Document Document Title
US07676360B2 Method for scale-factor estimation in an audio encoder
A method, system and computer program product for computationally efficient estimation of the scale factors of one or more frequency bands in an encoder. These scale factors are dependant on a plurality of variables. One of the variables is approximated according to embodiments of the invention. This reduces the complexity of the estimation of scale factors, especially in digital signal processors.
US07676355B1 Method and apparatus for providing protected intellectual property
Various techniques permit more thorough development of digital systems and devices by designers while protecting the proprietary interests of the owners of the intellectual property incorporated in such systems and devices. More specifically, the present invention provides to an end customer IP hardware which is suitable for prototype testing, but unusable for production purposes. One method limits the physical or electrical mode of operation of a hardware platform used for prototype testing of intellectual property (such as limiting the number of electrical contacts between the hardware and an external electrical device or limiting the data format(s) usable in the hardware during prototype testing). Another method limits the temporal operation of a hardware platform using an internal counter within the software provided by the intellectual property owner. Once a clock count limit is reached, the software disables the hardware in one or more prescribed ways, such as a reset of one or more registers, a global tri-state of the hardware 10, or a random failure of some type. Suitable hardware fabrication and/or augmentation also may be used to differentiate between the prototype and production manners of operation.
US07676353B2 Transversely isotropic model for wellbore stability analysis in laminated formations
A method of predicting wellbore stability is provided and includes: creating a parameterized model of a wellbore in laminated formation, the parameterized model including a plurality of laminated formation and wellbore related parameters; considering measurement data to determine the laminated formation and wellbore related parameters; updating the parameterized model by adopting the determined laminated formation and wellbore related parameters; and applying the updated parameterized model to derive a solution of wellbore stability.
US07676349B2 Integrated anisotropic rock physics model
Method for constructing an integrated rock physics model that simulates both shale anisotropy and stress-induced anisotropy of clastic rocks. In the model, the total pore volume is divided into three parts according to the estimated shale volume and effective stress: (1) clay-related pores, (2) sand-related pores, and (3) microcracks (mainly in the sand component). The pore space is then partitioned into the clay-related and sand-related pores using a scheme first disclosed by Xu and White in 1995. The model simulates shale anisotropy via the preferred orientation of clay-related pores and stress-induced anisotropy via the preferred orientation of microcracks, which is controlled by the differential stresses. Laboratory measurements or well logs are needed to establish a relationship between crack density and the effective stress.
US07676344B2 Apparatus and method for determining a characteristic ratio and a parameter affecting the characterisitic ratio of a multiphase fluid mixture
An apparatus and method is presented for controlling the quality of a mass density measurement of a multiphase fluid mixture including a plurality of fluid fractions and a plurality of constituting elements. The method includes the steps of: submitting a measuring pipe to a flux of high energy photons and measuring count rates; determining a mass density of the multiphase fluid mixture based on count rate measurements in a first and second energy windows; determining an electronic density of the multiphase fluid mixture based on count rate measurements in a third energy window; and comparing the electronic density to the mass density of the multiphase fluid mixture.
US07676338B2 Method for detecting abnormality of temperature sensor in machine tool
The invention enables an abnormality of a temperature sensor to be simply detected. In S1, a temperature measurement is performed with each temperature sensor, and measured signals are digitalized to obtain a temperature value. Then, in S2, a detection temperature Tb′ equivalent to a detected temperature of a corresponding temperature sensor is calculated with use of an arithmetic expression and a characterization factor stored in a parameter storage device, and in S3, an absolute value ΔT of a temperature difference between Ta and Tb′ is obtained. Subsequently, in S4, the calculated absolute value ΔT is compared with a limit value γ, and when ΔT is larger than the limit value γ, Ta or Tb is determined to be abnormal and an alert is issued with an alarm or the like in S5, followed by issuance of a command to a correcting device in S6 not to change a correction amount set before the abnormality occurs.
US07676336B2 Watermark embedding
According to an inventive scheme for introducing a watermark into an information signal, the information signal is at first transferred from a time representation to a spectral/modulation spectral representation). The information signal is then manipulated in the spectral/modulation spectral representation in dependence on the watermark to be introduced to obtain a modified spectral/modulation spectral representation, and subsequently an information signal provided with a watermark is formed based on the modified spectral/modulation spectral representation. An advantage is that, due to the fact that the watermark is embedded and/or derived in the spectral/modulation spectral representation or range, traditional correlation attacks as are used in watermark methods based on a spread-band modulation cannot succeed easily.
US07676335B2 Method for determining battery capacity
A method includes monitoring the voltage of a power source connector for charging a battery. A determination is made that the battery has entered a transition phase based on sensing an abrupt change in the voltage. In response to determining that the battery is in the transition phase, a capacity of the battery is determined based on a transition phase battery capacity model that defines the battery's capacity as a function of the battery's voltage.
US07676333B2 Method and apparatus for analyzing partial discharges in electrical devices
A method of analyzing partial discharge data collected from an electrical device includes collecting partial discharge data from a first electrical device belonging to a group of electrical devices. The group of electrical devices is at least partially defined by at least one electrical device classification. The method also includes generating a comparison of at least a portion of the partial discharge data collected from the first electrical device with at least a portion of the partial discharge data collected from at least one second electrical device. The at least one second electrical device is selected from the group of electrical devices that includes the first electrical device. The method further includes transmitting the results.
US07676324B2 Alerting a vehicle operator to traffic movement
Methods, systems and computer program products for alerting a vehicle operator to traffic movement. The methods include identifying a zone around a host vehicle and identifying a target vehicle in the zone. The speed and location of the target vehicle are monitored. An alert is generated in the host vehicle if the target vehicle is moving outside of the zone at a speed higher than a minimum speed and the host vehicle is stationary.
US07676317B2 Method and device for determining a corrective value used for influencing an air/fuel ratio
The invention relates to a method for the cylinder-selective control of an air/fuel mixture to be burnt in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, in which the lambda values for different cylinders or groups of cylinders are separately sensed and controlled, and also relates to a multi-cylinder internal engine suitable for carrying out the method. In accordance with the invention, the lambda values of the individual cylinders or groups of cylinders are simultaneously controlled to different required values using an integrating I-control proportion with variable integrator slope and/or a differentiating D-control proportion.
US07676313B2 Target speed control strategy for power-off shifts in a hybrid electric vehicle
A method for controlling a power-off shift from a current gear to a target gear in a hybrid electric powertrain including an engine, electric motor and automatic transmission includes the steps of determining an initial target speed for the current gear, operating the motor at the initial target speed, repetitively determining a current gear ratio, a output shaft speed during the gear ratio change, a time rate of change of output shaft speed, using the current gear ratio, the current speed of the output shaft and the time rate of change of output shaft speed repetitively to determine a current target speed, and operating the motor at the current target speed until a gear change to the next gear is completed.
US07676312B2 Actuator controller and a method for controlling such an actuator controller
An actuator controller includes an actuator body to be driven in a predetermined driven range, an actuator driving unit; and a controller body for controlling the driven position of the actuator body. The controller body includes an instructing signal outputting zone configured to outputting a position instructing signal for instructing the driven position of the actuator body according to a bid, excluding arbitrary two bits among the predetermined bit counts, an normal direction forcedly driving signal for instructing a normal direction forcedly driving to drive the actuator body in a predetermined direction with the one of the arbitrary two bits, and a reverse direction forcedly driving signal for instructing a reverse direction forcedly driving to drive the actuator body in a direction reverse to the predetermined direction with the other arbitrary bit.
US07676300B2 Building management system and operating method thereof including protocol conversion
A building management system controller of a local operating network controls a multi-air conditioner system having a different communications network protocol. The building management system includes a controller for centrally controlling subsystems in the building including an air conditioner system, and is connected to the local operating network and a gateway that converts data between the local operating network and a network of the multi-air conditioner.
US07676299B2 Apparatus for tracking and dispensing refrigerated medications
The present disclosure provides a medication dispenser having a refrigerated compartment and a plurality of access doors that provide access to a limited portion of the refrigerated compartment. A plurality of turntables are rotatably disposed within the refrigerated compartment. The turntables receive at least one medication in a predetermined location, and each turntable aligns with an access door. The dispenser further includes a computer system that receives input selecting a first medication to be dispensed and outputs a first signal in response to the input. A controller is operably coupled to the refrigerated compartment and receives the first signal from the computer system. The controller outputs a second signal to rotate a turntable such that the first medication is positioned adjacent an access door, and the controller outputs a third signal to unlock the adjacent access door.
US07676295B2 Processing information management in a plasma processing tool
A computer-implemented method for managing substrate processing data. Substrate process data is acquired while a substrate is processed in a plasma-processing chamber of a cluster tool. The method includes receiving meta-data that identifies at least one of an identification of the substrate and a process. The method further includes receiving from transducers process data streams, each of the process data streams pertaining to a process parameter being monitored. Individual data items in each of the process data streams are being collected in accordance to one of a first methodology and a second methodology. The first methodology represents data collection that is periodic in time. The second methodology represents data collection that happens when predefined events occur. The method also includes storing individual data items associated with process data streams in a single file. The single file stores only data pertaining to a single recipe used to process the substrate.
US07676289B2 System and method for industrial process control
This disclosure relates to a process control unit for controlling a process wherein the controller utilizes hardware and modular software to accomplish the control. The modular software for interfacing the process with the user allows the user to utilize predefined software interfaces with a human machine interface. A user need only define the text and parameters to be displayed and then map them to a specific element of the human machine interface therein expediting process parameter modification at a later time.
US07676286B2 Fail-silent node architecture
A system including a node, wherein the node includes two separate controllers, each of which is configured to output data to a bus, or receive data from a bus, or output data to and receive data from a bus. At least one controller is configured to monitor the output of the other controller and is configured such that if the at least one controller determines that the other controller is providing improper data or signals, at least part of the output data of the other controller is nullified, overridden or superseded by an output from the at least one controller.
US07676280B1 Dynamic environmental management
A system is described herein for providing environmental management of a physical location using a sensor network having a plurality of environmental sensors and at least one primary actuator configured to provide an environmental change to the physical location. The system includes a communications module that operates to access the plurality of environmental sensors of the sensor network, and an application module that operates to: a) commission the plurality of environmental sensors of the sensor network; control an operation of the at least one primary actuator to provide environmental management of the physical location based on the commission of the plurality of environmental sensors of the sensor network; and c) provide a graphical layout of an environmental condition of the physical location based on both the commission of the plurality of environmental sensors and the control of the at least one primary actuator.
US07676276B2 Stimulator combined with an intranasal respiratory method and device for improved breathing
A nasal respiratory device and method adapted to provide electrical stimulation comprising an intraoral holdfast having a neuromuscular stimulator with electrodes adapted to provide electrical stimulation to a user for improving breathing and treating a respiratory disorder. The device and method affords access to ambient atmosphere or may be connected pressure devices such as CPAP. The device and method may also contain an airway resistor.
US07676273B2 Stimulation templates for programming a stimulation lead with complex electrode array geometry
The disclosure is directed to programming implantable stimulators to deliver stimulation energy via one or more implantable leads having complex electrode array geometries. A user interface of a programmer allows a user to define stimulation therapy by interacting with one or more representations of the lead that delivers the therapy. The disclosure also contemplates selecting stimulation parameters to satisfy a user defined stimulation field by selecting one or more volumetric stimulation templates that best fit the stimulation field. The user interface may display the stimulation templates in relation to different perspectives of a lead and the stimulation field. Use of stimulation templates may simplify the determination of stimulation parameters in response to any of a variety of types of user definition of a stimulation field.
US07676265B1 Implantable cardiac stimulation device and method providing dynamic sensing configurations for bichamber stimulation and tachyarrhythmia detection
An implantable cardiac stimulation device provides bichamber pacing and dynamic bichamber and single chamber sensing. The device includes a sensing circuit that senses activity of a heart, a lead system coupled to a plurality of chambers of the heart, and a cardiac rate circuit that determines a cardiac rate of the heart. A control circuit causes the lead system to couple the sensing circuit to corresponding chambers of the heart to enable bichamber trigger pacing when the cardiac rate is below a given rate and to a single chamber of the heart when the cardiac rate is above the given rate to enable enhanced tachycardia sensing.
US07676261B2 Method and system for enhancing pace pulses
A method for enhancing pace pulses is presented. The method includes providing a set of digital electrocardiogram data comprising a plurality of pulses, wherein each pulse is of a generally constant width. Furthermore, the method includes differentiating the plurality of pulses to generate a plurality of pairs of differentiated pulses, wherein each pair of differentiated pulses is separated by the generally constant width of the corresponding pulse. In addition, the method includes enhancing the plurality of pairs of differentiated pulses. Systems and computer-readable medium that afford functionality of the type defined by this method are also provided by the present technique.
US07676258B2 System and method for enhancing microscopic images of tissue
A system and method for enhancing images of ex-vivo or in-vivo tissue produced by confocal microscopy, optical coherence tomography, two-photon microscopy, or ultrasound, is provided by applying to the tissue a solution or gel having an effective concentration of citric or other alpha-hydroxy acid which enhances tissue structures, such as cellular nuclei, in such images. Such concentration may be 3-20% acid, and preferably 5% acid.
US07676257B2 Method and apparatus for segmenting structure in CT angiography
A technique is provided for automatically generating a bone mask in CTA angiography. In accordance with the technique, an image data set may be pre-processed to accomplish a variety of function, such as removal of image data associated with the table, partitioning the volume into regionally consistent sub-volumes, computing structures edges based on gradients, and/or calculating seed points for subsequent region growing. The pre-processed data may then be automatically segmented for bone and vascular structure. The automatic vascular segmentation may be accomplished using constrained region growing in which the constraints are dynamically updated based upon local statistics of the image data. The vascular structure may be subtracted from the bone structure to generate a bone mask. The bone mask may in turn be subtracted from the image data set to generate a bone-free CTA volume for reconstruction of volume renderings.
US07676255B2 System and method for supporting a patient during medical imaging
A medical imaging system having a patient support apparatus is provided. The medical imaging system includes a framework portion and a kit of rigid modular patient support panels, constructed of material having a radiation attenuation coefficient less than that of metals. The panels in sub-combination are removably mounted to and supported by the framework portion. The panels are selectively assembled to define varying surface profiles, including selective gaps there between, that are capable of conforming a patient in contact with the surface profile in a range of supported body positions from supine to seated.
US07676253B2 Medical sensor and technique for using the same
A medical sensor may be adapted to account for factors that cause irregularities in pulse oximetry measurements or other spectrophotemetric measurements. Sensors are provided with surface features that reduce the amount of outside light or shunted light that impinge the detecting elements of the sensor. The sensor is adapted to reduce the effect of outside light or shunted light on pulse oximetry measurements.
US07676250B2 Method for controlling audio signals to an FM transmitter and a loudspeaker of a hands-free adapter
A method (200) for controlling audio signals to an FM transmitter and a loudspeaker of a hands-free adapter first sends a first audio signal to the loudspeaker (242) and measures and records a loudspeaker audible artifact such as echo return loss (244) and/or echo tail length (246). Next, the hands-free adapter sends a second audio signal to the FM transmitter and the loudspeaker (252) and measures and records an FM transmitter and loudspeaker audible artifact such as echo return loss (254) and/or echo tail length (256). If the FM transmitter and loudspeaker audible artifact minus the loudspeaker audible artifact is greater than a threshold (263, 266), the hands-free adapter sends a third audio signal to the FM transmitter only (270), and if the FM transmitter and loudspeaker audible artifact minus the loudspeaker audible artifact is not greater than the threshold, the hands-free adapter sends the third audio signal to both the FM transmitter and the loudspeaker (280).
US07676249B2 Alert methods and apparatus for call appointments in a calendar application based on communication conditions of a mobile station
Alert methods and apparatus for call appointments in a calendar application based on communication conditions of a mobile station are disclosed. Calendar information for an appointment in the calendar application is received and stored in memory. The calendar information is associated with a date and time of the appointment. In response to identifying an out-of-coverage condition of the mobile communication device within a predetermined time period of the date and time of the appointment, a warning indication is produced at a user interface of the mobile communication device. The warning indication may be or include a message which instructs a user of the mobile communication device to relocate the mobile communication device for removing the out-of-coverage condition, and may also include an audible or vibrating alert. The warning indication may be provided only if a telephone number or other suitable call information is identified within the calendar information.
US07676247B2 Baseband processor and a method of transmitting commands to a radio-frequency subsystem and radio telecommunication apparatus incorporating the baseband processor
The baseband processor (18) comprises: a storage unit (72) storing: a descriptor table comprising for each descriptor: a pointer field designed to point to a definition of an operation, an absolute operation time field indicating at which time from the beginning of a frame processing the corresponding operation should be carried out, an operation definition table comprising for each operation a definition of the operation, each definition having a sequence of events, each event of the definition table being associated with a relative event time field indicating at which time from the beginning of the operation the corresponding event should be executed, and a calculator (70) to automatically compute a list of events from the description and operation tables.
US07676241B2 Access point and terminal wireless transmission power control based on point to point parameter exchanges
A wireless access point and multiple wireless terminals exchange point-to-point transmission power control parameters. The wireless access point gathers parameters based on transmissions received from each of the wireless terminals. Each wireless terminal gathers parameters based on transmissions received from each of the other wireless terminals and from the wireless access point. In one operating mode, the parameters gathered by the wireless devices are forwarded to the wireless access point, and, based on all received and local parameters, the wireless access point adjusts its own transmission power and sends control signals to the wireless terminals directing transmission power adjustment. In another mode, all parameters are exchanged between every wireless terminal and the access point so that each can independently or cooperatively make transmission power control decisions. Transmission power control parameters include received signal strength, error rates, estimated battery life, availability of unlimited power, active versus sleep mode ratios, anticipated bandwidth utilization, coding schemes available, deterministic/non-deterministic requirements, encryption and security requirements, quality of service requirements, mobility, etc. Gathering of parameters involves both retrieval of preset parameters from memory and generating parameters based on received transmissions (including test packets).
US07676237B2 Routing communication based on urgency priority level
Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products route communication based on an urgency priority associated with a sender of the communication. The method involves receiving incoming communication, identifying the sender, determining an urgency priority designation associated with communication, and routing the incoming communication according to routing instructions associated with the urgency priority designation. Prior to receiving the incoming communication, the method may further involve receiving a selection to configure routing of communication based on one or more urgency priority designations, rendering urgency priority options and routing options that provide routing instructions, receiving routing instructions associated with each urgency priority designation, and receiving and recording the urgency priority designation associated with the sender. Still further, the method may involve offering the sender routing options based on the urgency priority designation and receiving a selection of one of the routing options from the sender.
US07676235B2 Method and system for transmitting and receiving SMS messages with remapped response codes
A method and system are disclosed in which a Mobile Terminated SMS (Short Message Service) wireless message generated by a Computer Application containing an embedded response menu can be sent to a Mobile Handset and in which a Mobile Originated response from the Mobile Handset can be uniquely re-associated with the original Mobile Terminated message is described. Given that SMS provides no inherent association between Mobile Terminated and Mobile Originated messages, the method and system provide a scheme in which the original Computer Application menu response options are remapped to unique values prior to delivery to the Mobile Handset. When the response is received from the Mobile Handset, the method can uniquely re-associate and reverse map the response code back to the original Mobile Terminated message and original menu response options.
US07676232B2 Altitude determination and distribution in cellular communication systems
In the present invention, data of a digital altitude map of a cell in a cellular communication system is compressed in a first node by defining a polygon essentially representing the boundary of the cell. Each polygon corner is defined by a point having two lateral coordinates and an associated altitude parameter. In this manner a set of at least three points is defined. This set of points constitutes a relatively limited amount of data, which easily can be transferred over an interface to a second node. In the second node, the set of points is used as parameters for creating an altitude model. By using a pair of lateral coordinates as input arguments of the model, an estimation of an associated altitude can be derived.
US07676222B1 Home and roaming provisioning method for mobile terminals
A telecommunication terminal for accessing a data network via an access network using a set of provisioning data stores a current set of provisioning data and at least one set of protected provisioning data. The protected provisioning data cannot be updated without the intervention of the terminal user. This enables a mobile terminal to change access network without losing the provisioning data of the home access network. It avoids the need for further provisioning on returning to the home access network.
US07676217B2 Method for malicious traffic recognition in IP networks with subscriber identification and notification
A technique for recognizing malicious traffic in IP networks coupled with an identification and notification of a mobile subscriber generating or receiving malicious traffic is provided. An embodiment of the present invention may include intrusively or non-intrusively monitoring in real-time the mobile subscriber's data traffic for malicious traffic as well as mobile security intrusion attempts. Another embodiment of the present invention may report the identification of those mobile subscribers generating or receive malicious traffic to an operator. By knowing the identity of the mobile subscriber, an embodiment of the present invention may block the mobile subscriber's subscription or alert the mobile subscriber in question about the malicious traffic. One embodiment of the present invention may be applied to mobile networks where the mobile subscriber's identity is known by an unique identifier (e.g., an IMSI or a phone number) and where a notification system may be implemented using a messaging service e.g., SMS, MMS, IM, email, or voice.
US07676214B2 Method and system for increasing the standby battery life of a mobile device
A method and system for increasing the standby battery life of a GSM mobile device. The method increases the standby battery life of a GSM mobile device by reducing monitoring of the serving cell's paging messages using a deterministic and adaptive procedure with zero impact on call performance, where the procedure reduces the frequency of reception of valid paging messages, intended for the device in the Paging Channel, by lengthening paging-read interval.
US07676210B2 Method for performing dual mode image rejection calibration in a receiver
A method is disclosed for performing dual mode image rejection calibration in a receiver. A first image correction factor is acquired for use in a receiver system using a first known signal associated with a first signal band during a startup mode. The first image correction factor is adjusted incrementally during a normal operation mode. A radio frequency (RF) signal associated with the first signal band is received using the first image correction factor during the normal operation mode.
US07676207B2 System and method for digital autonomous automatic gain control (AGC) for DVB-H receivers
Digital autonomous AGC for a DVB-H receiver comprises detecting a plurality of RF signals entering a LNA in the DVB-H receiver; detecting a RF transmitter blocker signal occurring at the LNA; and differentiating between a desired RF signal and an undesired RF transmitter blocker signal by varying a differential gain of current through the LNA. A RF servo loop is used for detecting the RF transmitter blocker signal. Logic circuitry of the RF servo loop is integrated with a baseband AGC loop to step control the differential gain of current through the LNA. A RF wideband detector is used for detecting the plurality of RF signals entering the LNA; and sending a voltage output corresponding to voltage levels of the RF signals to a plurality of comparators, wherein each of the plurality of comparators are set at a different programmable voltage threshold level compared with one another.
US07676203B2 Method and apparatus for dynamically tuning radio stations with user-defined play lists
A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for dynamic radio station tuning in a data processing system. A play list is identified. The play list is a user-defined list and includes an identification of a number of songs. Music information is obtained from a plurality of radio stations. This music information is compared to the play list to generate a schedule. Dynamic tuning to a radio station within the plurality of radio stations is performed using the schedule to present songs from the number of songs to a listener.
US07676199B2 Impedance control for signal interface of a network node
The terminating impedance of a networked device in a wired communication channel is controlled to avoid an impedance discontinuity when power is applied and removed from the node or other event occurs that would change the impedance of the signal interface. When the node transmits or receives signals using the communication channel, the transmit or receive device presents a matched termination to the channel. When power is removed or the device is reset, the transmit and receive circuitry is not operational and the matched impedance is therefore maintained by a separate device. The impedance may be varied slowly from a match to a high impedance to allow other devices in the network to adapt to the change in multipath environment that results from the impedance change. Alternatively, the signal interface can be switched to a passive static impedance that is maintained while power is off or the disrupting event occurs.
US07676197B2 Signal spectrum steering method, apparatus, and system
A computing platform includes a wireless interface and other devices that may cause interference to the wireless interface. The other devices may change frequencies of operation or data rates to steer signal spectrum away from current wireless channels and reduce interference to the wireless interface.
US07676196B2 Telecommunication systems for providing cellular service to RF shadows
A telecommunications system provides service to a cellular device located within a radio-frequency (RF) shadow of a communication station. The system may include a line-of-sight (LOS) antenna located in a line of sight of the station and a shadow antenna in communication with the LOS antenna and located within a line of sight of the RF shadow. The LOS antenna receives a transmitter signal from the station, and the shadow antenna receives a cellular signal from the cellular device. The LOS antenna also receives the cellular signal from the shadow antenna and, in turn, transmits the cellular signal to the station. Similarly, the shadow antenna receives the transmitter signal from the LOS antenna and, in turn, transmits the transmitter signal to the RF shadow. Accordingly, the cellular device is able to receive the transmitter signal T, and the station is able to receive the cellular signal. The telecommunication system may include a plurality of shadow antennas each for receiving the transmitter signal from the LOS antenna and for transmitting the transmitter signal to the RF shadow along a respective and unique transmission axis.
US07676194B2 Broadband repeater with security for ultrawideband technologies
An ultrawideband radio transceiver/repeater provides a low cost infrastructure solution that merges wireless and wired network devices while providing connection to the plant, flexible repeater capabilities, network security, traffic monitoring and provisioning, and traffic flow control for wired and wireless connectivity of devices or networks. The ultrawideband radio transceiver/repeater can be implemented in discrete, integrated, distributed or embedded forms.
US07676192B1 Radio scanner programmed from frequency database and method
A scanning radio and method using a receiver, a channel memory and a display in conjunction with a frequency and linked descriptor database. The frequency and linked descriptor database is queried using a geographic reference to produce a list of local radio channels that includes a list of frequencies with linked descriptors. The list of radio channels is transferred into the channel memory of the scanner, and the receiver is sequentially tuned to the listed frequencies recalled from the list of radio channels while the corresponding linked descriptors are simultaneously displayed.
US07676191B2 Method of duplex printing on sheet media
A first and second printing engine are disposed with an intermediate transport belt in U-shaped arrangement. The method employs printing sheets serially on one side in the first engine inverting the sheet and transporting the sheets through about 180° change in direction without rotation. The commonality of the leading edge is thus maintained before and after inverting. The sheet is then fed to the second engine for duplex printing on the second side of the sheet. The second engine may have a media sheet input rotation for simplex printing serially with the duplex printing.
US07676186B2 Toner cartridge and mechanism of installing and removing the same
In accordance with a replacing mechanism of the present invention, a toner cartridge is replaced from a main body of an image forming apparatus by performing, in a substantially same timing, an operation of closing a toner pouring opening with a cover by a levering action; and an operation of displacing the toner cartridge from the main body of the image forming apparatus to an operator side, the toner cartridge being provided with a flange portion. The toner cartridge cannot be pulled out unless the toner pouring opening is fully closed by the shutter member.
US07676181B2 Developing unit and image forming device
The present invention discloses a developing unit that can block unnecessary supply of liquid developer to an image support member and can prevent waste of liquid developer, and an image forming device comprising the same. The developing unit includes a developing member that is in contact with an image support member and supplies the image support member with liquid developer, a developer supply member that supplies the developing member with liquid developer, and an unattached region forming member that forms at least an unattached region that is free of liquid developer on the developing member, the unattached region extending from the contact point between the developing member and the image support member and the contact point between the developing member and the developer supply member.
US07676180B2 Liquid development apparatus, liquid development method and image forming apparatus
An objective of the present invention is to provide a liquid development apparatus that can form a uniformly thin layer of high-density liquid developer on the development roller, thereby forming images free of uneven density or toner fog, and another objective is to provide an inexpensive and compact liquid development apparatus which increases the flexibility in the arrangement. A liquid development apparatus in which a liquid developer supply head having a liquid developer discharge outlet for applying a liquid developer on the surface of the development roller is equipped with a section for reducing the viscosity of the liquid developer.
US07676179B2 Wet image forming apparatus recycling carrier
Of carrier liquids extracted by an carrier liquid extracting device from a liquid developer obtained by mixing together yellow, cyan, magenta, and black liquid developers, the carrier liquid of particularly high purity is recycled for concentration control of the yellow liquid developer and the carrier liquid of purity a little lower than the aforementioned purity is recycled for concentration control of the cyan, magenta, and black liquid developers. A carrier liquid extracted from the yellow liquid developer is recycled for the concentration control of the yellow liquid developer, and a carrier liquid extracted from the liquid developer obtained by mixing together the cyan, magenta, and black liquid developers is recycled for the concentration control of the cyan, magenta, and black liquid developers. This permits efficient use of carrier liquids to be recycled without having an influence on the image quality.
US07676178B2 Toner cartridge having grip, exchangeably inserted into revolver and replenishing toner into developing device
According to a toner cartridge of this invention, a region (R3) extending along the outer circumferential direction of a toner cartridge (50) is not tapered, and a region (R1) on the inner wall of a developing device (10) which corresponds to the region (R3) is not tapered either. This prevents the occurrence of backlash between them, and allows the shutter of the toner replenishment port of the developing device (10) to be reliably closed when the toner cartridge (50) is slid. This can therefore prevent toner from leaking and contaminating the image forming apparatus. According to a toner cartridge of this invention, a cap (60) which seals the opening portion of a casing (51) of a toner cartridge (50a) is formed from a transparent member. This allows an easy check of the color of toner from the front surface side of an image forming apparatus, and eliminates the necessity to add a new member for a color check, thereby contributing to a reduction in cost.
US07676175B2 Photosensitive drum for printer cartridge and method for mounting the same
A photosensitive drum for a printer cartridge, which can be easily mounted on a printer cartridge of which the positions of drum connectors are fixed, is disclosed. The photosensitive drum for a printer cartridge comprises a cylindrical drum having a photosensitive layer on a cylindrical surface thereof; and a pair of rotation shafts which is respectively mounted on the sides of the cylindrical drum for rotating and supporting the cylindrical drum, wherein at least one of the rotation shafts is insert-fitted to the side of the cylindrical drum.
US07676172B2 Cleaning head pick-up system
A corotron cleaning assembly includes a self-seating, spring-loaded locating pin drivingly connected to a drive unit that is used to drive a wire cleaning head that is located within a CRU. This assembly allows for easy separation of the drive unit from the cleaner when the CRU that contains the wire is replaced. The bullet shaped pin rides on a worm drive and when the pin is driven into the cleaner head, the bullet hits an inclined ramp and is biased downward until such a point that the pin hits a recessed receptacle. Once the pin is in the receptacle, the pin is capable of driving the wire cleaning head. When the cleaning head is removed, the act of removal separates the pin from the receptacle.
US07676171B2 Printing device and method for switching between monochrome and color modes
A method for printing images on at least one substrate using an apparatus having a plurality of print modes, wherein at least one of the print modes is a monochrome printing mode and another of the print modes is a color printing mode, the method comprising: printing a first portion of the images in a first of the print modes; determining whether the images being printed in the first mode meet a predetermined criteria; switching the apparatus into a second of the print modes when the images then being printed in the first print mode meet the predetermined criteria; and printing a second portion of the images using the apparatus in the second of the print modes after the switching.
US07676162B2 Phase monitor used in optical receiver
Branches are grouped into a group 1 including first and second branches, and a group 2 including third and fourth branches. The signal after being passed through a dual pin photodiode in one branch included in the group 1 and being at the earlier stage of a CDR circuit is obtained. Also, from the later stage of the CDR circuit in the other branch in the group 1 is obtained. The obtained signals are passed through low pass filters, and an average value over a plurality of symbols is obtained. The signal from the earlier stage of the CDR circuit is multiplied by the signal from the later stage, and they are averaged. The obtained value reflects the phase difference of the two delay interferometers in the group 1. The group 2 is monitored by using the same method.
US07676159B2 All-optical header processing and packet switching
A process for all-optically switching an incoming optical signal having at least a data packet is provided. The data packet including at least an address bit in its header, and the process includes receiving the data packet; processing the header optically; storing the decision made during the processing of the header; and switching the whole incoming data packet dependent upon the decision.
US07676156B2 Method and system for multiplexed optical information transport
Light carrying information for access terminals is carried via optical fibers. Information for terminals from groups is multiplexed over different time-slots and different communication wavelengths of the light in the fiber for a group. The information is passed between the fibers and the transport network via transceivers. The use of the transceivers is multiplexed between the optical fibers. Each transceiver passes information for selectable light guides at selectable communication wavelengths in different timeslots.
US07676152B2 Optical power monitor for PON telecommunication
In an optical telecommunication system in which an intensity of an arriving optical signal is different for each packet, detected is an optical intensity for each packet with little error. For this purpose, contrived is to detect an average optical intensity across header parts for each packet by focusing on the fact that the header part comprising the preamble and delimiter of a packet is in a bit pattern which includes approximately the same numbers of “0” and “1”.
US07676146B2 Camera using multiple lenses and image sensors to provide improved focusing capability
An electronic camera includes: (a) a first imaging stage comprising a first image sensor; a first lens for forming a first image on the first image sensor; and a first lens focus adjuster for adjusting focus of the first lens responsive to a first focus detection signal; and (b) a second imaging stage comprising a second image sensor; a second lens for forming a second image on the second image sensor; and a second lens focus adjuster for adjusting focus of the second lens responsive to a second focus detection signal. A processing stage (a) selects the sensor output from the first imaging stage and uses the sensor output from the second imaging stage to generate the first focus detection signal, (b) selects the sensor output from the second imaging stage and uses the sensor output from the first imaging stage to generate the second focus detection signal.
US07676145B2 Camera configurable for autonomous self-learning operation
The present disclosure relates to an image capture device and a technique for capturing an image. The technique includes configuring an image capture device in a learning mode for sensing at least one variable in the device's surroundings and defining a normal state of the at least one variable. Further, the technique includes initiating image capture upon detecting a transition of the at least one variable from the normal state to a new condition, wherein the transition exceeds a predetermined threshold level, and redefining the normal state to the new condition.
US07676141B2 Recording apparatus and recording method
An apparatus and method for addressing data losses when power to a digital recorder is unexpectedly interrupted during recording, and a the file management information needed to play back digital content is not completely written to a disc. The recovery process for correcting inconsistencies between the AV data and management information left on the disc is time-consuming. By recording the recovery data used for the data recovery process when power is turned on again, the management information can be recompiled based on the recovery data. Thus, inconsistencies between the AV data and management information can be corrected. Additionally, AV data and recovery data in this case can be written alternately to contiguous areas on the disc.
US07676139B2 Optical disk playing apparatus
An optical disk playing apparatus capable of reproducing information recorded on an optical disk includes a system controller. The system controller obtains an address of a navigation pack corresponding to a user's request with respect to a data having video data of still picture and audio data recorded on the optical disk, determines whether or not the obtained navigation pack has the video data of still picture, reproduces, on the basis of a predetermined information included in the obtained navigation pack, a video data of still picture which is corresponding to a head address of a preceding video object when the obtained navigation pack does not have the video data of still picture, and reproduces an audio data of the address of the navigation pack corresponding to the user's request.
