided. The regulator includes a switching regulator controller and a main switch. The controller includes a feedback comparator and an on-timer. The feedback comparator compares the output voltage to a reference voltage. Whenever the feedback comparator trips, the main switch is turned on, and the on-timer controls the turn-on duration (on-time) of the main switch, where the duration is adjusted by the input and output voltages according to a preset transfer function. The transfer function is applicable to both CCM and DCM operation. However, during CCM mode operation, at least above a minimum on-time, the on-time is adjusted so that the switching frequency of the regulator is approximately constant. The on-timer includes a comparator that compares an adjustable voltage VFQ to a ramp voltage VIFQ generated by providing an adjustable current IFQ to a capacitor CREF. VFQ and IFQ are adjusted so that, during CCM mode operation, at least above the minimum on-time, the switching frequency of the regulator is approximately constant. |
| US07671565B2 |
Battery pack and method for protecting batteries
A system and method links batteries in parallel to conductors using wire bonds that act as fuses in the event of an overcurrent condition in a battery. To protect the wire bonds in the case of a larger overcurrent condition, a fuse may be added in series to the parallel batteries. |
| US07671564B2 |
Integrated circuit for controlling charging, charging device using the integrated circuit, and method for detecting connection of secondary battery
An integrated circuit for charging a secondary battery including a charge current detection circuit detecting a charge current output from a charging transistor, and generating a signal including the charge current information; a voltage comparison circuit comparing a voltage of the battery with one or more predetermined voltages, and generating a signal including the voltage comparison information; and a charge controlling circuit controlling the charging transistor according to information on the voltage of the battery and the signals output from the charge current detection circuit and the voltage comparison circuit such that the charging transistor performs constant current charging or constant voltage charging, wherein the charge controlling circuit stops applying a charge current for a predetermined time in the beginning of charging, and judges that the battery is abnormally connected when the voltage of the battery becomes less than a predetermined voltage within the predetermined time. |
| US07671560B2 |
Method and apparatus for handling deeply discharged batteries in a mobile station
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for performing a test on a rechargeable battery to indirectly determine a state of protection circuitry associated with the battery. The method may discharge the battery by controlling a pull-down current into a system, determine if the battery voltage falls below a first threshold level within a predetermined amount of time, and if so provide a pre-charge current to the battery. |
| US07671559B2 |
Battery charging system and mobile and accessory devices
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed at a method and system for recharging batteries for wireless electronic devices. According to one embodiment, a battery charging and monitoring system is disclosed. The system includes a host machine providing a plurality of charging slots and a plurality of wireless devices coupled to and powered by a plurality of batteries. The host machine is adapted to communicate with the plurality of wireless devices through a plurality of wireless links to monitor the plurality of batteries coupled to the wireless devices. According to another embodiment, an electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device is adapted to couple with at least a rechargeable battery and to negotiate with the rechargeable battery for an agreed range of power parameters. The electronic device is further adapted to accept power from and to provide power to the rechargeable battery at the agreed range of power parameters. |
| US07671558B2 |
Induction motor controller
The present invention provides an induction motor controller which includes: a circuit for generating a d-axis current reference signal from a d-axis current command value and a periodically varying periodic signal; a d-axis current controller for controlling a d-axis motor current flowing through an induction motor to be controlled to match the d-axis current reference signal; parameter determining means for calculating and determining a motor parameter of the induction motor based on a deviation of the d-axis motor current from the d-axis current reference signal, and controlling a voltage applied to the induction motor using a compensation voltage calculated from the calculated and determined motor parameter, in which a control parameter for controlling the induction motor is set based on the calculated and determined motor parameter. |
| US07671555B2 |
Motor, a method of operating a motor, and a system including a motor
