最新美国发明专利第2011-02-01期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

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US07881542B2	Coding apparatus, decoding apparatus, coding method and decoding method A coding apparatus that can have a plurality of macro blocks processed concurrently. The apparatus includes a plurality of macro block processing sections for coding moving picture data concurrently on a macro block by macro block basis, and a state management section for managing the state of processing of each macro block in a single picture. The state management section being adapted to manage each macro block in a single picture in terms of being in a process completed state.
US07881539B2	Image processing apparatus and method, program recording medium, and program An image processing apparatus includes the following elements. A broad-range feature extraction unit extracts broad-range features from pixels located in a predetermined area in relation to a subject pixel of a first image. A broad-range degree-of-artificiality calculator calculates, in a multidimensional space represented by the broad-range features, the broad-range degree of artificiality from the positional relationship of the broad-range features to a statistical distribution range of an artificial image of the first image. A narrow-range feature extraction unit extracts narrow-range features from pixels located in the predetermined area in relation to the subject pixel of the first image. A narrow-range degree-of-artificiality calculator calculates, in a multidimensional space represented by the narrow-range features, the narrow-range degree of artificiality from the positional relationship of the narrow-range features to a statistical distribution range of the artificial image. A degree-of-artificiality calculator calculates the degree of artificiality of the subject pixel.
US07881538B2	Efficient detection of constant regions of an image A technique that improves image analysis efficiency by reducing the number of computations needed to detect constant regions. Constant region detection according to the present techniques includes determining whether an image analysis window at a current position contains a constant region by analyzing a new line of pixels in the image analysis window if a pixel at a predetermined location in the image analysis window in the current position has a value equal to a pixel at the predetermined location from a previous position of the image analysis window. Analyzing only the new line of pixels saves the computational time that would otherwise go into analyzing all of the pixels in the image analysis window.
US07881535B1	System and method for managing statistical models A plurality of users may access a processing unit operable for the development of a model, and model development instructions from the users may be received at the processing unit. The model may be developed in a plurality of steps using the model development instructions. Signoff instructions corresponding to the steps for developing the model may be received at the processing unit, each of the signoff instructions being received after each corresponding step is performed, with each of the plurality of signoff instructions indicating approval or denial. The respective step may be approved by the processing unit if the corresponding signoff instruction indicates approval, and rejected by the processing unit if the corresponding signoff instruction indicates denial. The processing unit is operable as a central location accessible by the users for developing, and signing off on the development of, the model according to the development instructions and the signoff instructions.
US07881531B2	Error propogation and variable-bandwidth mean shift for feature space analysis The present invention comprises using error propagation for building feature spaces with variable uncertainty and using variable-bandwidth mean shift for the analysis of such spaces, to provide peak detection and space partitioning. The invention applies these techniques to construct and analyze Hough spaces for line and geometrical shape detection, as well as to detect objects that are represented by peaks in the Hough space. This invention can be further used for background modeling by taking into account the uncertainty of the transformed image color and uncertainty of the motion flow. Furthermore, the invention can be used to segment video data in invariant spaces, by propagating the uncertainty from the original space and using the variable-bandwidth mean shift to detect peaks. The invention can be used in a variety of applications such as medical, surveillance, monitoring, automotive, augmented reality, and inspection.
US07881525B2	Reference data optimization learning method and pattern recognition system The present invention is directed to a pattern recognition system in which new reference data to be added is efficiently learned. In the pattern recognition system, there is performed the calculation of distances equivalent to similarities between input data of a pattern search target and a plurality of reference data, and based on input data of a fixed number of times corresponding to the reference data set as a recognized winner, a gravity center thereof is calculated to optimize the reference data. Furthermore, a threshold value is changed to enlarge/reduce recognition areas, whereby erroneous recognition is prevented and a recognition rate is improved.
US07881523B2	Mobile communication terminal and method for displaying an image A mobile communication terminal including a memory unit configured to store images and control information indicating whether the images are to be displayed as two-dimensional images or three-dimensional images, a display unit configured to display the images, a barrier panel configured to generate a difference between a focus of first image incident on a user's right eye and a focus of a second image incident on the user's left eye, and a control unit configured to selectively activated or deactivated the barrier panel in accordance with the control information.
US07881520B2	Defect inspection system The present invention relates to a defect inspection system which can perform inspection condition setting easily in a relatively short period of time, can examine the inspection condition setting even when there is no sample, and further can provide an inspection condition and a defect signal intensity to a person, who sets the inspection condition, to assist the inspection condition setting. In the defect inspection system, a defective image, which is an inspection image, and a reference image corresponding thereto and a mismatched portion of the defective image and the reference image are digitalized as a defect signal intensity and accumulated in association with the inspection condition, and the inspection conditions are changed to repeat evaluations while repeating accumulating works until the evaluation of all the inspection conditions in a set range is completed. After all the evaluations are completed, if there are a plurality of defects to be inspected, the work is repeated by times corresponding to the number of kinds of the defects and a recipe file including the accumulated conditions having the high defect signal intensity and an inspection condition item distribution as a inspection condition recipe is automatically outputted and is provided to the person who sets the inspection condition. And, appearance inspection for detecting a pattern defect or a foreign material defect on a substrate is performed.
US07881518B2	Methods for altering one or more parameters of a measurement system Methods for altering one or more parameters of a measurement system are provided. One method includes analyzing a sample using the system to generate values from classification channels of the system for a population of particles in the sample. The method also includes identifying a region in a classification space in which the values for the populations are located. In addition, the method includes determining an optimized classification region for the population using one or more properties of the region. The optimized classification region contains a predetermined percentage of the values for the population. The optimized classification region is used for classification of particles in additional samples.
US07881515B2	Cephalogram image analysis method An automated cephalogram image analysis method is disclosed. In this method, a step is first performed for building a reference database in which a set of tracing feature curve models respectively representing a set of reference cephalometric patterns are established based on a set of tracing records. Then, a step of pattern comparison and analysis is performed. In this step, at least one cephalogram is first input, and then a step is performed for comparing the image of the cephalogram with the tracing feature curve models, thereby selecting at least one cephalometric pattern and at least one feature curve model belonging to the cephalometric pattern from the reference cephalometric patterns and the tracing feature curve models. Thereafter, the feature curve model is fitted to the image of the cephalogram so as to obtain at least one tracing of the at least one cephalogram.
US07881514B2	System for image reconstruction A method for imaging, including counting quanta of energy emitted into a range of angles from particles of an energy emitter distributed over a volume in a body, thereby generating a set of counts. The method further includes defining a probability distribution expression that specifies a local concentration of the particles of the energy emitter over the volume as a function of the set of counts, the function being defined in terms of respective coefficients of a plurality of different scales of the local concentration, including at least a first and a second scale. A dependence of the coefficients of the first scale on the coefficients of the second scale is specified, and the local concentration over the volume is computed by applying the probability distribution expression to the set of counts subject to the specified dependence.
US07881512B2	Method and apparatus for determining the spatial profile of a vessel axis in volume data records for medical imaging At least one embodiment of the present invention relates to a method and/or an apparatus for determining the spatial profile of a vessel axis in volume data records for medical imaging, in particular for producing slice images of vessels which are obtained by curved planar reformation CPR and can be rotated freely. In at least one embodiment of the method, the vessel axis is marked interactively on the displayed MPR or MIP images by marking points using a two-dimensional coordinate system. Depth information is derived automatically for each marking point from the known position of the respective image in the stack or using the known calculation procedure for MIP images, and the marking points are extended in dimension on the basis of the depth information in order to obtain extended marking points using a three-dimensional coordinate system. The three-dimensional profile of the vessel axis, which is used for producing CPR images which can be rotated freely, is then obtained by linking the extended marking points. The method makes it possible, in at least one embodiment, to determine the profile of the vessel axis with less time and computation effort.
US07881511B2	Method for super-resolution reconstruction using focal underdetermined system solver algorithm Disclosed is a high-resolution image reconstruction method using a focal underdetermined system solver (FOCUSS) algorithm. The method comprises the steps of: outputting data for an image of an object; downsampling the outputted data; transforming the downsampled data into low-resolution image frequency data; and reconstructing a high-resolution image from the transformed low-resolution image frequency data by applying focal underdetermined system solver (FOCUSS) algorithm.
US07881509B2	Method of, and apparatus and computer software for, imaging biological objects A method of imaging one or more biological objects using imaging apparatus capable of capturing an image across an imaging area. The method includes: placing the one or more biological objects (236) in an environment; providing in the environment, outside of the one or more biological objects, a contrast enhancing agent which provides contrast in an image between the one or more biological objects and the environment; and recording an image (240) of the one or more biological objects and the environment using the imaging apparatus, whereby a spatial definition for said one or more biological objects is derivable using contrast in the image which is provided by the contrast enhancing agent.
US07881506B2	Finger identification method and apparatus An image pickup scheme capable of always providing an optimum quality of a blood vessel pattern, in image pickup of a blood vessel pattern of a finger using transmitted light, without being affected by a difference, if any, in an external environment. A personal identification apparatus includes light sources for irradiating light to be transmitted by a finger, an image pickup unit for picking up an image using light transmitted by the finger, finger detection unit for detecting that the finger exists in a predetermined position, finger region extraction unit for extracting a region occupied by the finger from an image picked up by the image pickup unit, and gain changing unit for changing an amplification factor of image pickup elements in the image pickup unit on the basis of a picture quality of a specific region within the extracted region.
US07881503B2	Corneal biometry apparatus and method An apparatus and method for validating the identity of a person using corneal imaging techniques. The method involves capturing an image of at least part of a person's cornea and deriving one or more geometric parameters. The geometric parameters are compared with corresponding reference geometric parameters for validation of the identity of the person.
US07881502B2	Method and system for three-dimensionally imaging an apical dome of a plant embryo Methods and systems for three-dimensionally imaging an apical dome located at the cotyledon end of a plant embryo are provided. Three-dimensional information of an apical dome can be obtained by scanning the apical dome at varying focal planes along an axis of the embryo, or by using multiple cameras arranged in a confocal manner to image the apical dome. It can also be obtained by irradiating the apical dome with polychromatic light, wherein light beams of multiple wavelengths are focused at multiple focal planes along the axis of the embryo so that the dome's height information can be obtained based on the wavelength of the light precisely focused and reflected at each surface point of the dome. The three-dimensional information is used to ascertain various morphological features (e.g., size, shape, texture, etc.) of the apical dome, which are in turn used to assess the embryo's germinant vigor.
US07881501B2	Local dominant wave-vector analysis of seismic data The present invention relates to a method and system for processing multi-dimensional signal data to determine frequency dependent features therefrom. The multi-dimensional signal data are transformed into space-frequency or time-space-frequency domain, providing second signal data. At predetermined locations of at least a portion of the one of space and time-space of the second signal data a dominant feature corresponding to a largest value of the second signal data is determined. This is followed by the determination of a wave-vector corresponding to the dominant feature at each of the predetermined locations. Finally, a dip map, a frequency map, and an amplitude map are generated using the wave-vectors. The method and system for processing multi-dimensional signal data to determine frequency dependent features therefrom according to the present invention provide a powerful tool for improved and more detailed evaluation of seismic data using dip, frequency, and amplitude maps, resulting in substantially more accurate geophysical surveys.
US07881499B2	Golf club and ball performance monitor with automatic pattern recognition A method for automatically identifying an object is disclosed. Preferably, the method is used in conjunction with a performance monitor. A set of markers are selectively positioned on the surface of each of a plurality of golf clubs and golf balls. It is desired that each set of markers for a unique pattern on each of the golf clubs and golf balls. Each unique pattern is preferably acquired and stored. A player may choose any of a plurality of golf clubs and golf balls. When within the field of view of the performance monitor, the pattern on the club and ball is automatically matched with the stored patterns, thereby identifying the type of club and ball.
US07881498B2	Autonomous wide-angle license plate recognition A system in a moving surveillance vehicle operates in background mode to capture images of license plates of neighboring moving vehicles, which may occupy lanes other than the lane in which the surveillance vehicle is moving. The images are used to determine the license plate numbers of the moving vehicles, which are then checked against a database to determine whether there are any potential law enforcement-related problems that require the attention of the operator. If so, the system alerts the operator using an audible tone, visual prompt, vibration, or in some other suitable manner. The entire process, including generation of the alert can occur autonomously of the operator.
US07881496B2	Vision system for vehicle A vision system for a vehicle includes an imaging device having an imaging sensor, a camera microcontroller, a display device having a display element, a display microcontroller, and at least one user input selectively actuatable by a user. The imaging device communicates an image signal to the display device via a communication link. The display microcontroller affects the image signal in response to the at least one user input. The camera microcontroller monitors the image signal on the communication link and adjusts a function of the imaging device in response to a detection of the affected image signal. The vision system may adjust a display or sensor of the system in conjunction with a distance detecting system.
US07881494B2	Characteristic point detection of target object included in an image A characteristic point detection method, including the steps of: detecting a candidate of each of a plurality of characteristic points of a predetermined object from a detection target image; obtaining an existence probability distribution for a target characteristic point with respect to each of the detected candidates of the other characteristic points, which is an existence probability distribution of the target characteristic point when the position of the detected candidate of another characteristic point is taken as a reference, using an existence probability distribution statistically obtained for each combination of two different characteristic points of the plurality of characteristic points; integrating the obtained existence probability distributions by weighting according to the positional relationship between the reference characteristic point and target characteristic point; and estimating the true point of the target characteristic point based on the magnitude of the existence probabilities in the integrated existence probability distribution thereof.
US07881491B2	Method, system and apparatus for operating a device using contextual scripting A system and method for interacting with a digital device by acquiring an image of a display of the device, deriving the functional state and context of the device by analyzing the acquired image and commanding the device to perform an action. the procedure described above may be repeated by a script or test procedure.
US07881488B2	In-plane speaker An electro-acoustic transducer is oriented such that its transducer axis is parallel to, and in, the plane of a baffle coupled to the electro-acoustic transducer for reduced baffle vibration.
US07881487B2	Hearing aid device with digital control elements The invention is intended to simplify the operation of a hearing aid device. Toward that end, means are present in the hearing aid device for storing the value of a parameter which can be set by the hearing aid device wearer by actuation of a control element, which parameter value was valid before the hearing aid device was turned off, with the result that the value of the parameter that was valid before the hearing aid device was turned off will be set automatically as the current value of the parameter after the device is turned off and then turned back on again.
US07881485B2	Apparatus and method of determining an impulse response and apparatus and method of presenting an audio piece The apparatus for determining an impulse response in an environment in which a speaker and a microphone are placed works using an audio signal. Means for spectrally coloring a test signal, which preferably is a pseudonoise signal, works using a psychoacoustic masking threshold of the audio signal to obtain a colored test signal, which is embedded in the audio signal to obtain a measuring signal, which can be fed to the speaker. Means for determining the impulse response preferably performs a cross-correlation of a reaction signal received via the microphone from the environment and the test signal or the colored test signal. With this, an impulse response of an environment may also be determined during the presentation of an audio piece to provide an optimal description of environment for a wave-field synthesis.
US07881480B2	System for detecting and reducing noise via a microphone array A system for detecting noise in a signal received by a microphone array and a method for detecting noise in a signal received by a microphone array is disclosed. The system also provides for the reduction of noise in a signal received by a microphone array and a method for reducing noise in a signal received by a microphone array. The signal to noise ratio in handsfree systems may be improved, particularly in handsfree systems present in a vehicular environment.
US07881473B2	Quantum key distribution system and method Method and system for transmitting optical clock signals and quantum key signals on a single optical channel. A multi-photon optical clock signal is received at an electro-optic switch at a first clock rate. The electro-optic switch may be configured for an interval defined by a second clock rate for generating a single photon quantum key signal. The multi-photon optical clock signal and the single photon quantum key signal are combined such that the single optical channel transmits the single photon quantum key signal at a first interval and the multi-photon optical clock signal at a second interval. The quantum key signal is transmitted from a transmitter at a first timing, and detected by a detector at a receiver. An output signal of the detector is sampled at a second timing that is delayed relative to the first timing for reducing quantum bit error rate.
US07881472B2	Quantum key distribution method and communication apparatus In a quantum key distributing method of the present invention, a communication apparatus on a reception side performs error correction using parity check matrixes for an LDPC code that have an extremely high error correction ability. In the quantum key distributing method of the present invention, a cyclic code syndrome generated by a communication apparatus on a transmission side and an estimated cyclic code syndrome generated based on an estimated word after error correction are compared to perform error detection for the estimated word.
US07881470B2	Network mobility security management A node that couples to the Internet establishes a secure connection with another node that couples to the Internet. The secure connection to be established via an IPsec security association. The node registers with an authority that couples to the Internet and provides public key infrastructure (PKI) services. Registration is to include obtaining both a private and a public and key. The PKI services to include providing the private key to only the registered node and providing the public key to another registered node that requests PKI services from the authority. The node requests the PKI services from the authority based on a change in a point of attachment for the node to the Internet. The node then authenticates the other node via the PKI services and exchanges a secret key with the other node based on the authentication of the other node. The node is to implement an encryption scheme that uses the exchanged secret key for symmetric encryption of data exchanged between the node and the other node. The symmetric encryption is to maintain a secure connection between the nodes.
US07881464B1	Microphone with reduced noise The present invention provides a microphone apparatus. The microphone apparatus includes a housing with an outer surface and an interior chamber. A microphone element is disposed within the interior chamber. The outer surface includes a first substantially planar surface having at least one aperture leading to the interior chamber and a second substantially planar surface intersecting at an angle with the first planar surface.
US07881459B2	Acoustic echo canceller using multi-band nonlinear processing An echo canceller (106) can include a first multi-band filter (152) which receives a first input signal (108) and generates a first plurality of sub-band signals (110, 111, 112), and a second multi-band filter (154) which receives a second input signal (122) and generates a second plurality of sub-band signals (156, 157, 158). The echo canceller also can include a plurality of double talk detectors (168, 169, 170) that each generate a double talk flag (182, 183, 184) based on at least a respective one of the first sub-band signals and a respective one of the second sub-band signals.
US07881455B2	Apparatus and method for finding a called party over a telecommunication network The present disclosure provides a system and method for establishing telephone communication between a calling party and called party wherein the calling party may store a plurality of numbers or identifiers of a called party and initiating a number or identifier of the called party enables the system and method to call multiple numbers of the called party from the stored plurality of numbers.
US07881454B2	Integrated call management In embodiments, the present invention is directed to methods of handling calls received from customers. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a call from a customer who called a promotional telephone number. The phone call is connected to an IVR system. The IVR system maintains a set of rules for handling calls. The method further includes creating a call detail record, which includes a unique identifier, a source telephone number, and the promotional telephone number. A customized greeting is then played to the customer based on the promotional telephone number the customer dialed. Based on the rules for handling calls, the call is redirected from the IVR system to an agent along with transmitting and displaying the call detail record to the agent.
US07881452B1	Method for testing a local number portability (LNP) ported telephone number A method for testing a Local Number Portability (LNP) ported telephone number is provided according to the invention. The method includes in a first switch generating a LNP test telephone call to a second switch. The LNP test telephone call is targeted to the LNP-ported telephone number associated with the first switch. The method further includes indicating that the LNP-ported telephone number is being correctly routed in the second switch if the first switch receives the LNP test telephone call back from the second switch. The method further includes indicating that the LNP-ported telephone number is being incorrectly routed in the second switch if the first switch does not receive the LNP test telephone call back from the second switch.
US07881448B2	Method and system for notifying a telephone user of an audio problem A method and apparatus is provided for notifying a telephone speaker engaged in a call or conference that the audio quality being received by one or more listeners is not acceptable. The notice is provided before the call or conference has ended, so that effective action can be taken to continue the conference. Embodiments of the invention can include both automatic and manual methods for informing a participant in a telephone call that audio distortion is occurring. An automated method uses audio sampling and comparative logic, while a manual method is accomplished using phone programming and a key entry sequence. A further embodiment provides means for any participant on a call to verify the audio quality of his or her own telephone.
US07881447B1	Conference call text messaging protocol using caller ID screen A voice conference bridge provides respective voice connections to a call coordinator and a plurality of call participants. A message server is coupled to the voice conference bridge for receiving DTMF tone messages from the call coordinator and the call participants and for sending data messages in a caller ID format to the call coordinator and the call participants via the voice conference bridge. The message server interacts with the call participants using a participant-initiated request channel and a server-initiated broadcast channel. A particular call participant invokes the request channel by including a predetermined tone command in a respective DTMF tone message. The particular call participant forwards a message content to the message server by including predetermined tone data in the respective DTMF tone message. The message server forwards the message content to other call participants via the broadcast channel according to an approval granted to the particular call participant.
US07881442B2	Call announcement service A method and operation for a call announcement service which answers incoming phone calls. The system retrieves identifying information about the calling party and provides that information to the called party. The called party can choose from several options for answering the call, such as completing the call with the calling party, sending the calling party to voice mail or terminating the call. In an alternative embodiment, the calling party can be notified that they have dialed a cellular phone customer, and can be provided the option of accepting the called party's cellular phone charges.
US07881441B2	Device independent text captioned telephone service Text captioned telephony, in which a telephone conversation is accompanied by text captions to aid in hard-of-hearing users, is implemented without the use of specialized text captioned telephone terminals by using a combination of an Internet appliance such as a computer and a telephone or by generalized voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) telephones.
US07881438B2	Self-learning and self-adjusting DSL system A self-learning and/or self-adjusting communication controller and/or optimizer uses operational data collected from a communication system to adjust operation of the communication system to changing operational, environmental, etc. conditions and, in some embodiments, to customize operation of the communication system's lines and components so that their performance can be controlled, improved and/or optimized. In various embodiments, operational parameters and/or rules are established and/or adjusted based on information obtained from the system concerning the system's operation; information regarding margins used by a DSL system and code violation counts reported by the DSL system are used to set margin levels for one or more line sets (each line set including an individual line, a group of lines, a binder, etc.) and/or other users and/or components of the DSL system; and, the controller and/or optimizer forces a small number of test lines into as yet un-experienced and/or unimplemented operational conditions so that new knowledge can be obtained.
US07881436B2	Method and apparatus of differential pumping in an x-ray tube An x-ray tube includes an anode, a first chamber enclosing the anode and having a first pressure therein, a cathode, and a second chamber enclosing the cathode and having a second pressure therein. A separator is positioned between the first and second chambers and has a conductance limiter therein.
US07881432B2	X-ray focusing device Disclosed is an X-ray reflecting device and an X-ray reflecting element constituting the X-ray reflecting device capable of facilitating a reduction in weight and being prepared in a relatively simple manner. The X-ray reflecting element of the present invention comprises a body made of a solid silicon, and a plurality of slits formed in the body in such a manner as to penetrate from a front surface to a back surface of the body. Each of the slits has a wall surface serving as an X-ray reflecting surface. To allow the slits in the respective X-ray reflecting elements to be located in a given positional relationship with each other, the X-ray reflecting device of the present invention comprises a plural number of the X-ray reflecting elements, which are formed into a multilayered structure in such a manner or arranged side-by-side in a horizontal direction in such a manner as to allow the slits in the respective X-ray reflecting elements to be located in a given positional relationship with each other, or stacked on each other in a vertical direction to form a stacked structure in such a manner as to allow the slits in the respective X-ray reflecting elements to be located in a given positional relationship with each other. Further, the X-ray reflecting device may comprise a plural number of the stacked structures arranged side-by-side in a horizontal direction.
US07881431B2	Radiotherapy apparatus and radiation irradiating method A radiotherapy apparatus includes an acceleration unit configured to generate a charged particle beam. A target is configured to generate a radiation when the charged particle beam is irradiated to the target. A sensor is configured to measure an electric current flowing through the target. A dosimeter is configured to measure a dose of the radiation. A control unit is configured to control the acceleration unit based on the measured electric current and the measured dose.
US07881428B2	X-ray mammography/tomosynthesis of patient's breast A breast x-ray system and method using tomosynthesis imaging in which the x-ray source generally moves away from the patient's head. The system may include an operation mode in which it additionally takes mammogram image data.
US07881426B2	Method and system for performing a scan of an object A method for generating an image of an object using a scanning system includes performing a first portion of a scan in a first scanning mode to acquire a first dataset, receiving a halt command for a conveyor within the scanning system, decelerating the conveyor to a halt based on the halt command using a conveyor controller, and, when the object is present within an examination region after the conveyor has halted, performing a second portion of the scan in a second scanning mode to acquire a second dataset. The second scanning mode is different than the first scanning mode. The method also includes reconstructing the first dataset using a first reconstruction algorithm and reconstructing the second dataset using a second reconstruction algorithm. The second reconstruction algorithm is different than the first reconstruction algorithm. The image is generated using the first reconstructed dataset and the second reconstructed dataset.
US07881422B1	Circuits and methods for dividing frequency by an odd value In one embodiment, the present invention includes a frequency divider circuit for dividing the frequency of an input signal by an odd value. In one embodiment, a frequency divider circuit includes a counter configured to receive a clock input signal and a divisor having an odd value. The counter counts clock cycles up to the divisor to generate a count. A control circuit is configured to receive the count, the divisor, and the clock input signal and generate one or more control signals to control a state of a clock output signal. A half cycle adjust circuit is configured to receive the clock input signal and the one or more control signals from the control circuit and provide an additional one-half cycle adjustment of the clock output signal. The frequency divider circuit may be a feed forward circuit with fast startup characteristics.
US07881420B2	Method and apparatus for reducing vibration in component of a nuclear reactor A vibration mitigation apparatus and method of reducing vibration in a reactor component are described, which may reduce the amplitude of vibration in the reactor component. The apparatus may be provided on the reactor component to reduce the amplitude of vibration of the component as the component and apparatus are subjected to a harmonic excitation that generally may occur during reactor operations.
US07881419B2	Semiconductor device, spread spectrum clock generator and method thereof A semiconductor device, a spread spectrum clock generator and method thereof are provided. The example semiconductor device may include a frequency dividing unit receiving an output signal, generating a first feedback signal and a second feedback signal by dividing a frequency of the received output signal, and a phase offset unit outputting the output signal having a predetermined or desired phase difference with a reference signal in response to the second feedback signal, wherein the second feedback signal having a higher frequency than the first feedback signal. The example spread spectrum clock generator may include a plurality of frequency dividers which are connected in series and a selector selecting and outputting one of a plurality of output signals, each of the plurality of output signals having a different phase difference with respect to a reference signal, in response to at least one output from one or more of the plurality of frequency dividers. The example method may include receiving a reference signal with a first frequency, generating a feedback signal having a second frequency, the second frequency higher than the first frequency and outputting at least one of a sequentially selected set of output signals in response to the generated feedback signal.
US07881417B2	Demodulation method using phase detection and apparatus thereof A demodulation method using phase detection and an apparatus thereof are provided. The demodulation method includes detecting phase information by sampling a received signal, synchronizing at least one clock signal by using the detected phase information, oversampling the received signal by the synchronized clock signal, and demodulating the received signal by using the oversampled result. With this, the demodulating apparatus can demodulate the modulated signal by using the phase detection, and use a digital filter as a filter for removing a jitter from the demodulated signal, thereby allowing a size thereof to be minimized.
US07881412B2	Quasi-linear interference cancellation for wireless communication Techniques for performing interference cancellation in a wireless (e.g., CDMA) communication system are described. For a single-sector interference canceller, received samples are processed (e.g., despread) to isolate a signal from a transmitter (e.g., a base station) and obtain input samples. The input samples are transformed based on a first transform (e.g., a fast Hadamard transform) to obtain received symbols for multiple orthogonal channels (e.g., Walsh bins). The received symbols for the multiple orthogonal channels are scaled with multiple gains to obtain scaled symbols. The gains may be related to the inverses of the power estimates for the orthogonal channels. The scaled symbols are transformed based on a second transform (e.g., an inverse fast Hadamard transform) to obtain output samples, which are processed (e.g., spread) to obtain interference-canceled samples having the signal from the transmitter suppressed.
US07881407B2	Systems and methods for mitigating multipath signals Systems and methods for mitigating multipath signals in a receiver are provided. In this regard, a representative system, among others, includes a receiver comprising an antenna being configured to receive signals from a plurality of satellites, and a computing device being configured to: generate pseudorange measurements based on the received satellites signals, process the generated pseudorange measurements to reduce its pseudorange residuals based on statistical modeling in order to mitigate multipath errors, and compute navigation solutions based on the processed pseudorange measurements. A representative method, among others, for mitigating multipath signals in a receiver, comprises: receiving the pseudorange measurements; processing the received pseudorange measurements to reduce its pseudorange residuals based on statistical modeling in order to mitigate multipath errors; and computing navigation solutions based on the processed pseudorange measurements.
US07881403B2	System for realizing emergency rate adjustment A system for realizing emergency rate reduction (SOS). A receiver initiates a short rate-reduction request, and communicates that request to a transmitter. The transmitter initiates an operational switch to an adjusted transmission reference (i.e., a new bit/gain table), by sending a signal to synchronize the operational switch for both the transmitter and the receiver. The adjusted transmission reference may be calculated using a formula, from a current bit/gain table, or may be a predefined bit/gain table. The parameters of the formula may be predefined, calculated during initialization, or determined in real time during SOS.
US07881399B2	Transmission circuit and communication device Provided is a transmission circuit which is small in size, operates with high efficiency, and outputs a transmission signal having high linearity. A signal generation section 11 generates an amplitude signal m(t) and a phase signal. An angle modulation section 17 angle-modulates the phase signal to output an angle-modulated signal. An amplitude calculation section 12 outputs a discrete value signal V(t) having a plurality of discrete values corresponding to a magnitude of the amplitude signal m(t). A dividing section 13 divides the amplitude signal m(t) by the discrete value signal V(t) to output an amplitude signal M(t). A delta-sigma modulation section 14 delta-sigma modulates the amplitude signal M(t) to output a delta-sigma modulated signal. A variable gain amplifier section 15 amplifies the delta-sigma modulated signal by a gain corresponding to the discrete value signal V(t). An amplitude amplifying section 16 supplies, to an amplitude modulation section 18, a voltage corresponding to a magnitude of the delta-sigma modulated signal. The amplitude modulation section 18 amplitude-modulates the angle-modulated signal by the voltage supplied from the amplitude amplifying section 16, to output a modulation signal.
US07881394B2	Method and apparatus for computing soft decision input metrics to a turbo decoder A method and apparatus for computing soft decision input metrics to a turbo decoder includes circuits associated with eight-ary phase shift keyed (8PSK) modulation and sixteen-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (16QAM). In both implementations log-likelihood ratio (LLR) metrics on code symbols are estimated as products of various constant values and various combinations of the in-phase and quadrature components of a demodulated soft decision. In the implementation associated with the 16QAM modulation scheme, an estimate of the carrier-signal-to-interference (C/I) ratio is also used to estimate some of the LLR metrics. Estimates of the LLR metrics may also be obtained in association with generalized square QAM and M-ary PSK modulation schemes including, e.g., 64QAM, 256QAM, and 16PSK.
US07881389B2	Reception quality notifying method, wireless communication terminal apparatus, and base station apparatus A reception quality notifying method improves upstream-line throughput by reducing the data amount of reception quality data of downstream multicarrier signals to be transmitted in the upstream line. A low-power consumption base station apparatus and a wireless communication terminal apparatus may employ the reception quality notifying method. When a wireless communication terminal apparatus receives a downstream multicarrier signal and then notifies a base station apparatus of a subcarrier having a desirable reception quality for the downstream multicarrier signal, the wireless communication terminal apparatus produces reception quality data of a plurality of formats, then selects, from among the produced reception quality data, one having the lowest data mount. The selected reception quality data is transmitted to the base station apparatus by use of an upstream multicarrier signal subcarrier designated by the base station apparatus.
US07881388B2	Water ring scanning apparatus A water ring scanning apparatus configured to process an initial data set, such as a video frame, is disclosed. The water ring scanning apparatus is configured to write a portion of data from the initial data set into a data string. The initial data set is organized with at least one initial origin enveloped by a plurality of nested initial environs successively surrounding each other in the initial data set. The scanner is configured to write a portion of the data from the initial data set into the data string by starting at the RC grouping corresponding to the initial origin (initial water ring (0)) and by sequentially progressing outwardly from the family of RC groupings corresponding to the nearest nested initial environ (initial water ring (1)) towards the family of RC groupings corresponding to a furthest nested initial environ (initial water ring (n)).
US07881386B2	Methods and apparatus for performing fast mode decisions in video codecs Methods and apparatus are presented for reducing the computational complexity of coding mode decisions by exploiting the correlations across spatially and/or temporally close coding mode decisions. A mode decision for a current macroblock is based on the mode decisions of spatially and/or temporarily close macroblocks.
US07881383B2	Video encoding/decoding method and apparatus for motion compensation prediction A video encoding method includes selecting one combination, for each block of an input video signal, from a plurality of combinations. Each combination includes a predictive parameter and at least one reference picture number determined in advance for the reference picture. A prediction picture signal is generated in accordance with the reference picture number and predictive parameter of the selected combination. A predictive error signal is generated representing an error between the input video signal and the prediction picture signal. Encoding the predictive error signal, information of the motion vector, and index information indicating the selected combination is included.
US07881378B2	Video encoding/decoding method and apparatus for motion compensation prediction A video encoding method includes selecting one combination, for each block of an input video signal, from a plurality of combinations. Each combination includes a predictive parameter and at least one reference picture number determined in advance for the reference picture. A prediction picture signal is generated in accordance with the reference picture number and predictive parameter of the selected combination. A predictive error signal is generated representing an error between the input video signal and the prediction picture signal. Encoding the predictive error signal, information of the motion vector, and index information indicating the selected combination is included.
US07881375B2	Field/frame adaptive coding and decoding method with field/frame index and apparatus for performing the same A moving picture coding method for coding a picture when switching between frame coding and field coding adaptively on a block-by-block basis. The method including determining the maximum number of reference indices for field coding for specifying fields which are to be referred to at the time of field coding, using the maximum number of reference indices for frame coding for specifying frames which are to be referred to at the time of frame coding, and assigning to fields the reference indices for field coding for specifying fields which are to be referred to at the time of field coding, within a range of the determined maximum number thereof, using the reference indices for frame coding for specifying frames which are to be referred to at the time of frame coding.
US07881373B2	Video data compression apparatus and method of same A video data compression apparatus with which compressed video data of suitable amounts of data can be produced and the time required for processing is short. The apparatus approximates a real difficulty data Dj indicating the difficulty of the pattern of each picture by the ME residual, flatness, and intra AC and further calculates the target amount of data Tj of the compressed video data from the approximated real difficulty data Dj. An encoder performs compression and coding so that the amount of data of the compressed video data becomes substantially the target amount of data Tj.
US07881372B2	Image processing device and image processing method The present invention provides an image processing method and device which can both quickly and easily execute a pseudo halftone process with a large number of output gray levels and which can always execute the pseudo halftone process in the same manner regardless of the number of output gray scales. The present invention provides an image processing device that executes a pseudo halftone process on multivalued image data comprising a plurality of planes, the device including a component executing quantization and outputting for each of the plurality of density components, a component determining a correction value on the basis of a sign of a quantization error in each plane and a comparison of a sum of the quantization errors with a predetermined threshold, and a component correcting a value of the quantization output using the correction value and diffusing the quantization value.