US07676138B2 Television program pause for interactive sessions
A television receiving system displays an advertisement for a future television program. If the future television program is identified as recordable, the system also displays an option to set a reminder for the advertised program and/or an option to record the advertised program on a video recorder. If a viewer of the advertisement selects the reminder option, then a reminder is programmed in the system. If the viewer selects the record option, then the system automatically programs the video recorder to record the advertised program. If the viewer has established an interactive session during a television advertisement, and has not completed the interactive session when the advertisement ends, then the current television program is paused until the interactive session is completed.
US07676136B2 Fiber distribution hubs with patch and splice enclosures
Fiber distribution hubs for distributing fiber optic networks are disclosed. The fiber distribution hub includes a mounting plate for supporting a termination of at least one fiber cable, a patch enclosure for protecting the termination, and a splice enclosure for protecting at least one splice connection to an optical fiber included in a feeder cable. The patch enclosure includes a first door and defining a patch chamber. The mounting plate is positioned within the patch chamber. The splice chamber includes a second door. The splice enclosure is releasably coupled to the patch enclosure.
US07676135B2 Fiber patch panel
A system may include a housing and a patch panel located within the housing. The patch panel may include a connection plate, and a matrix of fiber connectors connected to the connection plate and arranged to receive optical fibers in a vertical direction.
US07676131B2 Waveguide with a three-dimensional lens
Optical transmission structures include a waveguide and an optical lens wherein the optical lens has a sufficiently large thickness to allow the formation of a curved front lens surface that collimates transmitted light rays so that they travel within a plane that is coplanar to a working surface. The present invention also relates to a technique for manufacturing the optical transmission structure, which involves the use of a photopolymer material. The optical transmission structure can be implemented in various systems such as a system for optical data input.
US07676128B1 Etched surface grating having an effective blaze angle
An optical apparatus comprises a set of diffractive elements (trenches between ribs) arranged on a substrate to: receive a diffraction-guided input optical signal from an input port; diffract the input signal as a diffraction-guided output optical signal; and route the output signal to an output port. In one embodiment, a side surface of each trench is perpendicular to its bottom surface and at least one trench depth is equal to half of its width divided by the tangent of a selected Littrow angle. In another embodiment, a side surface of each rib and its bottom surface are arranged to successively reflect a portion of the input optical signal preferentially in a selected output direction. In another embodiment, each diffractive element comprises multiple trenches; selected relative widths or depths of the multiple trenches of each diffractive element at least partly determining diffractive amplitude and a selected blaze direction.
US07676124B2 Monolithically integrated optoelectronic subassembly
A monolithically integrated optoelectronic subassembly having a waveguide layer stack which is applied on a substrate and has a fiber light-receiving waveguide layer in which at least one photodiode is waveguide-integrated is proposed. A plurality of photodiodes is integrated in the waveguide which is structured laterally and/or vertically in such a manner that there is connected to a coupling waveguide an optical distribution network which in turn feeds the plurality of waveguide-integrated photodiodes in parallel via waveguide parts, which photodiodes are connected electrically in series. All the components are integrated on one chip and conversion of an optical input power into an electrical power is undertaken for current supply purposes. A photodiode can be configured as a signal diode which is supplied from the remaining of the plurality of diodes, as a result of which a self-supplied photodetector is formed. With an antenna which is integrated in addition on the chip, a monolithically integrated antenna circuit which radiates into free space is made available.
US07676122B2 Apparatus, system and method for particle manipulation using waveguides
A system and method are provided for manipulating particles using waveguides. An optical beam propagated by optical waveguides deflects particles for sorting or subsequent analysis. The present invention is well-suited for the sorting, manipulation and analysis of biological cells. Novel waveguide manufacturing method and materials, as well as monolithic integration and packaging of optofluidic devices are also provided.
US07676119B2 Method and system for using an optical sensor array to control a labeling device
A method for using an optical sensor array to control a labeling device includes scanning a surface texture of an imageable media with the optical sensor array, collecting surface data corresponding to the surface texture of the imageable media, and controlling the labeling device in response to the surface data.
US07676118B2 Transformation of EXIF images
A system, media, and method for transforming a main image of a digital image in accordance with a parameter are provided. The main image that is transformed based on the parameter may be one stored in the Exchangeable Image File (“EXIF”) format. In turn, the metadata, including the thumbnail image, is updated to correspond to the transformed main image. The transformed main image and updated metadata are stored together in a file using the EXIF format. Thus, the transformed main image may be viewed using a digital camera or viewer software compatible with a properly formatted EXIF file.
US07676109B2 Deblocking method according to computing mode determined from a first value and a second value, the second value determined according to precisely eight pixels
A deblocking method, for removing blocking artifacts comprises selecting a plurality of first pixels according to a bandwidth of a memory device, wherein the first pixels are uniformly distributed at two sides of a block boundary; calculating a first value according to the first pixels stored in the memory device; determining a computing mode according to the first value and a first predetermined value; generating a plurality of second pixels according to the first pixels and the computing mode; and replacing the first pixels stored in the memory device with the second pixels.
US07676107B2 Method and system for video classification
Described herein is a method and system for video classification. The method and system can use predetermined color ranges to classify a video block. On a relative basis, a greater number of bits can be allocated to perceptually important video data such as skin. The quantization is adjusted accordingly. Determining relative quantization shifts for macroblocks in a picture prior to video encoding enables a corresponding bit allocation that can improve the tradeoff between perceptual quality and bit rate.
US07676103B2 Enhancing video sharpness and contrast by luminance and chrominance transient improvement
An apparatus, system, method, and article for enhancing video sharpness are described. The apparatus may include a media processing node to enhance sharpness of an input image. The media processing node may include a wavelet decomposition module to perform wavelet decomposition of the input image to detect and modify edge information. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07676102B2 Image compression apparatus, image compression program and image compression method
An image compression apparatus is provided which includes an image dividing section that divides 3D image data into a plurality of units of data, 3D image data being composed of a plurality of frames, a pixel selection section that sequentially selects a pixel in one of the plurality of units as a target pixel in a predetermined order and selects pixels located within a predetermined range near the target pixel as reference pixels, a prediction error calculation section that calculates a prediction value of a target pixel value which is a pixel value of the target pixel, according to the pixel values of the reference pixels and calculates a prediction error which is a difference between the prediction value and the target pixel value, and an entropy coding section that performs entropy coding of the prediction error in each of the plurality of units.
US07676095B2 Method of segmenting anatomic entities in digital medical images
For each of a number of landmarks in an image an initial position of the landmark is defined. Next a neighborhood around the initial position, comprising a number of candidate locations of the landmark is sampled and a cost is associated with each of the candidate locations. A cost function expressing a weighted sum of overall gray level cost and overall shape cost for all candidate locations is optimized. A segmented anatomic entity is defined as a path through a selected combination of candidate locations for which combination the cost function is optimized.
US07676092B2 Data input apparatus and method
An apparatus is disclosed for providing data into a template document, the template document having a number of portions for completion by a user. The apparatus comprises: a verbal input device (72) arranged to receive and record a verbal passage, the verbal passage including information for a specific one of the portions of the template document; and a handwriting input device (70) arranged to decode handwritten information corresponding to the verbal passage, the handwritten information including identification of the specific portion of the template document. The apparatus also includes a data processing and storage device (78,82) arranged to: associate the verbal passage with the handwritten information based on the timings of the verbal passage and the handwritten information; determine from the verbal passage and the handwritten information the data to be provided into the specific portion of the template document; and associate the data with the specific portion of the template document.
US07676088B2 Imprint lithography
An imprinting method is disclosed that, in embodiment, includes contacting first and second spaced target regions of an imprintable medium on a substrate with first and second templates respectively to form respective first and second imprints in the medium and separating the first and second templates from the imprinted medium.
US07676087B2 Method for identifying vehicles in electronic images
A method for identifying objects in an electronic image is provided. The method includes the steps of providing an electronic source image and processing the electronic source image to identify edge pixels. The method further includes the steps of providing an electronic representation of the edge pixels and processing the electronic representation of the edge pixels to identify valid edge center pixels. The method still further includes the step of proving an electronic representation of the valid edge center pixels. Each valid edge center pixel represents the approximate center of a horizontal edge segment of a target width. The horizontal edge segment is made up of essentially contiguous edge pixels. The method also includes the steps of determining symmetry values of test regions associated with valid edge center pixels, and classifying the test regions based on factors including symmetry.
US07676085B2 Method and apparatus for representing a group of images
A method of representing a group of images comprises determining the values of one or more dominant colors for the group of images and deriving a dominant color representation expressing the group of images in terms of one or more of said dominant color values.
US07676084B2 Apparatus for processing dead pixel
The present invention is related to a method and an apparatus for processing a dead pixel, more specifically to a method and an apparatus thereof for detecting and compensating a dead pixel that can maintain a good image quality by reducing image distortion and deterioration. With the present invention, the distortion of an image, caused by erroneously classifying a normal pixel of an inputted image as a dead pixel, is significantly reduced, thereby improving the quality of a processed image. Moreover, based on the characteristics of the inputted image, the algorithm and accuracy of detecting a dead pixel can be adjusted.
US07676083B2 Moving image conversion device, method and program, moving image distribution device, and e-mail relay device
A matrix of processing object frame data and a matrix of temporally consecutive next frame data of the processing object frame data, are prepared as matrices for error diffusion processing. An error generated at a pixel position in a frame, which is represented by the processing object frame data, is diffused to a corresponding pixel in a frame represented by the temporally consecutive next frame data of the processing object frame data.
US07676082B2 Method and architecture for compressing image data acquired from a Bayer color filter array
For each color channel, the process includes gathering Bayer pattern pixel values by pairs, each pair being composed by two successive pixels belonging to the channel along the scanning direction of the pixels of the image, thus each pair of values representing a current input vector, and calculating a predictor vector of the input vector in terms of the differences between the values defining the input vector and a pair of prediction values generated according to a certain criterion, for representing a prediction error. The process further includes quantizing each so calculated predictor vector according to a heavier or lighter degree of quantization depending on whether the predictor vector is representative of an area of relatively uniform color of the image or of an area of relatively abrupt changes of colors of the image, and generating a multibit code representative of the quantized predictor vector of the input vector according to a certain compression ratio.
US07676077B2 Methods and systems for utilizing design data in combination with inspection data
Various methods and systems for utilizing design data in combination with inspection data are provided. One computer-implemented method for determining a position of inspection data in design data space includes aligning data acquired by an inspection system for alignment sites on a wafer with data for predetermined alignment sites. The method also includes determining positions of the alignment sites on the wafer in design data space based on positions of the predetermined alignment sites in the design data space. In addition, the method includes determining a position of inspection data acquired for the wafer by the inspection system in the design data space based on the positions of the alignment sites on the wafer in the design data space. In one embodiment, the position of the inspection data is determined with sub-pixel accuracy.
US07676074B2 Systems and methods for filtering data in a medical imaging system
A method for filtering a measurement of density of an object is described. The method includes filtering the measurement of the density and preserving a local average of the measurement and additional measurements when performing the filtering.
US07676073B2 System and method for reducing circular artifacts in tomographic imaging
A method of reducing ring artifacts in tomographic images including providing an original digitized projection measurement comprising a plurality of intensities corresponding to a domain of points on an 2-dimensional grid, operating on said original projection measurement with a filter wherein features of high radial frequency and low angular frequency are attenuated, forming a weighted mixture of said filtered projection measurement and said original projection measurement wherein ring artifacts in said original tomographic image are substantially reduced, and reconstructing the projection measurement to form a tomographic image. Alternatively, a first tomographic image is reconstructed from said original projection measurement, a second tomographic image is reconstructed from said filtered projection measurement, and a weighted mixture is formed from said first tomographic image and said second tomographic image.
US07676069B2 Method and apparatus for rolling enrollment for signature verification
Improved techniques are disclosed for adapting signature verification systems to natural signature variations. For example, a technique for adapting a signature verification system to variations in a signature of a user includes the following steps/operations. One or more signature samples are obtained from the user. The one or more obtained signature samples are submitted by the user as part of a regular authentication procedure associated with the signature verification system. A reference set of signature samples for the user is updated through selection of one or more signature samples from the obtained signature samples, such that the updated reference set is usable by the signature verification system for verifying subsequent signature samples attributed to the user. The selection of the one or more signature samples used to update the reference set is conditioned on a false rejection rate of the user when at least one obtained signature sample of the user is authenticated and on an identification check when no obtained signature sample is authenticated.
US07676066B2 System and method for selectively encoding a symbol code in a color space
A system and related techniques generate and encode identification or transactional media such as passports, driver's licenses or others with a symbol set defined in a color space such as 8-bit color or grayscale, 24, 32, 48 or other bit depths or resolutions. Because blocks, lines or other symbol shapes may each take on more than a black or white color value, information density for the resulting bar code, biometric scan or other symbol set may be increased, and likewise take advantage of the resolution of close-contact scanners and other input devices. In embodiments, the symbols may be encoded using a selected subset of the overall color space, for instance by selecting an evenly spaced subset consisting of 4, 8 or 16 color values evenly divided within a 256 tone grayscale space, or using other values or subsets. In other embodiments the selected subset may be selected according to intervals or functions which are not evenly divided, for instance to approximate the gamma curve of a detection device, or according to other functions. The information density of the resulting IDs, credit cards, checks or other objects or media may therefore be increased, while still retaining a high degree of accuracy.
US07676065B2 Method and apparatus for automatic identification of 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.
US07676062B2 Image processing for vehicular applications applying image comparisons
Vehicle including a compartment receivable of an object and a system for tracking the object includes at least one imaging device each arranged to receive an image of a portion of the compartment containing the object and a control unit coupled to each imaging device and which controls the imaging device to obtain a first set of images without the object and at least one second image including the object. The control unit analyzes the second image(s) in consideration of the first set of images to derive information about the object. This information may be the type, size and/or position of the object or a part thereof. The information may be used to control vehicular components which have a variable use based on the type, size or position of the object or part thereof.
US07676061B2 Laser safety system
A laser safety system providing a system for checking the presence, focus and integrity of a laser beam focusing lens is disclosed. The laser safety system checks the focusing lens properties by capturing an image of a target by viewing the target through the focusing lens from along the laser beam path. An initial, known good, image is compared to an image captured immediately before enablement of the laser beam source to determine if the focusing lens is present, focused and is not damaged. The system may also utilize a mask projected onto the target as well as a low-power visible light laser directed along the path of the processing laser to determine the focusing lens properties. The system can also provide target recognition.
US07676054B2 Contoured passive radiator and loudspeaker incorporating same
A passive radiator has an arcuate contour that follows the contour of a surface where the passive radiator can be mounted. The component may be for example a television set, audio component, high fidelity loudspeaker, home theatre loudspeaker, or subwoofer. The arcuate contour of the passive radiator may be convex, parabolic, hyperbolic, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the contour of the surface may be cylindrical, spherical or another contour depending on the surface contour of the enclosure where it is mounted. The passive radiator rim shape may be circular, rounded, rectangular, ovular, elliptical or any other suitable shape. A contoured passive radiator of relatively large size can be mounted on a relatively small TV set to produce a better bass sound.
US07676053B2 Electrodynamic loudspeaker
An electrodynamic loudspeaker 1 includes a magnetic circuit 10 and a vibrator 20. The magnetic circuit 10 includes a magnet 11 and poles 12 and 13 adhering to the magnet 11. The vibrator 20 includes a coil bobbin 21 and voice coils 22 and 23 wound around and fixed to a portion of the coil bobbin 21 facing the poles 12 and 13. A magnetic member 30 is fixed to the coil bobbin 21 of the vibrator 20 at a position spaced apart from the voice coils 22 and 23. The magnetic member 30 is fixed at a position on the coil bobbin 21 so as to extend over an area facing the magnet 11 of the magnetic circuit 10.
US07676049B2 Reconfigurable audio-video surround sound receiver (AVR) and method
A reconfigurable audio-video surround sound receiver (AVR) and method provide flexible surround speaker placement and a low cost simulated surround sound implementation. A processing circuit within an audio device or audio/visual (AV) device such as an audio-video receiver (AVR) generates signals for surround and main channel speakers that provide selectable operation between speaker placement in ordinary surround sound installation, or in a simulated surround sound installation with speakers placed at one end of a listening room. An electronic network within the audio device selects between a normal surround sound mode, in which the surround information is provided to surround channel outputs and main channel information is supplied to main channel outputs, or a simulated surround mode in which the main and surround channel outputs receive surround channel information in a phase-controlled relationship, directing the surround information away from a direct path toward the listening area, to diffuse the surround information.
US07676044B2 Multi-speaker audio system and automatic control method
A sound produced at the location of a listener is captured by a microphone in each of a plurality of speaker devices. A sever apparatus receives an audio signal of the captured sound from all speaker devices, and calculates a distance difference between the distance of the location of the listener to the speaker device closest to the listener and the distance of the listener to each of the plurality of speaker devices. When one of the speaker devices emits a sound, the server apparatus receives an audio signal of the sound captured by and transmitted from each of the other speaker devices. The server apparatus calculates a speaker-to-speaker distance between the speaker device that has emitted the sound and each of the other speaker devices. The server apparatus calculates a layout configuration of the plurality of speaker devices based on the distance difference and the speaker-to-speaker distance.
US07676039B2 Apparatus for controlling storage and playback of digital broadcasting contents
Provided is an apparatus for controlling storage and playback of digital broadcasting contents. The apparatus can control a broadcasting content to be recorded and stored, temporarily stored, and played back while protecting and managing it securely. The apparatus of the present research includes: a control information providing unit for generating control information for recording storage, temporary storage, and playback of a broadcasting content, using the control information as watermarking information, multiplexing and scrambling the broadcasting content including the control information, and outputting a scrambled transport; and a storing and playback unit for storing the broadcasting content by using the control information, comparing the control information stored together with the broadcasting content with control information added as watermarks, and determining whether to play back the broadcasting content.
US07676033B2 Methods, systems, and computer program products for automatically establishing a conference call having a plurality of different subscriber participation classes
Methods, systems, and computer program products for automatically establishing a conference call having a plurality of different subscriber participation classes includes maintaining at least one per conference call subscriber participation class list. The per conference call subscriber participation class list indicates contact information for a plurality of different subscribers and corresponding subscriber participation classes for the conference call. When a conference call is initiated, the call is automatically established using the contact information and the subscriber participation classes stored in the per conference call subscriber participation class list.
US07676031B2 Method and apparatus for selectively terminating current in a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem
A method and apparatus for selectively terminating sealing current in an asymmetric digital subscriber line modem is provided. The technique comprises providing a mechanism (e.g., a resistor or suitable current sink) to a DSL modem (e.g. an ADSL modem or any XDSL modem used where POTS is underlying service). The mechanism is operable to be dynamically switched on and off and to operate under low current conditions. The system allows for provision of DSL (e.g., ADSL or XDSL where POTS is the underlying current) in the absence of plain old telephone service (POTS) and for improved performance.
US07676028B2 System and method for storing a voicemail message in a communication environment
Storing a voicemail message in a communication environment includes receiving a voicemail message at a first endpoint. The voicemail message is separated into a plurality of segments. The segments of the voicemail message, which comprise media bits, are distributed to a plurality of second endpoints.
US07676027B2 Systems and methods to send and receive encrypted DTMF digits in a data flow
Systems and methods provide for embedding white noise signals representing DTMF digits into a voice data stream.
US07676026B1 Desktop telephony system
A telephony system providing automated authentication, adaptive navigation, full voice dictation and outbound calling.
US07676023B2 Methods and devices for quantitative analysis of x-ray images
The present invention relates to network enabled analysis of x-ray images. Also described are devices comprising calibration phantoms; methods of using these devices; methods of formulating databases containing information regarding x-ray images; the databases themselves; and methods of manipulating the information and databases.
US07676022B2 Extra-oral digital panoramic dental x-ray imaging system
An extra-oral digital panoramic dental x-ray imaging system is disclosed for multi-layer panoramic and transverse X-ray imaging. The system includes an X-ray source and a digital imaging device capable of “real time” frame mode output. The source and imaging device are mounted in a mechanical manipulator defining the trajectory of a predetermined image layer. The imaging device communicates with a processor that generates a frames memory from which an image reconstruction mechanism composes the final images. For “real time” imaging, the frames memory is a fast data storage system such as RAM. The processing unit executes the reconstruction algorithms, allowing the system to selectively generate dental panoramic X-ray images, dental transverse x-ray images and dental tomosynthetic 3D images.
US07676020B2 Tomography system
A measurement system is presented. The measurement system includes a source and a detector located a selected distance from the source with the source and the detector movable about a point, an axis or about a plane located proximate the detector.
US07676013B2 Data transfer system and readjustment control method for use with the system
An object of the present invention is to provide a data transfer system capable of maintaining synchronization of the data during the operation of apparatus by performing the periodical adjustment for a DLL circuit without using a method of 8B10B. In a transmitting apparatus, a control portion switches a selector to start a readjustment for the DLL circuit in a receiving apparatus, if a counter indicates a readjustment interval time. In performing there adjustment for the DLL circuit, a pattern generator sends a pattern making a signal waveform a stationary wave through the selector for a certain time, and if the signal is made stationary, a readjustment pattern is sent to the DLL circuit. The DLL circuit resets the sampling timing, based on this readjustment pattern. The selector switches the normal data A and the readjustment pattern to be sent to the DLL circuit.
US07676012B1 Spread spectrum controllable delay clock buffer with zero cycle slip
A controllable delay clock buffer that provides spread spectrum modulation of the output signals with zero cycle slip includes a PLL having a PLL loop filter that comprises an RC network. A clock signal is input to the PLL, and a SS modulation frequency is injected into the capacitor of the PLL loop filter. The SS signal is provided by a secondary charge pump that produces a programmable waveform such as a square wave or a stair case square wave current signal. The programmable waveform is integrated by the loop filter capacitor to form a corresponding triangular or trigonal waveform which varies the input to the VCO of the PLL to define a frequency modulation profile that has a corresponding triangular or trigonal envelope. The bandpass profile of the SS modulation signal is at a higher frequency range than the lowpass profile of the PLL, so that the SS waveform profile is not distorted or cancelled by the PLL.
US07676011B2 Data recovery apparatus and method for reproducing recovery data
A data recovery apparatus and method for receiving at least an original clock and at least an original data stream output from a transmitter to output at least one recovery data are provided. The original data stream and the recovery data respectively include N steps in a period T of the original clock, wherein N is an integer larger than 0. The data recovery apparatus includes a sampling unit and a processing unit. The sampling unit samples the original data stream according to the original clock, wherein the sampling unit samples the corresponding data of the original data stream at least three times with T/(4N) sample period in each step. The processing unit receives and compares the sampled result output from the sampling unit, and recovers the sampled result to the recovery data according to the compared result.
US07676010B2 Synchronization signal detector, information recording/reproducing apparatus, and synchronization signal detecting method
Disclosed is a synchronization signal detecting apparatus that includes a window generating circuit for generating a synchronization detecting window, a re-synchronization window generating circuit for generating a re-synchronization window, and a synchronization detecting circuit for generating a re-synchronization detecting window of a time interval that excludes a re-synchronization window mask from the re-synchronization window, detecting a synchronization signal from an input bit stream and detecting the synchronization signal in the re-synchronization detecting window. If the synchronization signal is detected in the re-synchronization detecting window without being detected in the synchronization detecting window a prescribed number of times in succession, the time interval of the re-synchronization window is updated. If the synchronization signal is detected in the re-synchronization window a prescribed number of times in succession, a re-synchronization counter outputs a re-synchronization establishment signal, the window generating circuit resets the position of the synchronization detecting window and generates the synchronization detecting window at a predetermined synchronization period, and the re-synchronization window generating circuit resets the re-synchronization window.
US07676009B2 Method and circuit for equalizing and compensating IQ imbalance simultaneously
The present invention provides a method and circuit for equalizing and compensating IQ imbalance at the same time. The method includes: down-converting an RF signal to generate a baseband signal, and driving an adaptive equalizer to process the baseband signal for achieving equalization and IQ imbalance compensation simultaneously.
US07676008B2 Method and apparatus for frequency tracking in a space time transmit diversity receiver
A system and method for obtaining a frequency error estimate representing the difference between a reference frequency and the frequency of a space-time transmit diversity signal is disclosed herein. The method includes taking the correlation of total sums, comprised of partial sums taken in defined first and second intervals, to represent the frequency error as the imaginary component of the correlation function.
US07676004B2 Combinational fuzzy-decision Viterbi decoding scheme and device for vehicular communications system via time-varying channels
The invention presents a combinational fuzzy-decision Viterbi decoder, which combines the modified Π and S-membership functions, to further improve the performance of the dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) system operated in the time-varying fading channel. The combinational fuzzy-decision Viterbi decoder includes parallel-to-serial converter, fuzzy-decision constellation decoder and analog Viterbi decoder. The coding gain of the DSRC system using the proposed combinational fuzzy-decision Viterbi decoder is compared with both the hard-decision and soft-decision Viterbi decoder for the BPSK, QPSK, 16-QAM and 64-QAM OFDM DSRC systems. The improvement in performance of the DSRC system achieved by replacing the hard decision and soft decision Viterbi decoder with the proposed combinational fuzzy-decision Viterbi decoder will be validated with simulations.
US07676003B2 Carrier frequency-independent receiver
A method for processing a signal envelope generated by demodulating a received signal that includes a train of pulses that is transmitted at a carrier frequency and is modulated at a given baud rate with data symbols in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol, which defines features of the modulated signal. The method includes measuring a duration of a selected feature in the signal envelope as defined by the communication protocol. The baud rate of the signal is estimated based on the measured duration without counting the pulses in the received signal. The data symbols are decoded by processing the signal envelope responsively to the estimated baud rate.
US07676002B2 Blind detection method and apparatus, and mobile communication receiver having the same
In a blind detection apparatus and method capable of determining a modulation mode by comparing the absolute values of the real and imaginary parts of a sequence of intersymbol phase differences between symbols separated from each other at an interval of four symbols (instead of comparing intersymbol phase differences of symbols at an interval of one symbol as in the related art), the symbols being included in a training sequence code of a received normal burst. Therefore, a number of calculations for the blind detection may be decreased e.g., by a factor of four, and as a result, the time for performing the blind detection may be decreased. In addition, the hardware design for the blind detection may be simplified.
US07675999B2 Multicarrier receiver and method with phase noise reduced signal
Various embodiments of methods and apparatus to remove or reduce phase noise in a baseband signal at a receiver are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US07675997B2 Dynamic DC offset removal apparatus and dynamic DC offset removal method
A dynamic DC offset removal apparatus and a dynamic DC offset removal method capable of accurately estimating a change position of a dynamic DC offset and a DC offset value before the change and a DC offset value after the change, thereby carrying out equalization processing on a reception signal whose dynamic DC offsets are removed, and improving a bit error rate characteristic. In receiver 100 having a dynamic DC offset removal apparatus, dynamic DC offset detection section 109 calculates a DC offset value before the change and a DC offset value after the change, and DC offset change timing from the maximum value and minimum value calculated at maximum value search section 104 and minimum value search section 105 and the first-half mean value, second-half mean value and overall mean value calculated at first-half mean value calculation section 107, second-half mean value calculation section 108 and overall mean value calculation section 106, and compensation DC offset switching section 111 of DC offset removal section 110 switches between the DC offset value before the change and DC offset value after the change based on the DC offset change timing and removes dynamic DC offsets from the reception signal.
US07675991B2 Wireless transmitting and receiving device and method
A wireless device, method, and signal for use in communication of a wireless packet between transmitting device and a wireless receiving device via a plurality of antennas, wherein a signal generator generates wireless packet including a short-preamble sequence used for a first automatic gain control (AGC), a first long-preamble sequence, a signal field used for conveying a length of the wireless packet, an AGC preamble sequence used for a second AGC to be performed after the first AGC, a second long-preamble sequence, and a data field conveying data. The AGC preamble sequence is transmitted in parallel by the plurality of antennas.
US07675990B2 Space-time codes for linearly labelled PAM, PSK, QAM and related constellations using gray mapping
General algebraic space-time code constructions are presented for Gray-mapped 2K-PSK, 2K-PAM, and 4K-QAM constellations. The space-time codes achieve the rate-diversity tradeoff—i.e., they allow the transmission of information at the maximum rate possible for the given signaling constellation and the achieved transmit diversity level. New codes created by applying a nonsingular linear or affine transformation to the constellation labels retain the optimality of the original codes with respect to the rate-diversity tradeoff. Extensions to pK-PSK, pK-PAM, p2K-QAM, and related constellations, for p prime, are also given.
US07675989B2 Method and apparatus for uplink carrier frequency synchronization and antenna weight vector estimation in OFDMA system having smart antenna
An apparatus for estimating an antenna weight vector in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access System (OFDMA) having a smart antenna. The apparatus includes receiving and storing training symbols in the time domain transmitted to estimate an antenna weight vector during a training symbol transmission interval; estimating carrier frequency offsets using training symbols in the frequency domain that are obtained by performing a Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) algorithm with respect to the training symbols received during the training symbol transmission interval; compensating the stored training symbols in the time domain based on the estimated carrier frequency offsets; and estimating an antenna weight vector using training symbols in the frequency domain that are obtained by applying an FFT algorithm with respect to the training symbols in the time domain derived by compensating the carrier frequency offsets during the training symbol transmission interval.
US07675987B2 Trellis-based lock detector
A trellis-based lock detector and method for digitally modulated signals are presented. A global survivor for consecutive time indexes is computed as a maximum cumulative branch metric corresponding to a given time index for consecutive branches of the trellis structure. The invention is based on a concept that for a noise signal entering the lock detector, in contrast to an informative signal, the probability of a long succession of true evaluations of a global survivor is very small. The latter allows for using data, representative of the number of consecutive true conditions for a global survivor over an averaging time, as an informative parameter for making a decision on the status of lock detection.
US07675984B1 Low complexity, iterative approach to active interference cancellation
Generating a notch in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) frequency spectrum includes determining a first active interference cancellation (AIC) tone, comparing the first AIC tone with an amplitude limit, in the event that the first AIC tone exceeds the amplitude limit, constraining the first AIC tone, and determining a second AIC tone based at least in part on the first AIC tone. An Active Interference Cancellation (AIC) tone generator includes an interface configured to receive a plurality of tones, a processing component coupled to the interface, configured to determine a first AIC tone, compare the first AIC tone with an amplitude limit, and in the event that the first AIC tone exceeds the amplitude limit, constrain the first AIC tone, and determine a second AIC tone based at least in part on the first AIC tone.
US07675978B2 Transformer data coupler with high common mode immunity
A data coupler includes a transformer having primary and secondary windings, a data transmitter coupled to the primary winding of the transformer, and a data receiver coupled to the secondary winding. The data transmitter includes a first driver and a second driver having outputs coupled to respective ends of the primary winding. The first driver is responsive to a data signal and the second driver is responsive to a delayed version of the data signal, such that the primary winding is supplied with pulses representing a difference between the data signal and the delayed version of the data signal. The data coupler also includes an ac (alternating current) path to ground from the secondary winding for conducting to ground common mode signals coupled to the secondary winding via an inter-winding capacitance of the transformer.
US07675975B2 Video encoding/decoding method and apparatus
A video encoding method comprises selecting one combination, for each block of an input video signal, from a plurality of combinations each including a predictive parameter and at least one reference picture number determined in advance for the reference picture, generating a prediction picture signal in accordance with the reference picture number and predictive parameter of the selected combination, generating a predictive error signal representing an error between the input video signal and the prediction picture signal, and encoding the predictive error signal, information of the motion vector, and index information indicating the selected combination.
US07675974B2 Video encoder and portable radio terminal device using the video encoder
A motion compensation predictor comprises a reference picture selection unit, a center-of-search-setting unit, a search-range-setting unit, a motion vector search unit and a motion compensation unit. The motion compensation unit repeatedly performs, for a target block in a motion picture signal, selection of a reference picture signal, setting of the center of search, setting of a search range, and a search for a motion vector, thereby acquiring an optimal motion vector. The unit then performs motion compensation on reference picture signals sequentially selected, using the optimal motion vector, to generate a predicted picture signal. The motion-vector-search unit sets the search range on a reference picture indicated by a currently selected reference picture signal, based on information related to a motion vector detected in the search range set on a reference picture indicated by a preceding reference picture signal.
US07675973B2 Video encoding/decoding method and apparatus
A video encoding method comprises selecting one combination, for each block of an input video signal, from a plurality of combinations each including a predictive parameter and at least one reference picture number determined in advance for the reference picture, generating a prediction picture signal in accordance with the reference picture number and predictive parameter of the selected combination, generating a predictive error signal representing an error between the input video signal and the prediction picture signal, and encoding the predictive error signal, information of the motion vector, and index information indicating the selected combination.
US07675968B2 Adaptive FIR filter and method
Finite impulse response filters are commonly used in high speed data communications electronics for reducing error rates in multilevel symbol encoding schemes. Schemes such as pulse amplitude modulation and quadrature amplitude modulation may have higher error rates for symbols with low signal to noise ratios. By selectively updating the tap coefficients of the filter based on the symbols received, a more robust, accurate filter can be built.
US07675954B2 Semiconductor laser device
A semiconductor laser device includes: an electrically insulating film on the top face of a laser chip; and a metal film, on the electrically insulating film. The electrically insulating film and/or the metal film has, in plan, a polygonal shape with five or more apexes, each of the apexes having an interior angle less than 180 degrees. Stress due to a change of temperature during operation is reduced, resulting in a semiconductor laser device having a longer life and higher reliability.
US07675950B2 Laser light source device and image display apparatus
There has been a problem that pumping light leaks from a part having a coating at the joint of a double-clad fiber added with a rare earth and a general single-mode fiber, and heat is generated partly from the fiber by this energy thus causing deterioration of the fiber. Deterioration of a fiber due to residual excitation light can be prevented by preventing residual excitation light in a double-clad fiber from exiting to a single-mode fiber, and the reliability is enhanced. Output of oscillation light can be increased because output of excitation light is not limited. Furthermore, a laser display having a high color reproducibility can be achieved by employing a light source combining a fiber laser light source and a wavelength conversion module.
US07675946B2 System and method for managing playout time in packet communication network
A system, method, and computer program product for dynamically managing packet delay of a received packet of data between multiple endpoints, including a delay estimator module adapted to calculate packet delay of the received packet of data. The system further includes a predictor module adapted for predicting a playout time for each received packet of data indicative of the calculated packet delay of the at least one received packet of data. Furthermore, the system includes a buffer module adapted for buffering the received packet of data for a variable amount of time and a player module adapted for playing only the received packet of data and to discard packets of data received after the predicted playout time. The delay estimator is adapted to calculate maximum delay of all the packets of data received in an interval within a predetermined threshold indicative of the calculated packet delay.