An air movement system including a blower and an external controller operable to receive signals from a sensing device and generate a command based on the received signals. The command includes an address. The system also includes a communication channel coupled to the external controller and configured to communicate the command, and a motor assembly operable to drive the blower. The motor assembly includes a stator and rotor assembly coupled to the blower, and a drive circuit coupled to the stator and rotor assembly. The motor assembly includes a second controller and a memory. The memory includes a set of data having a plurality of addresses and an instruction associated with each address, respectively. |
| US07671552B2 |
Control device
A control device sets parameters “n”, “ad”, “pd”, “aq”, “pq” and the like of a motor parameter setting unit, corrects a d-axis current command value outputted from a d-axis current instructing unit and a q-axis current command value outputted from q-axis current instructing unit based on these parameters of the motor parameter setting unit, on a detection result of a rotation angle detection unit, and makes a (6×n)f sine component, (6×n)f cosine component, (6×(n+1))f sine component, and (6×(n+1))f cosine component of torque to zero. In such a way, 6×n and 6×(n+1) ripple components and the like, which are generated in a motor provided in elevator equipment or the like, are suppressed, and a torque ripple of the motor is reduced to a large extent. |
| US07671551B2 |
Universal brushless DC motor
The invention teaches a brushless DC motor, comprising a brushless DC motor unit and a controller unit, wherein the brushless DC motor unit comprises a stator assembly, a permanent magnet rotor assembly magnetically coupled with the stator assembly, an enclosure supporting the installation of stator assembly and the permanent magnet rotator assembly, an end shield installed at the end of the enclosure, the rotating shaft of the permanent magnet rotor assembly projecting out of the end shield; the controller unit comprises an integrated power module, a microprocessor unit, a rotor position sensing circuit, a power source circuit, an I/O interface circuit, a current-sensing circuit, and a controller box; and the controller unit is electrically connected to the brushless DC motor unit. The brushless DC motor of the invention has an ideal control circuit with a plurality of control units serving to control the motor operation characteristics stored in the microprocessor unit so that the brushless DC motor is broadly universal and can be operated under a plurality of control modes. |
| US07671548B2 |
Electric drive system
An electric drive system comprising several electric drives, each of which comprises an electric motor, and a control system which is arranged to control said several electric drives and comprises a first outer controller and a first speed controller. A signal supplied to the input of the first speed controller is generated by using the output signal of said first outer controller, and the first speed controller is arranged to generate an output torque signal at its output. The control system further comprises a torque controller per each electric drive, which torque controller is arranged to control the torque of the corresponding electric motor. A signal supplied to the input of each torque controller is generated by using the output torque signal of the first speed controller. |
| US07671543B2 |
Light exposure control device and apparatus
The invention provides a light exposure apparatus containing a light exposure control device for curing light sensitive adhesives. The light exposure apparatus includes a) a light source; b) a light transmitter for transmitting light from the light source; and c) a light intensity controlling component between the light source and the light transmitter. The light intensity controlling component includes a light regulator having a planar face between the light source and the light transmitter. The light regulator has opaque members having a continuously tapered width, on the face of the light regulator. Each planar member is spaced from adjacent planar members by a light transparent segment having a tapered width, on the face of the light regulator. The light regulator is mounted such that a portion of the opaque members and portion of the substantially light transparent segments are adjustably positioned between the light source and the light transmitter. |
| US07671541B2 |
Diode lamp for simulating a filament lamp, and lamp monitoring method
An LED-based lamp assembly or diode lamp assembly effectively replaces a filament or incandescent type lamp assembly for cabin/compartment reading light applications for reducing power consumption and improving fuel efficiency. The diode lamp assembly comprises a light-emitting diode in circuit with peripheral components for effecting or simulating a low resistance through the diode lamp assembly. The simulation of a low resistance via the diode lamp assembly appears the same as the normal operation of a filament lamp assembly to existent circuit polling mechanisms so that the latter need not be replaced. Rather, the targeted element to be replaced is a relatively high power consumption filament lamp. A lamp monitoring method is further disclosed as bootstrap-supported by the teaching of the diode lamp assembly. |
| US07671540B2 |
Current balancing module