US07881371B2	Block transform and quantization for image and video coding An improved method and block transform for image or video encoding and decoding, wherein transformation and inverse transformation matrixes are defined such that computational complexity is significantly reduced when encoding and decoding. For example, in the two-dimensional inverse transformation of de-quantized transform coefficients into output pixel information during decoding, only four additions plus one shift operation are needed, per co-efficient transformation, all in sixteen-bit arithmetic. Transformations provide correct results because quantization during encoding and de-quantization (sixteen bit) during decoding, via the use of one of three tables selected based on each coefficient's position, have parameter values that already compensate for factors of other transformation multiplications, except for those of a power of two, (e.g., two or one-half), which are performed by a shift operation during the transformation and inverse transformation processes. Computational complexity is significantly reduced with respect to other known transforms without adversely impacting compression or quality.
US07881369B2	Image transmission apparatus, image transmission method and image transmission program In an image transmission apparatus an image data generator generates image data that represents an image. An updated image data generator generates updated image data that represents an updated image of an updated region of the image. A compressor compresses the updated image data. A transmitter stores the updated image data that is compressed by the compressor. An updated image data storage stores the updated image data. A transmission result storage stores transmission result data that includes quality information and time information, the quality information relating to an image quality, the time information indicating when the updated image data is generated. A transmission data selector selects the updated image data stored in the updated image data storage, and sets the image quality of the updated image data selected, according to the transmission result data stored in the transmission result storage.
US07881367B2	Method of video coding for handheld apparatus The present invention relates to method of coding blocks of video data for a handheld apparatus comprising a battery. Said method comprising a step of computing a residual error block from the use of a set of prediction functions having different power consumption levels. It also comprises a step of enabling or disabling a prediction function of the set depending on its associated power consumption level for a predetermined level of the battery. It finally comprises a step of selecting a prediction function among a set of enabled prediction functions to code the residual error block.
US07881366B2	Moving picture encoder In encoding of moving pictures, I-frame is inserted when a scene change occurs. If scene changes frequently occur in the range of a predetermined amount-of-information allocation, the amount of information allocated to an encoding process on I-frame becomes enlarged. Therefore, the amount of information cannot be sufficiently reserved for another coding, thereby considerably degrading the quality of an image. Thus, a scene change detection threshold is obtained depending on the remainder in the VBV buffer, the scene change detection threshold is compared with a scene change detection value for determination of the occurrence of a scene change, and it is determined whether or not a scene change has occurred based on the comparison result.
US07881361B2	Spectrally shaped generalized multitone direct sequence spread spectrum modulation A system (10) for communicating a direct sequence spread spectrum signal, a related transmitter (12), a related receiver (14), and methods associated therewith are provided in various embodiments. A data rate vector, a processing gain vector, a frequency separation vector, and a bit energy vector may be associated with transmitting and/or receiving a direct sequence spread spectrum signal. Each vector has a value associated with each of a plurality of channels associated with subcarriers in the direct sequence spread spectrum signal. A value for at least one of the data rate vector, processing gain vector, frequency separation vector, and bit energy vector for at least one channel is different from another value for the corresponding data rate vector, processing gain vector, frequency separation vector, or bit energy vector for another channel. Having one or more vectors with different values provides a spectrally-shaped generalized multitone (or multicarrier) direct sequence spread spectrum (SSG-MT-DS-SS) modulation scheme.
US07881360B2	Method and system for increased bandwidth efficiency in multiple input—multiple output channels In one disclosed embodiment, an input bit stream is supplied to a trellis code block. For example, the trellis code block can perform convolutional coding using a rate 6/7 code. The output of the trellis code block is then modulated using, for example, trellis coded quadrature amplitude modulation with 128 signal points or modulation symbols. The sequence of modulation symbols thus generated can be diversity encoded. The diversity encoding can be either a space time encoding, for example, or a space frequency encoding. The sequence of modulation symbols, or the sequence of diversity encoded modulation symbols, is fed to two or more orthogonal Walsh covers. For example, replicas of the modulation symbol sequences can be provided to increase diversity, or demultiplexing the modulation symbol sequences can be used to increase data transmission rate or “throughput.” The outputs of the Walsh covers are fed as separate inputs into a communication channel.
US07881357B2	Vertical cavity surface-emitting semiconductor laser device, optical transmission module, optical transmission device, and optical switching method In a vertical cavity surface-emitting semiconductor laser device, first and second resonance wavelengths which are different are provided while a first resonator and a second resonator are coupled optically, and a gain of an active layer at the first resonance wavelength on the side of short wavelength is higher than that at the second resonance wavelength on the side of long wavelength. An absorption coefficient of an optical absorption layer when no electric field is applied is small for the first and second resonance wavelengths, and when an electric field is applied, an absorption coefficient of the optical absorption layer for the first resonance wavelength on the side of short wavelength is larger than that for the second resonance wavelength on the side of long wavelength.
US07881356B2	Semiconductor laser apparatus and method of manufacturing the same Second and third p-side pad electrodes are formed on an insulating film of a blue-violet semiconductor laser device on both sides of a first p-side pad electrode. The second p-side pad electrode and the third p-side pad electrode are formed separately from each other. Solder films are formed on the upper surfaces of the second and third p-side pad electrodes respectively. A fourth p-side pad electrode of a red semiconductor laser device is bonded onto the second p-side pad electrode with the corresponding solder film sandwiched therebetween. A fifth p-side pad electrode of an infrared semiconductor laser device is bonded onto the third p-side pad electrode with the corresponding solder film sandwiched therebetween. The second and third p-side pad electrodes are formed separately from each other, so that the fourth and fifth p-side pad electrodes are electrically isolated from each other.
US07881346B2	Method and apparatus for transmitting terrestrial digital signal An apparatus for transmitting terrestrial digital data using a synchronous-optical-network system or a synchronous-digital-hierarchy system includes a synchronous-difference calculating unit that calculates a synchronous difference between a standard signal used in the synchronous-optical-network system or the synchronous-digital-hierarchy system and a first synchronous signal that synchronizes with a leading position included in image data of the terrestrial digital data; and a transmission processing unit that transmits the synchronous difference together with the terrestrial digital data to a destination.
US07881345B2	Method of symbol timing synchronization in communication systems Symbol timing synchronization in OFDM communication systems where multiple wireless terminals communicate with a single base station is described. Base station transmitter and receiver symbol timing is fixed. Each wireless terminal operates to independently adjust its transmitter timing. Transmitter timing synchronization at the wireless terminal is slaved to the terminal's receiver timing synchronization. Each wireless terminal first corrects its receiver symbol timing based on a signal received from the base station. The wireless terminal then adjusts its transmitter symbol timing as a function of its receiver symbol timing. When the receiver symbol timing is to be advanced or delayed by some amount, the transmitter symbol timing is also advanced or delayed, respectively, by the same, or substantially the same, amount. Symbol timing adjustment can be made by adding or deleting digital samples from the first or last symbol in a dwell.
US07881343B2	Multi-network overlaid cell detection A communications system includes a wireless telephony network and a wireless Local Area Network (LAN), both accessible by a mobile communications device (16). To facilitate transitioning of the mobile communications device to the wireless LAN from the wireless telephony network, the wireless LAN includes a beacon transmitter, which generates a synchronization channel having a pattern unique to the wireless LAN. The Wireless LAN synchronization channel is received at a first receiver in the mobile communications device together with a synchronization channel from the wireless telephony. The wireless LAN synchronization channel enables the mobile communication device to synchronize with, for transitioning to, the wireless LAN.
US07881336B2	HTB gateway for healthcare transaction base Techniques for communicating with a Healthcare Transaction Base, such as an HTB, without requiring the development of custom adapters are provided. A gateway is utilized that acts a transformation engine between various systems and the healthcare transaction base. One or more filters are utilized to transform a message from one format to another. Adding support for new protocols is simplified as support for a new protocol is added (or plugged-in) by associating any filters that are used to transform messages in the new protocol to a desired protocol.
US07881332B2	Configurable ports for a host ethernet adapter A system and method in accordance with the present invention allows for an adapter to be utilized in a server environment that can accommodate both a 10 G and a 1 G source utilizing the same pins. This is accomplished through the use of a high speed serializer/deserializer (high speed serdes) which can accommodate both data sources. The high speed serdes allows for the use of a relatively low reference clock speed on the NIC to provide the proper clocking of the data sources and also allows for different modes to be set to accommodate the different data sources. Finally the system allows for the adapter to use the same pins for multiple data sources.
US07881329B2	Method and system for maintaining high reliability logical connection A method and system for maintaining a high reliability logical connection between hosts employs adaptive transparent pinging, clone blocking and bandwidth leveling to realize improvements in the areas of connection status verification, security and bandwidth management. In adaptive transparent pinging, a ping interval that defines a frequency at which ping messages are transmitted from an initiating host to a receiving host to check connection status is dynamically regulated based on data indicative of the reliability of a connection. In clone blocking, the receiving host verifies that a new connection that appears redundant is a re-established connection from the initiating host rather than a cloned connection. In bandwidth leveling, data bursts pending on initiating hosts that exceed a predetermined size are scheduled for transmission to receiving hosts.
US07881322B1	Power-saving mechanism for periodic traffic streams in wireless local-area networks A novel method for coordinating the delivery of frames to and the receipt of frames from a power-saving station in a wireless local-area network (LAN) is disclosed. The illustrative embodiment establishes a wake-up schedule for a power-saving station based on a temporal period and temporal offset that reduces the frequency with which multiple stations in a network wake up simultaneously, thereby reducing traffic delays and power consumption. The illustrative embodiment is particularly well-suited to networks with traffic that has delay/jitter quality-of-service (QoS) requirements (i.e., voice calls, videophone calls, etc.).
US07881320B1	Parsing data from multiple digital bitstreams Multiplexing data from bitstreams is described. Data status is determined for data of each of the bitstreams. Stream numbers are assigned respectively to the bitstreams, and the data of each of the bitstreams is controllably stored in respective memory. A memory buffer of the memory buffers is controllably selected. The data obtained from the memory buffer selected is parsed to provide an output. The controllably selecting and the parsing are repeated to obtain and parse the data stored in at least one other memory buffer of the memory buffers to provide the output. The output is multiplexed data from the bitstreams respectively associated with the memory buffer and the at least one other memory buffer.
US07881319B2	Data storage and processing systems We describe techniques for storing and processing data captured in large volumes from digital mobile phone networks. One technique inputs a stream of messages, writes sequential sets of message parameters into a first FIFO at an entry point; reads the parameters from an exit point; and writes the read parameters into a second data structure. Importantly in this technique the entry point and the exit point are separated by predetermined minimum length defined in terms of a number of the sets of parameters and/or a time. Some preferred implementations also include a last value data store or bucket to store one or more most recent previous values of message parameters.
US07881318B2	Out-of-band keep-alive mechanism for clients associated with network address translation systems Architecture for maintaining connection state of network address translation (NAT) devices by employing an out-of-band (OOB) technique externally to application connections without imposing additional requirements on the underlying native application(s). The OOB solution can be applied to arbitrary connections without requiring modification to an application protocol and works with TCP and UDP. A keep-alive (KA) application is employed as an OOB mechanism that injects KA packets that appear to the NAT device to be coming from the native connection. These injected packets fool the NAT device into resetting the inactivity timer for that connection, but do not fool or confuse the native application, which is oblivious to the spoofing. Accordingly, the connection will not terminate due to NAT timeouts, and therefore, a client/server protocol, for example, will not need to generate fake activity packets to keep the connection alive.
US07881314B2	Network device providing access to both layer 2 and layer 3 services on a single physical interface A network node includes a first port and a second port, the second port being operable to carry a first type of data traffic over a main physical interface, the first type of data traffic including Layer 2 services. The second port is operable to simultaneously carry a second type of data traffic over a sub-interface of the main physical interface. The second type of data traffic consisting of Layer 3 services that include point-to-point (P2P), point-to-multipoint (P2MP), and multipoint services.
US07881312B2	DSL terminal-exchange device connecting system and method A network device includes a media gateway to receive and process a voice over digital subscriber line (VoDSL) communication to generate voice data in a predetermined format; a terminating unit to receive another type of voice communication and output voice data in the predetermined format; and a control unit to receive the generated voice data from the media gateway and the outputted voice data from the terminating unit, where the network device exchanges at least one of the VoDSL communication to the other type of voice communication or the other type of voice communication to the VoDSL communication.
US07881310B2	Method and apparatus for providing quality of service to VoIP over 802.11 wireless LANs The present invention provides a method and system for providing quality-of-service to VoIP over a wireless local access network by providing periodic, contention-free access to a wireless link for voice packets. This is achieved by coupling Session Initiation Protocol (“SIP”) signaling for call setup with the Point Coordination Function mode of operation of the 802.11 medium access control. The result is that VoIP call signaling via SIP is tied with availability of periodic time-slots on the wireless medium. The periodic time-slots are used to guarantee contention-free access to the wireless link for voice packets. Accordingly, the present invention, in effect, merges two networking technologies: SIP-based VoIP and 802.11-based wireless LANs.
US07881303B2	Command packet packing to mitigate CRC overhead In an embodiment, a node comprises a packet scheduler configured to schedule packets to be transmitted on a link and an interface circuit coupled to the packet scheduler and configured to transmit the packets on the link. The interface circuit is configured to generate error detection data covering the packets, wherein the error detection data is transmitted between packets on the link. The interface circuit is configured to cover up to N packets with one transmission of error detection data, where N is an integer >=2. The number of packets covered with one transmission of error detection data is determined by the interface circuit dependent on an availability of packets to transmit. In another embodiment, the interface circuit is configured to dynamically vary a frequency of transmission of the error detection data on the link based on an amount of bandwidth being consumed on the link.
US07881301B2	Apparatus and method for processing packet in voice and data integration system An apparatus and method for processing a packet in a voice and data integration system are provided. The voice and data integration apparatus includes: a digital signal processor (DSP) for decoding a packet into PCM (pulse code modulation) data; and a host driver for receiving one or more packets from an Internet protocol (IP) network for a predetermined time, storing the received packets in storage regions in the order of sequence numbers, and transmitting the packets to the DSP in the order of the sequence numbers when the predetermined time has elapsed. Accordingly, a quality of voice in voice communication using the voice and data integration apparatus is guaranteed to a maximal extent.
US07881300B2	Broadcasting between subnetworks connected via a router The present invention allows the contents of network-wide broadcast in a first subnetwork to be passed to a second subnetwork even if a router is set to prevent the network-wide broadcast in the first subnetwork from going out of the first subnetwork. In response to the network-wide broadcast in the first subnetwork, a first broadcast relay generates a packet in which a destination address of the network-wide broadcast packet is changed to an address of a second broadcast relay belonging to a second subnetwork, and outputs the address changed packet to the first subnetwork. The second broadcast relay generates, in response to the packet addressed thereto, a second subnetwork-only broadcast as a local broadcast, and outputs it to the second subnetwork. A server of the second subnetwork performs a predetermined process on the broadcast outputted by the second broadcast relay.
US07881299B2	Method and apparatus for managing and transmitting fine granularity services Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and an apparatus for managing and transmitting fine granularity services. The method includes: increasing the bandwidth of an existing LSP which controls a fine granularity service with the same granularity as that of a new fine granularity service to be established, upon determining that the new fine granularity service shares the same source node and destination node with the existing LSP; and transmitting the new fine granularity service with the increased bandwidth of the existing LSP. The bandwidth utilization rate of optical networks can be obviously increased when transmitting fine granularity services in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention; furthermore, the storage space of each node through which the LSP passes is saved and the recovery performance of fine granularity services is guaranteed.
US07881298B2	Method for segmenting and reassembling packet based on tree structure, and method for transmitting/receiving packet using the same Provided is a method of segmenting a packet using a tree structure in order to reduce headers in the packet when the packet is transmitted or received in a wireless communication system using an adaptive modulation and coding (AMC), and a method of transmitting/receiving a packet using the same. The method includes the steps of: determining whether a transmitting processing data unit (PDU) is a retransmitted PDU; determining whether a size of the retransmitted PDU is a transmittable size allowed by a corresponding adaptive modulation and coding (AMC) option if the transmitting PDU is the retransmitted PDU; and segmenting the retransmitting PDU, inserting a header and a sub header with identification information for reassembling into each of the segmented PDUs and transmitting the segmented PDUs.
US07881295B2	Establishing directed communication based upon physical interaction between two devices A method and system for establishing communication with a device is provided. Aspects of an exemplary embodiment include detecting, at a first device, a physical interaction between the first device and a second device; determining a network address usable for establishing communication between the first and second devices based on information derived from the detected physical interaction; and providing for at least one of sending a message directed to the network address from the first device to the second device and assigning the network address to the first device for receiving a message directed to the network address.
US07881294B1	Method and apparatus for enabling network based media manipulation The present invention enables the network to provide enhanced processing of the media stream before and/or during the call establishment. In one embodiment, the network can use the Session Description Header information to provide service support such as mid call Dual Tone Multiple Frequency (DTMF) detection, transcoding, and media conversion within the network instead of between two intelligent endpoint devices.
US07881288B2	Routing media streams from packet switched network to circuit switched network A method, apparatus and computer program in a telecommunication network (111, 112, 121) for routing a media stream from an IMS domain to an MSC (107, 107a) associated with a mobile station in a circuit switched domain of a PLMN (109), wherein a service control node (111, 112, 121) receives a first request for routing path data for routing said media stream to a logical address associated with said mobile station (110), and wherein said logical address is converted into a physical address of the mobile station (110) and subsequently converted into a physical address of the MSC (107, 107a). A service control node (111, 112, 121) in the IMS domain obtains the MSRN for the mobile station (110). The MSRN is used to route the call as an IMS call right up to the MSC (107, 107a). The service control node (111, 112, 121) may comprise a SIP-AS, an ENUM server or a Client Gateway.
US07881287B2	Method and device for session control in hybrid telecommunications network Combinational networks may provide simultaneous connectivity over networks of different type between terminals. Communication sessions on different network types such as Circuit switched and Packet switched, belonging to the same user equipment can be correlated. In case a communication session on a circuit switched network is halted by a supplementary service e.g. at an event such as acceptance of Call Hold, a communication session on a correlated packet switched network should be halted as well. A user equipment that detects the event sends a halt message to the circuit switched network and a message to the packet switched network or a session state manager node. The session state manager node either forwards the halt-message to the packet switched network, or sends a halt-message to the packet switched network when the packet switched network does not notify that a halt has occurred.
US07881282B2	System and method for interfacing a broadband network and a circuit switched network A method is provided managing a call using a digital communication device, where the device provides an interface between a public broadband network and a public circuit switched network. In one example, the method includes receiving a request at the device from either the broadband or circuit switched network to establish the call and identifying a destination for the call. A path from the requesting network to the destination is determined, where the determination identifies whether the path will use one or both of the broadband and circuit switched networks. The call is routed via the path, and the device identifies the destination, determines the path, and routes the call without using any resources associated with the circuit switched network if the path does not include the circuit switched network.
US07881278B2	Method for combining multiple frames of data into a single medium access A method of combining multiple frames of data into a single access to a shared communications medium improves network efficiency transmitting in a fashion compatible with legacy network equipment. An increase in the efficiency of use of a shared communications medium is realized by amortizing the overhead of fixed elements of a communication protocol over multiple frames. The sharing of preamble signaling, elimination of multiple inter-frame gaps or spaces, and the use of a legacy signal field permits a representative embodiment of the present invention to more effectively use a shared communication medium, while in addition providing backward compatible support for legacy network stations.
US07881277B2	Communication method and apparatus for distributed network system where cognitive radio technology is applied A communication method and apparatus for a distributed network system where a cognitive radio (CR) technology is used. A communication method of a distributed network system where the CR technology is used includes transmitting adjacent channel information, from at least one first neighbor node adjacent to a source node, first adjacent channel information of the at least one first neighbor node using a pulse signal according to a request of the source node; by transmitting, from at least one second neighbor node adjacent to a destination node, second adjacent channel information of the at least one second neighbor node to the destination node using a pulse signal according to a request of the destination node; and exchanging data between the source node and the destination node using a channel that is not currently used, according to the transmitted adjacent channel information.
US07881276B2	System and method for relaying data A data communication system includes a mobile station capable of receiving data communications directed to the mobile station, at least one relay station capable of relaying data between a base station and the mobile station, and the base station capable of assigning a connection identifier to the mobile station and each of the at least one relay station and sending a protocol data unit through the at least one relay station to the mobile station, the protocol data unit being capable of identifying the connection identifier assigned to the mobile station without identifying the connection identifier assigned to the at least one relay station.
US07881272B2	Information communications system, information processing unit, and information communication method This invention suppresses increase in power consumption and reduces the time it takes until a controller is usable when starting the operation of console main unit from the standby state by the controller through BT communication. When a console main unit 10 is started up from the standby state by a controller through BT communication, a main CPU 64 of the console main unit 10 reads in and runs a controller connection managing program after the BT driver is read-in and run. Upon reception of a logical layer connection request signal from the controller, the main CPU 64 stores that logical layer connection request signal in main memory 65, reads in and runs the controller connection managing program, reads in terminal identification information from the main memory 65, establishes a logical layer connection through BT communication, and makes a communication module 79 transmit a logical layer connection enable signal.
US07881271B2	Wireless LAN system and its broadcasting station In a wireless LAN system according to the present invention, when a first communication station transmits packets to a second communication station, the first communication station can select a first method in which the second communication station returns first transmission-confirmation information to the first communication station for each packet that the second communication station receives, and a second method in which the second communication station returns, in response to the request of the first communication station, second transmission-confirmation information to the first communication station for plural received packets. The first communication station selects either one of the first method and the second method, based on a number k of packets to be acknowledged by the second transmission-confirmation information. With this arrangement, in the wireless LAN system capable of using plural kinds of transmission confirmation information, transmission confirmation information capable of improving transmission efficiency is selected.
US07881270B2	Method and apparatus for flexible network architecture In a method and apparatus for providing a flexible network architecture, an apparatus operable in a communication system comprises one or more logical entities adapted to provide a set of functions related to a connection through the communication system, wherein said logical entities are connected in series, and a subset of said functions are provided by each occurrence of said logical entities.
US07881268B1	Group list update system and method In a group list update method, a group data server signals to one or more registration servers (e.g., a SIP registration server and/or a Mobile-IP registration server), to notify the registration servers of a group list update. In turn, the next time the registration server sends a registration response to an affected wireless client station, the registration server will include in the registration response a flag indicating that an update is available (or, e.g., an indication of the current version of the group data). In response to being alerted of that updated group data is available, the recipient wireless user station will then send an update request to the group data server, and the group data server responds by conveying the group list revisions to the user station.
US07881266B2	Wireless communication system with selectively sized data transport blocks A wireless transmit receive unit and methods for code division multiple access telecommunications are disclosed that process data in a physical layer and a medium access control (MAC) layer. The physical and MAC layers communicate data between each other via transport channels. The transport channels are associated with logical channels. Logical-channel data for the transport channels is provided in data units having a bit size evenly divisible by an integer N. The respective logical channels associated with a transport channel utilize MAC headers that have a selected modulo N bit size such that there is bit alignment of the MAC headers of all the logical channels associated with a particular transport channel.
US07881262B2	Method and apparatus for enabling mobility in mobile IP based wireless communication systems A method is provided for providing secured mobile IP services to a mobile terminal which is currently associated with an access network different from its own home access network. The method is characterized by creating a virtual mobile node at an access network server of the current access network, which communicates with a Home Agent associated with the terminal's home mobile network and with one or more access points associated with the current access network, at which the mobile terminal is currently located.
US07881261B2	Method and apparatus for efficient dormant handoff of mobile stations having multiple packet data service instances An exemplary method and apparatus provide improved dormant handoff of mobile stations having multiple packet data service instances. Each time a dormant IS-2000 mobile station undergoes a packet data mobility event it sends a dormant handoff request to the supporting network for each packet data service instance associated with it. If the mobile station does not have a traffic channel already assigned to it, each dormant handoff request are sent over common access channels. By recognizing that a given mobile station is re-registering multiple service instances for the same mobility event, the network can avoid excess common channel signaling by assigning a traffic channel to the mobile station responsive to receiving the dormant handoff request for its first service instance. Such an assignment causes the mobile station to send dormant handoff requests for any remaining service instances over the assigned traffic channel rather than over the common access channel.
US07881256B2	Mobile station supervision of the forward dedicated control channel when in the discontinuous transmission mode A method and apparatus for supervising a dedicated control channel when in the discontinuous transmission mode. The mobile station monitors the frames it receives from a base station and maintains a counter of bad, good, and empty frames, referred to as CNT1, CNT2, CNT3, respectively. If a received frame is a good frame, CNT1 is reset to zero and CNT2 is incremented. If the received frame is a bad frame, CNT1 is incremented and CNT2 is reset to zero. If the received frame is an empty frame, CNT1 and CNT2 are unchanged but CNT3 is incremented. A transmitter coupled to the mobile station is enabled or disabled depending upon which, if any, of the CNTs reaches or exceeds a designated threshold value. In another embodiment, an average aggregated value reflecting the strength of the pilot signals in an active set, measured at the mobile station, is used for comparison to a threshold.
US07881255B1	Systems and methods for relating network traffic using traffic-based signatures A system includes multiple logging units, an aggregating unit, and an evaluation unit. The logging unit logs traffic attributes associated with network traffic received at multiple network nodes and generates traffic signatures using the received attributes. The aggregating unit aggregates the traffic signatures generated at the multiple logging units. The evaluating unit determines relationships among the network traffic or between the plurality of network nodes using the aggregated traffic signatures.
US07881252B2	Wireless receiver with intermittent shut-off of RF circuits A terminal for use in a wireless network includes a radio frequency (RF) receiver, which is configured to receive and downconvert a RF signal. The RF signal includes a sequence of downlink frames, each downlink frame including at least a map zone followed by a data zone. The map zone contains an indication of a time allocation in the data zone during which downlink data will be transmitted to the terminal. An analog/digital (A/D) converter converts the output signal from the RF receiver into a stream of digital samples. A digital processing circuit processes the digital samples so as to identify the time allocation and to recover the downlink data transmitted during the identified time allocation, while shutting down the RF receiver during at least one interval during the downlink frame that is outside the identified time allocation.
US07881250B2	Packet communication system The present invention provides a packet communication system including a mobile host, a home agent, a correspondent host, and a mobility agent, where the mobility agent operates in such a way that when the mobile host is in an active mode and has no need for buffering packets, the mobility agent forwards packets received from the home agent or the correspondent host to the mobile host; and alternatively, in the case when the mobile host is in an active mode, but requires buffering of packets, the mobility agent buffers the packets, and further in the case when the mobile host is in an idle mode, the mobility agent buffers the packet and notifies the mobile host of arrival of the packet, in order to prevent the loss of a packet addressed to a mobile host thus decreasing the traffic and the transmission frequency of Binding Update packets.
US07881249B2	Method and apparatus for determining repeater use in wireless communications A method and apparatus for determining whether a received signal is transmitted via a repeater is described. A source signal to be conveyed via a particular repeater may include, or be modified to include, a variety of signal characteristics having a predictable relationship that remains relatively constant, which may be taken together as a signature of the repeater. The signature may reflect a composite of distinct signals. A database of repeater signature references may be developed, and an adequate match between characteristics of an unknown received signal and such signature references indicates that at least part of the unknown signal is transmitted via a repeater. Useful signal characteristics for repeater signatures may include some representative of signal strength, and time of arrival information, among many other possibilities.
US07881248B2	Allocation of frequency bands to radio communication systems To allocate frequency bands to respective radio communication systems, allocation of a frequency band to each radio communication system is modeled by at least one three-dimensional block as a function of a frequency bandwidth and a coverage area of the radio communication system so as to determine at least one block distribution of the modeled blocks. A score is assigned to each block distribution as a function of a minimum frequency band including all the frequency bands of the blocks of the block distribution. Frequency bands are allocated to the radio communication systems in accordance with an adopted block distribution having a score more than a predetermined threshold. The assigned score can be depend on a number of collisions between blocks of said each block distribution and protection bubbles around modeled blocks. The radio communication systems in the protection bubbles do not suffer mutual interference above respective tolerance thresholds.
US07881246B2	Cooperative orthogonal multi-satellite communication system Satellite communication systems and methods are disclosed. The communication system may include a gateway in communication with two satellites. The satellites are configured to receive polarized signals from a first plurality of users and orthogonally polarized signals from a second plurality of users. Each satellite may transmit the polarized signals and the orthogonally polarized signals to the gateway. The first satellite may also receive first feeder signals from the gateway and transmit the first feeder signals to the first plurality of users and the second satellite may also receive second feeder signals from the gateway and transmit the second feeder signals to the second plurality of users.
US07881238B2	Efficient formation of ad hoc networks An ad hoc network identifier may be received, for example, at an ad hoc network convergence module. One or more ad hoc network parameters may be generated as a function of the ad hoc network identifier. Each of a group of computers attempting to form an ad hoc network identified by the ad hoc network identifier may generate the one or more ad hoc network parameters. Two or more of the group of computers may perform an ad hoc network formation protocol parameterized with the generated one or more ad hoc network parameters. An instruction to join the network may be received, for example, at a networking service. If it is detected that the network is an ad hoc network, an ad hoc network address acquisition mode featuring accelerated ad hoc network address acquisition may be activated. Efficient formation of the ad hoc network may thus be facilitated.
US07881236B2	Data transmission method and user equipment for the same A mobile communication technology, and, more particularly, a method for efficiently transmitting data stored in a message 3 (Msg3) buffer and a user equipment for the same is disclosed. The method of transmitting data by a user equipment in uplink includes receiving an uplink (UP) Grant signal from a base station on a specific message, determining whether there is data stored in a message 3 (Msg3) buffer when receiving the UL Grant signal on the specific message, determining whether the specific message is a random access response message, and transmitting the data stored in the Msg3 buffer to the base station using the UL Grant signal received on the specific message, if there is data stored in the Msg3 buffer when receiving the UL Grant signal on the specific message and the specific message is the random access response message.
US07881235B1	Mixed media conferencing Multiple users participate in a conference while taking maximum advantage of hardware and bandwidth capabilities of each participant. Each user's system makes known to a directory service its hardware sending and receiving capabilities. The directory service makes this information available to other users who may then wish to join a conference with the user. An initiating user sends invitations via the directory service to the remote users. Each user that accepts an invitation transmits its network address to the initiating user, who then establishes a peer-to-peer connection with each of the remote users. Each participant system exchanges information about hardware capabilities and bandwidth, and a conference manager determines a best model for connecting each of the participants. Depending on the hardware and bandwidth capabilities of the participants, the manager chooses from a duplicate streams model, a multicast model, and a host-among-peers model for connecting the participants.
US07881233B2	Techniques for planning a conference using location data Techniques for scheduling a conference among multiple persons include receiving quorum data and location data. Quorum data indicates a quorum for a particular conference. Location data indicates locations of a plurality of persons who satisfy the quorum. A proposed location for the particular conference is determined based on the location data and the quorum data. These techniques allow location data to include presence data that describes a current location of a person or a state of communication of that person; and therefore allow presence data to be used in determining where to conduct a conference and when. For example, an organizer of a meeting and meeting invitees are notified when the people constituting a quorum cross paths at the same location, or are situated at sites that support remote conferencing.
US07881232B2	Techniques for managing expenses for a conference scheduled using availability data Techniques for scheduling a conference among multiple persons include receiving quorum data, availability data and cost data. Quorum data indicates a quorum for a particular conference. Availability data indicates availability of a plurality of persons who satisfy the quorum. Cost data indicates a cost to be incurred while conducting a conference. A proposed cost for the particular conference that satisfies the quorum is determined based on the quorum data, the availability data and the cost data. These techniques allow costs of products and services that support a scheduled conference to be estimated, and allow those products and services to be reserved and paid for without additional manual input.
US07881230B2	Facilitating self configuring link aggregation using link aggregation control protocol A switch discovers active neighboring peer devices of a switch. Such discovery includes facilitating communication of Link Aggregation Control Protocol Data Units (LACPDUs) for identifying a unique peer identifier assigned to each one of the neighboring peer devices. In response to discovering the active neighboring peer devices, the switch automatically assigning a link aggregation key to each one of a plurality of physical links over which the switch and one of the active neighboring peer devices communicate respective ones of the LACPDUs. Thereafter, the switch facilitates logically aggregation all of the physical links dependent upon the link aggregation key.
US07881228B2	System and method for broadcast pruning in Ethernet based provider bridging network A system and method for delivering multicast/broadcast data frames, originating in a service virtual local area network (S-VLAN), to a plurality of locations on a customer network is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for delivering multicast/broadcast data frames includes analyzing ingress data frames, including customer virtual local area network identifiers (C-VIDs) associated with one or more divisions within one of a plurality of locations assigned by a customer network, received via incoming ports of each Ethernet switch associated with one of the plurality of locations and learning the C-VIDs of the ingress data frames, storing the learnt C-VIDs in the Ethernet switch, and forwarding the multicast/broadcast data frames to the one or more of the plurality of locations, via one or more outgoing ports of one or more of multiple Ethernet switches associated with the plurality of locations, based on the learnt and stored C-VIDs by each Ethernet switch.
US07881227B2	Methods for spreading or preventing spreading of information in a network A method for improved spreading of information in a network is described, together with corresponding methods with the opposite aim, namely to hinder the spreading of harmful information in a network. The harmful information may be (for example) a data virus. The first method includes as its characterizing feature to connect at least one node of high Eigenvector Centrality Index in a first region with at least one node of high Eigenvector Centrality Index in a second region. These connections may be made using direct links, or with the help of a new node lying between the nodes to be connected. One method for preventing spreading of information or physical traffic in a network may include as its characterizing feature to inoculate at least one center node by blocking any transmission of unwanted information on all links in/out of said center node. Another method for preventing spreading of information or physical traffic may be to inoculate all nodes in a ring of nodes surrounding a center node by blocking any transmission of unwanted information on all links in/out of said nodes. Still another method may be to inoculate at least one bridge link connecting two regions by blocking any transmission of unwanted information on said link.
US07881223B2	Method for on demand distributed hash table update A method for managing communication in a peer-to-peer network in which overlay information is updated on-demand such that neighboring node information is updated at least periodically and other overlay information is updated on-demand (from standard communications). For example, in one aspect, the network includes a plurality of nodes, and the method includes looking up at least one neighboring node, sending a joining message from a joining node to the neighboring node, the joining message including information relating to the joining node, joining the joining node to the network by updating each neighboring node exclusive of any other nodes of the plurality of nodes, sending reply messages from each neighboring node to the joining node, and updating the joining node with information from each neighboring node, exclusive of any other nodes of the plurality of nodes.