US07675945B2 Multi-component compatible data architecture
A backbone network, comprising a first switch comprising a first port configured to communicate a data stream via an Ethernet interface, and a second port configured to communicate the data stream via a SONET/SDH interface, and a second switch comprising a third port configured to receive the data stream from the first switch via the Ethernet interface, wherein the first switch and the second switch are synchronized.
US07675943B2 Synchronous play-out of media data packets
A media source, including a sending unit that sends out time-stamped media data packets to one or more receiving media sinks. A timestamp of one of the time-stamped media data packets indicates a time of creation of the one of the time-stamped media data packets. The media source also includes a determining unit that determines a play-out time offset. The media source additionally includes a transmission unit that sends out the play-out time offset to the one or more receiving media sinks once for all time-stamped media data packets of a session.
US07675942B2 Reducing overheads of a protocol data unit in a wireless communication system
The present invention relates to transmitting data units of a radio protocol layer, wherein one logical channel identifier is added to one or more data units belonging to one logical channel. Because only one logical channel identifier is added to the data units belonging to one logical channel in constructing a MAC-e PDU, overheads of the MAC-e PDU are reduced. Such reduction of the PDU overheads increases data throughput, which is advantageous for a high-speed data communication system, such as the HSUPA.
US07675939B2 Transmission apparatus and method, reception apparatus and method, communication system, recording medium, and program
The present invention is intended to realize high-speed and stable communication. A multi-flow RTP divides the data of one RTP session into pieces that can be transmitted through UDP ports through respectively and supplies the divided pieces of data to these ports. An RTCP controls the UDP ports through to transmit the divided data and controls a TCP port to transmit control information for reconstructing the divided data. UDP ports through receive the divided data and supplies the received data to a multi-flow RTP. An RTCP obtains the control information from the TCP port and supplies it to the multi-flow RTP. The multi-flow RTP reconstructs the divided data according to the control information and supplies the reconstructed data to the player, which reproduces the reconstructed data. The present invention is applicable to a stream data distribution system, for example.
US07675937B2 Virtual USB communications port
A method and system for accessing a remote real communication port (“COM port”) from a server blade in a server blade chassis by creating a virtual COM port in the server blade. A basic input/output system (BIOS) controller monitors an internal COM port in the server blade for communication traffic. Upon detecting the communication traffic, the BIOS controller reroutes the traffic to a virtual USB COM port created by the BIOS controller chipset. The virtual USB COM port directs the communication traffic to an internal universal serial bus (USB) device in the server blade. The USB device then forwards the traffic to an Ethernet media access controller (MAC) input/output (I/O) on a sideband channel to a remote system, which passes the communication traffic to a real COM port in the remote system.
US07675936B2 Passive optical network (PON) system
A PON system capable of utilizing the bandwidth of an optical transmission channel in the PON section. In a PON system including an OLT and a plurality of ONUs, the OLT has: a downstream frame processing unit that removes at least part of the header information in a layer 2 header from a downstream frame received from a wide area network, and converts the remaining frame portion into a frame having a header specific to the PON section; and a downstream frame processing unit that extracts a downstream frame portion to be transferred to a user terminal, from a received frame from a PON, and adds the layer 2 header information deleted in the OLT.
US07675933B2 System and method for enabling radio operations on a wireless computing device
Embodiments of the invention provide for a wireless computing device that comprises a set of one or more radio components to transmit and receive wireless communications on the device. Additionally, the wireless computing device includes processing and memory resources that individually or in combination provide multiple wireless applications, a radio object, and an arbitration component. The multiple wireless applications are each capable of generating a user-interface for enabling user-input in connection with wireless activities performed with that wireless application. The radio object interfaces the multiple applications with the set of one or more radio components. The arbitration component is configured to arbitrate at least one of (i) requests made by each of the wireless applications to the radio object for access to one or more of the radio components in the set, or (ii) responses from the radio object to requests made by each of the wireless applications.
US07675931B1 Methods and apparatus for controlling multiple master/slave connections
Techniques and mechanisms provide various representations and/or the ability to control component interconnections in an electronic design. For example, virtual representations, which may be combined with physical representations, of actual hardware connections between components of an electronic design are provided. A virtual port is generally mapped to a hidden physical port, which corresponds to an actual hardware port of a particular component. The virtual port may be mapped to multiple hidden physical ports or mapped to a single hidden physical port shared by another virtual port. The mapping may also take into account various constraints (e.g., functionalities supported by the components selected for connection; burst data transfers; prefetchable memory reads; etc.) to allow for efficient control and/or presentation of interconnection information. Based on the mappings, components can be automatically connected. As such, the creation and understanding of an electronic design is made easier and clearer to the user.
US07675930B2 Chip circuit for combined and data compressed FIFO arbitration for a non-blocking switch
A system for switching data packets through a multiple (m) input, multiple (n) output switching device providing switching having a fast one-cycle throughput. A respective switching device behaves like an output queued switch from a set of distributed output queues reading the incoming input control information from the plurality of input ports (IP) and compresses the information in a form which allows an easy association with a respective output port (OP) to which an individual input port is temporarily mapped.
US07675928B2 Increasing cache hits in network processors using flow-based packet assignment to compute engines
Methods and apparatus for improving cache hits in network processors using flow-based packet assignment to compute engines. Packet processing operations are performed on a network processor having multiple compute engines via execution of instruction threads on those compute engines. Via execution of the threads, a flow-based packet processing assignment mechanism is implemented that causes at least a portion of the packet processing operations for packets associated with common flows to be performed on compute engines assigned to perform packet processing operations for those flows. This results in the same compute engines performing packet processing on packets assigned to common sets of flows, thus increasing the cache hits on data that is stored locally on the compute engines pertaining to the flows.
US07675926B2 Hierarchical QoS behavioral model
A hierarchical traffic management system and method (i.e., a QoS behavioral model) are disclosed herein. The system includes a classifier operable to identify and classify incoming traffic streams and a queuing system. The queuing system includes a plurality of queues and is operable to apply scheduling policies to the traffic streams. The queues of the queuing system each include enqueue attributes configured to control a depth of the queue and dequeue attributes configured to control scheduling of the queue. The dequeue attributes include minimum bandwidth, maximum bandwidth, excess bandwidth, and priority, wherein each of the queues has one or more of the dequeue attributes defined.
US07675925B2 Method and apparatus for providing a packet buffer random access memory
The present invention generally provides a packet buffer random access memory (PBRAM) device including a memory array, a plurality of input ports, and a plurality of serial registers associated with the input ports. The plurality of input ports permit multiple devices to concurrently access the memory in a non-blocking manner. The serial registers enable receiving data from the input ports and concurrently packet data to the memory array. The memory performs all management of network data queues so that all port requests can be satisfied within the real-time constraints of network packet switching.
US07675916B2 Systems and methods for dynamically adjusting QoS parameters
A method for dynamically adjusting QoS parameters associated with a virtual circuit is disclosed. The virtual circuit includes a first end connected to a first router and a second end connected to a second router. The method includes receiving an offer message at the second router, and sending a request message to the first router. The offer message includes a first set of QoS parameters and the request message includes a second set of QoS parameters. The method further includes receiving a request confirmation message at the second router, receiving a new offer message at the second router, and sending information compliant with the second set of QoS parameters to the first router. The new offer message includes the second set of QoS parameters.
US07675915B2 Packet processing system architecture and method
A packet processing system architecture and method are provided. According to a first aspect of the invention, packet parser functions are distributed throughout a packet processing system comprising a packet classification system and a packet modification system. According to a second aspect of the invention, an egress mirroring function is provided to the system. According to a third aspect of the invention, a multi-dimensional quality of service indicator for a packet is provided. According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a cascaded combination of multiple, replicated packet processing systems is used to process a packet. A fifth aspect of the invention involves any combination of one or more of the foregoing.
US07675914B2 Relay information setting method and device
The present invention improves the reliability and safety of communication in a communications system wherein communication is relayed. When an on-premise terminal 100 sets relay information, such as NAT information or the setting information of a packet filter, in a gateway 110, the relay information is set after confirming whether the NAT information for which a setting attempt is being made duplicates the NAT information of another on-premise terminal 101. The same applies to the case of deleting relay information. If the NAT information is duplicate, then interference with the communication of the other on-premise terminal 101 is prevented by modifying the relay information for which a setting attempt is being made, specifically the port number of the gateway 110 on a global network 001.
US07675910B2 Distribution of status information from several virtual output queus over a plurality of switch cards of a packet switching device
A packet switching device is disclosed. The packet switching device includes at least one line card with a port control for storage and arrangement of packets in output queues and for generating status information of the output queue, and at least one switch card consisting of a crosspoint matrix and an arbiter to control the crosspoint matrix. The port control distributes the status information over several arbiters. Each responding arbiter is provided to cyclically receive a respective part of the status information from the port control.
US07675906B2 Media communication system, and terminal apparatus and signal conversion apparatus in said system
Disclosed is a media communication system in which communication of media such as sound, image and the like is performed between first and second terminals, each of which is constructed so as to be capable of IP communication, via an IP network. The system includes an IP packetizing unit for IP-packetizing and sending, to the IP network, a media signal sent from the first terminal, and for converting an IP packet received from the IP network to a media signal and sending the media signal to the first terminal, and a media signal transmitting unit for connecting a media/signal converter, which is provided within the first terminal, to the IP packetizing unit to transmit a media signal.
US07675905B2 Methods, systems, and computer program products for selectively performing global title translation based on message type
Methods, systems, and computer program products are disclosed for selectively performing global title translation based on message type at an SS7 network node. A message is received indicating route-on-global-title. A message type of the received message is determined. Global title translation is selectively performed based on the determined message type.
US07675902B2 Method for realizing signaling agent based on MEGACO protocol
A method for realizing signaling agent in a network system, the network system comprises media gateways and a media gateway controller in different networks, and at least one agent equipment on a boundary of different networks; each media gateway under the same media gateway controller has a unique message identifier of MEGACO signaling, the media gateway controller distinguishes different media gateways on the basis of the message identifier; the message identifier of the media gateway includes information of the media gateway; the message identifier of the media gateway controller includes information of the media gateway controller and the media gateway, the agent equipment utilizes the message identifier to realize signaling traversing between the media gateway and the media gateway controller. In the present invention, the agent equipment does not need to be configured with any information about the media gateway, and the media gateway controller does not need to recognize the existence of the agent equipment between itself and the media gateway, which facilitates realizing services on the media gateway controller and administration.
US07675899B2 Packet-aware transport architecture for enhanced data volume
Packet-aware transport architecture and techniques for implementing same that enhance data volume by scaling effectively to rapid data growth are disclosed. For example, a technique for determining a route for a demand in a circuit-switched network comprises the following steps/operations. The demand to be routed in the circuit-switched network is obtained. The circuit-switched networks implements a packet ring (PR) model such that one or more demands are routable on one or more virtual data rings in the circuit-switched network. An Ethernet-Over-SONET (EOS) communication channel in the circuit-switched network suitable for accommodating the demand is specified. The EOS communication channel or one of the one or more virtual data rings is then identified as the new route for the demand.
US07675898B2 Session relay apparatus for relaying data, and a data relaying method
A session identification unit (11) determines a session to which an incoming packet belongs, while a session relay unit (12-1-12-N) relays between a session with a transmission terminal and a session with a reception terminal. A packet scheduler (13) instructs and controls the delivery of packets from each session relay unit (12-1-12-N), and a delivery control unit (14) delivers packets from each session relay unit (12-1-12-N) based on the instruction. In the session relay unit (12-1), a transmission session processing unit (121-1) processes a session for transmitting data to the reception terminal, and a transmission buffer (122-1) stores received data until the end of a transmission. A reception session processing unit (123-1) processes a session for receiving data from the transmission terminal.
US07675897B2 Power line communications system with differentiated data services
A power line communications system that facilitates the provision of differentiated data services is provided. One embodiment of the present invention may include tagging downstream data at an ingress point, such as a point of presence or aggregation point. The tagging of data packets may allow the power line communication network elements such as backhaul points, bypass devices, and repeaters to determine the data type and class of service of each data packet and may allow the network elements to prioritize, queue and transmit the data packets accordingly. Such queuing may employ the use of multiple queues with some queues having different sizes and different weight factors from other queues.
US07675892B2 Sub-access point, system, and method for adjusting power of transmission signal
A sub-access point (AP), system, and method for adjusting a power level of a transmission signal, and more particularly, in which the power level of a transmission signal output from the sub-AP is adjusted based on received signal strength indicator (RSSI) readings and frame error rate (FER) of a main AP, thereby eliminating shadow areas and minimizing interference between the main AP and the sub-AP. The sub-AP includes a reception unit which receives a beacon frame and a data frame from a main AP, a RSSI checking unit which checks an RSSI of the main AP, a FER checking unit which checks an FER, and a control unit which determines a power level at which a transmission signal is to be transmitted based on the identified RSSI and the identified FER and causes a transmission signal to be output at the determined power level.
US07675890B2 QoS based load-balance policy for WLAN
A load balancing method for a wireless local area network (LAN) which has a plurality of access points is provided in the present invention. The load balancing decision is made by a load balancing module according to traffic conditions and bandwidth availability of each traffic priority class based on a corresponding class of service. The load balancing module is a centralized module which the load balancing decision is determined by the centralized module, or is determined through information exchanges among distributed load balancing modules of the access points. The load balancing decision also takes into consideration of VLANs per VLAN tag basis. Each of the VLANs is defined with the corresponding traffic priority class.
US07675887B2 Base transceiver station
On the basis of a spreading factor obtained by despreading a control channel of received data by a control channel despreading unit, a spreading factor determination unit determines a transmission rate of the received data. User data subjected to despreading processing at a user data despreading unit is demodulated by a demodulator and temporarily stored in a demodulated data memory. The user data read from the demodulated data memory is decoded by a decoder, whereas the result of decoding by the decoder is supplied to a delay measurement unit, where a delay time relative to the above processing, of the user data is detected. A channel resource management unit manages the number of available resources at all times or in a constant cycle on the basis of transmission rates of respective radio channels detected by the spreading factor determination unit and delay processing times of the respective radio channels detected by the delay measurement unit.
US07675879B1 Method, apparatus, and system for transmitting control information in a communication network
A communication method for a communication network includes transmitting first control information for a first frame from a hub to a plurality of user nodes, and transmitting a first data burst in the first frame from a first user node and a second data burst in the first frame from a second user node to the hub according to the first control information. A start of the first frame from the first and second user nodes occurs simultaneously at the hub. The method also includes transmitting second control information for a second frame from the hub after transmitting the first control information, transmitting a third data burst in the second frame to the hub according to the second control information, and receiving the second frame at the hub following the first frame.
US07675878B2 Enhanced passive scanning
This application describes an enhanced passive scanning method for a wireless local area network, including the steps of transmitting at least one of a beacon signal or a gratuitous probe response in a WLAN channel by an access point. The gratuitous probe response is a supplemental beacon signal that is transmitted at intervals between the occurrence of regular beacon signals, but contains only essential information to allow mobile station manage roaming and timing.
US07675876B2 Transport demultiplexor with bit maskable filter
The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an improved transport demultiplexor that can receive and filter different data types before sending the data to system memory. The preferred embodiment provides a string comparator to facilitate real time filtering of continuous incoming data before loading the data into system memory. The string comparator preferably uses a bit-maskable matching filter that filters system data in real time as the data is being delivered to system memory. When data matching the filter is located, the destination address of that data is determined and delivered to the processor. This allows the processor to quickly locate the desired data and thus facilitates the real time processing of that data.
US07675872B2 System, method, and apparatus for displaying pictures
Presented herein are systems, methods, and apparatus for displaying pictures. In one embodiment, there is presented a decoder system for decoding video data. The decoder system comprises a port and a transport processor. The port receives packets carrying encoded video data from a plurality of video streams. The transport processor adds a header to encoded video data from at least one of the packets. The header identifies a particular one of the plurality of video streams, wherein the at least one packet is from the particular one of the plurality of video streams.
US07675871B2 Split transaction protocol for a bus system
A method of and apparatus for communicating between a host and an agent. The method includes the step of performing a first transaction between a host controller and a hub. The hub is operable to perform a single transaction with an agent based on the first transaction. The method then includes the step of performing a second transaction between the host controller and the hub. The second transaction is based on the single transaction.
US07675868B2 Method and apparatus for coordinating routing parameters via a back-channel communication medium
Systems and methods are described for enabling routers to coordinate via a back-channel communication medium. The information exchanged over the back-channel is used to increase the number of paths considered for the routers during route optimization. The Decision Makers may assert routes and prefixes to the routers under their control. This may be done via a Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) feed. The Decision Makers, in turn, communicate separately with one another, in order to coordinate routing policy amongst themselves. This coordination may be performed over a back-channel, which may take the form of physical or logical connections between the Decision Makers.
US07675864B2 Automated packet switch carrier health monitoring process
A system, method and computer program product are provided for determining the status of a packet-switched network by a computing device monitoring components that comprise the packet-switched network including a call-server, one or more gate-keepers, a TDM voice gateway, and one or more packet-switched routers. The computing device is configured to document failure location information associated with the packet-switched network and provide the failure information to a technical support organization.
US07675862B2 Networking hardware element to couple computer network elements and method of displaying a network layout map thereon
In one embodiment, a networking hardware element (1100, 3100) capable of coupling computer network elements (1010) comprises a network diagnostic mechanism (2140) that is capable of mapping the computer network elements and that is also capable of determining a connection status for the computer network elements. The networking hardware element also comprises a display (2110, 3110, 5110) that is capable of communicating with the network diagnostic mechanism and that is also capable of displaying a network layout map (2111, 5111) of representations of the computer network elements and the connection status of the computer network elements.
US07675858B2 Communication system, apparatus and method for providing mobility management information
A communications system is arranged to provide a service to user equipment in accordance with mobility management information. The system comprises a session protocol server (S-CSCF) operable to control the state of a communications session for at least one user equipment in accordance with user profile data, a subscriber information database (HSS) for providing the user profile data for the session protocol server (S-CSCF), and a mobility server. The mobility server comprises a mobility manager operable to receive mobile dependent evaluation reports providing an indication of a current state for communicating with the user equipment and to form the mobility management information based on the evaluation reports. The mobility server includes an application programmer's interface operable to communicate call control signalling data between the mobility manager and the session protocol server (S-CSCF). The mobility manager is operable to notify the application program providing the service to the user equipment of the mobility management information in response to a subscription for the information from the application program, the subscription being provided via the session protocol server (S-CSCF) using the call control signalling data. By integrating the mobility server within the system, mobility management information provided by the mobility server can be integrated with other services provided by the system. As such, mobile users deploying application programs within the system, which subscribe to the mobility server, can benefit from added value provided by established system components and re-using established interfaces.
US07675857B1 Method and apparatus to avoid network congestion
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that avoids network congestion. During operation, the system can detect an onset of congestion in a first queue at a first node. Next, the first node can generate a first control-message, wherein the first control-message contains a congestion-point identifier which is associated with the first queue. The first node can then send the first control-message to a second node, which can cause the second node to delay sending a second message to the first node, wherein the second message is expected to be routed through the first queue at the first node. Next, the second node may propagate the control-message to a third node which may cause the third node to delay sending a third message to the second node, wherein the third message is expected to be routed through the first queue at the first node.
US07675851B2 System and method for synchronizing a back-up device in a communications environment
An apparatus for communicating data is provided that includes a cell site element associated with a base transceiver station and comprising a compression module that is operable to receive a plurality of bits associated with a communications flow, to inspect the bits, to determine whether one or more samples included in the flow should be suppressed, and to compress the samples. The cell site element is coupled to a back-up device that is operable to assume responsibility for active flows in a case where a primary device fails. Data is exchanged between the primary device and the back-up device, the data guiding the back-up device in how to process the active flows.
US07675850B2 Apparatus for realizing soft-switch allopatric disaster recovery based on packet network
The present invention provides a device for realizing disaster recovery of soft-switch based on packet network, comprising at least two core control devices located in different places which provide control service for their respective access equipments; wherein said core control devices further include a process unit, a database unit, a share unit and a synchronization process unit which are specifically used for remote disaster recovery; said process unit and database unit are independent of the processor and the database already existing within the core control devices, and are specifically used for providing service for remote access equipments, thereby making the core control devices in different places be of mutual disaster recovery relation; said share unit is used for sharing processing ability and data; and said synchronization process unit is used for synchronizing data between the core control devices of mutual disaster recovery. The core control devices capable of providing disaster recovery function of the present invention guarantee uninterrupted operation for system, and provide high accessability of the access equipments in the packet switch network.
US07675849B2 System and method for routing communication signals via a data distribution network
A distribution system for vehicle information systems and methods for manufacturing and using same. The distribution system supports high-bandwidth communications among system resources via one or more active routing systems. Comprising a plurality of communication ports coupled via a high-speed switching system, each routing system transparently splits incoming communication signals received via an input communication port. The routing system thereby can provide the incoming communication to a plurality of output communication ports without effecting signal bandwidth. By providing each routing system with a bypass system, the distribution system likewise can bypass one or more of the high-speed switching system in the event of a distribution system failure such that communications among the system resources can be maintained. As a result, passengers traveling aboard the vehicle can enjoy high-speed access to viewing content during travel with limited interruption in service and without unwanted travel delays.
US07675848B2 Dynamic forwarding adjacency
A technique treats a protected forwarding adjacency (FA) as a dynamic entity in that it allows a backup tunnel associated with the FA to carry traffic for the FA, when it's primary tunnel has failed, up to a predetermined amount of time. If after the predetermined amount of time has elapsed and the FA has not recovered (e.g., the primary tunnel has not been reestablished), a network topology change is automatically triggered causing the network to converge on a new network topology. By triggering the network topology change, a path that is more optimal than the path associated with the backup tunnel may be subsequently determined to carry the traffic.
US07675844B2 Synchronization for OFDM signals
A method of acquiring, at a receiver, fine timing synchronization for an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) signal as transported over a channel, includes determining an impulse response of the channel; dynamically creating a window function corresponding to the impulse response; and selecting a multiplicity of samples of the OFDM signal in accordance with the window function, where the multiplicity of samples are time aligned with an OFDM demodulator. A corresponding synchronizer includes a correlator for cross correlating a received preamble with a known preamble to provide an impulse response corresponding to the channel; a window generator configured to dynamically create a window function corresponding to the impulse response; and a selector configured to select a multiplicity of samples of the OFDM signal in accordance with the window function, where the multiplicity of samples are time aligned with a Fast Fourier Transform window associated with an OFDM demodulator.
US07675842B2 Adaptive coding and modulation using linked list data structures
A process is described to build physical layer frames with a modcode adapted to the signal quality of a destination terminal. Data packets assigned to the same modcode may be sent in the same frame, although packets associated with higher modcodes may be used to complete a frame before switching to the applicable higher modcode for construction of subsequent frames. After an interval, the order of progression is restarted with an out of order packet above a threshold age. Flow control filtering mechanisms and a variable reliability margin may be used to adapt dynamically to the current data traffic conditions.
US07675841B2 Apparatus and method for generating a preamble sequence in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing communication system
Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for generating a preamble sequence in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing communication system including a reference base station and a plurality of non-reference base stations and employing m sub-carriers in a frequency domain. A reference preamble sequence having a length equal to n is generated and mapped on a one-to-one basis with n sub-carriers of the m sub-carriers. A final preamble sequence equivalent to the reference preamble sequence is generated when the base station is a reference base station, or a phase of the reference preamble sequence is shifted by a predetermined phase in order to generate a phase-shifted final preamble sequence when the base station is a non-reference base station, thereby minimizing interference between neighbor base stations.
US07675840B1 System and method for mitigating data flow control problems in the presence of certain interference parameters
A radar, or other repetitive interference, detection and data flow control system and method for RF data transmissions uses an RF detector and an omni directional antenna to detect radar or similar signals. The information from the RF detector is communicated to a hub data transmission unit which processes the data about the signal provided by the detector. This information is used by the hub to schedule communications between the hub and subscriber units so that none of the communications between the hub and subscriber fall within the time period of the interfering pulses. Although there are no communications during the time periods of the pulses, the efficiency of communications is improved because collisions and retransmission of data are avoided.
US07675835B2 Small form-factor optical data storage device
A small form factor optical disk drive is provided. An OPU is mounted on a sled such that an optical path length to the optical media falls substantially between coherence function maxima.
US07675833B2 Optical pickup with beam generating and focussing
An optical disk apparatus includes an optical pickup and a disk-rotation driving unit configured to rotationally drive the optical disks. The optical pickup includes a first emission unit configured to emit a first wavelength beam; a second emission unit configured to emit a second wavelength beam; a third emission unit configured to emit a third wavelength beam; an objective lens configured to focus the first to third wavelength beams emitted from the first to third emission units, respectively, at a signal recording surface of an optical disk; a light-path combining unit configured to combine an optical path of the first wavelength beam emitted from the first emission unit and an optical path of the second and third wavelength beams emitted from the second and third emission units, respectively; and an aberration correcting unit provided on the optical path of the second and third wavelength beams.
US07675828B2 Recording medium having data structure for managing at least a data area of the recording medium and recording and reproducing methods and apparatuses
The data structure on the recording medium includes a temporary defect management area storing a data block. The data block includes a space bit map and a temporary definition structure. The space bit map indicates recordation status of the data area, and the temporary definition structure provides a pointer to the space bit map.
US07675823B2 Initial focus optimization for an optical scanning device
In a particular type of high-density optical recording systems, a solid immersion lens (SIL) is used in the objective system to focus a radiation beam onto an information layer of an optical record carrier. The distance between the exit surface of the SIL and the entrance surface of the record carrier is typically 25 nm to allow evanescent coupling of the radiation from the SIL to the optical record carrier for a system using a blue laser as radiation source. Such a system is also called a near-field system, deriving its name from the near field formed by the evanescent wave at the exit face of the SIL. A suitable gap signal, representing the width of the gap, is used to control the width of the gap during operation of the system. Tolerances in the optical elements and opto-mechanical components of the optical system of the optical recording system can lead to an offset in the position of the focus point of the objective system. The offset can be larger than the typically used gap width for such a recording system. This can lead to direct contact between the SIL and the record carrier, which may result in damaging one or both of them. The invention discloses a method and implementation for a focus initialization correcting the focus offset of the optical system used to read out or record the optical record carrier such that a reliable and robust gap signal can be derived for gap width control.
US07675822B2 Clock device, clock system, and time measuring method
A clock device is held by a moving body, and receives a modulated wave from two electromagnetic fields generated by an antenna formed in a predetermined shape and disposed on a path. The clock device demodulates the modulated wave and acquires unique identification information. The clock device determines a non-detection period after the identification information is acquired. The clock device acquires a reference time corresponding to a middle of the non-detection period, and specifies the acquired reference time as a pass time when the moving body has passed through a point where the antenna is disposed.
US07675819B2 Volumetric passive sonobuoy array of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) wires
A sonar system for detecting underwater acoustic signals includes a plurality of hydrophone units capable of converting acoustic impulses to electrical signals, the hydrophone units being substantially vertically oriented when deployed in a body of water, and the hydrophone units occupying at least some of the positions of an M×N horizontal array. Two-dimensional Chebyshev mathematical weighting is applied to the electrical signals from the individual hydrophone units such that each individual signal from each hydrophone unit is assigned a respective weighting number and a numerical value is assigned to each individual signal corresponding to the strength of the electrical signal as adjusted by the respective weighting number.
US07675816B2 Enhanced noise cancellation in VSP type measurements
A method and system for acquiring seismic data while conducting drill string operations in a wellbore. The seismic receiver combination set comprises a combination of orthogonal geophones and accelerometers, and an array of hydrophones.
US07675815B2 Time reverse reservoir localization
A method and system for processing synchronous array seismic data includes acquiring synchronous passive seismic data from a plurality of sensors to obtain synchronized array measurements. A reverse-time data process is applied to the synchronized array measurements to obtain a plurality of dynamic particle parameters associated with subsurface locations. These dynamic particle parameters are stored in a form for display. Maximum values of the dynamic particle parameters may be interpreted as reservoir locations. The dynamic particle parameters may be particle displacement values, particle velocity values, particle acceleration values or particle pressure values. The sensors may be three-component sensors. Zero-phase frequency filtering of different ranges of interest may be applied. The data may be resampled to facilitate efficient data processing.
US07675812B2 Method for attenuation of multiple reflections in seismic data
A method for attenuating multiple reflections in seismic signals includes coherency filtering the seismic signals. The seismic signals are low pass filtered and high pass filtered seismic signals at a frequency selected such that substantially only multiple reflections exist in the seismic signals above the frequency. A mask is generated having unity value where the high pass filtered signal amplitude exceeds a selected threshold. The mask has unity zero value for all other filtered signals. The mask value is multiplied by the low pass filtered signals. The multiplied signals are added to the high pass filtered signals and a coherency filter is applied to remove remaining primary energy to generate a model of the multiple reflections. The multiple reflection model is subtracted from the coherency filtered seismic signals.
US07675811B2 Method and apparatus for DQS postamble detection and drift compensation in a double data rate (DDR) physical interface
Circuitry for reading from a double data rate type memory, the circuitry including control logic, a first bi-directional input/output interface (I/O) configured to be coupled to a data bus of a double data rate type memory and to receive therefrom a data transmission having a duration selected by the control logic, a second bi-directional input/output interface (I/O) configured to be coupled to a data strobe line of the double data rate type memory, a gate coupled to the second bi-directional input/output interface configured for controlling the duration of a data strobe signal received along the data strobe line in response to a data strobe masking gating signal and a data strobe masking gating signal modifier applying to the expected data receipt duration indicating signal a variable time delay such as to center the expected data receipt duration indicating signal about the midpoint of the duration of the data transmission.
US07675810B2 Semiconductor memory device
An internal signal generator for use in a semiconductor memory device includes an internal read address generation unit and an internal write address generation unit. The internal read address generation unit generates a plurality of read delay addresses by delaying an external address for a predetermined latency shorter than an additive latency set by the semiconductor memory device and selects one of the read delay addresses to thereby output an internal read address. The internal write address generation unit generates a plurality of write delay addresses by delaying the internal read address for a preset latency shorter than a column address strobe (CAS) latency set by the semiconductor memory device and selects one of the write delay addresses to thereby output an internal write address.
US07675807B2 Semiconductor memory device having a word line strap structure and associated configuration method
A semiconductor memory device having a memory cell array with sub-memory cell arrays arranged in a bit line direction and a word line direction which is perpendicular to the bit line direction. The memory cell arrays including a plurality of memory cells. The memory device further including sense amplifying portions arranged between the sub-memory cell arrays in the bit line direction, contact and conjunction portions arranged between the sub-memory cell arrays in the word line direction and conjunction portions arranged between the sense amplifiers in the word line direction. A main word line overlaps a word line between the sub-memory cell arrays arranged in the word line direction.
US07675806B2 Low voltage memory device and method thereof
A device is disclosed having a low-voltage memory device. The device includes a first memory having a first memory topology and a second memory having a second memory topology, with both memories located in an integrated circuit. The first memory is a relatively high-density memory device, capable of storing large amounts of data relative to the second memory. The second memory is a low-voltage memory device capable of being accessed at low-voltages relative to the voltage at which the first memory can be accessed. Accordingly, the second memory is accessible when the integrated circuit is placed in a low-voltage mode of operation, which may represent a data retention state (sleep state) for the first memory or other portions of the integrated circuit. Thus, the device is able to store large amounts of data in the high density memory in a normal or active mode of operation, and also have access to the low-voltage memory during the low-voltage mode of operation.
US07675805B2 Table lookup voltage compensation for memory cells
Systems and methods of regulating voltage at a memory cell are disclosed. An address for the memory cell is determined. Table lookups based on the address are performed. The table lookups yield voltage compensation parameters that can be used to set voltages on the terminals (e.g., source and drain) of the memory cell.
US07675804B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit device and semiconductor device including plurality of semiconductor circuits
A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a first semiconductor circuit, a second semiconductor circuit, a first control circuit and a second control circuit. The first and second semiconductor circuits are formed on a semiconductor substrate and operate using a voltage provided by an external power supply circuit as a power supply voltage. The first control circuit is formed on the semiconductor substrate and holds control information used to control the voltage generated by the external power supply circuit in accordance with operating performance of the first and second semiconductor circuits. The second control circuit controls a property of the first semiconductor circuit in accordance with the control information held by the first control circuit.
US07675802B2 Dual voltage flash memory card
A voltage regulation circuit in a nonvolatile memory card accepts an input voltage from a host at two or more different voltage levels and provides an output voltage at a single level to components including a memory die. The voltage regulation circuit can provide an output voltage that is higher or lower than the input voltage.
US07675795B2 Semiconductor device, wireless chip, IC card, IC tag, transponder, bill, securities, passport, electronic apparatus, bag, and garment
The invention provides an ID chip to which data can be written only once in order to maintain high security as a non-contact type ID chip to which signals are inputted wirelessly from an antenna. A non-contact type ID chip includes a nonvolatile FeRAM in the chip. Data representative of whether data is written or not to the FeRAM is written when writing identification data, thereby data cannot be written additionally to the FeRAM of the ID chip once the data has been written.
US07675793B2 Semiconductor memory device and driving method for the device
This disclosure concerns a semiconductor memory device comprising: memory cells including floating bodies storing data; word lines connected to gates of the memory cells; a bit line pair connected to the memory cells and transmitting data stored in the memory cells; a sense node pair connected to the bit line pair and transmitting data stored in the memory cells; transfer gates connected between the bit line pair and the sense node pair; latch circuits latching a high-level potential in one sense node of the sense node pair, and latching a first low-level potential in the other sense node of the sense node pair; and a level shifter applying a second low-level potential lower than the first low-level potential to one bit line of the bit line pair according to the electric potentials latched in the sense node pair at the time of writing data or writing back data.
US07675791B2 Synchronous memory device
A synchronous memory device, which includes a read command buffer, a replica circuit, and a latency circuit. The read command buffer provides a read signal in response to a read command. The replica circuit provides a transfer signal whose time difference with respect to the feedback clock signal is substantially identical to a period that it takes a read command buffer to provide the read signal. The latency circuit receives the read signal, and provides a latency signal having a difference of a predetermined time corresponding to CAS latency with respect to the read signal in response to the transfer signal.
US07675788B2 Electronic non-volatile memory device having a cNAND structure and being monolithically integrated on semiconductor
A non-volatile electronic memory device may be monolithically integrated on a semiconductor and be of the Flash EEPROM type having a NAND architecture and including at least one memory matrix organized in rows and columns of memory cells. Advantageously, the matrix may include at least one portion having a different data storage capacity and a different access speed than another portion.