For having magnitudes of all currents for supplying for all passive elements in a same product be equal, a current balancing module, which has balancing transformers as more as approximately half an amount of all the passive elements, is provided for meeting such requirements. The provided current balancing module is for solving defects caused by complicated designs and increased volumes caused by an increased number of balancing transformers. Each current path in the current balancing module flows through two mutual-corresponding passive elements and at least one balancing transformer. All the current paths have a same magnitude in current with the aid of a pair of sinusoidal waves having same magnitudes and opposite poles, and the aid of all the balancing transformers having a same number of turns. |
| US07671538B2 |
Method and system for economical emergency activation of electrical devices
A method for activation of an electrical device, for example, in case of power loss. The method may include sensing an effect associated with activity of the electrical device, detecting an electrical power interruption, and activating the electrical device if a change in the effect of the device is sensed in proximity to the power interruption. The invention also provides an activation circuit for activation of an electrical device. The activation circuit may include a device operation detector for sensing an effect associated with activity of the electrical device, a power supply detector for detecting an electrical power interruption, and a driver for activating the electrical device if a change in operation of the device if the change is sensed in proximity to the power interruption. |
| US07671536B2 |
Arc tube for discharge lamp device
A mercury-free arc tube for a discharge-lamp device having a sealed glass chamber with at least metallic halide for main light emission and rare gas. Both end openings of a glass tube are pinch-sealed and electrode bars are provided so as to oppose to each other. Each electrode bar has such a concentric stepped shape that a tip side region is thicker than a base side region, the volume V of an electrode embedded region is from 0.25 to 0.42 mm3 and the total volume of the electrode bar is from 0.4 to 0.6 mm3. |
| US07671529B2 |
Phosphor converted light emitting device
A semiconductor light emitting device is combined with a wavelength converting material. The semiconductor light emitting device is configured to emit first light of a first peak wavelength. The wavelength converting material is configured to absorb at least a portion of the first light and emit second light of a second peak wavelength. In some embodiments, the first wavelength converting material is (Ba1-xSrx)2-y-0.5zSi5N8-zOz:Euy2+ where 0.2 |
| US07671527B2 |
Substrate having color elements and banks with different liquid-repellency, film formation method, electro optical device, and electronic equipment
A substrate having color elements includes a base member; a bank formed over the base member, the bank defining a plurality of color element areas; and color element films formed of liquid materials of a plurality of colors deposited in the color element areas. The bank has a different-color separation bank portion positioned between color element films of different colors, and a same-color separation bank portion positioned between color element films of the same color. A height of the different-color separation bank portion is greater than a height of the same-color separation bank portion. |
| US07671525B2 |
Electron emission device and electron emission display having the same
An electron emission device and display including the same include a substrate; a cathode electrode including a first electrode portion formed on the substrate and having opening portions, and second electrode portions placed within respective ones of the opening portions such that the second electrodes are separated from the first electrode; a resistance layer electrically interconnecting the first electrode portion and the second electrode portions of the cathode electrode; and electron emission regions electrically connected to the second electrode portions. A width of the second electrode portions or of the resistance layer between the first and second electrode portions varies along a longitudinal direction of the cathode electrode. |
| US07671520B2 |
Display device with birefringent substrate
A display device comprising at least one substrate(1, 2), a first and a second electrode(7, 8), a display medium (12) and an optically active layer(3, 5), wherein said optically active layer comprises a polarizer (3) and is arranged between said substrate and said display medium, and wherein said substrate is made of a birefringent material. |
| US07671519B2 |
Bond pad for use with piezoelectric ceramic substrates
A piezoelectric assembly includes a piezoelectric substrate that has a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one side surface. A top electrode is defined on the top surface and a first aperture is defined in the top electrode. A bottom electrode is disposed on the bottom surface. The electrodes are formed from a thin film metal. A first thick film bond pad is disposed in the first aperture and is in contact with the piezoelectric substrate. The first thick film bond pad is in electrical contact with the top electrode. In further embodiments, a second thick film bond pad is disposed on either the top surface or in a second aperture defined in the bottom electrode. |