US07881222B2	Method for allocating physical hybrid automatic repeat request indicator channel A method for allocating a physical hybrid ARQ indicator channel (PHICH) includes allocating a CDM group according to a cyclic prefix type in consideration of a ratio of the numbers of necessary CDM groups according to spreading factors, and allocating a PHICH to the allocated CDM group. The PHICH includes an ACK/NACK signal multiplexed by code division multiplexing (CDM). Therefore, resources for PHICH transmission are efficiently allocated and a transmission structure can be maintained irrespective of a spreading factor.
US07881220B2	System and method for changing duration of talk burst control timer A system and method for changing a value of a talk burst control timer, are provided. According to an embodiment, there is provided a method of controlling talk burst timer operations for a terminal that communicates with a network, the method performed by the network and comprising: receiving at least one talk burst request from the terminal; and sending, to the terminal, at least one time value for at least one talk burst control timer of the terminal, wherein the time value is decided with consideration of network environment information, and wherein the time value is sent by using a device management (DM) provisioning method.
US07881219B2	Arrangement and method of configuring digital subscriber lines An arrangement, method, and node for configuring subscriber lines in a digital access network. A configuration tool downloads configuration parameters from the network into the access nodes, which configure the subscriber lines according to the configuration parameters. An automated monitoring tool monitors performance parameters for the subscriber lines. The monitoring tool compares a value of a first monitored performance parameter on each subscriber line with a predefined threshold value, and based on a result of the comparison, either changes a value of a first configuration parameter or repeats the monitoring of the first performance parameter.
US07881215B1	Stateful and stateless data processing The present invention provides systems and methods enabling network nodes to process data in a more efficient manner. In one aspect, the present invention analyzes data processed in a network node and determines whether the data requires processing in a stateful mode. If the data does not require processing in a stateful mode, the present invention processes the data in a stateless mode thereby saving processing resources. Embodiments of the present invention permit selection of processing modes in both manual and dynamic manners. Further, the determination of whether to process data in a stateful or a stateless mode may be made in response to various stimuli.
US07881213B2	Methods and apparatus for fibre channel interconnection of private loop devices Methods and apparatus for Fiber Channel interconnection is provided between a plurality of private loop devices through a Fiber Channel private loop device interconnect system. In the preferred embodiments, the Fiber Channel private loop device interconnect system is a fabric or an intelligent bridging hub. In one aspect of this invention, a Fiber Channel private loop device is connected to two or more Arbitrated Loops containing, or adapted to contain, one or more private loop devices. Preferably, the interconnect system includes a routing filter to filter incoming Arbitrated Loop physical addresses (ALPAs) to determine which Fiber Channel frames must attempt to be routed through the fabric.
US07881212B2	Method for determining a route distance value A method determines a route in distance value for use in routing protocols. An optimum route is determined for time-critical transmissions such as videotelephony or VoIP. For this purpose, the route distance value is calculated as the product of the link metrics for the links of a route, said link metrics being the product of data packet arrival rates. This value is the optimum value for the route which requires the lowest number of repeated packet transmissions (retransmissions). Optionally, an additional factor can be inserted in the link metrics, which factor ensures that the length of a route is also taken into consideration.
US07881202B2	System and method for dropping lower priority packets that are slated for wireless transmission A method for dropping lower priority packets for transmission over a wireless communication medium is provided. A central device receives one or more packets to be transferred to one or more data providers, each packet having a priority. Then, based on the priority, a media access controller stores each of the packets in one or more priority queues in a fixed shared memory space in such a way as to maintain the order in which the packets were received in each of the priority queues. The media access controller monitors the number of packets in each of the priority queues and signals an interrupt when a packet threshold is exceeded in one or more of the priority queues. The media access controller then drops lower priority packets in the fixed shared memory space based on the order received to guarantee that there is enough memory to store higher priority packets in the fixed shared memory space.
US07881201B2	Resending control circuit, sending device, resending control method and resending control program A resending control circuit for controlling resending of data to be sent to a sending destination, includes: a writing unit for writing resending information generated corresponding to each of data to be resent and including the resending point-in-time of the data in memory; a reading unit for reading out the resending information from the memory; and a control unit for comparing resending point-in-time included in the oldest resending information of resending information stored in the memory with current point-in-time, and executing resending processing of data corresponding to the resending information according to the comparison result.
US07881194B1	Method for pacing multi-rate time sensitive traffic on ethernet and bridge connected networks A system and method for delaying packet transmissions within source devices and network bridges for the purpose of reducing the worst-case delays associated with forwarding of time-sensitive packets through a bridged network. The minimal bridged network system include a first device node attached to a first network link, a second device node attached to a second network link, and a bridge connecting the first network link to the second network link. The method and system includes shaping the traffic within a source device or bridge (shaping involves spreading bunched packets over time). Within a bridge, shaping occurs at each output port of the bridge, applying a distinct shaper to the traffic coming from each of the input ports, as well as distinct shapers for the distinct traffic class coming each of the input ports. According to the system and method disclosed herein, the present invention ensures small latencies when passing through network bridges, regardless of the network topology or other concurrent data-packet transfers, subject to the restriction that the cumulative time-sensitive bandwidth flowing through any link is less than the prenegotiated rate below that of the link's cumulative bandwidth capacity.
US07881191B2	Method and apparatus for downlink multi-channel packet combined scheduling in mobile communication system The present invention sets forth a method for performing packet combined scheduling of dedicated transport channels for packet services in UMTS downlinks, comprising the following steps: a) prior to each DCH scheduling period, performing pre-selection processing of a transport format combination of each DPCH according to the predetermined restriction conditions for the DCH combined packet scheduling, so as to determine a usable transport format combination set for each DPCH; b) restricting a total downlink transmit power of DCHs for NRT packet services to a schedulable power not exceeding a schedulable power value in the estimation of a total downlink power during said scheduling period; c) based on the fairness of DCH transportation and the QoS requirements of the DCH-borne services, determining weighted values which the respective DCHs correspond to in the optimization of the DCH combined packet scheduling; and d) based on the results of steps a), b), and c), calculating the maximum number of bits which each DCH is schedulable to output, using a 0-1 programming algorithm. The present invention guarantees the fairness, priority and QoS (Quality of Service) of different DCHs and can achieve maximum total data throughput.
US07881188B2	Methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing link redundancy in a media gateway Methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing link redundancy in a media gateway are provided according to one method, a media gateway link protection group is provisioned to associate with a common VLAN a common virtual local area network (VLAN) primary and secondary links associated with at least one line card in a media gateway. The primary and secondary links are connected using a cross connection between ports associated with the at least one line card. At run time, traffic is automatically bridged between the primary and secondary links using the common VLAN and the cross connection.
US07881175B2	Signal generating apparatus and method, recording apparatus and method, reproducing apparatus and method, recording/reproducing apparatus and method, computer program, and recording medium A recording/reproducing apparatus (100) is provided with comprising: recording devices (131a-131e) for recording record signals (WS1-WS5) in parallel and in synchronization with a record clock; a signal generating device (143) for generating record signals such that a reproduction clock synchronized with the record clock can be generated on the basis of the reproduced record signals, if the plurality of record signals are reproduced in parallel; reproducing devices (131a-131e) for reproducing the record signals in parallel; and a clock generating device (154) for generating a reproduction clock.
US07881174B2	Optical pickup apparatus The present invention provides an optical pickup apparatus to for recording and/or reproducing information on an optical information recording medium including multilayered information recording surfaces. The optical pickup apparatus includes: a light source; an objective lens; a first optical element including a first optical area and a second optical area; a second optical element including a third optical area and a fourth optical area. The optical pickup apparatus further includes a light-converging element for receiving a main light flux from one information recording surface and a secondary light flux from another information recording surface and converging the main light flux at a position between the first optical element and the second optical element. The optical pickup apparatus further includes a polarization splitting optical member for splitting the main light flux and the secondary light flux; and a photodetector for receiving the main light flux.
US07881170B2	Recording power correction method and recording and reproduction apparatus for optical disk Correction of recording power is appropriately performed to an optical disk. The recording power correction method includes a step of temporarily stopping data recording into an optical disk, reproducing a result of the relevant data recording, and specifying a detection pattern including a predetermined code in a reproduction signal; a step of detecting a signal state in the reproduction signal corresponding to the detection pattern; and a determination step of determining at least a correction direction of recording power in the data recording based on the detected signal state and a reference state specified from the detection pattern. Processing is performed on the basis of the detection pattern in this way, thereby the method can cope with even a recording and reproduction system for optical disk employing the PRML signal processing method.
US07881169B2	Information recording medium, recording/reproducing method, and recording/reproducing apparatus An information recording medium, a method of recording and/or reproducing data to/from the medium, and a recording/reproducing apparatus using the medium, the medium having a data area including a user data area to record user data, and a spare area to record replacement blocks that replace defect blocks occurring in the user data area, wherein defect list entries include status information of the defect blocks and the replacement blocks, and the status information of the defect blocks in the user data area is changed, and the status information of the replacement blocks in the spare area is changed, in response to the spare area being newly allocated to re-initialize the medium.
US07881166B2	Optical pickup device In an optical pickup device including light sources for emitting laser light, an objective lens for collecting the laser light emitted from the light sources on a disc surface of an optical disc, a light receiving unit for receiving the reflected light reflected by the disc surface, a collimator lens for correcting spherical aberration of the exit light from the objective lens, a lens driving unit for moving the collimator lens in an optical axis direction, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the lens driving unit based on the output of the light receiving unit, the astigmatism of the exit light from the objective lens is corrected by tilting the collimator lens by a predetermined angle by the lens driving unit.
US07881165B2	Optical scanning device with compact spherical aberration compensation The invention relates to an optical scanning device for scanning at least one information layer (101, 102) in an information carrier (10), comprising means (1) for generating a radiation beam (11) intended to be focused on the information layer (101, 102). A spherical aberration (SA) compensation module (40) is arranged in the light path of the radiation beam (11) and comprises a SA compensation means (41) and a reflective means (42) for folding the light path of the radiation beam (11).
US07881156B2	Method to estimate towed array angles A towed array is provided with hot-film sensors and anemometer circuitry to calculate the angle of inclination of the towed array in real time during deployment of the towed array in a sea water environment. The hot-film sensors are arranged in pairs along the length of the towed array to increase the sensitivity of the inclination angle determinations and are located flush with an exterior surface of the towed array to minimize interference with the operation of the towed array. The pairs of hot-film sensors determine the local shear stresses on the towed array, and these measurements are converted to inclination angles using an empirically derived look-up table.
US07881152B2	Active steering for marine sources A seismic survey system includes a winch having a winch cable coupleable to a source array towable between two deflected lead-ins, a positioning system for determining a current position of the source array and a controller for adjusting the winch to modify the current position of the source array to a desired crossline position. The winches may be attached to the deflected lead-ins or mounted on a tow vessel. The winches exert lateral forces on the source array, derived from the deflected lead-ins, to control the inline position of the source array. A method includes positioning a seismic source array in tow behind a vessel comprises determining a current position of the source array and adjusting a lateral force applied to the source array to move the source array to a desired crossline position. Optionally, by adjusting the gun cable winch, the inline position may be controlled.
US07881150B2	Circuit providing load isolation and memory domain translation for memory module A circuit is configured to be mounted on a memory module so as to be electrically coupled to a plurality of double-data-rate (DDR) memory devices arranged in one or more ranks on the memory module. The circuit includes a logic element, a register, and a phase-lock loop device. The circuit is configurable to respond to a set of input signals from a computer system to selectively isolate one or more loads of the plurality of DDR memory devices from the computer system and to translate between a system memory domain of the computer system and a physical memory domain of the plurality of DDR memory devices.
US07881144B1	Process and temperature invariant power on reset circuit using a bandgap reference and a long delay chain A power-on-reset circuit determines when it is safe for a programmable device to access configuration data from an associated non-volatile memory following a reset operation. The power-on-reset circuit receives a bandgap reference voltage produced by the programmable device. A comparator circuit is used to trigger a self-clocking delay unit when the bandgap reference voltage reaches a threshold level. The self-clocking delay unit generates its own clock signal independent of the clock frequency of the programmable device. The self-clocking delay unit may use edge-dependent delay units in a feedback loop to generate the clock signal. Using its own clock signal, the self-clocking delay unit waits for a predetermined time period and the outputs a signal to be used to enable access to the associated non-volatile memory.
US07881142B2	Storage device and control method thereof A storage device and its control method are described, according to which a bias voltage to be supplied to a memory cell array is selected from boosted voltages which are increased from an external voltage and non-boosted voltages which are not increased from the external voltage. In the period during which a DC-DC converter section supplies a boosted voltage increased from the external voltage to an internal bias line for supplying a bias voltage to the memory cell array, a non-boosted voltage supply section for supplying a non-boosted voltage equal to or less than the external voltage is in its inactive state. In the period during which the non-boosted voltage supply section supplies a non-boosted voltage to the internal bias line, the DC-DC converter section is in its inactive state. In the period during which a boosted voltage is supplied to the internal bias line, the DC-DC converter section is used for ensuring sufficient power supply ability, and in the period during which the non-boosted voltage is supplied to the internal bias line, the DC-DC converter section can be kept in its inactive state. Thus, the power consumed by the DC-DC converter section can be saved in the period during which the supply of a boosted voltage is unnecessary.
US07881134B2	Replacing defective columns of memory cells in response to external addresses Electronic systems and methods of operating memory devices are provided. In one such embodiment, a memory device receives an external address that addresses a non-defective column of memory cells of a sequence of columns of memory cells of the memory device in place of a defective column of memory cells of the sequence of columns of memory cells such that the non-defective memory column replaces the defective memory column. The non-defective column of memory cells is proximate non-defective column of memory cells following the defective column of memory cells in the sequence of columns of memory cells that is available to replace the defective column of memory cells.
US07881133B2	Method of managing a flash memory and the flash memory One embodiment of the method includes determining a type of cells in a block of the flash memory if an error is detected in at least a portion of the block, and selectively changing one of a cell type indicator and a bad block indicator associated with the block based on the determined type of cells in the block. The cell type indicator indicates a type of the cells in the associated block, and the bad block indicator indicates whether the associated block is a usable block.
US07881129B2	High voltage regulator for non-volatile memory device A high voltage regulator may include a first regulating unit, a second regulating unit, and an output node. The first regulating unit regulates the program voltage in a voltage-level-up interval of a program voltage of a memory cell. The second regulating unit regulates the program voltage in a voltage-level-down interval of the program voltage. The output node outputs the regulated program voltage.
US07881128B2	Negative word line voltage generator for semiconductor memory device A negative word line voltage generator for semiconductor memory device includes a comparison unit configured to compare a reference voltage and a feedback voltage and to output a comparison result as an output signal, a pull-down driving unit configured to pull down a negative word line voltage in response to an output signal of the comparison unit, a sub pull-down driving unit configured to pull down a voltage level of the negative word line voltage node additionally during an activation period of a precharge signal, and a feedback unit configured to provide the feedback voltage corresponding to a voltage level of the negative word line voltage.
US07881126B2	Memory structure with word line buffers A memory comprises a plurality of memory cells. A row decoder module selectively drives word lines using a voltage level to access selected ones of the memory cells. A first regeneration module selectively pulls the voltage level on one of the word lines to one of first and second predetermined voltage levels. At least one of the memory cells of the one of the word lines is located between the first regeneration module and the row decoder module.
US07881125B2	Power reduction in a content addressable memory having programmable interconnect structure A content addressable memory (CAM) device includes a CAM array, a programmable interconnect structure, and a priority encoder. The CAM array includes a plurality of CAM rows, each row including a number of CAM cells for storing a data word and coupled to a match line that indicates a match result for the CAM row. The programmable interconnect structure is coupled to each CAM row and a plurality of CAM rows, each row including a number of CAM cells for storing a data word and coupled to a match line that indicates match results for the row. The programmable interconnect structure coupled to each CAM row, and is configured to logically connect any number N of selected CAM rows together to form a data word chain spanning N rows, regardless of whether the selected CAM rows are contiguous.
US07881124B2	Method for block writing in a memory A method is provided for block writing in an electrically programmable non-volatile memory, in which a block to be written in the memory includes at least one word. The method includes determining a word write time by dividing a fixed block write time by the number of words in the block to be written, and controlling the memory to successively write each word in the memory during the write time.
US07881123B2	Multi-operation mode nonvolatile memory Disclosed are various embodiments that program a memory array with different carrier movement processes. In one application, memory cells are programmed with a particular carrier movement process depending on the pattern of data usage, such as code flash and data flash. In another application, memory cells are programmed with a particular carrier movement process depending on particular threshold voltage state to be programmed, in a multi-level cell scheme.
US07881122B2	Discharge circuit Provided is a discharge circuit. The discharge circuit for discharging two positive and negative high voltages after an erase operation of a non-volatile memory includes: a negative high voltage side discharge unit flowing constant current from a supply voltage to a negative high voltage node of the non-volatile memory to discharge the negative high voltage node; and a positive high voltage side discharge unit flowing constant current from a positive high voltage node of the non-volatile memory to a ground voltage to discharge the positive high voltage node, the positive high voltage side discharge unit simultaneously operating with the negative high voltage side discharge unit, wherein values of the constant currents flowing from the positive and negative high voltage side discharge units are approximately equal.
US07881120B2	Semiconductor memory device A semiconductor memory device comprises a plurality of memory cells connected to a bit line; and a sense amplifier operative to sense the magnitude of cell current flowing via the bit line in a selected memory cell connected to the bit line to determine the value of data stored in the memory cell. The sense amplifier includes a first transistor for precharge operative to supply current in the bit line via a first and a second sense node, a second transistor for charge transfer interposed between the first and second sense nodes, and a third transistor for continuous current supply operative to supply current in the bit line not via the first and second sense nodes.
US07881112B2	Program and erase methods with substrate transient hot carrier injections in a non-volatile memory The present invention describes a uniform program method and a uniform erase method of a charge trapping memory by employing a substrate transient hot electron technique for programming, and a substrate transient hot hole technique for erasing, which emulate an FN tunneling method for NAND memory operation. The methods of the present invention are applicable to a wide variety of charge trapping memories including n-channel or p-channel SONOS types of memories and floating gate (FG) type memories. the programming of the charge trapping memory is conducted using a substrate transient hot electron injection in which a body bias voltage Vb has a short pulse width and a gate bias voltage Vg has a pulse width that is sufficient to move electrons from a channel region to a charge trapping structure.
US07881108B2	Maintenance operations for multi-level data storage cells Systems and methods, including computer software, for reading data from a flash memory cell involve detecting voltages from a group of memory cells. The group of memory cells have associated metadata for error detection, and each memory cell stores a voltage representing a data value selected from a plurality of possible data values. Each possible data value corresponds to one range of multiple non-overlapping ranges of analog voltages. Memory cells having uncertain data values are identified based on the detected voltages. Alternative data values for the memory cells having the uncertain data values are determined. A combination of alternative data values is selected, and an error detection test is performed using the metadata associated with the memory cells and the selected combination of alternative data values.
US07881098B2	Memory with separate read and write paths A memory unit includes a giant magnetoresistance cell electrically coupled between a write bit line and a write source line and a magnetic tunnel junction data cell electrically coupled between a read bit line and a read source line. A write current passing through the giant magnetoresistance cell switches the giant magnetoresistance cell between a high resistance state and a low resistance state. The magnetic tunnel junction data cell is configured to switch between a high resistance state and a low resistance state by magnetostatic coupling with the giant magnetoresistance cell. The magnetic tunnel junction data cell is read by a read current passing though the magnetic tunnel junction data cell.
US07881094B2	Voltage reference generation for resistive sense memory cells Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to an apparatus and associated method for generating a reference voltage for a resistive sense memory (RSM) cell, such as an STRAM cell. A dummy reference cell used to generate a reference voltage to sense a resistive state of an adjacent RSM cell. The dummy reference cell comprises a switching device, a resistive sense element (RSE) programmed to a selected resistive state, and a dummy resistor coupled to the RSE. A magnitude of the reference voltage is set in relation to the selected resistive state of the RSE and the resistance of the dummy resistor.
US07881093B2	Programmable precision resistor and method of programming the same A link portion between a first electrode and a second electrode includes a semiconductor link portion and a metal semiconductor alloy link portion comprising a first metal semiconductor alloy. An electrical pulse converts the entirety of the link portion into a second metal semiconductor alloy having a lower concentration of metal than the first metal semiconductor alloy. Due to the stoichiometric differences between the first and second metal semiconductor alloys, the link portion has a higher resistance after programming than prior to programming. The shift in electrical resistance well controlled, which is advantageously employed to as a programmable precision resistor.
US07881088B2	Content addressable memory device The range-specified IP addresses are effectively stored to reduce the number of necessary entries thereby the memory capacity of TCAM is improved. The representative means of the present invention is that: the storage information (entry) and the input information (comparison information or search key) are the common block code such that any bit must be the logical value ‘1’; Match-lines are hierarchically structured and memory cells are arranged at the intersecting points of a plurality of sub-match lines and a plurality of search lines; Further the sub-match lines are connected to main-match lines through the sub-match detectors, respectively and main-match detectors are arranged on the main-match lines.
US07881084B2	DC/AC cold cathode fluorescent lamp inverter A DC/AC cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) inverter circuit includes a transformer with a primary winding and a secondary winding for providing increased voltage to a CCFL, a first and second MOSFET switches for selectively allowing direct current of a first polarity and a second polarity to flow through the transformer respectively. The primary and secondary windings of the transformer are electrically coupled to ground. A capacitor divider is electrically coupled to the CCFL for providing a first voltage signal representing a voltage across the CCFL. A first feedback signal line receives the first voltage signal. A timer circuit is coupled to the first feedback signal line for providing a time-out sequence of a predetermined duration when the first voltage signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. A protection circuit shuts down the first switch and the second switch when the first voltage signal exceeds the predetermined threshold after the predetermined duration.
US07881082B2	Power conversion apparatus and method of controlling the same A power conversion apparatus includes a series circuit having a first switching element and a second switching element, the series circuit being connected to a DC power source in parallel, a resonant circuit including a capacitor and a primary winding of a transformer, the resonant circuit being connected to one of the first and second switching elements in parallel, an intermittent signal generator, a controller to control the start and stop of a switching operation of the first and second switching elements according to the intermittent signal, a current detector to detect a resonant current passing through the resonant circuit, and a timing generator to generate a timing signal when the detected resonant current satisfies a resonant condition. After the switching operation of the first and second switching elements is suspended according to the intermittent signal, the controller resumes the switching operation in response to the timing signal.
US07881079B2	UPS frequency converter and line conditioner Systems and methods disclosed herein monitor and control input to a converter in one or more of a UPS, a frequency converter, or a line conditioner. Distortion due at least in part to ripple voltage can be removed from a control signal that controls input current to the converter. The systems and methods described herein afford a simple and effective way to reduce or eliminate one or more of subharmonic oscillation and total harmonic distortion from a converter input current during synchronous and asynchronous modes of operation. The converter may include one or more of a rectifier and an inverter.
US07881074B2	Blanking panel A blanking panel includes a main body extending from a first end to a second end and adapted to cover a rack having at least two posts, a fastener portion at the end of each of the first and the second ends, and an alignment member at the end of each of the first end and the second end, the alignment feature including a first pin and a second, removable pin such that the main body can be alternatively attached to a square hole with the removable pin intact, or attached to a round hole with the removable pin removed and the first pin extending through the hole.
US07881073B2	Electronic apparatus An electronic apparatus includes: a display panel that has a display screen displaying an image on a front surface thereof; a supporting board that has a first surface extending facing a rear surface of the display panel; a first circuit substrate that is fixed to a second surface of the supporting board; and a unit that includes a base board, a plate-like electronic part supported by the base board, and a second circuit substrate fixed to the base board. The unit is supported on the second surface of the supporting board. The first circuit substrate and the second circuit substrate include a first connector and a second connector, respectively. The first connector and the second connector link with each other when the base board is slid in a direction, and go away from each other when the base board is slid in the opposite direction.
US07881072B2	System and method for processor power delivery and thermal management A power interconnection system comprising a plurality of z-axis compliant connectors passing power and ground signals between a first circuit board to a second circuit board is disclosed. The interconnection system provides for an extremely low impedance through a broad range of frequencies and allows for large amounts of current to pass from one substrate to the next either statically or dynamically. The interconnection system may be located close to the die or may be further away depending upon the system requirements. The interconnection may also be used to take up mechanical tolerances between the two substrates while providing a low impedance interconnect.
US07881069B2	Printed circuit board A chip capacitor is provided in a core substrate of a printed circuit board. This makes it possible to shorten a distance between an IC chip and the chip capacitor and to reduce loop inductance. Since the core substrate is constituted by provided a first resin substrate, a second resin substrate and a third resin substrate in a multilayer manner, the core substrate can obtain sufficient strength.
US07881068B2	Composite layer for an electronic device Provided herein is a composite layer including an electronically functional structural component adapted to integrate a plurality of electronic functions into a laminate cover, layer, and/or laminate component, for protecting, supporting, and/or forming a complete electronic device (such as a multimedia device). The composite layer includes a plurality of structural and/or protective layers interspersed with electronically functional layers or electronic components in communication with the multimedia device to form a supportive and electronically functional layer, cover, protective layer, and/or electronic device. Thus, the composite layer provided allow for the cost-effective addition of thin and lightweight functional, protective, and/or decorative layers to a multimedia device or other electronic device at a sales location or other customization location.
US07881067B2	Circuit board assembly A circuit board assembly (100) includes a circuit board (10) and at least one electrical element (20). The circuit board includes a dielectric substrate (12) including a supporting surface (13), and at least one connecting part (14) formed on the supporting surface. The at least one electrical element is electrically connected to the at least one connecting part via a connecting media (28). At least one air-exhaust hole (16) extends through the connecting part and the dielectric substrate. The at least one air-exhaust hole is configured for exhausting air from the connecting media.
US07881066B2	Apparatus for attaching an electronic component to a rubber article A main body for attaching an electronic component, for example, a transponder, on a rubber article, such as a tire, a conveyor belt, or the like. The mount has a connecting layer made, in one embodiment, of uncured, curable rubber material which is covered by an adhering protection film prior to use. A main body made of cured or uncured rubber material is permanently connected with this connecting layer and has a recess for accommodating the electronic component. A cover preferably made of the main body material, serves for fixing the electronic component in the recess in the main body.
US07881063B2	Nonvolatile memory card and configuration conversion adapter A nonvolatile memory card, including interface parts for plural kinds of memory cards; interface controllers corresponding to the interface parts for corresponding memory cards; and a switch configured to select a single one of the interface controllers.
US07881052B2	Compact HDD carrier mechanism featuring self actuating EMC springs to prevent HDD component shorting An improved carrier comprises a tray, an EMC component, and a bezel. The EMC component comprises a top spring set and a bottom spring set. Each spring set comprises a plurality of spring biased contacts connected by a plate and a bar so that each spring set moves in unison when depressed or released. Each tray has a first flange and a second flange and each of the flanges has a cut out portion. When an improved carrier is moved out of an array enclosure, the flanges depress the top spring of the EMC component of the carrier below. When the improved carrier is moved into the array enclosure, the flanges depress the top spring set of the carrier below until the top spring set of the carrier below is released by the cut-out portions of the flanges. When released, the top spring set of the carrier below contacts the bottom spring set of the carrier above to form a continuous EMC shield.
US07881050B2	Video display unit support bracket A video display unit support bracket (100) that facilitates greater integration of TV, internet, gaming, and computer peripheral devices. The bracket (100) can include a rigid casing (105) defining a first outer shell (205). An engagement structure (110) can be disposed on a portion of the rigid casing (105). The engagement structure (110) includes one or more receivers (220) that are configured for rotatably securing a proximal end (121) of a video display unit support arm (120) to the rigid casing (105). The rigid casing (105) can enclose a first internal cavity (306), which, in turn, can enclose one or signal processing circuits (300) selected from the group consisting of an RF modem (310), a multiplexing device (305), and a control signal interface circuit (315).
US07881045B2	Enclosure of a power electronics appliance An enclosure arrangement, with protection against touch, of a power electronics appliance, more particularly of a frequency converter (31, 51) and its additional devices (12, 13), which solution contains an enclosed power electronics appliance and one or more enclosed additional devices installed in connection with it, which enclosed power electronics appliance and additional devices are modules, which can be fitted to be installed in combination one above the other such that the protection against touch of the appliance entity formed is as great as or higher than the protection against touch of the separate appliances.
US07881043B2	Wound electric double-layer capacitor A wound electric double-layer capacitor suppresses electrochemical reaction on polarized electrode layers, reduces characteristic degradation, and has high reliability. The capacitor has a capacitor element formed by winding positive and negative electrodes with a separator interposed between them, a metal case for storing the capacitor element and an electrolyte for driving, and a sealing member for sealing an opening of the metal case. In the positive and negative electrodes, positive and negative electrode lead wires are coupled to exposed parts of current collectors having polarized electrode layers on their both surfaces, respectively. The negative electrode is wound at least one extra turn from the winding end of the positive electrode of the capacitor element, and hence a part where the polarized electrode layers formed in the negative electrode face each other through the separator is formed on the outermost periphery of the capacitor element.
US07881037B2	Vehicle occupant protection apparatus An air bag device of the present invention includes squibs and a capacitor, an electric discharge circuit as well as a backup power supply, a voltage stabilizer and ignition circuits. The voltage stabilizer converts the voltage of the backup power supply to the predetermined target voltage, and the converted voltage is supplied for the ignition circuit. The capacitor removes a noise emitted by the ignition circuit. The electric discharge circuit discharges electricity accumulated in the capacitor right after the supply of an ignition current from the ignition circuit has ended. In this manner, a voltage rise of the capacitor occurring after the end of the supply of the ignition current can be resolved immediately, thereby enabling a supply of a stable ignition current for the squibs.
US07881031B2	Overcurrent protection circuit when setting current using a package control pin An overcurrent protection circuit for a current setting circuit is disclosed herein that prevents a user-selectable current from exceeding a current limit when an incorrect current selecting component (or current selecting circuit) is connected to an external control pin of a package by the user, or when the control pin is inadvertently grounded. The protection circuit senses a current (A1*Iset) mirrored from the user-set current (Iset). If the mirrored current is above a threshold, the protection circuit limits the Iset current to be at or below a current limit level. In one embodiment, the protection circuit comprises a transistor that turns on when the mirrored current exceeds a threshold, and the transistor shunts control current from a series transistor generating the user-set current Iset.
US07881030B1	Enhancement-mode field effect transistor based electrostatic discharge protection circuit The present invention relates to an electrostatic discharge (ESD) clamp circuit that is used to protect other circuitry from high voltage ESD events. The ESD clamp circuit may include a field effect transistor (FET) element as a clamping element, which is triggered by using a drain-to-gate capacitance, a drain-to-gate resistance, or both of the FET element, and a resistive element as a voltage divider to divide down an ESD voltage to provide a triggering gate voltage of the FET element. In its simplest embodiment, the ESD clamp circuit includes only an FET element and a resistive element. Therefore, the single FET element ESD clamp circuit may be small compared to other ESD protection circuits. The simplicity of the ESD clamp circuit may minimize parasitic capacitances, thereby maximizing linearity of the ESD clamp circuit over a wide frequency range.
US07881029B1	Depletion-mode field effect transistor based electrostatic discharge protection circuit The present invention relates to an electrostatic discharge (ESD) clamp circuit that is used to protect other circuitry from high voltage ESD events. The ESD clamp circuit may include a field effect transistor (FET) element as a clamping element, which is triggered by using a drain-to-gate capacitance and a drain-to-gate resistance of the FET element and a resistive element as a voltage divider to divide down an ESD voltage to provide a triggering gate voltage of the FET element. In its simplest embodiment, the ESD clamp circuit includes only an FET element, a resistive element, a source-coupled level shifting diode, and a reverse protection diode. Therefore, the ESD clamp circuit may be small compared to other ESD protection circuits. The simplicity of the ESD clamp circuit may minimize parasitic capacitances, thereby maximizing linearity of the ESD clamp circuit over a wide frequency range.
US07881027B2	Fault condition protection A regulator for a switched mode power supply includes switching regulator logic, a counter and a logic gate. The switching regulator logic is coupled to receive a feedback signal and to generate a switching signal in response. The feedback signal periodically cycles between a first state and a second state when the power supply operates normally. The counter is coupled to receive the feedback signal and an output of the counter indicates an auto-restart mode of the regulator in response to the feedback signal remaining in the first state for a predetermined count. An output of the logic gate enables the power switch to turn on and off in response to the switching signal when the output of the counter does not indicate the auto-restart mode and the output of the logic gate disables the power switch in response to the output of the counter indicating the auto-restart mode.
US07881026B2	Semiconductor integrated circuit An integrated circuit formed on a semiconductor chip includes voltage regulators for stepping down an externally-supplied power voltage to produce an internal power voltage, and internal circuits which operate based on the internal power voltage. The voltage regulators are laid in the area of the buffers and protective elements for the input/output signals and power voltages so that the overhead area due to the on-chip provision of the voltage regulators is minimized. The internal power voltage is distributed to the internal circuits through a looped main power line, with an electrode pad for connecting an external capacitor for stabilizing the internal power voltage being provided on it, so that the internal power voltage is stabilized and the power consumption of the integrated circuit is minimized.
US07881025B2	Magneto-resistive effect device having a spacer layer of a semiconductor layer interposed between first and second nonmagnetic metal layers and a work function control layer for use in a thin-film magnetic head usable in a head gimbal assembly in a hard disk system The invention provides a CPP-GMR device comprising a spacer layer. The spacer layer comprises a first nonmagnetic metal layer and a second nonmagnetic metal layer, each formed of a nonmagnetic metal material, and a semiconductor layer interposed between the first nonmagnetic metal layer and the second nonmagnetic metal layer, and further comprises a work function control layer formed between the first nonmagnetic metal layer and the semiconductor layer and/or between the second nonmagnetic metal layer and the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer is an n-type semiconductor, and the work function control layer is made of a material having a work function smaller than that of said first nonmagnetic metal layer, and said second nonmagnetic metal layer. It is thus possible to obtain by far more improved advantages.
US07881021B2	CPP type magnetoresistive device with biasing arrangement for ferromagnetic layers having respective magnetizations orthogonal to one another, and magnetic disk system using same A magnetoresistive device with CPP structure, comprising a nonmagnetic intermediate layer, and a first ferromagnetic layer and a second ferromagnetic layer stacked and formed with said nonmagnetic intermediate layer interposed between them, wherein each of said first and second ferromagnetic layers comprises a sensor area joining to the nonmagnetic intermediate layer and a magnetization direction control area that extends further rearward from the position of the rear end of said nonmagnetic intermediate layer; a magnetization direction control multilayer arrangement is interposed at an area where the magnetization direction control area for said first ferromagnetic layer is opposite to the magnetization direction control area for said second ferromagnetic layer to produce magnetizations of the said first and second ferromagnetic layers which are antiparallel with each other; and said sensor area is provided at both width direction ends with biasing layers working such that the mutually antiparallel magnetizations of said first and second ferromagnetic layers intersect in substantially orthogonal directions.