US07675787B2 Two-bits per cell not-and-gate (NAND) nitride trap memory
A non-volatile memory array includes a semiconductor substrate having a main surface, a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region. The second source/drain region is spaced apart from the first source/drain region. A well region is disposed in a portion of the semiconductor substrate between the first source/drain region and the second source/drain region. A plurality of memory cells are disposed on the main surface above the well region. Each memory cell includes a first oxide layer formed on the main surface of the substrate, a charge storage layer disposed above the first oxide layer relative to the main surface of the semiconductor substrate and a second oxide layer disposed above the charge storage layer relative to the main surface of the semiconductor substrate. A plurality of wordlines are disposed above the second oxide layer relative to the main surface of the semiconductor substrate.
US07675778B2 Memory devices having reduced word line current and method of operating and manufacturing the same
There is provided a memory array and methods for manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, there is provided a string comprising a plurality of transistors. Each of the plurality of transistors includes: a charge storage node, a control gate, and at least one resistive element coupled to the string. The control gate of at least one of the plurality of transistors can be selectively coupled to a reference potential via a corresponding one of the at least one resistive element.
US07675773B2 Semiconductor memory, test method of semiconductor memory and system
An address switch circuit receives a row address signal supplied to a first address terminal group and a column address signal supplied to a second address terminal group. Further, the address switch circuit receives the row address signal supplied to the second address terminal group and thereafter receives the column address signal supplied to the second address terminal group and supplies the received row address signal and the received column address signal to the row decoder and the column decoder during a second operation mode. The number of semiconductor memories that are tested at once can be increased by executing an operation test of the semiconductor memories in the second operation mode. In addition, it becomes possible to test a semiconductor memory using test assets for other semiconductor memories. Consequently, the test efficiency can be improved, and the test cost can be reduced.
US07675770B2 Phase change memory device
A phase change memory device, comprising a phase change memory device; a semiconductor substrate; a MOS transistor disposed at each intersection of a plurality of word lines and a plurality of bit lines arranged in a matrix form; a plurality of phase change memory elements for storing data of a plurality of bits, each formed on an upper area opposite to a diffusion layer of the MOS transistor in a phase change layer made of phase change material; a lower electrode structure for electrically connecting each of the plurality of phase change memory elements to the diffusion layer of the MOS transistor.
US07675763B2 Semiconductor power converter apparatus
Even when one of IGBTs fails in a semiconductor power converter apparatus in which a plurality of semiconductor elements are connected in parallel, the remaining IGBT(s) is prevented from failing with a simple circuit configuration. The semiconductor power converter apparatus includes: a semiconductor power conversion circuit in which a first IGBT having a temperature sensing unit and a second IGBT having a current sensing unit are connected in parallel, for causing the first and second semiconductor elements to perform switching operations; an overheat protection circuit for performing overheat protection for the first and second IGBTs based on temperature information obtained from the temperature sensing unit of the first IGBT; and an overcurrent protection circuit for performing overcurrent protection for the first and second IGBTs based on current information obtained from the current sensing unit of the second IGBT.
US07675762B2 Multi-voltage power supply
A multi-voltage power supply includes a transformer, a first output circuit to generate a first output voltage using a voltage transferred to a secondary winding of the transformer, and a first output voltage controller to control a voltage supplied to the primary winding of the transformer according to the first output voltage. The multi-voltage power supply includes second through Nth output circuits to generate second through Nth output voltages using the voltage transferred to the secondary winding of the transformer, and second through Nth output voltage controllers performing control in order to linearly output the second through Nth output voltages by feeding back the second through Nth output voltages. Accordingly, multiple (at least two) output circuits, which are on the secondary winding side of the transformer, to realize multiple output voltages can be independently controlled, and in particular, by linearly controlling the multiple output circuits, the multiple output voltages can be stably controlled regardless of the number of output voltages.
US07675757B2 DC-DC converter
Disclosed is a DC-DC converter including: a first switching element ON/OFF controlling a current fed from a primary side to a secondary side; a second switching element provided in parallel to the first switching element, controlled at a substantially same timing as an ON/OFF timing of the first switching element and being lower in current rating than the first switching element; and a resistance inserted and connected between a node of a primary side of the second switching element and the primary side of the first switching element.
US07675754B2 Mechanically-assisted insertion and removal of modular device
A modular electronic system including a mechanism for releasably securing a modular device within a chassis, and for facilitating insertion and removal of the modular device. One embodiment provides a modular device that includes a handle secured to opposing pivotable lever arms. A follower pin secured to one end of the lever arms rides in a slot defined by the chassis. The slot is arranged so that pulling upward on the handle moves the follower pin in one direction along the slot to urge the modular device in a direction further into the device bay, and pushing downward on the handle urges the modular device in a direction out of the device bay, thereby providing a mechanical advantage to the user. When the modular device is fully inserted, retractable locking members provided on the modular device move into windows provided on the chassis, to releasably lock the modular device in the device bay. A module release mechanism includes a release plate that moves into engagement with a sloped or ramped surface of the locking members in response to squeezing the handle. Engagement of the release plate with the ramped surface moves the locking members inward and out of the windows on the chassis, to unlock the modular device from the device bay.
US07675753B2 Mounting apparatus for heat sink
A mounting apparatus for mounting a heat sink on a board, includes a first locking hole defined in the heat sink, a second locking hole defined in the board, and a locking member. The locking member includes a base and a rod. The base defines a hole. A bottom of the base forms a pair of separated elastic claws around the hole. The elastic claws are inserted through the first and second locking holes. The rod includes an expanded portion. The rod slides in the hole of the base with the expanded portion located inbetween the claws to expand the claws outwards to be larger than the second locking hole to lock the locking member on the board and to mount the heat sink on the board.
US07675750B1 Apparatus and methods for cooling networks switches
The disclosed embodiments include a plurality of plenums for distributing cooling air throughout the switch. The switch is divided into separate cooling domains. Each PCB receives a separate supply of cooling air, so that no PCB is located upstream or downstream from another PCB. The present embodiments thus eliminate the problem of stack rise, which can decrease switch performance.
US07675745B2 Storing a structure within a electronic device
An electronic device comprises a bay for receiving a storage container that stores removable objects. The bay has an interface therein. A mouse is adapted to reside in the bay when the storage container is removed and to connect to the interface.
US07675744B2 Air distribution system compatible with disparate data storage systems
A data storage library includes a drive enclosure bay which can be adapted to work with multiple air-flow configuration requirements. This is accomplished by creating air-flow ports in the top and bottom of the drive enclosure bay, by forming drive tray slots and printed circuit board ports in associated drive trays, by creating frame ports and PCB notches in associated interface cards, and replacing traditional connectors with slimmer but longer connectors that provide additional standoff and improved air-flow.
US07675741B2 Electronic component mounting part and electronic apparatus
An HDD mounting part includes component fixing sections that respectively extend along both sides of an HDD and have widths not more than the height of the HDD. The HDD mounting part further includes: a first HDD fixing section that extends from the component fixing sections up to a position apart from a front end of the HDD and is fixed to a notebook PC at the position apart from the front end; and a second apparatus fixing section that extends from the component fixing sections up to a position apart from a rear end of the HDD and is fixed to the notebook PC at the position apart from the rear end.
US07675739B2 Fuse module with removable fuse carrier for fused electrical device
Described herein are various embodiments of a fuse module with a fuse carrier for fused electrical devices. According to one exemplary embodiment, at least one fuse module can be mounted to a power distribution unit for receiving at least one power input and providing power to associated electronic equipment. The power distribution unit can have a housing with at least one fuse access passage and at least one power output displaced along the housing and electrically couplable to the at least one power input. The fuse module can be disposed at least partially within the at least one fuse access passage and be electrically couplable to the at least one power input and at least one power output. The fuse module can have at least one removably attachable fuse carrier that, when attached, electrically couples a fuse housed by the fuse carrier to the at least one power input and the at least one power output.
US07675737B1 Low temperature non-aqueous electrolyte
The present invention provides electrolytes for use in electronic devices at temperature below −50° C. consisting of a mixture, eutectic or tereutectic of at least two low viscosity aprotic solvents, acetonitrile, and a mixture of conductive salts having a molecular weight up to 240.
US07675736B2 Solid electrolytic capacitor and production method thereof
A solid electrolytic capacitor including: an anode containing a valve metal or its alloy; a dielectric layer provided on the surface of the anodic; a cathode provided on the surface of the dielectric layer; and an outer package resin covering the anode, the dielectric layer and the cathode, wherein a glass transition temperature (Tgb) of the outer package resin is a temperature ranging from 0.50 to 0.90 times a maximum glass transition temperature (Tga) which is a maximum value of glass transition temperatures exhibited by the outer package resin after each heat treatment at variable temperatures of every 10° C. from 50° C. to 200° C. (treatment time: 5 hours) which is performed on the outer package resin before a curing process.
US07675728B2 Fire safe arrester isolator
A housing encapsulating first and second terminals of a surge arrester disconnector becomes structurally weakened before activation of a disconnect device in the disconnector when the disconnector is exposed to heat, thereby preventing the disconnector from producing a projectile with a force sufficient to classify the disconnector as a hazardous material under Department of Transportation regulations.
US07675726B2 Device for protecting electronic modules in a multi-voltage on-board electrical system against short circuits
A device for protecting electronic modules in a multivoltage on-board electrical wiring system comprising a first accumulator of a low on-board electrical wiring system voltage, against short circuits after a high on-board electrical wiring system voltage, consisting of a transistor whose drain-source path is inserted between the control device connection and the electronic module connection. The source connection of the transistor is linked to the electronic module connection. A gate resistor and a diode guiding the current in the direction of the plus pole of the first accumulator are parallel-mounted between the gate connection of the transistor and the plus pole of the accumulator. A Zener diode is arranged between the gate connection and source connection of the transistor.
US07675725B2 Constant voltage output circuit
A constant voltage output circuit has an output power transistor supplied with electric power form a first input power source and a control circuit supplied with electric power from a second input power source. Here, when the voltage from the first input power source is equal to or higher than a predetermined level Va, an overcurrent protection circuit and a short-circuiting protection circuit operate. Furthermore, yet another protection circuit is provided that operates even when the voltage from the first input power source is lower than the predetermined level Va.
US07675724B2 Electrostatic discharge protection device for mixed voltage interface
An electrostatic discharge protection circuit that includes at least two transistors connected in a stacked configuration, a first diffusion region of a first dopant type shared by two adjacent transistors, and a second diffusion region of a second dopant type formed in the first diffusion region. A substrate-triggered site is induced into the device structure of the stacked transistors to improve ESD robustness and turn-on speed. An area-efficient layout to realize the stacked transistors is proposed. The stacked transistors may be implemented in ESD protection circuits with a mixed-voltage I/O interface, or in integrated circuits with multiple power supplies. The stacked transistors are fabricated without using a thick-gate mask.
US07675719B2 Current limiting module and hybrid current limiter using different kinds of superconducting wires
The present invention provides a current limiting module and a hybrid current limiter using different kinds of superconducting wires. The current limiting module includes a first superconducting wire that is wound in a predetermined direction, and a second superconducting wire that has quench characteristic different from the first superconducting wire and is wound to generate magnetic flux in a direction opposite to magnetic flux induced by the first superconducting wire. According to the present invention, inductance is generated due to unequal supply of fault current. Therefore, it is possible to prevent current from being suddenly increased, and to reduce the number of superconducting wires required to manufacture the current limiting module. Further, the hybrid current limiter does not need to include a separate coil for operating a fast switch.
US07675716B2 Composite thin-film magnetic head, magnetic head assembly and magnetic disk drive apparatus
A composite thin-film magnetic head includes a substrate, an under layer formed on the substrate, an MR read head element formed on the under layer and provided with a lower shield layer, an upper shield layer and an MR layer in which a sense current flows in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the MR layer through the upper shield layer and the lower shield layer, an inter-shield insulation layer laminated on the MR read head element, an inductive write head element formed on the inter-shield insulation layer and provided with a first magnetic pole layer, a nonmagnetic layer, a second magnetic pole layer whose end portion is opposed to an end portion of the first magnetic pole layer through the nonmagnetic layer, and a write coil, and an additional shield layer formed between the upper shield layer and the first magnetic pole layer.
US07675714B1 Stiffened voice coil for reduction of tracking errors in a disk drive
The present invention is a system for stiffening a voice coil of a magnetic disk drive. One embodiment of the present invention are stressed skins that interconnect with an upper portion and a lower portion of the voice coil such that they are flush with the upper and lower surfaces of the voice coil. The stressed skins are adhered or otherwise interconnected to the voice coil thus allowing for bending, twisting, torsional, and various other loads that generate vibrations that affect the head of an actuator assembly to be dampened. One embodiment of the present invention includes two stressed skins interconnected to a voice coil constructed of carbon composite wherein the space therebetween is filled with a foam to provide additional stiffness and damping.
US07675710B2 Tape drive with read/write head having legacy read elements and with special-purpose read channels
A tape drive for reading both new technology tapes and legacy tapes. The tape drive includes a three bump head with two outer read bumps and an inner write bump. The outer read bumps include readers for reading data from tracks of a first width on a first storage tape while the inner write bump includes writers for writing data in tracks of the first storage tape. Legacy readers are provided in the head to read data from tracks of a second width that is greater than the first track width on a second storage tape. The legacy readers are provided by piggybacking or merged-pole techniques in the inner write bump or are provided in one or both of the outer read bumps. The tape drive includes control circuitry with channels for processing data signals from the narrower readers and channels for processing data signals from the wider legacy readers.
US07675709B2 Magnetic write head having a stair notched, steep shouldered pole and a write gap bump
A magnetic write head structure that maximizes write field strength while minimizing stray fields. The write pole structure maximizes write field strength by minimizing saturation of the magnetic pole tips, and minimizes stray field writing by preventing magnetic fields from extending laterally from the sides of the magnetic pole. The write head structure includes a write pole having a pole tip configured with a stair notched shape and a steep shouldered base beneath the stair notched portion. This configuration maximizes the amount of flux that can be delivered to the pole tip while also avoiding stray fields. The magnetic pole can also be configured with wing shaped extensions that extend laterally from the pole tip region but which are recessed from the ABS by a desired amount. The magnetic write head structure can be manufactured by forming a magnetic pole with a raised portion, depositing a write gap material over the magnetic pole and then forming a magnetic pedestal over the magnetic pole and write gap, the pedestal having a width significantly smaller than the width of the raised portion of the magnetic pole, a first ion mill can then be performed to notch and trim the magnetic pole. Then a non-magnetic layer such as alumina can be deposited and a second ion mill performed to form a stair notched configuration. An alumina bump can be formed prior to ion milling to provide a mask for forming the laterally extending, recessed wings in the pole tip of the magnetic pole.
US07675708B2 Substrate for thin-film magnetic head
A thin-film magnetic head substrate includes a ceramic base, an undercoat film of an aluminum oxide, and an intermediate layer, which is sandwiched between the ceramic base and the undercoat film and which is made of a material other than the aluminum oxide and an Al—Ti—O compound.
US07675706B2 Methods and apparatus for proximity detection of hard disk drive read heads
Methods and apparatus for proximity detection of hard disk drive read heads are disclosed. A disclosed method comprises forming a first signal having a frequency, a first amplitude, and a first offset voltage, forming a second offset voltage substantially equal to the first offset voltage from the first signal, amplifying the amplitude of the first signal to cause the resonant signal to have a second amplitude greater than the first, and forming a second signal having a frequency indicative of the location of a read head relative to a platter of a hard disk drive.
US07675705B2 Method and apparatus for writing servo pattern using spiral pattern in disk drive
According to one embodiment, there is provided a servo write method of writing specified servo patterns to a disk medium on the basis of a spiral servo pattern recorded on the disk medium, wherein when the spiral servo pattern is read using a head, position detecting data used to detect a radial position on the disk medium on the basis of data recorded in a sync mark region.
US07675704B2 Magnetoresistive head preamplifier circuit with programmable input impedance
A preamplifier circuit for a disk drive system is disclosed. The preamplifier circuit has first and second inputs that sense the voltage on either side of a magnetoresistive (MR) head element, which presents a varying resistance according to the localized magnetic field at a nearby disk surface. The preamplifier circuit includes a programmable input impedance circuit, which presents an impedance in parallel to feedback impedance at each of the first and second inputs. The parallel impedance presented by the programmable input impedance circuit is controlled by controlling a current source in the programmable input impedance circuit; a higher current results in a lower input impedance.
US07675703B2 Magnetic recording disk drive with patterned media and system for clocking write data
A system and method accurately clocks write data to the discrete data blocks in a patterned media disk drive. The precise time intervals between successive timing marks in the data tracks are measured by a timing mark detector that counts the integer number of write clock cycles between successive timing marks and the fractional part of a write clock cycle by detecting the phase difference between a timing mark and a reference signal. The resulting timing error is output to a write clock compensator. The write clock is capable of generating equally spaced primary phases and phases intermediate the primary phases. The compensator includes a phase rotator that controls which write clock phase is selected for output. The value in a phase register of the compensator is used to control the phase rotator to advance or retard the write clock phase, and thus to adjust its frequency and phase so as to be synchronized for writing to the data blocks.
US07675698B2 Fibrous micro-composite material
Fibrous micro-composite materials are formed from micro fibers. The fibrous micro-composite materials are utilized as the basis for a new class of MEMS. In addition to simple fiber composites and microlaminates, fibrous hollow and/or solid braids, can be used in structures where motion and restoring forces result from deflections involving torsion, plate bending and tensioned string or membrane motion. In one embodiment, fibrous elements are formed using high strength, micron and smaller scale fibers, such as carbon/graphite fibers, carbon nanotubes, fibrous single or multi-ply graphene sheets, or other materials having similar structural configurations. Cantilever beams and torsional elements are formed from the micro-composite materials in some embodiments.
US07675697B2 Lens module and method for assembling the same
An exemplary lens module includes a lens barrel, a barrel holder engaged with the lens barrel, a number of optical lenses received in the lens barrel; and a number of elastic spacers received in the lens barrel. Each of the elastic spacers is arranged between the adjacent optical lenses. Thus tilt of the optical lenses in the lens module will not occur, thereby improving quality of capturing images. The present invention also related to a method for assembling the lens module.
US07675696B2 Lens barrel and imaging apparatus including the same
A lens barrel includes a first lens set configured to move manually along an optical axis, a second lens set configured to move electrically along the optical axis, a first holding member configured to hold the first lens set, a second holding member configured to hold the second lens set, a driving member configured to move the second holding member along the optical axis, a transmitting member configured to transmit a driving force of the driving member to the second holding member, and an urging member configured to relatively urge the transmitting member and the second holding member along the optical axis. The first lens set is movable within a range of motion of the second lens set. The urging member is displaced when the second holding member interferes with the first holding member.
US07675694B2 Wide-angle lens system
There is provided a wide-angle lens system having a wide angle of view and less distortion. The wide-angle lens system including: an object-side lens group disposed at an object side with respect to an aperture stop and having overall positive refractive power; and an image-side lens group disposed at an image side with respect to the aperture stop and having overall positive refractive power, wherein a focal length ratio between the object-side lens group and the image-side lens group satisfies following condition 1, 20) and FI is a focal length of the image-side lens group (FI>0). This wide-angle lens system sufficiently corrects distortion even in a wide angle of view, thereby ensuring an image with superior quality.
US07675692B2 Pickup lens
A pickup lens is provided with various aberrations corrected satisfactorily, with a short optical length, and with a sufficient back focus secured.The configuration comprises an aperture diaphragm S1, first lens L1, second lens L2, and third lens L3, and is configured by arranging, in order from the object side to the image side, the aperture diaphragm, first lens, second lens, and third lens. The first lens is a lens having positive refractive power, with convex surfaces on the object side and on the image side. The second lens is a lens having negative refractive power, in a meniscus shape with the convex surface on the image side. The third lens is a lens having negative refractive power, in a meniscus shape with the convex surface on the object side. Both of the surfaces of the first lens are aspherical, both of the surfaces of the second lens are aspherical, and both of the surfaces of the third lens are aspherical.
US07675687B2 Liquid lens group
A liquid lens group includes two liquid lens portions and a light-pervious separator. The light pervious separator includes a first contact surface and an opposite second contact surface, which are in contact with the two liquid lens portions respectively. The liquid lens group has a wide focus range and highly compacted volume.
US07675686B2 Fluidic adaptive lens
A fluidic adaptive lens, a multi-lens apparatus employing the fluidic adaptive lens, and a method of fabricating a fluidic adaptive lens are disclosed. The lens includes a first partition that is flexible and optically transparent, and a second partition that is coupled to the first partition, where at least a portion of the second partition is optically transparent, and where a first cavity is formed in between the first partition and the second partition. The lens further includes a first fluidic medium positioned within the cavity, the fluidic medium also being optically transparent; and a first device capable of controlling a parameter of the fluidic medium, where when the parameter of the fluidic medium changes, the first partition flexes and an optical property of the lens is varied.
US07675684B1 Compact optical system
The invention relates to compact optical arrangement for a helmet mounted display. The arrangement is well suited to use with spatial light modulators which require front illumination such as LCoS modulators but can also be adapted to rear illuminated devices such as LCD's and to self luminous devices such as OLEDs. The device uses polarization and reflection to make dual use of both volumes and lenses.
US07675683B2 Ambient light display and system for displaying data
A system for displaying data includes a display unit and a transmitting unit. A display unit has a housing that defines an ambient light window and a viewing window. A data display is positioned inside the housing, and optics are included for guiding light from the ambient light window through the display and out the viewing window.
US07675681B2 Display device
A display device includes a lens array unit, a display unit which is configured such that a first substrate is attached to a second substrate that is disposed between the first substrate and the lens array unit, the display unit having a display area composed of matrix-arrayed pixels, a gap control layer which forms a predetermined gap between the display unit and the lens array unit, and a support member which fixes the display unit and the lens array unit on an outside of the display area of the display unit.
US07675677B2 Binoculars
A pair of binoculars has lenses constituting optical filters with a transmissivity range within the wavelength range between about 650 nm and at least 800 nm and also with an additional transmissivity band within a wavelength range from about 310 nm to about 600 nm. The objects viewed with such a pair of binoculars appear as an image that is carried by a satin-finished metallic surface.
US07675676B2 Confocal microscope apparatus
A confocal microscope apparatus comprises a first optical scanning system which obtains a scan image of a sample using a laser beam from a first laser light source, a second optical scanning system which scans specific regions of a sample with a laser beam from a second laser light source that is different from the first laser light source, thereby causing a particular phenomenon, and a beam diameter varying mechanism which can change the beam diameter of the laser beam of at least one of the first optical scanning system and the second optical scanning system. With this configuration, the apparatus further comprises an excitation light intensity distribution calculator which calculates and stores the excitation light intensity distribution along a depth direction on the sample surface from the beam diameter of the laser beam output from the beam diameter varying mechanism.
US07675673B2 Apparatus for providing multiple time-division multiplexed independently controllable pulsed beams from a single, pulsed laser output-beam
An output beam from a laser is directed into an acousto-optic cell. The laser beam includes repeated sequences of two or more pulses. The acousto-optic cell is sequentially driven by RF voltages at two or more frequencies. A portion of the laser output beam is diffracted by the acousto-optic cell at two or more different angles to the laser output beam. This provides two or more secondary beams. One of the secondary beams includes only the first pulses of the sequences; the other includes only the second pulses of the sequences. The duration of the pulses in the laser beam is controlled to control time-averaged power in the secondary beams.
US07675672B2 Non-volatile addressable electronic paper for disposable flexible displays
In accordance with the invention, there are systems for electronic paper, apparatus for electrophoretic display, and methods of making an electrophoretic display. The system for electronic paper can comprise an electret substrate wherein the electret substrate comprises an inhomogeneous distribution of charges and a plurality of capsules disposed in the electret substrate, wherein each of the plurality of capsules comprises a first plurality of charged pigments having a first color and a first charge, wherein the first charge has a polarity opposite to that of the charges in the electret substrate, a fluid having a second color contrasting to the first color, and a housing configured to house the plurality of charged pigments and the fluid.
US07675671B2 Micro electro mechanical systems device
An aspect of the embodiment, a MEMS device includes a rotating unit, a first hinge, a first frame and an actuator. The actuator has a plurality of electrodes for rotating the rotating unit. The first frame has one of the electrodes. A portion of silicon layer by the electrode of the frame is chamfered.
US07675664B2 Recording medium, reproducing apparatus, and reproducing method
A recording medium records therein image data for distributing contents as element holograms with interference fringes generated by interference between an object beam representing the image data and a reference beam. The image data to be distributed which are recorded as the element holograms in the recording medium are reproduced by applying reference beams to the recording medium.
US07675663B2 Apparatus for producing a hologram mask
An apparatus for producing a hologram mask. The apparatus includes a first object light at least partially transmittable through a first original mask having a light transmitting screening pattern, and a first reference light having a first phase difference between it and the first object light. The first object and reference lights cause interference patterns to be recorded a hologram recording material, as do a second object light at least partially transmittable through a second original mask having a light transmitting screening pattern, and a second reference light having a second phase difference between it and the second object light where the second phase difference is not the same as the first phase difference. The resulting first and second original mask images recorded in the hologram recording material can be simultaneously replayed to produce an exposed pattern approximating an exposed pattern of a non-holographic phase shifting photomask.
US07675660B2 Color adjustment method
The first color difference between the second color space value showing the second color tone and the first color space value showing the first color tone is found when the first color tone is a target of color adjustment and the second color tone is a output of the target, the first color space value is corrected by a predetermined correction amount, the moved ratio of the predetermined correction amount to a moved amount which is derived from the second color space value and the third color space value showing the third color tone is found when the third color tone is a output of the first color space value with the predetermined correction amount, and the color adjustment is conducted based on the first color space value with a amount obtained correcting the first color difference with the moved ratio.
US07675652B2 Correcting eye color in a digital image
A method is provided for correcting undesired eye color in a digital image. Color information from the digital image is used to identify an orthogonal color channel. The orthogonal color channel is a channel corresponding to a color that is orthogonal to the undesired color. Information from the orthogonal color channel is used to perform channel mixing. The channel mixing is selectively applied to the original digital image using a masking effect to retain certain portions of the original image and replace certain portions of the original image with the channel-mixed image. This method achieves natural-looking black pupils and preserves specular reflections to conceal the fact that the digital image has been corrected.
US07675650B2 Floral print process
A method of creating an ornamental representation of a natural flower or foliage, by digitally scanning one or more surfaces of one or more pieces of a natural flower or foliage and directly printing the scanned images on respective one or more surfaces of a medium. The printed pieces are then cut out of the medium, shaped to create the contour of a natural petal or foliage and composited to create an ornamental representation of the natural flower or foliage.
US07675649B2 Image forming electrophotography apparatus setting conditions for process control based on a total toner quantity equivalent value
A small domain generation section generates a plurality of small domains in a multi-valued image transmitted from an intermediate tone correction section. Each domain is constituted of a plurality of pixels. Counting means counts a signal input value of each pixel. Weighting calculation means corrects each signal input value of the “pixels subjection to toner quantity equivalent value calculation” with reference to the signal input value of the small domain, and reads out a weighting coefficient from the weighting coefficient table based on the modified signal input value. The weighting calculation means multiplies the signal input value by the coefficient so as to convert the signal input value into a toner quantity equivalent value. Accumulating means calculates toner quantity equivalent values for all of the pixels of the multi-valued image. A total toner quantity equivalent value calculation section determines a total toner quantity equivalent value by accumulating all of the toner quantity equivalent values which are individually calculated each time an image is processed. When the total toner quantity equivalent value reaches a predetermined value, conditions for process control is set. On this account, the present invention achieves an image forming apparatus capable of accurate estimation of toner consumption quantity.
US07675644B2 Extensible framework for parsing varying formats of print stream data
A method of parsing print stream data including the steps of intercepting a data file from at least a portion of the print stream data, reading at least a portion of the data file and determining if said data file is of a format having subset formats.
US07675638B2 Notification escalation in printing systems using dynamically determined timeout values
Methods and systems are provided for a printer controller in a printing system to flexibly define conditions for notification to one or more recipients of intervention states of the printing system. The time delay for transmitting escalated intervention notification message may be dynamically determined in accordance with present operating parameters of the printing system. Other aspects provide that the recipients of such messages and the form of such messages may be dynamically determined in accordance with present operating parameters of the printing system. Policy rules may define the predicate conditions for determining the timeout values for escalation and for determining the message format and recipients.
US07675634B2 Substrate film thickness measurement method, substrate film thickness measurement apparatus and substrate processing apparatus
A jet of water in a cylindrical form is supplied from a jet nozzle onto a measurement surface of a substrate to form a column of the water extending between the nozzle and the measurement surface. Light is emitted from an irradiation fiber and transmitted through the column of water to the measurement surface. The light reflected by the measurement surface is received by a light-receiving fiber through the column of water. A measurement calculation unit measures the thickness of a film formed on the substrate, based on the intensity of the reflected light.
US07675631B2 Holographic optical element
A method of measuring a dimension and/or position of an object located in a measuring field, includes projecting a fan-shaped reference wave onto a holographic optical element having a first interference pattern and a second interference pattern; forming a first parallel partial wave front from the fan-shaped reference wave using the first interference pattern, the first parallel partial wave front entering the measuring field; and forming a second parallel partial wave front from the fan-shaped reference wave using the second interference pattern, the second parallel partial wave front entering the measuring field; wherein the measuring field is located behind the holographic optical element, and the first parallel partial wave front and the second parallel partial wave front intersect in the measuring field. A method of making a holographic optical element is also disclosed.
US07675628B2 Synchronous frequency-shift mechanism in Fizeau interferometer
An optical device for characterizing a test surface combines a Fizeau interferometer with a polarization frequency-shifting element. Two substantially collinear, orthogonally polarized beams having respective frequencies differing by a predetermined frequency shift are generated by the polarization frequency-shifting element and projected into the Fizeau optical cavity to produce a pair of test beams and a pair of reference beams, wherein the beams in each pair have orthogonal polarization states and have frequencies differing by the predetermined frequency shift. A second, substantially equal frequency shift is introduced in the Fizeau cavity on either one of the pairs of test and reference beams, thereby generating a four-beam collinear output that produces an interferogram without tilt or short-coherence light. The invention may also be implemented by reversing the order of the Fizeau cavity and the polarization frequency-shifting element in the optical train.
US07675627B2 Low cost fiber optic velocity sensor for sonar applications
A fiber optic sensor includes a housing having first and second end plates with a sidewall extending therebetween with the sidewall having an inwardly facing groove. A flexural disk having a central passage therethrough has an outer edge portion mounted in the inwardly facing groove in the housing. The flexural disk has a stepped thickness that is thinner at the outer edge portion than at a region spaced apart from the housing. A first fiber optic coil is mounted on a first side of the flexural disk in the thicker region of the flexural disk, and a second optical fiber is mounted on a second side of the flexural disk opposite the first fiber optic coil. The first and second fiber optic coils are optically coupled together by a fiber optic coupler to form an interferometer that produces an output signal in response to axial acceleration of the flexural disk.
US07675621B2 Two-dimensional colorimeter, and spectral sensitivity correcting method
A two-dimensional colorimeter includes: an image sensing section, having an image sensor constituted of a number of pixels arranged in a two-dimensional manner, for sensing an object image to be measured to acquire a two-dimensional image; a discriminator for discriminating whether a targeted color with respect to the two-dimensional image acquired by the image sensing section is to be corrected in terms of a pixel or pixels; and a calculator for performing a calculation to apply predetermined correction information corresponding to the color to be corrected to the two-dimensional image in terms of a pixel or pixels, based on a discrimination result by the discriminator.
US07675619B2 Micro-LiDAR velocity, temperature, density, concentration sensor
A light scatter sensor includes a sensor body in which are positioned a plurality of optical fibers. The sensor body includes a surface, in one end of each of the optical fibers terminates at the surface of the sensor body. One of the optical fibers is an illumination fiber for emitting light. A plurality of second optical fibers are collection fibers for collecting scattered light signals. A light sensor processor is connected to the collection fibers to detect the scattered light signals.
US07675618B2 Multiplexing spectrometer
A multiplexing spectrometer measures at least one parameter, such as temperature, pressure or stress. The system multiplexes the outputs of Bragg stack sensors deposited at the distant ends of optical fibers brought in contact or in close proximity to objects. The spectrometer detects the peaks of the optical signals returned from the Bragg stacks and converts them into corresponding values of the parameters of interest. The spectrometer includes an optical system that comprises an entrance slit, a diffraction grating as a light dispersing means. Multiplexing occurs on a two-dimensional solid state matrix photo detector detects and converts the light signals returned from the Bragg stack sensing elements into corresponding electrical signals, and a built-in look-up table to provides the values of the parameters of interest that correspond the spectral characteristics of the returned light signals.
US07675616B1 Combustion plume absorption gauge
An absorption spectroscopy gauge to measure chemical concentrations in a post-detonation combustion cloud of energetic materials. A broadband light source coupled to an optical fiber guides light into a gauge via a first leg where a plano-convex lens collimates the light source internally. The light reflects off a mirror and passes through an absorption region before entering a second leg of the gauge where it is refocused into a different fiber and sent to a time-resolved spectroscopy system for analysis. The time-resolved spectroscopy system can include a spectrometer and a steak camera. The two legs of the gauge are arranged as separate halves connected by a plurality of rods that can be adjusted to change the length of the absorption region. The gauge is arranged to include stainless steel cone shaped tips to minimize added turbulence brought upon by its use.
US07675612B2 Laser measuring device
A laser measuring device (50) including a housing (56) with a laser device present therein for generating and projecting at least one laser beam (52, 54), perpendicular to an alignment surface (34) of the housing, or to a mount (14) that is connected to the housing. In order to enable an exceedingly precise alignment of a laser beam to the center point of an opening in a room boundary, such as the floor, without requiring costly adjustment operations, it is proposed that the alignment surface (34) be equipped with at least three synchronously adjustable positioning elements, which lie in a circle, through the center point of which the laser beam (54), which extends perpendicular to the alignment surface (34), or its extension, passes.
US07675610B2 Photon counting, chirped AM LADAR system and related methods
Ladar systems and methods are provided. One embodiment is a ladar system comprising: a chirp generator for generating a chirped waveform; a laser for transmitting a light signal toward a target, the light signal being modulated by the chirped waveform; and a photon-counting sensor for receiving a temporally-modulated photon stream corresponding to the modulated light signal being reflected from the target and toward the ladar system, the photon-counting sensor gated relative to the chirped waveform.