| US07671516B2 |
Ultrasonic actuator
An ultrasonic actuator includes: a piezoelectric element 10 for generating various kinds of vibrations having different vibration directions; a driver element provided on the piezoelectric element 10 and actuated in accordance with the vibration of the piezoelectric element 10 to output driving force toward a certain driving direction; feeding electrodes 8 provided on the piezoelectric element 10 and electrically connected to the piezoelectric element 10; and feeding-supporting parts 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B and 9A abutting the feeding electrodes to elastically support the actuator body and serving as feeding terminals for supplying a voltage to the feeding electrodes 8. |
| US07671514B2 |
Electroactive solid-state actuator and method of manufacturing the same
The present invention provides an electroactive solid-state actuator, including a solid polymer electrolyte film having first and second main surfaces facing each other, and first and second conductive polymer layers infiltrated into the first and second main surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte film. Further, a method of manufacturing the electroactive solid-state actuator is provided, the method including preparing a solid polymer film having first and second main surfaces facing each other, infiltrating a monomer of a conductive polymer into the first and second main surfaces of the solid polymer film, followed by polymerization, to form first and second conductive polymer layers, and immersing the solid polymer film into an ionic liquid or liquid electrolyte to be converted to an electrically conductive polymer. |
| US07671510B2 |
Ultrasonic actuator, driving method of the ultrasonic actuator, lens driver, and portable device
An ultrasonic actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a stator generating a rotational driving force in accordance with a driving signal having a train pulse, which is used, for example, an AF mechanism; and a rotor converting the rotational driving force into actual movement. In the thus-structured ultrasonic actuator of the present invention, the driving signal is obtained by removing a predetermined number of pulses from the pulse train upon deceleration, and the remaining number of consecutive pulses is set to at least 2 or 4 or more. |
| US07671508B2 |
Automotive alternator having improved structure for effectively cooling field coil
According to the present invention, an alternator includes a rotor, a stator, and at least one cooling fan. The rotor includes a rotary shaft, a field core, and a field coil. The field coil has first and second ends that are opposite to each other in an axial direction of the rotary shaft. The stator includes an armature core and an armature coil. The armature core has first and second ends that are opposite to each other in the axial direction. The first end of the armature core is closer to the first end than the second end of the field coil. An axial distance between the first and second ends of the field coil is less than that between the first and second ends of the armature core. The first end of the field coil protrudes outward from the first end of the armature core in the axial direction. |
| US07671505B2 |
Brush holder in electric motor
An electric motor includes a cylindrical yoke with a bottom; a bracket that covers an opening of the yoke; and a brush holder. The brush holder includes a brush housing portion, with the brush housing portion having three side piece portions, excluding a bottom piece portion, integrally formed; a first disk portion; and a second disk portion. The first disk portion and the second disk portion are integrated with the bottom piece portion of the brush housing portion. A ring-shaped abutting surface and the bottom piece portion of the brush housing portion are formed on a bracket-side disk surface of the brush holder. The abutting surface is formed as a holding portion that is pressed to the yoke by the bracket via a bracket-side elastic member. |
| US07671500B2 |
Motor using working fluid distributed into chambers, which are provided for rotating rotors in opposite relative rotation directions
A motor includes inner-peripheral and outer-peripheral rotors which rotate coaxially and have permanent magnets along a circumference of each rotor; and a phase varying device for relatively rotating the rotors so as to vary a relative phase therebetween. The device has a forward-angle working chamber for relatively rotating the inner-peripheral rotor forward with respect to the outer-peripheral rotor, by using pressure of supplied working fluid; a backward-angle working chamber for relatively rotating the inner-peripheral rotor backward with respect to the outer-peripheral rotor, by using pressure of supplied working fluid; a passage switching valve for performing distribution with respect to supply and drainage of the working fluid between the working chambers in accordance with the position of a spur; and an electromagnetic pressure control valve for controlling pressure of the working fluid, and for controlling the position of the spur in the passage switching valve based on the controlled pressure. |