US07881019B2	Two step corner recess for secondary stray field reduction in a perpendicular magnetic recording head A magnetic structure for use in a magnetic head for avoiding stray field writing. The magnetic structure can be for example a magnetic shield or could be a magnetic pole of a write head and is particularly advantageous for use in a perpendicular recording system, because such perpendicular recording systems are especially susceptible to stray field writing. The magnetic structure includes a forward protruding portion that extends toward the air bearing surface (ABS) of the head also includes first and second wing portions that extend laterally from the forward protruding portion. The wing portions each have includes an inner constant recess portion, and an outer tapered portion. The inner constant recess portion of each wing prevents stray field writing while also preventing magnetic saturation, the outer tapered portions, which taper away from the ABS as they extend laterally outward, further prevent stray field writing by removing the outer corners of the shield away from the ABS.
US07881018B2	Differential current perpendicular to plane giant magnetoresistive sensor structure having improved robustness against spin torque noise A differential giant magnetoresistive sensor for sensing a magnetic signal. The differential sensor has a structure configured to minimize spin torque noise. The differential magnetoresistive sensor includes first and second magnetoresistive sensor elements and a three lead structure including an inner lead sandwiched between the first and second sensor elements and first and second outer leads. each of the sensor elements includes an antiparallel coupled free layer structure with the free layer of each of the sensor elements preferably being positioned near the inner lead. The three lead structure allows sense current to be supplied to the sensor such that electrons travel first through the free layer of each sensor element and then through the pinned layer structure.
US07881017B2	Fly height control apparatus and electrical coupling thereto for supporting a magnetic recording transducer A fly height control apparatus for supporting a magnetic recording transducer comprises a trifurcated slider. A piezoelectric transducer is coupled to a surface of the central trifurcation of the trifurcated slider. The surface is opposite and parallel to an air bearing surface of the trifurcated slider. An electrical coupling means couples the piezoelectric transducer to a suspension.
US07881015B2	Overpass structure of flexible printed cable (FPC) signal lines with suspension signal lines for a hard disk drive A printed circuit that connects a head to a pre-amplifier circuit of a hard disk drive. The head has a pair of write bond pads and a pair of read bond pads. The printed circuit has a pair of read traces located in a first layer and connected to the read bond pads. The printed circuit also has a pair of write traces that are located in a second layer and connected to the write bond pads. The write traces cross with the read traces so that a head fabricated from a single head wafer can be used as a Up head in a hard disk drive.
US07881014B2	Patterned magnetic recording medium having reduced magnetic interaction between neighboring magnetic recording layers A patterned magnetic recording medium including a plurality of magnetic recording domains arranged at predetermined regular intervals on a substrate, wherein the magnetic recording domains are multi-layered and comprise a soft magnetic layer interposed between a first ferromagnetic layer and a second ferromagnetic layer. The soft magnetic layer suppresses magnetic interaction between a respective one of the magnetic recording domains and neighboring ones of the magnetic recording domains.
US07881009B2	Positioning of plants in servo systems Apparatus is provided for fast-adjustment of the position of a plant in a servo system in which a servo output indicative of the plant position is provided to a positioning system for positioning the plant in dependence on the servo output. The apparatus includes an adjustment signal generator, operable in a fast-correction mode and a shock-compensation mode, for generating an adjustment signal for supply to the positioning system to effect fast positional adjustment of the plant. The apparatus also has an adjustment controller for receiving the servo output. The adjustment controller is adapted to detect from the servo output occurrence of a disturbance affecting positioning of the plant and, in response, to initiate the shock-compensation mode of the adjustment signal generator. The adjustment controller is further adapted to initiate the fast-correction mode of the adjustment signal generator in response to indication of an error in positioning of the plant. On initiation of each mode, the adjustment controller supplies an input signal dependent on the servo output to the adjustment signal generator. The adjustment signal generator processes the input signal to generate the adjustment signal such that, in the fast-correction mode the adjustment signal effects adjustment of the plant position to correct the positioning error, and in the shock-compensation mode the adjustment signal effects adjustment of the plant position to counter the effect of the disturbance.
US07881007B2	Unequal zoning for track following on a hard disk drive Unequal zoning for track following on a hard disk drive comprising at least one magnetic disk, a read/write head connected to at least one actuator arm and capable of reading and writing data on said at least one magnetic disk, a controller capable of moving said at least one actuator arm. A track is followed using the read/write head on the surface of the at least one magnetic disk. Information is stored at the controller regarding off-track displacement of the read/write head. A plurality of unequal zone partitions is created, wherein an unequal zone partition of the plurality of unequal zone partitions represents a physical region of the at least one magnetic disk and wherein the plurality of unequal zone partitions are based on the information regarding the off-track displacement of the track and are used by the controller to compensate for the off-track displacement of the track.
US07881006B2	Long-term asymmetry tracking in magnetic recording devices A technique tracks head asymmetry of a magnetic recording device over time. In particular, a reference pattern having a known fundamental/reference frequency may be read from a reserved track of a magnetic recording medium to produce a response signal, and signal power may then be determined at the reference frequency and at a second harmonic component frequency of the reference frequency. Accordingly, head asymmetry for the device may be tracked based on a ratio of the signal power at the second harmonic component frequency to the signal power at the reference frequency.
US07881005B1	Disk drive servo control using spirals A servo control system includes an input that receives spiral signals generated by reading spirals that are prewritten on a magnetic medium. The servo control system further includes a control module that generates spiral correction values for the spirals based on the spiral signals and that determines positions of the spirals based on the spiral correction values.
US07881003B1	Write driver system for data storage systems A write driver system includes a logic circuit including first switching devices which receive input write signals and generate control signals. A plurality of predriver circuits includes second switching devices and generates drive signals based on the control signals. A write drive circuit includes third switching devices and generates write drive signals based on the drive signals. The third switching devices have higher threshold voltages than the first and second switching devices.
US07881002B2	Method of increasing recording density of hard disc drive and controlling device thereof Provided is a method of increasing recording density and a control apparatus for increasing the recording density. The method includes applying a recording current corresponding to a recording signal to a magnetic head of a hard disc drive (HDD), and limiting a current value being applied to the magnetic head to a critical value when the recording current reaches the critical value. In the method, a rising time is reduced by using an overshoot recording current and the recording current is limited to a critical value when an actual recording current reaches the critical value. Thus, write track widths (WTWs) can be reduced at a low recording frequency, thereby increasing tracks per inch (TPI).
US07880996B2	Ridge wave-guide for thermal assisted magnetic recording According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a near field transducer comprising a conductive metal film having a main body with front and back edges and a ridge extending from the front edge of the main body. Also, the apparatus includes an optical waveguide for illumination of the near field transducer, wherein a distance between the ridge and the back edge of the main body is between about 60 and about 240 nanometers.
US07880992B2	Phase detector that compensates for frequency variation induced bias in phases of servo burst fields In a servo control loop, phase detection between a clock signal and servo burst fields on a movable storage media is carried out with compensation for the effects of frequency variation in the timing of servo burst fields.
US07880989B1	Write driver circuit for magnetic data storage systems A write driver circuit includes a first write driver that communicates with a first node of a write head. A first feedback path communicates with a control input and an output of the first write driver. The first feedback path includes a first resistance connected between the output of the first write driver and the control input of the first write driver. A second write driver communicates with a second node of the write head. A second feedback path communicates with a control input and an output of the second write driver. The second feedback path includes a second resistance connected between the output of the second write driver and the control input of the second write driver.
US07880988B2	Hard disk drive and associated method for optimizing write parameters A hard disk drive which can maintain a write property at a constant level by reflecting a temperature effect during a write parameter set process even when the hard disk drive is used under a condition different from one intended during manufacturing of the disk. The hard disk drive includes a disk, a thermister and a controller. The disk stores data and the thermister measures the temperature around the disk. The controller is coupled to the thermister and selects a parameter to be optimized from parameters related to a disk write operation. The controller writes arbitrary data to a test track on the disk to obtain a first bit error rate of the test track. The controller repeatedly writes arbitrary data to at least one track adjacent to the test track indicated by as many times as an adjacent track write count is based on an associated temperature measured by the thermister to obtain a second bit error rate of the test track. The controller sets a value of the selected parameter to determine a difference between the first bit error rate and the second bit error rate which is less than a predetermined criteria corresponding to an optimized value of the selected parameter in a disk zone to which the test track is located.
US07880986B1	Method and apparatus for write precompensation in a magnetic recording system A phase interpolator is provided that, in one implementation, includes an output node, a plurality of phase input circuits, and a plurality of switches corresponding to the plurality of phase input circuits. Each phase input circuit is operable to receive a given phase signal. Each switch is in communication with a given phase input circuit and is operable to couple a given phase signal to the output node.
US07880982B2	Lens driving apparatus A lens driving apparatus may include a movable body holding lenses; a support body for supporting said movable body to move in the optical axis direction of said lenses; and a drive mechanism for driving said movable body in the optical axis direction; wherein said movable body is provided with an extension portion that is extended toward the outer periphery, and a moving path and a movement-stopping portion are formed to at least a member of said drive mechanism mounted on the support body or to said support body, said moving path allowing said extension portion to move in the optical axis direction when said movable body is moved in the optical axis direction and said movement-stopping portion regulating the moving range of said movable body as said extension portion makes contact with said movement-stopping portion.
US07880981B2	Imaging lens The present invention is an imaging lens of which optical performance does not deteriorate even in a high temperature environment, various aberrations are well corrected, optical length is short, and back focus is sufficiently secured, the imaging lens comprising a first lens 14, an aperture stop S, a second lens 16, and a third lens 18, which are arranged in this sequence from an object side to an image side. For the first lens, a single lens is used. The second lens comprises a first sub-lens L1, a second sub-lens L2 and a third sub-lens L3, arranged in this sequence from the object side to the image side. The third lens comprises a fourth sub-lens L4, a fifth sub-lens L5 and a sixth sub-lens L6, arranged in this sequence from the object side to the image side. The first lens is formed of a transparent curable silicone resin, and the first, third, fourth and sixth sub-lenses are also formed of the transparent curable silicone resin. The second sub-lens and the fifth sub-lens are formed of a high softening temperature glass material.
US07880980B2	Imaging lens, and imaging device and mobile terminal apparatus using the same A first lens (L1), a second lens (L2), a third lens (L3), and a fourth lens (L4) are arranged in this order from an object side. The first lens (L1) has a biconvex shape and a positive refracting power. The second lens (L2) has a meniscus shape that is convex toward the object side, and has a negative refracting power. The third lens (L3) has a meniscus shape that is convex toward an image side, and has a positive refracting power. The fourth lens (L4) has a meniscus shape that is convex toward the object side, and has a negative refracting power. A chromatic aberration generated by the first lens (L1) is corrected by the second lens (L2). A chromatic aberration generated by the third lens (L3) is corrected by the fourth lens (L4).
US07880977B2	Rod lens to be fitted in endoscopes A rod lens is used for fitting in an endoscopes. The rod lens has a rod-shaped body which is made at least in a section of a flexible, transparent solid piece of plastic material.
US07880976B2	Zoom lens system and camera including the same Disclosed is a zoom lens system in which a first lens unit having negative optical power and a second lens unit having positive optical power are arranged in the stated order from an object side to an image side, and in which an interval between the first lens unit and the second lens unit changes in zooming. In such a zoom lens system, the first lens unit includes a first lens component having negative optical power, a second lens component joined to a lens surface of the first lens component, and a third lens component having positive optical power so as to provide the zoom lens system having excellent optical performance by appropriately setting a material forming the first lens component.
US07880974B2	Zoom lens and imaging apparatus A zoom lens includes a negative first lens group, a positive second lens group, and a positive third lens group; wherein, when changing power from a wide-angle end state to a tele end state, the first lens group moves such that air space between the first lens group and the second lens group decreases, and air space between the second lens group and the third lens group increases, and the second lens group moves toward the object side; and wherein the first lens group includes a negative lens with both faces formed aspherically and the concave face facing the image side, and a positive meniscus lens with at least one face formed aspherically and the convex face facing the object side, satisfying 2.8<\|f1/fw\|<3.3 where f1 represents the focal length of the first lens group, and fw represents the entire focal length in the wide-angle end state.
US07880970B2	Optical packaged body, method of manufacturing it, illuminating device, and display unit An optical packaged body capable of preventing generation of a wrinkle, deflection, and warpage, and capable of being thinned is provided. The optical packaged body includes a support medium and a packaging film that covers the support medium in a state of being applied with shrinkage force. The packaging film has an optical function section that acts on light from a light source in at least one of a first region into which the light from the light source enters and a second region from which the light from the light source is emitted after passing through the optical packaged body when the light source is arranged on one face side of the optical packaged body.
US07880967B2	Optical element, optical device, and method of producing optical element An optical element includes an optical film; a substrate; and an adhesive layer disposed between the optical film and the substrate, wherein the adhesive layer is made of NbOx, where 0
US07880965B2	Projection-type image display device In a projection-type image display device, a driven member of a screen is displaced in a plane parallel to the screen. The driven member can be a Fresnel lens or a diffusing member. An elastic retaining unit holds the driven member in such a manner as to be capable of moving in the plane parallel to the screen, and a pair of driving sources applies driving forces in mutually intersecting directions to the driven member. A control circuit drives the pair of driving sources with driving waveforms having a prescribed phase difference therebetween so that the driven member makes continuous motion in a plane parallel to the screen when an image is projected.
US07880964B1	Space telescope with free-flying secondary and receiver elements A space telescope having a primary mirror for focusing and reflecting electromagnetic radiation, multiple secondary mirrors and, optionally, multiple tertiary mirrors, for receiving the focused and reflected electromagnetic radiation from the primary mirror and reflecting the electromagnetic radiation, and multiple focal plane arrays for receiving the focused and reflected electromagnetic radiation from the secondary mirrors or tertiary mirrors. The use of a multiple secondary mirrors and multiple focal plane arrays allows the telescope to observe multiple fields of regard simultaneously in selected celestial regions or on an orbited celestial body, such as the Earth.
US07880963B2	Zoom microscope It is an object to provide a zoom microscope of a simple structure which can expand a variable-power range. In order to achieve the object thereof, the zoom microscope includes a replaceable infinity correction objective lens, an aperture stop, an afocal zoom system, and an imaging optical system which are arranged in this order from a specimen side. Further, the aperture stop is disposed on or near a rear focal plane of the objective lens.
US07880960B2	Optical amplifier and abnormality detection method for the same An optical amplifier includes a first optical amplification unit that amplifies input light, a variable optical attenuation unit that attenuates an output of the first optical amplification unit, a second optical amplification unit that amplifies an output of the variable optical attenuation unit, and a loss amount control unit that controls the variable optical attenuation unit, wherein an external attenuating optical medium is inserted between the variable optical attenuation unit and the second optical amplification unit. The optical amplifier includes an abnormality detecting unit that detects abnormality in optical loss based on a light level between the external attenuating optical medium and the second optical amplification unit, and a detection invalidating unit that invalidates any abnormality detected by the abnormality detecting unit when a light level between the variable optical attenuation unit and the external attenuating optical medium is lower than a threshold level.
US07880959B2	Display element Disclosed is display element which is constituted of simple members, can be driven at a relatively low voltage, exhibits high display contrast and white display reflectance, and can achieve a high display speed, comprising an electrolyte layer between opposed electrodes, and the electrolyte layer containing silver or a compound including silver in the chemical structure, wherein the opposed electrodes are driven so that the silver is dissolved or deposited and the electrolyte layer contains a mercapto compound having a sulfonamido group or a carbamido group in the molecule.
US07880958B2	Display cell structure and electrode protecting layer compositions The invention is directed to compositions of display cell structure and electrode protecting layers for improving the performance of display devices. The composition comprises a polar oligomeric or polymeric material having a glass transition temperature below about 100° C., and the resulting display cells or electrode protecting layer have an average crosslinking density of below about 1 crosslink point per 80 Dalton molecular weight.
US07880952B2	Mirror device with an anti-stiction layer A micromirror device includes an elastic hinge for supporting a mirror on a substrate, and an address electrode for deflecting the mirror. The device further includes a protective layer and an oriented monolayer laid to cover a stopper also functioning as an address electrode provided below the mirror and between the mirror and the substrate.
US07880951B2	Micro oscillating device and micro oscillating device array A micro oscillating device includes a frame, an oscillating part including a first drive electrode for application of a reference electric potential, and a connecting part for connecting the frame and the oscillating part to each other, where the connecting part defines an axis of an oscillating motion of the oscillating part. A second drive electrode is fixed to the frame to cooperate with the first drive electrode for generation of a driving force for the oscillating movement. The first drive electrode includes a first end extension and a second end extension separated from each other and extending in a direction crossing the axis. The second drive electrode is within a separation distance between the first and the second end extensions.
US07880947B2	Illuminated position adjusting method in optical scanning apparatus An illuminated position adjusting method used in optical scanning apparatus, suppressing deterioration of imaging spot shape on scanning surface, and preventing undesirable light from arriving at the scanning surface, to form high-quality image. The optical scanning apparatus includes: a common deflector for deflecting beams emitted from light source units; and imaging optical units each including at least one imaging optical element and at least one reflector which are disposed in optical path of beam deflected by the common deflector, and image the beam on scanning surface. In an optical path in which the largest number of the reflectors are disposed among the optical paths guided to the scanning surfaces, the reflector which is disposed optically closest to the scanning surface is rotated in sub-scanning direction, to adjust the illuminated position of the beam, which illuminates the scanning surface, on the scanning surface in sub-scanning direction.
US07880946B2	Method of improving quality of signals reproduced from holographic storage medium and apparatus therefor A method and apparatus for improving quality of a signal reproduced from a holographic storage medium in which a hologram is recorded by interference between a signal beam and a reference beam. The signal-quality improving method includes determining a page crosstalk value, which is caused in a page that is to be reproduced from the holographic storage medium by an adjacent page to the page that is to be reproduced, on the basis of on-pixel crosstalk values caused by a plurality of on-pixels of the adjacent page; and removing the determined page crosstalk value from a reproduced signal of the page that is to be reproduced. Since an interpage crosstalk that occurs when multiplexing recording in the holographic storage medium is calculated, and is removed from a reproduced signal, the quality of the reproduced signal can be improved.
US07880944B2	Computer-generated hologram To prepare very high resolution computer-generated hologram having many numbers of parallaxes, a computer-generated holographic stereogram, with virtual point light source group set up spatially on a side opposite to the hologram observation side, luminance angular distribution AWLci (θxz, θyz) of divergent light from each virtual point light sources of said group toward observation side is divided by angular division, and within the divided angle, among the multiple images positioned on the plane of said group, divergent light equal to the divergent light diverged from a point of amplitude equal to the density of pixel of each divided angle corresponding image or equal to a value in a certain fixed relation with the density of the images at the position of the virtual point light source is recorded as the object light at one of the positions on the observation side of the virtual point light source group.
US07880942B1	Method and apparatus for converting color coefficients between color spaces A system that converts color coefficients between color spaces. During operation, the system receives a color profile comprising a lookup table which defines a conversion of color coefficients between a source color space and a destination color space, wherein the source color space includes a black color channel. Next, the system identifies a darkest output color value in the destination color space produced by the color profile, and also identifies entries in the lookup table corresponding to a maximum possible value for the black color channel of the source color space. The system then updates the identified entries with an achromatic equivalent of the identified darkest output color value, whereby source colors having the maximum possible value for the black color channel are mapped to the achromatic equivalent of the identified darkest output color value.
US07880938B2	Image processing apparatus An image processing apparatus that enables to embed a secure pattern code in an output image with an inexpensive configuration. An image reader has a color reference plate and reads image data of an original. An image forming apparatus forms an image on an image carrier based on the image data of the original. A laser controller irradiates the color reference plate with laser light. An image sensor controller reads a pattern image generated by irradiating the color reference plate with the laser light. The image forming apparatus adds data concerning the pattern image read by the image sensor controller to the image data of the original read by the image reader and forms an image based on the image data of the original to which the data concerning the pattern image is added.
US07880937B2	Electronic endoscope apparatus An electronic endoscope apparatus includes an imaging element and a signal processing unit. The imaging element obtains an image of an observation object, and outputs an image signal of the observation object. The signal processing unit alternately repeats obtainment of a partial image signal using a part of a light receiving area of the imaging element and obtainment of a partial image signal using the remaining part of the light receiving area. The signal processing unit also obtains a whole image signal corresponding to an image of the observation object using a partial image signal obtained in the n-th (n is a natural number) obtainment and a partial image signal obtained in the (n+1)th obtainment. Further, a partial component of the n-th partial image signal is extracted by an extraction unit, and the extracted partial component is added to the (n+1)th partial image signal.
US07880931B2	Image processing apparatus and its method, and control method An ICC profile includes brief gloss information indicating glossy/matte attribute as attribute information, however, gloss matching cannot be performed with the 2 options. In a case where embedding of glossiness information into the ICC profile is designated, glossiness information is obtained from a color chart placed on an original plate of a color copier, and the obtained glossiness information is described in a private tag of the ICC profile.
US07880930B2	Reducing printhead process color non-uniformities in a direct marking device What is disclosed is a novel system and method for reducing process color banding due to printhead non-uniformities in a direct marking device. In one example, a first measurement of a printhead spatial non-uniformity is obtained along a first line in a color space which produces a spatial uniformity when a target primary color is printed alone. A first spatial tone reproduction curve is generated. A second measurement of the printhead spatial non-uniformity is obtained along a second line in color space in a coverage area of a process color which maximally changes a halftone structure of the target primary color. A second spatial TRC is generated. The first and second spatial TRCs are combined using a weighted average which balances the primary and process colors. A modified spatial TRC is generated. The printhead is adjusted at a location of the target primary color according to the modified spatial TRC.
US07880928B2	Color image process controls methods and systems This disclosure provides color image process methods and systems to control hue variation associated with a color printing system. In particular, it provides a method and system to adjust a control patch associated with a color separation to force a chromatic difference and control perceived color accuracy.
US07880925B2	Apparatus and method for generating an image file with a color layer and a monochrome layer An apparatus and method for generating an image file having a color layer and a monochrome layer comprises reading an original image, generating color image data from the read original image, and generating monochrome image data from the read original image. First image processing is performed on the color image data, and a second image processing, different from the first image processing, is performed on the monochrome image data. The processed color image data and the processed monochrome image data are stored in the image file as the color layer and the monochrome layer, respectively.
US07880924B2	Method for faxing documents printed on colored media Methods of detecting and compensating for colored media when utilizing the facsimile send function of an All-in-One printing system are disclosed. Embodiments include obtaining a color scan of the document page, determining an approximate value for the background color of the document page, and adjusting the scanned image of the document page to substantially eliminate the background color.
US07880923B2	Image forming apparatus print processing method and charging control system At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an image forming apparatus configured to perform printing when a reservation request including a count value for the printing is accepted by a management apparatus that performs charging management according to a print result, the image forming apparatus including: a transmission unit configured to transmit, to the management apparatus, a reservation request including a count value for printing a part of a print job before completing analysis on the entire print job; and a printing unit configured to perform printing according to an acceptance of the reservation request by the management apparatus.
US07880920B2	Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, image forming system, and control method for these In a system in which a print controller and an image forming apparatus are communicably connected, a first paper information to be used by the print controller and a second paper information to be used by the image forming apparatus are both held in the print controller and the image forming apparatus. The first paper information and the second paper information include a common ID for paper data that corresponds between the first and second paper information. In response to a restore instruction, both sets of the first paper information or both sets of the second paper information are merged. ID duplication is eliminated by changing the IDs in regard to paper data in which IDs are duplicated as a result of merging. The first and second paper information to be used by the print controller and the image forming apparatus are updated based on the result of merging.
US07880919B2	Image processing apparatus and method An image processing apparatus enabling identical editing of a plurality of edit target images includes an edit position designator for designating, for a single image, an edit position as an edit target, an alignment position designator for designating an image alignment position and a edit unit that aligns an edit image and edits a designated area having the edit position for the single image as its reference.
US07880914B2	Image processing apparatus and method of controlling network access of image processing apparatus An image processing method can include storing pieces of identification information of information processing apparatuses; instructing to change the identification information stored; displaying, when the instructing step gives the instruction to change the identification information, the pieces of identification information of the information processing apparatuses stored; and searching for information processing apparatuses on the network. The method can also include displaying pieces of identification information of the information processing apparatuses found; and changing identification information selected from the pieces of identification information displayed in the first displaying step into identification information selected from the pieces of identification information displayed in the second displaying step.
US07880911B2	Printing a position using a mobile device A system for printing a position on a print medium, that has a mobile telephone with an inbuilt printer module to print the position on the print medium; and, a sensor module to sense a print media identifier of the print medium.
US07880907B2	Printing system, image reading device and control method thereof A printing system including a printing device which has a cancel instruction unit that instructs cancellation of a current job being processed from an operation panel, and an image reading device that describes original image data read from an original in a page description language and sends to the printing device, in which the image reading device describes the read original image data in the page description language and sends it as a copy job to the printing device, obtains a job holding state from the printing device and reserves at least the transmission of the copy job to the printing device until the job held by the printing device runs out when it is judged according to the obtained job holding information that the printing device is in a job holding state.
US07880900B2	Measuring apparatus for performing positional analysis on an integrated circuit carrier The invention relates to a measuring apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing assembly that defines an enclosure, a control system mounted in the housing assembly, and an operator interface mounted on the housing assembly and connected to the control system to allow an operator to control the measuring apparatus. The apparatus also includes a measuring table assembly mounted in the housing assembly and configured to receive a nest assembly supporting an integrated circuit carrier carrying a number of integrated circuits, and a camera assembly mounted in the housing assembly and configured to generate image data representing the integrated circuit carrier and the integrated circuits. The camera assembly is connected to the control system which is configured to carry out a positional analysis on the integrated circuit carrier and the integrated circuits to determine at least one of positions of the integrated circuits on the carrier and relative positions of consecutive integrated circuits.
US07880899B2	Three-dimensional measurement system, inspection method, three-dimensional measurement method and program A three-dimensional measurement system comprises: a three-dimensional measuring device for obtaining measurement data related to the three-dimensional shape of a target object for measurement; a specification part for specifying a primitive of the target object based on annotation information contained in CAD data; and a controller for controlling the three-dimensional measuring device based on the primitive specified by the specification part.
US07880895B2	Optical tomographic image photographing apparatus An apparatus has an optical system detecting spectral information and having an optical scanner and a driving unit changing the optical path length by moving an optical member, a monitor, a control unit obtaining a tomographic image by performing Fourier analysis on the information and displaying the obtained image, and a unit previously setting an image on the monitor, in which the member is moved from an initial position and presence or absence of the tomographic image is determined, when the presence is detected, whether the tomographic image is normal or inverted is determined, and when the tomographic image is not the set image, the member is moved to obtain the set image, and when the tomographic image is the set image, the member is moved so that a position of the tomographic image in the depth direction coincides with a predetermined adjustment position and the driving unit is stopped.
US07880894B2	Vibration detection device and vibration detector A vibration detection device that includes a light source that emits a laser beam; an interferometer, which includes two vibrating bodies that are capable of reflecting the laser beam, that splits the laser beam to cause interference patterns; and a detector that detects vibrations on the basis of the interference patterns.
US07880881B2	Method of improving cheese quality A method is provided for improving the quality of cheese produced from a curd and whey mixture. The method comprises the steps of monitoring the curd and whey mixture during syneresis processing to collect color data, comparing the color data to a predetermined standard and terminating syneresis when the color meets the predetermined standard or, alternatively, analyzing the color data obtained to generate kinetic parameters that can be used to predict the end point of syneresis to improve control of curd moisture content.
US07880880B2	Alignment systems and methods for lithographic systems An alignment system for a lithographic apparatus has a source of alignment radiation; a detection system that has a first detector channel and a second detector channel; and a position determining unit in communication with the detection system. The position determining unit is constructed to process information from said first and second detector channels in a combination to determine a position of an alignment mark on a work piece, the combination taking into account a manufacturing process of the work piece. A lithographic apparatus has the above mentioned alignment system. Methods of alignment and manufacturing devices with a lithographic apparatus use the above alignment system and lithographic apparatus, respectively.
US07880876B2	Methods of use for surface enhanced raman spectroscopy (SERS) systems for the detection of bacteria Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic (SERS) systems and methods for detecting biomolecules of interest, such as a bacterium are provided.
US07880873B2	Droplet discharge device A pattern formation device is for forming a pattern on a substrate includes first and second foreign matter detection sensors. Each of the first and second foreign matter detection sensors includes a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit disposed across a transport path of the substrate from the first light projecting unit. The light projecting unit is configured and arranged to emit a detection light along an upper surface of the substrate. The light receiving unit being configured and arranged to receive the detection light to detect foreign matter on the substrate based on an amount of the detection light received by the light receiving unit. The light projecting units of the first and second foreign matter detection sensors are disposed on opposite sides of the transport path.
US07880870B1	Linear array sensors for target detection including hydrocarbon events such as gun, mortar, RPG missile and artillery firings Detection sensors utilizing linear arrays using one or more linear arrays of detectors sampled at a high rate. The invention is useful for target detection including hydrocarbon events such as guns, mortars, RPG missiles and artillery firings, lightning, and other optical events.
US07880863B2	Lithography system with illumination monitor A lithographic system including a light source configured to provide a light beam, a mask stage configured to hold a mask having a mask pattern, a wafer stage having a surface configured to hold a wafer having a plurality of dies, and an illumination monitor having a receiver disposed at the surface of the wafer stage and a polarimeter. A projection system is configured to shape and direct the light beam via the mask pattern to form an exposure beam and to individually expose each die with the exposure beam, and is configured to shape and direct the light beam to form a monitor beam and to expose the receiver with the monitor beam. The receiver is configured to communicate the monitor beam to the polarimeter which, based on the monitor beam, is configured to provide an illumination signal representative of properties of the light beam as it passes through the lithographic system.
US07880862B2	Exposure apparatus and device fabrication method An exposure apparatus comprising a projection optical system configured to project a pattern image of an original onto a substrate, and a sensor configured to detect light emerging from the projection optical system, the sensor including a light receiving element having a light receiving surface, and an optical member having a reflection surface which reflects the light emerging from the projection optical system toward the light receiving surface, wherein the reflection surface forms an acute angle with respect to the light receiving surface.
US07880860B2	Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method A method and apparatus for cleaning the inside of an immersion lithographic apparatus is disclosed. In particular, a liquid supply system of the lithographic apparatus may be used to introduce a cleaning fluid into a space between the projection system and the substrate table of the lithographic apparatus. Additionally or alternatively, a cleaning device may be provided on the substrate table and an ultrasonic emitter may be provided to create an ultrasonic cleaning liquid.
US07880855B2	LCD device and method having a ball spacer in an alignment film groove having a groove width greater than the spacer diameter and curing a seal pattern and the spacer at the same time after bonding the substrates A liquid crystal display device, and a method for fabricating the same is described, in which an alignment film is formed divided into a plurality of sub-alignment films spaced from each other, and a column spacer is formed in the space between the sub-alignment films. The liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, and a second substrate opposite to each other, a first alignment film on the second substrate, the first alignment film having a first alignment film groove in a predetermined portion, a first spacer in the first alignment film groove, and a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate.
US07880851B2	Array substrate for a liquid crystal display device with thin film transistor having two drain electrode patterns and manufacturing method of the same An array substrate for a liquid crystal display device includes gate and data lines crossing on a substrate, common lines parallel to and between the gate lines, thin film transistors at crossing portions of the gate and data lines, and a pixel electrode. The common lines define pixel regions, which are each divided into first and second regions by the corresponding gate line. The thin film transistors each include a gate electrode in a first direction, a semiconductor layer on the gate electrode, and source and drain electrodes on the semiconductor layer in a second direction. The source and drain electrodes cross the gate electrode in each of the first and second regions. The pixel electrode is connected to the drain electrode.
US07880849B2	Display panel with TFT and gate line disposed between sub-electrodes of pixel electrode A display panel includes gate lines formed on a substrate, storage electrode lines formed on the substrate and being parallel to the gate lines, data lines insulated from the gate lines and crossing the gate lines, a plurality of thin film transistors (TFTs) connected with the gate lines and the data lines, and pixel electrodes having a first sub-electrode connected with a TFT and a second sub-electrode formed at a side opposite the first sub-electrode with respect to a gate line, wherein the TFT and a storage electrode line are disposed between the first and second sub-electrodes.
US07880848B2	Liquid crystal display device It is an object of the present invention to apply a sufficient electrical field to a liquid crystal material in a horizontal electrical field liquid crystal display device typified by an FFS type. In a horizontal electrical field liquid crystal display, an electrical field is applied to a liquid crystal material right above a common electrode and a pixel electrode using plural pairs of electrodes rather than one pair of electrodes. One pair of electrodes includes a comb-shaped common electrode and a comb-shaped pixel electrode. Another pair of electrodes includes a common electrode provided in a pixel portion and the comb-shaped pixel electrode.
US07880837B2	Black and white color cholesteric liquid crystal display A cholesteric display may be formed, in some embodiments, using a single display element to produce multi-colors for display. A cholesteric material may be sandwiched between a pair of substrates, each associated with pairs of opposed electrodes that are arranged in general transversely to the optical axis of incident light. The first pair of electrodes produce one of two liquid crystal states and result in the reflection of light of a particular wavelength. Light of other wavelengths may be reflected when a second pair (or set) of opposed electrodes, arranged in general transversely, also to the optical axis of incident light, are biased appropriately. So does a third pair (or set) of electrodes. A black and white color display may be generated from a single display element by modulating the pitch length of the cholesteric material within each pairs (or sets).
US07880826B2	Light guide plate and liquid crystal display using the same Disclosed is a light guide plate, comprising a light guide plate body and a plurality of micro mirrors formed on an upper surface of the light guide plate body for controlling a reflection direction of light incident on the light guide plate. The amount of light output from a backlight module using the light guide plate can be controlled by adjusting an angle of each of the micro mirrors with respect to an incident light from a light source.
US07880825B2	Backlight assembly and liquid crystal display device having the same A backlight assembly of an LCD device which is capable of securing a enough space to mount a light guide plate by guiding lamp wires in the direction of a rear surface of the backlight assembly includes a lamp, a light guide plate configured to guide light emitted from the lamp, an optical sheet formed at an upper surface of the light guide plate, a mold frame accommodating the lamp, the light guide plate, and the optical sheet, a back cover formed at one side of a rear surface of the mold frame to protect the lamp and light guide plate, lamp wires connected at both ends of the lamp, and a wire outlet penetrating the back cover.
US07880813B2	Control device and control method with corresponding arrangement of image regions A control device includes a control section standing by to receive a control signal transmitted from a transmission section. The control section assigns, respectively to N or less control signals, instructions to be executed when the control signals are received, and generates a signal for drawing on a display device an operation menu which includes N image regions placed in an arrangement corresponding to the N sensing portions of the transmission section. Each image region represents an instruction assigned to a control signal which is transmitted when the corresponding sensing portion is pressed, such that the N instructions to be respectively assigned to the control signals are determined based on an operation state of an apparatus to be controlled in the standby state and the operation menu generated in an immediately previous standby state.