US07675607B2 Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A lithographic apparatus is disclosed having a support constructed to support a patterning device, the patterning device being capable of imparting a radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam, the support including a support clamp constructed to clamp the patterning device to the support, and a bending mechanism constructed to apply a bending torque to the clamped patterning device, the bending mechanism comprising a force/torque actuator configured to act on the clamped patterning device without substantially reducing the clamping force exerted on the patterning device by the support clamp.
US07675602B2 Board device and method for manufacturing display element
A pillar-shaped spacer is disposed at the position between the boundary line of adjacent liquid crystal cells and an OLB terminal so as to face the end portion of the OLB terminal and so as to be interposed between a first large-size substrate and a second large-size substrate. Even when the respective liquid crystal cells are separated from one another along the boundary lines of the adjacent liquid crystal cells, exfoliation of the OLB terminals is prevented by the pillar-shaped spacers, so that extra cutting margins between the adjacent liquid crystal cells can be reduced and the manufacturing performance and the built-in number of the liquid crystal cells can be enhanced.
US07675600B2 Liquid crystal display panel and liquid crystal display apparatus having the same
Disclosed are a liquid crystal display panel and apparatus, which can prevent electrolytic corrosion or other corrosion of on-off pads in a test pad part. The liquid crystal display panel comprises: a pixel part having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix at intersections of a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines; a gate pad part having a plurality of gate pads, each of the gate pads connected with the corresponding gate lines to deliver a gate signal; a data pad part having a plurality of data pads, each of the data pads connected with the corresponding data lines to deliver a data signal; a test pad part having at least one or more on-off pads delivering a test signal to the gate lines or the data lines; and a switching device for cutting off the gate signal and/or the data signal so as not to be provided to the on-off pads upon driving the liquid crystal display panel.
US07675599B2 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.
US07675598B2 Image display device having wide and narrow viewing angle modes and method of driving the same
An image display device includes a display panel, and a barrier including a plurality of transmissive portions and a plurality of blocking portions on the display panel, wherein the plurality of transmissive portions and the plurality of blocking portions are arranged in a matrix, wherein 3Nth rows and (3N−1)th rows include the plurality of transmissive portions and the plurality of blocking portions, N being a positive integer, (3N−2)th rows include the plurality of transmissive portions excluding the plurality of blocking portions, , and the transmissive and blocking portions are alternately arranged.
US07675594B2 In-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
An in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device, comprising first and second substrates attached to face each other; a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates; a first polarization film and a second polarization film on the first substrate and the second substrate, respectively, each of the first and second polarization films simultaneously performing an A-plate compensation film function and a polarization function, the first and second polarization films prevent light leakage in a horizontal direction; and a C-plate compensation film positioned on the second substrate, the C-plate compensation film prevents light leakage in a vertical direction.
US07675584B2 Housing structure with frame and bezel for a display module having protrusion/s at lower portion of bezel to create upward displacement of the front-surface portion of bezel covering the display module when fastened to frame
The present invention relates to a housing structure for a display module. The structure comprises: a frame having a cavity for receiving a display module therein; and a bezel having a front-surface portion and a plurality of side portions connecting the front-surface portion thereto. When the bezel is assembled with the frame, the bezel enfolds part of the frame, and the front-surface portion of the bezel covers part of the surface of the display module. Besides, at least one of the side portions has at least one fastening hole and at least one protruding portion formed on a single side of the fastening hole away from the front-surface portion. Therefore, when the housing structure is fixed to an electronic device, the front-surface portion of the housing structure of the present invention will not press upon the surface of the display module.
US07675581B2 Pixel structure and TFT array drain connected to pixel electrode without connection line from drain to top electrode therebetween
A thin film transistor array comprising a substrate, a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of data lines, a plurality of thin film transistors, a plurality of common lines, a plurality of top electrodes, a plurality of connection lines and a plurality of pixel electrodes is provided. Wherein, each thin film transistor is disposed in one of the pixel areas and driven through the corresponding scan line and data line. Each thin film transistor includes a gate, a source and a drain. The drain of the thin film transistor is electrically connected to the corresponding top electrode by the corresponding connection line. Besides, the drain of the thin film transistor is electrically connected to the pixel electrode, and a portion of the connection line is not covered by the pixel electrode.
US07675576B2 Video processing apparatus and method thereof
A video processing apparatus includes: a line-based data encoder for performing line-based data encoding on an input signal to generate a line-based data encoded signal; and a video signal controller coupled to the line-based data encoder for receiving a first video signal and the line-based data encoded signal, decoding the line-based data encoded signal to generate a second video signal, and choosing one of the first and second video signals to generate an output signal.
US07675573B2 Global motion adaptive system with motion values correction with respect to luminance level
Global-adaptive deinterlacing systems and methods for reducing scintillation and feathering artifacts. Motion adaptive deinterlacing (MADI) local motion quantization thresholds are adaptively adjusted according to the amount of global motion present in the video sequence, thereby minimizing scintillation and feathering artifacts when deinterlacing the fields. A set of global motion scenarios are defined for the purpose of classifying fields, and a number of global motion indicators are used to detect on a field-by-field basis different global motion scenarios.
US07675572B2 Image processing device capable of selecting field and method thereof
An image processing device and method to select a field to use in interpolation, if an input image is a film image. The image processing device includes a field selector to select a field to use to interpolate a current field based on difference values in field data among first, second, and third fields being consecutively input in an input image, the field to use to interpolate the current image being one of the first and the third fields and the current field being the second field, a film detector to generate a pattern based on the difference values in the field data between the first, second, and third fields and to determine whether the input image is a film image based on the generated pattern, and an interpolator to interpolate the second field using the one of the first and third field selected by the field selector if the film detector determines the input image to be a film image. Accordingly, when the input image is a film image without a bad-edit, the interpolation process is executed by selecting two temporarily consecutive fields of a field to be interpolated, and using the field with a smaller difference values in field data from the field to be interpolated and a problem of judder in images can be resolved.
US07675570B2 Device mounting apparatus, adjustment jig, and image pickup apparatus with adjustment mechanism
A device mounting apparatus that allows the orientation of a device to be easily adjusted alone. The device mounting apparatus is mounted with a device. A mount includes a seat fixed to a base, and a rotation mechanism portion that is supported by the seat and can change the orientation of the device relative to the seat. An adjustment jig is attachable to and detachable from the mount and includes a driving unit driven by operation. The rotation mechanism includes a supporting unit that supports the device, a changing unit that changes the orientation of the rotation mechanism according to driving of the adjustment jig when the adjustment jig is mounted to the mount, and brakes that fix the orientation of the rotation mechanism when the adjustment jig is detached from the mount.
US07675568B2 Apparatus and method for controlling diaphragm of imaging apparatus
When a difference between a diaphragm target position and a detected state of a diaphragm is less than a neutral zone width, a driving control operation of the diaphragm is prohibited. The neutral zone width can be changed depending on the state of the diaphragm.
US07675563B2 Digital camera
A digital camera is characterized by an optical system for forming an optical image of a subject, conversion means for converting the formed optical image of the subject into a digital image, selection means for selecting a layout at the playback time of the digital image output by the conversion means, a display, determination means for determining the playback orientation of the digital image output by the conversion means with respect to the selected layout, display control means for combining an object indicating how to hold the digital camera at the ready in response to the determined playback orientation and a digital moving image output by the conversion means into one for display on the display in a state in which a still image record command can be entered, and image record means for storing a digital still image output by the conversion means in nonvolatile memory in association with the selected layout when a still image record command is entered.
US07675562B2 CMOS image sensor including column driver circuits and method for sensing an image using the same
The image senor includes a plurality of row lines and a plurality of column lines crossing the plurality of row lines. A pixel is formed at respective crossings of the row and column lines. Each pixel generates a charge based on light incident thereon and selectively transfers the charge to an associated column line based on a signal received from an associated row line. Each column line has a column driver circuit associated therewith. The column driver circuit is configured to generate an output voltage based on the charge on the associated column line.
US07675556B2 Cameras, other imaging devices, and methods having non-uniform image remapping using a small data-set of distortion vectors
A camera has a body and an electronic capture unit mounted in the body. The electronic capture unit selectively captures and stores a scene image as a representational electronic image having a first array of pixels. A control system is mounted in the body. The control system provides a remapped electronic image having a second array of pixels. A memory unit is disposed in the body. The memory unit stores a data-set defining an non-uniform mapping between a plurality of primary input coordinates mappable on said first array of pixels and plurality of primary output coordinates mappable on said second array of pixels. The control system uses the data-set to remap the pixels of the input electronic image to provide the remapped electronic image.
US07675551B1 Method and apparatus obtaining color values for a digital camera
Digital camera color correction with a linear transformation having coefficients computed from an optimization with preservation of gray levels. This preserves white balance despite differing exposures for images from a target sensor and reference colors.
US07675547B2 Image pickup apparatus
An image pickup apparatus which is capable of enhancing the accuracy of shake correction. A shake-detecting sensor detects a shake of an apparatus body. A microcomputer computes a shake amount based on an output from the shake-detecting sensor. A camera signal processing circuit corrects motion of an image due to camera shake based on an output from the microcomputer. A rest-determining device determines, based on the output from the shake-detecting sensor, whether or not the apparatus body is at rest. A recorder records a picked-up image. A recorder vibration-determining device determines whether or not the apparatus body is vibrating due to vibration of the recorder. A cutoff frequency-setting device changes characteristics of the microcomputer based on a result of determination by the rest-determining device and a result of determination by the recorder vibration-determining device.
US07675546B2 Imaging device having function for correcting image shake of acquired image
An imaging device photoelectrically converts a subject image to generate image data. The imaging device has a function of selectively performing two types of image vibration correction processings on this image data. The imaging device makes a selection/switching between the image vibration correction processings in accordance with a determination of an exposure period required to shoot the image data.
US07675542B2 Camera controller
A camera controller establishes a desired shooting range as the direction of a camera is changed. Coordinate data on a pseudo subject-plane representing a subject-plane virtually covering a plurality of subjects to be shot by the camera are stored. The direction of the camera is indicated by a cursor or the like on the image displayed on a display unit. Coordinates of an intersection point of a straight line extending from the camera in the instructed direction with the pseudo subject-plane stored in the memory are determined, and the distance between the camera and the intersection point is calculated.
US07675541B2 Display apparatus and control method
A main unit (television receiver) displays a television broadcasting program and also detects its feature. In addition, the main unit detects a scene change from the feature of the television broadcasting program, and controls a subsidiary unit (television receiver) so as to display the image data of the frame immediately after the scene change. The subsidiary unit displays the frame immediately after the scene change. Then, when another scene change occurs in image data displayed on the main unit, the image data of the frame immediately after the scene change is displayed on the subsidiary unit, instead of the image data which has been displayed so far.
US07675538B2 Monitoring and control of administration systems
The present invention allows administrators of conference equipment, remotely localized from the ordinary managing interface, to execute simple commands for solving a problem that may have occurred during a conference or at conference set up. This is provided by a parser translating user terminal commands transmitted from the user terminal (e.g. a cellular phone) of the system administrator to Conference Management System codes, which are executed on the conference equipment in question from the Conference Management System. The present invention also allows system administrators to be alerted by a message (e.g. SMS) at any errors occurring during a conference or conference set up, and to correct the errors by responding to the alert without the need of addressing the equipment in which the errors occur.
US07675537B2 System, method, and apparatus for extending wireless personal area networks using conferencing connection
A system, method, and apparatus are disclosed whereby a wireless Personal Area Network such as a Bluetooth piconet may be extended to a remote location beyond the normal range by means of a conferencing connection. The conferencing connection may comprise, for example, one or more ISDN lines or an IP connection between two or more conference endpoints. The broadband connection may include a video channel, an audio channel, a control channel, and a Bluetooth channel.
US07675535B2 System and method for controlling a tracking servo during label printing
A visible light characteristic changing layer formed from photosensitive or heat-sensitive material is formed in a location which can be viewed from a part of a label surface of an optical disk. The optical disk is set on a turntable of an optical disk unit while the label surface of the optical disk is directed downward. The optical disk and an optical pickup are moved mutually along the plane of the optical disk. In synchronism with the relative movement, the power of a laser beam output from the optical pickup is modulated in accordance with image data, such as characters or graphic images to be printed, and the laser beam is emitted onto the visible light characteristic changing layer. As a result of the visible light characteristic changing layer being exposed to the laser beam, a visible-light reflectivity of the visible light characteristic changing layer is changed, thereby forming a image corresponding to the image data on the label surface.
US07675531B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus capable of forming wide images, includes: an exposing unit having a plurality of LED (light-emitting diode) heads arranged alternately in a main scanning direction, in which the resolution of an LED row formed in at least one of the plurality of LED heads is higher than the resolution of image data in a main scanning direction; and a lighting control unit that controls to turn on or turn off dots in the LED row such that the exposing position of a photoconductive drum is moved in the unit of dots of the high resolution LED row.
US07675530B2 Moving-image reproduction apparatus, moving-image reproduction methods, programs and recording mediums
A moving-image reproduction apparatus includes a display section for displaying an image in a moving-image display area; a moving-image data storage section for storing a plurality of pieces of moving-image data; a moving-image data reproduction section for reading out moving-image data and reproducing the moving-image data; a moving-image change-over command section for requesting change-over from a preceding moving image to a succeeding moving image; and a control section for changing-over from a preceding moving image to a succeeding moving image in accordance with the request. During a period of time lasting till the start of a process to actually display a reproduced moving image based on the moving-image data, the control section stops reproduction of the preceding moving image and reduces the brightness of the moving-image display area to a value corresponding to a black moving image in a predetermined period of time.
US07675529B1 Method and apparatus to scale graphical user interfaces
Methods and apparatuses to scale components of user interfaces. To scale a view component according to an arbitrary transformation, which may be represented by a scaling factor, a coordinate transformation, or other parameters, at least one embodiment of the present invention determines a new transformation for the view component so that, when the new transformation is used, the boundaries of the view components are aligned with pixel lines (and/or, other conditions are satisfied). In one aspect of the invention, a method to scale a view component of a Graphical User Interface includes: adjusting first layout parameters (e.g., coordinates of an origin, a width, a height, a coordinate of a boundary, and others), which correspond to a first transformation to scale the view component, to generate second layout parameters for the view component; and computing a second transformation from the second layout parameters to scale the view component. In one example according to this aspect, the view component is scaled using the second transformation; and a Current Transformation Matrix (CTM) is set according to the second transformation. According to the second layout parameters, the boundaries of the view component are aligned with pixel lines.
US07675528B2 Image cropping system and method
Electronic document design systems and methods allowing a user engaged in customizing an electronic product to re-crop product images in a manner that is compatible with the product layout. Upon selection of an image area in the product design, the user can choose to re-crop the image currently displayed in the image area or to select and crop a different image to be used in the selected image area. A cropping indicator that can be resized and repositioned is provided to the user. The cropping indicator is automatically sized to have and retain the same height to width ratio as the selected image area. Upon completion of any resizing or repositioning operation, the selected image area of the electronic product is updated to reflect the cropping changes made by the user.
US07675527B2 Multisource composable projection of text
Embodiments consistent with the subject matter of this disclosure may transparently project text fragments from one or more buffers into one or more projection buffers by reference, instead of by copying. Clients or applications, such as, for example, compilers, language services, an editor's rendering system, or other client or application, may transparently process the projected text fragments projected into the projection buffers as if processing simple text files. In some embodiments, text of a first language, embedded in a document having text of one or more other languages, may be projected to a projection buffer and provided to an application, which may process text of the first language. In other embodiments, text may be elided from a document by projecting to a projection buffer only text not to be elided from the document.
US07675523B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
To provide an image processing technique compatible with both a CCD and a CIS, which controls storage of image data read by each device in a memory and the read of the stored data for each rectangular area to obtain a high memory efficiency, an image processing apparatus includes a memory area control section which sets, for image data bitmapped on a first memory, a rectangular area divided in a main scanning direction and sub-scanning direction, an address generation section which generates address information to read out image data corresponding to the rectangular area in correspondence with the set rectangular area, a memory control section which reads out the image data corresponding to the rectangular area and DMA-transfers the image data to a second memory in accordance with the generated address information, and an image processing section which executes image processing for each rectangular area of the DMA-transferred data by using the second memory.
US07675521B2 Method and apparatus for triangle rasterization with clipping and wire-frame mode support
Systems for performing rasterization are described. At least one embodiment includes a span generator for performing rasterization. In accordance with such embodiments, the span generator comprises functionals representing a scissoring box, loaders configured to convert the functionals from a general form to a special case form, edge generators configured to read the special case form of the scissoring box, whereby the special case form simplifies calculations by the edge generators. The span generator further comprises sorters configured to compute the intersection of half-planes, wherein edges of the intersection are generated by the edge generators and a span buffer configured to temporarily store spans before tiling.
US07675520B2 System, method and computer program for creating two dimensional (2D) or three dimensional (3D) computer animation from video
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention a system, method and computer program product for creating at least a two dimensional or three dimensional (3D) datastream from a video with moving objects is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of creating animated objects in 2D or 3D from video, may include: receiving video information which may include a plurality of frames of digital video; receiving and adding metadata to the video information, the metadata relating to at least one object in motion in the digital video; and interpreting the metadata and the video information and generating a datastream in at least 2D. In an exemplary embodiment, 2D, 3D or more dimensional data may be used to provide an animation of the event of which the video was made. In an exemplary embodiment, a 2D or 3D gametracker, or play reviewer may be provided allowing animation of motion events captured in the video.
US07675515B2 Apparatus, and method for generating analytical model, and recording medium in which program for generating analytical model is stored
An apparatus for generating an analytical model of an object shape model including: a detail-mesh-model generating section generating a detail mesh model of the object shape model based on the object shape model; a maximum outer shape mesh model generating section generating a maximum outer shape mesh model corresponding to an outline of the object shape model based on the object shape model; a wall-thickness-region generating section generating a basic wall-thickness region, which extends inside the maximum outer shape mesh model from at least a part of surfaces of the maximum outer shape mesh model and which has a predetermined thickness; and an overlaying section generating said analytical model by using a result of overlaying the detail mesh model with the basic wall-thickness region. Easy simplification of an analytical model can reduce time required for numerical analysis to realize an effective designing process.
US07675512B2 Memory circuit, display device and electronic equipment each comprising the same
A memory circuit using a thin film transistor has been problems such as the drop in yield and the decrease in speed of response of the memory circuit due to variations in transistors. The purpose of the invention is to improve the yield and speed of the response of a memory cell by driving a word line by a voltage which is different from the logical amplitude of the memory cell. The invention is applicable to an SRAM, a DRAM, a mask ROM, and the like. A memory circuit of the invention is formed integrally with a display device for realizing a multi-functional display device.
US07675511B2 Electronic notebook
An electronic notebook includes a case; a sheet-like display medium provided in the case, containing charged particles, and having a first surface and a second surface; a first electrode disposed on the case; and a second electrode disposed on the case. By changing a positional relationship between the display medium and the first electrode and the second electrode, the display medium and the first electrode and the second electrode take on either an arranged state in which the display medium is interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode so that the first surface of the display medium opposes the first electrode and the second surface of the display medium opposes the second electrode, or a non-arranged state that is a state other than the arranged state.
US07675509B2 Methods and apparatus for optical wireless communication
Methods and apparatus for optical wireless communication. In one embodiment, a wireless optical video system in which video content (e.g., DVI or HDMI) is transmitted wirelessly between a digital video source and a display device. This wireless optical communication is accomplished using a laser, encoded with the digital video data, directed from an optical transmitter to an optical receiver. In another embodiment, the data to be communicated includes high-definition video content.
US07675505B1 Finger and palm support attachment for a computer mouse
A computer mouse accessory that rests on top of a computer mouse and holds the user's finger while working with the computer mouse and its buttons. The accessory has a body that fits the user's palm and finger support for user's finger while using a computer mouse.
US07675504B1 Personal interfaces for independent living and health
The invention herein primarily concerns computer interfaces, particularly those that may be used by senior citizens or others who are not familiar and even adverse to computers as they are utilized today. Applications of use to such persons are also disclosed, particularly in the areas of most concern to large segments of the population such as Health Maintenance and Medical, Home Control, and Communication (email and telephony). It is primarily based on TV cameras interfaced to computers via common interfaces such as USB2, Fire wire, or WiFi, which are used to sense common, and familiar paper pages and books of pages.
US07675501B2 Liquid crystal display apparatus with light sensor
In a display apparatus, a light generating part generates a first light in response to a driving signal, and a first driving part outputs a panel driving signal. A display panel receives the first light from the light generating part and a second light externally provided, and displays an image in response to the panel driving signal. A light sensing part is disposed in the display panel so as to output a sensing signal corresponding a light amount of the second light. A second driving part compares the sensing signal with a predetermined reference value, and outputs a driving signal in accordance with the compared result. Thus, the display apparatus may reduce an electrical power consumed to drive the display apparatus.
US07675497B2 Driving unit for liquid crystal display device
A driving unit for a LCD device, including: a ramp signal generating unit for dividing a ramp signal into a first ramp signal and a second ramp signal; an input register unit for sequentially storing N-bit image data; a counter unit for outputting control signals by receiving bits of image data except for the most significant bit and counting based upon the received bits; a ramp signal selecting unit for selecting the first ramp signal or the second ramp signal according to the most significant bit and outputting the selected ramp signal upon receiving the most significant bit from the input register unit; and a switching unit for sampling the first ramp signal or the second ramp signal provided from the ramp signal selecting unit by the control signals of the counter unit and outputting the sampled ramp signal to data lines.
US07675494B2 Organic light-emitting device and organic light-emitting display
An organic light-emitting device including: a light emitting diode that emits light by a signal current; a driving thin film transistor connected between a source voltage and a light emitting diode and connected at its drain to the light emitting diode and a current source, and that supplies the signal current to the light emitting diode depending on display data; a storage capacitor connected between the source voltage and a gate of the driving thin film transistor, and that stores the display data depending on a display data signal; a first switching unit connected between the drain of the driving thin film transistor and a data driver and connected at its gate with a first scan line, wherein the first switching unit and selects the data signal; a second switching unit connected between the gate and the drain of the driving thin film transistor and connected at its gate with a second scan line wherein, the second switching unit drives the driving thin film transistor; and a third switching unit connected between the drain of the driving thin film transistor and the light emitting diode and connected at its gate with a third scan line, wherein the third switch unit selects the signal current applied to the light emitting diode.
US07675485B2 Electroluminescent display devices
An active matrix electroluminescent display device comprises an array of display pixels. In each pixel, a first switch connects power from a power supply line to the display element and a second switch routes current from a current-measurement supply line to the display element. The gate voltage applied to a drive transistor is controlled by a feedback system, such that control voltage is controlled in closed loop manner to achieve the desired current. The control voltage can then be used for subsequent addressing of the pixel.
US07675484B2 Method for driving a gas electric discharge device
A method for driving an AC type surface-discharge display device which has cells arranged in a matrix. Each of the cells has at least three electrodes including a pair of main electrodes on every line of the matrix and an address electrode on every column of the matrix. The method includes providing an address preparation period applying a charge producing pulse and applying a charge adjusting pulse. The charge adjusting pulse has a waveform monotonously falling from a reference potential and a negative polarity and is applied to the second main electrode used as a scan electrode and generates feeble electric discharges between the first and second main electrodes. The feeble electric discharges are accompanied by a decrease of the wall voltage formed by the charge producing pulse.
US07675482B2 Apparatus and method for driving an interlaced plasma display panel
An apparatus for driving an interlaced plasma display panel (PDP), including a delay device, an image upper and lower edge detection device, an image border processing device, an image processing and analog control loop. The delay device receives an image signal, delays the image signal for two fields and outputs the delayed image signal. The image upper and lower edge detection device receives and analyzes the image signal, outputs the image upper and lower edge positions, saves and provides the odd field upper and lower edge data of the image signal. The image border processing device outputs the image signal after border processing according to the delayed image signal, the image upper and lower edge positions, the odd field upper and lower data. The image processing and analog control loop outputs a driving signal according to the image signal after border processing and the image upper and lower edge positions.
US07675479B2 Multi-screen system and multi-screen implementation method
A multi-screen system including a plurality of displaying devices for sequentially receiving request signals and separately storing corresponding IDs (IDentifications) included in the received request signals, and respectively outputting a response signal in response to a received request signal. Also included is an operating device for outputting a request signal including a corresponding ID, for outputting a new request signal if a response signal is received from a corresponding displaying device, and for transmitting control information about image segments to be respectively displayed on the displaying devices.
US07675478B2 Image display apparatus and camera and image communication system
The camera reads identification information of the user, which is contained in an identification card, through a card reading part. The camera connects automatically to a server designated in accordance with the read identification information through a communication interface. Then, the camera transmits and stores the data of recorded images to the designated server. The camera retrieves the image data stored in the server, and reproduces and displays the image on an image display at the back of the camera. A plurality of cameras in which the same user's identification information is set can be controlled altogether in the image-recording and reproduction by one camera. One camera in which the identification information of a plurality of user's is set can distribute the recorded image data to the servers of the users simultaneously.
US07675474B2 Horizontal multiple-input multiple-output wireless antennas
High gain, multi-pattern multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna systems are disclosed. These systems provide for multiple-polarization and omnidirectional coverage using multiple radios, which may be tuned to the same frequency. The MIMO antenna systems may include multiple high-gain beams arranged (or capable of being arranged) to provide for omnidirectional coverage. These systems provide for increased data throughput and reduced interference without sacrificing the benefits related to size and manageability of an associated access point.
US07675470B2 Multi-band monopole antenna for a mobile communications device
A multi-band monopole antenna for a mobile communications device includes a common conductor coupled to both a first radiating arm and a second radiating arm. The common conductor includes a feeding port for coupling the antenna to communications circuitry in a mobile communications device. In one embodiment, the first radiating arm includes a space-filling curve. In another embodiment, the first radiating arm includes a meandering section extending from the common conductor in a first direction and a contiguous extended section extending from the meandering section in a second direction.
US07675463B2 Miniaturized integrated monopole antenna
The invention is related to a monopole antenna provided for short-range applications, having a conductive pattern arranged on a dielectric substrate. The conductive pattern has a first straight radiating element connected to an antenna feeding point, a second straight radiating element arranged essentially parallel to the first radiating element and interconnected to it, and further a third straight radiating element arranged between the first and second radiating elements and essentially parallel to both of the first and second radiating elements and interconnected to the second radiating element. The electric and magnetic fields of the first and the third radiating elements are thereby interacting constructively. The invention is also related to an integrated circuit having such monopole antenna, and a method for manufacturing such monopole antenna.
US07675460B2 In-vehicle radar apparatus and method for manufacturing the same
An in-vehicle radar apparatus includes a beam emitting part that emits a beam, a casing that supports the beam emitting part, and a reference unit that is attached to the casing and is equipped with multiple surfaces usable as a reference plane. A surface of the casing to which the reference unit is attached and the reference plane form an angle that depends on which one of the multiple surfaces is used as the reference plane.
US07675454B2 System, method, and computer program product providing three-dimensional visualization of ground penetrating radar data
A system for analyzing and displaying radar information comprises: a transmit and receive unit operable to transmit radar signals to a survey volume and to receive radar returned radar signals, a processing unit operable to: receive radar data from the returned radar signals, reduce the data into depth bins, each with a score based on received signal strength, create connections among depth bins based on respective scores, and to eliminate ones of the depth bins that do not meet a threshold number of connections, the system further comprising a display unit operable to create a display of at least a subset of the depth bins that are not eliminated by the processing unit.
US07675450B1 Digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for high frequency and high resolution environments
A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) configured to operate in high frequency and/or high resolution environments. The DAC has a segmented architecture comprising one or more least significant bit (LSB) thermometer sub-converters and one or more most significant bit (MSB) thermometer sub-converters. A binary converter can also be added. The LSB and MSB thermometer sub-converters include cell pairs with a main cell and a dummy cell. The main cell switches according to actual data, drawing power from a voltage source at each transition. To maintain a consistent voltage level at the output, the dummy cell creates a transition to draw power from the voltage source responsive to a lack of transition in the main cell. Each cell pair has a dedicated voltage source. Also, the MSB thermometer sub-converter can include a load matching circuit to match the parasitic capacitance of the LSB thermometer sub-converter at an output.
US07675448B1 Continuous-time sigma-delta modulator using dynamic element matching having low latency and dynamic element matching method thereof
In a continuous-time sigma-delta modulator, by using dynamic element matching (DEM) with respect to comparators of a quantizer, or by generating a plurality of candidate DEM results in advance for selecting an approximate DEM result, a time slot for DEM operations in each cycle of a sampling signal is significantly increased without being rushed.
US07675446B2 Filter applied in sigma-delta modulator and filtering method thereof
A filter applied in a sigma-delta modulator includes an integrator, a signal attenuator and a feedback circuit, in which these components are connected in series sequentially to form a local feedback circuit. The integrator integrates an input signal to output an integral signal. Accordingly, the signal attenuator attenuates the integral signal to output an attenuation signal to the local feedback circuit so as to share a part of attenuation amount to reduce the chip area of the sigma-delta modulator.
US07675444B1 High voltage isolation by capacitive coupling
The present invention comprises a circuit for transferring N inputs, wherein N is greater than or equal to 2, across a capacitive coupling media comprising a line circuit, a coupling capacitor, and a neutral potential circuit. The line circuit comprises: (1) a data converter for each input, for sampling and converting the N inputs; (2) a multiplexer for combining the outputs of the N data converters and a synchronization signal to generate an unencoded composite bit stream; (3) a data encoder for encoding the composite bit stream. The capacitor couples the encoded composite bit stream to a data decoder. The neutral potential circuit comprises: (1) the data decoder for decoding the coupled composite bit stream, and generating a recovered data stream and a recovered clock; (2) a synchronization recovery, control logic, and de-multiplex function for providing a set of digital outputs that correspond to the inputs to the data converters.
US07675441B2 Pilot-tone calibration for time-interleaved analog-to-digital converters
A self-calibrating analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The ADC includes multiple component ADCs to generate respective digital representations of an input signal in response to respective timing signals that are offset in phase from one another, each component ADC having a gain setting that controls a magnitude of the digital representations. The ADC further includes correction circuitry to generate a plurality of fast-Fourier transforms (FFTs) that correspond to the digital representations of the input signal and to adjust the gain settings of the component ADCs and/or phase angles of the timing signals based on gain and phase errors indicated by the FFTs.
US07675435B2 Smart filtering with multiple simultaneous keyboard inputs
Keyboard entries by users are tracked and filtered to reduce ambiguity in translating the entries to characters and predicting text based on the entries in a multiple keyboard environment. Key tables such as an equivalence table mapping characters to a base character value, a digit mapping table mapping characters to a digit between 0 and 9 are used to determine possible matches in text prediction. A letter accumulator UI is employed along with a number accumulator UI to provide users feedback on tracked letters.
US07675434B2 Method and device for detecting, on the ground, the obstruction of a pressure tap of a static pressure sensor of an aircraft
A method and device for detecting, on the ground, the obstruction of a pressure tap of a static pressure sensor of an aircraft. The device includes a pressure sensor that measures the pressure inside a probe and a heating system for heating the probe. When the heating system is activated, the sensor carries out a first measurement of a parameter dependent on the pressure inside the probe. After a predetermined duration from the activation of the heating system, the sensor carries out a second measurement of the parameter. A central processing unit calculates the difference between the first and second measurements and compares this difference to a predetermined value. A warning device emits a warning signal indicating the detection of an obstruction if the difference is greater than the predetermined value.
US07675433B2 Device and method for determining the sensor position of sensor units of a driver assistance system
A device and a method determine sensor positions of sensor units of a driver assistance system, especially a parking aid system of a vehicle. The sensor units each have a plurality of terminals of different identification positions. A data bus is connected for an exchange of data with a central control and evaluation unit in this case with one or more terminals of the sensor unit according to a specific connection scheme, which is different for each of the sensor units, in order to provide an identity code for the sensor position of a sensor unit in this way.
US07675430B2 Device control module and method for controlling devices
A device control module and a method for controlling at least first and second devices based on operation of a foot pedal apparatus having a moveable member are provided. The device control module includes an RF receiver configured to receive a first RF signal at a first time indicating at least partial displacement of the moveable member of the foot pedal apparatus from a first operational position. The first RF signal has a first identifier value indicating the first device is to be controlled. The device control module further includes a processor operably coupled to the RF receiver. The processor is configured to activate the first device in response to the first RF signal. The RF receiver is further configured to receive a second RF signal at a second time after the first time. The second RF signal indicates at least partial displacement of the moveable member of the foot pedal apparatus from the first operational position. The second RF signal has a second identifier value indicating the second device is to be controlled. The processor is further configured to activate the second device in response to the second RF signal.
US07675429B2 Intra-oral signal modulator and controller
Methods and apparatus for controlling an external device via at least one signal modulated by movements of a user's tongue, maxillaries and lips may include a mouthpiece comprising a controller and at least one signal emitter and one signal detector. A signal generated by the at least one emitter may be modulated by changes to the geometry of a user's oral cavity and detected by at least one signal detector. The at least one detected signal may be processed by a controller and transmitted to a remote device in order to provide control capability made possible by the degrees of freedom available by manipulation of the geometry of the user's oral cavity.
US07675427B2 System and method for determining distribution transformer efficiency
A system, device and method of determining an efficiency of a distribution transformer that receives power from a medium voltage power line and that provides power to a plurality of customer premises via a low voltage subnet is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes determining an input power to the transformer from the medium voltage power line, determining an output power from the transformer, determining a transformer efficiency based on the input power and the output power, comparing the transformer efficiency with a threshold efficiency, and providing a notification when the transformer efficiency is below a threshold efficiency. Determining the input power may include measuring the current input and estimating the voltage input based on a voltage measure of the low voltage subnet and the turns ratio of the transformer.
US07675421B2 RFID cabinet
An RFID cabinet for monitoring items having an RFID tag includes, a cabinet having at least one locking front door. An RFID detector is used for monitoring each item placed within the cabinet and is located within the interior of the cabinet. A computer is coupled to the RFID cabinet and controls opening and closing of the front door and is configured to receive an input that identifies the user. In this way, the computer is configured to periodically record data read from the RFID tags by the RFID detector.
US07675402B2 Network communication for a security system
A keypad security apparatus and security system are provided. The keypad includes a network connector to connect the keypad to a data network, an address tracker to track an address assigned to the keypad, and a data input to receive user input data, including arm/disarm commands and to transmit the data via the data network. The network may be a LAN, such an Ethernet connecting the keypad via a router to an internet. A security control panel may also be connected to the local area network. Audio data may be input to the keypad and transmitted via the network voice data over data network, such as voice over IP data (VoIP). The address assigned to the keypad may be an IP address or a local area network address. The keypad may be connected as a wireless device.