| US07671494B2 |
Motor/generator
A motor/generator includes a rotor member, a shorting member and a stator. The rotor member has a plurality of permanent magnets. The shorting member is configured and arranged to selectively establish a short-circuit in magnetic flux of the permanent magnets to switch between a normal state in which the magnetic flux is not shorted and a shorted state in which the magnetic flux is shorted. The stator has a plurality of coils configured and arranged to be energized with a composite electrical current including first and second current components. The stator is further configured and arranged to form a first magnetic circuit between the coils and the permanent magnets with the first current component to drive the rotor member and to form a second magnetic circuit between the coils and the shorting member with the second current component to selectively switch between the normal state and the shorted state. |
| US07671491B2 |
Moving coil type linear actuator system
A moving coil type linear actuator system which can stably and linearly control a relatively large load despite using relatively low electric force applied to a coil unit, thus enhancing control accuracy and preventing energy loss. |
| US07671490B2 |
System for high reliability power distribution within an electronics equipment cabinet
The power conversion system allows for multiple segregated and ground independent power sources to provide redundant power to modules within an electronics equipment cabinet with increased reliability and reduced sensitivity to common fault propagation. The power conversion system provides power conditioning modules having independent supply rails that supply power to each module within an electronics equipment cabinet. FET and diode solid-state control and driver logic enable each individual supply rail. Efficient power distribution is facilitated by primary and hot-backup operation of one or more power conditioning modules. Power conversion is facilitated by one or more input supply power feeds and one or more converter stages. |
| US07671483B2 |
Remote isolator interface
A remote isolator interface uses a vehicle's OEM remote (or aftermarket remote door lock) entry signal to interface between the battery and aftermarket electrical equipment, electronically separating the OEM systems/battery from aftermarket systems such that a short or power spike in the aftermarket system does not damage the OEM system. The invention also shuts off power to the aftermarket systems when the vehicle doors are locked by OEM remote entry or electric door locks, and can be combined with a magnetic battery disconnect to allow electrical current to reach the aftermarket systems when the doors are unlocked. The invention can also be combined with a fused distribution panel to become a single source of power for any aftermarket equipment, thereby eliminating the need for an installer to cut into the OEM systems for a power source and thereby void the manufacturer's warranty. |
| US07671482B2 |
Hydrogen powered vehicle refueling strategy
A method for refueling hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles is disclosed, that is capable of automatically disabling the vehicle systems, resetting the vehicle systems to allow for normal vehicle operation after the refueling event is complete, and determining if a faulty refueling event has been detected and allows normal vehicle operation. |
| US07671477B2 |
Technique for moderating stresses cause by a difference in thermal expansion coeffiecients between a substrate and an electronic component
A device comprises a plurality of first electrodes which are arranged on a surface of a substrate at predetermined space, a component which has an elasticity and a longitudinal axis, a plurality of conductors which are applied to a surface of said component at predetermined space, and each of which are connected to a corresponding one of said first electrodes, and a plurality of second electrodes which are arranged on a surface of a electronic component at predetermined space, and each of which are connected to a corresponding one of said conductors. |
| US07671476B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device including: a semiconductor substrate including an electrode; a resin protrusion formed on the semiconductor substrate; and an interconnect electrically connected to the electrode and formed to extend over the resin protrusion. The interconnect includes a first portion formed on a top surface of the resin protrusion and a second portion formed on a side of a lower portion of the resin protrusion. The second portion has a width smaller than a width of the first portion. |
| US07671474B2 |
Integrated circuit package device with improved bond pad connections, a lead-frame and an electronic device