US07880812B2	Video apparatus and video processing method A video apparatus includes a processor for processing a video signal included in an input signal, a detector for detecting a vertical synchronizing interval of a synchronizing signal included in the input signal, a data saver for saving data for each vertical resolution of the video signal, the data being set in the processor for processing the video signal of the vertical resolution, and a controller for reading data from the data saver depending on the vertical resolution of the video signal, setting the read data in the processor, deriving a horizontal resolution of the video signal based on the vertical synchronizing interval detected by the detector, and changing the data set in the processor based on the derived horizontal resolution.
US07880810B2	Apparatus and method for processing informational signal An apparatus for processing an informational signal includes a first processing section for receiving the informational signal, executing a first processing on the informational signal, and outputting the processed informational signal. The apparatus also includes a second processing section, which is located at a posterior stage of the first processing section, for receiving the processed informational signal and executing a second processing on the processed informational signal. The apparatus further includes transmitting device for transmitting meta-information corresponding to each predetermined period of time in the informational signal from the first processing section to the second processing section. The processing in the second processing section is controlled based on the meta-information transmitted by the transmitting device.
US07880809B2	Method and system for motion adaptive deinterlacer with integrated directional filter A system and method that produces a spatial average for interlaced video in a deinterlacer. The system detects edges in the video images and determines the angle at which the edges are oriented based on the gradient in the x-direction and the gradient in the y-direction. The direction of the edge is determined using the angle information of the edge. The system may also determine the strength of the edge. Based on the determined characteristics of the edge a filter may be selected to produce a spatial average of the edge in the image.
US07880806B2	Imaging operation controller An imaging operation controller including a casing, a control panel attached to a back part of the casing and having a plurality of operating members and function indicators that indicate the functions of the operating members and placed near the operating members, respectively. The control panel includes a base plate attached to the casing, a mounting plate placed on the base plate and a printed indicator sheet placed on the mounting plate. The plurality of operating members are supported on the base plate, indicator lighting light sources are supported on the base plate at positions respectively corresponding to the function indicators so as to emit light backward. The indicator lighting light sources are white light-emitting diodes attached to the base plate so as to emit light backward.
US07880805B2	Method of calculating ratio of visible light component and image pickup apparatus using same An image pickup apparatus in which color signals are generated and extracted from a picked-up image signal for a plurality of regions in a screen, a wavelength component ratio is detected and calculated based on the extracted color signals for each of the plurality of regions, one or more regions in which the visible light component ratio calculated is large are selected, and the visible light component ratio of the photographing screen is determined based on the visible light component ratios of the selected regions.
US07880799B2	Focus detecting apparatus and image pickup apparatus A focus detecting apparatus includes a splitter for splitting a light from an image pickup lens to form at least a pair of images, a photoelectric conversion element for photoelectrically converting at least the pair of images, the focus detecting apparatus detecting a focusing status of the image pickup lens based on a signal from the photoelectric conversion element, and a light blocking mask for blocking the light from entering the photoelectric conversion element, the light blocking mask having a curve shape in a moving direction of the image that varies according to an image height.
US07880789B2	Solid-state image pick-up apparatus capable of remarkably reducing dark current and a drive method therefor A solid-state image pick-up device is configured for more effectively reducing dark current of an interlace scanning type of CCD so that electrodes connected to transfer shift gates are sequentially arranged on two adjacent vertical transfer paths and are driven such that signal charges are prevented from staying longer in the vertical transfer path below the electrodes connected to the transfer shift gates. This prevents signal charges from waiting longer for vertical transfer during a horizontal transfer period, thereby reducing dark current otherwise caused in the vertical transfer paths.
US07880788B2	Optical sensor circuit and image sensor An optical sensor circuit has a photodiode PD, a MOS transistor Q1, a voltage controller 13 which supplies a gate voltage and a drain voltage to the transistor, etc. The voltage controller includes initial setting means 15. In the initial setting means, an electrostatic capacitance element of the photodiode is charged/discharged while setting a gate voltage of the transistor Q1 to a high gate voltage value VgH, only for a predetermined time period, and setting a drain voltage to a low drain voltage value VdL, only for a predetermined time period. Thereafter, the drain voltage is set to VdH, and, after elapse of a predetermined time period, the gate voltage is set to VgL. VgH, VdH, and VdL satisfy relational expressions of “VgH−VdHVth where Vth: a threshold voltage of the MOS transistor Q1”.
US07880786B2	Solid-state image pickup device with an improved reading speed A CMOS color image sensor, which is a solid-state image pickup device, includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix having a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, each of the plurality of pixels converting the incident light intensity into an electrical signal; a pixel array including the plurality of pixels; row-selection lines; and column-reading lines. Two column-reading lines are provided for each column of the pixel array. Pixels in even rows of each column are connected to one column-reading line and pixels in odd rows of each column are connected to the other column-reading line.
US07880785B2	Rod and cone response sensor An imager having color sensitivity in any lighting condition is provided by replacing at least one of the green color filtered pixels in a Bayer pattern array with an non-color filtered pixel and providing a different integration period for each color channel. When replacing a color filtered pixel with a non-color filtered pixel, the benefits of both color sensitivity and light sensitivity may be harnessed by providing the color filtered pixels with a longer integration period than the non-color filtered pixels. Color information may be interpolated by performing subtraction logic using non-color and color filter information from adjacent pixels in back-end processing. Integration times for each color channel can be adapted to minimize filter transmission and sensor absorption differences within each frame of data. Temporal displacement of colors of moving objects by having different integration periods may be corrected in back-end processing. Back-end processing may also correct motion blur.
US07880779B2	Image sensor artifact elimination The method and circuit corrects errors in an active pixel sensor which generates an output indicative of illumination intensity and which may experience an error in the output as a result of artifacts which produce an erroneous output. The approach includes determining the output from the pixel, comparing the output with a threshold value, and if the output is lower that the threshold value identifying the existence of an erroneous output and storing a value in a latching device in response thereto. A maximum value is generated in response to the latching device to replace the erroneous output, thereby correcting the error. The present invention switches the system from the analog to digital domain with respect to the issue of artifacts by using a latch to store a value which is then used to replace the actual output if the output is wrong.
US07880775B2	Image sensor with interleaved image output An image sensor with a light reader circuit coupled to a pixel array. The light reader circuit retrieves a first image and a second image generated by the pixel array. The image sensor may also include a memory controller and/or data interface that transfers the first and second images to an external device in an interleaving manner.
US07880774B2	Image recording apparatus and method An image recording apparatus and method that can store image information by thinning out latest image information at a low thinning-out ratio and thinning out old image information at a high thinning-out ratio. The image recording apparatus includes a recording unit that records plural pieces of image information received from the image pickup unit in a storage area together with recording date and time information of the respective pieces of image information; and a deleting unit that compares the present date and time and the recording date and time information recorded by the recording unit to calculate elapsed time of the respective pieces of image information and deletes the image information with the longer elapsed time at a thinning-out ratio higher than that of the image information with the shorter elapsed time.
US07880770B2	Camera control Tools for controlling cameras (and other objects), using an input device. Some such tools may establish a threshold, above which the input from the input device is fed directly to the object being controlled, and below which the input signal is processed to provide smoother operation. This can allow for direct control over a camera (or other object) in large movements but still allow for smooth, controlled movements when slower movement is desired.
US07880768B2	Mobile communication terminal The mobile communication terminal includes a body, a lens module, a first accelerator sensor, a second accelerator sensor, a range finder, and a processor. The lens module, the first accelerator sensor, a second accelerator sensor, and a range finder are disposed on the body. The lens module is configured to pick up an image of an object. The first accelerator sensor and the second accelerator sensor are configured to measure accelerations of the lens module in different directions. The range finder is configured to measure a distance from the object to the lens module. The processor electrically coupled to the range finder module, the first accelerator sensor and the second accelerator sensor. The processor is configured to restore the image blurred by vibrations of the lens module based on values of the distance, the first acceleration, and the second acceleration.
US07880763B2	Semiconductor device and manufacturing method therefor A semiconductor device is obtained, in which excellent characteristics are achieved, the reliability is improved, and an SiC wafer can also be used for the fabrication. A plurality of Schottky-barrier-diode units 10 is formed on an SiC chip 9, and each of the units 10 has an external output electrode 4 independently of each other. Bumps 11 (the diameter is from several tens to several hundreds of μm) are formed only on the external output electrodes 4 of non-defective units among the units 10 formed on the SiC chip 9, meanwhile bumps are not formed on the external output electrodes 4 of defective units in which the withstand voltage is too low, or the leakage current is too much. Because the bumps are not formed on the defective units, Schottky-barrier-side electrodes 3 are connected in parallel to the exterior of the device through the bumps 11, and a wiring layer 13 and an external lead 13a of a wiring substrate 12; thus, only the external output electrodes 4 of the non-defective units 10 are connected in parallel with each other.
US07880756B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes a photoreceptor member; a LED head that includes a plurality of light emitting diodes arrayed in a line along a rotating axial direction of said photoreceptor member and that is modulated in response to image signals, so as to expose said photoreceptor member while said photoreceptor member is rotating; a deviation detecting sensor to detect deviations on a circumferential surface of said photoreceptor member; a filter to extract low frequency components including a rotational frequency component of said photoreceptor member from deviation signals detected by said deviation detecting sensor, so as to acquire deviation information with respect to said circumferential surface of said photoreceptor member; a driving section to move said LED head back and forth against said circumferential surface of said photoreceptor member; and a position controlling section to control said driving section, based on said deviation information acquired by said filter, so as to keep a distance between said LED head and said circumferential surface of said photoreceptor member constant.
US07880751B2	Method and system for providing dynamic orthodontic assessment and treatment profiles Method and system for projecting a first orthodontic related image at a predetermined location within a display unit, selecting a second orthodontic related image on the display unit, and projecting the second orthodontic related image at the predetermined area within the display unit such that a difference between the first orthodontic related image and the second orthodontic related image is displayed at the predetermined area within the display unit are provided.
US07880750B2	Digital image processing with inherent compression A raster image processing system and method accepts a digital page description as a series of page elements (text, graphics, images, etc.) and creates output video-ready (“flattened”) raster without allocating large amounts of raster memory (arrays of pixels) and without creating a display list of all page elements. This technique improves performance (greater speed with fewer resources consumed) in the typical output process: rendering, image processing, compression, and transmission. The method records each page element in memory in a manner that largely retains the inherent compression of the element description, and fully retains the positional relationships with its neighboring elements. Where an incoming page element overlaps an existing one, the intersections are calculated on the fly, and elements underneath are immediately split, merged, shrunken, or deleted. Each incoming page element is immediately processed and recorded as described above, and then discarded. The result is a continuously precise, simple, non-overlapping (“flat”) representation of the final output raster. In other words, in one embodiment, the representation starts empty, then stays compressed and flat throughout while accumulating representations of page elements.
US07880748B1	Audio view using 3-dimensional plot Techniques for editing signal data using a three-dimensional visual representation of the signal data are provided. According to one embodiment of the invention, audio signal data is displayed as a surface occupying three dimensions. User input, which indicates a selected area of the surface, is received. The audio signal data is then modified by applying an effect to one or more parts of the audio signal data that correspond to the selected area.
US07880747B1	Blend optimizations that are conformant to floating-point rules A technique for handling floating-point special values, e.g., Infinity, NaN, −Zero, and denorms, during blend operations is provided so that blend operations on fragment color values that contain special values can be performed in compliance with special value handling rules. In particular, the presence of special values is detected or the potential presence of special values is detected. This information is used to qualify when blend optimizations may be performed, so that floating point blend operations can remain conformant to special value handling rules.
US07880746B2	Bandwidth management through lighting control of a user environment via a display device A system and method for controlling lighting conditions in a user environment whereby bandwidth consumption may be managed is disclosed. An inner frame area and an outer frame area adjust certain lighting conditions in the user environment in response to certain lighting conditions detected by the image capture device as those conditions affect bandwidth consumption during transmission of the image capture data. The frame areas may be dynamically controlled as to affect the brightness and/or color of the particular user environment.
US07880743B2	Systems and methods for elliptical filtering An improved attribute determination process allows the sharpness of a surface attribute function to be adjusted on a per-object, per-surface, per-texture, per-function, or other appropriate basis. A computer-based animator then can selectively adjust the sharpness or other attribute(s) of portions of a to-be-rendered image without significantly increasing the rendering time. For a selected texture, corresponding sampling regions will be shifted about the respective surface points projected in texture space. A multi-dimensional set of sub-regions can be generated for the shifted sampling region. Bounding boxes can be determined for each sub-region, the boxes occupying less area, such as in texture space, than a single bounding box for the original sampling region. The bounding boxes can be used for local attribute determinations (such as texture lookups) for each sub-region, with the local attributes being processed to determine an attribute for the respective surface point.
US07880742B2	Information processing device, data transmission method, and electronic apparatus An information processing device in which a data bus for establishing interconnection between a plurality of control operating units formed in a main processor is connected at one end to a graphic processor and at the other end to a main memory. Image frame data generated by the graphic processor is sequentially transferred through the data bus and stored into the main memory. The data bus satisfies R1≧R2≧R4 and R1≧R3≧R4, where R1 is the data transmission rate from the main processor to the graphic processor, R2 is the data transmission rate from the graphic processor to the main processor, R3 is the data transmission rate between the main processor and the main memory, and R4 is the rate to transmit a single image frame of data within a vertical blanking interval.
US07880735B2	Display device and electrical apparatus using the same In a display device that displays by allowing external light to be incident from outside, and reflecting the incident external light so as to output the incident external light from a display surface, a porous body having a front face that is provided on the display surface side is used. Moreover, a colorless and transparent material is used for this porous body, an one-end opening is formed on the front face side in the porous body, and plural small pores that are independent of one another are provided inside the porous body.
US07880728B2	Application switching via a touch screen interface Detailed herein is a technology which, among other things, provides a touch screen interface for computer system which allows intuitive switching between several applications. In one approach to this technology, a touch screen display is used to display an interface for an application. A touch sensitive border region is defined at the edge of this display, and is associated with another application. Receiving input at the touch sensitive border region causes the touch screen display to display the interface for the second application.
US07880724B2	Integrated handheld data processing device having a sliding form factor A handheld data processing device having three functional components assembled in a sliding configuration. A processor module is mechanically coupled to two sliding covers. The processor module houses circuits for performing the functions of data processing and may also include a display and input/output functionality. The two sliding covers provide protection for the processor module and may include input/output transducers such as a keypad, speaker or microphone. Embodiments of the handheld data processing device include a handheld computer, wireless telephone and handheld video display. Used as a telephone, the sliders may house a speaker and a microphone.
US07880719B2	Recognition and capture of whiteboard markups in relation to a projected image The computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for capturing markup layers on a whiteboard in relation to a projected image. A presentation page is displayed on a whiteboard as the projected image. A set of markups on the whiteboard associated with the presentation page is identified. The set of markups on the whiteboard is isolated from the projected image of the presentation page to create a user input layer. The user input layer is saved as an overlay for the presentation page.
US07880717B2	Method, apparatus, and article for force feedback based on tension control and tracking through cables A haptic device for human/computer interface includes a user interface tool coupled via cables to first, second, third, and fourth cable control units, each positioned at a vertex of a tetrahedron. Each of the cable control units includes a spool and an encoder configured to provide a signal corresponding to rotation of the respective spool. The cables are wound onto the spool of a respective one of the cable control units. The encoders provide signals corresponding to rotation of the respective spools to track the length of each cable. As the cables wind onto the spools, variations in spool diameter are compensated for. The absolute length of each cable is determined during initialization by retracting each cable In turn to a zero length position. A sensor array coupled to the tool detects rotation around one or more axes.
US07880707B2	Liquid crystal module having storing member for controlling working mode of driving chip thereof An exemplary liquid crystal module (20) includes liquid crystal panel (200) and a driving chip (210). The driving chip includes an interface circuit (230), a storing member (260), and a plurality of input ports. The plurality of input ports are configured for receiving display data. The storing member and the interface circuit share at least one common input port of the plurality of input ports. The storing member receives at least one mode selection signal for controlling a working mode of the driving chip via the at least one common input port in a first period of time. The storing member outputs the at least one mode selection signal to the interface circuit, and then the interface circuit receives the display data via the plurality of input ports including the at least one common input port according to the working mode in a second period of time.
US07880706B2	Display device, method of driving the same and display device driving apparatus A display device includes a display panel, a reference gamma processing part, a source driving part, and a timing controlling part. The display panel includes a plurality of pixel parts displaying an image. The reference gamma processing part outputs a reference gamma voltage in every period. The source driving part converts a data signal into a data voltage of an analog type based on the reference gamma voltage during the period. The timing controlling part delays the data signal of at least one frame and the reference gamma voltage based on the at least one frame corresponding to the data signal to apply a delayed data signal and a delayed reference gamma voltage to the source driving part. Therefore, an image display quality is improved.
US07880704B2	Energy saving passive matrix display device and method for driving the column voltage having reduced transitions Method of driving a liquid crystal display by supplying selectable column voltages Gj(t) from a predetermined number of column voltages levels, selection signals to groups of mutually orthogonal p rows (p≧1) for the duration of a row selection time p×nfrc during a supcrframe nfrc to generate grey scales. The column voltage is calculated depending on the grey scales of the p pixels in a column and on the mutually orthogonal selection signals Fi for the corresponding group of rows. The row selection time is subdivided in npwm sub selection time. The grey scales are coded in grey scale tables having nfrc phases with npwm. The superframes grey scales are generated using phase mixing. The change in the column voltage level defines a transition. The column voltage has always less transitions per row selection time than the number npwm of sub selection time of the row selection time.
US07880699B2	Method for driving pixels of an organic light emitting display A circuit and a method for driving pixels of an organic light-emitting display are provided. The circuit comprises a thin-film transistor having a source terminal connected to a voltage source, a storage capacitor having a first terminal connected to a gate terminal of the thin-film transistor, and an organic light-emitting diode having a cathode connected to a ground. The gate terminal and a drain terminal of the thin-film transistor are connected in a clamping phase and a reverse phase. A second terminal of the storage capacitor is connected to the ground in the clamping phase, and is connected to a data line in a light-emitting phase and in the reverse phase. An anode of the organic light-emitting diode is connected to the drain terminal of the thin-film transistor in the light-emitting phase and in the reverse phase.
US07880687B2	Display device, display method, program, recording medium, and composite image display apparatus A display device for a composite image display apparatus includes: a self-state acquiring unit configured to acquire information indicating a mounting position of a self device in the composite image display apparatus and a mounting state of the self device; an other-device's-state acquiring unit configured to acquire information indicating a mounting position of each of other display devices in the composite image display apparatus and a state of each of the other display devices; and a display controlling unit configured to control display of an image to be displayed on a display section of the self device, on the basis of the information acquired by each of the self-state acquiring unit and the other-device's-state acquiring unit.
US07880686B2	Mobile device A portable terminal capable of display of high luminance with low power consumption and configured to be provided with an LED display panel having a plurality of light-emitting diodes matrix-arranged in a display window formed on the surface of a casing accommodating electronic components and to control display of the light-emitting diodes of the LED display panel with a display control unit. The portable terminal performs display of high luminance with low power consumption with the matrix-arranged light-emitting diodes.
US07880684B2	Small aperture broadband localizing system The present invention is directed to a small aperture broadband localizing system, comprising one or more systems for ascertaining angle-of-arrival of an electromagnetic signal and a transmit tag. A system for ascertaining angle-of-arrival of an electromagnetic signal further comprises a compact antenna array and an evaluation apparatus, and an electromagnetic signal is preferentially a broadband or ultra-wideband (UWB) signal.
US07880683B2	Antennas with polarization diversity A horizontally polarized antenna array allows for the efficient distribution of RF energy into a communications environment through selectable antenna elements and redirectors that create a particular radiation pattern such as a substantially omnidirectional radiation pattern. In conjunction with a vertically polarized array, a particular high-gain wireless environment may be created such that one environment does not interfere with other nearby wireless environments and avoids interference created by those other environments. Lower gain patterns may also be created by using particular configurations of a horizontal and/or vertical antenna array. In a preferred embodiment, the antenna systems disclosed herein are utilized in a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) wireless environment.
US07880681B2	Antenna with dual band lumped element impedance matching An antenna includes a first antenna element and a second antenna element. The first antenna element and the second antenna element are both configured to receive signals in a first band of frequencies and in a second band of frequencies. Frequencies in the second band of frequencies are greater than frequencies in the first band of frequencies. A first impedance matching circuit, coupled to the first antenna element, includes a first plurality of filters having a first shared component. A second impedance matching circuit, coupled to the second antenna element, includes a second plurality of filters having a second shared component. A feed network circuit is coupled to the first impedance matching circuit and to the second impedance matching circuit and has a combined output corresponding to the signals received by the first antenna element and a second antenna element.
US07880679B2	Multiband antenna system In a multiband antenna system for a vehicle windshield, an antenna conductor structure is provided in lateral recesses of the heating conductor field. The antenna conductor structure is non-electrically coupled to the heating conductor field with low resistance using high-frequency technology. This system ensures defrosting of the vehicle windshield in the entire wiped area without being affected by the antenna conductor structure.
US07880676B2	Method and system for hybrid positioning using partial distance information The present invention provides a method and system for positioning one or more anchor nodes or one or more non-anchor nodes in one or more communication networks. A non-anchor node may be in communication with two or more anchor nodes. The method comprises determining two or more distance measurements, corresponding to raw distances of the non-anchor node from the two or more anchor nodes, at predetermined intervals of time. An estimated distance is then calculated between the two or more anchor nodes based on the two or more distance measurements. Estimated distances between a plurality of anchor nodes in the one or more communication networks is calculated in a similar manner. A partial distance matrix is then populated using the estimated distance between the plurality of anchor nodes. A plurality of geographic coordinates of the plurality of anchor nodes is reconstructed based on the partial distance matrix. The plurality of geographic coordinates is reconstructed based on one or more of a geometric build-up algorithm, a shortest-path algorithm and a multidimensional scaling algorithm.
US07880673B2	Position determination system and position determination method A position determination system includes a mobile terminal configured to receive GPS information from a GPS; a base station device configured to measure a round trip time (RTT) from the mobile terminal; a base-station position table unit configured to store position information on the base station device; a cable-length table unit configured to store a cable length between the base station device and an antenna assembly provided to the base station device, the antenna assembly communicates with the mobile terminal; and a position determination device configured to determine the position of the mobile terminal on the basis of the round trip time measured by the base station device, the cable length obtained from the cable-length table unit, the position information on the base station obtained from the base-station position table unit, and the GPS information received from the mobile terminal.
US07880671B2	Electromagnetic (EM) solver using a shooting bouncing ray (SBR) technique In one aspect, a system to generate radar signatures for multiple objects in real-time includes a first module including at least one processor to perform a shooting and bouncing (SBR) technique to solve for physical optics and multi-bounce characteristics of the objects. The at least one processor includes a central processing unit to perform dynamic ray tracing and a graphics processing unit (GPU) to perform far field calculations. The GPU includes a hit point database to store entries associated with rays that intersect an object.
US07880669B2	Radar apparatus To provide a radar apparatus capable of rapidly detecting an object at the end of a detecting range. The present invention provides a radar apparatus comprising a radar sensor that transmits a transmitting wave to a predetermined angular range and receives a reflected wave reflected by an object and a processing unit that obtains a peak of strength from a distribution of strength for angle of the received reflected wave and determines the direction of the object based on the peak. The processing unit detects the reflected wave at the end of the angular range and, when the peak is not detected, determines whether the object exists in the direction of the end of the angular range, based on the distribution of strength of the detected reflected wave.
US07880667B2	Methods and apparatus for using interferometry to prevent spoofing of ADS-B targets Methods and apparatus for preventing spoofing of targets, such as aircraft, in an air traffic control system. In one embodiment, first and second antennas at respective ground stations can be used to receive a signal transmitted by an aircraft from which a phase signal can be generated. A position of the aircraft generate can be generated from peaks and troughs in the phase signal due to movement of the aircraft. The determined position can be compared to a position reported by the aircraft to identify spoofing of the target.
US07880664B2	Method for correcting weather data The invention relates to a method, an apparatus and a computer program product for correcting the weather data of radial speed, spectral width and/or differential reflectivity which have been acquired from radar echo data recorded by a ground-based, radar-based remote-sensing appliance (1) for measuring atmospheric conditions and including evaluable weather echoes and interfering ground echoes, corrected weather data being obtained by calculating out the interfering ground echoes from the acquired weather data by using a previously stored clutter map with an intensity distribution of radar echo data which include the ground echoes substantially without weather echoes.
US07880661B2	Analog-digital converter and on-die thermal sensor including the same An on-die thermal sensor includes an integrating analog-digital converter not requiring a negative reference voltage input. The on die thermal sensor includes a band gap unit, an integrating unit and a counting unit. The band gap unit senses a temperature to output a first voltage corresponding to the sensed temperature. The integrating unit integrates a difference between a reference voltage and a comparing voltage to output a second voltage wherein the comparing voltage has a voltage level higher than that of the reference voltage. The counting unit counts clocks of a clock signal input thereto until the second voltage reaches the first voltage, thereby outputting a thermal code corresponding to the voltage level of the first voltage.
US07880660B2	Pipelined analog-to-digital converters An analog-to-digital converter including a first stage and a second stage. The first stage receives a first reference voltage and a first analog input voltage, generates a first digital signal by quantizing the first analog input voltage, and generates a first analog output voltage based on the first digital signal and the first analog input voltage. The second stage receives a second reference voltage and the first analog output voltage, in which the second reference voltage is lower than the first reference voltage. The second stage further generates a second digital signal by quantizing the first analog output voltage, and generates a second analog output voltage based on the second digital signal and the first analog output voltage.
US07880655B2	System, in particular for digitizing a time-continuous and value-continuous periodic signal with a firmly predefined number of samples per period A system is disclosed, in particular for digitizing a time-continuous and value-continuous periodic signal with a respective firmly predefined number of samples per period. In at least one embodiment, the system includes an A/D converter for digitizing an analog AC signal applied to the input of the A/D converter, the converter including a single-bit modulator which converts the AC signal into a first data stream of temporally immediately successive single-bit data words at a predefined operating clock rate; and a downstream decimation filter which respectively aggregates a predefined number of temporally immediately successive single-bit data words in the first data stream into respective temporally immediately successive n-bit data words which form a second data stream which corresponds to a digitization of the AC signal at a sampling frequency which is derived from the operating clock rate and the predefined number by way of division. In order to achieve digitization with a respective firmly predefined number of samples per period with relatively little technical complexity, it is proposed in at least one embodiment that the operating clock rate be respectively generated by a digitally adjustable oscillator on the basis of a signal characteristic of the AC signal.
US07880654B2	Continuous-time sigma-delta modulator with multiple feedback paths having independent delays Apparatus are provided for continuous-time sigma-delta modulators. A sigma-delta modulator comprises a quantizer configured to convert an analog signal to a digital value. A main feedback arrangement is coupled to the quantizer, and the main feedback arrangement delays the digital value by a first delay period and generates a main feedback signal based on the delayed value. A compensation feedback arrangement is coupled to the quantizer, and compensation feedback arrangement delays the digital value by a second delay period and generates a compensation feedback signal based on the delayed value. A forward signal arrangement produces the analog signal at the quantizer based on an input signal, the main feedback signal, and the compensation feedback signal. The second delay period is independent of and is not influenced by the first delay period, and the second delay period is chosen such that the compensation feedback signal compensates for the first delay period.
US07880653B2	Switched-capacitor circuits, integration systems, and methods of operation thereof Embodiments include integrator systems, switched-capacitor circuits, and methods of their operation. An integrator system comprises a differential amplifier and first and second sampling modules. The first sampling module includes a first capacitor and a first set of switches. The first set of switches changes a connection status between the first capacitor and first and second amplifier input terminals when a change in a polarity of a differential input signal does not occur between consecutive switching cycles, and refrains from changing the connection status when the change in the polarity does occur. The second sampling module includes a second capacitor and a second set of switches. The second set of switches changes a connection status between the second capacitor and the first and second amplifier input terminals when the change in the polarity does occur, and refrains from changing the connection status when the change in the polarity does not occur.
US07880650B2	Method and apparatus for testing data converter A data converter for converting analog signals to digital signals, or for converting digital signals to analog signals is provided. In one embodiment, a production self-test is provided. In one embodiment, a high-speed lower-resolution method or mode for a data converter is provided. In one embodiment, a differential data converter with a more stable comparator common mode voltage is provided. In one embodiment, the input range of a digitally calibrated data converter is provided and maintained so that there is no loss in input range due to the calibration. In one embodiment, digital post-processing of an uncalibrated result using a previously stored calibration value is provided.
US07880647B1	Huffman decoding method A Huffman decoding method for decoding codewords included in an encoded data transmitted via a stream includes: processing codewords of a codebook that is predefined or extracted from the stream to derive at least an auxiliary lookup table, and storing each derived auxiliary lookup table in a storage device; and searching a decoded value corresponding to a target codeword included in the encoded data according to at least the auxiliary lookup table stored in the storage device and the codebook.
US07880643B2	Method and device for following objects, particularly for traffic monitoring A method for tracking objects, especially for monitoring traffic, wherein a sensor measuring in an essentially horizontal and radial manner detects metrical data on moving objects in the form of raw data and transmits said data to a computer unit. The raw data is processed in the computer in such a way that the objects are tracked and the geometric properties thereof are determined. The static background is autonomously recognized and adapted or updated if changes occur. Objects in a present scene are tracked and current parameters are determined and correlated with the parameters of the objects of previous scenes. The method is particularly suitable for the detection and recognition of non-static traffic infractions which can only be recognized by analyzing the tracking of an object. The invention can be used in conjunction with several sensors in existing traffic control systems. Also disclosed is a device for carrying out the above-mentioned method.
US07880642B2	GPS-generated traffic information Disclosed herein is a traveler information monitoring and dissemination system. The system disclosed herein provides real time information to a traveler, wherein the real time information may be pre-selected by the traveler. The system ensures consistent and quality data are produced and issued to the traveler.
US07880639B2	Method of establishing communication with wireless control devices The method of the present invention allows a first wireless control device that is operable to communicate on a predetermined one of a plurality of channels to establish communication with a second wireless control device that may be communicating on any of the plurality of channels. A beacon message is first transmitted repeatedly by the wireless control device on the predetermined channel. The second wireless control device listens for the beacon message for a predetermined amount of time on each of the plurality of channels. When the second control device receives the beacon message on the predetermined channel, the second control device begins communicating on the predetermined channel. The second wireless device may begin listening for the beacon message in response to powering up.
US07880626B2	System and method for monitoring the life of a physiological sensor Aspects of the present disclosure include a sensor configured to store in memory indications of sensor use information and formulas or indications of formula for determining the useful life of a sensor from the indications of sensor use information. A monitor connected to the sensor monitors sensor use and stores indications of the use on sensor memory. The monitor and/or sensor use the compute the useful life of the sensor from the indications of use and the formulas. When the useful life of the sensor is reached, an indication is given to replace the sensor.
US07880625B2	Liquid level warning device A liquid level warning device with a separate audible alarm is disposed in a liquid tank for indicating the amount of liquid in the tank. The device also includes a plurality of float switches disposed at pre-selected levels within the tank and a plurality of LED's for indicating the level of liquid in the tank. A separate audible alarm independent of the visual indicators sounds an alarm when the tank is at a pre-selected level. A float switch is also disclosed.
US07880620B2	RFID tag and construction site management system and management method using the same According to an aspect of the present invention, an RFID tag has a long-distance communication RFID and a plurality of short-distance communication RFIDs. The RFID tag has tear-off lines for separating the short-distance communication RFID from the whole RFID tag, and when the short-distance communication RFID is separated, a loop-shaped antenna of the long-distance communication RFID is also cut up. And the RFID tag has an overall management identification code for identifying the whole tag before separation and a partial management identification code for identifying a partial tag after separation.
US07880616B2	Wireless data communication system having radio frequency devices, and related operating methods for disabling a transmit mode A wireless system suitable for use as a radio frequency (RF) locationing or presence detection system includes at least one wireless access device and at least wireless device, such as an active RF tag, corresponding to an item or asset of interest. A method of managing RF transmissions by the wireless devices is provided. The method involves the wireless device receiving keep-alive beacons during a first period of time. During this first period of time, the wireless device is operated in a transmit mode. During a second period of time that follows the first period of time, the wireless device receives no keep-alive beacons. During this second period of time, the wireless device is operated in a standby mode such that RF transmissions are disabled.
US07880614B2	RFID interposer with impedance matching An RFID interposer has conductive material that includes an impedance matching structure. The impedance matching structure aids in matching impedance between a chip that is to be mounted to the interposer, and an antenna that the interposer is to be coupled to. The impedance matching structures may allow different chips, with slightly different electrical characteristics, to be impedance matched to the same antenna configuration, using the same type of interposer. The impedance matching structure may have any of a variety of configurations in the electrically conductive material of the interposer. The structure may be parts of the chip mounting bond pads, may be part of the conductive electrical connection between the chip bond pads and antenna bond pads, may be part of connections between the chip bond pads and the antenna bond pads, and/or may be only indirectly electrically coupled to the antenna bond pads (such as by capacitive coupling).
US07880612B2	Anti-theft method and device The invention comprises of a method and alarm device used to prevent metal theft from irrigation systems. The alarm device attaches to a plurality of electric conductor such as copper wiring that is in need of protecting and the preexisting irrigation system circuit. The alarm device detects voltage in the irrigation system circuit and if there is no voltage signals from the irrigation system circuit, then the alarm device automatically breaks the original circuit and inserts itself into the irrigation system circuit. The alarm device then sends a low voltage, low current down the plurality of electric conductors and the plurality of conductors then become part of a circuit that energizes a magnetic switch located in the alarm device. A breach of integrity of the plurality of conductors such as by physical detachment triggers an alarm condition which lead to audio and visual alarms plus activating an automated dialer.
US07880609B2	System and method for real-time management of mobile resources A system and method are disclosed for real-time management of mobile resources. The management system includes an on board system, a processor, and a data center. The on board system is provided with the mobile resource to be managed and includes a number of sensors to monitor various conditions. Each sensor collects information independently and asynchronously with respect to the other sensors. The processor collects the information from the sensors and saves it in the form of synchronous data. A continuous two-way connection is established between the on board system and the data center across a wireless communication network. The data center monitors at least one sensed state from the sensors based on receipt of the synchronous data from the on board system. The data center can also provide instructions to the on board system in response to the state that is being monitored.
US07880606B2	Physiological trend monitor A physiological trend monitor has a sensor signal responsive to multiple wavelengths of light transmitted into a tissue site. The transmitted light is detected after attenuation by pulsatile blood flow within the tissue site. A processor has an input responsive to the sensor signal and a physiological parameter output. Features are extracted from the physiological parameter output. Criteria are applied to the features. An alarm output is generated when the criteria are satisfied.