US07675400B2 Chip type variable electronic part and chip type variable resistor
In a chip type variable electronic part including an insulating substrate, and an adjustment rotor made of a metal plate rotatably mounted on an upper surface of the insulating substrate, in which the rotor is constituted of a first plate formed in a bowl shape to receive a screwdriver that rotates the rotor, and a second plate superposed on an upper surface of the first plate and integrally coupled thereto via a fold-back joint, and the second plate includes a screwdriver engagement hole perforated therein for the screwdriver to be fitted in, the fold-back joint includes a pair of left and right downwardly bent lugs formed between a bending line of the fold-back joint and the second plate, such that a portion of the fold-back joint between the bending line thereof and the first plate is fitted between the pair of downwardly bent lugs, thereby preventing deformation of the fold-back joint when the rotor is rotated with the screwdriver.
US07675398B2 Iron core for stationary apparatus and stationary apparatus
Magnetic flux in a magnetic flux distribution inside a wound iron core for a stationary apparatus is mal-distributed toward the inner periphery side where the magnetic path of a laminated magnetic steel sheet is short with respect to the total lamination thickness and magnetic resistance is small and the inner periphery side on which magnetic flux is concentrated has a high magnetic flux density and increased iron loss, and therefore magnetic steel sheets of different magnetic characteristics are disposed at an arbitrary lamination ratio to make uniform the magnetic flux distribution inside the same wound iron core. In order to make uniform the magnetic flux distribution inside the wound iron core for a stationary apparatus, such a structure is adopted that a magnetic steel sheet having a magnetic characteristic inferior to that on the outer periphery side is disposed on the inner periphery side having a shorter magnetic path and smaller magnetic resistance and a magnetic steel sheet having a magnetic characteristic superior to that on the inner periphery side is disposed on the outer periphery side having a longer magnetic path and greater magnetic resistance to thereby make uniform the magnetic flux distribution in a sectional area of the iron core.
US07675390B2 Acoustic galvanic isolator incorporating single decoupled stacked bulk acoustic resonator
Embodiments of the acoustic galvanic isolator comprise a carrier signal source, a modulator connected to receive an information signal and the carrier signal, a demodulator, and an electrically-isolating acoustic coupler connected between the modulator and the demodulator. The acoustic coupler comprises no more than one decoupled stacked bulk acoustic resonator (DSBAR). An electrically-isolating acoustic coupler based on a single DSBAR is physically small and is inexpensive to fabricate yet is capable of passing information signals having data rates in excess of 100 Mbit/s and has a substantial breakdown voltage between its inputs and its outputs.
US07675387B2 Surface acoustic wave device and communication terminal using the same
A surface acoustic wave device in the present invention is provided with a piezoelectric substrate, a supporting substrate being jointed to the piezoelectric substrate and including a material different in expansion coefficient from the piezoelectric substrate and an interdigital electrode for exciting a surface acoustic wave, the electrode being arranged on the surface of the piezoelectric substrate. Either the interdigital electrode or the piezoelectric substrate is configured so that the interdigital electrode is 40% or more to 70% or less as long as the piezoelectric substrate in the direction to which a surface acoustic wave propagates.
US07675383B2 Switch circuit
A switch circuit includes: a first input and output terminal; a first inductor connected with the first input and output terminal; a capacitor connected with the first inductor; a second input and output terminal connected with the capacitor; a first MEMS switch connected with one end of the capacitor; a second MEMS switch connected with the other end of the capacitor; and a second inductor connected between the first MEMS switch and the second MEMS switch, and satisfies a relationship of f=1/(2π√CL1)=1/(2π√CL2), where L1 is an inductance of the first inductor, L2 is an inductance of the second inductor, C is a capacitance of the capacitor, and f is a use frequency.
US07675381B2 Modulized wave filter
A wave filter is installed in a multimedia wideband router, and includes a circuit board having a first low-pass wave-filtering circuit, and a band-pass wave-filtering circuit; the band-pass wave-filtering circuit consists of a high-pass wave-filtering circuit and a second low-pass wave-filtering circuit; the first low-pass wave-filtering circuit is connected to the high-pass wave-filtering circuit; the circuit board further includes an input terminal, and a first switching component, which is movable to such a position as to electrically connect the input terminal and a joint between the first low-pass wave-filtering circuit and the high-pass wave-filtering circuit; the circuit board further includes two output terminals, which are connected to the first and the second low-pass wave-filtering circuits respectively; a second switching component is provided on the circuit board, which is movable to such a position as to electrically connect the high-pass wave-filtering circuit and the second low-pass wave-filtering circuit.
US07675380B2 Integrated digitally controlled linear-in-decibels attenuator
An integrated digitally controlled linear-in-decibels attenuator circuit in which one or more sets of selection switches establish a desired attenuation by selectively connecting the input signal electrode to one or more corresponding resistive ladder networks connected in series, thereby providing a substantially more constant signal attenuation value over a wider frequency bandwidth. With a single resistive ladder network, attenuation control is achieved using a thermometer switching code. With multiple resistive ladder networks, coarse and fine attenuation control can be achieved using thermometer and bubble switching codes, respectively.
US07675377B2 Voltage controlled oscillator
The present invention provides a voltage controlled oscillator having a wide frequency variation range and an oscillation frequency that shows favorable linearity with respect to control voltage. The present invention includes an amplifier circuit 21, a piezoelectric element 22 connected in parallel to the amplifier circuit 21 and forming a feedback loop, variable capacitive elements 24 and 25 respectively connected to an input terminal and an output terminal of the amplifier circuit 21 and having a capacitance value that is dependent on control voltage, and an analog operation circuit 26 that generates a control voltage Vcs based on an inputted control voltage Vc. In this arrangement, the control voltage Vc is applied to the variable capacitive element 24 and the control voltage Vcs generated by the analog operation circuit 26 is applied to the variable capacitive element 25.
US07675375B2 Electrical oscillator circuit and an integrated circuit
An electrical oscillator circuit comprising: a resonator comprised in the first subcircuit; and an active device comprised in the second subcircuit connected to energize the resonator to provide an oscillating electrical signal transmitted as a differential signal via electrical conductors to the second subcircuit. The oscillator is characterized in that the second subcircuit comprises means for receiving the differential signal transmitted via the electrical conductors and converting the differential signal to a single-ended signal with reference to the signal ground reference of the second subcircuit. Thereby a noise robust oscillator signal is provided with the use of very few components. Particularly suitable for oscillators embodied in an integrated circuit with the resonator mounted on a printed circuit board, PCB. And an integrated circuit.
US07675372B2 Circuit simulator parameter extraction using a configurable ring oscillator
A configurable ring oscillator is operated in a first configuration so that an oscillating signal passes from a first node to a second node through a first signal path. A first measurement of an operational characteristic is made. The ring oscillator is operated in a second configuration where an oscillating signal passes from the first node to the second node through a second signal path. A second measurement is made. The first and second measurements are used to determine a circuit simulator parameter. If the first path has little interconnect and the second path has substantial interconnect, then the effect on circuit operation due to interconnect loading can be isolated from the effects on circuit operation due to variations in transistor performance. If the first and second paths are laid out to be identical, then the first and second measurements are usable to determine a circuit simulator mismatch parameter.
US07675371B2 Electronic circuitry
Electronic circuitry comprising operational circuits of active switching type requiring timing signals, and conductive means for distributing said timing signals to the operational circuits, wherein the timing signal distribution means includes a signal path that has different phases of a drive signal are supplied via active means at different positions about the signal path where that path exhibits endless electro-magnetic continuity without signal phase inversion or has interconnections with another signal path having different substantially unidirectional signal flow where there is no endless electromagnetic continuity between those signal paths and generally has non-linear associated circuit means where the signal path is of a transmission line nature.
US07675369B2 Frequency hopping oscillator circuit
A method for controlling a frequency output of a phase locked loop (PLL) is provided. The method includes providing digital control words to the PLL to discretely change at least one dividing factor within the PLL. The method further includes applying a time-varying control voltage to a voltage controlled oscillator. The method still further includes applying an output of the voltage controlled oscillator to the PLL as a reference frequency. The method further includes outputting a signal from the PLL, the signal varied in frequency based on one or more of the time-varying control voltage and the at least one dividing factor.
US07675364B2 Circuit and method of establishing DC bias levels in an RF power amplifier
A method and apparatus is used to provide DC stabilization and noise reduction in a multistage power amplifier. The invention uses various feedback techniques to stabilize DC levels, which helps to reduce noise. The invention also uses other techniques to reduce noise, and to reduce the noise transfer function in a power amplifier.
US07675362B2 Switching amplifier
A switching amplifier includes an input end for receiving an input signal, a reference signal reception end for receiving a reference signal, a feedback end for receiving a feedback signal, an output end for outputting an output signal, an integration circuit for performing integration operation on the input signal according to the output signal and the feedback signal, so as to generate an integration result, a comparison circuit coupled to the integration circuit, the reference signal end, and the output end, for comparing the integration result and the reference signal, so as to generate the output signal for the output end, and a feedback circuit coupled between an output end of the integration circuit and the feedback end, for generating the feedback signal for the feedback end to clamp the integration result to a predetermined value when the integration result reaches the predetermined value.
US07675360B2 Power control circuit and power control method
A power control circuit includes: a fine adjustment variable amplifying unit configured to amplify the input signal in accordance with a first gain set value; a coarse adjustment variable amplifying unit configured to amplify the input signal in accordance with a second gain set value; a branching unit configured to branch an output signal into a feedback signal; a comparing unit configured to compare a gain value between the input signal and the output signal with the required gain set value; a control unit configured to determine the first gain set value and the second gain set value based on the required gain set value; and an adjusting unit configured to adjust the first gain set value and the second gain set value so that the power value of the feedback signal becomes a power value corresponding to the required gain set value.
US07675352B2 Systems and methods for generating reference voltages
Systems and methods for generating reference voltages are provided. A representative system comprises a resistor circuit; a first switch coupled between a first end of the resistor circuit and a first power source; a second switch coupled between the first end of the resistor circuit and a second power source; a third switch coupled to a second end of the resistor circuit; a fourth switch coupled to the second end of the resistor circuit; a first resistor coupled between the first end of the resistor circuit and the first switch; a second resistor coupled between the first end of the resistor circuit and the second switch; a third resistor coupled between the second end of the resistor circuit and the third switch; a fourth resistor coupled between the second end of the resistor circuit and the fourth switch; and a control circuit for controlling the switches.
US07675350B2 VPP voltage generator for generating stable VPP voltage
The present invention relates to a VPP voltage generator that generates a stable VPP voltage. The VPP voltage generator of the present invention generates a stable VPP voltage. Therefore, power consumption can be saved, a precharge time of word line can be prevented from increasing and a tRCD characteristic can be improved. It is thus possible to improve the operational performance of semiconductor memory devices.
US07675349B2 Power supply circuit and display device therewith
An unnecessary through current is suppressed and insufficiency of an output electric potential and increase in power consumption are suppressed in a power supply circuit using a charge pump method. In order to suppress a reduction in an output electric potential VPP as well as suppressing transient through currents I1 and I2 when a clock DCCLK is inverted, resistances R1 of a wiring 11, R2 of a wiring 12 and R4 of a wiring 14 are set so as to satisfy relations R4>R1 and R4>R2. That is, the through currents I1 and I2 can be suppressed by reducing the resistances R1 and R2 so that electric potentials V1 and V2 are quickly inverted when the clock DCCLK is inverted. Also, the through current I1 can be suppressed to suppress the reduction in the positive output electric potential VPP by setting the resistance R4 to be larger than either of the resistances R1 and R2.
US07675347B2 Semiconductor device operating in an active mode and a standby mode
A semiconductor device operates in an active mode or a standby mode, and includes a substrate-potential power source line supplying a substrate potential which is higher in a standby mode than in an active mode, and a source-potential power source line supplying a source potential which is lower in a standby mode than in an active mode. During a mode shift from the standby mode to the active mode, a potential equalizing transistor is turned ON to pass a current flowing from the substrate-potential power source line to the source-potential power source line, to reduce the time length needed for shifting from the standby mode to the active mode.
US07675340B2 Multiphase clock generator circuit
A multiphase clock generator circuit for generating a plurality of output clock pulses that differ in phase on the basis of a reference clock pulse, has first and second divider circuits for dividing first and second reference clock pulses that differ in phase to generate output clock pulses, and a switch for forming an intermittent short between predetermined nodes of the first and second divider circuits, wherein the switch forms a short between the predetermined nodes with timing in which the predetermined nodes are brought to the same level in a normal operating state.
US07675337B2 Duty cycle correcting circuit and duty cycle correcting method
A duty cycle correcting circuit includes a first duty ratio correcting unit that widens a high-level period of an input clock in response to a detection signal, thereby correcting a duty ratio of the input clock to output a first corrected clock. A second duty ratio correcting unit narrows the high-level period of the input clock in response to the detection signal, thereby correcting the duty ratio of the input clock to output a second corrected clock. A clock selecting unit selectively outputs the first corrected clock or the second corrected clock as an output clock in response to the detection signal. A duty ratio detecting unit detects a duty ratio of the output clock, thereby generating the detection signal.
US07675334B2 Delay locked loop circuit and semiconductor integrated circuit device
A technology capable of avoiding malfunction of a delay locked loop without generating a constant phase error in a delay locked loop circuit is provided. In a delay locked loop circuit, a control circuit is disposed in the outside of a delay locked loop, and in phase comparison of the delay locked loop, the control circuit outputs a control signal to the delay locked loop so that the relation in the phase comparison between a reference signal and an output signal is shifted by a set cycle.
US07675333B2 Multi-phase delay locked loop with equally-spaced phases over a wide frequency range and method thereof
A Delay Locked Loop (DLL) and method for generating multiple equally spaced phases over a wide frequency range is disclosed. The DLL includes a delay line, and a control module. The delay line receives a reference clock signal and outputs a final delay clock signal in response to the reference clock signal. The delay line includes a plurality of delay cells connected in series. The plurality of delay cells generate a plurality of delay clock signals having equally spaced phases. The control module generates a phase control signal based on counting a number of pulses of the reference clock signal that are input to the delay line before occurrence of a first corresponding pulse of the final delay clock signal.
US07675327B2 Semiconductor device
The semiconductor device of the present invention includes a bootstrap circuit, the bootstrap circuit including: a selection transistor composed of an n-channel MOS transistor; a booster transistor of which a gate is connected to a drain of the selection transistor; and a boosting circuit that is connected between the gate and a source of the booster transistor, and boosts gate voltage with respect to the source of the booster transistor, wherein gate dimensions of the selection transistor are smaller than gate dimensions of the booster transistor. According to this configuration, the semiconductor device can realize increasing an action of a circuit, decreasing a chip size and simplifying processes.
US07675322B2 Level shifting circuits for generating output signals having similar duty cycle ratios
A level shifting circuit includes a level shifting unit and an output buffer unit. The level shifting unit generates first and second output signals responsive to first and second input signals. The first and second input signals range between first and second voltage levels, and the first and second input signals are a first differential pair. The first and second output signals range between the first voltage level and a third voltage level greater than the second voltage level, and the first and second output signals are a second differential pair. The output buffer unit inverts the first and second output signals to provide third and fourth output signals, respectively. Duty ratios of the first and second output signals are determined based on delay times of the first and second input signals.
US07675321B1 Dual-slice architectures for programmable logic devices
In one embodiment of the invention, a programmable logic device includes a plurality of programmable logic blocks and a plurality of dual-slice logic blocks within a programmable logic block. A dual-slice logic block includes a first slice including at least two lookup tables (LUTs); a second slice including at least two LUTs; and a routing circuit coupled to each of the LUTs within the first and second slices. The routing circuit is adapted to share outputs of the dual-slice logic block among the LUTs. In another embodiment of the invention, the dual-slice logic block includes a second routing circuit coupled to each of the LUTs within the first and second slices. The second routing circuit is adapted to share inputs of the dual-slice logic block among the LUTs.
US07675318B2 Configuration setting circuit and configuration setting method thereof
A configuration setting circuit and the method thereof, in which the configuration setting circuit includes a clock generator, a plurality of terminals, and a frequency detector coupled to a terminal. The clock generator is used to generate multiple clock signals with different frequencies, and output through the terminals. One input signal is inputted to the frequency detector through the terminal coupled to the frequency detector, so that the frequency detector can output at least two-bit configuration signal corresponding to the frequency of the input signal to set the operation mode.
US07675315B2 Output stage with low output impedance and operating from a low power supply
A low-impedance output stage which operates from a low voltage power supply. In an embodiment, the output stage contains an operational amplifier and two PMOS transistors used in a feedback configuration resulting in low output impedance. The output stage may also include a capacitor connected between the output terminal of the output stage and the input of the PMOS transistor providing the output, resulting in an overall output impedance which remains low even at higher frequencies, thus enabling use of the output stage to drive capacitive loads without causing resonance.
US07675309B2 Probing system for integrated circuit device
A probing system for integrated circuit device, which transmits testing data/signal between an automatic test equipment (ATE) and an integrated circuit device, is disclosed. The probing system comprising a test head having a first transceiving module; a test station having a test unit couple to the test head to perform test operation; a communication module having a second transceiving module configured to exchange data with the first transceiving module; an integrated circuit device having at least one core circuit being tested; and at least one test module having a self-test circuit couple to the core circuit and the communication module for performing the core circuit self-testing.
US07675307B2 Heating apparatus for semiconductor devices
A heating apparatus for semiconductor devices comprises an oven including a front wall having a plurality of front openings and a back wall having a plurality of back openings each with isolating self-closing doors, a carrier module configured to load semiconductor devices into the oven through the front opening in a removable manner, a temperature-controlling module configured to control the temperature of the oven, and a test module positioned at a backside of the oven and configured to generate, receive or switch electrical test signals for the semiconductor devices in the oven.
US07675304B2 Probe assembly with multi-directional freedom of motion and mounting assembly therefor
An improved test probe assembly has an improved mounting assembly which provides the test probe multi-directional freedom of movement with respect to a base in order to resist damage frequently caused to the test probe. The improved mounting assembly may, for example, include at least a first resilient mount disposed on the base and having at least a first support and at least a first resilient element. The at least a first resilient element, which may, for example, be at least a first spring, is deflectable when the test probe engages a structure, such as a device under testing (DUT). Accordingly, the improved test probe assembly of the invention can be deflected an infinite number of positions, in order to resist damage caused, for example, by misalignment between the probe and the DUT.
US07675302B2 Probe card assembly and method of attaching probes to the probe card assembly
A probe card assembly is provided. The probe card assembly includes a substrate layer defining a plurality of apertures and a plurality of probes. Each of the probes has a base and a tip. The base of each probe is configured to be at least partially inserted within one of the plurality of apertures.
US07675300B2 Charged particle beam device probe operation
An apparatus including a positioner control device, a measuring device and a control routine. The positioner control device is communicatively coupled to a chamber of a charged particle beam device (CPBD) and is configured to individually manipulate each of a plurality of probes within the CPBD chamber to establish contact between ones of the plurality of probes and corresponding ones of a plurality of contact points of a sample positioned in the CPBD chamber. The measuring device is communicatively coupled to the CPBD and the positioner control device and is configured to perform one of a measurement and a detection of a characteristic associated with one of the plurality of contact points. The control routine is configured to at least partially automate control of at least one of the CPBD, the positioner control device and the measuring device.
US07675297B1 Methods for measuring bounding corrosion rates using coupled multielectrode sensors and eliminating the effects of bad electrodes
The bounding corrosion rate is measured with a coupled multielectrode array sensor by decoupling a select number of anodic electrodes on the sensor from the coupling joint. In doing so, all or most of the electrons produced on the anodic electrode that remains connected to the coupling joint are forced to flow to the coupling joint and are thus measured. Because of the large number of electrodes on a multielectrode array sensor, one of them may become contaminated by foreign materials during the measurements or polishing process. The effect of such an electrode on the performance of the sensor can be eliminated by automatically disconnecting it from the coupling joint.
US07675294B2 System and method for determining attenuation of electromagnetic waves impacting an electromagnetic shield
A method for determining attenuation of electromagnetic waves impacting an electromagnetic shield. A reference amplitude is provided. A signal exhibiting a first frequency is converted to a converted signal exhibiting a second frequency higher than the first frequency. Electromagnetic waves corresponding to the converted signal are transmitted from a first antenna toward a second antenna with the electromagnetic shield positioned between them. Attenuated remnants of the electromagnetic waves received by the second antenna are converted to a corresponding signal exhibiting a third frequency that is lower than the second frequency. The amplitude of the corresponding signal is compared to the reference amplitude.
US07675290B2 Electromagnetic surveying for hydrocarbon reservoirs
A method of electromagnetic surveying of an area of seafloor that is thought or known to contain a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir is described. The method includes broadcasting an EM signal from a horizontal electric dipole (HED) transmitter and obtaining vertical electric dipole (VED) response data at a remote receiver in response thereto. Survey data are analyzed by comparing the VED response data with background data which are not sensitive to the postulated hydrocarbon reservoir. Accordingly, differences between the VED response data and the background data allow for the identification of buried hydrocarbon reservoirs. The background data may be provided by magneto-telluric surveying, controlled source electromagnetic surveying or from direct geophysical measurement. By employing VED response data in this way, surveys may be performed in shallower water than has previously been possible since the VED detector is not sensitive to air-wave components of the EM field induced by the HED transmitter at the VED detector.
US07675288B2 Tunable magnetic field amplifying device
Provided is a tunable magnetic field amplifying device capable of easily adjusting resonance frequencies and tuning usable bands by using discrete elements to vary electric properties of elements that are used for amplifying a magnetic field of a specific microwave band. The tunable magnetic field amplifying device includes a Swiss roll formed by winding a metal sheet coated with a dielectric in a spiral cylinder shape once or several times; and a tunable capacitor connected between an inner sheet of and an outer sheet of the metal sheet for tuning a resonance frequency.
US07675287B2 Method for estimating formation skin damage from nuclear magnetic resonance measurements
A method for determining skin factor of a subsurface rock formation from within a wellbore drilled therethrough includes measuring a nuclear magnetic resonance property of the formation at a plurality of lateral depths therein. The measured nuclear magnetic resonance property is used to estimate the skin factor.
US07675282B2 Dual mode chip card voltage regulation circuit and method
A circuit arrangement for voltage regulation including a first transistor coupled between a first node and a third node, a second transistor coupled between a second node and the third node, a third transistor coupled between the third node and an output node, and a control unit that can be coupled to the first transistor, that can be coupled to the second transistor, and is coupled to the third transistor, wherein the control unit is configured to steer the transistors such that a predetermined output voltage is provided at the output node when a supply voltage is provided at one of the first node and the second node.
US07675278B2 Power distribution current limiting switch including a current limit blanking period providing a burst of current
A method for operating a current limit power switch for supplying power to a load include activating the power switch to start supplying power to the load; limiting the current drawn by the power switch to a first current limit for a first, fixed duration; after the first, fixed duration, limiting the current drawn by the power switch to a second current limit for a second duration where the second current limit is less than the first current limit; and after the second duration, limiting the current drawn by the power switch to a third current limit where the third current limit is less than the second current limit.
US07675272B2 Output impedance compensation for linear voltage regulators
In a method and system for regulating an output voltage, a linear voltage regulator (LVR) includes an adjustable shunt regulator (ASR) having a limited gain, a feedback circuit (FC), and a compensation resistor (CR). The limited gain causes the output voltage of the ASR to change in response to a change in an input current of the ASR. The FC generates a feedback voltage reference in proportion to the output voltage, the feedback voltage reference being provided to the ASR to control the output voltage. The CR is coupled to the ASR and the FC. The input current flows through the CR to provide a compensating voltage across the CR. The compensating voltage is provided to the feedback circuit to compensate the limited gain, thereby providing the output voltage that is substantially independent of the input current.
US07675268B2 Post-charge battery maintenance
A battery maintenance system including a battery, an electrical pulsation device configured to supply electrical pulsation energy to the battery during at least one pulsation period, a battery charger configured to transfer electrical energy to the battery during at least one charging period and a schedule configured for scheduling operation of the electrical pulsation device and the battery charger such that there is substantially no overlap between the pulsation period and the charging period.
US07675264B2 Charging and power-supply device
A charging and power-supply device includes a base, at least one power socket, a board located on the base, and a conductive wire. The power socket is located on the base. The board is rotatably pivoted with the base via a pivoting unit. The conductive wire is electrically connected with the power socket. When the board is rotated above the base, the board is on a slope. It is convenient to place the portable device on the board to charge the portable device. There is a receiving space formed between the board and the base for receiving the wire of the portable device. When the board is rotated below the base, the board is stacked and placed under the base to reduce the occupied space when the charging and power-supply device is shipped or packaged.
US07675261B2 Auxiliary battery attachment apparatus for use in a multiple battery system that reliably supplies electrical energy to an electrical system
An auxiliary battery attachment apparatus, which is attachable to a first housing containing a first battery, includes a second housing, a second battery disposed within the second housing, positive and negative couplings, a one-way charging circuit, and at least one switching device. The coupling(s) are respectively coupleable to positive and negative terminal(s) of the first housing. The second housing includes positive and negative terminals, which are electrically coupleable to an electrical system. The charging circuit is electrically connected between the positive coupling(s) and a positive output of the second battery, and facilitates charging of, but prevents current flow from, the second battery when the first battery is supplying electrical energy to the electrical system. The switching device(s) is operable in at least two states to electrically connect the positive terminal(s) of the second housing to a selective one of the positive coupling(s) and the positive output of the second battery.
US07675260B2 Motor driving apparatus
In a motor driving apparatus, a control unit detects a rotation frequency of a motor to be driven and generates a control voltage Vcnt in a manner such that the rotation frequency thereof is brought close to a desired rotation frequency. A clamping circuit sets an upper limit Vcu and a lower limit Vcl of the control voltage Vcnt. A drive unit drives the motor based on the control voltage Vcnt generated by the control unit. A start circuit fixes the control voltage Vcnt to a predetermined initial voltage Vinit at the start of driving the motor.
US07675257B2 Methods and systems for recording operating information of an electronically commutated motor
A unit for recording operating information of an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The unit includes a system controller communicatively coupled to an ECM. The system controller includes a processing device configured to control the unit. The unit also includes a memory device communicatively coupled to the system controller. The memory device is configured to receive and store ECM operating information provided by the processing device.
US07675256B2 Controller for DC brushless motor integrated with a high voltage control system
Taught herein is a controller for a direct current brushless motor connected to a high voltage control system, comprising a microprocessor and an input/output interface circuit connected between the high voltage control system and the microprocessor; wherein the input/output interface circuit is a step-down circuit for transforming a high voltage control signal into a low-voltage control signal. The controller enables the high voltage control system to cooperate with motor, therefore a user is not necessary to design a new high voltage control system when replacing the conventional AC motor with the DC brushless motor, which saves time, and reduces cost.
US07675253B2 Linear actuator using magnetostrictive power element
A linear actuator includes a substantially cylindrical magnetostrictive element disposed in a housing. A retainer is cooperatively engaged with the housing and an exterior of the magnetostrictive element such that relaxed portions of the magnetostrictive element are frictionally retained in the retainer. An actuator rod is functionally coupled to one longitudinal end of the magnetostrictive element. A biasing device is disposed between the housing and the retainer to maintain the retainer in lateral compression. The actuator includes magnets arranged to induce peristaltic motion in the magnetostrictive element.
US07675252B2 Methods of constructing a betatron vacuum chamber and injector
A betatron structure having a donut-shaped vacuum chamber, wherein the vacuum chamber is made up of two or more pieces bonded together; an injector positioned within the vacuum chamber; and two or more magnets positioned to the outside of the vacuum chamber. A method of manufacturing a betatron structure, including: (a) fabricating two or more pieces; (b) positioning an injector on one of the two or more pieces; and (c) bonding the two or more pieces such that when bonded, the substrates form a hollow donut-shaped chamber.
US07675250B2 Thermal protection for lamp ballasts
The output current of a ballast is dynamically limited when an over-temperature condition is detected in the ballast according to one of (i) a step function or (ii) a combination of step and continuous functions, so as to reduce the temperature of the ballast while continuing to operate it.
US07675248B2 Dual mode searchlight dimming controller systems and methods
A solid state microprocessor or digital signal processor (DSP) for dual mode illumination and dimming into modern aerospace searchlights. The system is a universal dimming platform with “smart functions” that include and are not limited to multiple light intensity linearization curves, analog and/or digital input dimming interface, built-in tests and health monitoring, synchronized dual mode light output with canopy position, light driver redundancy, lamp life reporting, and controlled switching with improved EMI. With real-time monitoring of the system parameters it monitors the lights proper operation and failures which can be a concern for flight-critical lighting.
US07675246B2 Driving circuit and related driving method for providing feedback control and open-circuit protection
A driving circuit includes at least one light-emitting device, a voltage regulator circuit, an analysis and decision circuit, and a selecting circuit. The voltage regulator circuit is coupled to the light-emitting device for providing a driving voltage to drive the light-emitting device. The analysis and decision circuit is coupled to the light-emitting device for determining whether the light-emitting device is open-circuited to generate a decision result. The selecting circuit is coupled between the analysis and decision circuit and the voltage regulator circuit for selecting a maximum forward bias voltage corresponding to the light-emitting device to generate a feedback signal according to the decision result and for transmitting the feedback signal to the voltage regulator circuit. The voltage regulator circuit adjusts the driving voltage according to the feedback signal.
US07675244B2 System and method for power supply for lamp with improved constant power mode control and improved boost current circuit
A power supply and method for operating a power supply for a short arc lamp are provided herein. The power supply and method can operate to provide to a number of advantageous operations. One aspect herein provides a power supply which utilizes a constant power mode type of operation. However, the constant power mode is modified to allow for some variation in power in order to provide for a more constant light output by the lamp. A second aspect herein provides for controlling the operation of a boost voltage applied to the lamp at start up. This control allows for adjusting the applied boost voltage to accommodate the changing characteristics of the lamp itself, and these adjustments can allow for extended life of the lamp.
US07675237B2 Dielectric barrier discharge lamp with integrated multifunction means
The subject of the present invention is a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD-) lamp (1) for generating and emitting an ultraviolet radiation with ignition aid comprising: a discharge gap (2) being at least partly formed and/or surrounded by at least an inner wall (5) and an outer wall (4), whereby at least one of the walls (4, 5) is a dielectric wall and at least one of the walls (4, 5) has an at least partly transparent part, a filling located inside the discharge gap (2), at least two electrical contacting means, a first mean for electrical contacting associated with the outer wall (4) and a second mean for electrical contacting associated with the inner wall (5), whereby at least one multifunctional means (3) is arranged adjacent to the discharge gap (2) functioning as guiding aid and as ignition aid.
US07675233B2 Organic light emitting display device and method of fabricating the same
An OLED display device and a method of fabricating the same. The OLED display device has at least one of a common power bus line or a cathode bus line formed at a peripheral portion of the OLED display device. By forming a lower line when a gate electrode of a thin film transistor is formed, and forming an upper line connected to the lower line through a contact hole when source and drain electrodes of the thin film transistor are formed, a dual structure of lower and upper lines is formed. As such, the OLED display device can reduce the width of interconnections without a high voltage drop to thereby increase an emission area of a light emitting portion of the OLED display device.
US07675229B2 Self-emission panel and method of fabricating the same
The objects of the present invention are to provide a self-emission panel capable of achieving low electrical resistance of upper electrodes by a simple configuration, and to provide a method of fabricating a self-emission panel capable of achieving low electrical resistance of upper electrodes by a simple process. A self-emission panel includes one or more self-emission elements, each of the self-emission elements has a first electrode (lower electrode) formed on a substrate directly or through other layers, a deposition layer (luminescent functional layer) including a luminescent layer formed on the first electrode (lower electrode), and a second electrode (upper electrode) formed on the deposition layer. A sealing member for sealing the self-emission elements has an opposing substrate with protrusions formed toward the substrate on the side facing the substrate. Conductive layers (wiring patterns) are formed on the protrusions as auxiliary wirings and electrically connected with the second electrodes (upper electrode.
US07675228B2 Electroluminescent iridium compounds with silylated, germanylated, and stannylated ligands, and devices made with such compounds
The present invention is directed to electroluminescent complexes of iridium(III) with silylated, germanylated and stannylated ligands. The invention is further directed to electronic devices in which the active layer includes an electroluminescent Ir(III) complex with silylated, germanylated and stannylated ligands.
US07675223B2 Clip
A clip for securing a sleeve to the body of a piezoelectric actuator in an actuator assembly. The clip takes the form of a band and has at least a first and a second stable state. The minimum separation of the walls of the band when the clip is in one of the stable states is less than the minimum separation of the walls of the band when the clip is in an unstable state. The clip is forced into an unstable state in order to be fitted over the sleeve of the actuator assembly. The force is then removed to allow the clip to revert towards a stable state. The dimensions of the clip are such that the clip is unable to fully revert to a stable state when fitted to the actuator assembly thereby maintaining sufficient additional strain energy to maintain a sufficient clamping force between the sleeve and the body of the actuator.
US07675222B2 Thin film piezoelectric actuator
A thin film piezoelectric actuator comprises a driving part at least one end of which is supported by an anchor portion. The driving part includes: a piezoelectric film, a first lower electrode provided under a first region of the piezoelectric film, a second lower electrode provided under a second region different from the first region of the piezoelectric film, a first upper electrode provided opposite to the first lower electrode on the piezoelectric film, a second upper electrode provided opposite to the second lower electrode on the piezoelectric film, a first connection part that electrically connects the first lower electrode and the second upper electrode via a first via hole formed in the piezoelectric film, and a second connection part that electrically connects the second lower electrode and the first upper electrode via a second via hole formed in the piezoelectric film.
US07675221B2 Ultrasonic transducer and manufacturing method thereof
Disclosed is an improved construction of an ultrasonic transducer, wherein a charge is not easily injected into an insulating film even when the bottom of a membrane comes in contact with a lower electrode, and a manufacturing method thereof without using the wafer laminating technique. The ultrasonic transducer includes a lower electrode; a cavity layer formed on the first electrode; an insulating film covering the cavity layer; and an upper electrode formed on the insulating film, wherein, the cavity layer includes projections formed into an insulating film protruded from the cavity layer. In addition, an opening is formed into the upper electrode, and this upper electrode having the opening formed therein is deposited at a position not being superposed with the projections of the insulating film when seen from the top.