A semiconductor device package (10) with a substantially rectangular shape comprising: a die attach pad (12) having a top surface and a bottom surface; a plurality of contact pads (26i-26n) provided in at least four rows that correspond to the rectangular shape of the package, each contact pad having a top surface and a bottom surface; at least two tie bars (18) for supporting the die attach pad until the singulation of the package during manufacturing thereof the tie bars having a top surface and a bottom surface and extending from the die attach pad towards a corner of the package; —a semiconductor die (20) mounted on the top surface of the die attach pad (12) and having bonding pads (44) formed thereon; a plurality of electrical connections between selected ones of the bond pads (44) and corresponding ones of the contact pads (26i-26n); an encapsulation encapsulating the semiconductor die (20), the top surface of the die attach pad (12), the electrical connections, the top surface of the tie bars (18) and the top surfaces of the contact pads (26^2On), and leaving the bottom surface of the die attach pad and the bottom surface of the contact pads exposed; characterized in that, at least one strip (30) having a top surface and a bottom surface is disposed between the die attach pad (12) and a corresponding row of contact pads, the strip having at least one lateral part (36) that is connected to at least one of the contact pads in said row, electrical connections being provided between the strip and selected bond pads (44) on the semiconductor die (20) adjacent to the strip. |
| US07671470B2 |
Enhanced mechanical strength via contacts
The present invention provides an enhanced interconnect structure with improved reliability. The inventive interconnect structure has enhanced mechanical strength of via contacts provided by embedded metal liners. The embedded metal liners may be continuous or discontinuous. Discontinuous embedded metal liners are provided by a discontinuous interface at the bottom of the via located within the interlayer dielectric layer. |
| US07671469B2 |
SiGe device with SiGe-embedded dummy pattern for alleviating micro-loading effect
A semiconductor device with dummy patterns for alleviating micro-loading effect includes a semiconductor substrate having thereon a middle annular region between an inner region and an outer region; a SiGe device on the semiconductor substrate within the inner region; and a plurality of dummy patterns provided on the semiconductor substrate within the middle annular region. At least one of the dummy patterns contains SiGe. |
| US07671459B2 |
Microelectronic devices, stacked microelectronic devices, and methods for manufacturing such devices
Stacked microelectronic devices and methods for manufacturing such devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a stacked microelectronic device assembly can include a first known good packaged microelectronic device including a first interposer substrate. A first die and a first through-casing interconnects are electrically coupled to the first interposer substrate. A first casing at least partially encapsulates the first device such that a portion of each first interconnect is accessible at a top portion of the first casing. A second known good packaged microelectronic device is coupled to the first device in a stacked configuration. The second device can include a second interposer substrate having a plurality of second interposer pads and a second die electrically coupled to the second interposer substrate. The exposed portions of the first interconnects are electrically coupled to corresponding second interposer pads. |
| US07671458B2 |
Connecting member used for semiconductor device including plurality of arranged semiconductor modules and semiconductor device provided with the same
A connector includes a fitting hole into which a signal line is fitted, a tapered portion formed to lead a tip portion of the signal line to the fitting hole, and a bonded portion for bonding the connector to a control substrate. The tapered portion has a tapered shape on a side where the signal line is inserted. The tapered shape is tilted from a peripheral portion of the tapered portion to the fitting hole in a direction along which the signal line is inserted, with the fitting hole set as a center. |
| US07671454B2 |
Tape carrier, semiconductor apparatus, and semiconductor module apparatus
A tape carrier of the present invention includes an insulating tape and a wiring pattern formed on the insulating tape. The wiring pattern includes a connecting section via which the wiring pattern is connected to a bump electrode. The connecting section is provided at a part of an overlap part of the wiring pattern, which overlap part overlaps a semiconductor device when the semiconductor device is mounted on the wiring pattern. The connecting section of the wiring pattern is smaller in wiring width than the remaining part of the overlap part, which remaining part is other than the connecting section. |
| US07671451B2 |
Semiconductor package having double layer leadframe
A leadframe chip scale package includes a double leadframe assembly. The first leadframe has a central die paddle and peripheral leads, and the second leadframe, superimposed over the first leadframe in the package, has peripheral leads. The peripheral leads of both leadframes are situated in at least one row along an edge of the package, and in some embodiments in a row along each of the four edges of the package. The leads are patterned such that when the second leadframe is superimposed over the first leadframe, the leads do not contact each other; in a plan view, the leads of the first leadframe appear to be interdigitated with the leads of the second leadframe. |