US07880603B2	System and method for controlling an anti-masking system The present invention is directed to a method and system for controlling operation of an anti-masking system that detects tampering with a motion detection system. The control system may include a selective adjustment mechanism for adjusting a sensitivity level of the anti-masking system and a trigger mechanism for triggering the selective adjustment mechanism upon occurrence of an event to raise the sensitivity level of the anti-masking system. The control system may additionally include a timer for extending the raised sensitivity level for a predetermined time period beyond the occurrence of the event. The control system may operate in conjunction with a motion detection system that includes at least one motion detection sensor for detecting motion.
US07880598B2	Six face, multi-event, orientation sensor An apparatus and a computer implemented method for monitoring and recording the orientation data for an object. The orientation apparatus comprises an outer casing. Inside the outer casing is an orientation device that comprises six chambers, with a ball sensor in each chamber, and a ball. The orientation apparatus also comprises a data recorder for recording an event history of the orientation device, and a communicator for conveying the event history.
US07880596B2	Vehicle exterior rearview mirror system with blind spot indicator An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an exterior rearview mirror assembly that is mountable at an exterior side of a vehicle and has an inboard portion that is viewable by a driver of the vehicle when the mirror assembly is mounted at the exterior side of the vehicle. A blind spot indicator is disposed at the inboard portion of the mirror casing of the mirror assembly. The blind spot indicator comprises at least one illumination source for indicating to the driver a detected presence of an object alongside of and/or rearward of the vehicle. The indicator may comprise a unitary indicator module that is mountable at the inboard portion of the mirror assembly. The indicator module may include an illumination source and circuitry and may be connectable to an electrical connector.
US07880595B2	Vehicle monitoring system A vehicle monitoring system which can readily identify information transmitted from each detecting device without requiring registration of identifying information of the detecting device is to be provided. Detecting devices transmit vehicle information including at least the result of detection and self-identifying information; a tractor relaying device and a trailer relaying device add their self-identifying information to vehicle data received on the basis of the identifying information of the detecting devices and transmit the vehicle data, and transmit registration data including their own relaying device IDs and types indicating the registration of the relaying device IDs; the tractor relaying device stores the relaying device ID of the registration data transmitted from the trailer relaying device on the basis of the type information and transmits that registration data, and transmits vehicle data received from the trailer relaying device on the basis of the relaying device ID. The display device receives the registration data and the vehicle data transmitted from the tractor relaying device, and stores the relaying device ID of the registration data on the basis of type information.
US07880594B2	Switch assemblies and method for controlling vehicular components Vehicle including a switch assembly includes a vehicular component subject to control by an occupant in the passenger compartment, and a switch assembly for controlling the component based on pressure applied by the occupant of the vehicle to an exposed surface of the vehicle. The switch assembly includes at least one wireless transmission component arranged to wirelessly transmit an indication of the application of pressure to the exposed surface, and a control mechanism for controlling the wireless transmission by the wireless transmission component(s) based on the application of pressure to the exposed surface. The control mechanism may be a switch or a variable impedance which react to the application of pressure to the exposed surface.
US07880585B1	Storage locker having a remotely activated lockout feature A method for controlling access to a storage unit owned by an owner, wherein a renter can obtain and maintain rights to said storage unit by paying a first rental fee and subsequent periodic rental fee payments according to a schedule. In this method, the storage unit is secured by a lock that is, at least in part, controlled by the renter. A remotely controllable lockout assembly, however, is capable of over locking the storage unit so that the renter can no longer gain entry when the lockout assembly is activated. The method includes remotely controlling the lockout assembly to deny the renter access to the unit when the when said renter has failed to pay said periodic rental fee on schedule and a grace period has passed since said renter's rights to said storage unit have elapsed.
US07880583B2	Remote control apparatus A remote control apparatus for a vehicle according to the invention includes a portable-device determination unit, and a distance determination unit. The portable-device determination unit determines whether a first portable device, which can remotely control a vehicle function, is present in the vehicle. The distance determination unit determines whether a distance between the user of the vehicle and the vehicle is greater than or equal to a predetermined distance. When the portable-device determination unit determines that the first portable device is present in the vehicle, and the distance determination unit determines that the distance between the user and the vehicle is greater than or equal to the predetermined distance, the remote control apparatus permits a second portable device, which can remotely control a vehicle function, to remotely control the vehicle function.
US07880579B2	Carrier device for a toroidal-core choke, holder for an inductive component, and inductive component A carrier device for a toroidal-core choke includes a base plate, which has projecting wire-guiding devices. A holder for an inductive component includes the carrier device and an electrical isolation device. The holder can be part of an inductive component.
US07880578B2	Conductor assembly including a flared aperture region A conductor assembly of the type which, when conducting current, generates a magnetic field or in which, in the presence of a changing magnetic field, a voltage is induced. A helical wiring pattern is positioned along an axis a radial distance R from the axis. The wiring pattern is formed about an aperture region extending from the axis toward the wiring pattern, the distance R varying along a portion of the axis.
US07880576B2	Electromagnetic noise absorber An electromagnetic noise absorber to be attached around an electric cable to attenuate noise transmitted through the electric cable. The electromagnetic noise absorber comprises a strip-like base material and a plurality of ferrite pieces fixed to the strip-like base material. The plurality of ferrite pieces are formed by fixing a sheeted ferrite sintered body to the strip-like base material, and subsequently splitting the sheeted ferrite sintered body along split lines oblique with respect to a longitudinal direction of the strip-like base material. The electromagnetic noise absorber is wound around a circumference of the electric cable such that the split lines are parallel to an axial direction of the electric cable, thereby being attached in a spiral manner around the circumference of the electric cable.
US07880573B2	Magnetostriction aided switching A method for reducing a temperature rise of a magnetic material is provided. The method includes applying force to the magnetic material to reduce a dimensional change of the magnetic material during a first part of an operation cycle, such as due to magnetostriction. The force is removed from the magnetic material during a second part of an operation cycle, allowing magnetostrictive dimensional changes to occur.
US07880570B2	Feed thru with flipped signal plane using guided vias An embodiment of the invention includes a high speed feed thru connecting a first circuit outside a housing to a second circuit inside the housing. The first circuit includes a first high speed integrated circuit chip and the second circuit includes a second high speed integrated circuit chip or optoelectronic device. The high speed feed thru includes an inside coplanar structure positioned at least partially inside the housing, the inside coplanar structure connected to the second circuit. The high speed feed thru also includes an outside coplanar structure positioned at least partially outside the housing, the outside coplanar structure connected to the first circuit. A material separates the inside coplanar structure and the outside coplanar structure. At least one guided via extends through the material, connecting the inside coplanar structure and the outside coplanar structure.
US07880568B2	Equalizer system having a tunable active inductor An linear equalizer system for a transmission channel includes an active inductor with a tunable inductance and quality factor. The active inductor includes a transconducting element. A current steering digital to analog converter controls the flow of a bias current through the transconducting element to tune the active inductor.
US07880565B2	Micro-electro-mechanical transducer having a surface plate A micro-electro-mechanical transducer (such as a cMUT) is disclosed. The transducer has a base, a spring layer placed over the base, and a mass layer connected to the spring layer through a spring-mass connector. The base includes a first electrode. The spring layer or the mass layer includes a second electrode. The base and the spring layer form a gap therebetween and are connected through a spring anchor. The mass layer provides a substantially independent spring mass contribution to the spring model without affecting the equivalent spring constant. The mass layer also functions as a surface plate interfacing with the medium to improve transducing performance. Fabrication methods to make the same are also disclosed.
US07880563B2	High-frequency acoustic wave device An acoustic wave device comprising a piezoelectric layer on an omnidirectional acoustic mirror and excitation and/or reception means on a surface of said piezoelectric layer, capable of exciting waves in a band gap of the acoustic mirror.
US07880561B2	Surface acoustic wave filter device and duplexer A surface acoustic wave (SAW) filter device includes first and second longitudinally coupled SAW filter units. The first and second filter units are cascade-connected to each other. A phase of a signal flowing through a first signal line electrically connecting second IDTs of the first and second SAW filter units is different by about 180° from a phase of a signal flowing through a signal line electrically connecting third IDTs of the first and second SAW filter units. A SAW resonator is connected between the first and second signal lines. A resonance point of the SAW resonator is set in an attenuation region in the vicinity of the edge of a low frequency side of a filter passband or an anti-resonance point of the SAW resonator is set in an attenuation region in the vicinity of the edge of a high frequency side of the filter passband.
US07880560B2	Directional coupler and a receiving or transmitting device A directional coupler and a receiving or transmitting device. The directional coupler includes: a primary signal line composed of a metal rod; and a coupled signal line composed of a microstrip line in a curved shape on a printed circuit board; wherein the medium between the metal rod and the microstrip line is air. Compared with existing directional coupler, the directional coupler of the embodiments of the disclosure has a lower transmitting loss, a large power capacity, and a high directional qualification. The directional coupler is capable of ensuring a higher passive intermodulation qualification. The advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure are easier assembly, good uniformity of the qualifications, and adaptability for various application environments. The directional coupler of the disclosure ensures different parameter qualifications, and is simple to assemble, so that the low cost is achieved.
US07880556B2	Interconnection system with a dielectric system having holes therein that run uninterrupted through the dielectric system Fundamental interconnect systems for connecting high-speed electronics elements are provided. The interconnect systems consists of signal line, dielectric system with open trench or slot filled up with air or lower dielectric loss material, and the ground plane. The signal line could be for example, microstripline, strip line, coplanar line, single line or differential pairs. The interconnect system can be used for on-chip interconnects or can also be used for off-chip interconnects. The fundamental techniques provided in this invention can also be used for high-speed connectors and high-speed cables.
US07880554B2	Periodic timing jitter reduction in oscillatory systems A device including a voltage regulator with an adaptive switching frequency circuit for noise-sensitive analog circuits, such as oscillatory systems with phase-lock loops (PLLs) and voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the device includes a reference clock oscillator, a low-jitter oscillator, a power supply including a clock signal input to regulate a power supply voltage for the low-jitter oscillator, a clock detector to generate a clock detector control signal when the low-jitter oscillator output frequency is stable, and a multiplexer to select between a reference clock oscillator output signal and a low-jitter oscillator output signal as the clock signal input to the power supply to mitigate effects of period jitter in the low-jitter oscillator output signal when the clock detector control signal is asserted. In a further exemplary embodiment, a clock detector control signal is configured to control the multiplexer to select the low-jitter oscillator output signal as the clock signal input to the power supply when the low-jitter oscillator output frequency is stable.
US07880549B1	Transistor including intrinsic harmonic trap Embodiments include but are not limited to apparatuses and systems including a circuit comprising a unit cell including an input and an output, and a harmonic trap, intrinsic to the unit cell, implemented on one of the input and the output. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US07880547B2	Systems and methods for power amplifiers with voltage boosting multi-primary transformers Systems and methods may be provided for a power amplifier system. The systems and methods may include a plurality of power amplifiers, where each power amplifier includes at least one output port. The systems and methods may also include a plurality of primary windings each having a first number of turns, where each primary winding is connected to at least one output port of the plurality of power amplifiers, and a single secondary winding inductively coupled to the plurality of primary windings, where the secondary winding includes a second number of turns greater than the first number of turns.
US07880535B2	Semiconductor device, control method of semiconductor device, and control information generating method for semiconductor device A semiconductor device 2 has a plurality of elements. It also has an F-V table storing unit for low voltage threshold cells 31 for storing an F-V table TB11 of an oscillation frequency f1 relying on the plurality of elements and a power supply voltage EV to be supplied to the plurality of elements. It has a process sensor block 12 having at least one of the plurality of elements, for monitoring the oscillation frequency f1 relying on at least one element. It further has a selector 33 for setting the power supply voltage EV associated with the oscillation frequency f1, as the supply voltage to be supplied to the semiconductor device 2 by selecting according to the F-V table TB11. The F-V table TB11 is obtained by mutually relating the combinations of random number models ξn between an F-ξ table TB20 and an ξ-V table TB30.
US07880533B2	Bandgap voltage reference circuit A bandgap voltage reference circuit which provides a bandgap reference voltage without requiring a resistor. The circuit comprises an amplifier having an inverting input, a non-inverting input and an output. First and second bipolar transistors are provided which operate at different current densities each coupled to a corresponding one of the inverting and non-inverting inputs of the amplifier. A load MOS transistor of a first aspect ratio is driven by the amplifier to operate in the triode region with a corresponding drain-source resistance ron. The load MOS device is operably coupled to the second bipolar transistor such that a base-emitter difference (ΔVbe) resulting from the collector current density difference between the first and second bipolar transistors is developed across the drain-source resistance ron, of the load MOS device. A cascoded MOS device of a second aspect ratio is operably coupled to the load MOS device and is driven by the amplifier to operate in the triode region. The first and second aspect ratios are such that that the drain-source voltage of the second MOS transistor (Vds2) is a scaled representation of the base-emitter voltage difference (ΔVbe).
US07880522B2	Double-edge PWM controller and its control method thereof The present invention discloses a double-edge pulse width modulation (PWM) controller based on the output current and output voltage which is modulated in real time by the output current and the output voltage. The controller uses an extra first adder to sum up the compensation signal and a triangular signal (or a saw-tooth signal); a second adder to sum up the output current signal to a bias value; a PWM comparator, with its non-inverting input receiving the output of said first adder, its inverting input receiving the output of said second adder and outputs the PWM signal.
US07880521B2	Differential driver and method capable of controlling slew rate A differential driver includes first and second pull-up resistors respectively connected to first and second output terminals, a plurality of differential-input transistor pairs connected each to the first and second output terminals, current sources connected each to the differential-input transistor pairs, and a slew rate controller adapted to generate differential input signals to be applied each to the differential-input transistor pairs in response to an input signal. The slew rate controller may output the differential input signals simultaneously or sequentially.
US07880519B2	Clock signal generating circuit, display panel module, imaging device, and electronic equipment A delay synchronization loop type clock signal generating circuit includes: a digital delay line for delaying a first clock signal and generating a second clock signal; a ring-type shift register for setting the delay time length of the digital delay line by flip-flop output of each stage thereof; and a delay amount control unit for controlling supply of shift clocks to the ring-type shift register, based on phase relation between the first clock signal and the second clock signal.
US07880517B2	Delayed-locked loop with power-saving function A DLL with power-saving function includes a VCDL, a voltage control module, a capacitor, and a phase detector. The VCDL generates a delayed clock signal according to the voltage on the capacitor and a reference clock signal. The phase detector detects phase difference between the delayed clock signal and the reference clock signal and accordingly controls the voltage controller. The voltage controller sinks or sources current to the capacitor for adjusting the voltage on the capacitor. Further, the voltage controller can turn off its charge pump according to a turned-off signal and stops sinking or sourcing current for saving power.
US07880516B2	Method for noise reduction in a phase locked loop and a device having noise reduction capabilities A method for reducing noise in a device that includes at least one phase locked loop (PLL), the method includes: adjusting at least one adjustable component of a PLL such as to determine a time shift; modulating a frequency divider such as to generate a modulation noise within a modulation noise period and to provide a frequency divided signal; introducing the time shift between the modulation noise period and a measurement period; and measuring during a measurement period a difference between a reference signal and the frequency divided signal. A device that includes a phased locked loop. The phase locked loop (PLL) includes: a frequency divider, adapted to receive an output signal from a controlled oscillator and to provide a divided frequency signal; a modulator, adapted to affect at least one frequency division characteristic and to introduce a modulation noise during a modulation noise period, a phase detector, adapted to measure, during a measurement period, a difference between a reference signal and the frequency divided signal; and an adjustable delay unit adapted to affect an adjustable time shift between the modulation period and the measurement period.
US07880508B2	Device for detecting the peak value of a signal A device for detecting the peak value of a signal with crest factor not known a priori includes a pair of peak detectors, each of which includes a rectifier element and a discharge-current generator and generates a respective output signal that is a function of the ratio between a physical dimension of the rectifier element and the intensity of discharge current produced by the generator. The ratio is different for the two detectors, and a combination network combines the output signals of the two peak detectors with one another and produces a combined signal indicating the peak value sought with high accuracy.
US07880500B2	Logical signal voltage converter A circuit for converting a lower voltage logical signal to a higher voltage. The circuit comprises a current mirror structure having first and second branches, each comprising at least a first transistor of a first kind, an input transistor of a second kind, and a second transistor of the first kind coupled between them. The first transistors are arranged as a current mirror. The input transistors are driven using a logical signal at the lower voltage, controlling the current mirror structure to output a corresponding logical signal at the higher voltage. The second transistors are driven by an intermediate reference voltage so as to reduce the operating voltage of the third transistors. The first kind is tolerant of a higher operating voltage than the second kind.
US07880499B2	Reconfigurable logic fabrics for integrated circuits and systems and methods for configuring reconfigurable logic fabrics In accordance with the present invention there are provided herein asynchronous reconfigurable logic fabrics (302, 304) for integrated circuits and methods for designing asynchronous circuits to be implemented in the asynchronous reconfigurable logic fabrics.
US07880495B2	Display device and test probe for testing display device A display device is provided with a light detection unit that detects the intensity of ambient light and is capable of automatically controlling the luminosity of an illumination unit and/or the luminosity of the display device on the basis of the intensity of ambient light detected by the light detection unit. Moreover, the display device makes it possible to easily conduct a test on light-sensor characteristics.
US07880494B2	Accurate capacitance measurement for ultra large scale integrated circuits Test structures and methods for measuring contact and via parasitic capacitance in an integrated circuit are provided. The accuracy of contact and via capacitance measurements are improved by eliminating not-to-be-measured capacitance from the measurement results. The capacitance is measured on a target test structure that has to-be-measured contact or via capacitance. Measurements are then repeated on a substantially similar reference test structure that is free of to-be-measured contact or via capacitances. By using the capacitance measurements of the two test structures, the to-be-measured contact and via capacitance can be calculated.
US07880492B2	Integrated circuits with programmable well biasing An integrated circuit includes a substrate, a storage device formed in the substrate to hold bias settings, and operational blocks formed in the substrate, each operational block including an operational circuit and a charge pump to provide well bias voltages to the operational circuit in response to one or more of the bias settings. A method for testing an integrated circuit having two or more operational blocks includes: (a) determining a maximum operating speed of each of the blocks at a minimum supply voltage; (b) selecting a block that has a slow operating speed; (c) selecting a well bias to speed up the selected block; (d) selecting a supply voltage to meet a target operating frequency at the selected well bias and measuring power; (e) repeating acts (b)-(d) while the measured power is less than a baseline power; and (f) saving the selected well bias and supply voltage settings for operation of the integrated circuit.
US07880490B2	Wireless interface probe card for high speed one-shot wafer test and semiconductor testing apparatus having the same A wireless interface probe card includes a substrate member and a transmission member. The substrate member has a plurality of probe terminals arranged at a constant pitch. The probe terminals may directly contact a plurality of pads arranged at a constant pitch on each of a plurality of semiconductor chips arranged on a wafer to perform a test of the semiconductor chips arranged on the wafer. The transmission member is arranged on the substrate member, wirelessly receives a test signal and provides the received test signal to the pads of the wafer through the probe terminals, and wirelessly and externally transmits an electrical characteristic signal provided from the pads of the wafer through the probe terminals.
US07880489B2	Printing of redistribution traces on electronic component A probe substrate for use in testing semiconductor devices can include a base substrate that can have first electrical terminals at a first pitch. One or more redistribution layers on the base substrate can include droplets of a conductive material that form redistribution traces extending from the first terminals to second electrical terminals at a second pitch different from the first pitch.
US07880488B2	Universal current leakage testing adapter In one embodiment, a universal current leakage measurement device is disclosed. A universal current leakage testing adapter has the ability to couple with at least two differently sized or shaped probe connectors. The universal current leakage testing adapter is configured to couple with differently sized or shaped probe connectors by conductive planes either functioning independently or in concert to contact the pins of a probe connector.
US07880487B2	Test lead probe with retractable insulative sleeve The present invention is directed to a test probe having an indexable probe tip. In one embodiment, an insulative sleeve extends from the test probe and surrounds a portion of the exposed probe tip. The insulative sleeve is moveable relative to the probe tip and may be indexable to at least two positions. For instance, the insulative sleeve locks into a first position to provide a first length of the probe tip exposed from the insulative sleeve, and the insulative sleeve locks into a second position to provide a second length of the probe tip exposed from the insulative sleeve.
US07880486B2	Method and apparatus for increasing operating frequency of a system for testing electronic devices A test system includes a communications channel that terminals in a probe, which contacts an input terminal of an electronic device to be tested. A resistor is connected between the communications channel near the probe and ground. The resistor reduces the input resistance of the terminal and thereby reduces the rise and fall times of the input terminal. The channel may be terminated in a branch having multiple paths in which each path is terminated with a probe for contacting a terminal on electronic devices to be tested. Isolation resistors are included in the branches to prevent a fault at one input terminal from propagating to the other input terminals. A shunt resistor is provided in each branch, which reduces the input resistance of the terminal and thereby reduces the rise and fall times of the input terminal. The shunt resistor may also be sized to reduce, minimize, or eliminate signal reflections back up the channel.
US07880478B2	Sensing device for measuring a position of nanoscale motion apparatus A nanoscale motion apparatus includes a fixed base, a movable platform, and means for moving the movable platform connected between the fixed base and the movable platform. A sensing device includes a holder, at least two nanosensors, and a measurement plate. The holder is mounted on the fixed base. The nanosensors are configured on the holder. The measurement plate is mounted on the movable platform. The measurement plate can be sensed by the nanosensors so as to measure the corresponding variation between the fixed base and the movable platform.
US07880475B2	Type A USB receptacle with plug detection A modified Series A universal serial bus (USB) receptacle connector is equipped with the functionality to allow the electronic system in which it resides to be configured either as a host device or a peripheral device. The modified USB Series A receptacle connector, according to one embodiment of the invention may include a mechanism such as an additional pin or a mechanical switch to detect the presence of a standard USB Series A plug being inserted into it. Upon detection of a plug, an algorithm may allow the system to determine whether it is to act as a host device or a peripheral device and to determine which device supplies power.
US07880473B2	Non-invasive monitoring and diagnosis of electric machines by measuring external flux density System and methods for monitoring electric machines are provided. A magnetic field associated with the electric machine is measured at one or more points external to the electric machine, wherein a respective magnetic field value is associated with each of the one or more points. The one or more measured magnetic field values are compared to one or more corresponding expected values, and a determination of whether a fault is present in the electric machine is made based at least in part on the comparison.
US07880471B2	Adapter for supplying electrolyte to a potentiometric sensor An adapter for a potentiometric sensor having a sensor shaft, which has a reference liquid opening in its exterior surface. The adapter comprises an annular chamber member having a sensor opening for receiving the sensor shaft. Arranged in the sensor opening are first and second sealing rings for the sensor shaft. The axial position of the reference liquid opening lies between the first and second sealing rings. Formed between the sealing rings and the sensor shaft is an annular chamber, which is in communication with the reference liquid opening. The annular chamber member further includes a duct extending between the annular chamber and a reference feed opening. The adapter further includes a process connection member having a process connection opening, which surrounds the sensor shaft, and whose axis is aligned with the axis of the sensor opening. The axial position of the process connection member is fixed relative to the annular chamber member, and the process connection member is freely rotatable relative to the annular chamber member.
US07880470B2	Switching circuit, signal output device and test apparatus A test apparatus for a device under test (DUT) that includes a signal output device that outputs a signal according to a test signal and a detecting section that detects a signal output from the DUT that outputs a detection result. The signal output device includes an output port, a high-voltage side switching circuit between a first terminal and a second terminal, a low-voltage side switching circuit between a first terminal and a second terminal, and a control section that outputs the first and second control signals. Each of the high-voltage and the low-voltage side switching circuits include a plurality of switching devices serially connected between the first and second terminals. The plurality of switching devices are opened substantially in synchronization with each other, such that a voltage inputted to the first terminal is outputted from the second terminal by short-circuiting between the first and second terminals.
US07880469B2	Surveying method using an arrangement of plural signal sources A survey technique for use in a marine environment to survey a subterranean structure includes providing an arrangement of plural signal sources in a body of water to produce corresponding signals. The signals of the signal sources in the arrangement are set to cause reduction of at least one predetermined signal component in data received by a receiver in response to the signals.
US07880468B2	Method of using G-matrix fourier transformation nuclear magnetic resonance (GFT NMR) spectroscopy for rapid chemical shift assignment and secondary structure determination of proteins The present invention presents a new approach to rapidly obtaining precise high-dimensional NMR spectral information, named “GFT NMR spectroscopy”, which is based on the phase sensitive joint sampling of the indirect dimensions spanning a subspace of a conventional NMR experiment. The phase-sensitive joint sampling of several indirect dimensions of a high-dimensional NMR experiment leads to largely reduced minimum measurement times when compared to FT NMR. This allows one to avoid the “sampling limited” data collection regime. Concomitantly, the analysis of the resulting chemical shift multiplets, which are edited by the G-matrix transformation, yields increased precision for the measurement of the chemical shifts. Additionally, methods of conducting specific GFT NMR experiments as well as methods of conducting a combination of GFT NMR experiments for rapidly obtaining precise chemical shift assignment and determining the structure of proteins or other molecules are disclosed.
US07880461B2	System for transferring test trays and a handler having same A system and method is provided for transferring multiple test trays within a test handler. The system includes at least one moving member having a pushing member that pushes a first test tray and a pulling member that pulls on a projection on a second test tray to move the first and second test trays simultaneously with the moving member. The system also includes a second plate to which the at least one moving member is fixed, and a first plate to which the second plate is movably fixed. A handler may be equipped with this system so that two test trays may be moved at the same time to decrease overall processing time and improve efficiency and productivity of the handler.
US07880460B2	Hardware in the loop motor simulation A simulator system is connected to simulate the connection of a mechanically loaded motor to a motor controller/driver. The simulator system includes a current transformer circuit for monitoring AC output currents provided by the motor controller/driver. A simulation controller calculates, based on the monitored AC output currents, dynamic load voltages that simulate the response that would be generated by a mechanically loaded motor based on the AC output currents provided by the motor controller/driver. A number of power supplies amplify the dynamic loading calculated by the simulation controller to generate a dynamic loading that opposes the AC output currents provided by the motor controller/driver.
US07880457B2	Dual-loop DC-to-DC converter apparatus A dual loop DC-to-DC converter is provided that includes a first control loop that maintains a DC output voltage (VOUT) less than or equal to a desired maximum value of the VOUT, a second control loop that operates simultaneously with the first control loop and maintains a DC input voltage (VIN) greater than or equal to a desired minimum value of the VIN, and a duty cycle selection module. The first control loop generates a first clock signal having a first duty cycle, and the second control loop generates a second clock signal having a second duty cycle. The duty cycle selection module continuously determines which one of the first duty cycle and the second duty cycle has a lower duty cycle value, and continuously generates a PWM output signal having a modulated duty cycle equal to the lower duty cycle value.
US07880453B2	Interleaved switching converter, and switching controller and controlling method thereof In an interleaved switching converter, a first converter including a first switch is coupled to a second converter including a second switch. A switching controller for controlling the first switch and the second switch outputs a second control signal for operating the second switch based a first control signal for operating the first switch. A phase shift between the first control signal and the second control signal is 180 degrees.
US07880452B1	Trimming circuit and method for replica type voltage regulators The present invention is directed to a trimming circuit and method for replica type voltage regulators. A voltage regulator circuit includes an operational amplifier (OPAMP) and a n-type metal oxide silicon (NMOS) device. An output of the OPAMP is coupled to a gate terminal of the NMOS device. The voltage regulator circuit includes a potential divider circuit comprising a plurality of discrete devices coupled in series. A source terminal of the NMOS device is coupled to the potential divider circuit to form an output feedback node. The body of the NMOS device is biased variably across a plurality of tap points formed between consecutive discrete devices in the potential divider circuit.
US07880450B2	Switching power supply, control circuit controlling switching power supply and control method of switching power supply A switching power supply includes: a first switch provided between one end of a DC power supply and one end of a load; a second switch provided between a node of the first switch located on a load side and another end of the DC power supply; a capacitor provided between the second switch and the another end of the DC power supply; a third switch provided between a node of the first switch located on a DC power supply side and a node between the second switch and the capacitor; and a delay circuit that is provided between the third switch and the node between the second switch and the capacitor and delays a current for charging the capacitor, wherein the second switch is turned on in a period during which the first switch is kept on.
US07880447B1	Power converter controller IC having input voltage pin with multiple functions A controller integrated circuit (IC) for controlling a power converter uses its input voltage pin with a plurality of functions, including receiving an input voltage to the power converter, charging an external startup capacitor through charging circuitry coupled internally to the input voltage pin, and also receiving a test signal for programming a programmable resistance in an input voltage scale down circuitry coupled to the input voltage pin. Use of the input voltage pin with a plurality of functions reduces the number of pins required in the controller IC, thereby reducing the cost of manufacturing the controller IC.
US07880443B2	System and method of trickle charging a battery in a narrow rail architecture The charging circuit for charging a battery of an electronic device using a connected AC power adaptor includes circuitry responsive to an applied regulated voltage for charging the battery connected to the charging circuitry. The circuitry prevents the regulated voltage applied to the circuitry from falling below a settable voltage level. Additionally, the circuitry switches a charging current between a quick charge level and a trickle charge level responsive to a state of a transistor.
US07880442B2	Charging control device for a storage battery One of first through fourth target state of charge levels, which are set at values that increase gradually over time, is selected on the basis of an ON/OFF state of a specific current consumer installed in the vehicle and a state of charge immediately preceding an engine stoppage. A target state of charge is set on the basis of the selected target state of charge level and an elapsed time after the lead storage battery is installed in the vehicle, whereupon the target state of charge is compared with the actual state of charge of the lead storage battery. The lead storage battery is charged in accordance with the comparative result.
US07880439B2	Battery-capacity management device A battery-capacity management device comprises a charged/discharged-capacity integrating unit that detects a voltage and a current of a driving battery and that calculates a discharged capacity of the driving battery. The device also comprises a battery temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the driving battery, a memory, and an available-capacity calculating unit. Map data that represents relationships among voltages, currents, and temperatures of the driving battery at states in which remaining capacity of the driving battery has reached a preset value can be stored in the memory. The available-capacity calculating unit calculates a renewed available capacity of the driving battery based on a discharge capacity discharged over a period between a time when the driving battery is charged and a time when the voltage value detected by the charged/discharged-capacity integrating unit reaches a voltage value corresponding to the current value and the battery temperature in the map data.
US07880433B2	Charge equalization apparatus The present invention relates to a charge equalization apparatus, which allows the primary and secondary windings of a transformer to be easily fabricated, can control the flow of charge to batteries depending on the charged states of series-connected batteries, and can prevent overcurrent from flowing into a battery currently being charged.
US07880429B2	Power management method using feedback current bias for simultaneously controlling low cells and overall stack voltage A method for controlling the current output from a fuel cell stack to prevent the stack voltage or the minimum fuel cell voltage from dropping below predetermined voltage set-points. The method for the stack voltage control includes determining whether the stack voltage has dropped to the predetermined voltage set-point, and if so, capturing and holding the actual stack current at that point as the maximum allowed stack current. If the stack voltage continues to fall below the voltage set-point, then the voltage set-point is subtracted from the actual voltage to get a positive error signal. Controller gains are then multiplied by the error signal to reduce the current allowed from the stack to drive the error signal to zero, and increase the stack voltage. The method for the minimum fuel cell voltage operates in the same manner, but with different values.
US07880411B2	Motor controller of electric power steering device In a motor controller which supplies electric power to a motor of an electric power steering device from a main power supply and an auxiliary power supply, an N-channel MOS-FET is connected in parallel with a diode which is provided to prevent a sneak current from the auxiliary power supply to the main power supply. When electric power is supplied to the motor from the main power supply, the MOS-FET is turned on. Then, most of currents flow into the MOS-FET such that a power loss is reduced and a reduction in efficiency is prevented. The MOS-FET has high speed responsibility and excellent durability.
US07880408B2	Method for designing a radio-frequency cavity, in particular to be used in a cyclotron, radio-frequency cavity realised using such a method, and cyclotron using such a cavity The invention relates to a method for designing a radio-frequency cavity, in particular to be used in a cyclotron, radio-frequency cavity (2) comprising a conductive enclosure or “liner” (3) connected by at least two essentially inductive elements or “stems” (4) to a capacitive electrode (2′), the method being characterized in that it comprises the following subsequent steps: A. subdividing the volume of said radio-frequency cavity (2) in a number of sub-cavities (10,20,30) corresponding to at least two stems (4), each sub-cavity comprising a respective (stem4); B. imposing a condition of magnetic orthonormality on the separation surfaces between said at least two sub-cavities (10,20,30); C. independently for each of said at least two sub-cavities (10,20,30), calculating the size and/or the position of the respective stem (4) with respect to the physical conditions at the boundaries. The invention further relates to a radio-frequency cavity realized using the method according to the invention, and a cyclotron using such a cavity.
US07880404B2	Controlling current through serial LEDs using a low voltage transistor when using a high voltage driver Various circuits are described herein where a series transistor used to control current through a string of LEDs, driven by a high voltage, is not subjected to the high voltage when the transistor is turned off pursuant to a PWM signal. To avoid the transistor experiencing the high voltage, the HV regulator is disabled shortly before the transistor is turned off and is enabled shortly after the transistor has turned back on. Control circuits for controlling the regulator and transistor include delay circuits and/or voltage sensing circuits to ensure that the transistor is always on prior to the voltage regulator being enabled pursuant to the incoming PWM signal, and the voltage regulator is always disabled when the first transistor is off pursuant to the incoming PWM signal.
US07880401B2	Lighting controlling device of vehicle lighting equipment A lighting controlling device of vehicle lighting equipment includes switching regulators for supplying a current to a plurality of semiconductor light sources respectively; a plurality of current driving portions, having switching elements connected to the semiconductor light sources for controlling ON/OFF of the semiconductor light sources, for current-driving the semiconductor light sources at a maximum current value or a current value smaller than the maximum current value in response to respective operating states of the switching elements; current setting portion for setting a maximum current value applied in current-driving the current driving portion or a maximum current value of currents fed from the switching regulators to the semiconductor light sources separately in plural stages in response to respective assignments; and a controlling portion for controlling the current driving portion and the current setting portion in response to a plurality of lighting modes based on communication information from an external device. The controlling portion assigns the maximum current value corresponding to each lighting mode to the current setting portion for every lighting mode, and assigns ON/OFF periods of the switching elements to the current driving portion for every lighting mode.