US07675220B2 Method of driving piezoelectric devices
The driving method includes a first drive step of applying a specified drive voltage to a piezoelectric film to drive a piezoelectric device during a first drive period, a standby step of suspending a drive of the piezoelectric device to keep the piezoelectric device on standby during a drive standby period and a second drive step of applying the specified drive voltage to the piezoelectric film to drive the piezoelectric device during a second drive period that follows the first drive period. During the drive standby period between the first drive period and the second drive period, a reverse electric field with respect to a drive electric field formed in the piezoelectric film by the specified drive voltage routinely applied during a drive of the piezoelectric device is applied to the piezoelectric film for a specified period of time.
US07675219B2 Method for controlling an ultrasonic unit of an ultrasonic cleaning system
The invention relates to a method for controlling an ultrasonic unit f an ultrasonic cleaning system with at least one control unit, one generator unit and one hand-held unit containing the ultrasonic unit and one switching module provided for starting the ultrasonic unit, wherein mechanical oscillations can be generated via the ultrasonic unit and transmitted to an instrument that is mechanically connected to the ultrasonic unit. In a preferred embodiment, the resonant frequency required for operation of the ultrasonic unit in resonance is determined by a control routine executed in the control unit, and a control signal (ss) based on the determined resonant frequency is generated in the generator unit and is sent to the ultrasonic unit for operation of the ultrasonic unit in resonance.
US07675218B2 Drive apparatus of piezoelectric actuator, electronic apparatus, drive method of electronic apparatus, drive control program of electronic apparatus, and medium
An electronic device comprising a power source, a piezoelectric actuator A, and a drive control apparatus 100 for controlling the driving of the piezoelectric actuator, wherein the drive control apparatus 100 is provided with a drive circuit 111 for supplying a drive signal SDR to the piezoelectric element of the vibrating body 12, a phase difference detection means 120 for detecting the phase difference indicating the vibration state of the vibrating body 12, a comparison voltage setting circuit 133 for correcting the target phase difference to be the target for the vibration state, and a drive frequency setting means 140 for comparing the phase difference with the target phase difference; and the piezoelectric actuator A can be driven with high efficiency independent of the drive voltage by modifying the drive frequency of the drive signal SDR so that the phase difference approaches the target phase difference based on the results of the above comparison.
US07675212B2 Sealing device
A sealing device in which a magnetic encoder is protected so as to improve detecting precision and reliability, without increasing the number of parts and assembling time and without enlarging a setting space, the sealing device is structured such that a detected portion is arranged in the sealed fluid side of an annular member. A first annular member fitted to a shaft is formed with an axial direction portion and diametrical direction portions extending in the inward and outward diametrical directions from the axial direction portion. One of the diametrical direction portions supports the detected portion in the sealed fluid side. A seal lip is in slidable contact with the other diametrical direction portion for sealing, and the seal portion is formed with the seal lip and the micro space.
US07675209B2 Electric motor cooling jacket
A cooling jacket of an electric motor or generator includes a cylindrical inner sleeve, a cylindrical outer sleeve coaxially surrounding the inner sleeve and forming a circular space between the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve, and a passageway extending within the circular space between the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve. The passageway may be a continuous winding path that may extend axially back and forth along the circumference of said inner sleeve. An embodiment of the present invention provides a cooling jacket that is suitable for, but not limited to, applications in the aircraft and aerospace industries, for example in air-conditioning systems. The cooling jacket as in one embodiment of the present invention may be leak proof and water tight, has a compact design, and may be easily assembled and integrated into an electrically driven machine, such as an electrically driven compressor.
US07675204B2 Motor for controlling inverse rotation of rotor
Disclosed related to provide a motor reliable as capable of controlling the backward rotation of the rotor R for certain. The motor according to the present invention comprises a stator 2; a rotor R rotated by the interaction with between the stator 2 for generating the rotary force of the first rotation direction; a first interference element 32 equipped at the rotor R for rotating in one structure with the rotor R; a second interference element 34 equipped to be engaged with the first interference element 32 as rotated toward the first interference element 32 for controlling the second rotation direction different with the first rotating direction of the rotor R; and a second interference element 34 operating element deliver the rotary force of the rotor R to the second interference element 34 with the magnetism for the second interference element 34 to be rotated toward the first interference element 32 when the rotor R is rotated toward the second rotating direction.
US07675202B1 Isotropic ring magnet linear voice coil motor
A linear voice coil motor having a radially magnetized magnet structure. The voice coil motor includes an outer yoke an inner yoke magnetically coupled with and extending inside of the outer yoke. An air gap defined between the outer yoke and the inner yoke. A voice coil assembly is mounted so as to enable movement between the voice coil assembly and at least one of the yokes. In one embodiment the magnet structure is an isotropic magnet structure. In one embodiment the magnet structure is formed by a plurality of ring magnets. In one embodiment the magnet structure is formed by a plurality of isotropic ring magnets.
US07675201B2 Lithographic apparatus with planar motor driven support
A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system that conditions a radiation beam, a patterning support holding a patterning device that patterns the radiation beam, a substrate support to hold a substrate, a projection system to project the patterned radiation beam onto the substrate, an additional support, and a flexible line assembly to transfer at least one of a current, a signal or a fluid. A first part of the line assembly extends between a base and the additional support, and a second part extends between the additional support and the patterning support or the substrate support. A first motor assembly generates a force in at least one direction, and is coupled to the one of either the patterning support or the substrate support. A second motor assembly generates a force in the at least one direction, and is coupled to the additional support. The first motor assembly includes a planar motor.
US07675195B2 Load control system having a plurality of repeater devices
A load control system comprises a plurality of control devices, each coupled to one of a plurality of device communication links. The device communication links are each coupled to a one of a plurality of link power supplies, which provides power for the control devices on the device communication links. The link power supplies are coupled together via a repeater communication link and operate as repeater devices to retransmit digital messages received from the device communication link onto the repeater communication link, and vice versa. The retransmitted digital messages are substantially the same as the received digital messages. No control devices are coupled to the repeater communication link, such that no control devices draw current through the repeater communication link. A maximum of only two or three link power supplies are coupled between any two control devices of the load control system.
US07675191B2 Device for the feeding of auxiliary operating facilities for a fuel-electrically driven vehicle
A device for the feeding of auxiliary operating facilities for a fuel-electrically driven vehicle with a combustion engine is stated, which device comprises a generator driven by the combustion engine and a rectifier connected with a generator on the AC voltage side, wherein the rectifier on the DC voltage side is connected with a first and a second connection of a DC voltage circuit. Alternatively, first and second rectifiers connected with the generator on the AC voltage side can be provided, wherein the first rectifier is connected on the DC voltage side with a first and a second connection of a first DC voltage circuit and the second rectifier on the DC voltage side with a first and a second connection of a second DC voltage circuit. Saving of space required and increased robustness and resistance to faults are achieved in that a first and a second step-down converter each is connected with the first and second connection of the DC voltage circuit, and that the first step-down converter is connected with a first DC voltage rail system for the feeding of first auxiliary operating facilities and that the second step-down converter is connected with a second DC voltage rail system for the feeding of second auxiliary operating facilities. As an alternative to the second step-down converter a further rectifier connected with the generator on the AC voltage side can also be provided, wherein then the first step-down converter is still connected with the first DC voltage rail system for the feeding of first auxiliary operating facilities and the further rectifier is connected with the second DC voltage rail system for the feeding of second auxiliary operating facilities.
US07675186B2 IC package with a protective encapsulant and a stiffening encapsulant
An IC package mainly includes a substrate having slot(s), a chip, a protective encapsulant, a stiffening encapsulant, and a plurality of external terminals. The Young's modulus of the stiffening encapsulant is greater than the one of the protective encapsulant and the curing shrinkage of the stiffening encapsulant is smaller than the one of the protective encapsulant. The protective encapsulant is formed on one of the surfaces of the substrate for encapsulating the chip. The stiffening encapsulant protrudes from the other surface of the substrate where the external terminals are disposed. Moreover, the stiffening encapsulant is formed inside the slot and is contacted with the chip. Since the stiffening encapsulant is embedded and formed inside the slot, therefore, the contact area of the stiffening encapsulant with the substrate is increased to enhance the warpage resistance of the IC package.
US07675183B2 Semiconductor device including an insulating film and insulating pillars and manufacturing method of the semiconductor device
A semiconductor device, which is comprised of a copper wiring layer which is formed above a semiconductor substrate, a pad electrode layer which conducts electrically to the copper wiring layer and has an alloy, which contains copper and a metal whose oxidation tendency is higher than copper, formed to extend to the bottom surface, and an insulating protective film which has an opening extended to the pad electrode layer, is provided.
US07675179B2 Device and method to eliminate shorting induced by via to metal misalignment
The present invention provides an interconnect that can be employed in an integrated circuit. The interconnect includes a metal line located over a substrate, a dielectric layer located over the metal line, and an interconnect located in the dielectric layer, including a landed portion located over the metal line and an unlanded portion located along at least a portion of a lateral edge of the metal line. The unlanded portion is at least partially filled with a polymer, and the landed portion is substantially filled with a conductive material. A method for manufacturing the interconnect is also provided.
US07675177B1 Forming copper interconnects with Sn coatings
A copper interconnect with a Sn coating is formed in a damascene structure by forming a trench in a dielectric layer. The trench is formed by electroplating copper simultaneously with a metal dopant to form a doped copper layer. The top level of the doped copper layer is reduced to form a planarized surface level with the surface of the first dielectric layer. The doped copper is annealed to drive the metal dopants to form a metal dopant capping coating at the planarized top surface of the doped copper layer.
US07675175B2 Semiconductor device having isolated pockets of insulation in conductive seal ring
A semiconductor device with a damascene wiring structure which can prevent short-circuits between a seal ring and a wiring line or electrode pad. An upper layer barrier layer made from a conductive barrier material film is formed on an interlayer insulating film groove sidewall of the semiconductor device. Embedded in the groove is an upper layer seal ring wiring line with thickness of approximately 10 micrometers for instance, in which a plurality of isolated pockets of insulators are disbursed. These isolated pockets of insulators are formed using the interlayer insulating film which forms the damascene wiring line. Additionally, a first upper layer groove wiring line and a second upper layer groove wiring line are formed in an element forming region, and an upper layer barrier layer is formed on the outside perimeter. The upper layer seal ring wiring line and both upper layer wiring lines all have damascene wiring structures.
US07675173B2 Manufacturing semiconductor circuit, corresponding semiconductor circuit, and associated design process
A process of manufacturing a semiconductor circuit includes providing a substrate layer, forming a metal layer above the substrate layer, incorporating circuit components in the substrate layer, and electrically connecting the circuit components to the metal layer. The process includes configuring the circuit components to perform an electrical function of the semiconductor circuit. The semiconductor circuit has a specific electrical conductivity between the substrate layer and the metal layer based on the electrical function performed. The process includes increasing the electrical conductivity between the substrate layer and the metal layer compared with the specific electrical conductivity.
US07675170B2 Removable wafer expander for die bonding equipment
A removable wafer expander for die bonding equipment for a singularized wafer supported by a flexible sticky substrate, the removable wafer expander provided with a first ring member to be coupled with a second ring member for remote expansion of the flexible sticky substrate therebetween before the mounting of the wafer expander onto the die bonding equipment.
US07675165B2 Mount for a programmable electronic processing device
A processing device embodied in an integrated circuit may be divided into first and second functional units. A mount for the integrated circuit may be assigned to the first functional unit, which may define the external electrical connections of the processing device. Processing may take place in a second functional unit of the processing device, whose essential connections may normally be accessible from the outside via the external connections of the first functional unit. The processor device having first and second functional units in a mount may be similar to a hybrid circuit but may serve a different purpose. The first functional unit, which may also comprise more than one monolithic integrated circuit, may define the external connections and may make available suitable matching circuits for the second functional unit. In this manner, the processing device, which may be contained in the second functional unit and may also comprise more than one monolithic integrated circuit, may be considered to be “masked” as viewed from the outside. In addition to the matching circuits, the first functional unit may contain subcircuits performing more general functions, such as oscillators, supply voltage regulator circuits, buffer circuits, protective circuits, etc.
US07675163B2 Carbon nanotubes for active direct and indirect cooling of electronics device
A system for cooling a semiconductor device is disclosed. The system includes a lid encasing the semiconductor device, a first plurality of carbon nanotubes disposed within the lid, and a fluid system configured to pass a fluid through the lid. Furthermore, a second system for cooling a semiconductor device is disclosed. The second system includes a lid, a first plurality of carbon nanotubes disposed within the lid, and a fluid system configured to pass a fluid through the lid. The lid is configured to be mounted over and encase the semiconductor device. Additionally, a method for cooling a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes disposing a first plurality of carbon nanotubes within a lid, mounting the lid over the semiconductor device, and passing a fluid through the lid.
US07675162B2 Interconnect structure using through wafer vias and method of fabrication
A device and a method are described which hermetically seals at least one microstructure within a cavity. Electrical access to the at least one microstructure is provided by through wafer vias formed through a via substrate which supports the at least one microstructure on its front side. The via substrate and a lid wafer may form a hermetic cavity which encloses the at least one microstructure. The through wafer vias are connected to bond pads located outside the cavity by an interconnect structure formed on the back side of the via substrate. Because they are outside the cavity, the bond pads may be placed inside the perimeter of the bond line forming the cavity, thereby greatly reducing the area occupied by the device. The through wafer vias also shorten the circuit length between the microstructure and the interconnect, thus improving heat transfer and signal loss in the device.
US07675150B2 Electric circuit device and related manufacturing method
An electric circuit device and related manufacturing method are disclosed as having a case incorporating therein a substrate on which electric circuit elements are mounted. A sealant is filled in the case to cover the electric circuit elements and the substrate and is composed of a lower layer gel and an upper layer gel formed in a two-layer structure. The upper layer gel has a penetration equal to or less than 90 and the lower layer gel has a penetration greater than that of the upper layer gel to allow the upper layer gel to suppress vibration of a surface of the lower gel for thereby suppressing the deformation of the lower layer gel even in the presence of a tendency causing the electric circuit elements or the substrate to vibrate, preventing a degraded function in insulation, waterproof and vibrational relaxation of the lower layer gel.
US07675148B2 Power module having stacked flip-chip and method of fabricating the power module
Provided are a power module having a stacked flip-chip and a method of fabricating the power module. The power module includes a lead frame; a control device part including a control device chip; a power device part including a power device chip and being electrically connected to the lead frame; and an interconnecting substrate of which the control and power device parts are respectively disposed at upper and lower portions, and each of the control and power device chips may be attached to one of the lead frame and the interconnecting substrate using a flip-chip bonding method. The method includes forming bumps on power and control device chips on a wafer level; separately sawing the power and control device chips into individual chips; adhering the power device chip onto a thermal substrate and the control device chip onto an interconnecting substrate; combining a lead frame, the thermal substrate, and the interconnecting substrate with one another in a multi-jig; and sealing the power and control device chips, and the control and power device chips may be attached to one of the lead frame and the interconnecting substrate using a flip-chip bonding method.
US07675145B2 Apparatus, system and method for use in mounting electronic elements
The present embodiments provide surface mount devices and/or systems. In some embodiments, the surface mount devices comprise a casing with a recess in a second surface; a first lead element partially encased by the casing comprising a coupling portion extending interior to the casing generally in a first direction and a chipset portion extending from the first coupling portion at a first acute angle and through an area exposed by the recess; a second lead element partially encased by the casing comprising a second coupling portion extending interior to the casing in a second direction substantially parallel to the first direction and a head portion extending from the second coupling portion at a second acute angle and partially terminating interior to the area exposed by the recess; and the chipset portion comprises a first indentation and a second indentation both extending into the area exposed through the recess.
US07675144B2 Method of making wireless semiconductor device, and leadframe used therefor
A method of making a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes the following steps. First, a semiconductor chip is mounted on a lower conductor, with first solder material applied between the chip and the lower conductor. Then, an upper conductor is placed on the chip, with second solder material applied between the chip and the upper conductor. Then, the first and the second solder materials are heated up beyond their respective melting points. Finally, the first and the second solder materials are allowed to cool down, so that the first solder material solidifies earlier than the second solder material.
US07675143B2 Semiconductor element, semiconductor device and mounting board
A semiconductor element capable of reducing noises of a circuit propagating to another circuit through a seal ring is provided. A semiconductor element includes, on a surface of a semiconductor substrate: a plurality of circuits; a ring-shaped seal ring surrounding the plurality of circuits; and wiring connecting between the seal ring and an external low-impedance node.
US07675142B2 Electromechanical non-volatile memory devices
Electromechanical non-volatile memory devices are provided including a semiconductor substrate having an upper surface including insulation characteristics. A first electrode pattern is provided on the semiconductor substrate. The first electrode pattern exposes portions of a surface of the semiconductor substrate therethrough. A conformal bit line is provided on the first electrode pattern and the exposed surface of semiconductor substrate. The bit line is spaced apart from a sidewall of the first electrode pattern and includes a conductive material having an elasticity generated by a voltage difference. An insulating layer pattern is provided on an upper surface of the bit line located on the semiconductor substrate. A second electrode pattern is spaced apart from the bit line and provided on the insulating layer pattern. The second electrode pattern faces the first electrode pattern.
US07675140B2 Semiconductor circuit device and display data line driver
An N-type diffusion layer fixed at a potential equal to or above 0V is provided in a segregating region between terminals, and a P-type diffusion layer having a potential equal to that of the N-type diffusion layer on an N-type well constitute a drain of a transistor.
US07675138B2 On-chip capacitor structure
A first capacitor is formed on a substrate and connected to a first differential node of a differential circuit, and a second capacitor is formed on the substrate and connected to a second differential node of the differential circuit. A third capacitor is connected between the first differential node and the second differential node, and is formed at least partially above the first capacitor. In this way, a size of the first capacitor and/or the second capacitor may be reduced on the substrate.
US07675135B2 Integrated high voltage power device having an edge termination of enhanced effectiveness
Instabilities and related drawbacks that arise when interruptions of a perimetral high voltage ring extension implanted regions (RHV) of a main junction (P_tub 1, (P_tub2, . . . ) of an integrated device must be realized may be effectively prevented. This important result is achieved by an extremely simple expedient: whenever an interruption (I) of the high voltage ring extension must be created, it is not realized straight across it along a common orthogonal direction to the perimetral implanted region, on the contrary, the narrow interruption is defined obliquely or slantingly across the width of the perimetral high voltage ring extension. In case of a straight interruption, the angle of slant (α) may be generally comprises between 30 and 60 degrees and more preferably is 45 degrees or close to it. Naturally, the narrow interruption is created by masking it from dopant implantation when realizing the perimetral high voltage ring extension region.
US07675132B2 Surface mounting optoelectronic component and method for producing same
A method for producing a surface mounting optoelectronic component comprises the following steps: readying a base body with the optoelectronic transmitter and/or receiver arranged in a recess of the base body, filling the recess of the base body with a transparent, curable casting compound, and placing the optical device onto the base body, whereby the optical device comes into contact with the casting compound.
US07675128B2 Method for forming a gate insulating layer of a semiconductor device
Embodiments relate to a method for forming a gate insulating layer, which may include forming a device isolation layer being divided into a device active region and a device isolation region, growing a first oxide layer at an entire surface of the semiconductor substrate as a gate insulating layer, performing a first annealing process to form a diffusion barrier layer an interface between the first oxide layer and the device active region, etching and removing a first oxide layer and a diffusion barrier layer of the core power source wiring region by masking the input/output power source wiring region, growing a second oxide layer on the core power source wiring region, and performing a second annealing process to form an NO gate oxide layer on which an N-rich oxide layer at an interface of the core power source wiring region.
US07675123B2 Printable non-volatile passive memory element and method of making thereof
Passive memory devices comprising a support having at least one conductive surface or surface layer and having on at least one side of the support a passive memory element, the passive memory element comprising a first electrode system, an insulating system and a second electrode system, wherein the first electrode system is insulated from the second electrode system, wherein the first electrode system is a conductive surface, or a conductive layer of a support, the second electrode system is a plurality of isolated conductive areas and/or a plurality of conducting pins isolated from one another; and conductive bridges are present between at least one of the isolated conductive area, or at least one of the conducting pins, and the first electrode system; wherein with the exception of the first electrode system being a conductive surface of a support, the systems and the conductive bridges are printable using conventional printing processes.
US07675121B2 SOI substrate contact with extended silicide area
A low resistance contact structure and method of making the structure. The structure includes a polysilicon contact through an upper silicon layer and buried oxide layer to a lower silicon layer of a silicon-on-insulation substrate. A region of the upper silicon layer surrounds the polysilicon contact and top surface of the polysilicon contact and surrounding region of upper silicon layer are metal silicided providing an extended contact area greater than the area of the top surface of polysilicon contact.
US07675119B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device includes an N-channel transistor having an N-type gate electrode and a P-channel transistor having a P-type gate electrode which are formed on a semiconductor substrate. The P-type gate electrode includes a first silicon layer formed as the lowest layer, and doped with a P-type impurity; a second silicon layer formed on the first silicon layer; and a metal containing layer formed on the second silicon layer. The N-type gate electrode includes a third silicon layer formed as the lowest layer and doped with an N-type impurity; a fourth silicon layer formed on the third silicon layer; and a metal containing layer formed on the fourth silicon layer. At least one of the second silicon layer and the fourth silicon layer is doped with no impurity or an impurity of a conductive type opposite to that of the impurity in a corresponding one of the first silicon layer and third silicon layer.
US07675115B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a Si substrate, an insulating film formed on onepart of the Si substrate, a bulk Si region grown on other part of the Si substrate other than the insulating film, Si1-xGex (0
US07675112B2 Semiconductor device with a surrounded channel transistor
The semiconductor device includes a device isolation structure, a surrounded channel structure, and a gate electrode. The device isolation structure is formed in a semiconductor substrate to define an active region. The surrounded channel structure connecting source/drain regions is separated from the semiconductor substrate under the active region by a given distance. The gate electrode surrounds the surrounded channel structure.
US07675110B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
After an element isolation region is formed using a field-forming silicon nitride film, the silicon nitride film and a semiconductor substrate are patterned. Thereafter, the silicon nitride film and the semiconductor substrate are patterned, thereby forming a gate trench reaching the semiconductor substrate in an active region. Next, after a gate electrode is formed within a gate trench, the silicon nitride film is removed, thereby forming a contact hole. A contact plug is buried into this contact hole. Accordingly, a diffusion layer contact pattern becomes unnecessary, and the active region can be reduced. Because a gate electrode is buried in the gate trench, a gate length is increased, and a sub-threshold current can be reduced.
US07675106B2 Non-volatile reprogrammable memory
A non-volatile memory point including a floating gate placed above a semiconductor substrate, the floating gate comprising active portions insulated from the substrate by thin insulating layers, and inactive portions insulated from the substrate by thick insulating layers that do not conduct electrons, the active portions being principally P-type doped, and the inactive portions comprising at least one N-type doped area forming a portion of a PN junction.
US07675103B2 Spin transistor using ferromagnet
A spin transistor comprises a semiconductor substrate part having a lower cladding layer, a channel layer and an upper cladding layer sequentially stacked therein, a ferromagnetic source and drain on the substrate part, and a gate on the substrate part to control spins of electrons passing through the channel layer. The lower cladding layer comprises a first lower cladding layer and a second lower cladding layer having a higher band gap than that of the first lower cladding layer. The upper cladding layer comprises a first upper cladding layer and a second upper cladding layer having a higher band gap than that of the first upper cladding layer. The source and the drain are buried in an upper surface of the substrate part and extend downwardly to or under the first upper cladding layer.
US07675101B2 Image sensor and manufacturing method thereof
Provided is an image sensor. The image sensor can include a first substrate comprising a pixel portion in which a readout circuitry is provided and a peripheral portion in which a peripheral circuitry is provided. An interlayer dielectric including lines can be formed on the first substrate to connect with the readout circuitry and the peripheral circuitry. A crystalline semiconductor layer can be provided on a portion of the interlayer dielectric corresponding to the pixel portion through a bonding process. The crystalline semiconductor layer can include a first photodiode and second photodiode. The first and second photodiodes can be defined by device isolation trenches in the crystalline semiconductor layer. A device isolation layer can be formed on the crystalline semiconductor layer comprising the device isolation trenches. An upper electrode layer passes through the device isolation layer to connect with a portion of the first photodiode. An expose portion can be formed in the upper electrode layer to selectively expose an upper region of the first photodiode. A passivation layer can be formed on the first substrate on which the expose portion is provided.
US07675100B2 CMOS image sensor and method for fabricating the same
CMOS image sensor and method for fabricating the same, the CMOS image sensor including a second conductive type semiconductor substrate having an active region and a device isolation region defined therein, wherein the active region has a photodiode region and a transistor region defined therein, a device isolating film in the semiconductor substrate of the device isolation region, a first conductive type impurity region in the semiconductor substrate of the photodiode region, the first conductive type impurity region being spaced a distance from the device isolation film, and a second conductive type first impurity region in the semiconductor substrate between the first conductive type impurity region and the device isolation film, thereby reducing generation of a darkcurrent at an interface between the photodiode region and a field region.
US07675093B2 Antiblooming imaging apparatus, system, and methods
Apparatus, systems and methods are described to assist in reducing dark current in an active pixel sensor. A potential barrier arrangement is configured to block the flow of charge carriers generated outside a photosensitive region. In various embodiments, a potential well-potential barrier arrangement is formed to direct charge carriers away from the photosensitive region during an integration time.
US07675091B2 Semiconductor wafer and method of fabricating the same
Disclosed is a semiconductor wafer and method of fabricating the same. The semiconductor wafer is comprised of a semiconductor layer formed on an insulation layer on a base substrate. The semiconductor layer includes a surface region organized in a first crystallographic orientation, and another surface region organized in a second crystallographic orientation. The performance of a semiconductor device with unit elements that use charges, which are activated in high mobility to the crystallographic orientation, as carriers is enhanced. The semiconductor wafer is completed by forming the semiconductor layer with the second crystallographic orientation on the plane of the first crystallographic orientation, growing an epitaxial layer, forming the insulation layer on the epitaxial layer, and then bonding the insulation layer to the base substrate.
US07675090B2 Semiconductor device having a contact on a buffer layer thereof and method of forming the same
A semiconductor device and method of forming the same. The semiconductor device includes an epitaxially grown and conductive buffer layer having a contact covering a substantial portion of a bottom surface thereof and a lateral channel above the buffer layer. The semiconductor device also includes another contact above the lateral channel and an interconnect that connects the lateral channel to the buffer layer, operable to provide a low resistance coupling between the contact and the lateral channel.
US07675079B1 Diamond coating of silicon-carbide LEDs
In silicon-carbide based light emitting diodes (LEDs) and other similar applications, diamond crystals are used to provide an intermediate refractive index that permits more of the ultraviolet light generated in the diode to reach the phosphors, producing a brighter light with greater efficiency.
US07675077B2 Light-emitting diode and method for manufacturing the same
A light-emitting diode (LED) and a method for manufacturing the same are described. The light-emitting diode comprises: a conductive substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a metal bonding layer deposed on the first surface of the conductive substrate; a reflective metal layer deposed on the metal bonding layer; an N-type semiconductor layer deposed on the reflective metal layer; an active layer deposed on the N-type semiconductor layer; a P-type semiconductor layer deposed on the active layer; a window layer deposed on the P-type semiconductor layer, wherein a thickness of the window layer is substantially at least 50 μm, and the window layer is composed of a transparent conductive material; and a P-type electrode deposed on the window layer.
US07675071B2 Light emitting transistor
Provided is a light emitting transistor comprising a first conductivity-type collector layer formed on a substrate; a second conductivity-type base layer formed on the collector layer; and a first conductivity-type emitter layer formed on the base layer. At least one of the collector layer, the base layer, and the emitter layer has a nanorod structure with a plurality of nanorods.
US07675068B2 Methods of treating a silicon carbide substrate for improved epitaxial deposition and resulting structures and devices
A silicon carbide structure is disclosed that is suitable for use as a substrate in the manufacture of electronic devices such as light emitting diodes. The structure includes a silicon carbide wafer having a first and second surface and having a predetermined conductivity type and an initial carrier concentration; a region of implanted dopant atoms extending from the first surface into the silicon carbide wafer to a predetermined depth, with the region having a higher carrier concentration than the initial carrier concentration in the remainder of the wafer; and an epitaxial layer on the first surface of the silicon carbide wafer.
US07675067B2 Thin film transistor substrate and manufacturing method thereof
Embodiments of the invention provide a thin film transistor substrate, comprising: an insulating substrate; a gate wire formed on the insulating substrate; a first gate insulating layer made of an inorganic material, formed on the gate wire and having a first insulating layer contact hole for exposing at least a part of the gate wire; a second gate insulating layer made of an organic material, formed on the first gate insulating film and having a second insulating layer contact hole corresponding to the first insulating layer contact hole; a source electrode and a drain electrode formed on the second gate insulating layer and being aparted from each other to be defining a channel area; and an organic semiconductor layer formed on the channel area.Accordingly, the present invention provides an organic TFT substrate in which a characteristic of a TFT is improved.
US07675066B1 Erase-on-demand memory cell
An erase-on-demand memory cell 10(1) includes a memory layer 110 and a heating layer 130 that can heat memory layer 110 to at least an erase-effective temperature, to erase its data contents. Memory chips 270(1) and electronic systems 200 include cells 10(1). Electronic systems 200(1) include logic circuitry 210 to issue a signal to initiate heating. Electronic systems 200(2) include memory chips 270(2) with one or more erase-on-demand memory cells 10(2) that include a memory layer 110. One or more reservoirs 262 store chemicals. One or more valves 252 retain the chemicals, and respond to a signal to open, reacting the chemicals and/or exposing memory layers 110 to the chemicals. A method of erasing data contents of memory cells includes determining existence of an erase demand scenario, generating a signal in response to the erase demand scenario, and actuating erasure of the memory cells upon issue of the signal.
US07675061B2 Display device and driving method thereof
A display device includes a first pixel and a second pixel. The first pixel and the second pixel are defined by a first gate bus line, a second gate bus line, a first power supply line and a second power supply line. A data bus line between the first supply line and the second supply line divides the first pixel from the second pixel line. Accordingly, the pixel shares a data bus line or a power supply line with adjacent pixel. Advantageously, thereby, more space between lines prevents defects caused during fabricating the display device and improve a reliability of the display device.
US07675057B2 Photoactive component with organic layers
The invention relates to a photoactive component, especially a solar cell, comprising organic layers and formed by at least one stacked pi, ni, and/or pin diode. The diodes are characterized in that they comprise at least one p-doped or n-doped transport layer having a larger optical band gap than that of the photoactive layer. The individual diodes are characterized by a high internal quantum yield, but can be optically thin (peak absorption <80%). A high external quantum yield is obtained by either enlarging the optical path of the incident light in the diodes using light traps, or by stacking a plurality of the diodes. The transition between two diodes being facilitated by transition layers for the purposes of improved recombination and generation. Both forms of embodiment have a number of specific advantages using the doped transport layers with a large band gap.
US07675053B2 Memory device comprising a memory layer and a metal chalcogenide ion-source layer
A memory element in which data recording and data readout can be performed stably without difficulties and which can be manufactured with a comparatively simplified method is provided.The memory element 10 includes a memory layer 4 and an ion source layer 3 positioned between the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 6, in which the ion source layer 3 contains any of elements selected from Cu, Ag, Zn and any of elements selected from Te, S, Se, and the ion source layer further contains boron (or rare-earth elements and silicon).
US07675051B2 Sheet detector mechanism including sheet detector further including photoreceptors, and image forming apparatus including the same
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming mechanism, a sheet conveyance mechanism, and a sheet detector. The image forming mechanism forms an image and transfers it onto the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveyance mechanism. The sheet detector is arranged upstream from an image transfer region and configured to detect the sheet. The sheet detector includes a light source, a plurality of photoreceptors, and a controller. The plurality of photoreceptors is arranged in line in a main-scanning direction and includes a first photoreceptor group and a second photoreceptor group. The first photoreceptor group changes output voltages when overridden by the side edge of the sheet. The second photoreceptor group includes an opposite end of the plurality of photoreceptors being out of the side edge of the sheet. The controller is configured to adjust a light emission amount in accordance with characteristics of the sheet.
US07675047B2 Technique for shaping a ribbon-shaped ion beam
A technique for shaping a ribbon-shaped ion beam is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as an apparatus for shaping a ribbon-shaped ion beam. The apparatus may comprise an electrostatic lens having a substantially rectangular aperture for a ribbon-shaped ion beam to pass through, wherein a plurality of focusing elements are positioned along short edges of the aperture, and wherein each focusing element is separately biased and oriented to shape the ribbon-shaped ion beam.
US07675044B2 Method and device for 3D reconstruction of the distribution of fluorescent elements
A device and method for processing fluorescence signals emitted after excitation by radiation coming from a radiation source, by at least one fluorophore with a lifetime τ in a surrounding medium, which signals are detected by detection means, and which method includes the calculation, on the basis of detected fluorescence signals, of values of a variable, independent of τ, of the position or the distribution of fluorophore in said medium.
US07675041B2 Method and apparatus for gamma ray detection
A high sensitivity, three-dimensional gamma ray detection and imaging system is provided. The system uses the Compton double scatter technique with recoil electron tracking. The system preferably includes two detector subassemblies a silicon microstrip hodoscope and a calorimeter. In this system the incoming photon Compton scatters in the hodoscope. The scattered gamma ray could be absorbed by the calorimeter, or the calorimeter could act as a second scatter layer. The recoil electron in the hodoscope is tracked through several detector planes until it stops. The x and y position signals from the first two planes of the electron track could be used to determine the direction of the recoil electron while the energy loss from all planes could be used to determine the energy of the recoil electron.
US07675040B2 Radiation detector device
A radiation detector device can include a photosensor and a scintillation device coupled to the photosensor. The scintillation device can include a scintillator crystal enclosed within a casing. The scintillator crystal can be optically coupled to a window at an end of the casing. The scintillation device can include a dielectric gas inside at least part of the casing. The dielectric gas can be adapted to reduce or prevent static discharge within the scintillation device.
US07675031B2 Auxiliary drag field electrodes
Auxiliary electrodes for creating drag fields may be provided as arrays of finger electrodes on thin substrates such as printed circuit board material for insertion between main RF electrodes of a multipole. A progressive range of voltages can be applied along lengths of the auxiliary electrodes by implementing a voltage divider that utilizes static resisters interconnecting individual finger electrodes of the arrays. Dynamic voltage variations may be applied to individual finger electrodes or to groups of the finger electrodes.
US07675030B2 Logging system and method for in-situ fluids sensing through optical fiber with attenuation compensation
A method for optically sampling characteristics of subsurface fluids within a wellhole using continuous, non-pulsed light transmitted downhole in optical fibers for both sampling and reference light channels for accurate attenuation compensation.