| US07671449B2 |
Structures and methods for an application of a flexible bridge
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates high-bandwidth communication using a flexible bridge. This system includes a chip with an active face upon which active circuitry and signal pads reside, and a second component with a surface upon which active circuitry and/or signal pads reside. A flexible bridge provides high-bandwidth communication between the active face of the chip and the surface of the second component. This flexible bridge provides a flexible connection that allows the chip to be moved with six degrees of freedom relative to the second component without affecting communication between the chip and the second component. Hence, the flexible bridge allows the chip and the second component to communicate without requiring precise alignment between the chip and the second component. |
| US07671447B2 |
Bipolar transistor and method of manufacturing the same
The invention relates to a semiconductor device (10) with a semiconductor body (12) comprising a bipolar transistor with an emitter region (1), a base region (2) and a collector region (3) of, respectively, a first conductivity type, a second conductivity type, opposite to the first conductivity type, and the first conductivity type, wherein, viewed in projection, the emitter region (1) is positioned above or below the base region (2), and the collector region (3) laterally borders the base region (2). According to the invention, the base region (2) comprises a highly doped subregion (2A) the doping concentration of which has a delta-shaped profile in the thickness direction, and said highly doped sub-region (2A) extends laterally as far as the collector region (3). Such a lateral bipolar transistor has excellent high-frequency properties and a relatively high breakdown voltage between the base and collector regions (2, 3), implying that the device is suitable for high power applications. The doping concentration lies preferably between about 1019 and about 1020 at/cm3, and the thickness of the sub-region (2A) lies between 1 and 15 nm and preferably between 1 and 10 nm. The invention also comprises a method of manufacturing such a device (10). |
| US07671441B2 |
Trench MOSFET with sidewall spacer gates
A semiconductor power device includes a semiconductor body with a plurality of gate trenches formed therein. Disposed within each gate trench is a spacer gate that extends along at least a portion of the sidewalls of the gate trench but not along at least a portion of the bottom surface of the trench. The spacer gate of each gate trench may also include a layer of silicide along outer surfaces thereof. The semiconductor body may include a channel region and each gate trench may extend through the channel region and into the semiconductor body. Formed at the bottom of each gate trench within the semiconductor body may be a tip implant of the same conductivity as the semiconductor body. In addition, a deep body implant of the same conductivity as the channel region may be formed at the base of the channel region. |
| US07671438B2 |
Solid-state imaging device
A solid-state imaging device includes first pixels and second pixels. Each of the first pixels and the second pixels includes a p-type diffusion layer formed in a semiconductor substrate and an n-type diffusion layer formed on the p-type diffusion layer. A first p-type implantation layer is formed on a surface side of the semiconductor substrate on the n-type diffusion layer of the first pixels. A second p-type implantation layer having a lower impurity concentration than the first p-type implantation layer or no p-type implantation layer is formed on a surface side of the semiconductor substrate on the n-type diffusion layer of the second pixels. |
| US07671435B2 |
Pixel having two semiconductor layers, image sensor including the pixel, and image processing system including the image sensor
An image sensor having pixels that include two patterned semiconductor layers. The top patterned semiconductor layer contains the photoelectric elements of pixels having substantially 100% fill-factor. The bottom patterned semiconductor layer contains transistors for detecting, resetting, amplifying and transmitting signals charges received from the photoelectric elements. The top and bottom patterned semiconductor layers may be separated from each other by an interlayer insulating layer that may include metal interconnections for conducting signals between devices formed in the patterned semiconductor layers and from external devices. |
| US07671426B2 |
Metal insulator semiconductor transistor using a gate insulator including a high dielectric constant film
In a MIS transistor of which gate length is 10 nm or less, a gate insulator comprising a silicon oxide film formed on a silicon substrate and a high-k film formed on the silicon oxide film has a nitrided region including more nitrogen at the lateral side than at the central side in the gate-length direction, and including more nitrogen at the upper side than at the lower side in the film thickness direction. The reliability and characteristics of a MIS transistor using a gate insulator including a high-k (high dielectric constant) film is enhanced. |