US07880400B2	Digital driver apparatus, method and system for solid state lighting An apparatus, method and system are provided for controlling the solid state lighting, such as LEDs. An exemplary apparatus comprises: a switch for switching electrical current through the LEDs, a current sensor; a first comparator adapted to determine when a switch electrical current has reached a first predetermined threshold; a second comparator adapted to determine when the switch electrical current has reached a predetermined average current level; and a controller. The controller is adapted to turn the switch into an on state and an off state, to determine a first on time period as a duration between either a detection of a second predetermined current threshold or the turning the switch into the on state, and the detection of the predetermined average current level; to determine a second on time period as a duration between the detection of the predetermined average current level and the detection of the first predetermined current threshold; and to determine an on time period of the switch as substantially proportional to a sum of the first on time period and the second on time period. Additional exemplary embodiments utilize a difference between the first and second on time periods to generate an error signal to adjust the on time period of the switch.
US07880398B2	High-pressure discharge lamp lighting device with alternating current frequency time periods The high-pressure discharge lamp lighting device of the invention includes a lighting circuit for supplying an alternating current to a high-pressure discharge lamp to cause lighting, the high-pressure discharge lamp having an arc tube in which a halogen material is enclosed and a pair of electrodes is disposed, and each electrode having a protuberance at a tip thereof. A frequency of the alternating current varies without dependency on operating data that varies as a lighting time of the high-pressure discharge lamp elapses.
US07880395B2	Method for restoring function of plasma display panel and plasma display panel A method for restoring the function of a plasma display panel according to the present invention restores a function of a plasma display panel by raising the temperature of the plasma display panel to 400° C. to 800° C.
US07880383B2	Electron emission display An electron emission device includes first and second substrates facing each other, an electron emission unit provided on a first surface of the first substrate, a light emission unit provided on a first surface of the second substrate facing the first substrate, and a sealing member for sealing peripheries of the first and second substrates together. The sealing member contacts a first insulation layer of the electron emission unit.
US07880380B2	Display device and electronic apparatus A display device in which variations in luminance due to variations in characteristics of transistors are reduced, and image quality degradation due to variations in resistance values is prevented. The invention comprises a transistor whose channel portion is formed of an amorphous semiconductor or an organic semiconductor, a connecting wiring connected to a source electrode or a drain electrode of the transistor, a light emitting element having a laminated structure which includes a pixel electrode, an electro luminescent layer, and a counter electrode, an insulating layer surrounding an end portion of the pixel electrode, and an auxiliary wiring formed in the same layer as a gate electrode of the transistor, a connecting wiring, or the pixel electrode. Further, the connecting wiring is connected to the pixel electrode, and the auxiliary wiring is connected to the counter electrode via an opening portion provided in the insulating layer.
US07880377B2	Quantum dot-dispersed light emitting device, and manufacturing method thereof A light emitting device having practical light emission characteristics is obtained without epitaxial growth.A quantum dot-dispersed light emitting device of the invention includes a substrate 11, an electron injection electrode 12, a hole injection electrode 14, and an inorganic light emitting layer 13 disposed so as to be in contact with both the electrodes. The inorganic light emitting layer 13 contains an ambipolar inorganic semiconductor material and nanocrystals 15 dispersed as luminescent centers in the ambipolar inorganic semiconductor material and is configured so as to be capable of light emission without having, at the interface with the electron injection electrode and/or the hole injection electrode, epitaxial relation therewith.
US07880376B2	Field emission devices made with laser and/or plasma treated carbon nanotube mats, films or inks Field emission devices comprising carbon nanotube mats which have been treated with laser or plasma are provided. Mats are formed from carbon nanotubes, also known as carbon fibrils, which are vermicular carbon deposits having diameters of less than about one micron. The carbon nanotube mats are then subjected to laser or plasma treatment. The treated carbon nanotube mat results in improved field emission performance as either a field emission cathode or as part of a field emission device.
US07880369B2	Mold including a piezoelectric power generating arrangement A mold having a piezoelectric power generating arrangement, includes first and second die halves having a molding cavity therein for forming a molded product when a molding material is poured therein, piezoelectric elements positioned beneath at least one die half for generating electrical power when a load is applied on the piezoelectric elements from the molding material poured into the molding cavity and in response to removal of a load of the molded product from the molding cavity, and a first arrangement for retrieving the generated electrical power and for supplying the retrieved electrical power output to an electrical storage device and/or using the retrieved electrical power output to power an external powered device.
US07880355B2	Electromagnetic variable transmission An electromagnetically variable transmission includes an outer rotor and an inner rotor. The inner rotor is independently rotatable within a center aperture of the outer rotor. The outer rotor is independently rotatable about the inner rotor. One of the rotors has a plurality of permanent magnets configured in pairs and facing an air gap disposed between the outer rotor and the inner rotor. The other rotor has a plurality of slots spaced about a magnetically permeable core having embedded windings. The outer inner rotors are simultaneously rotatable in one direction. In response to rotation of the outer rotor portion and the inner rotor portion, a magnetic flux path is generated between the permanent magnet pairs, the air gap, the outer rotor core and the inner rotor portion core, to induce electrical power in the windings, which transfers power between the inner rotor portion and the outer rotor portion.
US07880353B2	Spindle motor having holding magnet preventing oil discharge Disclosed herein is a spindle motor. The spindle motor includes a rotating shaft, a rotor cover which is secured to the rotating shaft and rotates the rotating shaft, a bearing for rotatably supporting the rotating shaft, a holder for holding the bearing, and a holding magnet which is directly mounted to an inner wall of the rotor cover. In this case, the holding magnet is positioned above the bearing to prevent oil from being discharged from the bearing to the outside.
US07880352B2	Spring sheet-type vibration motor A spring-sheet-type vibration motor comprises a motor body with an output shaft on a front end and an end cap coupled between a supporting bracket and the motor body on the rear end. The end cap supports one or more electric brushes against the motor body. The supporting bracket includes an end face and a prolonged portion extending therefrom toward the front end of the motor body. One or more connecting terminals are coupled to the supporting bracket, with a first portion coupled to the end face and a front end of a second portion coupled to the prolonged portion. Each terminal further includes a third portion extending obliquely away from the front end of the second portion, a fourth portion bending upward from an end of the third portion, and a contact disposed on a lower surface of a connecting area of the third portion and the fourth portion.
US07880350B2	Multi phase generator arrangement A hydrogen cooled generator having an axis and more than three phases, the generator comprises a main casing section enclosing a stator with windings; a casing end section; at least one end winding disposed in the casing end section; a toroidal duct formed on at least one of the casing end section and the main casing section having a bottom wall and two side walls, wherein at least one of the bottom wall and the two side walls shares a wall of the casing end section so as to form a common wall; at least one bushing penetrating the common wall and inclined towards the axis of the generator so as to form an inclination, the at least one bushing having a first end connected to the at least one winding and a second end terminating in the toroidal duct.
US07880347B2	Airflow cooling pattern for belt-driven vehicle electrical power generator A belt-driven electric machine for a vehicle includes a front housing including at least one front housing opening and a rear housing including at least one rear housing opening. The electric machine further includes at least one fan capable of urging cooling air into the electric machine through the at least one front housing opening and out of the electric machine through the at least one rear housing opening. A method for cooling a belt-driven electric machine for a vehicle includes urging cooling air into the electric machine at substantially the front of the electric machine. The cooling air is flowed substantially rearward in the electric machine, and heat is radiated from the electric machine into the cooling air. At least a first portion of the cooling air is expelled from the rear of the electric machine in a substantially axial direction.
US07880346B2	Electrical generation apparatus and process Apparati and methods for generating electricity which comprise in one embodiment a pair of stationary magnets oriented so that their like poles are facing one another with a space between them, and having a stationary length of wire disposed in the space between said magnets of said pair and enabling or causing the passing of a piece of metal through said space sufficient to cause an electrical potential in the wire. In one embodiment, the length of wire comprises a coil of wire having any number of turns between about 10 and about 5000. In another embodiment, the length of wire comprises a plurality of serpentine sections or loops disposed along the length of a tube or other form inside of which the piece of metal is made to move.
US07880344B2	X-Y table actuator An X-Y table actuator is constituted by stacking a stationary plate, an intermediate plate, and a movable plate. Between the stationary plate and the intermediate plate, arranged is an X-direction drive means for driving the intermediate plate in an X-direction with respect to the stationary plate. Between the intermediate plate and the movable plate, on the other hand, there is provided a Y-direction drive means for moving the movable plate forward and backward in a Y-direction with respect to the intermediate plate. By stacking the stationary plate and the movable plate, which are formed into a substantially channel-shape, and the intermediate plate, which is formed into a substantially flat-shape on each other, a housing chamber for the X-direction drive means is formed between the stationary plate and the intermediate plate, and a housing chamber for the Y-direction drive means is formed between the intermediate plate and the movable plate.
US07880343B2	Drive isolation transformer controller and method A transformer controller for a drive isolation transformer is provided. The transformer may include multiple sets of primary windings as an input, and the transformer controller may include multiple branches coupled between a power source and the transformer. Each branch may be coupled to its own primary winding on the transformer, and may include one or more components, such as an isolation switch, a fuse, contactor, or circuit breaker. One or more of the branches may include a pre-charge reactor to limit inrush or capacitor charging current occurring during startup, and may include a pre-charge contactor to remove the pre-charge reactor from the circuit when the startup process has reached a certain level (e.g., the charging or inrush current has dissipated, or a DC bus reaches a charged state).
US07880342B2	DC bus regulator An improved DC bus regulator that utilizes more transistor packs for power conversion at some times and diode, SCR, and resistor packs at other times. The conversion technology is selected by the regulator based on the current load capacity and response required. For example, transistor packs may be used in low power load conditions. Through use of this hybrid system, the system obtains the desirable effects of transistor pack systems including fast response time, ability to regulate current, and bi-directional power conversion while mitigating the high costs and fragile nature of a system based solely on transistor packs.
US07880341B2	Switching device for transformer having uninterruptible power supply function, and methods of controlling turn ratio and voltage of the transformer using the same A switching device for a transformer allows stable power supply without power interruption when a secondary winding voltage of the transformer is changed in the case of voltage drop on a distribution line due to a load characteristic. The switching device having an uninterruptible power supply function includes a plurality of switches operated by an external signal, a current circulation unit for multiple switches electrically connected to a large-current path of the switches to perform a switch-on function in place of the switches upon switching on and off between the switches, and a control unit electrically connected to the switches and current circulation unit to read voltage values and to apply signals to the switches depending on the voltage values to sequentially switch the switches. Accordingly, the switching device can stably supply power to power consumption sources without power interruption.
US07880337B2	High power wireless resonant energy transfer system A high power wireless resonant energy transfer system transfers energy across an airgap.
US07880336B2	Electric horizontal directional drilling machine system An electric horizontal directional drilling machine. An electric horizontal directional drilling machine is powered by an electric power assembly. The power assembly is made up of a fuel cell and inverter, or multiple fuel cells with synchronized inverters, are used to power an electric motor controller and electric motor. The electric motor operates hydraulic pumps used to advance a drill string and downhole tool through the earth and operate various machine functions. Mechanical functions of the drilling machine may also be satisfied through the use of electric rotary actuators (e.g., motors) and linear actuators (e.g., linear motors and solenoids).
US07880335B2	Power backup system for offshore wind generators The inventions concerns a cable comprising a cable jacket and at least two medium voltage wires disposed within the cable jacket for transporting medium voltage current and at least two low voltage wires disposed within the cable jacket for transporting a low voltage current. Further, it concerns a wind turbine having a generator for generating electricity, wherein the generator being electrically connected to at least two medium voltage wires for feeding the generated electricity into a grid, the wind turbine having further a low voltage network for providing low voltage power to low voltage consumers, the low voltage network being electrically connected to a low voltage cable, wherein the low voltage cable and the medium voltage wires are accommodated in a common cable jacket. Finally it concerns a wind park comprising at least two wind turbines, each of the wind turbines having a generator for generating electricity, wherein the generator being electrically connected to at least two medium voltage wires for feeding generated medium voltage current to a grid, the wind turbines having further a low voltage network for providing low voltage power to low voltage consumers of the wind turbine, the low voltage network being electrically connected to a low voltage cable, wherein the low voltage cable and the medium voltage wires are accommodated in a common cable jacket.
US07880333B1	Method for weather resistant portable flow metering A method for low voltage flow control, which includes creating an enclosure with a body and a movable door. The enclosure can include a bulkhead forming a top compartment and a bottom compartment, a back plane for supporting electronic equipment, and lifting eyes secured to the enclosure. The method can include disposing batteries in the bottom compartment. A wireless communication unit and a remote terminal unit can be installed on the back plane and can be connected to the batteries. An uninterruptable power supply, an A/C terminal low voltage distribution, and a DC-DC converter can be installed on the back plane. A flow controller can also be installed on the back plane and can be in communication with the A/C terminal, the remote terminal unit, and the wireless communication unit for monitoring and regulating flow control through the enclosure.
US07880332B2	Automatic battery reconnection An uninterruptible power supply system includes power converter circuitry configured to convert AC input power to a first DC power and a second DC power to the first DC power, a battery pack configured to provide the second DC power, a power relay mechanism coupled to the power converter circuitry and to the battery pack that selectively moves between an open position and a closed position, the power relay mechanism coupling the battery pack to the power converter circuitry when in the closed position and isolating the battery pack from the power converter circuitry when in the open position, and control circuitry configured to provide a control signal, where the power relay mechanism includes a motor actuator coupled to the control circuitry, the motor actuator being responsive to the control signal to change the power relay mechanism from the open position to the closed position.
US07880327B2	Safety lock A key-operated lock device having a lock, a key operable to actuate said lock, an electronic system commanded by said key, an electric power supply communicating electric power necessary to operate said electronic system, and a detection system for detecting the presence or absence of said key. The detection device is operable to command the connection with the electric power supply of said electronic system only if the key is present in, or close to, the lock.
US07880324B2	Transmitter with a remote unit in an electric net data transmission system A transmitter for sending a data transmission signal to an f electric net, whereby the apparatus comprises signal-shaping and adjustment devices (3) and connecting devices (50) including necessary accessories for connection to the electric net, signal amplifiers (20) and a connecting cable between the transmitter and the connecting point of the electric net, as for instance 230 V, 50 Hz phase rail (L) and zero rail (N) or a wall outlet as connecting points. The apparatus is divided into two or several parts, at least a first part (3) and a second part (TX/REMU), whereby second part (TX/REMU) includes at least connecting a unit (50) for connection to the electric net and a connecting cable and for connecting said second part to the electric net, whereby the length (LW) of connecting cable is under 5 m.
US07880323B2	Wind generator system A new and novel wind generator system particularly suitable for small wind applications that harnesses low velocity wind effectively. In a preferred embodiment, the wind generator system has a drive shaft; a plurality of blades attached to the drive shaft and extending radially outwardly therefrom; a generator assembly coupled to the drive shaft and effective for generating electrical power; and a housing having an inner chamber for receiving the plurality of blades and a wind directional apparatus that operates to adjust the speed of the wind and to channel wind along a desired flow pathway towards the plurality of blades.
US07880318B1	Sensing system and method of making the same A sensing system includes a nanowire, a passivation layer established on at least a portion of the nanowire, and a barrier layer established on the passivation layer.
US07880314B2	Wiring substrate and electronic component mounting structure A wiring substrate on which an electronic component is flip-chip bonded, including a substrate main body, a solder resist which is formed on the substrate main body and having an opening, and a plurality of conductive pattern formed on the substrate main body, including exposure surfaces exposed from the opening of the solder resist. The conductive patterns include, a narrow interval group, a wide interval group, an interval between the adjacent conductive patterns belonging to the narrow interval group is narrower than an interval between the adjacent conductive patterns belonging to the wide interval group, an exposure length of the conductive patterns of the narrow interval group is shorter than an exposure length of the conductive patterns of the wide interval group.
US07880307B2	Semiconductor device including through-wafer interconnect structure Semiconductor devices including through-wafer interconnects are disclosed. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor device may comprise a substrate having a first surface and a second, opposing surface, and a through-wafer interconnect extending into the first surface of the substrate. The through-wafer interconnect may include an electrically conductive material extending from the first surface of the substrate to the second, opposing surface of the substrate. The through-wafer interconnect may also include a first dielectric material disposed between the electrically conductive material and the substrate and extending from the second, opposing surface of the substrate to the first portion of the conductive material. Additionally, the through-wafer interconnect may include a second dielectric material disposed over a portion of the electrically conductive material and exhibiting a surface that defines a blind aperture extending from the first surface toward the second, opposing surface.
US07880306B2	Semiconductor device and method of producing the same A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a main surface; an element separation film formed on the main surface in an element separation area and extending in a first direction; and a semiconductor element formed on the main surface in an active area and arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The semiconductor element includes a metal silicide film. The metal silicide film includes a first portion adjacent to the element separation film. The semiconductor device further includes an interlayer insulation film formed on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate; a wiring portion formed on the interlayer insulation film; and a conductive plug formed in the interlayer insulation film for electrically connecting the semiconductor elements and the wiring portion. The conductive plug is situated on the element separation film and the metal silicide film.
US07880305B2	Technology for fabrication of packaging interface substrate wafers with fully metallized vias through the substrate wafer The invention is the technology of providing a packaging intermediate product that can serve as an interface substrate that is to be positioned between different circuitry types where the dimensions are approaching the sub 100 micrometer range. The invention involves a dielectric wafer structure where the first and second area surfaces of the wafer are separated by a distance that is of the order of the electrical via design length, and an array of spaced vias through the wafer arranged with each via filled with metal surrounded by a chemical metal deposition promoting layer with each via terminating flush with a wafer surface. The wafer structure is achieved by forming an array of blind via openings through the first surface of the dielectric wafer to a depth approaching the via design length, lining the walls for adhesion enhancement, filling the blind via openings completely with a chemically deposited metal, removing material at the first wafer surface thereby planarizing the filled vias, and removing material at the second wafer surface thereby exposing the vias at the design length.
US07880304B2	Post passivation interconnection schemes on top of the IC chips A new method is provided for the creation of interconnect lines. Fine line interconnects are provided in a first layer of dielectric overlying semiconductor circuits that have been created in or on the surface of a substrate. A layer of passivation is deposited over the layer of dielectric and a thick second layer of dielectric is created over the surface of the layer of passivation. Thick and wide post-passivation interconnect lines are created in the thick second layer of dielectric. The first layer of dielectric may also be eliminated, creating the wide thick passivation interconnect network on the surface of the layer of passivation that has been deposited over the surface of a substrate.
US07880302B2	Semiconductor device having metal wirings of laminated structure A semiconductor device that includes a metal wiring formed on the insulating film and having a main wiring portion laminated with a plurality of metal films and a metal protection film formed at least on the upper surfaces of the main wiring portion and made of a precious metal material.
US07880300B2	Semiconductor chip comprising a metal coating structure and associated production method A semiconductor chip (1) has a metal coating structure (2) which has on an active upper side (3) of the semiconductor chip (1) at least one lower metal layer (8) with copper or copper alloy, on which a central metal layer (9) with nickel is arranged. The metal coating structure (2) is terminated by an upper metal layer (10) of palladium and/or a precious metal. The central metal layer (9) with nickel and/or nickel phosphide has a rough interface (11) with respect to the plastic package molding compound surrounding the metal coating structure (2).
US07880299B2	Semiconductor device The present invention is intended to obtain a semiconductor device that is reduced in size, weight, and cost and improved in performance stability and productivity.The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor module in which a semiconductor element is sealed with a resin, a reinforcing beam fixed to an upper surface of the semiconductor module via a plate-like spring, and a frame part to which both ends of the reinforcing beam are fixed, the frame part being disposed in such a fashion as to enclose from four directions an outer periphery of the semiconductor module, plate-like spring, and the reinforcing beam.
US07880295B2	Wiring board, semiconductor device in which wiring board is used, and method for manufacturing the same A wiring board comprising a first surface on which a first electrode is disposed and a second surface on which a second electrode is disposed; at least a single insulation layer and at least a single wiring layer; and one or a plurality of mounted semiconductor elements, wherein the second electrode disposed on the second surface is embedded in the insulation layer, the surface on the opposite side of the exposed surface on the second surface side of the second electrode is connected to the wiring layer, and all or part of the side surface of the second electrode does not make contact with the insulation layer.
US07880290B2	Flip-chip packages allowing reduced size without electrical shorts and methods of manufacturing the same A flip-chip package may include: a semiconductor chip having first pads arranged substantially along a first direction; a substrate having second pads, arranged substantially in a zigzag form aligned with the first pads as a center line, and facing the semiconductor chip; and conductive bumps for electrically connecting the first pads to the second pads in a one-to-one relationship. Adjacent conductive bumps may extend in different directions. A method of manufacturing a flip-chip package may include: forming conductive bumps that extend along different directions on first pads of a semiconductor chip; and connecting second pads of a substrate to the conductive bumps in a one-to-one relationship. A method of manufacturing a flip-chip package may include: forming conductive bumps that extend along different directions on second pads of a substrate; and connecting first pads of a semiconductor chip to the conductive bumps in a one-to-one relationship.
US07880287B1	Stud bumps for die alignment Embodiments include but are not limited to apparatuses and systems including a package having stud bumps for die alignment. A package may include a package substrate, and a plurality of stud bumps coupled to the package substrate. The stud bumps may define a die region of the package substrate in which movement of a die disposed within the die region is restricted prior to attachment of the die to the package substrate, wherein the plurality of stud bumps comprise a profile that is less than a profile of the die when attached to the package substrate. Other embodiments may be described.
US07880284B2	Embedded power gating With embodiments disclosed herein, the distribution of gated power is done using on-die layers without having to come back out and use package layers.
US07880282B2	Semiconductor package with integrated heatsink and electromagnetic shield The invention provides a mounting for a printed circuit board which mounting is suitable for receiving a semiconductor assembly wherein the mounting comprises: a base support having a semiconductor assembly facing surface, and an opposed printed surface board facing surface; a cover having a semiconductor assembly facing surface, an opposed heat radiating surface; a connecting formation which joins the cover to the base support and provides an electrical and thermal communication between the cover and the base support wherein the connecting formation has a semiconductor assembly facing surface, an outer opposed surface and a thickness between the two surfaces; and a plurality of package connectors extending from the base support each of which package connectors have a printed surface board facing surface; an array of mountings; and a semiconductor package comprising a semiconductor assembly having one or more semiconductor chips, which assembly is mounted on the mounting wherein the package connectors of the mounting are in a spaced relationship with the base support and are linked electrically with the semiconductor assembly and the cover is arranged to be in a spaced parallel relationship with the base support.
US07880280B2	Electronic component and method for manufacturing an electronic component An electronic component has at least two semiconductor devices, a contact clip and a leadframe with a device carrier portion and a plurality of leads. The contact clip extends between the first side of at least two semiconductor devices and at least one lead of the leadframe to electrically connect a load electrode of the at least two semiconductor devices to at least one lead.
US07880277B2	Method for connecting a die assembly to a substrate in an integrated circuit and a semiconductor device comprising a die assembly A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a die assembly attachable to the substrate and a flexible strip extending over the substrate and the die assembly. The flexible strip has one or more routing circuits carried thereon. The die assembly and the substrate are arranged to be electrically connected through the one or more routing circuits carried on the flexible strip.
US07880273B2	Method of manufacturing semiconductor device from semiconductor wafer In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a semiconductor wafer is provided. The wafer has semiconductor chip regions, a scribing line region and a predetermined region. A passivation layer is formed on the wafer. A photoresist film is formed on the passivation layer. A first pattern in a reticle is transferred to a first portion of the photoresist film above the scribing line region. The first pattern is transferred to a second portion of the photoresist film above the predetermined region. The photoresist film is developed. The passivation layer is etched using the photoresist film as a mask. The wafer is diced along the scribing line region to form semiconductor chips and a piece. Each of the semiconductor chips corresponds to each of chip regions. The piece group includes a piece which corresponds to the predetermined region.
US07880272B2	Semiconductor device with near-surface compensation doping area and method of fabricating Aspects of the present invention include a semiconductor device and method. In a transition region of a semiconductor material region, a near-surface compensation doping area with a conductivity type, which is different than the conductivity type of a transition doping area of the semiconductor material region, is provided in the surface region of the semiconductor material region. The doping of the near-surface compensation doping area of the semiconductor device at least partially compensates for the doping in the transition doping area.
US07880271B2	Semiconductor device with emitter contact holes in a first layer not overlaid by emitter through holes in a second layer Emitter contact holes formed under emitter electrodes in a first layer and emitter through holes formed thereon are arranged so as not to overlap each other, and, for each emitter electrode, the multiple emitter contact holes and the multiple emitter through holes are provided so as to be separated from each other. Thereby, the top surface of an emitter electrode in a second layer is influenced by at most only a level difference of each emitter through hole formed in an insulating film having a larger thickness, and thus the flatness of the top surface of the emitter electrode in the second layer is improved. Accordingly, fixation failure of a metal plate can be avoided.
US07880268B2	MIM capacitor A method for forming a MIM-type capacitor by filling of trenches by conformal depositions of insulating materials and of conductive materials, two successive electrodes of the capacitor including on either side of a thin vertical insulating layer at least one conductive layer of same nature, including the step of lowering the level of the conductive layers with respect to the level of the insulating layer separating them.
US07880263B2	Method and resulting structure DRAM cell with selected inverse narrow width effect A shallow trench isolation structure for integrated circuits. The structure includes a semiconductor substrate and a buffered oxide layer overlying the semiconductor substrate. A pad nitride layer is overlying the buffered oxide layer. An implanted region is formed around a perimeter of the trench region. A trench region is formed within the semiconductor substrate. The trench region has a bottom width of less than 0.13 microns and an upper width of less than 0.13 microns. A rounded edge region is within a portion of the semiconductor substrate surrounding a periphery of the trench region. The rounded edges have a radius of curvature greater than about 0.02 um. A planarized high density plasma fill material is formed within the trench region. The structure has a P-well region within the semiconductor substrate and bordering a vicinity of the trench region. A channel region is within the P-well region within the semiconductor substrate. The implanted region has a concentration of more than double an amount of impurities as impurities in the channel region.
US07880260B2	Semiconductor device with a semiconductor body and method for its production A semiconductor device includes an active region with a vertical drift path of a first conduction type and with a near-surface lateral well of a second, complementary conduction type. In addition, the semiconductor device has an edge region surrounding the active region. This edge region has a variable lateral doping material zone of the second conduction type, which adjoins the well. A transition region in which the concentration of doping material gradually decreases from the concentration of the well to the concentration at the start of the variable lateral doping material zone is located between the lateral well and the variable lateral doping material zone.
US07880258B2	Thin wafer detectors with improved radiation damage and crosstalk characteristics The present invention is directed toward a detector structure, detector arrays, and a method of detecting incident radiation. The present invention comprises several embodiments that provide for reduced radiation damage susceptibility, decreased affects of crosstalk, reduced dark current (current leakage) and increased flexibility in application. In one embodiment, a photodiode array comprises a substrate having at least a front side and a back side, a plurality of diode elements integrally formed in the substrate forming the array, wherein each diode element has a p+ fishbone pattern on the front side, and wherein the p+ fishbone pattern substantially reduces capacitance and crosstalk between adjacent photodiodes, a plurality of front surface cathode and anode contacts, and wire interconnects between diode elements made through a plurality of back surface contacts.
US07880256B2	Semiconductor device with passivation layer covering wiring layer The invention provides a semiconductor device with a bonding pad made of a wiring layer including aluminum and its manufacturing method that enhance the yield of the semiconductor device. The method of manufacturing the semiconductor device of the invention includes removing a portion of an antireflection layer (e.g. made of a titanium alloy) formed on an uppermost second wiring layer (e.g. made of aluminum) on a semiconductor substrate by etching, forming a passivation layer covering the antireflection layer and a portion of the second wiring layer where the antireflection layer is not formed and having an opening exposing the other portion of the second wiring layer, and dividing the semiconductor substrate into a plurality of semiconductor dice by dicing. These processes can prevent the antireflection layer from being exposed in the opening, and this can prevent a component of the second wiring layer from being eluted due to cell reaction between the second wiring layer and the antireflection layer as has been seen in the conventional art.
US07880255B2	Pixel cell having a grated interface A pixel cell having a photosensor within a silicon substrate; and an oxide layer provided over the photosensor, the oxide layer having a grated interface with said silicon substrate, and a method of fabricating the pixel cell having a grated interface.
US07880254B2	Semiconductor light receiving device and method for manufacturing same A semiconductor light receiving device includes a light receiving section made of a semiconductor provided on a substrate, an electrode provided on the substrate and configured to apply an electric field to the light receiving section, a resin layer provided above the substrate, the resin layer having an inverted conical opening, the inverted conical opening being located above the light receiving section and having an opening diameter which is smaller than the light receiving section in the vicinity of the light receiving section, is continuously enlarged with the distance from the substrate, and is larger than the light receiving section at a surface of the resin layer, and a light reflecting film made of metal and provided on a bevel of the inverted conical opening, the light reflecting film being electrically isolated from the electrode by a gap formed between the light reflecting film and the electrode. At least a portion of the resin layer located in the gap has a light blocking property.
US07880253B2	Integrated optical filter The disclosure relates to an integrated circuit comprising at least one photosensitive cell. The cell includes a photosensitive element, an input face associated with the said photosensitive element, an optical filter situated in at least one optical path leading to the photosensitive element and an interconnection part situated between the photosensitive element and the input face. The optical filter is disposed between the photosensitive element and the surface of the interconnection part closest to the input face. In particular, the optical filter can be disposed within the interconnection part. The disclosure also proposes that the filter be formed using a glass comprising cerium sulphide or at least one metal oxide.
US07880252B2	Solid-state image capturing device, solid-state image capturing apparatus, and electronic information device A solid-state image capturing device is provided. In the solid-state image capturing device, at least any of openings of electrode wiring layers, color filters and microlenses are provided on a light incident side above light receiving elements as a light receiving region in which the plurality of light receiving elements are disposed on a semiconductor substrate or a semiconductor region provided on a substrate, wherein a shift amount of at least any of the openings of the electrode wiring layers, the color filters and the microlenses in relation to the light receiving elements or in relation to a standard position where a light flux is desired to pass through is calculated by Snell's law based on an incident angle θ0 of a light flux entering the light receiving region to a surface of the solid-state image capturing device.
US07880251B2	Structure having nanoapertures A structure includes a film having a plurality of nanoapertures. The nanoapertures are configured to allow the transmission of a predetermined subwavelength of light through the film via the plurality of nanoapertures. The structure also includes a semiconductor layer in connection with the film to facilitate the detection of the predetermined subwavelength of light transmitted through the film.
US07880250B2	Magnetic tunnel junction transistor A magnetic tunnel junction transistor and method of operating the same. In a particular embodiment, the magnetic tunnel junction transistor includes electrically conductive source, drain and gate electrodes. An electrically insulating material having a non-magnetoelectric region and a magnetoelectric region is positioned such that the non-magnetoelectric region is, at least partially, between the source electrode and the drain electrode. The magnetoelectric region of the insulating material, when energized, is configured to change magnetic state of the insulating material. The gate electrode is positioned proximate the magnetoelectric region of the insulating material.
US07880249B2	Spacer structure in MRAM cell and method of its fabrication Methods are presented for fabricating an MTJ element having a precisely controlled spacing between its free layer and a bit line and, in addition, having a protective spacer layer formed abutting the lateral sides of the MTJ element to eliminate leakage currents between MTJ layers and the bit line. Each method forms a dielectric spacer layer on the lateral sides of the MTJ element and, depending on the method, includes an additional layer that protects the spacer layer during etching processes used to form a Cu damascene bit line. At various stages in the process, a dielectric layer is also formed to act as a CMP stop layer so that the capping layer on the MTJ element is not thinned by the CMP process that planarizes the surrounding insulation. Subsequent to planarization, the stop layer is removed by an anisotropic etch of such precision that the MTJ element capping layer is not thinned and serves to maintain an exact spacing between the bit line and the MTJ free layer.
US07880248B1	Destructor integrated circuit chip, interposer electronic device and methods A semiconductor device. The device includes a substrate and an integrated circuit chip. The device also includes an electrically or thermally reactive layer located between a top surface of the substrate and a bottom surface of the integrated circuit chip, wherein the reactive layer is positioned such that detection of tampering causes the reactive layer to be electrically or thermally energized such that the semiconductor device is at least partially destroyed.
US07880243B2	Simple low power circuit structure with metal gate and high-k dielectric FET device structures are disclosed with the PFET and NFET devices having high-k dielectric gate insulators and metal containing gates. The metal layers of the gates in both the NFET and PFET devices have been fabricated from a single common metal layer. Due to the single common metal, device fabrication is simplified, requiring a reduced number of masks. Also, as a further consequence of using a single layer of metal for the gates of both type of devices, the terminal electrodes of NFETs and PFETs can be butted to each other in direct physical contact. Device thresholds are adjusted by the choice of the common metal material and oxygen exposure of the high-k dielectric. Threshold values are aimed for low power consumption device operation.
US07880238B2	2-T SRAM cell structure and method The present invention, in one embodiment, provides a memory device including a substrate including at least one device region; a first field effect transistor having a first threshold voltage and a second field effect transistor having a second threshold voltage, the second field effect transistor including a second active region present in the at least one device region of the substrate, the second active region including a second drain and a second source separated by a second channel region, wherein the second channel region includes a second trap that stores holes produced when the first field effect transistor is in the on state, wherein the holes stored in the second trap increase the second threshold voltage to be greater than the first threshold voltage.
US07880230B2	Zero capacitor RAM with reliable drain voltage application and method for manufacturing the same The following discloses and describes a zero capacitor RAM as well as a method for manufacturing the same. The zero capacitor RAM includes an SOI substrate. This SOI substrate is composed of a stacked structure of a silicon substrate, an embedded insulation film and a silicon layer. This layer is patterned into line types to constitute active patterns. Moreover, a first insulation layer forms between the active patterns and gates form on the active patterns as well as the first insulation layer to extend perpendicularly to the active patterns. In addition, a source forms in the active pattern on one side of each gate, a drain forms in the active pattern on the other side of each gate which is achieved by filling a metal layer. Continuing, a contact plug forms between the gates on the source and an interlayer dielectric forms on the contact plug in addition to the gates. Finally, a bit line forms on the interlayer dielectric to extend perpendicularly to the gates and come into contact with the drain.
US07880229B2	Body tie test structure for accurate body effect measurement A body tie test structure and methods for its manufacture are provided. The transistor comprises a body-tied semiconductor on insulator (SOI) transistor formed in a layer of semiconductor material, the transistor comprising a cross-shaped gate structure with a substantially constant gate length L. An insulating blocking layer enables formation of a spacer region in the layer of semiconductor material separating the source and drain regions from the body tie region. A conductive channel with substantially the same inversion characteristics as the intrinsic transistor body connects the body tie to the intrinsic transistor body through the spacer region.
US07880226B2	Integrated circuit device with a semiconductor body and method for the production of an integrated circuit device An integrated circuit device with a semiconductor body and a method for the production of a semiconductor device a provided. The semiconductor body comprises a cell field with a drift zone of a first conduction type. In addition, the semiconductor device comprises an edge region surrounding the cell field. Field plates with a trench gate structure are arranged in the cell field, and an edge trench surrounding the cell field is provided in the edge region. The front side of the semiconductor body is in the edge region provided with an edge zone of a conduction type complementing the first conduction type with doping materials of body zones of the cell field. The edge zone of the complementary conduction type extends both within and outside the edge trench.