US07675027B2 Motion-detecting module
A motion-detecting module includes a PCB, a light-emitting unit, and a light-sensing unit. The light-emitting unit is electrically disposed over the PCB. The light-sensing unit has a light-sensing die electrically disposed on the PCB and a package cover covered on the light-sensing die, and the package cover has a through hole corresponding to the light-sensing die and a transparent element disposed in the through hole. The present invention does not need extra package protection body of the prior art for protecting the light-sensing die during the transport of the light-sensing module. The present invention use original package cover to prevent the light-sensing die from being damaged by external force, and the original package cover shelters the light-sensing die from extra stray light.
US07675025B2 Sensing absolute position of an encoded object
In one aspect of the present invention, a device for sensing an absolute position of an encoded object, comprising: a position tracking module comprising: a track illumination module configured to illuminate the encoded object with one more light beams, and to detect one or more light beams resulting from said illumination of said encoded object; and an absolute position determinator configured to determine the absolute position of the encoded object based on said one or more light beams resulting from said illumination of said encoded object.
US07675021B2 Two dimensional contact image sensor with frontlighting
A two-dimensional image sensor is disclosed. The image sensor includes an array of photodetectors directed towards a first side. Emitters directed towards the first side are also provided, with the emitters emitting infrared light when illuminated by ultraviolet light. An ultraviolet light source is provided for illuminating the emitters, and a filter prevents ultraviolet light from illuminating the photodetectors.
US07675011B2 Missile guidance system
A missile guidance system and method for guiding a missile, mainly horizontally flying, to pass a target at a desired passage height.
US07675005B2 Ceramic igniter
New ceramic resistive igniter elements are provided that comprise a first conductive zone, a resistive hot zone, and a second conductive zone, all in electrical sequence. In preferred igniters, at least a substantial portion of the first conductive zone does not contact a ceramic insulator. Preferred igniters of the invention have a rounded cross-sectional shape for at least a portion of the igniter length.
US07675004B2 Heating element and production method thereof
A heating element includes a base substrate, a pair of electrodes, a resistor capable of generating heat, a conductive resin, a terminal member, a hot melt adhesion metal, a hot melt cohesion metal, and a lead wire. The pair of electrodes is provided on the base substrate, and the resistor is formed between the pair of electrodes. The conductive resin is provided on each of the electrodes, and the terminal member is provided on the conductive resin. The adhesion metal is provided on the terminal member, and the cohesion metal forms a molten phase along with the adhesion metal. An end of the lead wire is welded to the cohesion metal. The conductive resin is provided in the vicinity of the adhesion metal so as to be affected by heat of the adhesion metal.
US07675003B2 Laser irradiation device, patterning method and method of fabricating organic light emitting display (OLED) using the patterning method
In a laser irradiation device, a patterning method and a method of fabricating an Organic Light Emitting Display (OLED) using the same. The laser irradiation device includes a light source, a mask, a projection lens, and a Fresnel lens formed at a predetermined portion of the mask to change an optical path. When an organic layer pattern is formed using the laser irradiation device, laser radiation is irradiated onto a region of an organic layer, which is to be cut, and the laser radiation is appropriately irradiated onto a region of the organic layer, which is to be separated from a donor substrate. The laser radiation irradiated onto an edge of the organic layer pattern has a laser energy density greater than that of the laser radiation irradiated onto other portions of the organic layer pattern. As a result, it is possible to form a uniform organic layer pattern and reduce damage of the organic layer.
US07675001B2 Method and a device for depositing a wipe-proof and rub-proof marking onto transparent glass
A device for depositing a wipe-proof and rub-proof marking or code marking, in particular a two-dimensional matrix or line coding onto glass receptacles such as glass ampoules, glass bottles, vials and likewise, comprises a transport means having a drive, with one or more accommodating devices for objects to be inscribed, a laser system arranged at a distance to the transport means with a laser source for producing a laser light beam of a wavelength <380 nm, said laser light beam in operation being directed onto the transport path and defining an impingement point in the region of at least one accommodating means moved along the transport path, means in order to deflect the laser light beam in a first and in a second direction continuously or in certain incremental intervals, and at least one control unit comprising a memory unit and a microprocessor which is in connection with the laser system and the deflection means, for controlling at least the deflection system and the laser system. The device further comprises a transport means designed for the transport of glass receptacles to be marked, along a transport path, a means for detecting or determining at least the position of at least one accommodating means or a glass receptacle accommodated therein at least one position along the transport path, said means being in connection with the control unit, and a program stored in the memory unit, which triggers the laser in dependence on the position of the glass receptacle to be inscribed, as well as at least one marking pattern, according to which the deflection means for writing the 2D marking is moved in a first and in a second direction. A read means is provided or arranged at a defined read position along the transport path after the laser system in the transport direction for detecting the marking previously written by the laser system, said read means being in connection with the control unit. In the control unit there is further present a program or a program procedure which compares the stored marking pattern to the marking detected by the read means and provides a control signal in dependence on the result of the comparison, at the output of the control unit.
US07675000B2 System method and apparatus for dry-in, dry-out, low defect laser dicing using proximity technology
A substrate processing system includes a first, movable surface tension gradient device, a dicing device and a system controller. The first, movable surface tension gradient device is capable of supporting a first process within a first meniscus. The first meniscus being supported between the first surface tension gradient device and a first surface of the substrate. The first movable surface tension gradient device capable of being moved relative to the first surface of the substrate. The dicing device is oriented to a desired dicing location. The desired dicing location being encompassed by the meniscus. The system controller is coupled to the dicing device and the surface tension gradient device. The system controller includes a process recipe. A method for dicing a substrate is also described.
US07674996B2 Gassing insulator, and arc chute assembly and electrical switching apparatus employing the same
A gassing insulator for the arc chute assembly of a circuit breaker includes a number of insulating members. The arc chute assembly includes first and second opposing sidewalls, and arc plates having first and second ends and first and second legs. Each insulating member includes a first side coupled to one of the first and second opposing sidewalls of the arc chute assembly, a second side disposed generally opposite the first side, a first end disposed at or about the first ends of the arc plates, and a second end disposed distal from the first end of the insulating member and extending toward the second ends of the arc plates. The first side of the insulating member overlays at least one of the first and second legs of the arc plates, in order to electrically insulate them. An arc chute assembly and an electrical switching apparatus are also disclosed.
US07674994B1 Method and apparatus for sorting metal
A system for sorting metals from a batch of mixed material scrap includes an array of inductive proximity detectors, a processing computer and a sorting mechanism. The inductive proximity detectors identify the location of the metal pieces and the processing computer instructs the sorting mechanism to place the metal and non-metallic pieces into separate containers.
US07674988B2 Shielded circuit board and method for shielding a circuit board
A shielded circuit board includes a first metal layer with a first surface area, and first and second portions. A second metal layer includes first and second surface areas. At least one signal transmission line is arranged in a first dielectric material, the first dielectric material separating the first portion of the first metal layer and a first portion of the second metal layer. The first surface area of the first metal layer is arranged on the first portion facing the first surface area of the second metal layer and is arranged on the second portion facing the second surface area of the second metal layer. A method relates to shielding a circuit board.
US07674985B2 Printed wiring board assembly, method of mounting components on printed wiring board and electronic apparatus
According to one embodiment, there is provided a printed wiring board assembly composed of a printed wiring board having a first component mounting portion provided on one surface of the printed wiring board, a second component mounting portion provided on the other surface of the printed wiring board having the second component mounting portion overlapped partially with the first component mounting portion, a large-scaled ball grid array component mounted on the first component mounting portion, a circuit component mounted on the second component mounting portion, and a supplementary component which is provided on the second component mounting portion of the printed wiring board having a first portion functioning as a heat-sink to remove heat generated from the circuit component and a second portion functioning as a reinforcement portion to reinforce the first component mounting portion.
US07674982B2 Electric cable and insulator self-locking system, and method of installation thereof
The insulator, includes a lower bell shaped portion, an intermediate annular waist portion and an upper saddle portion for receiving and supporting an electric transmission overhead cable. An axial blind bore opens at its lower end for receiving an upstanding support pin. The saddle portion includes a transversely-curved groove, substantially normal to the axial bore, and jutting parts on each side of the cable receiving groove and laterally protruding from the waist portion. Each jutting part has an external face which is provide with a partly annular groove, generally coaxial with the bore and of greater radius than that of the waist portion. These annular grooves are adapted to positively retain the inturned flanges of a cable retaining clasp despite an upward force or a laterally upwardly directed force exerted by the cable on the clasp. The waist portion can still be used for attaching the electric wire by a tie-wire. The clasp includes male/female joints at each of its two downwardly curved arms that automatically interlock with each other when a sufficient biasing force is applied thereon by a pneumatic tool deforming the clasp arms, drawing the registering flanges of the latter toward one another to lock the insulator to the overhead electric cable.
US07674980B2 Tapered transition ramp for cable protector
An exemplary cable protection system is disclosed comprising a first cable protector structured to receive one or more cables, a first side ramp adjacent a side of the first cable protector, and a tapered structure adjacent an end of the first side ramp. The tapered structure may be tapered in both a first direction and a second direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The tapered structure may also comprise a substantially planar top surface and may be removably attached to, or integrally formed with, the first side ramp. The cable protection system may also comprise a second cable protector connected in series with the first cable protector and a second side ramp adjacent a side of the second cable protector. The tapered structure may be configured to overlap at least a portion of the second side ramp, which may have a steeper slope than the first side ramp.
US07674978B2 Wire harness, lighting device, backlight device, and liquid crystal display device
A wire harness includes a conductive member configured to connect electric members to each other for electric conduction; a covering member configured to enclose and cover the conductive member, the covering member being formed of a first insulating material; and a retaining member configured to enclose the covering member so as to define a space between the covering member and the retaining member, the retaining member being formed of a second insulating material.
US07674977B1 Wall outlet plate assembly
An insulated wall outlet plate assembly. The assembly provides the dual functions of both preventing drafts through the outlet and for preventing against unwanted or accidental access to the outlet. The wall outlet plate assembly includes a wall plate for covering an electrical outlet, a flap assembly secured to the plate having moveable flaps which may be secured in place to close the openings in the outlet plate and a layer of insulation material secured to the backside of the outlet plate for providing insulation against drafts through the outlet. The flaps include an underlying ridge which secures the flaps in place relative to the openings of the outlet plate.
US07674968B2 Musical instrument with electronic proof system, electric system and computer program
An automatic player musical instrument is a combination of an acoustic piano and an electric system, which serves as an automatic playing system and an electronic proof system, and a controller of the electric system has an information processing capability; when a user instructs the electric system to check performance on the keyboard, a subroutine program for electronic proof starts to run; while the user is fingering a music tune, the controller monitors the keys with key sensors to see whether or not the user correctly plays the music tune; when the user mistakenly depresses a key instead of another key, the controller gives rise to vibrations of the mistakenly de-pressed key so as to give a notice of incorrect fingering to the user.
US07674966B1 System and method for realtime scoring of games and other applications
The invention provides a software framework that allows real-time computer-generated music to be used in interactive applications, particularly video games, by “modularizing” music-producing and music-modifying computer procedures into musically logical and programmatically convenient structures, as well as providing a communication mechanism between the application and the music-generating system which will allow the music to reflect the appropriate mood given the current application state.
US07674962B2 Harp with exposed soundboard and separate bridges and method of altering the pitch of the harp strings
A harp is disclosed. The harp that allows for more simplified pitch change. The harp allows for the creation of a pitch bend effect, similar to the sound of the twang of a guitar. The harp also allows for rising half tones in the strings, wherein the pitch of a string is raised by exactly one semitone. Because of the various ways to change the pitch, each string in the harp is capable of playing up to three different notes.
US07674956B2 Chitinase encoding DNA molecules from cotton expressed preferentially in secondary walled cells during secondary wall deposition and a corresponding promoter
The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding endogenous cotton chitinases and corresponding promoters, which are preferentially expressed in secondary walled cells during secondary wall deposition. The polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid molecule, a DNA construct linking the isolated nucleic acid molecule with a promoter, the DNA construct incorporated in an expression system, a host cell, a plant, or a plant seed are also disclosed. The present invention also relates to a DNA construct linking the isolated promoters with a second DNA as well as expression systems, host cells, plants, or plant seeds containing the DNA construct. Methods of imparting resistance to insects and fungi, regulating the fiber cellulose content, and methods of expressing a gene preferentially in secondary walled cells during secondary wall deposition are also disclosed.
US07674949B2 Absorbent article comprising a liquid transfer layer
absorbent article comprising a liquid transfer layer (5) positioned between a liquid pervious bodyside liner (6) and an absorbent core (2). The liner (6) comprises a plurality of perforations (7). The liner and the transfer layer are bonded together in a plurality of bonding sites (11) covering an area of between 0.5% and 11% of the area of the liner (6) that is circumscribed by the bonding sites and wherein each bonding site has an area of no more than 13 mm2. The combined perforated liner (6) and transfer layer (5) provides a quick inlet of liquid and a low rewet against the wearer. The liner (6) has a three-dimensional structure of alternating raised and depressed regions and the perforations (7) are present in the bottoms of the depressions (8) of said liner as seen from the body facing side of the liner.
US07674944B2 Ni catalysts and methods for alkane dehydrogenation
Catalysts and methods for alkane oxydehydrogenation are disclosed. The catalysts of the invention generally comprise (i) nickel or a nickel-containing compound and (ii) at least one or more of titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), niobium (Nb), hafnium (Hf), tungsten (W), yttrium (Y), zinc (Zn), zirconium (Zr), or aluminum (Al), or a compound containing one or more of such element(s). In preferred embodiments, the catalyst is a supported catalyst, the alkane is selected from the group consisting of ethane, propane, isobutane, n-butane and ethyl chloride, molecular oxygen is co-fed with the alkane to a reaction zone maintained at a temperature ranging from about 250° C. to about 350° C., and the ethane is oxidatively dehydrogenated to form the corresponding alkene with an alkane conversion of at least about 10% and an alkene selectivity of at least about 70%.
US07674938B2 Amino alcohol derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, and use thereof
The present invention provides compounds represented by general formula (I): or pharmaceutical acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1 and R2 are each hydrogen or lower alkyl; R3, R4, R5 and R6 are each hydrogen, halogen, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy; R7 and R8 are each hydrogen, halogen, lower alkyl, halo-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cyano, a hydroxyl group, lower acyl, carboxy or the like; R9 is —C(O)—R10, -A1-C(O)—R10, —O-A2-C(O)—R10 or a tetrazol-5-yl group, which exhibit potent and selective β3-adrenoceptor stimulating activities. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing said compound, and uses thereof.
US07674931B1 Method for producing 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol di-2-ethylhexanoate
A method for maximizing the yield of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol di-2-ethylhexanoate (TMPD di-2-ethylhexanoate) from the reaction of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol (TMPD Glycol) and 2-ethylhexanoic acid through the intermediate compound 2,2,4-Trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol-2-ethylhexanoate (TMPD mono-2-ethylhexanoate) is disclosed. The method involves maintaining a water level in the reactor of at least 0.10 weight %, and preferable above 0.20 weight %, thereby reducing formation of 2,2,4-trimethylpent-3-enyl-2-ethylhexanoate, an undesirable by-product.
US07674924B2 Compositions, probes, and conjugates and uses thereof
The present invention relates to compositions useful as probes and in other applications and methods of their use. In some embodiments, nucleotides are prepared and functionalized with dyes. In some embodiments a first molecule is functionalized with an alkynyl group, a second molecule is functionalized with an azide group, and said first and second molecules are mixed under conditions to form a conjugate with a 1,2,3-triazol group. In further embodiments, a nucleotide is functionalized with an alkynyl group, a dye is functionalized with an azide group, and mixing the nucleotide and the dye forms a conjugate capable of emitting light.
US07674922B2 Process for production of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol
The present invention relates to a process for preparation of a delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol compound or derivative thereof involving treating a first intermediate compound with an organoaluminum-based Lewis acid catalyst, under conditions effective to produce the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol compound or derivative thereof. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a process for preparation of a cannabidiol or cannabidiolate compound involving reacting a first starting compound with a second starting compound in the presence of a metal triflate catalyst, under conditions effective to form the cannabidiol or cannabidiolate compound. The present invention also relates to a compound of the formula: where R8, R9, and R10 are the same or different and independently selected from the group consisting of H, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, or halo, with R1, R2, and R3 defined herein.
US07674914B2 Anthracene derivative, and light emitting element, light emitting device, electronic device using anthracene derivative
A novel anthracene derivative represented by General Formula (1) is provided, which enables the production of a light-emitting element with high luminous efficiency and a long lifetime. A high-performance light-emitting device and electronic device in which the anthracene derivative is employed are also disclosed. The anthracene derivative of the present invention is represented by General Formula (1), in which the unit A represents any one of substituents represented by General Formulae (1-1) to (1-3). The variables shown in Formulae (1) and (1-1) to (1-3) are defined in the specification.
US07674913B2 Heterocyclic boronic acid compounds
Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV)-inhibiting compounds are provided that have formula I: wherein n is 1 to 3; X is CH2; S; O; CF2 or C(CH3)2; Z is H; halogen; hydroxyl; (C1-6)alkoxy; (C1-12)alkyl; (C3-12)cycloalkyl; phenyl; or heteroaryl; where the phenyl and heteroaryl groups are optionally mono- or independently plurisubstituted with R7; optionally, X together with an adjacent ring carbon and Z form a fused cyclopropyl; and optionally, one of the bonds in the ring containing X is a double bond; and CriRii, R1, R1, R3, R4 and R5 are as described herein. Methods for preparing these compounds, and methods for treating diabetes, especially Type II diabetes, and other related diseases are described using the compounds of formula I in pharmaceutical compositions which contain these compounds. Pharmaceutical compositions which contain combinations of these compounds with other antidiabetic agents are also described herein.
US07674909B2 Tetrahydroquinoline derivatives and their use as FSH receptor modulators
The present invention relates to tetrahydroquinoline derivatives having general formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1 and R2 are H, Me; R3 is (2-6C)heterocycloalkyl(1-4C)alkyl, (2-5C)heteroaryl(1-4C)alkyl, (6C)aryl (1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)(di)alkylaminocarbonylamino(2-4C)alkyl, (2-6C) heterocycloalkylcarbonylamino(2-4C)alkyl, R5-(2-4C)alkyl or R5-carbonyl(1-4C)alkyl; R4 is (2-5C)heteroaryl, (6C)aryl, (3-8C)cycloalkyl, (2-6C)heterocycloalkyl or (1-6C) alkyl and R5 is (di)(1-4C)alkylamino, (1-4C)alkoxy, amino, hydroxy, (6C)arylamino, (di)(3-4C)alkenylamino, (2-5C)heteroaryl(1-4C)alkylamino, (6C)aryl(1-4C) alkylamino, (di)[(1-4C)alkoxy(2-4C)alkyl]amino, (di)[(1-4C)alkylamino(2-4C) alkyl]amino, (di)[amino(2-4C)alkyl]amino or (di)[hydroxy(2-4C)alkyl]amino. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said derivatives and the use of these derivatives to regulate fertility.
US07674907B2 Furanopyridine derivatives and methods of use
The present invention relates to furanopyridine compounds having the general Formula I: and stereoisomers, tautomers, solvates, pharmaceutically acceptable salts and derivatives, and prodrugs thereof. The invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of Formula I, methods of modulating Lck and ACK-1 enzymes and of treating various related diseases and conditions, including inflammation, inhibition of T cell activation, proliferation, arthritis, organ transplant, ischemic or reperfusion injury, myocardial infarction, stroke, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, lupus, hypersensitivity, type 1 diabetes, psoriasis, dermatitis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Sjogren's syndrome, autoimmune hyperthyroidism, Addison's disease, autoimmune diseases, glomerulonephritis, allergic diseases, asthma, hayfever, eczema, cancer, colon carcinoma, thymoma, just to name a few, in a mammal, comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount a compound of Formula I, as described above, and methods of manufacturing medicaments comprising the compound of Formula I.
US07674906B2 Tetracyclic immunomodulatory compounds
The present invention relates to novel heterocyclic compounds, to methods for their preparation, to compositions containing them, and to methods and use for clinical treatment of medical conditions which may benefit from immunomodulation, including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, asthma, transplantation, systemic lupus erythematosis and psoriasis. More particularly, the present invention relates to novel heterocyclic compounds, which are CD80 antagonists capable of inhibiting the interactions between CD80 and CD28.
US07674905B2 Fluoroquinolonoquinolones and inkjet ink compositions comprising the same
The present invention relates to modified yellow pigments comprising yellow pigments having attached at least one organic group. The yellow pigment is a fluoroquinolonoquinolone pigment. Also disclosed are inkjet ink compositions comprising these modified yellow pigments and inkjet ink sets comprising these inkjet ink compositions. Other applications are also disclosed.
US07674900B2 Chiral tertiary aminoalkylnaphthols
The present invention provides bipyrimidinyl diphosphine compounds of the formula wherein R is optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; R′ and R″ are independently optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; or an enantiomer thereof; or an enantiomeric mixture thereof. The compounds of the formula (I) are chiral atropisomeric bipyrimidinyl diphosphine compounds and, thus, may be employed as ligands to generate chiral transition metal catalysts which may be applied in a variety of asymmetric reactions, e.g., in palladium catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution reactions. The compounds of the present invention are easily accessible in high enantiomeric purity according to the methods disclosed herein.
US07674899B2 Dimeric azacyclic compounds and their use
This invention relates to novel azacyclic derivatives and their use as pharmaceuticals. Due to their pharmacological profile the compounds of the invention may be useful for the treatment of diseases or disorders as diverse as those related to the cholinergic system of the central nervous system (CNS), the peripheral nervous system (PNS), diseases or disorders related to smooth muscle contraction, endocrine diseases or disorders, diseases or disorders related to neuro-degeneration, diseases or disorders related to inflammation, pain, and withdrawal symptoms caused by the termination of abuse of chemical substances.
US07674898B2 Anhydrous crystal of β-lactam compound and method for preparation thereof
The present invention provides anhydrous crystals of β-lactam compound represented by the formula: The β-lactam compound of the invention is produced by heating an aqueous solution of a salt of the β-lactam compound and adjusting the pH of the aqueous solution to 3 or lower. The β-lactam compound has excellent storage stability.
US07674897B2 Production of crystalline short chain amylose
A process for producing a starch comprises treating a feed starch that comprises amylopectin with glucanotransferase to produce a chain-extended starch, and treating the chain-extended starch with a debranching enzyme to produce a starch product that comprises amylose fragments. At least about 38% by weight of the amylose fragments have a degree of polymerization (DP) of at least about 35.
US07674896B2 siRNA targeting BCL2L1
Efficient sequence specific gene silencing is possible through the use of siRNA technology. By selecting particular siRNAs by rationale design, one can maximize the generation of an effective gene silencing reagent, as well as methods for silencing genes.
US07674894B2 Actin regulatory elements for use in plants
The present invention provides polynucleotide molecules isolated from Oryza sativa and Zea mays and useful for expressing transgenes in plants. The present invention also provides expression constructs containing the polynucleotide molecules useful for expressing transgenes in plants. The present invention also provides transgenic plants and seeds containing the polynucleotide molecules useful for expressing transgenes in plants.
US07674893B2 Promoters for regulation of gene expression in plant roots
The present invention is directed to promoters isolated from maize and functional equivalents thereto. The promoters of the present invention have particular utility in driving root-specific expression of heterologous genes that impart increased agronomic, horticultural and/or pesticidal characteristics to a given promoters of the invention and transformed plant tissues containing DNA molecules comprising a promoter of the invention operably linked to a heterologous gene or genes, and seeds thereof.
US07674892B2 Hsp70 from Arthrobacter
The hsp70 gene from an Arthrobacter species has been isolated and sequenced. The encoded protein is believed to be highly immunogenic, especially in fish, and also has utility as a non-specific adjuvant, and as an adjuvanting carrier for heterologous antigens.
US07674891B2 Nucleic acid molecules encoding GPR84
The present invention is an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding CD36, Gqi9, and G protein-coupled receptor 84 (GPR84) proteins as well as vectors and recombinant host cells which co-express CD36, Gqi9, and GPR84 proteins for use in identifying modulators of GPR84 activity.
US07674890B2 Stem cell factor-like proteins and uses thereof
The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising gastrointestinal proliferative factor SCFA2, SCFA4 or SCFA4v polynucleotides and polypeptides. The invention further relates to the therapeutic use of SCFA2, SCFA4 or SCFA4v to prevent or treat conditions or disorders associated with the degeneration of the epithelial mucosa.
US07674888B2 Viral material and nucleotide fragments associated with multiple sclerosis, for diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic purposes
The invention provides viral material and nucleotide fragments associated with multiple sclerosis and/or rheumatoid arthritis for use in method of diagnosis, prophylaxis, and therapy.
US07674887B2 Thrombopoietin mimetics
Invented are non-peptide TPO mimetics. Also invented are novel processes and intermediates used in the preparation of the presently invented compounds. Also invented is a method of treating thrombocytopenia, in a mammal, including a human, in need thereof which comprises administering to such mammal an effective amount of a selected hydroxy-1-azobenzene derivative.
US07674884B2 Neutralizing antibodies and methods of use thereof
This invention provides monoclonal antibodies that recognize the Toll-like Receptor 4/MD-2 receptor complex, and monoclonal antibodies that recognize the TLR4/MD2 complex as well as TLR4 when not complexed with MD-2. The invention further provides methods of using the humanized monoclonal antibodies as therapeutics. This invention also provides soluble chimeric proteins, methods of expressing and purifying soluble chimeric proteins, and methods of using soluble chimeric proteins as therapeutics, in screening assays and in the production of antibodies.
US07674875B2 Phosphorus-containing compounds with polymeric chains, and methods of making and using the same
The present invention relates to novel phosphorus-containing compounds with polymeric chains, and methods of making and using the same. In part, subject compositions containing phosphorus-containing compounds with polymeric chains and a therapeutic agent, and methods of making and using the same, are described. Certain of the subject compositions exhibit reverse thermal gelation.
US07674868B2 Copolymers containing nanoparticles
The invention provides copolymers of ethylenically unsaturated monomers and of ethylenically functionalized nanoparticles in the form of their aqueous polymer dispersions or water-redispersible polymer powders, obtainable by means of free-radically initiated polymerization in an aqueous medium and, if desired, subsequent drying of the resultant polymer dispersion, ofA) one or more monomers from the group consisting of vinyl esters, (meth)acrylic esters, vinylaromatics, olef ins, 1,3-dienes, vinyl ethers and vinyl halides and, if desired, further monomers copolymerizable therewith, in the presence ofB) at least one particle P having an average diameter of ≦1000 nm, which is functionalized with ethylenically unsaturated, free-radically polymerizable groups, characterized in thatB2) particles P used are one or more from the group of metal oxides and semimetal oxides, and/orB2) particles P used are silicone resins composed of repeating units of the general formula [R4(p+Z)SiO(4−p−Z)/2] (II), where for at least 20 mol % of the respective silicone resin p+z=0, 1 or 3,and where B1) and B2) are each functionalized with one or more α-organosilanes of the general formula (R1O)3−(R2)nSi—(CR32)—X (I), where X is a radical having 2 to 20 hydrocarbon atoms and containing an ethylenically unsaturated group.
US07674864B2 Polymeric hybrid precursors, polymeric hybrid precursor composite matrices, medical devices, and methods
Polymeric hybrid precursors, mixtures of polymeric hybrid precursors and polymers, and polymer composite matrices prepared from the mixture of the polymeric hybrid precursors and the polymer. The mixture of the polymeric hybrid precursors and the polymer can undergo a process to form the polymer composite matrix having a cross-linked network of a silasesquioxane based polymer formed from the polymeric hybrid precursors that interpenetrates the polymer. The polymeric hybrid precursors include chemical linkage moieties that are capable of forming non-covalent bonds with portions of the polymer. The polymer composite matrices are useful as biomaterials in medical devices.
US07674859B2 Adhesive composition and adhesive sheet
An adhesive sheet which can actualize a high package reliability wherein there is no separation at the adhesive interface and no package cracking, in a package in which a semiconductor chip being reduced in thickness is mounted under severe reflow conditions after exposure to a hot and humid environment. The adhesive sheet includes a base material and, formed thereon, an adhesive layer having an adhesive composition including an acrylic copolymer (A) containing 20 to 95% by weight of a structural unit derived from a benzyl (meth)acrylate, an epoxy thermosetting resin (B), and a thermosetting agent (C).
US07674858B2 Fluorine-containing graft or block polymer
The present invention provides a graft or a block polymer in which a fluorine rubber and a silicone rubber are chemically bonded. The present invention is a graft or a block polymer comprising at least one kind of a silicone rubber segment and at least one kind of a fluorine elastomer segment. Furthermore, it is preferable that a fluorine containing elastomer segment is an elastomer segment comprising vinylidene fluoride or an elastomer segment comprising tetrafluoroethylene and that a silicone rubber segment has a unit of dimethylsiloxane and/or methyl-3,3,3-trifluoropropylsiloxane.
US07674853B2 Process for making a PIPA-polyol
Process for preparing a polyol comprising particulate material in dispersed form by reacting an MDI-based polyisocyanate and a polyol having an equivalent weight of up to 400 in a relative amount such that the number of NCO-groups is 70-100% of the number of OH-groups in said polyol having an equivalent weight of up to 400, the reaction being carried out in a polyol having an equivalent weight of 500 or more. The polyols are claimed as well.
US07674848B2 Natural oil gels and their applications
The invention is an article of manufacture, comprising a blend of: (A) from 1 to 50 weight percent of at least one block copolymer, wherein the block copolymer has at least one polystyrene block and at least one unsaturated rubber segment; and (B) from 99 to 50 weight percent of a natural oil. The natural oil of this invention is of natural animal, plant or vegetable oils or mixtures thereof, and the block copolymers have a polystyrene block and a rubber block where the rubber blocks are unsaturated rubbers such as polyisoprene, polybutadiene, or mixtures thereof. The block copolymers useful for the present invention are triblock polymers, radial (star) polymers, multiblock polymers, diblock polymers, or mixtures thereof.
US07674845B2 Laser writable composition
Laser writable composition comprising a polymeric laser light absorber dispersed in a matrix polymer, the absorber comprising carbonizing particles that comprise a core and a shell, the core comprising a carbonizing polymer having a first functional group, and the shell, comprising a compatibilizing polymer having a second functional group that can react with the first functional group of the carbonizing polymer, further comprising a reflector.
US07674844B2 Labelled beads
A labeled polymeric bead wherein individual beads comprise a primary particle formed of a synthetic polymeric material, and at least one secondary particle entrapped within the primary particle of the bead and being comprised of a synthetic polymer material incorporating reporter moieties.
US07674842B2 Phase change inks containing curable isocyanate-derived compounds and phase change inducing components
Disclosed is a phase change ink comprising a colorant, an initiator, and a phase change ink carrier, said carrier comprising (A) a compound which is the reaction product of a mixture comprising (1) an isocyanate; and (2) a component comprising (a) an alcohol having at least one ethylenic unsaturation; (b) an amine having at least one ethylenic unsaturation; (c) an acid having at least one ethylenic unsaturation; or (d) mixtures thereof, (B) a phase change inducing component, said phase change inducing component containing at least one hydroxyl group, said phase change inducing component having a melting point of about 40° C. or higher, and (C) an optional curable viscosity modifying ester, said ink being curable upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
US07674841B2 Additive for printing ink, solvent dispersion for printing ink, and printing ink
An additive for a printing ink comprising a wax of either an ethylene homopolymer or ethylene.C3-20 α-olefin copolymer each has an intrinsic viscosity, weight-average molecular weight/number-average molecular weight ratio, z-average molecular weight/weight-average molecular weight ratio, density, penetration hardness, and acid value in specific ranges; a solvent dispersion obtained by dispersing the wax; and a printing ink containing the wax.
US07674840B2 Isocyanate-free expandable mixtures exhibiting a fast hardening rate
Isocyanate-free foamable mixtures suitable for filling construction voids and for other uses, comprise isocyanate-free, alkoxysilane-terminated prepolymers (A) which have a silane end group of the formula [1], where X and Y are each an oxygen atom, an N—R3 group or a sulfur atom, R1 is an alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl or aryl radical having 1-10 carbon atoms, R2 is an alkyl radical having 1-2 carbon atoms or an ω-oxyalkylalkyl radical having a total of 2-10 carbon atoms, R3 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl radical having 1-10 carbon atoms or a —CH2—SiR1z(OR2)3-z group, and z is 0 or 1, with the proviso that at least one of the two groups X and Y is an NH function, and (B) blowing agents.
US07674838B2 Curable foam elastomeric compositions
A two-part curable foaming composition comprising: (A) A first part comprising: (i) an alkoxysilyl capped prepolymer; and (ii) a polyhydrogen siloxane; (iii) optionally a catalyst which accelerates both foaming and cross-linking through said alkoxysilyl groups; and (B) A second part comprising: (i) a nitrogen-containing compound having an active hydrogen; (ii) water; and (iii) optionally a catalyst which accelerates both foaming and cross-linking through said alkoxysilyl groups; provided that at least one of the parts contain a catalyst and wherein after mixing together the first and second parts a cured elastomeric foam is formed.
US07674837B2 Gelled biopolymer based foam
Gelled biopolymer based foams are disclosed. The gelled foams comprise a cross-linked biopolymer, preferably alginate; optionally, a foaming agent such as hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose; and a plasticizer, preferably glycerin sorbitol, or a mixture thereof, that forms the predominant portion of the gelled foam. The foams are soft and pliable and have high absorbency. They are used as wound dressing materials, controlled release delivery systems, cell culture, barrier media for preventing tissue adherence, and bioabsorbable implants. They also have various personal care applications, especially in oral hygiene, and can be used in food applications.
US07674835B2 Method of making macroporous anion exchange resins
Methods of making macroporous anion exchange resins are described. The macroporous anion exchange resins are in the form of particles such as beads that contain a hydrophilic, crosslinked, (meth)acrylic-type polymeric material. Additionally, methods of purifying a negatively charged material using the macroporous anion exchange resins, methods of making chromatographic columns that contain the macroporous anion exchange resins, methods of making filter elements that contain the macroporous anion exchange resins, and methods of making porous composite materials that contain the macroporous anion exchange resins are described.
US07674833B2 Composition prepared from silica sol and mineral acid
The present invention relates to a method of preparing a composition comprising mixing a silica sol having an S-value from about 5 to about 50% and a mineral acid. The invention also relates to a composition obtainable by the method and a composition comprising a network of silica particles and mineral acid, wherein the silica particles have a particle size of from about 2 to about 7 nm. The invention also relates to the use of the composition as a gelled electrolyte.