US07880218B2	Semiconductor device and fabrication method therefor There is provided a semiconductor device including bit lines (14) formed in a semiconductor substrate (10), insulating film lines (18) located on the bit lines (14) to successively run in a length direction of the bit lines (14), gate electrodes (16) located above the semiconductor substrate (10) between the bit lines (14), and word lines (20) located on the gate electrodes (16) to run in a width direction of the bit lines (14), a trench region (22) formed between the bit lines (14) and the between word lines (20) in the semiconductor substrate, and there is also provided a fabrication method therefor. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a semiconductor device where elements can be isolated between the word lines (14) and memory cells can be miniaturized, and to provide a fabrication method therefor.
US07880209B2	MRAM cells including coupled free ferromagnetic layers for stabilization A free ferromagnetic data storage layer of an MRAM cell is coupled to a free ferromagnetic stabilization layer, which stabilization layer is directly electrically coupled to a contact electrode, on one side, and is separated from the free ferromagnetic data storage layer, on an opposite side, by a spacer layer. The spacer layer provides for the coupling between the two free layers, which coupling is one of: a ferromagnetic coupling and an antiferromagnetic coupling.
US07880208B2	Magnetic materials having superparamagnetic particles Magnetic materials and uses thereof are provided. In one aspect, a magnetic film is provided. The magnetic film comprises superparamagnetic particles on at least one surface thereof. The magnetic film may be patterned and may comprise a ferromagnetic material. The superparamagnetic particles may be coated with a non-magnetic polymer and/or embedded in a non-magnetic host material. The magnetic film may have increased damping and/or decreased coercivity.
US07880206B2	CMOS image sensor with asymmetric well structure of source follower Provided is a CMOS image sensor with an asymmetric well structure of a source follower. The CMOS image sensor includes: a well disposed in an active region of a substrate; a drive transistor having one terminal connected to a power voltage and a first gate electrode disposed to cross the well; and a select transistor having a drain-source junction between another terminal of the drive transistor and an output node, and a second gate electrode disposed in parallel to the drive transistor. A drain region of the drive transistor and a source region of the select transistor are asymmetrically arranged.
US07880199B2	Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof A semiconductor device is provided with: a semiconductor substrate of a predetermined electroconduction type; a hetero semiconductor region contacted with a first main surface of the semiconductor substrate and comprising a semiconductor material having a bandgap different from that of the semiconductor substrate; a gate electrode formed through a gate insulator layer at a position adjacent to a junction region between the hetero semiconductor region and the semiconductor substrate; a source electrode connected to the hetero semiconductor region; and a drain electrode connected to the semiconductor substrate; wherein the hetero semiconductor region includes a contact portion contacted with the source electrode, at least a partial region of the contact portion is of the same electroconduction type as the electroconduction type of the semiconductor substrate, and the partial region has an impurity concentration higher than an impurity concentration of at least that partial region of a gate-electrode facing portion in the hetero semiconductor region which is positioned to face toward the gate electrode through the gate insulator layer.
US07880196B2	Image sensor and method for manufacturing the same Embodiments relate to an image sensor and a method of forming an image sensor. According to embodiments, an image sensor may include a first substrate and a photodiode. A circuitry including a metal interconnection may be formed on and/or over the first substrate. The photodiode may be formed over a first substrate, and may contact the metal interconnection. The circuitry of the first substrate may include a first transistor, a second transistor, an electrical junction region, and a first conduction type region. The first and second transistors may be formed over the first substrate. According to embodiments, an electrical junction region may be formed between the first transistor and the second transistor. The first conduction type region may be formed at one side of the second transistor, and may be connected to the metal interconnection.
US07880195B2	Electrostatic discharge protection device and related circuit An ESD protection device comprises a P-type substrate, a first substrate-triggered silicon controlled rectifiers (STSCR) disposed in the P-type substrate and a second STSCR disposed in the P-type substrate. The first STSCR comprises a first N-well, a first P-well, a first N+ diffusion region, a first P+ diffusion region, and a first trigger node. The second STSCR comprises a second N-well electrically connected to the first N-well, a second P-well electrically connected to the first P-well, a second N+ diffusion region electrically connected to the first P+ diffusion region, a second P+ diffusion region electrically connected to the first N+ diffusion region, and a second trigger node. A layout area of an integrated circuit and a pin-to-pin ESD current path can be reduced.
US07880192B2	Nitride semiconductor light emitting element and nitride semiconductor light emitting device A nitride semiconductor device according to the present invention includes a n-GaN substrate 10 and a semiconductor multilayer structure arranged on the principal surface of the n-GaN substrate 10 and including a p-type region, an n-type region and an active layer between them. An SiO2 layer 30 with an opening and a p-side electrode, which makes contact with a portion of the p-type region of the semiconductor multilayer structure, are arranged on the upper surface of the semiconductor multilayer structure. An n-side electrode 36 is arranged on the back surface of the substrate 10. The p-side electrode includes a p-side contact electrode 32 that contacts with the portion of the p-type region and a p-side interconnect electrode 34 that covers the p-side contact electrode 2 and the SiO2 layer 30. Part of the p-side contact electrode 32 is exposed under the p-side interconnect electrode 34.
US07880188B2	Illumination device An illumination device is specified which comprises an optoelectronic component having a housing body and at least one semiconductor chip provided for generating radiation, and a separate optical element, which is provided for fixing at the optoelectronic component and has an optical axis, the optical element having a radiation exit area and the radiation exit area having a concavely curved partial region and a convexly curved partial region, which at least partly surrounds the concavely curved partial region at a distance from the optical axis, the optical axis running through the concavely carved partial region
US07880180B2	Composite semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same The disclosed subject matter provides a composite semiconductor device which can include a common substrate, a first semiconductor light emitting structure, and a second semiconductor light emitting structure. The first semiconductor light emitting structure can include an epitaxial grown layer containing a light emitting layer formed on part of the common substrate either directly or via a bonding layer. The second semiconductor light emitting structure can be provided in a notch at at least one location to which the epitaxial grown layer is not bonded, or in a recess formed in the notch at one location. The disclosed subject matter also provides a method of manufacturing a composite semiconductor device having the above-described and other structures.
US07880178B2	Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same The present invention provides a semiconductor device realizing reduced occurrence of a defect such as a crack at the time of adhering elements to each other. The semiconductor device includes a first element and a second element adhered to each other. At least one of the first and second elements has a pressure relaxation layer on the side facing the other of the first and second elements, and the pressure relaxation layer includes a semiconductor part having a projection/recess part including a projection projected toward the other element, and a resin part filled in a recess in the projection/recess part.
US07880177B2	Semiconductor light-emitting device, illuminator and method of manufacturing semiconductor light-emitting device A semiconductor light-emitting device having high reliability is obtained while suppressing separation between a support substrate and a semiconductor element layer. This semiconductor light-emitting device includes a support substrate (1), a first bonding layer (2a) formed on the support substrate (1), a second bonding layer (2b) formed on the first bonding layer (2a), a third bonding layer (2c) formed on the second bonding layer (2b), and a semiconductor element layer (3) formed on the third bonding layer (2c). The melting point of the second bonding layer (2b) is lower than the melting points of the first bonding layer (2a) and the third bonding layer (2c).
US07880174B2	Circuit arrangement having a free-wheel diode An object of the present invention is to reduce the conducting loss of an existing conversion circuit while suppressing its noise. The present invention is typically a circuit arrangement includes at least one switching device and a free-wheel diode connected in parallel with the switching device. The free-wheel diode is formed by connecting a silicon PiN diode in parallel with a Schottky barrier diode that uses a semiconductor material having a wider band gap than silicon as a base material. The silicon PiN diode and Schottky barrier diode are separate chips.
US07880170B2	Thin film transistor array panel using organic semiconductor and a method for manufacturing the same The present invention disclosed an organic thin film transistor, an organic thin film transistor array substrate and an organic thin film transistor display. The present invention disclosed organic materials which is proper for the application to a large screen display. The presentation also disclosed structures and a method for manufacturing such an organic thin film transistor, the organic thin film transistor array substrate and the organic thin film transistor display.
US07880167B2	Method for manufacturing an electro-optical device or electroluminescence display device An object of the present invention is to provide an EL display device having high operation performance and reliability.A third passivation film 45 is disposed under the EL element 203 comprising a pixel electrode (anode) 46, an EL layer 47 and a cathode 48, and diffusion of alkali metals from the EL element 203 formed by ink jet method into TFTs is prevented. Further, the third passivation film 45 prevents penetration of moisture and oxygen from the TFTs, and suppress degradation of the EL element 203 by dispersing the heat generated by the EL element 203.
US07880166B2	Fast recovery reduced p-n junction rectifier A fast recovery rectifier structure with the combination of Schottky structure to relieve the minority carriers during the forward bias condition for the further reduction of the reverse recovery time during switching in addition to the lifetime killer such as Pt, Au, and/or irradiation. This fast recovery rectifier uses unpolished substrates and thick impurity diffusion for low cost production. A reduced p-n junction structure with a heavily doped film is provided to terminate and shorten the p-n junction space charge region. This reduced p-n junction with less total charge in the p-n junction to further improve the reverse recovery time. This reduced p-n junction can be used alone, with the traditional lifetime killer method, with the Schottky structure and/or with the epitaxial substrate.
US07880164B2	Conducting polymer composition and electronic device including layer obtained using the conducting polymer composition A conducting polymer composition containing a siloxane material of Formula (1) below and a conducting polymer, and an electronic device including a layer formed using the conducting polymer composition: where A and a are the same as described in the detailed description of the invention. The electronic device including the layer formed using the conducting polymer composition has excellent electrical characteristics and long lifetime.
US07880163B2	Nanostructure insulated junction field effect transistor A novel nanostructure device operating in Junction Field Effect Transistor (JFET) mode is provided that avoids the majority of the carriers that interact with the interface (e.g. surface roughness, high-k scattering).
US07880162B2	Quantum device, control method thereof and manufacturing method thereof A quantum dot (22) is formed on a GaAs substrate (20). In the quantum dot (22), a single electron exists. A cap layer (26) is formed on a surrounding area of the quantum dot (22), and a barrier layer (28) is formed thereon. A quantum dot (30) for detection is formed on the barrier layer (28). Then, a cap layer (34) covering the quantum dot (30) and the like is formed.
US07880161B2	Multiple-wavelength opto-electronic device including a superlattice A multiple-wavelength opto-electronic device may include a substrate and a plurality of active optical devices carried by the substrate and operating at different respective wavelengths. Each optical device may include a superlattice comprising a plurality of stacked groups of layers, and each group of layers may include a plurality of stacked semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion and at least one non-semiconductor monolayer thereon.
US07880158B2	Phase-change TaN resistor based triple-state/multi-state read only memory The present invention relates to a nonvolatile memory such as, for example a ROM or an EPROM, in which the information density of the memory is increased relative to a conventional nonvolatile memory that includes two logic state devices. Specifically, the nonvolatile memory of the present invention includes a SiN/TaN/SiN thin film resistor embedded within a material having a thermal conductivity of about 1 W/m-K or less; and a non-linear Si-containing device coupled to the resistor. Read and write circuits and operations are also provided in the present application.
US07880157B2	Four-terminal reconfigurable devices Reconfigurable devices and methods for the fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a reconfigurable device is provided. The reconfigurable device comprises a substrate; a first dielectric layer on the substrate; a conductive layer recessed into at least a portion of a side of the first dielectric layer opposite the substrate; at least one second dielectric layer over the side of the first dielectric layer opposite the substrate, so as to cover the conductive layer; a heater within the second dielectric layer; at least one programmable via extending through the second dielectric layer, extending through and surrounded by the heater and in contact with the conductive layer, the programmable via comprising at least one phase change material; a capping layer over the programmable via; a first conductive via and a second conductive via, each extending through the second dielectric layer and in contact with the heater; and a third conductive via extending through the second dielectric layer and in contact with the conductive layer.
US07880149B2	3D biplane microscopy A microscopy system is configured for creating 3D images from individually localized probe molecules. The microscopy system includes a sample stage, an activation light source, a readout light source, a beam splitting device, at least one camera, and a controller. The activation light source activates probes of at least one probe subset of photo-sensitive luminescent probes, and the readout light source causes luminescence light from the activated probes. The beam splitting device splits the luminescence light into at least two paths to create at least two detection planes that correspond to the same or different number of object planes of the sample. The camera detects simultaneously the at least two detection planes, the number of object planes being represented in the camera by the same number of recorded regions of interest. The controller is programmable to combine a signal from the regions of interest into a 3D data.
US07880147B2	Components for reducing background noise in a mass spectrometer Novel components reduce background noise caused by secondary ions generated by metastable entity bombardment in a mass spectrometric system. Layered structures for exit electrodes and deflector plates confine secondary ions in a local low-energy well, preventing them from entering the detector.
US07880146B2	Tune-stabilized, non-scaling, fixed-field, alternating gradient accelerator A FFAG is a particle accelerator having turning magnets with a linear field gradient for confinement and a large edge angle to compensate for acceleration. FODO cells contain focus magnets and defocus magnets that are specified by a number of parameters. A set of seven equations, called the FFAG equations relate the parameters to one another. A set of constraints, call the FFAG constraints, constrain the FFAG equations. Selecting a few parameters, such as injection momentum, extraction momentum, and drift distance reduces the number of unknown parameters to seven. Seven equations with seven unknowns can be solved to yield the values for all the parameters and to thereby fully specify a FFAG.
US07880141B2	Resin film evaluation method and method for manufacturing a semiconductor device In the resin film evaluation method and method for manufacturing a semiconductor device applying the resin film evaluation method of the present invention, first, a substrate having a resin film formed on an insulating film with an opening in which the surface of the insulating film is exposed is irradiated with charged energetic particles. Then, the surface potentials of the substrate surface irradiated with charged energetic particles are measured. Based on the measurements, the difference in surface potential between the resin film and the insulating film exposed in the opening is obtained. Based on the difference in surface potential, a physical quantity such as the resin film residue count obtained after a given treatment is predicted. In this way, the degenerated layer formed on the surface of a resin film due to charged energetic particles such as implantation ions can be evaluated in a simple and highly accurate manner.
US07880140B2	Multipole mass filter having improved mass resolution A multipole mass filter having improved mass resolution. The multipole mass filer having a first electrode set coupled to at least a RF voltage source and a second electrode set interposed and parallel to the first electrode set. The second electrode set having a variable AC voltage coupled to two radially opposing electrodes of the second electrode set.
US07880136B2	Multiple ion injection in mass spectrometry This invention relates to mass spectrometry that includes ion trapping in at least one of the stages of mass analysis. In particular, although not exclusively, this invention relates to tandem mass spectrometry where precursor ions and fragment ions are analysed. A method of mass spectrometry is provided comprising the sequential steps of: accumulating in an ion store a sample of one type of ions to be analysed; accumulating in the ion store a sample of another type of ions to be analysed; and mass analysing the combined samples of the ions; wherein the method comprises accumulating the sample of the one type of ions and/or the sample of another type of ions to achieve a target number of ions based on the results of a previous measurement of the respective type of ions.
US07880133B2	Optical multiphase flowmeter Method and apparatus enable direct measurement of at least one flow velocity for one or more phases within a multiphase fluid mixture flowing in a conduit. Some embodiments provide determination of actual individual phase flow rates for three phases (e.g., oil, water and gas) that are distinct from one another within the fluid mixture. A multiphase flowmeter according to embodiments of the invention includes at least two optical sensors spatially distributed along a length of the conduit and designed to detect light interactions with the fluid mixture unique to the phases such that detected time-varying signals can be processed via cross-correlation or an array processing algorithm to provide desired individual phase flow velocity for oil, water and/or gas phases. This flow velocity can be applied to phase fraction measurements, which can be obtained utilizing the same flowmeter or another separate device, to calculate the flow rates for the phases.
US07880131B2	Invisible, light-transmissive display system An invisible, light-transmissive display system with a light resistant material is provided. Substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes are penetrated in a light-transmissive pattern through at least a portion of the light resistant material using a laser beam having a focal width less than the smallest diameter of the tapered holes.
US07880130B2	Optical device and mobile apparatus An optical device ensuring projection of light over a wide range as well as reduction in size, and a mobile apparatus mounted with the optical device are provided. The optical device (100) includes a light-projecting unit (110) and a light-receiving unit (120). The light-projecting unit (110) has a projector (114) and a lenticular sheet (112) arranged in layers. First and second cylindrical lens arrays having their generatrices orthogonal to each other are formed on the respective surfaces of the sheet (112). The light-receiving unit (120) has a light-receiver (124). The light-projecting unit (110) and the light-receiving unit (120) are arranged adjacent to each other in an integrated manner so that the light-receiver (124) can sense the light emitted from the projector (114) via the sheet (112) and then reflected from an object.
US07880129B2	Light receiving circuit, light receiving method, and storage medium The PD converts the light into a current signal and supplies the converted a current signal to a TIA and a light intensity measuring unit. The TIA converts the current signal into a voltage signal. The CDR circuit identifies whether the voltage signal is 1 data or 0 data for reproduction. The counter counts the 1 data and 0 data, calculates their ratio. The control unit refers to light intensity data from the light intensity measuring unit and a ROM, acquires an optimum ratio, and determines whether the ratio supplied from the counter is the optimum ratio. When the ratio is not the optimum one, the control unit controls the threshold voltage setting unit to set the threshold voltage so that the ratio is the optimum one.
US07880128B2	Vented header assembly of an image intensifier device An image intensifier device and a method of fabricating the image intensifier device are disclosed. The image intensifier device includes a microchannel plate (MCP) having a thin-film applied to a surface thereof. An anode assembly comprising an image sensor mounted to a header is positioned adjacent the MCP. A spacer defining a mounting surface is positioned against a mounting surface of the header of the anode assembly for separating the MCP from the anode assembly. A recess is defined in either the header or the spacer at the interface between the header and the spacer. The recess forms a passageway defined between the spacer and the header thru which organic gases pass.
US07880123B2	Dual resistance heater for phase change devices and manufacturing method thereof A dual resistance heater for a phase change material region is formed by depositing a resistive material. The heater material is then exposed to an implantation or plasma which increases the resistance of the surface of the heater material relative to the remainder of the heater material. As a result, the portion of the heater material approximate to the phase change material region is a highly effective heater because of its high resistance, but the bulk of the heater material is not as resistive and, thus, does not increase the voltage drop and the current usage of the device.
US07880121B2	Modular radiant heating apparatus An apparatus, system, and method provide radiant heat. A planar electrical heating element converts electrical energy to heat energy. A planar heat spreading layer is in contact with the planar electrical heating element, drawing the heat energy out of the planar electrical heating element and distributing the heat energy. A finishing layer is disposed to one side of the planar heat spreading layer. A thermal isolation layer is disposed to an opposite side of the planar heat spreading layer as the finishing layer. Heat from the planar heat spreading layer conducts away from the thermal isolation layer and toward the finishing layer. An electric power coupling is connected to the electrical heating element to supply electrical power.
US07880118B2	Method for cutting nonmetal material A method for cutting a nonmetal material is provided. The method includes steps of (a) generating a tension stress on a surface of the nonmetal material by exerting a bending stress thereon; (b) providing a thermal effect along a path direction on the surface, wherein the thermal effect grows along a direction opposite to the path direction; (c) providing a first cryogenic effect in a first incident direction along the path direction; and (d) providing a second cryogenic effect in a second incident direction along the path direction, wherein a crack along the path direction on the surface is formed as a result of the tension stress, the thermal effect, and the cryogenic effects therealong for cutting the nonmetal material.
US07880116B2	Laser head for irradiation and removal of material from a surface of a structure A laser head is adapted to irradiate an interaction region of an inhabitable structure with laser light to remove material from the structure. The laser head includes a housing. The laser head further includes a connector coupled to the housing and optically coupled to a laser generator. The connector is adapted to transmit laser light from the laser generator. The laser head further includes at least one optical element contained in the housing and optically coupled to the connector. The optical element is adapted to receive laser light from the connector. The laser head further includes a containment plenum coupled to the housing. The containment plenum is optically coupled to the optical element to receive the laser light from the optical element. The containment plenum is adapted to confine the material and remove the material from the interaction region resulting from irradiating the structure with the laser light.
US07880115B2	Method for laser annealing to form an epitaxial growth layer A method for forming an epitaxial layer in a capacitor over interconnect structure, includes selecting a laser having a suitable wavelength for absorption at a seeding layer/annealing layer interface of the capacitor over interconnect structure, and directing laser energy from the selected laser at the capacitor over interconnect structure. The laser energy anneals a feature of the capacitor over interconnect structure to form an epitaxial layer. The annealing is accomplished at a temperature below about 450° C. The selected laser can be an excimer laser using a pulse extender. The capacitor over interconnect structure can be a ferroelectric capacitor formed over a conventional CMOS structure.
US07880112B2	Method for welding and adhesively attaching a shaped fastener to inside of member A method is provided for attaching a fastener to the inside wall of a member. The fastener may be a bolt or a nut having a shank and a shaped head with head portions radiating from the shank. A hole is made in the member and has a shape closely corresponding to the shape of the head. The head of the fastener is inserted into the shaped hole and the fastener is reoriented so that the head engages with the inside walls of the member and therefore the fastener cannot be withdrawn. Electric current is applied to the fastener and the member to bond the head to the inside wall of the member either by heat curing an adhesive coating the head or by creating an electric resistance projection weld between the fastener head and the member.
US07880111B2	Switchgear and method of fabricating the same A switchgear including a vacuum valve which prevents partial discharges infallibly and whose reliability is high, and a method of fabricating the same are obtained.In a vacuum valve 1 wherein a stationary electrode 1a and a movable electrode 1b are disposed within a vacuum vessel 2 which is constituted by a metal flange 2a as well as a metal tube 2e and an insulating tube 2b, and wherein a resin mold 3 is applied onto the outer peripheral surface of the vacuum vessel 2; coiled metal-made shields 4a and 4b, in each of which a coiled metal wire is brought into an annular shape, are retained on the outer peripheral surface of the vacuum vessel 2 so as to relax the electric fields of the electric field relaxation-requiring parts 21d of the vacuum vessel 2.
US07880110B2	Operations for product processing An operational process for product distribution includes grouping product into groups when the product is in a first sort level and sorting the groups of product, in a first pass operation, to a second level sort. The method further includes sequencing the second level sort product including late arriving product, in a second pass operation, into a sequence of product. A machine readable code can also be used to implement the functionality of the operational process.
US07880109B2	Classification apparatus and fine particle measuring apparatus A classification apparatus for classifying and separating particles having particle sizes within a predetermined range is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment of the classification apparatus, a center electrode (3) and an outside electrode (4) generate an electric field for classifying charged fine particles according to electric mobility. In the upper part of a housing (1), a sheath gas supply portion (7) is provided. An aerosol supply portion (11) has an introduction port (11a) provided on the outside electrode (4) side in a classification region (5), and supplies a charged aerosol at a constant flow rate through the introduction port (11a). On the downstream side in the flow of a sheath gas in the classification region (5), a larger-size particle discharge portion (13) is provided. The larger-size particle discharge portion (13) has a discharge port (13a) provided on the outside electrode (4) side, and discharges charged fine particles, which are contained in the classified charged aerosol and have particle sizes larger than a predetermined particle size, together with part of the sheath gas at a constant flow rate. A detector (18) is provided downstream of the housing (1) to detect the number of remaining charged fine particles contained in the sheath gas introduced thereinto as the quantity of electricity.
US07880108B2	Deflection plate The present invention provides deflection plates for use in a flow-type particle sorter that are resistant to wetting. The deflection plates include a gas-porous, conductive plate. A gas, such as air, is passed through the plate from the outer face (away from the particle flow) towards the inner face (towards the particle flow). The flow of gas prevents condensation on the inner face of the defection plate.
US07880103B2	Microswitch with push-in wire connector A microswitch with push-in wire connectors is provided. In one illustrative embodiment, the microswitch may include a plunger for activating the switch, a first stationary contact, a second stationary contact, a movable contact, and a snap-spring assembly reactive to the plunger for switching the movable contact between making electrical contact with the first stationary contact and making electrical contact with the second stationary contact. The microswitch may include a first push-in wire connector for electrically connecting an end of a first wire to the first stationary contact, a second push-in wire connector for electrically connecting an end of a second wire to the second stationary contact, and a third push-in wire connector for electrically connecting an end of a third wire to the movable contact. Alternatively, or in addition, the microswitch may include a housing that, when viewed from the first surface, may have a footprint that is generally rectangular in shape except for a first housing projection and a second housing projection that extend out from different sides of the housing. The first housing projection and the second housing projection may house first and second push-in wire connectors, as desired.
US07880101B2	Miniature rotary switch A single pole, double throw, self-canceling rotary switch for selectively coupling a first circuit to a second or a third circuit by rotating a rotary element to couple or decouple electrical contacts. The rotary switch includes first and second pawls pivotally attached to the rotary element and coupled to one another by a spring. Rotation of the rotary element causes a ramp cam to act on one of the pawls, causing it to pivot, and thereby causing the spring to exert a force on the other pawl, moving a tooth on the other pawl into the locus of rotation of a central shaft that includes a groove. Rotation of the central shaft in one direction has no effect on the position of the rotary element, but rotation of the central shaft in the other direction engages the groove and the tooth, causing the rotary element to decouple the contacts.
US07880093B2	3-dimensional substrate for embodying multi-packages and method of fabricating the same A substrate for embodying multi-package comprises an underlying layer has a polymer material containing a conductive filler and provided with a step-like groove divided into step part and bottom part; a coating layer formed over the underlying layer, the coating layer is formed so that it may define a metal-wire forming area on the step part and the bottom part of the step-like groove and the conductive filler in the metal-wire forming area is exposed; and a metal wire formed via a plating process using the exposed conductive filler in the metal-wire forming area defined by the coating layer as a seed layer.
US07880088B2	Power electronic switching device with laminated bus A bus system is disclosed for use with switching devices, such as power electronic devices. The system includes generally parallel bus elements that define electrical reference planes, such as for a dc bus. The bus elements are separated from one another by insulative layers, with additional insulative layers being available for separating the system from other circuit components. Portions of the bus elements are extended or exposed to permit connection to the circuit elements, including packaged switching circuits and energy storage or filtering circuits. The bus system may be conformed to a variety of geometric configurations, and substantially reduces parasitic inductance and total loop inductance in the resulting circuitry.
US07880085B2	Wall mount assembly A water deflection system is provided for use with a wall mounting assembly, wherein the water deflecting system and the wall mounting assembly are suitable for mounting to a wall of a structure, such as a building. The mounting plate and the cover plate of the wall mounting assembly are spaced apart from one another and/or provide sufficient clearance to allow for a downward flow of water therebetween. The water deflection system interrupts, channels, and/or directs this downward flow of water and safely diverts the water away from the region proximate to the top portion of the cut hole towards a region proximate to and/or below the bottom of the cut hole, thereby preventing the damage associated with water being introduced behind the siding.
US07880084B2	Network cabinet A network cabinet is provided comprising a base member, two pairs of vertical frame rail members connected to the base member, and a top cover supported by at least one of the vertical frame rail members. The base member defines an opening and another opening is defined in the top cover. The vertical frame rail members are positioned spaced apart from four sidewalls from four corners of the cabinet formed by the four sidewalls, where each sidewall comprises a panel or a door. The two pairs of vertical frame rail members and the four sidewalls define at least one cable management pathway and at least a portion of the cable management pathway is vertically aligned with at least a portion of the opening of the base member and the opening of the top cover.
US07880078B2	Electronic keyboard instrument Respective sets of black keys and white keys of respective octaves of a keyboard 10 are defined as specific key range, respectively, to assign various tone colors of percussion instruments of a drum set to a plurality of keys included in the respective specific key ranges of the octaves. A specific key range has secondary key ranges to assign tone colors produced by different playing techniques of the same musical instrument. A depression of any key of a specific key range results in generation of a musical tone having a tone color of a percussion instrument assigned to the specific key range. To a pedal unit 20, a tone color of “bass drum” is assigned. Tone colors of “hi-hat” assigned to the keyboard 10 are controlled such that a depression of any key to which “hi-hat” is assigned with or without operation of the pedal unit 20 results in generation of a musical tone of open hi-hat or closed hi-hat.
US07880077B2	Method and system for refining a media program item by item A media system interface (200) includes a display (210) that provides a play list (300, 400) of media items to be played, such as songs or broadcast television or radio programs. A user input device (220) such as buttons on the interface allows the user to highlight a selected media item (T4) which is not desired, and to request that the media item be replaced by an alternative media item (T4-A1). The user may further indicate if the undesired item should be replaced by a similar or dissimilar item. The alternative media item is automatically selected, such as based on user preference data (145), and the list is displayed in an updated form (500, 600) with the alternative media item. A layout of the play list is adjusted to accommodate the alternative media item. The display may be provided, e.g., on a portable media player or a remote control to a home media system.
US07880076B2	Child development and education apparatus and method using visual stimulation The present disclosure relates to child musical education devices and methods. Various toy instruments are provided which incorporate simplified forms of tonal and rhythmic music visualization. A child of very young age is able to select a certain ‘mood’ or feeling and hear music which corresponds to that mood. In addition, visual representations of the selected music can be displayed on the instrument. Recording and playback functionality is optionally provided, along with rhythm accompaniments and other adjustable audio features. Certain embodiments allow the various components to be interconnected to allow maximum flexibility and upgradeability.
US07880075B2	Angle adjusting structure for high-hat cymbals An angle adjusting structure adapted to a high-hat stand supporting the high-hat cymbals is constituted of a receiving member supporting high-hat cymbals, a first thread attached to the receiving member, a second thread which engages with the first thread and which is revolved to move the first thread up/down so as to adjust a tilting angle of the receiving member, a support member supporting the second thread, and a revolution limiting member limiting the revolution of the second thread. The revolution limiting member includes a plurality of first engagers (e.g. recesses) which are formed on the lower end of the second thread in its circumferential direction and a second engager (e.g. a projection) which is shaped to engage with the first engager and is attached to the support member.
US07880073B2	Pentas clone 99/280-6 A Pentas variety designated 99/280-6 is disclosed. The invention relates to the tissue of Pentas clone 99/280-6, to the plants of Pentas 99/280-6, to plant parts of Pentas clone 99/280-6 and to methods for producing a Pentas plant produced by crossing Pentas clone 99/280-6 with itself or with another Pentas variety. The invention also related to the vegetative propagation of Pentas clone 99/280-6. The invention also relates to methods for producing a Pentas plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic Pentas plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to Pentas varieties or breeding varieties and plant parts derived from Pentas clone 99/280-6, to methods for producing other Pentas varieties, lines or plant parts derived from Pentas clone 99/280-6 and to the Pentas plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid Pentas seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the clone 99/280-6 with another Pentas variety.
US07880072B2	Plants and seeds of corn variety CV508599 According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV508599. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV508599, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV508599 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV508599 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV508599.
US07880060B2	Insecticidal polynucleotides and methods of use thereof A family of insecticidal polypeptides expressed in the venom gland of spiders of the genera Atrax and Hadronyche have been described. Also included are polynucleotides and expression vectors encoding the polypeptides and insect viruses and cells expressing the polypeptides. Transgenic plants and insects expressing the insecticidal polypeptides are also described. The insecticidal polypeptides may be employed in methods and compositions for treating insects, insect larvae, and plants.
US07880055B2	Lecitin-like protein kinase stress-related polypeptides and methods of use in plants A transgenic plant transformed by a Lectin-like Protein Kinase Stress-Related Polypeptide (LPKSRP) coding nucleic acid, wherein expression of the nucleic acid sequence in the plant results in increased plant growth and/or increased tolerance to an environmental stress as compared to a wild type variety of the plant. Also provided are agricultural products, including seeds, produced by the transgenic plants. Also provided are isolated LPKSRPs, and isolated nucleic acids coding LPKSRPs, and vectors and host cells containing the latter.
US07880054B2	Plant CAD1-like genes and their use The present invention relates to polynucleotides encoding cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (1) like (CAD1L) polypeptides. CAD1L polypeptides are produced in a plant in the same organs and the same developmental stages and processes of CAD1 and are likely to be involved in the same developmental processes as CAD enzymes. CAD1L-like sequences are also disclosed. They can be used for modification of, for example, lignification, cellulose, degradation, plant cell walls or plant defense response.
US07880053B2	Methods of using transformed plants expressing plant-derived acyl-coenzyme-A-binding proteins in phytoremediation Methods of using genetically-transformed plants in the phytoremediation of lead are described. Unlike many organisms in which only 10-kDa ACBPs have been identified, there exists a family of six ACBPs in the model plant Arabidopsis. Other than a function in mediating the transfer of acyl-CoA esters in plant lipid metabolism, all six Arabidopsis ACBPs can bind the heavy metal lead and are therefore applicable for phytoremediation. These methods of phytoremediation will provide a cheap, simple and efficient method in the removal of contaminating lead from soil/water/environment by the growth of the ACBP-overexpressing genetically-transformed plants in the contaminated environment. There is also provided a method to remove lead from contaminated water.
US07880046B2	Low corrosion in zeolite oligomerisation Water reacts on molecular sieve catalysts used in oligomerization reactions and forms oxygenated compounds, in particular organic acids that may cause corrosion problems downstream of the reactor, in particular in distillation tower overhead systems and downstream thereof. A lowering of the presence of water in the feed prior to contacting thereof with the molecular sieve brings a significant reduction in corrosion downstream. At the same time, it has a significant beneficial effect on catalyst activity and brings a significant extension of catalyst life. Lowering water in the feed is particularly effective when organic nitrogen-containing Lewis bases are present in the feed, even at low levels.
US07880042B2	Tetrahydronaphthalene derivatives, methods for the production thereof, and the use thereof as antiphlogistics The invention relates to multiply substituted tetrahydronaphthalene derivatives of the formula (Ia) to processes for preparing them and to their use as antiinflammatory agents.
US07880040B2	Method for producing fluorinated organic compounds Disclosed is a method for producing fluorinated organic compounds, including hydrofluoropropenes, which preferably comprises converting at least one compound of formula (I): CF3CFnCHmXa-m (I) to at least one compound of formula (II) CF3CZCHZ (II). where each X is independently Cl, I or Br; each Z is independently H or F; n is 1 or 2; m is 1, 2 or 3, provided that when n is 1, m is 1 or 2; a is 2 or 3, and a-m≧0. Certain embodiments include the step of reacting fluorinated C2 olefin, such as tetrafluoroethylene, with a C1 addition agent under conditions effective to produce a compound of formula (I).
US07880039B2	Production of carbonyl fluoride Carbonyl fluoride, which can also be used as an etching gas, can be prepared by photochemical oxidation of chlorodifluoromethane or trifluoromethane with light, for example with light of a wavelength ≧280 nm in the presence of chlorine.

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